Sunday, November 11, 2012

Always Be Ready

Educational Zombies
Educational Zombies wouldn't have happened if I didn't have my camera at the ready.  In this case I had my camera in hand, the lens cap off and settings selected for walking as I was strolling down Barrington Street heading for the bus after work.

I didn't know these students were going to be walking down the street as zombies to protest that they are being eaten alive by the high cost of debt and they walked by at a reasonably brisk pace and so I only got off a few shots.

Apparently, having a camera pointed at you makes you smile and even though I took several shots as they walked past one or the other had a smile on their face so I picked the best one out of the bunch.

Even so, I'm happy I got it and I would not have gotten it if my camera was in the bag with the lens cap on or even worse, at home.  It's for moments like this that I take my camera pretty much everywhere I go.

Friday, November 02, 2012

Photographing The Homeless

A Brief Respite

Generally, I don't like to photograph the homeless people in Halifax.  I sometimes feel like I'm invading their private space even though it is the same space as my public space.  Browse through my published photographs and you'll find a few photos of homeless people so why do I contradict myself?

The reason I post my images in the first place is to share my view of the world.  Lately, I've really been more aware of the plight of the homeless in Halifax and when I think about the millions of dollars that float around in the entertainment and sports industries it makes me feel sad. $20,000,000 paid to an actor to make a movie.  $100,000,000 for a fellow who plays baseball or football.  I can't help but think how much that money would help these people.

It's not just the actor or baseball player here.  They have fought to get their share of the obscene amount of money being brought in by the studios and the team owners.  And let's not forget about the business people playing the markets and/or making fortunes from real estate.

I honestly do not know how to fix the disparity here but if I can help more people recognize the disparity exists then I think I've helped in some way which makes the world a better place.