It's Finally Here: The First ADP Photo Exhibit entitled "Perspectives"

I am excited and looking forward to the first ADP photo exhibit on Friday December 03, 2010. I chose the name "Perspectives" because the photographs on display were all taken from "different perspectives", which align with the mission of ADP and that is to inspire everyone to see their world in a different perspective and in the process enjoy their life's journey a little more.

What exactly does this mean you may ask?

For example:

1. The Cira Building, anyone passing by this building will usually snap a picture of it unobstructed, but when framed behing the river railings, it looks quite different.

2. A different perspective can also help us look at something in a fresh new way such as the Victory Figurine as surrounded by the ground hibiscus in Union Square, San Francisco.

3. Finally, it can help us appreciate something that we have right in our backyard as demonstrated by the view from Camden of Philadelphia.

These are just 3 of the 11 photographs that will be on display along with a complete porfolio of ADP photographs. What is also exciting for me personally is that proceeds from the sale will benefit P.I.CK., Photography for Inner City Kids.

I am looking forward to meeting some of you for the very first time, I hope to to see you all there! For details, please click here.

Enjoy the journey...
ADP

How Many People Are Homeless in the US?

In the past several months, I've become increasingly aware of the homeless problem in our city as I capture images of it. Like most Americans, I've come to believe that it's a fact of life; it has existed so long that we've accepted it as part of our reality.



Homeless man in City Hall Subway Station ( Click on link to see FB comments)


Curious about the seriousness of the problem, I did a Google search and here are 3 statistics that came up:

On any given night in America, anywhere from 700,000 to 2 million people are homeless, according to estimates of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty.

Single men comprise 44 % , single women 13%, families with children 36%, and unaccompanied minors 7 %.

The homeless population is about 50 % African-American, 35 % white, 12 % Hispanic, 2 % Native American, and 1 % Asian. (Source)



Homeless man in Love Park, Philadelphia (Click on link to see FB comments)


These 3 photographs are exhibitted because they fit in with the mission of ADP which is to inspire everyone to see their world through "different lenses" and in the process enjoy their life's journey a little more.


Homeless man walks in front of City Hall (Click on link to see FB comments)


Enjoy the journey...
ADP

What is minimalistic photography?

Most people would agree that "Less is more" can broadly define the concept of minimalistic photography, but as with any art subject, it can be open to interpretation. In my initial attempt at minimal photography, I try to remind myself that it is still photography and therefore should convey of stir up some type of message or emotion.

This evening was the first photo session where I had minimalistic photography in mind and I have to admit it that it was challenging to capture very little in an urban and cluttered world and yet still be meaningful. Below is my very first attempt; I'm not really sure if it's really considered minimalistic due to the intensity of the colors so please feel free to comment...



Enjoy the journey...
ADP

Sunset - Monday 11.22.2010

Amazing sunset this evening. Sky changed colors from pink to yellow to red in a matter of minutes as seen in the shots below. (Click on icon for larger image).

Enjoy the journey...

ADP

How Big is Society Man Really??

The statue in front of the Society Hill Towers (by I.M Pei) is one of my favorite shots. The picture below gives you an idea of how big or small the statue really is:~ 5 feet tall.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=414705011432&set=a.412818881432.184849.339588801432

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=444781791432&set=a.382540356432.163492.339588801432

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=455197961432&set=a.454831386432.246388.339588801432

Enjoy the journey...

ADP

Amazing Cloud Formations over Penns Landing 11.17.2010

Cloud formations usually make interesting photography so I try to snap a few shots when possible. On the way to Ikea to look for some frames for my upcoming exhibit, I snapped several shots that turned out to be pretty cool. In the first 2 , I waited for the fast-moving cloud and the moon to position themselves to look like creatures...yes I know it's a little creepy, but here's how they turned out..

Enjoy the journey...

ADP

The Beautiful Ben Franklin Bridge

The Ben Franklin Bridge at its completion on July 1, 1926, at 533-metre, made it the world's longest suspension bridge span, a distinction it would hold until the opening of the Ambassador Bridge in 1929. There are vehicular as well as pedestrian lanes, anyone who has the time and energy should cross this by foot, beautiful panoramic view of the river as well as the Philadlephia skyline awaits. Read more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Franklin_Bridge

Original shot and 3 other renderings of the bridge. (Click on images for full resolution)

Enjoy the journey...

ADP

Everyone Should Hike the Wissahickon Valley Park 11.13.2010

Today was a perfect autumn day, sunny and in the 60's, and everyone was outside including moi. I decided that it would be perfect for a hiking and so off I went to my favorite trail in the Wissahickon Valley Park, which is part of the Fairmount Park System, the largest in any US city. Anyone who wants to enjoy nature and beautiful scenery, this one is for you. Read more about this park at: http://www.traillink.com/trail/wissahickon-valley-park-(forbidden-drive).aspx

(Click on images for full resolutions.)

Enjoy the journey...

ADP

Framing your shots to Reduce Presence of Ugly Gray Sky

We can't always count on Mother Nature to give us beautiful skies all the time, so when presented with gray sky, I try to reduce its presence by covering it up with "things" nearby such as trees as illustrated in the 2 captures below.

Can you imagine how overwhelming the gray skies would have been without the trees? In fact, I think the trees add detail and dimension to the shots.

Hope this was helpful; the next time you are presented with gray skies, try this technique.

Enjoy the journey...

ADP

Do You Know What the Philadelphia Korean & Vietnam Veteran Memorials Look Like?

There are a number of war memorials located in and around Philadelphia, 2 of which are the The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial and The Philadelphia Korean War Memorial as captured in the images below.

The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial:
In the late spring of 1984, a small group of Vietnam veterans in Philadelphia decided to begin a local campaign to build their own Memorial.

The group selected four veterans to serve as directors of the campaign - and on July 10,1984, Mayor W. Wilson Goode signed Philadelphia City Council's City Ordinance Bill 202, authorizing the establishment of the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. This memorial would honor a total of 646 Philadelphians who lost their lives in one of the most protracted conflicts in American history. Read more at: http://www.pvvm.org/main/modules/wfchannel/index.php?pagenum=1

(Click on images for full resolutions)

The Philadelphia Korean War Memorial:

The Korean War Memorial is dedicated to local Korean War veterans killed and missing in action. The memorial specifically recognizes those who gave their lives in sacrifice from Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties, serving as an area-wide memorial. This site is especially popular during patriotic holidays such as Memorial Day and Independence Day. Read more at: http://www.hellophiladelphia.com/Articles/Attraction/3778/Korean_War_Memorial_in_Philadelphia_Experience_true_reflection.Cfm




Enjoy the journey...
ADP

The Prettiest Tree on Kelly Drive

This tree is located directly above the recently completed 32 million dollar drainage project on Kelly Drive. For almost 2 years, workers have been installing a sewer tunnel. Its purpose: to drain waste water from East Falls to the Schuylkill River. Below are some other renderings of this tree. More info on this project at: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=6958158

(Click on images for full resolutions)





Enjoy the journey...
ADP

Three Angels Colorized

Playing around with lighting flares and colors in Photoshop. (Click on images for full resolutions)





Enjoy the journey...
ADP

Three Angels in Black & White

Carl Mille's Three Angels aka Playing Angels are afixed on top of 20-foot pedestals; they are “playing” horns. They are also naked and dancing, qualities that adds to the playful spirit. These angels stand along Kelly Drive in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. Mr. Milles is Sweden's most popuplar sculptor and was one of Rodin's assistants in Paris. His works can be found all over the world. See link: http://www.galenfrysinger.com/carl_milles_stockholm.htm

The angels were were captured separately to be individually printed and framed as part of a set of triplet prints. Please let me know what you think of this idea by commenting below...

(Click on images for full resoutions)






Enjoy the journey...
ADP

Beautiful Autumn Foliage 11.06.2010

These are some of the pictures I snapped during my bike ride from Center City out the the Schuylkill River along Kelly Drive and Looping back along West River Drive. To many Philadelphians and visittors alike, this is one of the most scenic bike trails that one could do, I hope you get a chance to do it someday if you haven't already.

(Click on images for full resolutions)

Enjoy the journey...

ADP

PECO Power Plant: Preserve this Architectural Heritage

"Since 1917, its massive steel stacks and concrete walls have soared above Kensington’s squat factories and rowhouses. A masterpiece of industrial design, it was created by famed architect John T. Windrim. Windrim felt that large utilitarian buildings such as power plants, factories, and water treatment plants deserved elaborate classical facades. To Windrim, these buildings should be reflections of America’s early 20th century industrial might and glory.

“It’s an amazing building,” Schachter says. “Its historically significant architectural features should be highlighted to the public. It presents a lot of opportunities for use as a focal point for the revitalization of the Delaware Waterfront.” Read more at: http://planphilly.com/node/3714

I have to agree with the author as I recently seen some beautiful historic buildings restored in other harbored cities as well as many historic buildings preserved in our very city.

(Click on images for full resolutions)

Enjoy the journey...

ADP