View allAll Photos Tagged dontbeafraid
Don't Be Afraid - 2017 – Gera's portrait of Tess Asplund is located at the Athens School of Law.
Tess Asplund stood up to 300 neo-Nazis in Sweden in the hope her gesture would draw attention to the fight against racism in the Scandinavian country. She tried to block the path of the Nordic Resistance Movement as the right-wing extremist group marched in the town of Borlange on 1st May 2016.
An image of Ms Asplund facing the neo-Nazis up close with a clenched fist has been shared thousands of times on social media in Sweden and internationally.
The 42-year-old anti-racism activist told Swedish Radio her defiant gesture was inspired by the late Nelson Mandela, who fought against apartheid in South Africa.
"I felt when they arrived that they shouldn't be here and spread their hate," Ms Asplund said. "I don't think I was even thinking. I just jumped out. Things happened quite quickly. Then a police officer pulled me away."
...è essere felici. Qualunque sia la strada che devi percorrere, se è quella che ti renderà felice, non può essere sbagliata. Non avere paura.
(Questa la dedico alle mie migliori amiche Alessandra ed Alice, perchè trovino il coraggio di accettare che meritano la felicità)
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What matters is being happy. Whichever road you take, if it's the one that will make you happy, it can not be wrong. Don't be afraid.
(This is dedicated to my best friends Alessandra and Alice, hoping they'll find the courage to admit that they deserve happyness)
(Madrid 2011)
[please press L]
I usually refer to the street as South Richmond Street rather than Richmond Street South. In case your are wondering about it there is a North Richmond Street but it is on the North Side of the city [O’Connell Secondary School is located there]
South Richmond Street is at the same time interesting and ugly mainly because there are so many buildings that are derelict or in very poor condition.
The 1837 Ordnance Survey map showed one building on the western side of Richmond St. (excluding property belonging to the Portobello Hotel), which corresponds to no. 34, which was the Caroline Records shop (closed in 2003).
See it on Fluidr.
All my images are copyrighted. Please, do not use them without my allowance. Thank you.
I think this portait is my favorite. She feels safe in his arm as I would imagine. There is a lot of love and expression. The gift of relationship and love goes often hand in hand. Towards the end of the day once the sunset was left without the sun, I walked to find more couples among the rocks, along the stairway, and further down the beach. Perhaps they were waiting for the sunset just like me. Something beautiful about watching the waves at dusk/night. I've watched towards the night, the waves are very large and wind gets heavy. Feeling and moment are both worth staying there longer.
One of the things that was instilled in me over and over when I started doing avian photography was to get down low to the eye level of your subject. You need to get dirty and lie in the wet mud if you want a decent shot.
When you're down and dirty and eye level with a bird, especially shorebirds, the world takes on a different perspective. You are in the shorebird's world. For example, the dark background in this image is a small wave. From the willet's perspective, it's a tsunami. At this level, the backgrounds are cleaner and beach foam takes on a different character. When you're down on the ground, you no longer are this big human photographer with a monster lens; at this level, you become one with the bird. You see the bird as he see you. You are no longer a threat; you are part of the landscape.
At this level your subject bird can take a prominent place in your composition rather than simply being a small bird on the beach. Of course the idiot that I am, I bought an angle finder and forget to bring it with me (makes it easier when you're down this low on the ground).
This image was taken at Estero Beach in Fort Myers at Sunset with a EOS 7d + Canon 500 4.0L with 580 exII with a beamer (although it is not showing up in the exif, I could see from the eyes that the flash triggered....)
1/320; f/5.6; ISO 400
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The title is a take on an old 1920's era blues classic covered by Eric Clapton.
Middle of December already and I've barely taken any pictures this month. Hope I can make it back to the mud flats cause that's where the real action is...
Happy Hump Day
Model: Gerica Cruz
Photography and Post-production: Joseph Mayuga
Place: Somewhere in Florence
Yesterday I have just bought one pair of pants of H&M. But tomorrow it is another day and it starts sale here in Florence. So it is perfect because before leaving I have to buy shoes and maybe another jeans. XD
Ieri ho comprato solo un paio di pantaloni da H&M. Ma domani è un altro giorno e cominciano i saldi qui a Firenze. Quindi è perfetto perchè prima di andar via devo ancora comprarmi le scarpe e forse un altro paio di jeans.
(this is a long rant....)
First, it is a new thing for me to refer to myself as an artist. But I am. I create art. Whether you like it or hate it, my photography is art. I do it on a daily basis so I have every right to claim myself as an artist. If you create art you should be calling yourself an artist too.
We need to unite, us artists. Don't let anyone push us around. Stand up for ourselves and what we do.
Society has become crazed over the idea that people are watching you or interested in every move you make. Facebook and twitter are prime examples of the notion. We all know people that post every second of their dull lives for their "friends" to read. Hell, I am writing this here so I could be called into question myself. However, I don't assume anyone is reading this (except a handful of friends, my husband on occasion, and my boys 10 years from now). Part of what makes it so liberating is that I don't think anyone is actually paying a bit of attention to what I have to say.
For those in the other camp (and we know a lot of them...), the thought is everyone is paying attention to them. This has been spurred on by the media telling people that you can be located if someone takes a picture on their phone. Or that some creepy guy is going to take pictures of your feet or up your skirt. The media knows people's fears and desires (to be the center of attention) and they lasso it. They reign it in to stir up all kinds of excitement. In turn, people latch on to these ideas and demand protection. "People should not be allowed to take any pictures. Anywhere. Except in their own homes or cars.". That's about where we are ending up.
That's practically what happened to me today. On a trip to Barnes and Noble I decided to push myself and take my camera inside. One resolution of mine is to not be afraid to take pictures. To not allow this societal stigma that has somewhat become attached to photography influence my inspiration as an artist. To break down the walls I have built up because I am afraid of how people will react. I decided I would take my camera into Barnes and Noble, around my neck, not in my bag. If I got inspired I would take a picture. Why the hell not? I take pictures all the time in Starbucks or Culvers? I ended up taking this shot.
Nothing fabulous. Certainly nothing controversial. Quite honestly, if what happened next would have never occurred this shot would have ended up in the recycle bin. Today's 365 inspiration is "my view". For a small portion of the day, while looking for a runner's log, this was my view. I literally took 5 frames. 1. Straight on, 2. Same angle underexposed, 3. Same angle with greater depth of field, 4. This shot, and 5. Same angle moved in a bit closer. Then I moved on. Cale had been patient for the 5 minutes it took me to get the shot and the 5 minutes to pick out the log I was looking to buy, so it was his turn to check out reading material.
As we entered the children's section the manager approaches me and not knowing what was to come I smiled and said, "Hi." Her greeting was not as friendly, "It is corporate policy that you are not allowed to take pictures here."
What the...?!? was my thought.
What I said was, "Excuse me?".
"You are not allowed to take pictures in Barnes and Noble stores. It is corporate policy."
Stunned (and pissed off) all I could muster was "Oooookay..."
Then she really irritated me. "Was your picture of an employee or a customer?"
"Noooooo. It was of a book. On a shelf." I replied in a very condescending tone. And I turned and walked away.
Blood boiling I told Cale we needed to pay for our things and go. I did not want to start something in front of my 2 boys. I didn't know if I could control my words and attitude, so I knew it would be better to leave.
Thoughts streamed through my head as we had lunch and drove home.
What gives Barnes and Noble the right to tell me I can't take a picture?
Doesn't Barnes and Noble make their money off of us artists? Whether it be writers, photographers, or illustrators; even sculptors, actors, and musicians profit the store? But I am not allowed to create art in the store?
Does the manager approach everyone who pulls out their cell phone and ask if they have taken a picture?
The employee or customer who thought I was photographing them REALLY had an ego. And a complex. I had no interest in taking a picture of you.
Is this even a policy?
Now I had to know. Is this really a policy? I couldn't let it go. If it was, why?
I picked up the phone and called Barnes and Noble's corporate office. They gave me the number where I could reach someone in Corporate Communications. I got in contact with a man named Alan. He had to call me back after researching exactly what Barnes and Noble policy was on photography in store.
He called me back within 10 minutes. He definitely deserved to be in his position because he was very professional and understanding. He explained exactly what the policy was (mainly to ensure that the media doesn't come in taking pictures that end up published), but recognized that managers are told to use common sense about this rule. I explained to him exactly what I was doing. I also expressed to him that the photography community respects the right of individuals. Anyone serious about the art would always ask permission before taking someone's picture. As a side note I mentioned that anyone with a DSLR probably isn't doing anything shady. That photographer is disclosing to you (merely by the size of their camera) what they are doing. They are not trying to hide anything. He took note of all of those things. He also fully apologized and admitted that no manager should be approaching someone so aggressively. He seemed honestly concerned and said that customers matter to Barnes and Noble. He felt that customers should not be treated in such inappropriate ways. He also told me that if I wanted to take pictures in the future I could contact him directly and he would ensure that I would be allowed to do so freely.
While I was thoroughly impressed with his handling of this situation, it still provoked me to encourage artists to unite. As photographers we need to stand up to people who are so self absorbed that they think everything is about them. Or everyone is out to get them.
News flash... Most people don't care about YOU. Just as you are self absorbed, so are most other people, which means all they are thinking about is themselves. Those who are not self absorbed are not really wanting a photo of your child to post on the internet. As artists if we do, we will ask permission. We are not creepy. Unlike what the media spews out there, most people aren't creepy. Most people are good. Even the self absorbed are good. They think they are trying to protect their children, their wives, themselves. As artists we need to unite and let them know they are hurting everyone. They are making the world more closed. So many photographer friends feel as I do, that we can't express our love, our drive, our passion in public because someone has made us feel like we have done something wrong. When we haven't. We are trying to document our world, our time, our people, our lives. If you have made it to the end of this rant please take one thing away, create your art. Don't be afraid. It is what enriches and colors our world.
Spread the word...
I saw this on the ground today as i was leaving class. It really gave my entire day a boost. It's amazing what a little square of paper can do to you. I also saw a few others floating around campus with equally supportive and optimistic messages on them. I don't know who is writing and posting these little messages of confidence. . . . but i love them for it. :D
This one is for you, mysterious post-it person !
Shelby is having her tonsils out tomorrow. Good luck, sweetie....you'll be fine. I'll be saying a little prayer for you. Come back soon! Let us know how you're doing!
Check out Shelby's photostream...{SKG Photography}
Feeling the Prince...and feeling the Frisky tags tonight!!
you can hear it here:
www.imeem.com/groups/4nkdmMQB/music/3RtiEaqT/prince_the_n...
used a few textures from ghostbones
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Blue Light
by Prince
Oh well, here we are again
Lookin' 4 something 2 get us in the mood
I tell each and every one of my friends
That the love we make is really pretty rude
But they don't believe me cuz it's written all over my face
Like Evian and the deep blue sea
U and me got different taste
U like it in the dark but I like a
Blue light
Can u turn on a Blue light
Then cuddle up 2 me So tight
Just u and me All night
Alright,Blue light
Can u turn on a Blue light
Then everything will be Alright
Oh, Blue light
U say u wish I was shy
I always take a simple thing and push it way 2 far
But baby, that's the problem with u and I
U say not in public but I say in the car
Say, we need to get wild again like it was when we first met
Close your eyes and count 2 ten and when u open 'em -
I'll be standing naked with nothing but a smile on
Blue light
Can u turn on a Blue light
Then cuddle up 2 me So tight
Just u and me All night
Alright,Blue light
Can u turn on a Blue light
Then everything will be Alright
Oh, Blue light
I'll be 117
U'll be still sayin' "Baby not 2 nite"
It's easy 2 see us on the cover of a magazine
"Double heart attack, couple both die in a fight"
Oh Baby! I don't wanna cross that road cuz I love u 2 much
I'd do anything just 2 heat up your cold touch
Anything I would do, but up until u tell me 2
Blue light
Can u turn on a Blue light
Then cuddle up 2 me So tight
Just u and me All night
Alright,Blue light
Can u turn on a Blue light
Then everything will be Alright
Oh, Blue light
Blue light
Can u turn on a Blue light (cuddle up 2 me)
So tight
Cuddle up next 2 me baby
U and me all night, alright Blue light
Light (u turn on a) Blue light
And every thing will be Alright
Oooh Blue light
Blue light
Blue light
Blue light
Blue light
Blue light
What makes you different? What makes you who you are?
I'm noticing now the things that separate us from one another. Living with a wing full of people does that. I'm noticing now that I have a some quirky stuff.. like my love for art history, for artistic photography, for obscure music.. that sort of thing. I'm realizing now that those are the types of things that set me apart.
We all have those little pieces of our personality that make us who we are. And it's our choice whether we embrace them with open arms or choose to throw them to the winds. Are you afraid of who you are? Or are you confident enough to be different?
just some thoughts.
My friend said my pictures look "like a superhero or something!" but super villain may be more fitting.
Don't be afraid of enemies who attack you. Be afraid of the friends who flatter you. - Dale Carnegie
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
‘Don’t Be Afraid’ was originally inspired by Seamus Heaney’s final words to his wife ‘Noli Timere’, in the winter of 2013, Maser created a large scale mural in Portobello, Dublin with the words ‘Don’t Be Afraid’ painted boldly in white lettering across the side of a building.
Taken on a Leica M4-P camera body with a Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f2 lens on Candido 800 colour film. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.
Poor, poor, peaceful fisherman... His friends were wearing sunglasses and baseball caps, or else they may have had similar fates. But, alas, no - they were not nearly so interesting. I took a picture of his feet, too... horrible woman. He had rolled up his jeans and had the cutest flops on. The driftwood, rocks and those rolled-up jeans and flops - the straw hat - fishing stuffitz strewn about - him looking at me snapping at odd angles (or trying hard NOT to look) perched precariously on the out-cropping, wild pigtails and exercise clothes drenched from my walk... it was quite a scene... But, the picture appears peaceful.