Grey Skies are Gonna Clear Up...

Another of my favorite things to shoot are interesting cloud formations. Since I'm not really the type of photographer to walk around with my camera in-hand all the time, I often find myself shooting with my Blackberry camera phone. Interestingly enough, The Tour takes some really outstanding photographs. This is, in fact, its most redeeming quality. I, otherwise, loathe this phone. Hate it with a purple, flaming passion as my grandmother used to say. It seems that even those things we dislike have some value if we search hard enough. Shots like these two keep me from just chunking the entire phone into the ocean.

                              (Madsion, WI; Lake Mendota)

This first shot was quite interesting because of the contrast in what appears to be happening in the upper and lower halves of the pic. The clouds near the bottom almost appear to be ships at sea headed off to battle while, the upper level clouds seem to form a gateway of some sort. It's almost as if there is some cosmic choice to be made.  Good v. Evil?  Heaven v. Hell? 

                              (Madison, WI; Lake Mendota)

This is a closer shot of the "portal". Quite intriguing, if I do say so myself.

The First Time Was an Accident....

And, ironically, many similar and subsequent shots were accidents as well. So this leads me to believe that maybe I have a bit of a secret fetish (nothing sexual, mind you) for feet. Honestly, I don't even like feet like that and I especially don't want them touching me. Go figure.

But, about ten years ago, I was involved in a summer research program held in Chicago, IL. While there, I became a part of a great group of people who eventually started calling ourselves Crunk Core (Yeah, I know, hilarious). Shout out to Joslyn, Candace, Hope, Jamelia, Curtis and Previn (RIP).  On one of our trips to visit another university, I accidentally snapped a shot of all of our feet (which was unfortunately lost for good some time ago). That shot, however, was the first time I realized that feet, much like the people to whom they are attached, are distinctly recognizable even if the face of their owner is out of view or covered by shoes and other adornments. Each of us could be clearly identified by the shape, positioning and sheer uniqueness of our feet.

Since then, I've both, accidentally and purposely, taken lots of shots of feet. Even more ironically, the first photo I have decided to post in this series called "Feet Feats" was also taken in Chicago. How feet-ing?  :D

*UPDATE!!!

This is the photo that started it all. Thanks JAM!!!

"Young Men, Be Proud & Solve"

If you have been to Harlem lately, chances are you walked right over some of these sidewalk chalkings. They are the work of a Harlem resident named Joseph. He has personally challenged the young men in his community to take control of their education.

Daily, Joseph, near 70 years old, carefully writes math facts, multiplication tables, homonyms and other primary school throwbacks in his attempt to educate and enlighten the generations succeeding him. He says he's an "educator", an "advocate" and an "artist" who is simply doing God's work.

So, "Young men, be proud and solve..."

NYC, May 2010

I had a new toy for a couple days. Sadly, she's no longer with us but she did pave the way for my new Mini Diana which I love. These are some of the images I was able to capture before she went home to glory.

(Click on the image to view larger.)

Very Pleased to Meet You...

Shomari "forceful", Montsho "black".

People always get that strange look in their eyes when they find out what my name means. I guess I would too if I weren't me and two words said so much with such little effort. It may just be that they are reacting to the pride with which I say my name. Shomari Montsho. I love it. I've always loved it. Thanks, Daddy.

Come on in. Look around. Take a look at the world through my eyes. I promise to keep it interesting.

Shot with Blackberry Tour.