Castro Street tree, 2005
Trees as subject matter occupy a large branch in the historical archive of photography. Trees exude calm and soothing. They represent nature seen large and often imposing. in an urban setting they stand in opposition to forces of development. Each has a personality--unique in shape and setting. The tree shown here is located in an awkward plot between a commercial street and a parking lot in Mountain View, California. The building on which the shadow falls is a failed cocktail lounge. It too is irregular--a cement block building with a forbidding facade. Fleur dy lys imbedded in its walls offer the promise of cultured activity which is voided by the rusted sign in the shape of cocktail glass (off camera). On that, the late afternoon light casts an irregular shadow of one forlorn uban tree.

Flamingos, 2005

A business exists nearby that will come to your home, stick fifty or more pink plastic flamingos in your yard and put up a sign to announce your birthday, wedding, anniversary or what have you. I stopped by mid-morning to shoot this photo and returned twice more. On the second visit I was told that I was the second person to shoot pictures of the flamingos. On the third visit--for this photo--I was again informed that I was the third photographer to shoot them. Obviously, I was the only one, but it's interesting to note how I'm able to travel about without leaving an impression.