Meeting The Neighbors

Most of you all remember what it is like to move to a new home. You hope the neighbors will come over and introduce themselves, and perhaps bring you something to help ease the transition to your new digs. You know, beer, wine, pizza, or a Welcome Wagon basket. This is how I have felt about being a freelancer here in Portland my first few years. A few years back I knew I was one the new kids on this block. At first I only knew of, but never met, only a few of my neighbors, but now since working for two of the more prominent magazines here in Portland (see a previous post), I have witnessed the great works from my own backyard of this great and talented photographic community here in Portland. Not only that, but I have finally met a few of them. Not only are these people extremely talented, they are also awesome people. I don't know why, but I had this picture in my mind that the competition would be secretive, and reclusive. Jokes on me. Willing to share information, tricks of the trade, and even buy you a beer, the community is just plain awesome. I love this community. So I want to call out a few people and thank them for making me feel so welcomed to the freelance photography community here in Portland. Here are links to their web sites so you can see their wonderful and inspiring work. Take a walk in the hood.

Lincoln Barbour
Stuart Mullenberg
Steve Scardina
Rafael Astorga
Bruce Wolf
Mark Gamba
Jim Lommasson
Brian Lee
Sol Neelman

Chalking Up the Vote

If we could all vote like this, I think we would all live in a better world. I would have loved to have seen the results in Florida in 2000, and Ohio in 2004, if they all had to vote with chalk. Blue chalk for the Democrats, and red chalk for the Republicans.