The Art of Perception

  If I could have one talent, it would be to be able to paint and draw. There is something so deeply spiritual about it. To be able to offer up your very own interpretation of the world around you created by nothing but your eyes, mind, and hands is a very powerful skill to have.

  My good friend James Jefferson Peart is one of the best painters I have ever come across.  (I don’t say that lightly being as big a fan of Van Gogh as I am.)  His technique has a slight impressionistic feel to it and yet his bold use of color and modernistic view of life speak to post impressionistic and realistic influences respectively.  If I had to sum up his style in a word, it would be “fearless”.  His English sensibilities will likely downplay my praise, but make no mistake, when you see his work you will see the canvas attacked with a fervor few would dare to risk.  James is truly a master at the art of perception and I am proud to call him my friend.  

Please visit him at the following addresses: http://redcoatstudio.tumblr.com/ and http://redcoatstudio.co.uk/ and http://www.etsy.com/people/RedCoatStudio

   With introductions and platitudes now out of the way, let’s get to the point.  Below are three paintings from James and three photos from myself.  They are of similar objects yet perceived very differently.  One city, two points of view.  Enjoy. 

  In the first two sets, James and I the interpret classic NYC views of the skyline and street level taxi scene.  The final set is James’ painting based on my photo “Firetrucks in the Snow”. 

James: Empire State Building

 

Me: Empire State Building

James: Taxis

Me: Taxis

Firetrucks in the Snow

James:

:

Me:

The beauty of New York City is that there is no wrong way to experience it. For every person who walks the avenues and streets there is a different city that unfolds before them.  How will you capture it?

I would like to thank James again.  He truly is a brother in bond. 

  Tonight we have a single photo.  This image is one of my absolute favorite.  It was one of those moments where environment and subject became simpatico.  I have entitled this piece “Contemplating Grace” and it’s something that I need to do on a daily basis.  This photo is a great reminder. 

I love the fog.  I love the obscurity it brings, especially at night.  It’s naturally made atmosphere for photos. I never miss the chance when the fog rolls into Midtown. Enjoy.

Have a great day everyone!!

 One of my favorite places in all of NYC is the Atlas Statue on 5th Ave. near Rockefeller Center.  Below are several different angles, textures, and treatments of the Atlas Statue. (via Wiki Atlas is a bronze statue in front of Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan, New York City, across Fifth Avenue from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The sculpture depicts the Ancient Greek Titan Atlas holding the heavens. It was created by sculptor Lee Lawrie with the help of Rene Paul Chambellan, and it was installed in 1937.)

I am still a little sick so no quote.  Be excellent to each other. 

Thanks for sticking with me.  I was down with the flu and obviously have not posted in a week or so.  Thanks for reading again. 

Today’s post deals with candid shots of lovers.  This will be the first of what I am sure will be many on subject.  Catching people in tender moments can be awkward.  I don’t want ton intrude but I also can’t think of a better subject for the city to frame and be backdrop to. 

No quote to end tonight.  Be yourself, that’s all. 

  Taxis, like New York, never sleep.  They buzz in perpetual motion day and night around the town.  The motion blur in these photos are meant to depict the constant motion of these NYC fixtures. 

O me! O life! of the questions of these recurring,
Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I,
and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the
struggle ever renew’d,
Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see
around me,
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,
The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer.
That you are here—that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.

- Walt Whitman

 The Subway

  It’s not the Metro.  It’s not the Underground.  It’s not even just a train.  It’s the Subway.  For over a hundred years, it’s been the blood and the veins of New York City.  Suffice it to say, New York is not New York without it.  It brings a personality and atmosphere all it’s own.  I love to try to capture it.  This is the first of what I am sure will be many posts with photos of the Subway. 

  I haven’t organized these in any way shape or form.  Some I took with my iPhone.  Some I snapped with my Nikon compact.  Others I used my D90.  I find that using the compact is best in the Subway because of ease of use, speed, and agility.  Using the D90 is awkward and slow in the crowded spaces and the iPhone is just slow in general, especially composition wise.  You only have one chance to get a moment, make sure you are ready with the right equipment. 

  The only commonality I included in all of these shots was the use of people.  In a city this large individuality can be lost, but every soul has a story to be told.  From their faces to the way they stand and walk.  Discover for yourself what these stories have to say to you.  It may be only a passing glance at them through the window as the F Train rips through the platform but they are there.  You just have to look for them. 

 

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/361743978096754596_44346534

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/361731845502009056_44346534

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/361717767354187280_44346534

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/358605194572332150_44346534

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/358153875332005542_44346534

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/361732575017303788_44346534

  I want to pause a moment to discuss the photo below.  I call it, “The Invisible Man”  Blurry, offset, out of focus.  It epitomizes how the world may view him.  He clearly did not have much.  What is his story?  Perhaps, he jumped the turnstile just so he could have a warm place to sleep for a few hours…. Keep your eyes open and you may just learn something like I did:  Just be grateful. 

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/358227064099700678_44346534

Quote of the Day

  “If your photo is not good enough, you weren’t close enough.”  Robert Capa.

Thanks again everyone!  I think we are off to a great start!

Use of Shadow

The other day as the sun was beginning to set, I walked down 5th Avenue.  The sun was dead in my face.  It was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the great shadow play on the crowded sidewalk.

Use of Light 

 But it was a better opportunity to take advantage of the fabulous light.  

 

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/361145169192942842_44346534

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/361149108684586288_44346534

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/361143842861743340_44346534

  I think the key is framing the light with the buildings and letting the sun rays play on the exposure.

  Another important piece of information is that I took these with a compact camera.  I always keep it in my pocket.  I find it’s easier and quicker to point and shoot with than my phone which takes quality photos but can be a bit cumbersome and slow.  Take advantage of great moments like these and you will definitely be on your way to mastering the art of perception.

For The Record

  Today was not the greatest day.  I will not burden you with the asinine details BUT this much will be said, the real value in life is those who you surround yourself with.  The people who stand by you during the tough times are those that are the true currency. 

Now Reading

  I am a huge nerd.  Sherlock Holmes is the subject of my biggest geek outs.  I can’t get enough.  I made a resolution to read 100 books this calendar year and there is no better place to start than with a Sherlock Holmes book.  “Death in the Trenches” promises to be a great read. 

Quote of the Day

  “…never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” - Winston Churchill  

Good Night everyone.  

Color in the Snow

  Good evening!  Yesterday, we saw some shots using snow as a texture and frame in monochrome.  Today, I will show you some photos that use the white snowflakes in the foreground to bring out color.  Without getting too preachy, let’s get right to the photos for today! 

http://society6.com/markgiarrusso/Jazz-Man-in-the-Snow_Print

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/359708832740933259_44346534

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/359709930474176161_44346534

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/359709930474176161_44346534

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/357195891718225597_44346534

http://instacanv.as/mgiarrusso/piece/360464411474263752_44346534

Quote of the Day

“The great thing about America is that if you don’t like it, you can change it.” - Upton Sinclair. 

Please leave any comments or questions.  I would love to hear from you.