Photo of the Day: Caught on the Street (Contemplation).

November 10, 2011 by Tieshka "Mom of Three Photography" Smith

Caught on the Street (Contemplation). Taken November 2, 2011 in New York City, NY.

Photo of the Day: Through a Boy’s Eyes (NYC Part 2).

November 7, 2011 by Tieshka "Mom of Three Photography" Smith

Through a Boy's Eyes (NYC part 2). Taken November 2, 2011 on a bus to NYC.

I shot this on the bus headed to NYC for a photo shoot with the incomparable Osiris Wildfire. We had a really fun time shooting on the streets of lower Manhattan, by the way. I’ll be posting up highlights from that shoot real soon.

So I was sitting in the seat behind this delightful little boy and marveling at how intensely he was looking out the window, silently soaking in all of the sights of the journey from Philadelphia through NJ to NYC. I captured a bunch of images, but this and two others were my absolute favorites.

Here is the first image of the series: Part one

Here is the third image of the series: Part three

The Votes Are In….And I’ve Decided To Choose (Drumroll, Please)….

September 2, 2011 by Tieshka "Mom of Three Photography" Smith

… “Lovers In Their Own World… ” as my street photo submission!

Lovers In Their Own World. Taken June 29, 2010 in NYC.

I decided to convert it back to color from black and white. I found that there are a number of elements that become apparent when the image is in color that are lost when the image is in black and white. In my opinion, these elements function as the glue that helps hold the composition together.

It was a tough choice to make, but I think it was the best one given the aims of the contest. I am deeply appreciative to those of you who commented here, on my Facebook Page, over at LinkedIn, tweeted me, and otherwise took the time out of your day to share your thoughts and impressions on all four photos I put up for consideration. It’s a real testament to the power and immediacy of social media.

Again, thank you.

Last Chance to Express Yourself!! Don’t Be Left Out!

September 1, 2011 by Tieshka "Mom of Three Photography" Smith

It’s a new month! Let’s all breathe a sigh of relief as we say goodbye August, goodbye earthquakes and hurricanes! I’m looking forward to great things happening this fall.

And to kick off my birthday month, I want to make a final appeal to you for your help. Earlier this week I wrote a blog post asking for your help in selecting one of four photos to submit to a street photography contest this coming Friday, September 2nd. Well, it’s Thursday, September 1st, and I haven’t heard from you…perhaps you had a good reason…maybe you didn’t read the original post, or the follow-up post I wrote yesterday …I understand. We all get busy.

But for heaven’s sake…this is social media! What’s social about ignoring a chance to comment, tweet, or talk smack on someone’s blog? Yeah, I thought so!

Anyway, to those of you who took the time to comment on the blog, on my Facebook Page, or via Twitter, thank you so much! Special shout-out goes to my friend Noel…you are so awesome! If you’re on Twitter, you need to follow him.

And to those of you who are procrastinating or just being obstinate, well…. let’s just say, time is running out. I really want to hear from you. I really, really, really do. I know you’re out there, lurking, and it would really be nice to hear your thoughts. It will only take you about 5 minutes to look at each photo and tell/tweet me which one you like the best. That’s all. Nothing more.

Here are the photos:

Man, She's Not Impressed. Taken June 29, 2010 in NYC.

Look at this woman’s expression….classic NYC “nothing phases me.” Not even a man doing a handstand without his hat falling off!

If you don’t like “Man, She’s Not Impressed,” register your comment. Tell me what you don’t like about it…and while you’re at it, choose from one of the other three images below.

Chicken Head. Taken June 19, 2010 in NYC

Yes, I called the above image “Chicken Head.” I took this at the 2010 Mermaid Parade in Coney Island. She was wearing a KFC bucket on her head and chatting away with her friend, totally oblivious to everything going on around her. Appropriate? Yes. I think so.

Respect His Manhood. Taken September 27, 2010 in Jersey City, NJ

One of my favorites is the above image, “Respect His Manhood” which I shot on the streets of Jersey City, NJ last year. A man who has the guts to use a frog umbrella in the rain without blinking an eye gets my respect.

Lovers In Their Own World. Taken June 29, 2010 in NYC.

Finally, I was going to go with “Lovers In Their Own World” (originally titled “Lovers Embrace Among the Chaos”) because I think it embodies what street photography is all about. In the midst of all of the chaos in the heart of midtown Manhattan, in a city notorious for its anti-commitment, love em’ and leave ‘em sentiment, I captured this couple, holding one another in a tight embrace, oblivious to the madness. They didn’t wait, they found each other, held on to one another, bags and all. Believe me, that’s a feat unto itself (those of you New Yorkers can relate to what I’m saying).

Anyway, I don’t want to unduly influence you. I want to know what you think. Hit me up on Twitter, Facebook or here in the comments. I promise. I won’t ask after today.

Thank you and peace.

Why Have I Not Heard From You? What Are You Waiting For?

August 31, 2011 by Tieshka "Mom of Three Photography" Smith

Another earthquake? Another hurricane? LOL

Anyway, yesterday I wrote a blog post asking for your help in selecting one of four photos to submit to a street photography contest this coming Friday. That would be the day after tomorrow….September 2, 2011….

After I posted, I got a lot of good feedback right away, which was really nice. To those of you who took the time to comment on the blog, on my Facebook Page, or via Twitter, thank you so much! You are the best and I really appreciate your input.

To those of you who are procrastinating or just being obstinate, well…. let’s just say, what’s up with that? I thought we were cool!

It will only take you about 5 minutes to look at each photo and tell/tweet me which one you like the best. That’s all. Nothing more.

Anyway, here’s where we stand with the four photos, in ranking order, most to least preferred:

Most preferred:

Man, She's Not Impressed. Taken June 29, 2010 in NYC.

If you don’t like “Man, She’s Not Impressed,” register your comment by choosing from one of the other three images below, which are all tied for 2nd place… go figure:

Chicken Head. Taken June 19, 2010 in NYC

Respect His Manhood. Taken September 27, 2010 in Jersey City, NJ

Lovers In Their Own World. Taken June 29, 2010 in NYC.

Anyway, I don’t want to unduly influence you. I want to know what you think. Hit me up on Twitter, Facebook or here in the comments. Thank you and peace.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Faded Royalty, and 4 Other Images Will Be Shown In The “Images of Jersey City” Group Exhibition, Opening May 14th!!!

May 11, 2011 by Tieshka "Mom of Three Photography" Smith

In lieu of my regular Photo of the Day post, I wanted to take a moment to make a special announcement…..

I am really, really, really happy to announce that 5 of my photos will be included in a group exhibition entitled “Images of Jersey City,” sponsored by Project Greenville. They are: Faded Royalty, Audubon Park I (see below; Audubon Park II can be seen here), The God Wall, Late Practice, and Dog Loves That Human.

In My Hood (Audubon Park I). Taken August 27, 2010 in Jersey City, NJ

This exhibit is near and dear to my heart because I lived in the Greenville section of Jersey City for 3 years before moving to Philadelphia. Subsequently, I took a lot of photos there and in other JC neighborhoods. So I’m really excited about this exhibit because it will hopefully continue to attract a lot of positive attention for a community that could really use some.

I want to send a big shout out to Elizabeth Deegan, exhibit organizer and the mastermind behind this effort. She is to be commended for her energy, vision, generosity, focus and tenacity. I would have never known about this opportunity if she hadn’t popped over to my blog a few months ago to check out my photograph of the Faded Royalty mural I took up in Jersey City Heights back in November, 2010. She worked singlehandedly to generate a lot of buzz about this exhibit and was successful in getting a lot of attention and press.

People like her are the reason why it was so hard for me to leave Jersey City, but people like her are the reason why I still have hope in humanity and in the arts. Without people like her, emerging artists and photographers like me would have limited or no opportunities to showcase our works to new audiences, audiences that may never get a chance to see themselves and their communities in the work that we produce. I won’t get on my pro-art and free-expression soapbox here, but those of you who know me well know how I feel about this issue.

At any rate, the exhibit will feature the works of over 20 photographers..all things Jersey City, New Jersey, which is really cool. Jersey City has a lot of offer and I can personally say from having lived there, it definitely has its share of diverse people, places and things, and it deserves a lot more attention other than the fact that it’s across the river from NYC and convenient to the PATH trains. I know that my counterparts did a fantastic job capturing the essence of what is Jersey City through their lenses. Many congratulations to all of them.

So…..if you’re in the NYC/north Jersey area and want to check out some awesome photography, the exhibit opens this coming Saturday, May 14th from 3:00 – 8:00 pm with a reception. It will be open to the viewing public on the following Saturdays: May 21, May 28, June 4 and June 11 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Also, it will be open on Friday, June 3rd, from 3:00 – 7:00 pm as part of JC Fridays. If these times don’t fit your schedule, appointments can be made to view the exhibit by calling (646) 361-1858. There will be a closing party Saturday, June 18th from 3:00 -8:00 pm. Click here to see the nice flyer that was produced to announce the exhibition.

So here we go!!! Let’s get it in 2011!

Let’s Connect!!! Facebook | Twitter | Flickr | Tumblr

Photo: Love and a fishing pole (and umbrella)

January 13, 2011 by Tieshka "Mom of Three Photography" Smith

Here’s my final selection from 2010….This photo was also taken at Battery City Park. The couple was sitting at the end of the boardwalk with their boombox, under the umbrella for shade, with a fishing pole propped up against the fence. Very adorable.

I think I have a thing for photographing couples young and mature, so I will focus on that this year, among other things.

I’m back! First photo post of 2011: Remember Young Love?

January 13, 2011 by Tieshka "Mom of Three Photography" Smith

Happy New Year!

I’m so glad to be back on my photoblog…it feels like it’s been forever. I realized that I can’t go for long without doing this photography thing, so I am ready to take things to the next level.

So….I want to kick off 2011 by posting two final photos from my 2010 archives. I took them both in Battery City Park at the end of July. I’m not sure if I posted them in their unedited form last summer…if I did, I’ll link back to the original post….eventually.

I have to say, these images of love and coupledom have been on my mind for a minute for a variety of reasons I won’t go into here.

At any rate, I’ve been playing around with them in Lightroom to achieve a somewhat dramatic effect. I must admit a growing fascination with black and white images and the range of effects that can be achieved with Lightroom.

Here’s the first….I’ll post the second one under separate cover.