Here are some images from the project. Editing is taking more time and making sure all the information for each of the set of images is, well… time consuming. I’m not even thinking about the 5,000 or so video clips – that for another day.
Here is the start of a gallery on faces from the trip. Enjoy.
Faces of We The People 2013
Faces of We The People 2013
Finished making images for this project. Spent time with a young man who was homeless and then to Mission Beach for the rest of the evening. An interesting contrast to the end of the year and We The People 2013. Now on to editing and posting images from everyday I photographed. Wishing everyone a great 2014…
All images here…
All images here…
A Happy New Year to All and a big thank you to everyone that was a part of the project.
As this year comes to an end so does the principal photography of this project. Now the hard part starts as the editing of all the images and video must be done.
Only a few days were posted as the time for shooting was more important than trying to post everyday. So the month of January will be a month for posting. Also lots and lots of video to edit. I filmed bridges when I had a chance: Benjamin Franklin Bridge/Philadelphia, Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnels, Arthur Ravene Bridge/Charleston, SC, Golden Gate, Edmund Pettus Bridge/Selma, AL and more. Lots of computer time for this and other drive time around the US.
And then there are the moments that people took to stop and talk in front of the camera. Lots of people and their thoughts and feelings. This will be fun – must keep saying that…
Off to photograph thru 3 New Years till midnight on the West Coast. Party hardy all and put this year to bed.
Special Olympics picked up – photo-j speak for used – this image of Erin Moore for their website.
http://www.specialolympics.org/Stories/General/We_Are_the_Champions!.aspx
As the world keeps turning faster and faster there are instances that allow time to slow so that we can enjoy the moment. Over the weekend a group of people gathered to compete, test their skills, enjoy fellowship and set an example of what the human race should be.
There are lots of sports that involve strength, endurance, skills and a little bit of guts to get through the event. Swimming involves all of the above and to add to it, we don’t breath under water very well. Mark Spitz, Michael Phelps, Don Schollander, Janet Evans, Natalie Coughlin, Katie Ledecky are just a few nationally and internationally recognized names in swimming. This past weekend, swimmers from large and small towns all around Ohio were stars in their own right. Records were broken, personal best times were recorded and everyone was lauded for finishing, no matter the time taken.
I’ve been privileged to know a young lady named Erin since before she was born and through her life I’ve been able to get a peek at another world, a very special, wonderful world. When she was born the doctor, with a bedside manner of an ant, painted a horrible picture of a very bleak life ahead for her. Flash forward to today and there are few people on this planet that I know who will always have a hug, kiss and ‘love you’ waiting. Her voice comes from the top of her head and the bottom of her heart. This weekend I had a chance to see yet another side of her and her world.
Special Olympics is something everyone should take the time to learn about, watch, enjoy, participate and/or volunteer in. I’ve been very fortunate to have experienced several Special Olympics events including track & field, golf, soccer, and volleyball.
Swimming was my latest observation, watching people with different sets of challenges getting into the pool and doing their laps, relays and individual medleys. The power of accomplishment was overwhelming. There was a blind gentleman who placed 2nd in the backstroke! All of you who do well in the backstroke please raise you hands…now think about doing it without being able to see, it ain’t easy!
One of the last events for the day was a 4 x 25 relay and this was one of Erin’s events. As the teams lined up, everyone received a card for their lane and were then led to a staging area. Erin seems to know everyone and there were hugs all around. As they get ready to start, Erin sits on the edge of the pool, waiting for the go. She then turns, looks straight at me and says, “love you Ed”, pauses, then is off. What I thought would be a walk, turned out to be a sprint down the side of the pool on my part so that I could keep up and photograph her. Turns out it was a personal best for her.
Watching the Special Olympics has a way of keeping you grounded. It gives you a different sense of determination and sportsmanship. As their motto states, “Let me win, but if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt.” I highly recommend that you participate, observe, support and get involved – your investment will have a wonderful return.
All the images from Special Olympics swimming.
I’m in Iowa and trying to stay as close to US Rt 30 on my way to the west coast. I call my Brother Matt and as we are talking about the trip and how thing are going he figures out that his favorite movie Field of Dreams isn’t that far from me. Actually about 1/2 a days worth of travel, but what are brothers for if not to talk them into something.
So a couple of images on the way up to the Field of Dreams and when I get there they are filming a commercial for MLB for the playoffs. I’ve set a link to see all 3 ads posted on USA Today. I was asked to not post anything until the ads had run. The Aussie women’s baseball players were there act as stand-ins for the shoot? Never got the entire story on them.
Here is a link to the videos at USA Today
Some images from the day, more photos here.
Thursday, November 19, 1863 – Gettysburg, PA. On that afternoon in just over 2 minutes, with approximately 270 word President Abraham Lincoln give one of the most profound speeches of these United States. Words of healing and a calling for the people of this nation to come together and start a new. A speech that could be given today as a call to move forward together as We The People of these United States.
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Of the 5 know versions of this speech this is ‘Bliss’ version. Find some links below for reference.
Wednesday was a good day for shooting.
Started with a trip up the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway in Sandia Park on NM Highway 536, on the way to the Sandia Crest and a stop at Tinkertown. A very interesting and eccentric collection of, well, stuff. Throw-a-way items to hand-made and painted plus a collection of circus items and objects from around the world. Mrs Ward was very kind to me and allowed me to hang around the place and a very nice interview.
See all the images from this days shoot.
From there I went up to the Sandia Crest for an awesome view of the world. I swear I could see the Capitan Mountains from there. About 150 miles to the south. They are at about 10.2k ft and I was at 10.7k ft. Great scenery on the way down to I-40 and then east to Clines Corner.
See all the images from this days shoot.
Stopped at Clines Corner. Just an intersection of I-40 (use to be Rt 66) and 285, nothing else but a place to stretch your legs and wander the store. A gas station and souvenir shop is all that is there now. So I spent some time giving you a view of all the ‘stuff’ you can shop for. NM shot glasses, Indian jewelery and pottery – some signed, fudge, boots, hats, shirts, kitsch and on and on. Restroom was the best part.
See all the images from this days shoot.
On across the state to Tucumcari and the nicest motor inn on Rt 66. Blue Swallow Motel and 100% refrigerated air! I guess you have to be of a certain age to understand and appreciate refrigerated air and I’m of that age. They have kept this place in terrific shape, all the neon’s, car ports and nice rooms. It’s an acquired taste, but if you like to enjoy a bit of history of the old Rt 66 this is the place. A word on Rt 66 in a bit. Even though you had a room, it was like a camp site. Chairs outside and people hanging around and chatting. If you are ever in the area, stop, enjoy and spend the night. The room I photographed was the last of the evening and the people staying the night let me shoot the room before they moved in.
See all the images from this days shoot.
Then down to Clovis for the night, but before turning in… found a drive-in restaurant from 1952, neon’s and all, Twin Cronnie Drive-In. Met the owner, Walter Bradley, Frm. Lt. Governor NM , now Government and Legislative Relations Dairy Farmers of America. He and his son run the business.
See all the images from this days shoot.
A word about Rt 66. Even though it always had some tourist traps along the way, it was never like it is today and that a bittersweet feeling. Seems like everything now is plastered with ‘historic Rt 66’ signs. We understand that things change, life moves on and all that but the old memories that seem the best. Like Key West and the sundown party or Santa Fe and the Governors Square. Both were laid back and in some cases a bit of dirt road and most anyone can kick back. Now everything is paved over and $$$. So Rt 66 has changed but that change has brought the sweet side to it. While to us/me it seems too gaudy, all those ‘this is historic Rt 66’ signs have saved the locals. People come from all over the world to see Rt 66. Bus loads and they want something to take back home that has Rt 66 on it. What could have been – and was for a while – the death of a lot of area from I-40 going thru now has business and a chance to make a living. Enough, gotta get down the road. -30-
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Got to Old Town in Albuquerque today and it was a grand time. Now I should disclose that I lived in NM years ago and have been thru off and on, just love the state and might have spent a little extra time here.
Spent some time with Debbie Ball, The Candy Lady, couple of great interviews and got to roam the shop and we had a bit of fun. Left with some goodies, thank you Debbie! See images below.
The rest of the day was in the Old Town area. Spoke to some of the people selling around the square, visited a store that sold original Indian art work, had a bit to eat and generally took in the atmosphere.
If you have never seen black on black pottery of Maria Martinez you should treat yourself to her art. I was introduced back in the 60’s when Mom bought a small piece. So over the years I’ve come to understand the work involved and the uniqueness of her and other pottery artist. A visit to San Ildefonso is a great education into the artistry of the American Indian and history that we should all know. If you are in the area take a moment to visit.
Mata Ortiz pottery, or Casas Grandes is another to look into if you like handmade craft.
Off to the Sandi Mountains, Santa Rosa, Tucumcari and Clovis, NM. Part of RT 66 and SantaFe railroad. Then Texas and Arkansas and looking forward to some Southern cooking.
This shop is great, lots of everything to sugar up on.
Some notes on the wall from the show and candy shop connection.
Make it, bag it, tag it.
Steve makes a mean Pez dispenser. Each is hand done, collector items, really!
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