31-JUL-2008
heading east
Tomorrow (Thursday) morning this is who you might see if you're traveling east on Hwys. 402, 401 & 403 across Ontario. Or maybe you'd see me crossing the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge over Niagara Falls into upper New York State. Hey, maybe we'd even stop for the night at the same motel somewhere between Rochester and Syracuse, NY.
Yes, my friends, I'm off on another road trip! This time I'm traveling 600 miles/965 km from my home in Detroit to the Center for Photography in Woodstock, NY. At 9:30 a.m. on Saturday I'll be in a workshop with the master photographer,
Mary Ellen Mark. Saturday is scheduled to be portfolio reviews of each of the fifteen participants (10-20 prints each), and at 8 p.m. that night Mary Ellen will be giving a lecture/slideshow. The workshop ends on Sunday afternoon with a trip to the Ulster County Fair where each participant will be completing a personal assignment given us by MEM. When we return home, we'll send Mary Ellen the contact sheet of our prints and she will mail us back a critique.
Can you imagine how I must feel to be working with not one but TWO of the photographic giants of our time in one week??!! First it was
David Alan Harvey on Monday, and now Mary Ellen Mark on Saturday and Sunday. My gawd, what have I done to deserve this? All I can say is that I feel like the most fortunate person on earth. May I use these opportunities well!
And now I must start to pack my clothes. It's almost 11 p.m. on Wednesday night and all I've done is study my maps, put my back-up scooter in the car, and print out my photos for the workshop. But, hey, isn't that what's important? See you next week! After the workshop I'll be spending a couple of days hiking in the Catskill Mountains with our niece Carolyn and her S.O. Jonathan. All going well, I'll be home either Thursday or Friday, August 7 or 8. Have a great week!
29-JUL-2008
David Alan Harvey edits my work
Please bear with me as I quote the posts I made to David's
Road Trips blog:
Well, David & Mike have come and gone, but they will not be forgotten. Two of the sweetest, most generous-spirited fellows I've ever met. Every minute spent with them was pure delight. Can't think of any other 3 1/2 hour period of of my life that was so instructive and transformative. I feel like I just took a giant step towards becoming a real photographer, and I owe it all to DAH.
For those who have met and worked with the master, you already know what I'm going to say. During a one-hour edit we covered more territory than in any class I've ever taken. It was all about educating my artistic eye, as well as learning important technical information. David inspired, pushed, critiqued, taught, supported and helped me refine my focus in relation to my Self Portrait/Daily Life project. I came away from our time together not only with a tight edit that I feel good about but with a stronger sense of myself as a photographer. I also now know where I want to go with this work. Priceless stuff, that. (posted July 29, 2008 1:06 am)
It's early morning here in Detroit but I've been up since 6 am...and I am NOT morning person by nature. My mind is awhirl with everything I learned in working with David last night. Especially about editing. Just to watch and then begin to collaborate in the process was a true AHA experience!
What I saw, and later entered into, was a rigorous dance between the images and the artist, a dance with unexpected twists and turns, with a pulsing beat as engaging as any band or DJ I've ever heard. And as the edit got tighter, the dance partner was no longer each individual image but the whole, the body of work that had taken on a life of its own. To me, that's when the fun began. And, amazingly, it was then that I became the one to cut more images than David, for I finally heard this project's unique voice, and I wanted nothing to muddy its purity and power.
Sequencing was key to my seeing where its strengths lay. The ten images we finally decided on have a flow and, as Mike said, you can look at them and see they were taken by the same photographer. But David made it clear that sequencing is not about "telling a story"" but rather about the flow, the mood, the tonalities and how it looks when moving from one to another.
Sure it was hard to see so many shots I'd liked end up on the cutting room floor. But when I'd ask David why, he'd show me their weaknesses and/or how they didn't fit into the body of work we were putting together. Some of them I will retake with a more educated eye, but others are gone forever. So be it. Hey, this kind of editing isn't for wimps! You've got to be ready to let go and get on with it.
So now I'm getting ready for Mary Ellen Mark's weekend workshop on August 2-3. As I've said before, we're to bring 10-20 images for a portfolio review. I'll print these ten photos in 11x16.5" and maybe add a couple from David's "B" edit, but maybe not. At this point I'm inclined to stick with my best and if it's just ten that's OK. It'll be interesting to hear what MEM has to say.
CLICK HERE to see my Self Portrait/Daily Life project.
OH, I am SO GRATEFUL to David for his visit and private workshop! I hope my descriptions are useful to you. We were all there together last night on my screened porch...
Patricia (posted July 29, 2008 7:58 am)
And when I say "we were all there together," I'm including you, my wonderful friends and visitors here on PBase. Many of you have been with me from the start and I am so grateful for that. I would not be who or where I am right now had it not been for my seeing and learning from your excellent work as photographers, and for my receiving your encouragement and constructive criticism of my work. Thank you.
27-JUL-2008
sunset sail
No, I don't do sailboats, plants, flowers, landscapes. Except when I feel like it. And today (Saturday) I feel like it. Can you believe this is what I see almost every summer evening when I go for my after-dinner scoot? And it's just three blocks from my house. Actually it was its proximity to the water that drew us to this community when we were house-hunting almost 40 years ago. We lived in a Detroit apartment house right beside the Detroit River and agreed that we didn't want to move anyplace where we didn't have water within walking distance. This house fit the bill perfectly in 1971, and still does today.
Talked to David Alan Harvey today. He and Mike are planning to arrive here Monday early afternoon. David will then work with me on editing my Self Portrait/Daily Life series--I have 60 4x6" prints for him to see--and take a portrait of Ed and me for his American Families project. We'll have dinner and some conversation until bedtime, but instead of going to bed, David and Mike will get back in the car and drive all night! As David leaves for Italy on Friday or Saturday, he's anxious to get back home to Brooklyn ASAP. Hearty folks, I'd say!!!
26-JUL-2008
a change of pace
I had to put up something--ANYTHING--besides a photo of people. I'm just about "peopled out," photographically speaking. I'm sure this will last no more than a few days, but those days will be a welcome respite. No complaints, mind you, but I've been working L-O-N-G hours and days preparing for portfolio reviews by two photography giants.
As it happens, David Alan Harvey and his assistant Michael Courvoisier will be coming to stay one or two nights with Ed and me on their road trip from Colorado back to NYC. We're expecting them in a day or two. David wants to photograph Ed and me for his current series on American Families. He also wants to work with me on editing my Self Portrait/Daily Life project. He's asked that I make 4x6" prints of all the photos I want him to consider. That has ended up being 52 images. It's been quite a job to prepare them.
Then, next Thursday I'll be driving to New York State where I'll be taking a weekend workshop with Mary Ellen Mark. She wants us to bring ten to twenty 13x19" prints of a portfolio we want her to review. Until this morning I was planning to bring prints from my Detroit Elders project. I practically killed myself the past couple of days trying to prepare my photos from that project, but it just wouldn't pull together. David's blog community helped me see that I did not yet have a clear focus for this project, so I've decided to let it go for now. I'll be taking my Self Portrait/Daily Life series to Mary Ellen too. That was a HUGE relief as I've never been very good at multi-tasking.
I'll try to post here on PBase but I can't promise anything. The next two weeks are going to be very full indeed. I'm deeply grateful to all of you who continue to visit my work and leave such kind comments. I read every one but have not had time to respond. You're the best!!!
23-JUL-2008
family time
Monday was a special day for Eddie and me. Our nephew John, niece Kirsten, and great nieces Betty and Katie spent four hours with us. Precious time since they live in Chevy Chase, Maryland and only make it out here once a year. It's always in the summer and we always go down to the children's water park by the lake. A very popular spot with the girls. And guess what else was popular! The butterfly hand puppet we gave to four year-old Betty. She said she loves butterflies because they start with the same letter as her name. Two year-old Katie liked her frog puppet too, but neither it nor anyone else could keep up with her incredible bursts of energy. Oh my but that girl can move!!!
21-JUL-2008
dancing to David Munnelly's Irish Band
Detroit's 16th annual Concert of Colors. Yes, the concerts were spectacular. For three days and four nights we saw and heard performers from around the globe. All for free. But what touched me most deeply and gave me hope for the future of our city and the world were the people. Men, women and children of all races, ages, ethnicities, national origins, economic and social backgrounds dancing, listening, cheering, smiling. Everyone included; no one left out. One family. Who we are. Who we REALLY are.
20-JUL-2008
love in action
This photo shows my dear friend Jerry Burns holding his three month-old granddaughter Sarah during Saturday's deeply moving "Sudan United for Peace" concert. I always see Jerry and his family at The Concert of Colors, metro Detroit's diversity festival...and with good reason. In the way he has chosen to live his life, Jerry Burns exemplifies cultural and racial diversity as few people ever have.
In the 1980s Jerry spent years in Niger as a Peace Corps volunteer. After returning to Detroit he got his nursing degree and found himself drawn to work with the victims of the escalating AIDS/HIV epidemic. Jerry soon became an expert in the compassionate medical treatment of such patients and, in addition to his ongoing work in the wards at a Detroit city hospital, he was called upon to speak at international AIDS/HIV conferences. As if this weren't enough service to humanity, ten years ago Jerry, a single man, began taking refugee boys from war-torn countries like the Sudan, Iraq, Nigeria and Sri Lanka into his home as foster children. Jerry's family now includes dozens of men, their Significant Others, and two precious granddaughters, Jessica and Sarah. Last night Jerry introduced us to his newest son who had just arrived from Burma 24 hours before.
Who says one person can't make a difference!
19-JUL-2008
Senegalese dancer Mor Talla Samb
Another AMAZING night of performances at Detroit's 16th annual Concert of Colors!!! First my friend Pat and I heard Les Primitifs Du Futur, a French folk/musette band from Paris. Then, with Brenda, my new friend from Hannan House, we went over to the Diversity Stage and danced our booties off to a Senegalese hip hop group called Gokh Bi System. Back at the Main Stage we were enthralled by Fallou Dieng and his band from Senegal. It was there that we experienced the unforgettable dancer Mor Talla Samb. And just when we thought things couldn't get any better, out came Mavis Staple, the gospel/soul legend who started her career 58 years ago with her father and sisters, known as the Staple Singers. I have no words to describe what happened during her set. It was about so much more than music. I mean she and her family were favorites of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and often sang at his church, on marches like Selma to Montgomery, and when he'd speak at rallies. "Inspiring" can sound like such a cliched term but in Mavis' case it barely describes her effect on an audience. By the end of her set, everyone was on their feet dancing and singing along in full voice. Again I was in the front row and was privileged to have her take my hand and sing into my eyes, "I'll take you there." Along with everyone else, I sang it back to her. But, even though there were hundreds of people around us, somehow it felt as if Mavis and I were alone together, we connected that deeply.
Oh, I do LOVE Detroit!!!
18-JUL-2008
Buffy Sainte-Marie
I know I've said over and over again, "This was the BEST concert I've ever seen!", but, dammit, THIS WAS!!! Buffy Sainte-Marie and her trio with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra backing her up. I mean what could be more amazing? And not only was it free but I was in the front row, practically in Buffy's lap! What I love about her is her marvelous musicality, her tireless dedication to the work of peace, her commitment to Native American and First Nations people and causes, and her huge heart that comes through in every note she sings. The program said that Buffy now devotes the majority of her time to the Nihewan Foundation for Native American Education "whose Cradleboard Teaching Project serves children and teachers in eighteen states." Here is someone who walks her talk. And, not to be superficial, but I must add that Buffy Sainte-Marie is absolutely gorgeous...and she's one year older than I. When you look at this photo do you think you're seeing a 67 year-old woman??? Gee whiz!!!
Tonight (Thursday) was Opening Night for Detroit's 16th annual Concert of Colors, the World Music festival that celebrates our racial, ethnic and cultural diversity. I adore this festival!!! And this is just the beginning--three more days and nights to go!
17-JUL-2008
Ella
Ella and I have known each another for years. Back in the mid-1990s we were part of a woman's group that met every Thursday night to drum and share life. There were four of us in the group, three Americans and one Canadian. We met faithfully for one year. Ella and I also both attended the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival for many years. And since she lives near Wayne State University in Detroit, we always see one another at the free music festivals. So I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to run into her at Hannan House. Turns out she's one of the gardeners. Today (Wednesday) we had time for a good talk out in the parking lot before she biked home on this very hot day. We know we'll be meeting up this weekend at the Concert of Colors, Detroit's annual World Music festival. Detroit is such a small town!
16-JUL-2008
Hall of Famers at Yankee Stadium
Willie Mays. Hank Aaron. Reggie Jackson. Yogi Berra. The largest gathering of Hall of Fame baseball players ever! And it happened on the occasion of the All Star game at Yankee Stadium, the last such game to be played in its 85 year history, for this is the last season the Yankees will play in the House that Babe Built. As a former baseball fan, I was mesmerized by the broadcast of this historic event. Ed, less so. As this photo shows!
I continue to take LOTS of photos for my self portrait project, the one my mentor, David Alan Harvey, insists is a book-in-the-making. He gave my project an online portfolio review on Saturday and seemed pleased with my progress. 20-24 photos passed muster (out of 76) and he says I'll need 40-50 more for the book. David should know: four books of his photos have been published thus far, and he's working on another as we speak.
It feels strange--and wonderful--to have a Magnum photographer like
David Alan Harvey take my work so seriously. This is not something I'd ever dreamed would happen. But it has, and I'm grateful. It certainly makes me take my work seriously too. Not that I don't continue to enjoy the process. I do. But I have such a different attitude towards it now. How can I say this? It's like I have a purpose beyond the simple taking of photos. There's new meaning to my work and how I approach it. It is literally ALL I think about, except my Eddie, of course. Who seems to be getting better day-by-day, thank god.
Life is good. Better than good. It is positively THRILLING!!!
CLICK HERE to see the slideshow of my updated self portrait series. Be sure to turn up your sound as there is music too!
14-JUL-2008
Ken with his 23rd grandchild, Wyatt
I'm learning to go up to the people I want to photograph and just ask. I mean the worst they can do is say no. But today (Sunday) Ken said yes. Lucky me! He was sitting off to the side holding this baby while dozens of young adults with little kids talked and played and ate at the picnic tables near me down at the park. I SO wanted to photograph him! So I asked and he kindly agreed. When I saw the tattoo on his forearm that was holding the baby, it made my day! Small details like that are pure gold for a photographer.
Today little Wyatt had been baptized and that was the reason for the family picnic. Ken has six children and two step-children so I guess it isn't surprising that he has 23 grandchildren. And the Illinois contingent wasn't even there! Ken seems like such a sweet man. All he wanted to do was sit quietly holding his grandbaby.
13-JUL-2008
Marjorie works a puzzle
Every time I go to take photos at Hannan House, the experience goes deeper. As I get to know each of these amazing individuals better, I am more in awe of their courage, determination, sense of fun, and wisdom. I've now audio recorded three women and two men. With Velma and Mr. Freeman, we had time for them to share their stories in detail. Brenda and Grace shared parts of their stories, and Curtis performed spoken word poetry. Next week I have appointments with Mary K. and Brenda to record their stories. Such a privilege. And such a responsibility to be sure these oral histories are shared with the larger community. How did I ever get so fortunate as to be doing this work???
09-JUL-2008
Eddie's response to the library book I got him
Guess it's hard to know someone else's taste, even after 42 years! By the way, today we got the results back from Eddie's MRI. No unpleasant surprises, thank god. But there is severe degeneration of a disc at L4/5 vertebrae. The internist wants to continue letting it heal without surgery, so he's having Eddie resume physical therapy. We both feel things are getting a bit better. Bit by bit by bit may he heal.
07-JUL-2008
at the piano
Here's Eddie and me in our favorite togetherness activity--singing & playing the piano. Been doing this for 42 years! Now I need to digitally record us so you can hear as well as see. Another day ...
06-JUL-2008
Derrick May, Techno DJ
Anyone who knows electronic music will recognize the name, Derrick May. With Juan Atkins, Carl Craig and Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May is an acknowledged king of the "Detroit sound." His particular niche is techno, which just happens to be my favorite kind of EM. So when I heard this Master mix it up tonight (Saturday) at Detroit's CityFest street fair, it was like I'd died and gone to heaven. Yes, I'd heard him before but that had been at the start of my love affair with electronic music and I didn't have enough background or experience to know what I was hearing. But now I do. Oh yes, I do. And IMHO Derrick May is the best DJ I've ever heard. Sophisticated, soulful, imaginative, incredibly musical, unpredictable, indescribable. What I told him afterwards was that he put me in a Zen state and that was the truth. I just sat looking and listening with my mouth hanging open. I could barely dance, and that was a first! But his sound was so spiritual, even when the heavy bass beat pulsed through my veins, that it almost seemed sacrilegious to dance. Strange, huh? I also told him that the reason his sound touches people so deeply is that it comes from such a deep place within himself. And you know what? Derrick May is just as sweet as he is talented. What a gift to our world!
05-JUL-2008
looking up
I've been so engrossed in working on my two projects--disability self portraits & African American elders--that sometimes I forget to look, REALLY look, at what's on the edges of my vision. Like this amazing sky framed by buildings in Detroit's New Center area. Thank goodness something tugged at my eyes last night and drew my gaze up to this sight that was changing by the second. Yes, I was surrounded by crowds of people, loud music, lots of action, and incredible energy but--and this is a big BUT--there was so much more going on than I realized. When I stay focused on what's at eye level or below I can miss the big picture. May I remember there are MANY vantage points, each of which shows a part of the whole. May I remember to LOOK. May I learn to SEE.
04-JUL-2008
dancing in the streets
Another great festival weekend here in Detroit--
the City Fest! I took this photo down there last night, that is when I wasn't dancing myself. No, I didn't join the break dancers but I did add my part to the mix, and that was the SPOTLIGHT that made it all visible! Hey, mobility scooters have their moment in the sun--or rather, moon--and last night was my girl Sassy's moment to shine. And shine she did, until the last break dancer had spun his stuff. BTW when I first turned on my light, everybody cheered. WHAT A KICK!!!
Soon I'll be going back down for more music, dancing, food & Detroit's own brand of "family feeling." Tonight is the Electronic Music night on this stage, so you know I'm a happy camper! Happy holiday to my U.S. friends.
03-JUL-2008
gracious Velma
Best viewed in Original size.
Today (Wednesday) Velma invited me to visit her in her apartment. She lives in a retirement center smack in the middle of Detroit and is rightfully proud of it. When I got there at 2 p.m. she met me at the door and proceeded to take me on a tour of the building. It is absolutely beautiful and wonderfully designed for elders, especially those with mobility issues. Once we got to Velma's apartment she was kind enough to let me take photos and record our conversation on my new digital recorder. As I'd suspected, her story is fascinating. What I didn't expect was how much we have in common.
Velma Smith Bryant was born March 29, 1914, one year after my mother. The amazing thing was that they were both born in the same small town: Shelby, North Carolina! And then I found out that Velma and her husband owned a house and raised their three children in the same city where my husband Ed was raised: Highland Park, Michigan. Velma worked as a caterer her entire adult life, and her mother had been a teacher. Her father was a farmer who had horses, mules, pigs, turkeys and cows as well as fields of corn, cotton and peanuts. During Velma's growing-up years her mother would be off teaching five days a week in nearby communities. Her father stayed home with the five children, and the kids helped raise one another. Education was a priority and, although other farmers expected their children to stay home and help on the farm, Velma's Dad always said school was the most important thing. Velma continued this tradition in raising her own children and each one has been quite successful. Her eldest son was an engineer with Chrysler before he retired. Her daughter had her masters degree in social work and worked with children until she retired. Her youngest son has been a Detroit police officer for decades. She says she and her husband never had a moment's problems with their children. She is obviously proud of them and determined not to be a burden in any way.
I'd say Velma Bryant is one of the most positive persons I've ever met. It is such a privilege to know her. And I love sharing her with you.
02-JUL-2008
"From Queen Cleopatra to Queen Patricia."
Those were the words my dear friend Aly said yesterday as he placed his gift over my head. It was a sterling silver necklace with a pendant of Cleopatra that he'd brought me back from his most recent trip to Egypt. Aly is a wonderful man, a truly gracious man. We first met at the weekly vigils put on by our local peace group. It was at the start of Mr. Bush's disastrous war on the sovereign country of Iraq, and Aly and I connected on a heart level. Both of us were--and still are--devastated by the horrors unleashed by our country's president. When I was preparing to visit Rabih and Sulaima in Beirut, Lebanon in 2005, it was Aly who gave me Arabic lessons. Or, I should say, TRIED to give me Arabic lessons. I was a pathetic student but he was always patient and encouraging. This past April Aly went back home to Egypt to visit his sister who was ill. But in the midst of it all, he managed to find time to buy this beautiful necklace for his friend Patricia. How honored I am to have Aly in my life.
01-JUL-2008
Ed's first-ever massage
After spending hours at the hospital today (Monday) getting Eddie's MRI, our friend Pat came over and gave my sweetie his first-ever massage. To be honest I was surprised that Ed was open to this--for him--untraditional body treatment. Even more surprising was that it was HIS idea. You have to understand, Eddie comes from a medical family. His father and uncle were doctors, and he and his brother became doctors as well. Now, Eddie is 78 years old and often shows his age in his rather old-fashioned attitudes about holistic medical practices. For instance, I've tried to encourage him to go to my acupuncturist for his recent pain condition, but he'll have none of it. So when he asked Pat if they could schedule a massage, it surprised both of us. But obviously he was serious. And I gather it was a positive experience for him. Of course Pat is an exceptionally gifted massage therapist, so he was in good hands. And I get to benefit too. She left her table here and is coming back tomorrow (Tuesday) to give me a massage as well. Lucky me!