Some people have a look that makes you say “That guy looks like he’s from New York.” …or Boston, or Philly, or New Jersey. Paul grew up in an Irish neighborhood in Chicago and comes from a big family. He is a friend of mine and tonight we ate waffles at the Waffle House. 
Left to their own devices, children create their own expressions. They are almost impossible to “pose” and the results are stiff and boring if you try. They reveal themselves if you just talk to them about their own world, asking lots of questions …just don’t forget to keep taking pictures. This girl was happy she had finally grown enough to fit into this red dress. It was a rite of passage to her.
Around 11 or 12 boys are changing more than they now. They are starting a stage they would rather be cool than smile or laugh sincerely, making those fleeting moments when they do harder to catch. The mention of a girl he is fond of brought a reluctant smile to his face …if only for a slit second. That is what photography is all about, recording split seconds. 
Rolling on the ground or throwing leaves in the air were rituals of fall where I grew up. Running around this leaf painted yard she stopped for a moment to look into the camera, then rolled, giggling and squealing, on down the hill. 
With Halloween came this picture of a boy commando at dusk. Dusk is when commandos start their missions, which in this case was a bucket of candy. Before this boy could evaporate back into the fading light, I snapped his picture. 
Some faces are better left hinted at, hidden behind a beard and a oft-broken nose …kept in the shadows and presented in low light.
There’s something I like about leather. New leather is nice, but boring. Naturally aged leather is best. I bought this leather briefcase at a Spanish flea market years ago. I use it still and it’s aging beautifully with dings, scratches and tares. 
Not often do rocks or chips of stone have significance to me. This one does. A few days ago was the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. I was in Germany in 1989 and was supposed to be in Berlin the day the Wall came down, but couldn’t go. I went at a later date.
When I came back to the States, a few people asked if my brick came with a “Certificate of Authenticity.” It did not, but they were selling quarter size rocks with a certificate in the States to people for $25 to $50. I had a good friend who worked on Check Point Charlie in Berlin and he got for me a brick size piece of the Wall.
By looking at the two sides of the Wall one can tell which is East Berlin and which is West Berlin.
Since I don’t eat much candy anymore, this Halloween I took the camera and decided to have a little fun with flash photography and see if I could “create” a few ghosts. This Geisha ghost was created using the “rear curtain sync” on my Nikon. There has been no editing or other manipulation of this picture. 
On the small Alberta Spruce tree in the garden I noticed this grasshopper the other day. I thought it was late in the season, but what do I know about grasshoppers? This was the only one I saw and it just kept eating when I approached, so I got the camera and started shooting. It’s a creepy looking insect, but it is rare to get a close up like this.
