Dredging the Hudson River

The Hudson River could become the nation’s biggest environmental cleanup story.
For decades, General Electric dumped contaminants, polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs into the river. In May 2009, the dredging of the Hudson River began and I was hired by The Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University to photograph the cleanup. I was lucky enough to be able to shadow David Rosoff MS’90 (geology), the Hudson River on-scene field coordinator for the Environmental Protection Agency and Melanie Chapman MEM’06, an environmental scientist with Ecology & Environment (E&E), one of the consultants working with EPA. Dave and Melanie are pictured above with GE's Fort Edward Plant in the background.
Dave says it best,“Perhaps down the road Fort Edward and the upper Hudson River won’t be known for PCBs but instead for the place of serenity and beauty that it is.”
To learn more about this Superfund site click on link below and be sure to watch the video Erica Rowell shot.
http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/dukenvironment/

President Signs Hate Crimes Legislation Into Law

The Human Rights Campaign, hired me to photograph President Barack Obama signing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law. The new law gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The legislation was added as a provision to the FY 2010 National Defense Authorization Act.
The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act honors the memory of Matthew Shepard, a Wyoming college student brutally murdered in an act of hate violence in 1998, and James Byrd, an African-American man who was dragged to death in Jasper, Texas, in 1998.
The Shepard Family has established The Matthew Shepard Foundation in his honor. To learn more click here.

To learn more about James Byrd Jr. click here.

15 Seconds Of Fame

We photographers don't get enough opportunities to toot our own horn so when a situation presents itself we grab the horn and start toot'n. My situation that presented itself...CSPAN. Yes CSPAN caught me in action covering the White House reception the President held after signing the Hate Crimes Legislation into law.
Not sure how long the CSPAN link will be up but to view the Presidents remarks and catch me on a ladder photographing him (my 15 seconds of fame) click on the link below.

http://www.cspan.org/

FotoWeekDC is coming, FotoWeekDC is coming!

What is FotoWeekDC ? It's a annual metropolitan area (Washington D.C.) gathering the week of Saturday November 7th through Saturday November 14th and it has succeeded in galvanizing the photographic, cultural and DC communities with unprecedented participation by photographers at all levels, museums, universities, businesses, and many other entities involved in the profession. Over 20,000 visitors attended FotoWeek DC 2008 by celebrating competition finalists and winners, viewing extraordinary exhibitions at galleries and museums, and participating in lectures, workshops, portfolio reviews, book signings, and receptions. I attended last year and promised myself I would do what I could to spread the word about this years FotoWeek. If its at all possible try and catch whatever you can. I know some of you, like me, don't live in the D.C. area but I am making plans now so that I am able to attend some of the many events, receptions, portfolio reviews, exhibitions and workshops. I can't wait. I went ahead and registered in advance. If you plan on attending I highly recommend that too.(Click here for free registration). Just remember to print it out and bring with you. Hope to see you there.
p.s. Browse the links below to find out more about the FotoWeekDC schedule -- and start planning yours!

http://www.fotoweekdc.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYLHFnq1j98&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4v-y4QJEOE&feature=channel

Smile Mr. President!

After hours of hurry up and waiting, the President did not disappoint.
OMG, I am forgetting to tell you how I came to photograph the President this weekend. The Human Rights Campaign held its 13th Annual National Dinner and hired me to cover the evening but I didnt know until the last minute that the President would be the keynote speaker. I've concluded that life doesnt throw us enough surprises. So when it does enjoy it as I did.
Pictured is the President delivering his keynote speech and a portrait with Dennis and Judy Shepard who were the recipients of the Edward M. Kennedy National Leadership Award presented to them by Patrick Kennedy.

Castle Hill Student Shines

Fred, a student in my Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill Digital Landscape Workshop had two of his images that he made during our Fall class appear in the Cape Cod Times today. Fred you make me proud! Check it out by clicking on link below.
http://www.capecodonline.com/

Castle Hill Digital Landscape Workshop

I had the pleasure of teaching a Digital Landscape photography class at the Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill on Cape Cod. It was a fun, digitally-energizing, photography workshop for those with alot or little previous experience with digital cameras. Photography locations included Highland Light, Pamet Harbor, Head of the Meadow and Lacount Beaches and a sunset dune tour. Many of these locations were shot outside of our 3-6pm class due to the enthusiasm of the class.
One of the major reasons I teach, is to experience that moment of recognition my photography students experience when they “get it.” As “when the light goes on.” There is a visual expression of joy on the face of the student when some difficult concept is finally understood, a technical problem overcome, a difficulty skill mastered or as Molly, a potter taking the class expericenced, a rare encounter with a seagull that you could see clearly affected her and her photography experience and by all accounts will carry over into her pottery. This shared moment of “discovery experiences” is what teaching is all about, is what learning is all about.

I have been receiving emails this week from some of my students. There is a reoccurring theme in each one of the emails. They are thanking me for enabling them to see everything differently now or they left the workshop "inspired".
A greater joy for the teacher, apart from watching the student get it, is to experience that moment of discovery for ones’ self. What keeps us alive, what gives us purpose, are these recurring flashes of discovery and of learning. Castle Hill provided that not only to those eight photography students but to me too. How great is that?!
Enjoy the above slideshow, I have selected one image from each photography students "Best" portfolio.

OMG Images of Omo

Every now and then you come across another photographers work, efforts or contributions and you just want to share it with others. This is the case of Hans Silvester who for six years photographed the people of the Omo River in Ethiopia. His images are extraordinary. See for yourself.

Beach Portraits

When people ask me what I specialize in I usually surprise them by saying I specialize in not specializing. You can probably gather that from looking at my wide range of assignments posted on this blog. This image would fall into the category of family portraits and was made of the Paternosters.

Watch This!

Recently I was hired to shoot some of HRC's new fall merchandise. Here is a image I made of their "Ultimate Watch" it features a quartz movement and a silver sunray dial, the HRC Ultimate Watch fits comfortably on your wrist with a silicon band and a snap-buckle closure. Comes in four fashionable colors so you can express your individuality while supporting equal rights for everyone. Water resistant to 30 meters. Want one? click on http://shop.hrc.org/jewelry-watches/ultimate-watch-4.html

San Francisco Bus Stop

You never know sometimes how your client intends to use your work. This is a perfect example. Back in June I posted on this blog the email blast that HRC sent out using my ring image. But the best is to learn it also found a home, (bus stop) in San Francisco.

Letters Cover

Its always rewarding to land a cover. This time its with Camp Rehoboth's Letters. To learn more about Camp or view this issue click on http://www.camprehoboth.com/issue08_14_09/index.htm

1932-2009

Walk Right This Way

This Saturday was the kick off of a Lewes Photo Walk sponsored by the Friends of the Lewes Library. I led a group of adventuresome digital photographers on a Photo Walking tour. The Walk combined historic commentary of Lewes and helpful photo tips.
Interested in capturing amazing photographs in 17th century neighborhoods along Kings Highway,Second Street, Savannah and Pilottown Roads and the Lewes Canal Front? Want to explore historic sites like the Zwaanendael Museum, The Cannonball House,Saint Peters Church, founded by Dutch colonists in Lewes in 1631 with a perfect peaceful ending at its garden labyrinth?
Sign up for the next Photo Walk which is Saturday July 25th by calling the number below.

Disposable cameras, digital cameras, and film cameras are all welcome. The walking tour is approximately 2.5 hours long and covers an area of less than a mile. Comfortable clothing, shoes, hat and sunscreen are recommended.
Costs: $25 (Cash or check only) Friends of the Lewes Library $22
Meet at Lewes Public Library at 10am
111 Adams Street
Lewes, DE. 19958

Directions:
http://www.leweslibrary.org/about/location_/_map.htm

Questions and reservations call Rolfe Photography 302-644-4458

Lets Make A Deal

Shot Rich Sulkovsky for a interesting real estate story on beach bargains and the deals that can be had for The Washington Post this week. Check it out.
www.washingtonpost.com

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

Its true.. I had the opportunity to photograph Michael Jackson when he came to the Washington D.C. area years ago. I had all of 120 seconds to make this picture then all the photographers where escorted away from the pit area in front of the stage. But I was able to stay back stage and listen to the rest of the concert. I remember that night, and also where I was the day the Thriller video was aired and of course where I was when I heard the tragic news. I think Quincy Jones summed it up best. Michael Jackson doesn't come around once in a century, or lifetime but only once..R.I.P. Michael Jackson

R.I.P. Kodachrome

Kodak officially announced the discontinuation of Kodachrome in November 2006, however they continued to produce the film in small production runs up until July 2008 when they announced batch #2672, with an expiry date sometime in 2009, would be the last batch.
As part of a tribute to KODACHROME Film, Kodak will donate the last rolls of the film to George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film in Rochester, which houses the world’s largest collection of cameras and related artifacts. National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry will shoot one of those last rolls and the images will be donated to Eastman House. See Kodak link below.

To celebrate the film’s storied history, Kodak has created a gallery of iconic images, including the Afghan girl and other McCurry photos, as well as others from professional photographers Eric Meola and Peter Guttman on its website: www.kodak.com/go/kodachrometribute.

I gave up film and switched to digital back in 2000, but I think a moment of silence is in order for the only film that found it’s way into our music culture.

Yes Paul Simon they are going to take your Kodachrome away.

www.kodak.com

Ringing In Merchandise Work

The Human Rights Campaign needed to have some of their new Summer merchandise shot this week and I was lucky enough to get the work. Pictured is the end result of the photoshoot; a email blast of the Vision Spinner rings. Check out the HRC online store. http://shop.hrc.org/

I am participating in a great fundraiser this summer in support of CAMP Rehoboth, the non-profit gay and lesbian community service organization in the Rehoboth Beach area that does great work for all the people living in and visiting Sussex County, Delaware.
For your $100 Art Ticket, you are guaranteed a small original work of art from one of the 200+ artists participating. If you come to the July 3rd event, the Lotto part is the order in which you get to select your art. If you can't come, buy a Blind Date ticket, and a work at random will be reserved for you. (you may pick it up or it will be mailed)

To buy your LottoHEART or Blind Date Ticket, please go to the CAMP Rehoboth website http://www.camprehoboth.com/. Link to the LottoHEART page where things are further explained (and see the participating artists). From there, follow the link for purchase.

Tickets may also be reserved by phoning 302-227-5620.

Thanks for your support and hope to see you there.

Delaware Beach Life Magazine Annual Photography Contest

Want to be this years winner of Delaware Beach Lifes 3rd Annual Photo Contest?
Click on the link below to learn more.
http://www.delawarebeachlife.com/photocontest/

El Tiempo Interview

I recently was interviewed by Gabriel Pilonieta, Editor of El Tiempo Newspaper. The interview ran in their April 24th editions. Click on link below and scroll down to page 11.
http://www.eltiempohispano.com/sites/default/files/pdf/Abril%2024.pdf

Senator,President, Photographer?

What a wonderful picture that White House Photographer Pete Souza took of The President turning the tables on photographers. Should photographers be nervous if The President decided to get more serious about photography?
To see more of Pete's offical White House Photographs check out Flickr. Its free to sign up and it only takes a couple minutes. Search for The Offical White House Photostream or if you are a member click on the link below.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/

The Decisive Moment

I had a feeling the end of the day might produce a great sunset image up at "The Point" in Cape Henlopen State Park. As I was parking my buggy I spotted a sailboat making its way out of the harbor sailing towards the Harbor of Refuge Light. I grabbed a couple pieces of gear and scrambled down the long sand fence lined path. I quickly opened my monopod, attached my camera and lens and as I looked up there was the picture unfolding in front of me. I got off three frames and then Henri Cartier Bressons "decisive moment" was gone. This image was chosen for "Visual Vacation" (A photographic look at why we live here) in Delaware Beach Life Magazines May issue.
Just who is Henri Cartier Bresson and what is the "Decisive Moment"? Click below link to find out.
www.digitaljournalist.org

To subscribe to or learn more about Delaware Beach Life Magazine click on the below link.
www.delawarebeachlife.com

Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards Video

Hispanic Youth Awards Season

Tis the season, to hop on a Southwest Airlines flight (News Flash!! they now fly in and out of Boston) and travel to over a dozen cites and cover The Hispanic Youth Awards, sponsored by The Hispanic Heritage Foundation. They identify, inspire, promote and prepare Latino leaders through national leadership, cultural, education and workforce programs. I am there with my camera to capture these high school Latino leaders as they receive their award and grant money for their achievements in the classroom and community. This will be my ninth year and what a wonderful journey this has been.
The above picture, was taken during our Youth Award event in Chicago, its Jillian Alyssa Rodriguez who was being presented a gold medallion in the journalism category .
To learn more about Jillian click back on her name.
To learn more about the Youth Awards click on the Foundations link below.
www.HispanicHeritage.org