Photography - Focus

Focus - This is a shot I call The Book & Rose. Many times my focus is not on the entire statue, nor should it be. Here you can see that it was on the book, hands, and the slightly more distant rose. Many of the statues that you will come across are really quite the same, so look for other features that may, perhaps, tug at your heart strings. If they tug on yours, they'll tug on others.

The Writer's Block, Cape Ann TV, and Me

I had the honor this past Thursday, of appearing on the stage at Cape Ann TV, for the taping of an interview for the long running TV program - The Writer's Block. Host John Ronan and I discussed my new book - Final Thoughts: Eternal Beauty in Stone. TWB is the longest running cable access program in New England cable access TV history. In the 22 years that John has interviewed authors he said that Final Thoughts is, "One of the two finest, most beautiful, books he has ever seen." Episode to be broadcast February 9, 16, and all next summer 2012 on Cape Ann, MA.
I had also the time to pickup a couple of bookstores during the same trip. The Toad Hall Bookstore in Rockport, and the Bookstore on Main in Gloucester. Please feel free to stop into either for a look:)

Photography - Winter - Alone on a Hill

There's snow in the weather reports. Just a dusting they say, and in the hills, but enough mentioned to get this photographer to dig his boots out from under the bed. The winter time seems to be most associated with the human feeling of loneliness; and never more pronounced a feeling than in a cemetery. In spite of the stark surroundings, my feelings and emotions are at their climax. The bare environment allows for a greater focus on my humanity. The colors fade, and you're left with nothing but a moment, a story, an inspiration:)
This one was taken locally in Ransom, Pa. The graveyard is actually behind me. I guess he just wanted some privacy. I sometimes know the feeling.

Print of the Day - The Hourglass

The Hourglass - It's a simple shot, evidence of the durability of slate as a material used in gravestones back in the Georgian day, and now coming back into fashion. It is generally resistant to the weather and to the many pollutants in our atmosphere. The carvings can be very detailed, but the only problem, should you consider it a problem, is that it does not accept the same high polish, nor does it have the same brightness of colour as marble or granite does.
This one stone taken in Old North End Burying Ground, Ipswich, Ma., dates from the late 17th Century.

It's What You See:)

It's only one of a few shots taken of this collection of gravestones at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery a few weeks ago but, knowing me as well as you guys do, why in the world would I want to do a thing with these stones? Take a look and let me know what you think. There is an emotional message here.


“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” ~Henry David Thoreau

Photography - Something About Mary

Something About Mary - Simply do not fail to view your subject from as many angles as you can. You'll never know what it is you might be missing.
These two are different compositions of the same statue taken in Churchville, New York. I was so struck by her purity, I just had to load up the camera. And when I say purity...you know what I mean. She was as clean a stone as I've seen in a long time.
As is usually the case in my approach to statuary, I'm in the face. I draw as much life out of these human parallels in stone as I possibly can. It's less a cemetery to me than a friends home. Do hope you enjoy.

And the Winner is?????

I haven't done this in a while; something from my love of astronomy. Perhaps another reality based show - Battling Galaxies.


This image taken by the refurbished Hubble Space Telescope shows a clash among members of a famous galaxy quintet reveals an assortment of stars across a wide color range, from young, blue stars to aging, red stars.


The gravity that must be at work here....my,my,my.....


Image released by NASA on Wednesday, Sept. 9. NASA

The Victoriana Lady Lisa, the CemGuy, and Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Lisa and I will meet all of you at Sleepy Hollow cemetery on October 23rd! We will be in the main building with Lisa's Victorian Mourning clothing & artifacts display to answer questions. My book "Final Thoughts: Eternal Beauty in Stone" will be available for sale & autograph. Bring your camera and look for the Headless Horseman, what more could you ask for in a cemetery. :)

Steampunk & the American Civil War?

Some great news Everyone. With Final Thoughts complete & The Fashionable Victorians in production, Lisa and I have secured two more publishing deals! Lisa's new book will present the international Steampunk fashion movement in photo and text. Photos from the best international photographers in Steampunk will grace the pages of this magnificently original publication. My new project will be a rather robust book containing original letters written from, and to, the front during the American Civil War. I call it 'Letters of the Blue and Gray'. It will not only contain the letter in text and photo, but photo(s) of the letter writer, or receiver, and original photos, drawings, and woodcuts of the event(s) contained in the letter. We just received the go ahead this morning. Suffice it to say, we're incredibly thrilled with these two new projects at hand. Thanks all for your support.

Final Thoughts: Eternal Beauty in Stone arrives!

Final Thoughts: Eternal Beauty in Stone is finally here everyone:) I just received my comp. copies. That means that it should be hitting the book stores shortly. All those that ordered from Amazon or Barnes & Noble online should also be receiving them shortly. If you have yet to order your copy, now would be a good time.

(Forward by Douglas Keister)

Amazon - http://tinyurl.com/3emrgla

Barnes & Noble - http://tinyurl.com/3cmbm47

Now, if you would prefer a signed copy, please contact me. Thanks Everyone, John

Mark Twain

Lisa and I were treated to a whirlwind tour of Elmira, New York - Mark Twain country. Lisa had a show to do in the Park Church where Mr. Twain entertained some billiards, cigars, and good conversation; oh, and when he was prodded a bit, a sermon or two. He was not fond of organized religion, but he did support this particular in any way he could.

He was respectful though. His wife Olivia, and her family, were very much the First Family of Park Church, so Samuel had to be on his best behavior.
Earlier that day, a special visit was arranged at Woodlawn Cemetery where Samuel Clemens(Mark Twain) is laid to rest. It was an inspiring moment for all of us.

Samuel's wife Olivia. They were as close as two people could get. Clemens first beheld her image in an ivory miniature in her brother's stateroom aboard the Quaker City, the voyage on which Clemens recorded for Innocents Abroad. Soon after his return, he visited the Langdons and less than two weeks after that, he was in love and proposed to her. She rejected his offer at first but after a couple years and a couple hundred letters, they were finally engaged. During this courtship, Clemens made some remarkable reformations - "Livy disapproved of drinking, smoking, Western manners, and even humorists, and he courted her by offering, in all sincerity, to make over his character and his habits to meet her desires. For a while, he came close to religious orthodoxy, prayed, and went to church..." To Olivia's dismay and continual frustration, these efforts to reform himself curbed off after his courtship, and he reverted back to some of his old habits and religious unorthodoxy.

The study where Mark Twain penned his classics. It was originally stationed on the grounds of the Quarry Farm owned by Olivia's family, but later moved to the University in town.