Pete the Elder

The great Magnum photographer Elliot Erwitt once said that it is better to shoot an iconic picture rather than a good but boring one. I certainly would not call this image iconic – although in a few years maybe it will – only time will tell. A boring picture? But that is subjective.

I am almost sure that Pete would not like this photo.  But that would be his own opinion.  In any case, it doesn't matter to me.  Because I like it.

I was pleasantly surprised by the result. I thought that the lighting was bad as it was mostly florescent predominantly coming from the top but I think the warm backlighting helped. The classic Nikkor 50mm from my Rose's vintage Nikon FE may have contributed to the wow factor. Despite using a crappy 8 mp Canon Rebel XT, the combination of the lens and the camera as appointed by providence all contributed to this shot.

© 2013, 2014 Rob Castro
Reworked from February 13, 2013 post

It's complicated

© 2014 Rob Castro

Pancho at Olvera Street

Juzno:  What is your secret to good life?

Pancho:  I only eat what mi esposa do all the cooking.

Juzno:  What does she cook for you?

Pancho:  Mi favorito es refried beans topped with Texan filet minion.

Juzno:  How do you like your steak?

Pancho:  With cerveza.  Lots and lots.


Street musician relaxing at Olvera Street, which is is in the oldest part of Downtown Los Angeles, California, USA, and is part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument.

© 2014 Rob Castro

Observations

It was a time to see the world with its beauty,

appreciating the Creator who made such handiwork; 

a time to recognize the darkness 

and the ugliness caused by man, 

and the dilemna of capturing such darkness 

and integrate into it the promise of hope 

through redemption, 

a time to ask for God's blessings 

to convey this message effectively.

© 2014 Rob Castro

Nana and Petrocz

Her dog Petrocz was too smart for his own good.  As Nana posed for the photographer, she didn't realize that the dog had painted graffiti on the wall behind her.

Hope your day is going well.

[Shot with the X-pro 1, 35mm lens at Szentendre, Pest County.]

Return, O Lord, how long?

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Psalm 90:10)

Still life with tea

Rob:  Care to have tea?

Juzno:  Yes, yes.  I would love it.  The image of the tea cup brings back so many memories.  I just can't remember what they are.

Rob:  One time I drew a picture of the devil and this was at a parochial school.  It drew the attention of the other kids but it got me in trouble with the nuns.  From then, I knew my calling was to be an artist.

Juzno:  What does it mean when somebody reads the tea leaves?

Rob:  Not quite sure.  I think there are people who prefer milk with their tea.

Juzno:  You know this dialog is not making sense.

Rob:  I agree.  Let us switch to Bob Dylan.  Miles Davis is starting to freak me out.

Juzno:  Wait I would like hear My Funny Valentine.

Rob:  This better be good.  I don't want to miss Perry Mason.

Juzno:  You know this dialog is not making sense.

Vines and the meaning of words

Rob:  A penny for your thought.

Juzno:  Yes, yes.   Pop culture has changed the meaning of words.  It used to be that when people talked about 2 plus 2 we know that the answer is four.  Now it could mean the answer is 159.  Everything is relative.  Even being relative is relative.

Rob:  How do we know what is truth then?

Juzno:  Well, there is that school of thought that denies truth.  There is no truth.  But the problem is even that statement in order to be valid has be truthful.

Rob:  Does that mean one has to start with an undeniable truth?

Juzno:  Well, yes.  How do you know that I'm not just an illusion?

Rob:  Actually you are.  You're just a fictional character.

Juzno:  Oh.

A Lazy Friday Afternoon

Rob:  How are you spending your Valentine's Day?

Juzno:  Just hanging out with the wife on a lazy Friday afternoon.  She told me I could open up the 18 year old Glenlivet.  So yea, we're all good.

Rob:  What did you give your wife for Valentine's?

Juzno:  She's still looking at the Macy's catalog.