The New York Times invited 100 fotografers from around the
world to drop by and meet a number of interested NYC foto-
people (art directors, foto editors, gallerists, etc.) to show them
some work. They invited me, so here I am, in NYC.

Thrilled? I’m sure!

That will all be taking place Saturday; I intend to post some
stuff about it here. But I won’t have time to write it and still
post this drool. So today I’ll just riff here about the day and
a half I’ve spent, so far, in the city. . . .

This place is a throbbing, seething mass of humanity and a
fantastic place to take the fotos. In fact, just about anywhere
you look there are folks with their dSLR’s and their point and
shoots and their iFones and iPads, snapping away. And if you
care to look at just where these devices are pointed, well, look
no further than any typical NYC cliché. From the folks posing
in front of the famous architecture and landmarks, to the more
devout shutterbugs capturing some alluring detail on a building.

Fine by me, that’s one of fotografy’s primary uses: the souvenir.
In fact, let me throw a couple of fotos into that almost infinite
pool. . .

Empire State Bldg. and Grand Central Terminal interior

And then there are the hard-core foto-folks being adventurous
and aiming, while they are here in NYC, to not capture New York
clichés. Instead these hard-core folks seem to be intent upon
shooting general foto-tropes (light on wet streets, strange
urban details and faces, and so on, you know what I mean)
while here in the city. They’ll tell you: “It’s my photography“.

But, me being me, I’m stuck on my own clichés and, given the
chance to go to Hunts Point, The Bronx, with Chris Arnade, to
visit some crack houses, well. . . .how could I resist?

Rachel, Hunts Point, The Bronx

For those that don’t know, Chris has been photographing sex
workers and addicts in Hunts Point, one of the roughest, most
dangerous spots in the USA, for a number of years.

My shot of Chris, Hunts Point, the Bronx

I first met him online and then he came to Ottawa where he
gave a talk at SPAO and we got to to meet face-to-face, got
to sit down and compare notes. We were both struck by the
similarities of our experiences.

And, speaking of experiences. . .here’s a short clip of Rachel
talking with Chris, shot in the cleanest crack house I’ve ever
been in.

“The Devil’s Pit”

Now, if you’re like me that time spent in the Bronx sure was
more interesting than going to Macy’s, strolling the Village
or checking out architecture. Though, this being NYC, those
things are pretty interesting, too. But everybody sees them.

You can (and should) check out Chris’ work here: XXXX

Been pretty much craaazy-busy lately, in the middle of shooting
a big thing for McDonalds Canada. Was in Toronto earlier this
week and will be in Vancouver for 3 days starting Sunday.

I’ll be back for a day and then off to NYC, where I have been
invited by the New York Times to take part in their portfolio
review thingy.

Typically drool doesn’t traffic too much in commercial work.
Not that drool thinks that that’s unimportant. After all, it’s
how I pay the mortgage and finance my personal projects.
And every commercial or editorial gig I shoot, well, I throw
myself into, look for the best way to satisfy the client (and
myself).

bts at McDonalds HQ, Toronto, and assistant Rebecca and I take turns sitting in the big chair in their lobby

And, on the LIVE THROUGH THIS front, I’m pleased to tell
you that a review of the book appeared on A Photo Editor
this past Friday. (link below)

A quote from that review:

The pictures are certainly difficult to look at, but
unlike those Meth-head billboards they have up
some places, (I mean you, Colorado,) these images
are not just meant to scare. They’re intimate and
caring, while also representing a vision of reality
that we don’t want to see, but should. Powerful
stuff.
J. Blaustein for APE

So, one more positive review, one more recommendation.
And I recommend that you buy a copy for your own self,
that you support this work and independent publishing
and voices.

It’s only 38 bux (plus taxes and shipping) and comes
with an original 5×7 print.

Or, if you really want to splurge there are a few special
editions left. They come with an original 8×10 print in
a funky folder. There are also some DELUXE editions to
be had. This comes in a 12×18 inch portfolio box that
contains a custom Frontispiece, 7 original 7×11 inch
prints, 3 of which are in the book, the other 4 are
out takes, and a copy of the book.

All this for $500.

Here are some links and some fotos of the DELUXE
Edition:

LTT reviewed on A Photo Editor: XXXX
Buy LIVE THROUGH THIS here: XXXX

Last year, to recover from the drama of spending the 5 previous years
immersed in the drug world, I thought I might shift gears, take it easy,
shoot from a list (and any sundry scenes I might bump in to).

This new, ongoing work, OTTAWA, a survey, looks at various aspects
of Ottawa, both as a capital city and as the place where Ottawans just
live and walk around.

Anyway, Ottawa Magazine saw fit to run a sweet 9 page spread of fotos
from a sub-set of that new work: Official Ottawa. Outstanding layout by
Art Director Jane Corbett and wonderful, elliptical writing by Ron Corbett
(no relation).

Here’s the thing. For a closer look (slightly edited and bigger) and to read
Ron’s writing go here: XXXX. (And, once there, don’t forget to click “full
screen” for creamy, 4×5, smooth goodness.)

THE INFAMOUS BONNEY

It’s been a few years now since I’ve been working down on
the block, that strip of sidewalk where I shot USER.

I still bump into some of the folks I met and photographed
there, know some well enough to get together with them
for coffee every so often. And sometimes I get a call or an
email out of the blue. . .someone I’ve foto’d wants a copy
of the shot or just wants to tell me how they’re doing, good
or bad.

Anyway. . .

I met Jimmy Bonney on the block back in 2007 and took this
foto of him with his partner in crime, Alysha.

James and Alysha, Ottawa, 2007

And then he disappeared.

Three years later I got a call from his sponsor, she told me
Jimmy was clean and wanted to talk to me so I went and met
him.

He was looking good, in a suit and very proud to have gone
back and finished high school; he was looking forward.

Jimmy, 2010 (and me)

Then we lost touch again. And found each other this week
on Facebook. We emailed back and forth some messages,
got caught up. He told me he had relapsed after 3 1/2 years
but is now 14 months clean. Good job!

He also told me he owns his own car and plans to go to Algonquin
College to take either Arson Investigation or Photography.

Jimmy recently (via Facebook)

I often think about those 4 years I spent down on the
block shooting USER. It was like a drug to me: other-
worldly, intoxicating, exciting, slightly dangerous.

So, too, do I wonder about leaving it all behind (except
for occasional moments like I describe above). It’s like
I kicked the habit and going back is just stupid, might
trigger me, make me realize what I’m missing (both the
good and the bad).

I’ve always thought that there was a beauty to addiction,
a weird kind of purity. Like Steph says, “I know it’s wrong
to say but I kinda miss those days. But now that its over
and im clean at least i can say that happened to me”.

INDIE PHOTO BOOK LIBRARY

Very pleased to announce that LIVE THROUGH THIS has been
accepted into the Indie Photo Book Library, in Washington,
D.C.

This is a curated collection of, well, indie foto books.

Here’s a link to LTT and from there you can browse the
rest of their collection: XXXX

And let me remind you that there are still copies available.
STRAYLIGHT Press needs your support to survive. If you
think that STRAYLIGHT should continue to exist please
visit our webstore and buy something. XXXX


This book is much more than a photo series
or project. It’s a story about society and how
individuals make a difference. It’s clear to see
how programs implemented in society are not
enough to make a difference. It takes hard
working, caring individuals to grease the
gears. Once I looked at and read the entire
thing, I was left with a feeling that I had met
an individual who needed to work things out.
Fouhse provided a lift and by doing so, he
learned, Stephanie learned, we learned. Well
done Tony. For those who wish to sweep this
sort of real life situation under the carpet so
as not to inconvenience their one-dimensional
world, I say, “Live Though This!”
J.C.N., Barcelona

THREE