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Truth Lies and Legends
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The Moment of Truth

I started this blog a year ago to figure out ways the internet could help my career as an artist and share that info as I learned it. I had no idea if anyone would read it or care about my little corner of the universe. When I began, I decided that to give it a real try, I’d blog for one year and see what happened. Happily, the blog brought new attention to my work. I was chosen for a big show and had works in several collaborative shows. I’ve made new friends. People from my past continue to pop up and say hello (which I love!). As you can tell from the year’s most popular blogs, I’m really proud to have helped other people in their internet struggles. And so, I’ve decided to keep blogging.

Insider's Look: Prayer for Minnewaska

My Photo Stories
The sky, gray in sympathy, looked on as Indian maiden Minnewaska laid down mountain laurel in memory of her lost child.
Or…
As part of a full moon, equinox ceremony, the group of seven witches conducted a purification spell to purge the land of negative energy.
Or…
His first day on the job, Park Ranger Rob Gaston was horrified to see flames consuming the trees like matchsticks.
Or…what are your story ideas?

Behind the Photo
Last April a brush fire burned more than 3000 acres of forest in Minnewaska State Park. It has been one of my favorite places to hike and photograph since moving to this area. I was greatly saddened to see the charred remains of old growth forest.

Be the first to buy a Prayer for Minnewaska print and get a 50% discount on the size of your choice. This is my February 2009 home page photo, part of my Truths, Lies and Legends collection.

Hard Times in Chelsea

Last week I went with a couple of friends to scope out the gallery scene in Chelsea. It was uncharacteristically quiet. We didn’t think much about that until one gallery owner told us that six of nine galleries in his building had been forced to close. He was hunkering down for a tough year. I have to admit, I felt personally discouraged. After spending the last few months preparing my Truths, Lies, Legends images for an exhibition, I realize that now may not be the right time. Gallery owners can’t afford to take risks on emerging artists. In fact, several of the photo galleries were showing reliable classic work by Steiglitz and Weston.

Holland Cotter wrote an interesting piece in last Sunday’s New York Times about how hard economic times affect the art world. While art may not be selling during recessionary periods, they are often times of heightened creativity and change. Artists tend to flock together, cooperate, collaborate, create. When New York City faced bankruptcy in the 70s, artists took up residency in nearly derelict buildings in Soho showing their work in ground floor apartments and performing on rooftops. This cheered me. Perhaps the next few years will bring new ideas, new thinking and new opportunities for artists. I'm ready. Are you?

Beach Fever

Winter has been harsh and long this year in the northeast. And then February came in like a breath of fresh air. One day last week it hit 50. I’ve been out walking and breathing and yearning to sink my toes in the sand. Let’s go to Mexico. I can taste the margaritas now.

Do I Need a Model Release Form?

When I decided to exhibit my photos from the Dutchess County Fair, I didn’t have a single model release. I’d been photographing the fair for ten years. I never would have made that mistake shooting professionally, but because I was shooting the fair for fun, it never crossed my mind. I was lucky and was able to find and get permission from everyone. Many of the kids had grown and had children of their own!

Learn a lesson from me. Always get a release. It makes life much easier. Technically, you need to compensate people for modeling. I’ve found that people are happy to be paid with a nice print of the photo they’ve posed in. Also, write a description on the release form of the photo, so you won’t have any trouble identifying what it’s for years later.

For detailed information on when you need releases and sample release forms go to the American Society of Media Photographers web site.

Sedgwick Machine, Poughkeepsie

As you drive south from Poughkeepsie along Route 9 you’ll see the abandoned Sedgwick Machine building near the Hudson River. Sedgwick used to make elevators. Though the train still passes faithfully at its feet dozens of times a day, the company—like so many other riverfront industries—closed long ago.