Approximately 25 years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting an extremely bright, young man who was working for a dear friend of mine, Peter Poremba, who was the CEO of DynaLite. His name is Jason Etzel. Jason is now one of the super heavy-weights for Sony Cameras. When you need information on a Sony, Jason is the man to go to. For anybody who doesn’t know, I took my first snapshot at age 7, I’ve been making snapshots and, occasionally, a good photograph, for the last half century. Unfortunately, Jasons dad passed away on the 24th of April. I never had the pleasure of meeting Frank, but all indications show that he was one hell of a great guy. Jason adopted his dads dog. The following is a text I received from Jason this morning.
“Tristan passed away after a rough night on my lap this morning. Felt his head go limp, then the breathing slower, and his heart stop beating on my leg.
In many ways, it was the best way something like this could happen. No frantic car rides, no anxiety for him going into the vet … my father is looking out for him now”
I have to tell you, I really got choked up. This is the way life goes. My philosophy is that life is not a rehearsal, you only have one shot at it, so you better make it count.
On my way home from Manhattan the other evening, I took a few photographs, which I’d like to share with you. It’s with my new Sony camera and the new Sony 135-1.8.
I don’t remember who the writer was who said you can never go home again. Whoever wrote it was certainly right. I was born and bred in the West Village on 63 Carmine street. At the ripe old age of four, I went to NYU for the first time to see my father graduate. This was of course, after he served 4 years in the U. S. Army Air Force as a waist gunner on b-17 flying fortress. With the combination of “the rent being too high” and 9/11, JoAnne and I made a decision to no longer keep our studio space full time in Manhattan. I must say, we still consider ourselves NYC photographers as it was our original base.
We have a dear friend who is an entertainer by the name of Ronny Whyte who was playing at Pangea in New York this past Wednesday and we decided to go in to see him perform. I took advantage of the time there to revisit my old neighborhood and take some of the rust off my street photography. Twenty five years ago, I was quite good at street photography – not sure I am anymore! If you don’t use it – you lose it! Washington Square really did not change much since I was there last. Great music, people playing sports, lovers and families, dogs and people of all ages just enjoying being outdoors. On our way to the East Village we bumped into the NYU Stern business school’s pro Palestinian demonstration. My blog is not about politics. Did I say that? I’m pro Israel and at the same time I’m not against Palestine and I’m certainly anti-Hamas! For all the years I’ve been to Israel my brothers and sisters would say they are all cousins and I sometimes can’t tell them apart. However, the terrorists are different! Over many years of being a photojournalist, I’ve only been stopped maybe 3 or 4 times either by security, the military, or the police. I’ve never once been stopped by a 19 or 20 year old child who got in my face on a New York City sidewalk which is known as a public conveyance. If you’re on the sidewalk you may be photographed for better or worse. If I was to photograph someone and was invading their personal space I would stop. However, it was funny because these people were demonstrating but yet did not want to be photographed? To have some little shit challenge me was unacceptable by anyone’s standards. We stared at each other for maybe 2 minutes and with his mask on, I could only see his eyes. There was no doubt he was not Palestinian or an Israeli! He probably was not an NYU student or for that matter not even American! I decided not to cause a riot at my father’s former alma mater. I believe in the first amendment of free speech and believe I also have a right to make photographs. A half block away there were three police officers and a Sergeant. I asked the Sergeant his thoughts about me making a photograph on the street and he said of course it was okay. I casually mentioned the fact that I was blocked by their umbrellas several times. The Sergeant offered to escort me back to make some photos. At that point I said no. We spoke for 5 minutes. The irony was the Sergeant happened to be a muslim Arab. There is no doubt, my father is rolling over in his grave. My dad had a doctorate degree. If he was there and that piece of shit blocked him or got in his face, I’m pretty sure he would have bitch slapped him and God knows what would have happened after that. I guess I did not inherit all my fathers nerve and we’re living in a different time. I’m sharing some photos of my day. It’s been a while since I posted a blog.
Later in the evening we enjoyed listening to Ronny Whyte along with the two talented musician who accompanied him. It was also good getting together at the club with friends Steve, Mary, Diane, Quinn, and Errol. Ronny is a great entertainer. An added bonus all around Pangea was to seeing so many framed beautiful Alan Kaplan pastels adorning the walls.
For those of you that may have missed it. Here are some photos from our talk on Creativity at Hudson Hall in Hudson, New York. It was a lot of work putting it together but much fun. Hopefully there will be another chance to catch it again soon. Thanks to our friends for traveling that long way to come see us and thank you Mary for photos of us during our presentations and thank you Jon.
Circa 1972. There was a small group of photographers in New York City that came together and were not only competitors but friends. Both JoAnne and I met Melchior at a New York Ranger Hockey Game. Suffice to say, Melchior was a world- class hockey photographer. JoAnne and I were just starting out our photographic careers as a team together. Melchior was an extremely generous person. If a younger photographer had questions Melchior would go out of his way to share experience, in this particular case with ice hockey. His eye-hand coordination in the days of single punch photography was again world class. When we moved into motor driven cameras his work only got better. In our business he was known as an under shooter Three periods of hockey, each period 20 minutes and by that, what I mean is every frame counted. He did not waste film. His career spanned over a half century. He was a gem during the Golden Age of Photography.
Both JoAnne and I were honored to call Melchior a friend. He went onto being one of the greatest tennis, rugby and overall sports photographers. Once he put his mind to doing something he did it amazingly well. The photographic community has lost a great photographer and a generous contributor.
The average person who knew Alan Kaplan from the many get-togethers parties etc, knew him as a photographer and artist who was married to a beautiful crazy lady by the name of Wendy and also had a lovely daughter by the name of Kyle, although I did not know her well.
Anybody in the professional New York Photographic Community knew Alan as a World Class Photographer and Painter who traveled the world recording amazing images and making films. When I think of f Alan Kaplan I think of him as the “Johnny Cash” of NYC photography. The man in black was a very low key, soft spoken guy who seemed to never raise his voice, not break a sweat, or get pissed off (or you did not know if he did). All and all he was quite the visionary! In the business he was known as a minimalistic and laid back image-maker. In the past 15 years, we’ve had hundreds of conversations on how we should save the world with our art. Rest assured Alan will be painting and photographing on another level of consciousness and will be kicking ass and taking names – but quietly. Unlike some of his contemporaries who are loud, boisterous, nasty and egotistical, Alan was the exact opposite. His talent was what it was all about. He let his talent speak for itself. He did not need to tell anyone how great he was.
I spoke to Alan for a short time last week and only sorry to not have spoke to him longer. Alan, God Bless you and thanks for leaving that signature Alan Kaplan body of work behind for all of us to remember you by. Hope to see you on the other side. By the way say hello to Peter B for me.
Approximately 91 years ago Mr. & Mrs Menscher brought into this world someone I called “Stan the Man.”
Over my career, I’ve had people who became mentors to me and became close friends who have helped me in many ways. You might say, I’ve been a lucky son-of-a-bitch! A long time ago I met Stanley. Stanley was what I would call a visionary. He was up there in my book as being one of the finest advertising photographers in NYC. He had clients like General Motors, RJ R Nabisco, Burger King, IBM and the list went on. He was a master of large, medium, and 35mm format photography not to mention 16mm film. Stan was the second Instructor hired to teach the Nikon Photo Workshop. He was a great teacher, motivator, great husband, father, and a wonderful friend. When it came to the computer and putting multimedia shows together he was far ahead of his time. Stanley would put together 26 projector shows, using two rear screens, and the shows were unbelieavable. Stanley’s heart was full of love and caring for his fellow human being. The only thing I held against him was, he never smoked or drank. That’s me trying to be funny.! He and his lovely wife Kathrin would come visit JoAnne and myself maybe twice a year and we’d always have a great time. I went to see him last year and it was obvious he was not feeling well.
I’ve attached this short funny video I did when we were together last. Stanley Video I want to say, Stanley thank you for the help you gave me and for the help you gave so many other photographers over the years. You were light years ahead of us all! I will always consider you a true visionary and a beautiful human being. We last spoke at Christmas. Kathrin called and told me that you had moved onto another level of consciousness. She said you had no pain and that you went peacefully in your sleep. Rest in peace Stanley. Several friends of yours shed some tears. Love you Joe D
I’ve been around the world at least twice and it seems once every decade something magical happens. Last week a group of 8 strangers came together. Each person was extremely bright, talented, and lovely. I spent one full day making some amazing photographs of actress, singer and super star Quinn Lemley. Many photographers tend to have huge egos. If it’s one thing I’ve learned, I always check my ego at the door. There isn’t a person who is able to do everything all the time. In the real world it takes a teamand we had an amazing one.
For this assignment, I was blessed to work with the actress Quinn Lemley – Superstar, Shani Grosz, World Class Clothing Designer, her Wonderful Social Media Publicist, Abby Sultanik, Mr. Wendall, a Super Stylist, Lorraine Altamura, a World Class Hair and Makeup Artist, Caroline Voigt, Quinn’s Amazing Social Media Publicist, Jon Mecca, an Accomplished Dynamic Photographer and Studio Manager. I’ve left the best for last – and Errol Rappaport who in the real world, is a Power Broker to End All Power Brokers. We all came together for the longest 12 hour day imaginable. My contribution was 1/8 of the creative group as the Photographer Par Excellence. I should also give credit to the Mayor’s office, the NYPD and Mihai (Michael) Pasalau at the New York Yacht Club (okay it was the Staten Island Ferry) but I do consider it my yacht!
I’ve always been a NYC kid, born and bred but as truth be known, the combination of Covid 19, my several bouts with Cancer, I’ve been away from the greatest City in the world for a while.
I’d love to take credit for our team prayer at the end of the evening but afraid I can’t. We all held hands and thanked the Universe for a great day. That team prayer originally emanated from Peter, Paul, and Mary who refused to go on stage until I and my son Dylan, who happened to be with me that one day, to gather together and do a prayer prior to their concert. It was a celebration of my 50th year photographing them.
I hope someday in the future the team and can together once again. I know that’s a big ask. But, what the hell… why not? I thank each and every one of you for your contribution to a great shoot. Remember one thing – Life is not a rehearsal – there are no second takes! Enjoy life to the fullest. I like to always say, “ Kick Ass and Take Names.” – Joe DiMaggio.
Thoroughly enjoyed photographing Christa Caseres, the Democratic nominee running for Pike County Commissioner both in the studio and on the campaign trail with her son Josiah.
Click here to donate to Christa’s campaign or sign-up to stay informed at ChristaForPike.com, email ChristaForPike@gmail.com or text/call 646-642-4915.
I’ve come to the conclusion the system is not broken. There is no system! My agent in California tells me not to use the term in “The Good Old Days” as people will find out how old I am. I guess my agent never heard of Google!
Hell, I just don’t care anymore…
These photos are from the Good Old Days when Kodachrome 25 was Kodachrome and life was simple and the water was clear blue.
Last September Ace, our Springer Spaniel of 15.5 years old, passed away. Months later, JoAnne would be still on the couch at 9:00PM checking her emails and she’d break into tears. She missed Ace. I called in some serious favors and Charlie, a world class English Springer Spaniel, appeared on our doorstep at about four months old.
Charlie is the fastest Springer we’ve ever had, and we’ve had quite a few Springers, She has blinding speed, and unbelievable agility. She flies from one couch to the next couch then over the coffee table and then and over my head, flies over the other couch again and lands on the floor of the dining room. She then makes a severe right hand turn into the kitchen, crashing into the storm door, and will turn around and do it again. That is when she’s in her wild and crazy, I want to play mood! You really can’t make this up! She is certifiable crazy. The breeder where Charlie came from won West Minster three times in the past 30 years. Charlie is royalty. I was told “the dog will love you, be your best friend, go hunting (if you want to go hunting) or can be a show dog if you want her to. You’ve got an amazingly great dog!” “However, she has a little attitude (maybe because she’s so smart).” “Charlie will look you in the eye from time to time and give you a look that says, “What’s in it for me?” Believe me I have gotten that look a few times since she’s arrived!
Given my cancer regime, I usually get up at 4:30-4:45, so I walk Charlie first thing in the morning. Then Charlie expects breakfast at exactly 6:00 or she gives me the stink eye! This is the equivalent of putting her paws on her hips and saying “Can we move this along now!” You get the feeling that Charlie is training me, I’m not training Charlie. Well, yesterday, I was running a little late, say 5:20, I got the treats in my left hand and the strap to put on Charlie. I cracked the door open with my foot a little too wide and Charlie exploded past me, she went out to the front of the driveway, squatted down and did a little pee, she looked to the left, the right, and saw a deer. She took off like a rocket ship. Keeping in mind, I’m not exactly, as light of foot as I was when I played college football, but I still move pretty well. I semi-chased after Charlie yelling her name and clapping my hands as she went through the neighbors yard, the next neighbors yard, and kept going. Keep in mind that if anything happens to Charlie, I’m a dead man! Thats not a joke, JoAnne will kill me! I’m chasing her and I realize that I need to go on a diagonal to cut her off. As I crossed the road carrying her red strap and her treats it dawned on me that I was in my underwear. Now granted, I no longer live in Greenwich Village, New York (where you could walk around in your underwear and nobody will say much!) But in Pennsylvania someone might get a 12 gauge and blow a hole in my ass! Screaming before 6 o’clock on a Sunday morning, my voice echos off the charts! What do I do? Charlie is not allowed to cross the road and she’s crossed it twice. She starts running the opposite direction and I try to cut her off before I realize this isn’t working. I put my hands down and I start walking back to our home. I look, I yell Charlie for the last time and Charlie runs straight at me. She comes right up to me, stops, sits down, and Charlie is waiting for her treat. My first reaction is to strangle Charlie, we dont have to worry about that because Charlie gave me the look…What’s in it for me?” and took off again. I make my way to the front door, threw the strap down, got ready to sit down on the front stairs, and Charlie comes by and goes into the house like she did nothing wrong. Now there’s an old saying, “if I’m lying, I’m dying.” I ain’t lying! To show that I was very upset I refused to make eye contact with her and ignored her for the next 24 hours. Well that was a mistake. Charlie just doesn’t give a shit! I’m the one who needs to go to a psychiatrist and find out what’s wrong with me? Attached you’ll find a few frames of our Charlie Girl.
Joe DiMaggio 