Street Photography

Tel Aviv, Israel

Cats of Tel Aviv

My many visits to Tel Aviv, Israel is never without the plethora of stray cats around. Cats are seen hanging out, strutting around, ever napping and looking for hand outs.


I do have a fascination with cats so their presence does intrige me. They seem to have a special status in Tel Aviv. They are left alone and city animal control officials essentially ignore them. Dogs on the other hand must be muzzled, leashed and most of all owned, registered and tagged!



On one of my walks along the beach I came upon a scrawny cat looking for a hand out.

Unfortunately, I just carried my camera and nothing else. She continued on her way when it was apparent I was worthless to her.

Before I left, I heard some more cries and saw an adorable kitten emerge from the rocks along the beach.

It didn't look anything like the adult cat, but they were quite comfortable with each other.

Suddenly, a second black kitten comes wandering out crying and looking as cute as can be!

Their bellies are hungry and I'm feeling terrible that I have nothing to offer them.

Now a third kitten arrives and I'm in trouble!

I need to help these hungry kittens, so I think about the last store I may have passed on my walk that might have food for this mixed family.

I back track and find relief.

Canned fish should do!

I quickly return with my feast for the felines, but none to be found. Hm?

I decided to crack open the can and leave it on the rocks for their return.

And return they did!

The whole pride came out to investigate their good fortune and feast!

I suppose I am not the only softy to encounter these charmers, I did see a dish amongst the rocks filled with fresh water for these furry flirts.

In my travels around Tel Aviv, yes the felines rule and the rodents are scarce.

It's a good balance.

Family Portraits

Many times I hear people say "I really need to have a family portrait done". But like so many things in our lives, we put off things we'd like to do because life becomes too busy.

We even put off things we really should do, because there is always tomorrow.

But time goes by, children grow up, our lives change and before we even realize it, our opportunity to document the here and now in our lives has past.

Family portraits are keepsake moments that are treasured items. Over the years, they get passed down from generation to generation. It not only documents our heritage and family relationships, but it also records what our lives represent.

My recent session with a wonderful family that I've developed a great relationship with over the past year, was fantastic.

We worried about unsettling weather forecast for our afternoon together, but because of the dependably "unreliable" weathermen in the New Jersey area - we were blessed with near perfect conditions!

I have to admit that after I got home and downloaded the images from the session I was very disappointed. I knew I had a lot of work ahead of me, because there were soooo many INCREDIBLE images to go through! It was going to be very difficult to narrow down the final ones. I'm torn because I still am left with so many great shots. I hope my clients will not mind viewing the many images I just had to share with them from our session.

As you can see, not only did I have a beautiful family to work with, BUT gorgeous horses too! Yes, once again I am able to combine my two favorite things. People Portraiture as well as Equine Portraiture.

Enjoy this sampling of images from the shoot.

So next time you think "I really need to have a family portrait done", don't wait, schedule a session, keep your fingers crossed and maybe the weathermen will call for rain like they did for this particular day. You won't regret it!

Tammy

A need for a fresh new look for an up and coming new age editor, led to a very fun afternoon of head shots and more.



Tammy is the founder, publisher and editorial director of the digital magazine, Elevated Existence.

Next month Tammy, and everyone associated with the e-magazine will be celebrating the first anniversary of publication.

Tammy has a passion for spirituality and self improvement. She uses her experience and knowledge to create a publication that spreads love, healing and hope to those who discover it.

I was excited to meet Tammy and enjoyed the versatility, energy and excitement that she brought to the session.

Fortunately, we had a wonderful friend and collaborator who was also an integral part of an outstanding afternoon.

Beautiful images to compliment a beautiful person - destined to achieve much success!

Emotive Portraits

Capturing an emotional bond in photography can be a precious moment.


"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood." Marie Curie

You can try to pose your subjects in pleasing compositions, but it's the spontaneous natural responses and feelings happening in the reality of the surroundings that has the most impact.

When I have created an image like this, finding the right text to compliment, can re-enforce the strong emotional bond that is portrayed.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart" Helen Keller

The words aide in telling the story.

"A stubborn horse walks behind you, an impatient horse walks in front of you, but a noble companion walks beside you."

Telling ones' story is the bases of my photographic studies.

Art is in the Air this Spring

.......................Sold...........

This weekend art was the main attraction on our local Main street.

Main street businesses and stores turned into temporary art galleries featuring the work of numerous artists. This tour of arts coincided with the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council’s Skylands 22nd Juried Exhibition and Art Sale gala opening reception and fundraiser at the council’s main street gallery.

The show presents a discriminating selection of talented local and regional artists working in all media including paintings, photographs, calligraphy, fiber arts and sculpture.

Bergamo - the piece I submitted, sold yesterday.

Proceeds of this sale benefit the continued benefits of the Arts and Heritage Council as well as the support of art and culture that is tucked away in rural Sussex County.

Living in the Present

One of the things I love about my photography is that it allows me to focus on the moment.

Most of the time we spend an inordinate number of our moments reviewing our past, or fidgeting in the present, or worrying about the future.

We miss many of the simple, unexpected elements of life that way.

On a recent walk, I came upon an environment that fascinated me.

I stopped and focused exclusively on this place.

It was the small details, interesting shapes, fascinating textures and of course the vibrant colors that held my interest for many moments.

Time was able to stand still.

I observed, appreciated, and created my compositions through the camera lens.

Making the conscious effort to enjoy each moment will make your inner quest and awareness that much easier.

Go ahead - can you stop time???

I dare you. Give it a try.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival

Corresponding with many “May Day” celebrations over this weekend in Hong Kong, I was able to explore a small island with its own unique festival tradition.

Cheung Chau is a small island that is only a 35 minute ferry ride from Central Hong Kong.

It has old Buddhist temples, beaches, charming hills, abundant fishing, and the annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival.

This celebration is complete with lion and dragon dances, floats, performers, drummers, and what has become known as the “floating children”.


The children are the highlight of the parade – dressed in elaborate costumes depicting legendary heroes and paraded above the crowd on tall stilts.


Securely attached to beautiful floats, these ’china dolls’ appear to glide through the air.
Parents consider it a great honor having their children participate in the day’s events.

















The festival honors Pak Tai – the Taoist god of the sea.
However, I’m still not sure how the pastry buns came into the story or “bun festival” ? Maybe it was Pak Tai’s favorite treat??




None the less, it was a beautiful, colorful, fascinating afternoon experiencing and being part of true traditional Chinese culture.