Had a great engagement photo session with Maureen and John in Tyler State Park.
Check out the full gallery @ http://cainimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Maureen-John-Tyler-State-Park/G0000DMBnEy3S0GQ
Tag: United States
93.3 WMMR 45th Anniversary
 With WMMR‘s 45th anniversary this month, I’ve been thinking of doing a series of limited edition prints. The first would be the view from the old studio at 19th and Walnut in Philadelphia overlooking Rittenhouse Square. Let’s preface this by saying that from about 1985 to 1987, I worked as one of the radio station photographers and made pictures of various station events. This was long before the internet, so, what the station did was publish a “Survival Guide” for listeners. Pictured here is the cover of the 18th Anniversary edition. It featured some interesting stories, bios, and photos. |
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| A few months ago my wife and I stopped by to have a look at some of my old work that hangs on the walls at the station. The most prominent is a 20×30 print that hangs in the air studio of the view looking over Rittenhouse Square that was shot in 1992 when the station was leaving for it’s new home at 5th and Market Streets in Philadelphia. Pierre Robert had asked me to stop by and make the image, because he wanted to always remember the view that was so much part of the radio station’s history. Over the last 20 years the image has faded from the sun sreaming into the studio directly onto the print. |
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| So, here is my problem, I am in the process of replacing that print and am trying to decide which image to go with. Question is, should I show the window framing or just the view through the actual window? The plan is to replace the print hanging in the studio with the first of about 50 limited edition prints to be available through this site. |
| Here are some of the other images from that time period: |
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| Pierre holds carrot cut while working as a roadie at the Moody Blues show in 1986. |
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| Pierre meditates before going on air in 1985. |
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| Joe Bonadonna and Pierre Robert in the air studio in 1985. |
| If you’re ever touring the radio station, have a look on the walls. You may see some of my images. (see below)  |
Philadelphia Triathlon 2011
Here are some images from yesterday’s Philadelphia Triathlon.
“Tiger” Tom
My uncle passed away yesterday. The picture above was the last photo I ever made of him. He made me… no, dared me to make the picture.
I had stopped by to visit him while he was in the hospital battling cancer. Considering he was in the fight of his life, he seemed in great spirits. I walked into his hospital room and had brought along my gear, since i was driving my Jeep that day, and didn’t have a top. I couldn’t leave my cameras in the car, so I brought them into the hospital. He was impressed and said “Cool. Now take my picture!” I told him he was crazy. He said, “I dare you to take my picture! Uhhhh… OK.
Here’s a guy with lying in a hospital bed with stage 4 cancer, and he wants his picture taken. I put my camera up to my eye. My uncle sits up in his hospital bed, puts on a grin from here to Texas, and starts posing. Making muscles. Just hamming it up. I could hardly focus because we started laughing hysterically. For the whole 7 frames I was able to capture, we chuckled through all and then some. When we stopped laughing, he deadpanned, “I’m sick, but still look good.” We laughed some more. Didn’t matter how bad it looked. He still had a great disposition and a strong will to live.
I’m happy I brought my cameras into the hospital that day. I will cherish that moment. It was the last time I saw him.
When I was a young boy, my uncle was always around our house. He helped my parents renovate the house when we moved to the suburbs.
I saw him allot back then.
One time my uncle caught me playing with matches. He yelled at me for about twenty minutes, “Don’t ever let me see you do that again!” I thought he was nuts. What could happen? Well…he showed me. When he was a boy, he played with matches. He was burned over 60% of his body. The scars were horrific, but he wasn’t afraid to show anyone if it taught them a lesson.
I never played with matches again.
Over the years I asked about the accident. I imagined it must have been rough. He said it was excruciatingly painful when it happened. He figured if he could live through that, he could survive anything.
He was the most selfless person I have ever known. Every time I ever saw or spoke with him, he always asked about me, my wife, how we are, and how was everyone else. When I’d tell him all was good, his response was always, “I’m glad. You’re a good kid.” He would have given the shirt off his back to help someone. He never asked for anything in return.
He was fearless.
He was a fighter.
He taught me to never, ever give up, no matter what the circumstances.
I will always remember that.
He was my uncle.
He was my friend.
I loved him.
I will miss him.
He was “Tiger” Tom.