Hangin' Beachside (not tanning though)

If a Repulican said "not tanning" there would be censorship and/or demands for resignation.

I'm an old guy (though people in Ukraine won't believe me).

 

We old guys are allowed to say what we want.

 

I talk to people of all sorts.

 

We talk about everything, including making jokes about stuff.

 

In 1966 the kids I tutored in Harlem decided I was a 'Negro' or a 'black' to use newer language then, because I was a good guy, even though at first they had to touch my white skin and face all over to 'see if white felt different' because they had only seen white on the cops, the sanitation workers, and the hoodlums who hustled dope and numbers to the corner runners.

 

I wear that name with pride, and whenever someone of a darker color accuses me of racism (as some are wont to do with anyone who disagrees with them or their lifestyle), I just think back to how I helped and earned the title each black can call each other without self consciousness, but if a white utters that word, it's a slander and the most horrible word in the world.

 

Proudly, I never once (yes, not once) have used it in a derogatory manner.

 

I was reared differently, even than people in my more liberal home town, where even there, there was plenty of racism and discrimination. That does not mean I am pure as driven snow, but I am self aware.

 

I make friends easily in black neighborhoods and can discuss things relating to black culture with blacks quite easily, and frankly no one takes offense because they quickly know that I know absolutely what I am talking about, and mostly I do so in great jest and good humor, from the same point as they do when they get together among themselves.

 

This is not universally true, but is so 90% of the time. Certain cultures and I just do not get along -- the drug culture is one of them, and the plant a baby in every vagina culture is another, so if I am among blacks, I fit better among the more conservatives blacks and the community leaders, but frankly can get down and talk frankly with most street people about their lives on their level.

 

It's part of being me and what helps me be a street photographer.

 

Funny, you don't find many Republican 'street photographers' or Republican 'defense attorneys' either. (they're all in the race to be Deputy District attorneys, so they can 'graduate' to either being D.A.'s so they can run for higher office, or get that fancy job in an insurance defense law firm or other silk stocking law firm which draws off the deputy D.A. alum pool.

 

The ex public defenders sometimes go on to make great plaintiff attorneys because they know how to relate to people and have empathic skills.

 

The class divide starts from one's first clerkship in law school, and continues from there on out, with few changing sides.

 

And most sides nowadays not getting alone with the other.

 

Just like Republicans and Democrats.

 

I was a registered Republican (as I said so often during the Bush years, and then went on to attack his policies.

 

I registered Republican just so (as a supposed insider) I could do just that, and for no other reason.

 

Dissension from the midst.

 

That was I, then.

 

Now I can reveal my true stripes.

 

As if nobody really knew if they read what I wrote during the Bush years.

 

John (Crosley)

 

 

Well, it's an OK photo in its own, but the thing that made me leave a comment, sadly enough, is that it is one of the few street photos I see on PN of a black person. I've been on this site for years and see much of what gets posted in the Street and Doc forum, and have over the years seen my share of gallery pics and it has always been remarkable to me how few photographs get taken of black people (typically sleeping street people excepted). I have my theories as to why, none of them particularly charitable. So, hats off to you, John.

I have many in both countries and not sleeping on the street. I run an equal opportunity site :-)

First some examples:

 

'The Pride of Baltimore' (obviously NOT a 'street person'

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=9886811

 

Folder 'Twelve Minutes at the Hot Dog Stand' (Girls Are Partly Black and an Entire Folder dedicated to them (and loving mom)|:

 

http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=943580

 

"The Would-Be Rap Star' (Who spied me about a month ago and couldn't stop talking about how pleased he was with my photo of him and how great he thought I was as a photographer, then introduced me to some of his friends.'

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=9259019&size=lg

 

'Lucky' depicted with a Glacier water dispenser in the background making him look 'cool' or 'cold' Lucky makes his living returning bottles to supermarkets, is a little 'slow' and was oh, so thankful for the attention AND the photo.

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8879331

 

'The Joy of It All' (underrated in my opinion, even though very blurry)

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8635970

 

'The Tireless Shopper' meaning he has no tires ;~))

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8576107

 

The Entertainer at Rest

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8516375

 

'Desmond' (portrayed malevolently perhaps but noted a 'nice guy'

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8071234

 

Big Beautiful Busty Black Women (porn starlets also noted as being like little girls) from annual porn expo Las Vegas, with 47,000 mostly clicked views and a great number on another service, in black and white -- very popular photo and in my book.

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6840737

 

This is Obama (showing mutilation of his campaign poster) President of United States, now.

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=7054496

 

Carb Loading a la Francais (French Fries) (silhouette)

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=9362218&size=lg

 

Wilshire Boulevard (street person, disabled, spent some long time with him -- I LOVE this photo)

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8992036&size=lg

 

The Rule of Fourths

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6431522

 

Donna the Cashier (The Fun of Shopping at Ralph's)

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5594392

 

Super Mario (A Bruthu')

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5576092

 

Color of a Different Hue (gold)

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4390281

 

'Lonnie' (overlooked above)

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=9800300&size=lg

 

Martial Artist and I-Pod Salesman

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4112827

 

'Time's Almost Up' (my first 'street post' of a black person, and truly he was a 'street person' -- so you are right a small fraction even for me.

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3798912

 

Hail the Hood

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8582695

 

'Look Out Below'

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8381532

 

The Hood

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=7899718

 

Parisian Interlude

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4205484

 

 

Red, Blue, White and Black

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3743492

 

 

'Lou' the Greyhound Bus Driver on Break

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3611545

 

The Apples of His Eyes (film)

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3608629

 

 

***********

 

Andy, the list is not exhaustive and even from the more widely known folders, I am certain I've missed a few.

 

I'm even surprised myself at what a large number of black faces (or black ethnicity is more likely the better word since true 'black' is rare in the US compared to the Caribbean Islands and Central and Southern Africa).

 

And they are portrayed almost all as people, with only one 'bum' from the 'street'.

 

I guess the point I made to myself is my photography appears to be somewhat color blind - nothing unconscious about it -- no 'profiling.

 

I just take what I see, and I do go places where there are black people so they are my subjects and I spend an inordinate amount of time in Ukraine where there are very few (almost no) black people (I might see one or two a trip).

 

I guess that clarifies . . . hunh?

 

I accept your compliment. Others should know about this.

 

I also discovered that this photo was NOT put up for critique, as I went to bed, but now I am.

 

Thanks Andy, for allowing me to make a point to myself (for allowing me self-discovery) I'm blown away.

 

Street to President and all in between. I hadn't even noticed.

 

I've been too busy trying to take good photos.

 

;~)))

 

John (Crosley)

These two young men finish a day at one of Southern California's most

popular beaches, fatigue apparently showing on their face, as well as

interest combined with caution at confronting a stranger's camera. Your

ratings and critiques are invited and most welcome. If you rate harshly,

very critically, or just wish to make an observation, please submit a

helpful and constructive comment; please share your superior

photographic knowledge to help improve my photography. Thanks!

Enjoy! John (Please see the post infra by Andy K. and my response)

When you showed me the photo of you and your young relative, I knew to expect nothing less from you.

 

That's how a true 'street photographer' should be -- not 'color blind' but acknowldging color (nationality/ethnicity, etc.) and celebrating it.

 

John (Crosley)

So you do. Nice stuff in your folio.

 

John, no need to list it all-- I'm unlikely to plow through your gigantic collection of folders...you have some good photos buried in such an overwhelming amount of stuff that should be edited out that it's just impossible to make sense of what you're trying to say photographically. At least to me. But I do like your enthusiasm.

What confounds you, Andy, is that I have a large variety of 'things to say' and am limited to one user account.

 

Although the user of folders is helpful, regrettably with a big account only those at the top get much traffic, so many of the shots must be lumped together.

 

Interestingly, I will sometimes watch as a neophyte (with a companion, wife, or friend) viewer, will go through my stuff and 'try to explain his/her interpretation of what it is I'm up to.

 

It can vary remarkably, and the choices can range all over the lot.

 

Some see me as an 'abstract photographer' or 'fine art' photographer.

 

Others see the more obvious -- 'street photographer'.

 

Some are interested only in 'color' and only really look at that, while others look at 'Black and White, some because it's now fashionable' and others because, well, they just like it.

 

My single photo, color, portfolio, however, continues to get huge numbers of hits, though I contribute to it little lately, though I could.

 

I could just desaturate less and continue being a color photographer' as I was more at the start, and only because of a few members' suggestions did I begin desaturating more (and liking it).

 

Some see me as a successful 'portrait photographer' (street portraits). Others don't look at those shots at all.

 

A few are attracted to the few landscapes and wonder why I don't shoot those more.

 

I seem to be lots of things to different viewers, and that's fine with me.

 

This is not a photographic mission -- I have wide-ranging tastes, at least those I choose to present here, on this, my sounding board.

 

There may come a time soon when I do that actual editing.

 

However, consider this.

 

One of my least likely photos, a photo of a man looking down a mannequin's large-breasted bodice in lingerie, is now nearly 200,000 views and is certain at the daily clip (250 to 500 clicked views a day) to exceed 200,000 views in a few months or sooner). That photo, out of focus and blurry, is 'hidden, in a much lesser folder and placed there after not scoring well and not getting so many rates.

 

Viewers LOVE it.

 

As a consequence, once I post something I seldom take it down, preferring to use PN as a 'test site' for judging popularity, rather than as making a 'mission statement'

 

When I have my own web site, (or two or three) those will be my 'statement'.

 

Look for those within the year.

 

Depending on my goals, professionally if it seems attainable, then I may start trimming my PN offerings or eliminate them altogether -- it depends on the pro advice I get (if any) as one pro with highest credentials told me two years ago to stop shooting for PN altogether and get ready for galleries and museums.

 

(except for the 'society' of PN, which he understood was valuable to me)

 

Including comments, such as yours, which help bring coherence to what may seem to be chaos.

 

Believe me, there is not chaos in my mind about these photos at all.

 

It's just that I have a plenitude of interests (and skills) as my mentor found.

 

He was forever finding things as he curated my work that placed my work in new categories, which somewhat confounded him.

 

As we tried to find a maximum of 40 images to present to galleries.

 

A task which is starting anew now.

 

Best to you Andy.

 

Maybe you'\c care to present me your list of my (up to) top 40 with URLs, by e-mail? I'd be very appreciative.

 

But only if you can 'see' something from the chaos that you think is representative of a vision.

 

And if you care enough to take the time, no requirement and certainly you won't be judged ill if you decide not to.

 

In fact, it\s an open invitation to any worthy viewer. My e-mail address is on my bio page and the format is as above in comments.

 

Best to you, Andy.

 

(and I'm very serious, as I've hired a pro photoshopper for editing and soon to hire a print maker and a web designer).

 

It may be a while before you see any results -- perhaps you may never see them - but believe me the task is Herculean and has me up all night most nights.

 

John (Crosley)