"I'm dancing with tears in my eyes...
Just fighting to get through the night"
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Ain't life a beach?
Hanging at a bar on the outskirts of Hoi An with friends, drinking the best mojito I've ever had.
Although the end of my trip is rapidly approaching, I know this is a place I will not be able to stay away from for very long. The country of Viet Nam is an enigma that I've become enthralled with. Despite allowing other people's prejudice to cloud my early opinions, I've come to realize that this place and these people are not what it once was. The past is the past, and this country is moving slowly, but surely, into the 21st century letting bygones be bygones...
A much needed day of relaxation after a frenetic week of last minute shooting & editing. Much thanks to my friend, Nguyet, (or Moon, because I butcher all Vietnamese I attempt to pronounce) who introduced me to this incredible bar located right at the ocean's edge in Hoi An.
An American psychology student who hails from a Vietnamese family in Chicago, I was lucky enough to meet Moon at the children's school in Da Nang. She's been a virtual life-saver here in Da Nang.
Without her gracious help translating Vietnamese and being the ultimate queen of bartering for a good deal, Patrick and I never would have experienced this country in the way we have been privileged to without her. Seeing a new side of Viet Nam as the locals do, rather than typical touristy destinations, she has embraced our company and shared her culture with the clumsy photographers willingly.
From taking us to new restaurants to try more traditional dishes to our random adventures walking across the city, I truly can't express how grateful I have been for her company and friendship these past few weeks.
With plans to return in a year or two to teach English and open an institute for the local Vietnamese, I cannot wait to come back and accompany her on this endeavor and begin a whole new string of adventures.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
See you soon...
Over the three months spent traveling in Asia, I've seen my photography progress and grow to new levels of story-telling. I've sharpened my technical skills and begun to see light in a way reminiscent of the long past days of the darkroom. My reflexes are quicker and my instincts are better... I'm beginning to grow to be the photojournalist I will one day become.
Although I want to solely credit my improved technique to myself, I know that's hardly the truth of it, much to my chagrin. I've continually pushed myself to better my work, but I never could have done it alone. I have to give credit, where so much credit is due.
Without the help of an amazing friend, photographer, and mentor, Patrick McDermott... None of this would have been possible solely on my own.
With his patient guidance and thoughtful criticism, he's pushed my photography to new levels of documentary story-telling. Even in my lowest points where I've wanted to give up completely, pack up my gear, and find the first flight back to California... He's been the emotional support I've needed to gather my thoughts to find peace within myself and refocus my work. He's believed in me when no one else has, and that has meant the world to me.
Spending the last two months gallivanting through foreign countries, we've had some incredible, (albeit insane), adventures together. I'm not entirely sure how we've survived all of them, to be perfectly honest, without killing each other or getting killed ourselves, they are memories I will hold dear always. Whether that memory is good, or bad, it is still precious to me.
He's become so more than just a fellow shooter, he's become one of my best friends. One of just two photographers at Brooks I admire and respect more than words can truly convey. They've silently taught me to never give up, never surrender, and never allow anyone to have the final say on your work, a privilege that is solely yours. If I grow into being half the photojournalists they are, my career will be set for life.
Though he's five-thousand miles away in Paris, my thoughts and prayers are with him in this chaotic upcoming week that will change his life forever. He knows, despite whatever may have happened or will happen in the future, I will always be here.
In the words of Coldplay, I'll see you soon...
Although I want to solely credit my improved technique to myself, I know that's hardly the truth of it, much to my chagrin. I've continually pushed myself to better my work, but I never could have done it alone. I have to give credit, where so much credit is due.
Without the help of an amazing friend, photographer, and mentor, Patrick McDermott... None of this would have been possible solely on my own.
With his patient guidance and thoughtful criticism, he's pushed my photography to new levels of documentary story-telling. Even in my lowest points where I've wanted to give up completely, pack up my gear, and find the first flight back to California... He's been the emotional support I've needed to gather my thoughts to find peace within myself and refocus my work. He's believed in me when no one else has, and that has meant the world to me.
Spending the last two months gallivanting through foreign countries, we've had some incredible, (albeit insane), adventures together. I'm not entirely sure how we've survived all of them, to be perfectly honest, without killing each other or getting killed ourselves, they are memories I will hold dear always. Whether that memory is good, or bad, it is still precious to me.
He's become so more than just a fellow shooter, he's become one of my best friends. One of just two photographers at Brooks I admire and respect more than words can truly convey. They've silently taught me to never give up, never surrender, and never allow anyone to have the final say on your work, a privilege that is solely yours. If I grow into being half the photojournalists they are, my career will be set for life.
Though he's five-thousand miles away in Paris, my thoughts and prayers are with him in this chaotic upcoming week that will change his life forever. He knows, despite whatever may have happened or will happen in the future, I will always be here.
In the words of Coldplay, I'll see you soon...
Monday, January 10, 2011
My thoughts exactly
With all the madness and chaos that will be this upcoming week,
Muhn's little expression sums up exactly what how I've been feeling lately.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
To the Beach
After spending the day with a friend walking from Lady Buddha on the hill above the Da Nang Bay, I found this little guy hanging out on the beach waiting for his photo opportunity.
It's a slightly ridiculous photo, but it was too perfect to pass up the moment.
Website! Finally!
©Patrick McDermott 2010
I've finally gotten my website customized & designed!
Check out the site for my complete portfolios
& bodies of work from recent and past projects!
Thanks for looking!
www.parrphoto.com
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2011. A year of better things.
In the tradition of New Years' Day that comes & go with each passing year...
Resolutions are made, often soon to be broken by those who make them.
Although resolution is a petty word, I find promise to be more fitting...
A promise to myself. To live each day to the fullest for those who cannot, & keep fighting when I have nothing left to give. To surrender nothing, for no one, never. Compromise myself for no one & know when stripped of everything I have? I have my dignity, that is most important. One missed opportunity is something better waiting to be found, you just have to see past the momentary disappointment to realize what's coming.
& that no one's subjective opinion of your work, determines your fate. Only you have that privilege.
2010 has been an abrupt whirlwind of heartache, disappointment, and joy.
But it has changed everything I've known about my career, and myself. Through spending the past two and 1/2 months in and out of more hotel rooms, train stations, and airport terminals, than I care to recall, to bring me to this place... I would change nothing. I'm beginning to know who I am as a photographer, & I know there's very few things I wouldn't sacrifice to wake up every morning, knowing that it's one more day I can do what I love.
I've found myself greeting 2011 with a ruthless attitude. Not so much out of spite, but of sheer determination. I've been told many times this past year what I cannot do...
I cannot create good documentary video pieces.
I cannot photograph baseball very well.
I cannot get far in this career & have to leech the talent of those around me.
I cannot succeed in a country traveling on my own.
& I won't be traveling to photograph overseas.
2011.
I will go to the 2011 Summer National Senior Games. I will go to the 2011 Eddie Adams workshop. I will have an incredible internship, working with a great staff of photographers. & I will continue to travel, having the privilege to tell the stories of those who I encounter.
To all those who doubted me and doubted what I was capable of...
I'm sorry to disappoint you.
I'm sincerely sorry to put my finger & my portfolio in your face, as a reminder of what I have accomplished when you said I couldn't.
My deepest apologies I persevered.
Resolutions are made, often soon to be broken by those who make them.
Although resolution is a petty word, I find promise to be more fitting...
A promise to myself. To live each day to the fullest for those who cannot, & keep fighting when I have nothing left to give. To surrender nothing, for no one, never. Compromise myself for no one & know when stripped of everything I have? I have my dignity, that is most important. One missed opportunity is something better waiting to be found, you just have to see past the momentary disappointment to realize what's coming.
& that no one's subjective opinion of your work, determines your fate. Only you have that privilege.
2010 has been an abrupt whirlwind of heartache, disappointment, and joy.
But it has changed everything I've known about my career, and myself. Through spending the past two and 1/2 months in and out of more hotel rooms, train stations, and airport terminals, than I care to recall, to bring me to this place... I would change nothing. I'm beginning to know who I am as a photographer, & I know there's very few things I wouldn't sacrifice to wake up every morning, knowing that it's one more day I can do what I love.
I've found myself greeting 2011 with a ruthless attitude. Not so much out of spite, but of sheer determination. I've been told many times this past year what I cannot do...
I cannot create good documentary video pieces.
I cannot photograph baseball very well.
I cannot get far in this career & have to leech the talent of those around me.
I cannot succeed in a country traveling on my own.
& I won't be traveling to photograph overseas.
2011.
I will go to the 2011 Summer National Senior Games. I will go to the 2011 Eddie Adams workshop. I will have an incredible internship, working with a great staff of photographers. & I will continue to travel, having the privilege to tell the stories of those who I encounter.
To all those who doubted me and doubted what I was capable of...
I'm sorry to disappoint you.
I'm sincerely sorry to put my finger & my portfolio in your face, as a reminder of what I have accomplished when you said I couldn't.
My deepest apologies I persevered.
There is always a light at the end in the darkest of tunnels.
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