New York, New York

Hello,
Last week I went to New York City to attend a seminar by VII Photo Agency at the Parsons New School of Design. This agency specializes in war and conflict photo stories as well as documenting the social issues of our time. These folks are some of the most dedicated photojournalists working in the world! Not only was it a collection of amazing photographers, but editors from Time Magazine, Newsweek, Fortune, Vanity Fair and the New York Times Sunday Magazine joined in on a couple of panel discussions.
I stayed with my wife's cousin, Jeanne, who lives on the upper west side of Manhattan. The day after the seminar, Jeanne and I spent the day walking and riding the subway around the city so I could collect a little slice-of-life photo story. Our journey began in Madison Square Park where an installation of photographs was being erected. After we arrived, I figured out what Jeanne really wanted to do - to eat lunch at the Shake Shack. It's basically a fancy hamburger stand in the park. I couldn't believe New Yorkers would stand in line for a half-hour for a burger, until I got one, plus a killer shake! From there we went to Little Italy, Chinatown and to "The Pit" at Ground Zero.
We then walked down to Battery Park where the ferry boats go out to Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and Staten Island. It was a beautiful, even hot, afternoon. Jeanne drank an entire bottle of Gatorade for the first time in her life!
Next came Wall Street followed by the one place I wanted to visit most of all - The Brooklyn Bridge. Not only did we walk out onto the bridge just as the sun was setting, but we walked across the bridge and down to a park below the bridge on the Brooklyn side. The sky turned a beautiful orange/blue color behind the city skyline which included the bridge. Wow, what a finish to a fun day in the city.
We took the subway back to Manhattan and Jeanne headed for home while I decided to check out Times Square. I had no idea what I might find. Lucky for me, the rock band Motley Crue, was walking the red carpet into The Paramount Theater next to the Hard Rock Cafe.
I met up with Jeanne back at her apartment where we made a plan to meet another friend, Kack, for a late Italian dinner.
The next morning while watching The Today Show, I saw a really cool piece of artwork being unveiled in Rockefeller Center. "Sky Mirror", a concave piece of polished steel, 35-feet in diameter was being installed. The artist, Anish Kapoor, did another reflective piece of art in the Millennium Park in Chicago. So I decided to jump on the subway and go capture this work of art in motion before blasting off to La Guardia Airport. I had a direct flight home to Denver, however, the plane sat on the runway for two hours before the flight was finally cancelled. I ended up on a flight to Chicago/O'Hare and then transferred to a Denver flight. I arrived home six hours late, but safe and sound.
Enjoy the slideshow.
Peace, Kent

PS. I forgot to mention that sometimes when I travel I take my travel gnome, Jerome, with me and I photograph him in fun places.
If you would like to see a slideshow CLICK HERE: New York slideshow All of our slideshows require flash player. Download a free version here: flash player

Bugling Elk in Estes Park

Hello,
Last Wednesday I took the afternoon to drive up to Estes Park Colorado near Rocky Mountain National Park. Every fall Elk hang around town avoiding hunters during rut, mating season. Bull elk protect their cows and young bulls spar to prepare for the day when they will challenge to be leader of the herd. Some elk hang out on the local golf course as golfers play around them. Click on any image for a larger view.

Cheers, Kent

PS. Check back soon for my post about my recent visit to New York City coming soon!

Fishin' Blues

Hello, today's story Fishin' Blues comes from British Columbia, Canada. I would like to post this story as a tribute to my good friend, Steve Cox, who passed away recently. Steve was supposed to accompany me, my father-in-law, Jim Meyers' and his buddy Geoff Hughes, both of Kalispell, Montana. Steve and I worked together for 10 years in The Denver Post photo department. I hope Steve was laughing every time I pulled up some strange-looking fish from the depths of the ocean.
If you would like to see a slideshow CLICK HERE: Fishin' Blues slideshow All of our slideshows require flash player. Download a free version here: flash player

I met up with Jim and Geoff in Vancouver and we flew from there to Port Hardy where we climbed into The Goose, a nine passenger plane that can land on water or pavement. I begged to ride shotgun as the co-pilot so I could make pictures from the side window.
The Goose landed on the water in Ocean Falls and taxied up the boat ramp where Joann and Jim Walls met us. They own and run "Wall's" Fish Camp. Joann does all the booking and cooking while Jim and several other guides take guests fishing.
We were fishing for salmon for the most part. However, I kept reeling in odd catches one after another. It became a running joke! Finally, I caught a small China Rockfish but before I could reel it in a large Ling Cod grabbed it. I almost dropped my rod and reel into the ocean when this giant fish came out of the water with its mouth wrapped around the smaller fish. Usually I end up taking pictures rather than fishing. This trip I managed to do both. Yesterday I dropped off 80 pounds of filleted fish to be vacuum packed.
CLICK HERE: "Walls" Fish Camp