Blog
Process and Workflow
So after a fun sat out shooting last week I posted the gallery for those that wanted the photos.
It is still accessable from my iIG account in highlights under “Gallery Access”.
Going forward certain public events pics wull be posted for anyome that wants the download codes will be there.
If it is an event some galleries wull only be accessable by event holders and folks in photos.
And when I can there will be a set up of galleries with small download fee per pic to cover the expenses of all these availability and tech ti deliver photos hassle free. More on that when Its put in place it will only be for certain things.
I have tested this service im currently using and it has worked great. Both with ONYX cycles. And Cyclestop NJ.
Had great feedback about access to downloads and process. Thank you for their support in testing.
Some older gatherings will be posted such as pool parties and garage nights very soon those galleries will be accessable by those that attended and will be delivered the same exact way garage niggts are posted and communicated only.
Im slowly sifting through older stuff and organizing. The stuff will be posted and wull have end dates and downloads will be available when posted I only have so much online space and all photos are going to be posted with highest printable quality. And will be for personal use only. There will be licencing agreements added that simply say you get a photo its for you to use. If its printed on a mag cover or used somewhere where monitary use is made from the image billing will be made. And since some will be cheap the billing info will be in hand.
Sorry for saying that but not sorry. Im done chasing and hustling for t shirts and a beer or 2 that never comes only to be passed on when i hustle to get and do more work with folks. No more shooting for access.
A few folks have me with thw drop of a simple text or call on amytbing they wanna work on or shoot but that came from support and solid respect.
Have a gret day and ill see yas all soon.
SUPPORT
So its a term used by many in the circles I shoot in. Some do it above and beyond. Some by word of mouth with who they are. Some by pounding the ground through actions. Some in an online capacity.
In my case. I shoot, share photos in print and online, show up at as many events I can. I put my own time and energy into what I do. I have never asked for much or even anything return. Ill support businesses through buying shirts and stickers. Show up at rides and pay to be a rider and buy a shirt. Show up at swaps and buy something take photos and post to show the awesome time the event is. Pump events with the flyers or in some cases make the fliers.
Im not here to toot my own horn. Im not saying this to be like ooo look at me. But some truly get it. And some or a few dont.
I get an inbox DM yesterday from my homie above. He gives me a number. 86. Says there is a raffle for a panhead engine with other parts and my number is 86. He purchased it for me as a thank you for all I do.
This is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. Even if I dont win. Its speaks miles about the type of folks that you need to surround yourself with.
And I am truly blessed. From the NYC crew. To the NJ garage party crew. To my homie from Staten Crooked Bob to my tiny friend Vinny. To everyone on the Asbury circuit. To the Pineys who do it best. To the philly crew. Ryan and the Kyles. Some dude Mike on a sportster.
The upstate crew. All the photogs I have met. Shot with, and competed against in my head. Shared conversation with.
Thank You.
I could put so many photos here. If I missed someone then im sorry. The point of this is a thank you.
But support isnt something that is bought. It comes from being out there. It means if your having an event. You should be pounding the fucking pavement showing up for other peoples. Not only if you think the turnout is cool. Or the weather is perfect.
The Jam in the pines was a perfect example of alot of folks from far and near coming out and repping. And supporting Jeff and AJ. They started something new in a new spot. And the vibes of everyone there were real in wanting to see it be great. And even with rain. And a few less choppers it was a blast.
Thank you Jeff and AJ for starting some new things that have such awesome folks and great vibes.
Support those that support you. Be real. And most importantly F.T.W.
Flogging’ Time
So this is getting tuned way way way WAY WAY the fuck down. Start and keep it simple. A certain online parts vendor about a month ago had some photos I took posted and the tags were almost jokingly spelled and not right. I messaged them. My son emailed them with some rather rude messages. And I finally got a hold of Mike. And to my avail I was completely correct. They simply screenshot my work and reposted.
We had a brief conversation about it. I was told how abrasive the emails were. I said they came from a vaping 20 Yo. He was like ground him to which I said yeah my son.
I explained that I collab post almost all of my stuff and would gladly include him on anything hes sees on my page and even followed it up in the next few days by adding his account to the next few posts. Conversation seemed to end amicably and that was that.
Now some dont get why I might get twisted. Another photog whom they did the same thing quoted said “ yeah im pretty cool with those guys and besides they do what they want.” Now we work our own shit. Drive, shoot, edit, and create our photography and content however you wanna look at it or what you want to call it. Then you take a fairly large well off online chopper parts company. They make money with their online presence. And generate revenue with content on their accounts to sell more parts. You want photos from show shit I have set up my stuff to link directly to sales pages for folks using pics I take that have or feature their products.
With that said. Boom there another repost. I politely left comments on it over a few days asking if it was screenshot? I do not like screenshots of stuff off IG it degrades the quality of the image and in some not all I’d rather not see it posted if it’s in that manner. My name isn’t written across my stuff like a lot of folks but my shit speaks for itself. A lot can spot my shots by my style. That’s my work and my passion.
It’s not there for you to screenshot. Then put my name under in a footnoted comment and make your page look good and make money off of it by pushing your own shit. Then act like your doing me a fucking favor by as you put it “calling me out “ under my photo.
I have always willingly shared and willing share chopper content across a few areas of IG. I have taken some and made bikes known all over from my relationships with the people I know and my network. I do it because I love what I shoot and the people that build em deserve attention for the great work they do.
I am knowones fucking chump and the last post was removed with an ok dude it’s removed lol. Like I’m a pain in the ass. I say fuck you!
Don’t abuse my patients and me being nice in offering to even share the stuff collab wise and all this good shit it erks me maybe I’m being a bitch over a picture of a fucking chopper. But I don’t need to get into my business ethics again. In this community decent ethics and how companies treat folks and how they present themselves is huge. Word of mouth can go real far real fast. I know I burned myself real early on with opportunities with some major players and it has followed me ever since. I own it like a trophy at this point because I learned.
But don’t think doe a min with my measly following and my low like numbers that I don’t have a reach. And this blog has a nice fan base because I do speak my mind honestly. I do not kiss anyone’s ass. And even if it burns me, piss me off I’ll come out on anyone here.
People who shoot photography and go all in because they love it. And give back to the community and never ever put a fucking dollar on it deserve some respect. And to you Mr Chopper parts guy that was all I expected and even spoke professionally on. And you treated me like I was some fucking twitter that you were doing a fucking favor for.
I’ll end this here and will not include anyone’s business name. I vented. I talked some shit and I’m done now.
Portraits
So recently I ordered up some prints that I have been dragging ass on. They will be delivered today. And others sent out in mail Tuesday. Long ago portraits were a weak point in my shooting. I looked at one I took to send to a friend and I’m like fuck I nailed it. He has an older one of similiar composition with his pups. But the new one I snapped just nailed it for me.
Now I’m my own hugest critic and I can point out a few things in the snap I should have did better. But the vibe is there and it was spot on. And as always I love seein the dogs they are the 2 happiest pups I have met to date. Pet and pit shots are another thing I have done and enjoy.
So with that said at upcoming events I want to start nailing portraits more of folks. So if you see me and it’s you and the girl or man your with and want a shot say mother fucker take a pic.
For any folks doing an upcoming swap or party I have a 10 foot by 15 foot American flag that would be perfect to roll folks up in front of with or without their bikes and get some shots.
So get at me.
These riding shots are actually my favs. They can be set and achieved with even more finesse if you want them done im all in. But making a pass around a block a few times will bring desired better than expected results. I did this with Jake the shake because I had riding shots of everyone at his garage get to gather except him so I went back. And proceeded to shoot him on every one of his bikes and it was some cool shit.
to hit my own satisfaction with what I shoot on these. I would follow some who KILL IT in every way. So I’ll thank them here for teaching me and inspiring through thier work. Dean Landry first and foremost his portraiture is on top. Second is Sumner Dilworth, his stuff has a different style and flair and just catches the eye. Next is one I’ll mention only to say I was introduced to by another. Rick Gerrity. His B&W style full of detail and contrast kills it. And my homie Lutz, who introduced us. His hey shoot that and this is cool while we bullshit about saltines has changed a lot of my approach to shooting. It’s not about a fender or motor it’s about then motor and person who built it. Taking it from machines to lifestyle.
So ty to all those that hang my pics or tell me how the wife loves it and has it on the wall. Or it’s the screen saver. Those lil things solidify me feeling good I have reached a level on something I felt was a huge weakness in my shooting.
Feb. 4th 2025
So I’ll start this one with a brief response to the messages and deletes I received from 2 folks on IG. Apparently my choice of music and referring to a band I enjoy. Was too much political division for them. I mean it’s OI you like it or you do not. But the assumed political classification I was given was one of “closed minded and out of touch even more than the TRUMPERS im apart of.”
So let’s see. Im an American by birth. Wasn’t given a choice but im more than ok with were I am. Im blue collar worker. Shaving my head for over 30 years. I do not judge anyone based on the color of the clothes on thier backs or skin of thier bodies. Nor the financial status of thier bank accounts or the genitals in thier fuckin under drawers. How I was raised and how I raise mine in my home is my business. But I’ll say to be open I teach my son to vote for the moron that will keep him employed, keep food costs approachable and on the table. Keep gas down and someone that will keep the economy somewhat stable so his invested money will not be lost for when he wants to retire.
The days of choosing a candidate that will save the world, make the country what you think it is in your head or movies does not exist at all and hasn’t in my lifetime. All horse and pony show. The government created the drug epidemics. They created the cartels in using drugstore trade for cia purposes in the 80s. And now we are gonna wage a war of terror on the folks we created. SOUND FAMILIAR.
SADDAM
OSAMA
No more politics here. Im tired of it. Everyone is a patriot or a victim when they talk about our leaders and countryman. Instead talk about accepting some difference in opinions of those around you as they will def accept differences in some of yours and mine and be Americans. Then take back your fucking country. As one people.
Now on the repost story I put up. Some photos get sent to folks some share them from their pages it’s inevitable.
But equally annoying. So from now on when someone says hey send me that. The low res files are going via ig and the low res files are what will be posted on socials from now on. If that don’t cut it I’ll watermark the shit out of everything. Currently I dont I find it personally for myself a little pampas. But I guess I may have to start so I am not bitchin when I see some content copy clown posting my shit and 50 other peoples without proper tags and credits out of respect for ones work.
Small perspective. I work full time to fund what I do. Im fine with it. I’ll use a little math here to demonstrate a point.
40 HOUR WORK WEEK X 52 WEEKS OUT OF YEAR = 2080 HOURS PER YEAR WORKED.
Me last year I did that and an additional 500 hours of overtime.
So far this year I already have over 100 hours of overtime………
Yet Im everywhere covering with my camera to have fun and clear my head and see the folks I like to bump into and interact with.
Using a camera isn’t about money for me but I also realize that I grind to get shots and edit and put the work in I do. And some respect for my work as I respect everyone’s I shoot would be nice. In a perfect world ill take it some of the time. lol please and thank you.
I used to delete these after ranting but im not anymore. I maintain a level of professionalism. But I also am a person with my views and if someone doesn’t like reading these you can leave. If you dont like that I curse you may leave. If not thank you for the continued support I get and I look forward to seeing a lot of you soon.
Next blog I may do my own 2024 awards of best of’s. Bikes I have seen or shot just for simple fun I guess since the big guys do it and it seems kinda corporate.
Jan 18 2025
So the question for some is? Photographer or content creator or poster. Do we shoot to create for an online presence? Or is it to create wonderful images and photographs. The question affects the approach and outcome of the work and affects my mood over time. I tend to wait to edit sometimes after I shoot.
Like The Race of Gentlemen. I shot and got excited to see my stuff and of course while approaching my edits I was also online. And BOOOM photo after photo after photo after photo of the same stuff. One photog whom I love his work I had to unfollow because I got tired of seeing the same edit. I reverse engineered the edit flow and was gonna post some just like it. That’s my evil side being a dick because I get annoyed. I did not I simply edited a certain amount of phots and sent them on when required. There will def be some more at a certain point because I agreed to cover the event. And will always come through on my word.
When seeing or taking a photo puts a person in a bad mood. It’s time to set the camera down. Which I have with the exception of a few small gatherings in the past month. These were done specifically with and for friends. Which even in the mood or not Will always come through for the folks I met that I call friend.
I bring this all up because in my downtime I have come to the conclusion that if I constantly post to my IGs and this website on a regular basis. My followers jump. But sadly the flow isn’t why I take photographs. I shoot to document and share stories of the culture I love. I may not be on 2 wheels and I may not own anything fancy on 4. But im here and part of it. My work and the quality of what I document being my own style and flow and original are what’s important to me. When I see something I want to emulate I do it. If it’s called copying or whatever some words have been placed on my stuff. I don’t give a fuck. In copying I am learning something in the camera or my head or my edit flow.
And some can say what they want about a few approaches to a photo I recreate or copy an idea all they want. I have scrolled quite a few accounts and see who follows me to copy tons of shit I do. And honestly if they like their photographs then fuck yeah dude.
I guess im posting this because gong forward the flow of how my work get done and shared and posted and printed isn’t going to change much. It will however be delivered to those that are part of it in a professional and quality manner. I recently did a small test in doing a shoot for a friend.
Set the time.
Drove.
Planned and set the shoot and asked if and what the shots were needed for.
Asked if anything had to be highlighted for the bike.
As usual this was just a few seconds of the conversation the rest was simply talking to my broski Mike.
This was done as far as a test simply in a sense that I tracked my time and travel and gas and all else not for anything other than to figure out what im laying out. And then got home sat down and picked the 50 best assets or shots and edited them. Logged into a site im using created his own gallery and uploaded all the images and all were print quality and high resolution. Then emailed him the link and send the passkey for him to download. All in one shot over the course of a few hours.
This is strictly how going forward my paid work is going to flow. Same day delivery of assets to customers. If prints are coming from my end they will be able to log on and tell me which they want prints of and the order process will proceed and payment will be sent to me prior to clicking print from my photo lab. No more getting stiffed for prints folks want to get and I was nice about taking one persons word and ended up shredding their photos of their 4 wheeled vehicle.
I am not a content creator even if I am good at spotting the algorithm or using the given platforms to their fullest. My work with the camera is to shoot photographs for the everyday person that they may be printed for to enjoy not to gather likes and shares on social media.
I say this because I am no longer getting in a bad mood when it comes to my camera in my hand because others are in a zone and make me not want to do what I enjoy. This isn’t just a rant me and a few of the photo nerds have chatted on it and we usually do when we are sitting with down time or talking camera nerd shit.
End result do not love to post and loose the quality and reason you do what you do with a camera and lens. Social media is shit 75% of the time. It’s got its chicken hawks and shit talking rats. And it is also something we get caught up in sharing our photos and in doing so your racing to post and not posting when the process is right. Going forward my main posts will be less. Sorties will always be a mix of old new and supporting the businesses and people I know.
The simple fact is in 2025 I am making my own algorithm. Fuck worrying about getting pushed in the mainstreams algorithm. Be unique. Be yourself. Document. Share where and when needed. And don’t be dicks to people.
Fin
Jan 12 2025 Obsessive Creativety
Woke up early today. Had the cameras packed. Batteries charged and labeled. Lenses clean. SD cards loaded, and spares in place in case that was screwed up. And trust me it happens.
The AMCA swap at motorcyclopedia was on my calendar. A swap in itself is awesome but with access to the museum COME ON! The Hudson River Riders chapter knows how to put on an event.
Then I start moving something. Cleaning up this small thing. Make coffee. Make a post cause I ran out of coffee. Which then leads to “ oh shit I gotta start getting those galleries up for the cabs n coffee dudes as I said I would.” That leads to yes I also have stuff for WHADAFUNK sitting in front of me that I have been grilling my brain to come up with something really cool to post with it for them as a collab.
Look at the clock. Oh shit gotta move my ass and get going soon or I wont get the pile in shots at the swap. Then drink coffee. Sidetracked with my morning workout. Yes I workout now. A mix of dumbbells, chair yoga for seniors. Some of the DDP Yoga ( Diamond Dallas Page of WWE fame.) has a yoga for everyday guys so you don’t feel like a fag. Mix that with a book I purchased that is written by Charles Bronson, not the actor but the famous British prisoner. It’s called Solitary Fitness, written by a convict for you to workout with no weights and only what would be available if you were in a jail cell. And of all the stuff I dabble in it will fuckin kick your ass. It’s good. But you need the discipline to stay on it.
While all of this is going on I am not looking at the clock and the 2 hour drive I have to the swapmeet. And dont get me wrong I wanted to go. My buddies from Brooklyn and north Jerez would be there as well as the upstate crowd that I don’t get to see as much the last few years.
Also while having an ongoing chat with a close friend about some stuff on the horizon and some stuff I missed in Asbury Park last night. Which sux but it’s ok.
Sadly the rat race during the week has me fried. And behind on stuff needed around my apt and groceries and a shit ton of other small things that if not done will pile up on next weeks, and what was left from last week. Shoot me now…. lol
Anyway we got to chatting and he shared an upcoming project he has coming. And we spoke on something I shot already with him. And because Im my own critic. I never really liked a ton of the images I shot while I was there and the project was being built.
He agreed about being our worst enemy when you have a passion to create and want to get better and not settle. It was nice to have someone understand my frame of mind for once. He’s a solid dude and my idea to fix getting images out was simple. Load them to the computer and let his eyes, a second pair glance over everything shot and help pick out what he needs to get something going he wants to do.
At this point I came to the conclusion I was not going to the swap. Sorry to those I’ll miss there. With my luck my homey prewar comes out and I’ll curse myself later. But I need to wind down and I need to get some other things done that aren’t camera usage required.
So yes with all this going on and me being all over and not motivated im blogging. It’s my way of clearing some of my head, and getting organized if you will.
My buddy is gonna get out and check out the town for a spell and then cook a nice dinner with his family. Me I gotta go dismantle a friend’s manger then check mail for mom. Then I will grocery shop put groceries away. Lay out dinner.
Then there is a chilly stretch of beach and a San Cristobal with my name on it for my Sunday walk with headphones on. Thanks again Mike the Philbilly for the smokes. These are killer.
Then I’ll come home and make a list of galleries im going to up load and reach out to some folks for them to have access to some stuff I shot. Wedding style.
The conversation was just what the doctor ordered. It’s good knowing that when your a perfectionist for your own needs and creative output you’re not frickin insane or nuts or anti social. It’s just discipline and drive. When you veer from it you beat yourself up with the what if I did more. And when you do to much you question if your pushing to hard and burning out.
FACTS.
January 7, 2025
This morning proceeding from the Bolla Mart to my work program serving my time. I posted a silly reel on IG of “my coffee journey in the hood.”
This was purely a joke. This term blows my mind. This opinion started developing while getting my daily dose of youtube in yesterday.
A video pops up called the tour of my truck camper and buildout. I click it and I see a guy open a tailgate on a Ford truck and proceed to point and a milk crate table, a bed made from half a sheet of plywood and a camping stove. He says “ the build took a few weeks and some thought.” Followed by again the term “ please follow along in my truck camper journey as we make adventures together.”
Some use this term “journey” when refering to a build being done. Or a life experience.
In some cases ill let it ride. I mean it has been aplied countless times to some living sober. And day to day in that life there are real moments of struggle as well as accomishment.
Or like my good friend Christo shooting photos while going from NYC to yellowstone or another amazing park or place. ( ill leave a link to him in IG stories after the post to this.)
But its like me getting off my couch and walking to my toilet. Am I going to have a journey and invite folks along for it.
Call it my fecal journey; the trials of an empty roll of tp.
Come on folks. Get with your content and bring back meaningful shit. What is happening on such a great platform like youtube and even on IG. Folks will post anything and its content. Its amazing and ooo watch and like me.
GTF out of here with that bullshit.
Sorry for this rant. 2025 is going to be me getting back to being myself again. Im tired of all the shit every person and group out there creates and if you dont acknowledge them and show them love your a big nasty hatin’ machine.
Some people need to get the fuck over them selves.
Ok so after a bit of thought and wondering why I seem bitter and snappy torward certain things. My self reflection has led me to feel that when growing up in the 70s,80s,and 90s. When we were kids we saw every problem as huge. It was like this life changing circumstance. Then we would learn that shit we were dealing with in perspective to others in the world was trivial in some.
In other words id never trade my skeletons and other shit in my closet for someone elses. And we learned this at what I see as the right age.
Me personally will never use the term “ adulting” its almost a trigger word for me because its people my own age and at ages were you should be able to handle simple everyday shit. The term journey for some reason fell and will jeep falling into this groove for me.
I seem to have a problem accepting it from some around me when there are 30 to 35 year olds I interact with that act like 10 year old kids and expect to be coddled with simple everyday functions, within the workplace and people I pass on the street. And in some cases you see it in the scope of friendships as well.
This goes back to mental health. Am I a fucked up individual. Yes I am. But I have learned to function and be stable and happy 80% of the time. While also being a single dad. Working a shit job as a part of the middle class cogset that gets ridden.
My frustrations are just there. And im letting it be known from now on.
So please join me on my “journey” of putting the grit back into everyday life through expression in my work and in my attitude. Sorry but not sorry if I offend some. And bye to those that cant handle it. Maybe you need to stop pretending the old days were great though dress and hair style and live in the world your in today.
Fin.
Pissing in the wind.
Jan 5. 2025
So lately the online culture. The people and content has become a little stagnent. It gets a little repeatative between pages or events. Sometimes with the same photographers and vidiographers being in the forefront, styles just trickle down and everyone is doing the same thing.
Be it color tones. Black and white retro looks. Moving vehicles and people. It seems to jump around and before you know it everyone is doing the same shit.
I recently started playing with AI. Not on my photography. That has been present already since the first photo edit program came out. It is anything you didnt snap with the camera, anything you cant change by using darkroom skills to manipulate your exposures or dodge and burn enlarge ect. Hats off to those in the dark room your real.
If you scan you are using digital and that is that. Not debating the film debate again I know my shit. I dont need to debate.
The point of this one today I guess is do what makes ya happy. Also dont do what makes you happy. Dont fall into a trap of not being creative because you see others with images that some like more than your on the socials. Socials suck ass. They are a tool for the end product. And can be good for networking.
Its the point of a handshake that matters. I have tried to put a handshake to every bike or car I have ever taken a photo of. Its important to me. A cool chopper or classic pan is only as cool as getting to know who put thier touches on the bike.
I have been creative. And some of mine came from blatantly seeing another photographers photo and thinking holy shit. And wanting a shot like it.
In that moment turn your creativety cap on and start playing with your settings and create. I didnt get the exact result. And I love that more. It inspired me. My intention was a blatant goal of copying the exact composition. In doing so and playing around I found a similiar groove of my own I started having fun with.
The photo was one Dean Landry took outside Vincents Bar in Mass. And funny thing is I have had a few chats with him about it. To let him know im not ripping you off. “You inspire me.” is what is said. And thats what we should all be doing. Inspiring each other. Not becoming jealous over each other. Trying to be origanal while also trying to emulate something you see.
Every photog I have ever nerded out has given me something to walk away with and think on and put in the tool box that is my brain.
Every photo here today is a post directly from my drive of scans. No digital used aside from the scanning process and whatever the lab hit on it. Which now my lab does zero corrections at my request.
A bee buzzed by me lately. It was buzzing that some didnt care for my attitude, or my flow, or my approach. My lack of being able to pump out all the content I shoot. Or deliver the prints you all want but dont ever give the full info on sizes and orders and numbers. This is a very very small group.
Sadly yesterday I shredded a pile of prints. Customers didnt pay and left me hanging. Guess what. FUCK YOU.
Whats really sad is I had other people closer to me. Some that support so solid its insane. They wanted stuff and I was hunting down files and could not deliver. This is on me for lack of proper back up. It is about 90% rectified at this point.
I guess im rambling, there is no need to have weird vibes torward me. If you ever have a question ask it im human and always try to stay positive. Also there is no need to be weird if you dont want me shooting. Or showing up somewhere I see posted.
So this is out there.. if you have a beef with me call me. Don’t have my number and want it. Hit me on the dm somewhere. But dont talk shit behind my back. Its not cool. Grow up. Be happy in your own shoes. This person knows who they are. Dont be a fuckin PUSSY.
Thanks and sorry if this ramble is all over. Had to get it out. And have deceided not to backspace to be nice anymore. Im just being me.
So have a great weekend. Stay Krackin. And FT entire W. In a good way.
January 1. 2024
Feet on the floor at 7:05 a.m. on the train at 7:34. On the boat for 8:30. At Father Demo square. Nyc by 9:20.
Didnt wanna get out of bed let alone shoot. But its discipline. And 10 mins out im in the mood.
Note 1. I fucking despise riding this tin can on rails. Just 1 day id like quiet instead of all of the carts going to the free food bank up the block. But the other ones have dispersed. Prob still tweakin from last night.
To all I know here. Best wishes in 2025. I hope this place improves.
Now good vibes lets hope no missles go.off or crazy drones UFO’s are waiting for the news tomo. 😳
This was saved as a draft yesterday. Today we have an issue in Louisiana. An ex military vet, and Texan ran into a crowd with a pickup ( ford lightning. Ev) and sadly 15 dead and numerous hurt.
Then not confirmed as part of that a Tesla cyber truck is up in flames outside Trump’s hotel in Vegas…. Weird shit. Stay alert my friends.
Closing the year out.
Ok so this year was busy as fuck. I got all over. Shot a lot and met a shit ton of folks and hung with the ones I knew more. Missed Mikey from down under twice and im sorry for that homie. No excuses just everyday shit. Wanna thank everyone. From my homey and estranged management team Kurt, and the posse he rolls with for letting me into the circle. You guys all an awesome bunch. I did some cool stuff with Jake last year during the colder months. That was fun. Could have ended better but what is, is what is.
That led to all the garage shoots which honestly were dope. I got some cool photos, met some more fun folks. AJ Southbend, John, Artie Kurt and Jake thanks for hosting those were fun. Did a cool one down south piney style that was very cool. Gotta coordinate more days for those. Sean is a killer builder from custom frame all the way up. He’s gonna make a mark in the future that reps Nj. Chris, Dylan Jeff and that whole crew are awesome folks. Thank you for the hospitality.
As always thanks to all the AMCA folks I meet that support. You are all awesome from Central to the Battleground. Thank you.
Thank you patrons of Asbury Park. The circuit is always good. This year it seemed to loose some of its drive. Gotta bring back that in 2025. The folks were there just seemed to lack the little bit of organization we put into it even though its not organized its “always” there. And it’s not on anyone that ain’t a stab it’s just everyday life. Not all things are made to be awesome forever but the circuit for me and im sure the friends I made there. Rob, Ms.Connie, Paul, Mike, the kid Connor as well as my partner in crime Rick. We did some cool shit there and I would like to see it get bigger.
Thank you to Kurt and crew again and especially my homie Bob and to Rooster as well. You’re both super people and I appreciate all the handshakes, and beers we share and look forward to more. Folks be on the lookout for what comes out of Crooked Bobs Garage this winter hes gonna flex a little bit… and it will be so good.
Thank you to my City crew of AJ and Girard for always being super cool and supportive. You bring a fun time wherever we gather. The Ear nights did something wild for me in my shooting that I could see. Hope to have a few more. All I met there from the folks that come out from NJ and brooklyn and that 6th street crew. All awesome folks.
I could thank tons of folks from Ryan for voting by mail and his crew to the 2 wheel chef Mike and the Philly guys I have met are some great folks and im glad to branch out and meet folks from further away and see the machines you build. Kyle the Count you still have a photo shoot to redeem. I’ll be seeing you guys soon. If not def in February at the lil swap Jeff and AJ are doing. I’ll be there early.
Ok some shit. There are stories posted on my IG asking if you folks want options for prints by purchasing the digital download and getting what ya want on your own. Or me doing some sort of orderable online shop linked to a lab so it’s click pay and deliver. Im mentioning it here because i really need solid feedback on this. It will streamline the majority of stuff. Im already into it a few hundred just testing a few diff sites to see how they work and how the payments and online security and end result print quality are.
The majority of the voting process is going to win out here. But I will still do print orders but they will be done 1 per month and if its in there its in. If it’s not oh well and these orders thanks to a few that I don’t know well but was nice. Will now require all prints to be paid before the order is finalized.
The 2 schmucks that are making that a requirement I should live feed your prints being fucking shredded. Your DONE.
I know I keep forgetting and I keep adding thanks. A special one goes out to the gentlemen from Burlington for having one of the most down to earth gatherings once a month and just having a great crowd and vibe. I look forward to my sundays in Burlington with you guys very soon. Maybe even more than I wanna shoot in Asbury.
There was a few folks that have motivated me to shoot more some in bad ways by bringing negativity into my zone.
Some others that do nothing but push just shooting for the love of using a camera and documenting the lifestyle of the motorcycle community and the good folks involved in it. Never looking for rockstar level shit. Never wanting that kind of OG vibe that honestly to me he has as far as im concerned. Always doing nothing but pushing the art of photography and being a fellow nerd. If he reads this he knows who he is rolling on tree’.
So thank you all I’ll see you in 2025. If i left out a name in here it isnt because I forgot its because you already know. This is just my way of being nice and wishing all a happy new year in 2025 before the shit talk blogs come.
Everyone be safe. Have a great New Year. And always take a few mins to reach out and see how your friends and family and just folks ya know are doing.
Bringing back shit talk.
It’s so funny that when I posted that on the IG story my website hit spiked like a mother fucker. Normally around 75 to 100 a day. With just saying I was going to talk shit again it hit 400 hits without one single update. So I guess it’s gotta come back. For the longest time I would police myself and not say some things in an effort to be professional. I don’t have any shit to talk about anyone specific. In the past that was avoided as much as possible. In some cases a few would know who I was pointing at but never names.
Lately my head has been elsewhere other than using a camera. Lots going on in the everyday world and seeing some stuff it definitely makes one think about the scheme of things and how you fit in the worlds mix. Sometimes one may feel like there is weight on the shoulders and it takes looking around to realize you have none. None that matters anyway. It may in a mix of my own daily flow, but honestly seeing some things in the world in the last month have again had me change my outward look.
I work. I have slightly better than fair health. My kid has a good head on his shoulders. He’s not a fuck up. Some don’t seem to keep life’s expectations small, wanting the expensive shit or the hot girl. I had the girl years ago. Was only a few years. We broke up. Then not long after she left this part of the everyday. I will never be the same. Not that I can’t exist or want relationships. But there will never be one like that. And for all the toxicity it had it was a great ride. Normally id backspace this and delete after putting something out there like that. Not anymore. If it’s written it stays. It wouldn’t leave my head to my fingers as I type if it wasn’t meant to be. Going forward this will be how anything here is typed or written.
Maybe this isn’t what should be in a photography enthusiasts blog. But photos are a documentation of what we see and want to remember. So now it is. I document machines 2 wheel and 4. In the past few years after doing so I have met many many people. Some I remember the face, some the name and face. A few id call acquaintance and friends on some level. Had some good conversations behind the scenes with a lot. Have seen some change drastically over the last few years. Some for good, some not so good.
So I’ll repeat here check on your friends. See how they are even if it’s a text to bullshit. No response. Wait and send that bitch again. Sometimes people don’t wake up cause they be hitting bitches and working all the time.
GOOS NEWS… im in process of getting a site and online gallery area where pics can be seen and purchased. The signature will not be on the print but it will be watermarked. Currently waiting on a few I have ordered to myself so that quality can be checked. Once it’s ready it will be linked through this site and possible right from my IG account as well.
To the couple of folks that I have been chasing for the prints you ordered before Christmas that I did notify you were done. If I don’t get the funds by Jan 1. IM GONNA SHRED YOUR FUCKIN SHIT……….
But again keep your heads on straight if ya need someone to bs to hit me up. I cant stress enough how important in this current fucked up world how important it is to keep your thoughts positive. And be there for your loved ones. Years ago men’s metal health was a pack of Marlboro’s and Budweiser. In today’s age there is so much around us if you don’t want to confide in someone close to you then use whatever means but do it and don’t feel like its a burden on others.
I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year I will be popping up here sporadically again. Im gonna try to goi back to updating the gallery more and also will in the next few weeks be posting some of the bigger events I wanna hit this year. Im looking at crossing a lot of state lines to meet new folks and see some from out of my area as well as get down with my people more this year.
End of 2024
So every year for the past few years I do my end of the year blog. I talk and thank everyone I have worked with over the year. So thank you.
With that said it’s been a weird year. I have built a huge archive just this past year alone. It came with some good conversation. Some good times with some beers and some that I will call friend now. It also came with a solid eye opener on some folks I have dealt with and im glad like any other time a valuable lesson comes from it.
It’s also that time of year where we all tell ourselves we are going to change things and address things we may not like in our lives or in our heads or even our health. New Year’s resolutions are set in the mind only to be laid to waist in minutes. Or maybe a few days or weeks.
Couple this in my case with a job that I work were for the 40 to 60 hours a week no matter how much I do there is zero accomplished. Or gained. Nothing positive, nor negative just a mundane pile of warm shit that just sits and bakes in the sun and smells and rots. It attracts vermin and flies. I watch the news the other morning. A piece of shit walks over to a sleeping girl on the train and sets her on fire. Then sits on a bench and watches her burn, which lead to her death. This kind of shit deserves one in the temple close range. Welcome to my job.
I wont be a bitch. I make a fairly good living. I have good medical and that solid base as a parent is all it’s about for the most part. But the mental drain the burn out, the quiet quitting in my head has sadly lately even gotten to my photography. I usually push myself and do it anyways just to force myself because discipline creates flow and it does work most of the time. Lately not so much.
Some have seen me when I really get in a zone and shoot. The support you give when I do is great. To those few thanks, it’s huge.
Another thing this time of year that sux to see is not having loved ones, dads, family friends, and buddies here for the holidays. There was a loss in the pines last week that will be a hard void to fill for a long time from the way you see his friends and family react to it. I met the person a handful of times and it saddens me to say that someone like them was a special soul and if there is a lord above he better have a great fuckin plan to take such a good soul so young.
Maybe it’s my age and having an epiphany in seeing that everything is bullshit. Fakes, phoneys, self centered and ego driven. It’s in my workplace it’s in the area I shoot sometimes. It’s on the TV in our shows, news, government officials. I could go with this rant for hours. I will not. It is just a mindset i have lately and it is not easy to shake.
Photography projects and things that I had as goals in my work have changed a lot with this mindset lately. There will be some surprises in where I am not shooting. And a few with where I do show up to shoot. Im done doing the oooo let me shoot that and I’ll give you free shit. No offense to some but I will work with anyone in an even flow at any point and time and there is no money to it. But it’s a 2 way street. Im know-one special with a camera. I just have decided what is worth my time doing and what im spending out of my pocket in order to enjoy the use and results with my camera. 11k in gear this year went out not counting travel and in some cases rooms. And about $250 in my account paid. This is a formula that isn’t being done next year at all.
To some I want to apologize there was a few requests by some close folks for prints. Dealing with a computer crash and trying to revive my archive was a real thing and I did not deliver to quite a few of you. So I am sorry and I do have all requests written down and will try to get back to them in a month or so.
I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. A very Happy New year. May you be surrounded by good folks and be safe on the holiday season this year. I will see some of you folks soon and some I wont see.
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Recent whats happenin
Well I was buggin’ a week ago. I had a killer photo of a person, and they are kinda well known and I was threatened with legal. This was due to where my feet were when I snapped it. Not on public property.
On the curb = private to the address your in front of.
Off of the curb = public property and you cannot be spoken to in any way no matter the subject of your photo. As long as it is not impeding privacy or personal space or rude or sexual in content.
These are good things to know in street shooting. This can also be done with certain governmental locations, building, and or landmarks.
Im not commenting on this any further other than to say. I lucked out because I was under a press agreement and the terms and ownership are no longer mine in a basic way of putting it. So, if theres an issue im sure ill hear about it but its the owner of the photos problem now if it is published.
Educate yourself on were you stand. And how you intend on publishing a photo. And definetly know legality. Or simply be an artist not a photographer. And post with photos that any likeness or real situations or people are completely coincedental.
Some Porsche Fun
Did a lil shootin for Arties 4 year anniversary on his own killin it with a shop full of various yearned 911’s.
Quick message.
Normally on veterans day or similiar holidays I would share tons of business posts. I stopped doing this for my own personal reason. If a company is posting a percentage off on a gov’t holiday to move goods that percentage should be donated in this weeks case it was veterans day.
Otherwise I see it as nothing more than pumping sales. I simply choose how I support any business and interact. But this is something I have felt lately and deceided to act upon in my own arena.
This year Onyx Cycles in Brick NJ had a no strings attached free wash for vets motorcycles while open on Veterans day.
To me this was solid so I supported it and will give this business more of my time going forward.
Real support doesnt come from gaining from others. To companies that may see what im saying as bashing I am not. I work with alot of diff folks and will continue to. But in cases like this. Thats how I roll.
2024 Pumpkin Run
Just a few visual captures and a few visual stories to make the mind wander.
Alll images Property and Copy-write by Evel Eye Photography.
Evel Eye taking your soul. One pixel at a time!
Pleasure or Pain in the ass.
So lately I havent been producing my usual output. My weekly blogs have slowed down and im lucky I update the gallery once a month or two..
This page was supposed to work as a separate outlet away from socials to showcase what I do just to be a little more professional. Even with it looking like a 90’s aol homepage… ( was actually my goal. )
I didna shoot the other day very quickly and was asked directly. “ Why the fuck aint you in magazines yet?” Honestly I dont peddle myself to mags or try to get in. I have a few times and I didnt like the vibe I got back and didnt persue it any further.
Also alot of it is who knows who. Who talks you up. Who you affiliate yourself with and so fourth. Or at least that seems to be the feeling I get.
Part of me sometimes wonders if I should just go back to saying I shoot for fun and not chasing down leads and pumping ideas out there. Its draining to keep on things. Sometimes I feel like im bothering folks if I ask one time to many. And other times people sound pumped and yet the phone never lights up with the time we are good to go.
Folks work. I work a full time job and also have to squirrel away alot of overtime hours in order to keep myself afloat. It can suck. But I also always keep myself available.
A good friend and camera nerd buddy always says sometimes ya seriously gotta walk away from it for a while to stay sane. I get that. But if I dont shoot I dont feel I acomplish much at all.
The business side of this with prints and tryin for mags, and trying to get my own work in my own form of print is cool. But im not staying with it as I used to. My health is lacking a bit lately. And its affecting the mental flow of things. Nothing major. But still needs to be addressed.
Alot of folks I have shot for and with, both photographers and car and bike owners are solid. The handshakes have developed in alot of cases to some solid friends. And a select bunch that would hide the bodies with and for me if needed. Lol. I love my crew. Some dont joke so well and that has led to a small split for me from a few people. Or so it seems to present itself that way when out. No big deal. All are respectful as am I. Got no ill intent torward 99.9 of people.
In the next week prices for all prints will be posted for anything I order going forward. My lab runs a ton of specials and those discounts will always be passed on to folks. I posted in story feeds on some prints people asked for that I needed sizes and amount. Yes I know I didnt post prices. This order and for whom its for are not at those prices. They are highly being discounted. Im going to inbox some people in the next few days to figure this out then the order is going in.
Once done there will be no prints by me for sale until after Jan 1st.
Gonna do some extra ot and pay bills off from playin on the sand a few weeks ago. And clean the sand out of my god damn gear. What was I thinking bringing new shit out there.. lol oh well live and learn.
Also in January I will deceide if im keeping this page going and actually gonna work as a small business or just go back to being a dumbass that has a camera.
Regardless there will be a major change in some events spots and things I cover. And how I do it.
Winding down.
So 2024 has been a great year for the most part. I have shot a shit ton more than usual. Made a few new friends. Lost one or two good ones along the way. That is the shitty part. Connecting with someone and doing a ton of amazing stuff together, just to make it to a point where it’s pretty much ignoring each other. This post has zero to do with my story posts when I was leaving Wildwood. Those came from someone who was never a friend, more and acquaintance situation gone sideways. Equally sux that it gets that way between people. But some I’ll say I wish were different. Other I’ll say F off all day long because of lack of tact and respect. And folks can bash and shit talk me all they want. Zero F’s given.
I have met many new shooters and love that. Met many folks. And all are great. I just enjoy doing my thing.
When I’m shooting. I am doing exactly that. Shooting. I don’t goto some spots to socialize while I shoot or photograph or whatever you wanna call what I do. I went into Wildwood with a game face on and a serious attitude to work the weekend at something I set a goal to do years ago. Shoot the event on the trackside. And I accomplished that. Thank you to all those that were a part of it from this years and years passed. Some may not be there for different reasons but you were still a part of an event that made me wanna be a part of it.
Thanks Mel and all that hustled this year. I appreciate the hospitality and missed one photog on the beach. But I got to see him at Troglodytes so I’m glad.
Going forward I’m only gonna be covering a limited number of actual shows, swaps, and events. Some are gonna be bigger ones. Others a lot smaller and may just be me snapping while hanging with friends. More camera nerd sessions are coming. And less of my hobby feeling like work that I don’t want. I already do that on the government job. Shooting was supposed to be my safe place away from bs. Mostly it is. But I’m done with negative BS and folks taking my fun out of it.
So stay tuned for the up coming season of 2025. There are already a few bikes being lined up for full shoots. Some during the build process. I’m also thinking of a few new approaches to documenting what’s being done to stay fresh and keep my own style.
Yes I also know I am way behind in the edit process since almost August on some things. I will catch up I promise. I’m working govt job and doing this on 3 hours sleep a day and it’s kicking my ass. But prints promised will be delivered.
I’ll do another blog later this week just felt like posting something quick.
To my homies see yas very soon. Everyone stay safe and don’t be dicks to other people.
