“If a documentary photograph is to have any life in it, it’s very important that it exhibit certain characteristics. The photograph should, first of all, be about people. Nothing is more fascinating than the human face and the human condition.” — Bill Owens
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“It should be possible for even the photographer — just as for the creative poet or painter — to use the object as a stepping stone to a realm of meaning completely beyond itself.” — Clarence John Laughlin
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“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéy
A dozen years ago I experienced the pleasure of watching Matt Maher play high school football (and grow up) along with Ann’s son, Tyler. Last Saturday afternoon I experienced the pleasure of discussing Matt’s new career as a furniture designer; and meeting Mo Maher at Tyler’s (new) house warming, and Noah’s seventh birthday, celebration.
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Last Saturday evening Pere Marquette Park, an intimate little park on the Milwaukee River in downtown Milwaukee, became a nucleus for Peace. The program for Lanterns for Peace, a ceremony (sponsored by Peace Education Project of Peace Action Wisconsin) in rememberence of the bombing of Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagaski on August 9, 1945, states, “We remind ourselves that this kind of human suffering must not happen again and that we must unite with all the people of the world to abolish nuclear weapons and put an end to war.” (Additional photographs of the setting can be viewed here) 10% of print sales will be donated to Peace Action Wisconsin.
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The evening light, cool summer breeze, musicians, speakers, and people, believing peace as possible, transformed the park into a magical space and time. (Additional photographs of people enjoying the event can be viewed here) 10% of print sales will be donated to Peace Action Wisconsin.
Children of all ages crafted their very personal lanterns. (Additional photographs of people creating lanterns can be viewed here) 10% of print sales will be donated to Peace Action Wisconsin.
Music filled the park; from heartfelt folk songs provided by Dangerous Folk’s Cap Lee and Julie Thompson to the joyful Afro rhythms of the Lucky Diop and Kassumai African Band. Holly Haebig breathed life through her classical flute as individuals read heart wrenching Survivors’ Stories from Hiroshima/Nagasaki; and again through her native American flute as the lanterns floated onto the river. (Additional photographs of the Musicians can be viewed here) 10% of print sales will be donated to Peace Action Wisconsin.
As the sun set the lanterns were lit; with some difficulty due to the wind. (Additional photographs of the lantern lighting can be viewed here) 10% of print sales will be donated to Peace Action Wisconsin.
The creators silently walked their lanterns to the canoes waiting in the river. The canoes took the lanterns into the river as the Native American flute remembered, and called to, all those killed and maimed by the violent ones. (Additional photographs of the lantern float can be viewed here) 10% of print sales will be donated to Peace Action Wisconsin.
Last Friday Ann and I packed a few things in the car and drove west by northwest on Hwy 60. We stopped in North Leeds for a bite to eat. The restaurant had what seemed like a romantic little room for two; it also had very little and very red light and quickly began to feel claustrophobic with too much funky decor.
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At Sauk City the highway does it’s best to follow the Wisconsin River. I love to drive the blue highways that follow the rivers; the paths of the animals and birds. At Gotham we headed north by northwest on Hwy 14 towards Viroqua to visit Ann’s niece, Jessica, and her husband Matt. They provided us with wonderful hospitality; including a bed for the night. Saturday morning’s coffee and conversation on their new deck — built by Matt — simply delightful.
Back on the road at 9:30 am — Hwy 14/61 to St. Paul, MN — now following the mighty, muddy Mississippi. Spectacular views with no time to stop; except for fuel, juice and muffins.
Arriving just a tad late due to one wrong turn.
Seeing as a guest and not “the wedding photographer” freed me to photograph “whatever” and take note of things I’d have done differently than the fellow and his crew. Slide show of additional wedding observations here. And a few from the “film” camera here.
Sunday morning, at the Best Western, provided pool time for Sophia and social time for family and friends of the iHusband and iWife (Sean is slowly Macifying Ellie):
Strolling, shopping, photographing with a late Mexican lunch in St. Paul before heading south along the mighty Miss.
A chocolate malt while driving through the night. Then south on Hwy 35 (hugging the river on the Wisconsin side); crossing back over to McGregor, IA at Prairie Du Chien. The Holiday Shores Motel provided us with a terrace seat and cooling summer breeze which made it difficult to “go to sleep.” We watched a huge row of barges navigate the water-way in the dark. Monday morning provided a gorgeous view of Wisconsin’s river shore.
Monday passed too quickly — simply enjoying the river, the light, the barge traffic and McGregor (at one time allegedly larger than Chicago because of it’s ferry crossing). Slide show of additional river and McGregor photographs.
“The whole point of [making] pictures is so you don’t have to explain things with words.” — Elliot Erwitt
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Brady Street Festival, 2008. Slide show of additional images from this event.
“I have to be as much a diplomat as a photographer.” — Alfred Eisenstadt
Ann’s sister, Teri, visits from Florida and the family gathers together at Menomonee Park, the 297 acre site of a water filled Lannon Stone quarry. Additional slide show of images.
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“Some of us cynics say that ‘the quickest way to make a million dollars in photography, is to start with two million dollars.'” — Anonymous
Saturday afternoon we found ourselves at Al Simon’s 70th birthday celebration at Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue. I managed to see and document two moments of fine light before being told that I cannot do this “work” in the temple during Shabbat. I did not understand this rebuke. Pushing a tiny button in response to beautiful light is “work?” I think not. After-the-fact research and dialogue brought understanding. A kind, Jewish acquaintance offered, “One should not try to view any of this from a rational perspective. It is a discipline.” A web site added this insight, “Working on Shabbos… means doing creative acts that manipulate nature… When G-d rested on the seventh day… He rested in the sense that He ceased creating. We must do the same.” Aha! Not a silly “rule;” rather, a discipline to help one connect with the divine. I get it. Respect and honor discipline (including the discipline to continuously learn from and about others).
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Later: While walking with Sophia on her Radio Flyer.
And still later: Popcorn and video.
“In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” — Alfred Steiglitz
Last Saturday Sophia, family and friends celebrated her third birthday. Slide show of additional images.
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And on Monday we remembered Mom and Dad, together. Slide show of additional images.
Huge thank you Doug. You’ve twice given me and my family precious memories.
“If there is a good thing about photography, it is that it can be easily enjoyed.” — Lord Snowdon
(Grand) Father’s Day brunch – 08 – lucky me.
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