Saturday, October 31, 2009

Not Driving, But Not Hyperventilating Either. Just Shooting

Know me? Know my fear of flying...So now that I'm trying to fly drug-free (don't ask me why...), it's a blasting iPod and shooting out windows that gets me through that 1 hour and 15 minutes or 5 hours and 40 minutes. It's actually pretty interesting--what you can see out your window. Usually. Well mostly. If my iPod is loud enough it almost cancels out the turbulence...Well, not really, but I can pretend...



Now I'm just waiting for JetBlue and Southwest Airlines to decide that I should be their official photographer. Even though I am scared to death of flying (I know...I know...irrational fear. Believe me, I've heard it all before...), it would be totally cool to spend time shooting out windows. An interesting way to see the country...








Driving Never Lost In NYC

The whole point of me driving and shooting is the whole adventure of driving and shooting. Since I'm trying to pay attention to where I'm going and not be lost any more then absolutely necessary, it's always exciting to see what photos I actually end up with. It's just constant shooting through my windows, the sunroof--wherever there's glass.

So when I was getting ready to go to New York for AES, I was bitterly disappointed to think that I would not have an opportunity to drive and shoot in New York City (even though I know that many people who heard I would not be attempting that feat were extremely happy--Robert Scovill). So what to do? I can't travel anymore and not shoot...



So, I did what was second best. I drove in cabs and shot. I walked the streets and shot. What an experience! I must say though, that given the choice of me driving and shooting or having a cabbie drive while I'm shooting--if you're looking for the safer version, I would say it's a toss up...really...
But there is something to be said about the freedom of just looking and shooting. I was never lost (in fact, I was never really sure where I was, but I always ended up in the right place). New York is an amazing place to take pictures. Even the garbage cans looked good. And all those tall buildings. It was great.
But I have to admit, my favorite place to shoot--Javits. I've been going to the Jacob Javits Convention Center every other year for about 22 years. But not once have I noticed how beautiful it is. I made my way down to the South Concourse and just started looking up. I'm sure my mouth dropped open. How could I have always missed this beautiful sight? What have I been looking at all these years?

I was only in New York for four days. I spent a lot of time working in my hotel room or at the Javits Center, but the time I was outside I shot. I came home with almost 1,000 photos. The flight to NYC, the flight home and everything else I could shoot. I need another trip!! I love shooting. Time to get lost in Los Angeles again. Just two more weeks and I'm on my way. I get to shoot while flying and who knows where I'll end in the Southland. It definitely won't be as easy as sitting in the back of a cab and shooting, but if it was always easy--why do it??