WEEK 41

JULY 27TH- AUGUST 2ND

 

I had an interesting interaction this week. One of my biggest fears when I'm out shooting is when I take photos of people that they will call me out. It's something I'm trying to be braver about, but it's a fine line between photographing someone and invading their privacy. I believe that if you are in a public space you should not expect privacy- however if someone is uncomfortable being shot, I don't really enjoy making people uncomfortable. I've only been called out a couple of times and never here on Haviland St. Once this past winter there were 2 security guards in a doorway on a snowy night, smoking and it would have been a very cool shot-- there was really no way to take the shot without them knowing so I asked if they minded and they refused.  I think they thought since they were goofing off they may get in trouble. Fair enough-- I hated losing the shot, but I asked and they said no. 

So this week I was hanging out on the plaza and I took a shot of a guy playing guitar. He noticed and asked if I just took his photo. I said I did and asked if he minded. He was shirtless and I think he was uncomfortable with that. I really didn't think much of him being shirtless, he had a cool guitar and I thought it would make a nice shot with the way the sun was on him. I offered to delete it and he considered it and finally asked me to delete it. No problem, the shot was not good anyway. Even if it was I would have deleted it, but if it was a nice shot it would have hurt more. I went back over talking to the friend I had been chatting with and the guitar player came over after a bit (with his shirt now on) and said he felt bad and if I wanted to take some shots of him playing that would be fine. I could tell he was torn about asking me to delete the shot and he was extremely nice. So I took some shots and I really like the 2 here-- but more importantly, it taught me to not be scared of people  and what would have been a shot I trashed, turned into a couple of nice shots and I met someone from my neighborhood. 

Ok- on to the photos-

Zach

 

Guitar Player

 The last few weeks I have been having a hard time finding time to get out and shoot-- one of the reasons is that my Mom came up to Boston to have a pretty major surgery- so I've been busy with that-- but she's doing great and recently went out for her first big walk- and of course I took her down Haviland St. 

Mom

 

 

Playing around with the Zoom lens

Zoom

 

 

Things To Do

Pru Close-up

I like this shot, the blurry figure makes it seem like he's in too much of a hurry to notice the guy on the stoop.

Ghost

This woman is always around trying to sell people flowers. 

Flower Pusher

Yeehaw!

 

WEEK 40

 

JULY 20TH- 26TH

 

When I first started this blog, my idea was to post about 4-5 photos each week. I have done many more than that each week, pretty much averaging about 10 or so a week. Whether that's from lack of self editing or more good photos than I expected- well, I'll let you decide. 

But this week I only have 6 photos and that feels like slacking, but still more than what I had originally thought I'd do. 

I like this pair of photos- these are taken from the kitchen window and I saw this guy with his great hat walking down the street carrying a two-wheeler over his shoulder-

Two-Wheeler

 

Two- Wheeler B&W

We had a little drummimg demo to check on the sound in the new commercial space, as a drum shop is interested - I liked the empty space with just the drum kit

Drumming

 

Last week I mentioned the photos that are just documenting-- this is definitely one of those-- a late night street light repair

Street Light Repair

And a couple of interesting shots-- one high above and one a  nighttime reflection.. 

Heavens Above

Ghost Tree Reflection

 

 

 

WEEK 39

JULY 13TH- 19TH

 

As we roll into Week 39 I've noticed something about what this project means to me and my photography. I think I really have 2 purposes in this project and I'm just realizing now how distinct yet similar they really are. 

I think one side is making good photos. A good technical photo or just a very interesting perspective or whatever, but a thought out, at least somewhat well done photo. 

The second side is kind of documenting the life of the street-- and the photo itself ( the technical aspects or aesthetics of it) matter less. They are more important as a document of the street. 

Obviously my favorite shots are the ones that combine both these sides.    I'll show some examples of each side this week and you can decide if they are in the correct sides.

Here's some examples of side one

Sun Behind the Pru

Shadow Stairs

 

Trees on Haviland

Playground Perspective

 

A funny caption never hurts either

Porn for Dogs

 

And here are some of the side 2 examples

Hopscotch

 

Partial Bike

XX-d Out

Bernie 2016

French French

 

WEEK 38

JULY 5TH - 12TH

 

A little late this week-- lots going on. I don't have a lot to share this week, Took some night shots and a couple from earlier in the week. I'll let the photos do the talking. 

Berklee Building at Night

A Tiny Corner of Alley

From Above At Night

Double Shadow

Mass and Haviland

 

Skateboarder at Night

Skateboarder Daylight

Don't Dump

 

WEEK 37

JUNE 29TH- JULY 5TH

 

Fourth of July weekend is a strange time here. Most of the weekend is very quiet as the locals head to the shore or mountains and the city is empty except of course for the 4th itself when it gets very crowded for the fireworks. 

I want to start with a photo that I really like- even though it was kind of a tossed off photo I took from the car as I was getting ready to take the Fuji back. I like the photo for the haziness and the muted colors. It has the look of a hot summer day in the 70's. I barely processed it all-- it just looked right.

Hazy Day

Speaking of old photos-- a friend of my wife's sent us this photo-- from 1965, looking down Mass Ave toward Symphony it shows the corner of Mass Ave and Haviland--the Back Bay Lounge is where Dunkin' Donuts now is. I love this photo-- you can see dirty piles of snow and all the little business's crammed in that block. There's a Chinese place in the same spot where Nan Ling's was and now Dumpling Palace. If you look closely you can see Bill's Bar and the sign that the Bill's Bar on Landsdowne used. 

Looking Down Mass Ave -1965

Here's a few shots of above Haviland Street--way above

Helicopter

 

Sunburst

 

Sunset

 

One more taken from above

Couple on the Corner

And back down to street level

Alley Chat

Shadow Leaves

For Lease

Sax Girl

And here's one to wish you a Happy 4th of July and a great summer!

Happy 4th

 

WEEK 36

JUNE 22-28

 

So, running a little late this week. Like to get the post up earlier on Mondays, but had a long day today. I've done well to get this in on time every week, especially since I switched to Mondays instead of Sunday. 

After my wordy week last week, I'll keep things brief here-- but I do have a lot of photos this week. 


This week with my Fuji I was trying a lot of "shooting from the hip" - where you don't use your eye through the viewfinder and try to shoot without anyone noticing. Some came out good-- there's a certain randomness to this way of shooting too, which is kind of cool. 

Crossing The Walk

It's a good way to grab shots of people 

Flowers

Friends Part

Along The Wall

Hip Shot

 

Groceries

Stretching The Hose

And practiced on stationary objects

Black Bike in the Rain

Through Bars

I did suddenly realize I had no photos of the garage that is underneath Haviland Street

Entrance

 

Patriot Parking

 

 

 
  Now back to some everyday objects-

Valve

 

Sprinkler Alarm

A door--for my brother Chris, who loves doors

Door

Door- B&W

And finally--I had this shot last week, but the other day the light was hitting it just right and I think this one came out better

Still Life with Cheerwine