"Most Of The Global Economy Will Be Dedicated To Keeping The Water Away"

Most of the time when you tell people that climate change will raise the temperature worldwide a few degrees- they either glaze over or... laugh in your face. This brings it on home in no uncertain terms- unchecked global warming (which is what we continue to have despite and because of all the political hot air rhetoric) will be a world wide catastrophe in a hundred years (and even worse a hundred later), with many a major and world renown city abandoned and underwater...

I won't be here- will your children?

Fantasy, Reality & A Few Bits In Between...

 A little levity for the masses...

Yes, things have been pretty quiet 'round these parts; ya know what they say- no news is good news. I was recently saddened to hear the ongoings at B&H, I had done business with them for decades and it was heartening to see a multi hued, multi ethnic sea of faces whenever I visited. Sadly, it does not appear all is at it seems... Cheap prices, come at a price and it's always interesting to hear how many people just don't give a rat's ass as long as they get a few bucks off their L lenses (and don't have to work in their far from public view warehouses). Not gonna rehash everything I said there, but the issues raised accurately encapsulate modern economics, prejudice and society as a whole.

Elsewhere, elephants continue to be slaughtered- forget the solitary big game assholes, I'm talking the wholesale slaughter for the continuing Asian market in ivory. And forget the glaciers, the tundra is now melting as we continue to mindlessly plunge this earth headfirst into the abyss, blissfully ignoring we seal our own fate as we do so...

Whatever photographs do survive into the next century will serve as bleak testament to a memory of how people happily carried on as the signs of the planet's demise danced all about them. They will view them with curiosity, longing, and utterly justifiable rage.

Taking The Heat

Gotta give the guy his props- dead wrong as he may be. Unlike others who only spring to "action" from the comfort of the internet where they can bully in anonymity- this guy's at least willing to stand and take the heat on his own. Something to be said for that...

Photo: © S. Banos

Photo: © S. Banos

Photo: © S. Banos

Photo: © S. Banos

The Face of Arrogance- Personified

  

Come on, look at that mug- would he try to deceive you??? 

Help Us, Save Us... Anyone!?

Well, the American people have spoken! Dissatisfied with our current lot and our current crop of ineffectual, so called leaders, we once again ran screaming to the flip side of the same sad coin to elect those who can get things done- and in the worst possible way. Case in point- soon to be Senate Majority Leader Mad Max Mitch O'Connell gathered mucho support because of his pro-US stance on Big Coal- his gun ho, yahoo supporters completely oblivious to the fact that his filthy rich wife is in the business of shipping in cheap coal from... Columbia (along with a little blow on the side). The "git the gov'ment out of my Medicare" brain fart mentality goes a long (long) way in brainwashing the Republican faithful, along with copious amounts of voter suppression and under the counter racism galore. These guys are determined to run whatever's left of the earth into the ground, out of the ground and straight into their ever lovin' pockets. And they won't stop until there's nothing left to hide behind...

9/21/14 NYC- Photo: © S. Banos

Climate Change Facts  vs.  Climate Change Hucksters

9/21/14 NYC- Photo: © S. Banos

Behold Nature



9/21/14 NYC- Photo: © S. Banos

9/22/14 NYC- Photo: © S. Banos

 

Pretty Scary Shit...

And it's just starting up (but No Worries)!

350.org

Hope...

9/21/14 NYC- Photo: © S. Banos

Worst thing about getting old (and lord knows it ain't easy picking just one) is the loss of that intangible lightness called... hope. Like raging hormones, hope is a product of youth, it's most potent, bountiful and thoroughly addictive of drugs. It's what keeps us chugging along- despite the odds, regardless of the setbacks, irrespective of the failures. Year, after year, disappointment after disappointment. Hope was always there picking ya up the next day- it's gonna get better, things are gonna change, just... keep... going... 

Until the day arrives when hope no longer greets you. Like a receding hairline, dissipating at a snail's pace, it doesn't come as shock- more... foregone conclusion. You can still make plans, you can still test your limits, but the mindful reassurance is forever gone. Hope will get ya up the hillside, but ultimately it must revert to those still young enough to believe.

The NY Report...

Well, the Climate March in NYC on 9/21 got 350,000+ people, considerably more than expected (approx 100,000). And what was especially good to see was that it wasn't just the usual gang of aging White hippies out there- it was multi-generational, multi-ethnic and multi-racial. And it's a damn good thing we protested on the streets of midtown (not to mention the sit down event the following day near Wall St.), because they weren't letting anyone anywhere near the UN building on the the day of the actual conference on the 23rd. One of the coolest things of the whole event was when the march stopped dead at 42 St. between Broadway and Seventh and had a moment of silence for Mother Earth- never did hear Times Square quite so eerily silent in all my years...

Sadly, the protest is merely an exclamation point, one desperate all out plea for a reality check that will not arrive anytime soon; the real progress occurs behind the scenes, and suffice to say, I really don't think any real action(s) of consequence will occur until the tsunamis are licking at the doors of those in power in real time. Of course, by then, it will already have been far too late...

The Daily Show
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,The Daily Show on Facebook,Daily Show Video Archive

Meanwhile, NYC has managed to cram yet another several million people unto its streets since I visited last year, and it was while I was promenading through Bryant Park that I spotted the oddest looking tour bus ever, in which people are seated in rows, theater style, all facing one side of the sidewalk, with pedestrians literally on stage and on display- a much more unsettling experience than even the bizarre scenario below alludes to, I assure you!

Photo: Marc Bryan-Brown

Also couldn't help but notice that there were considerably more photographers of color out taking fashion and wedding photos (a good thing), more people of color in the NYPD (good if their diversity impacts the police force- and not vice versa, as is usually the case), and MOST surprisingly of all... more people of color in the dancing, chanting Hare Krishnas- talk about... unsettling!

Naturally, I went to play with all the new cameras at B&H, and I'm happy to report that there wasn't one I was truly excited about save for the Fujifilm XT-1; happy because there's no way I can afford one of those along with a couple of lenses, happy because I'll no longer be tempted by anything else, happy to remain happy with what I got.... And I'm also bizarrely happy, confused and perplexed to report that I didn't see one single book at Dashwood, MOMA or Strands that I absolutely, positively had to have- not a one. And lord knows I have enough relatively recent acquisitions that I have yet to pay adequate homage and attention to.

Couldn't get to a lotta shows since I had familial obligations to attend to (my 91 year old father was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's), but did see Matt Black at Anastasia Gallery, and did manage to make it to Photoville on its last day. The latter was a bit overwhelming to do in just one day, even without attending any workshops/conferences; there was just so much there in all those assorted shipping containers- good, bad and indifferent, that in the end made for quite an impressive showing nonetheless. One was dedicated solely to James Nachtwey's work- always fascinating to see how he remains just one notch above everyone else's work in that particular "genre."

Gorged myself on Two Boots Pizza and donuts at the appropriately named Donut Pub on W14 St, but was disheartened to find that St. Mark's Books is no longer with us- that particular book store was to The East Village what CBGB's was to its music scene- RIP.

Meanwhile, Governor Cuomo of NY created a commission to examine corruption- only to disband it when it began to examine the festerings in his own backyard. And speaking of cover ups.... new mayor of NYC Bill de Blasio dropped the groundhog presented to him on Groundhog Day, which later died of internal injuries. The zoo however reports that the precipitous fall from the good mayor's arms had nothing to do with its demise. Why this came out in September, when it occurred in February...

Favorite T-shirt (particularly in these times when people my age are contemplating their own mortality while dealing with that of their elders): Too Old To Die Young (almost as good as the one I saw earlier this year- Don't Bro Me If Ya Don't Know Me).

Got four rolls to process and edit (a helluva lot for me), hopefully something to show for in the upcoming weeks, and will also be posting on my favorite new photographer spotted at Photoville. Oh, and one last thing- put my Tri-X naked into a clear baggie, asked for hand inspection, and request granted no ifs, ands, or buts... least at SFO and JFK!

Self Destruction

Unfortunately, since this video was made, we have not only failed to curtail our own self destruction, we have redoubled our effort to destroy the very planet we live and depend upon and everything within it...

Happy Earth Day!

UPDATE:  Watch A Fierce Green Fire (in its entirety)...

Photo © S.Banos

Pandora's Promise

The trailer for Pandora's Promise starts off briefly mentioning the names of our most infamous, peace time, nuclear catastrophes: Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, Fukushima. It sounds like yet another hard hitting expose of our dreaded "Friendly Atom." Midway through however, it injects the argument(s) favored by pro nuclear, "pro environmental" advocates (insert sarcastic oxymoron jokes here). They point out that we cannot continue our current (let alone increased) power consumption without incorporating nuclear into the mix on a large scale, global basis- not to do so they warn, will result in unprecedented global warming. What they don't tell you, won't tell you, is that it's a short term, short sighted fix that will poison our planet for millenia to come. And, of course, what they will tell you is that it can now be done in a safer, cleaner and more efficient manner... Bull, bull, and bull. The same decades old promises (of a broken, failed industry) spilling from the mouths of brand spanking new converts.

No matter how you color, dress and disguise it, nuclear power is the deadly poison that keeps on poisoning en masse for untold hundreds of years to come. And nuclear power plants no matter how brand spanking new and efficient are still vulnerable to catastrophes of biblical proportions due to human error, terrorism and natural calamities; and to this day we still have no safe method to store their deadly waste (again, deadly for centuries- now there's a slogan) or the needed areas "guaranteed" geologically sound for that required period of time. It's an industry essentially built on a house of cards from start to never ending finish with millions of lives at stake for thousands of years. Cool!!!

Basically, we've painted ourselves into a radioactive, smoked filled corner of our own making. The time to adequately prepare ourselves has long past, we should have been heavily investing into alternative R & D as our #1 priority since the '70s. But Grandpa Ronnie told us not to worry. And like the children that we are- we didn't.

And so here we sit in a brand new century, royally fucked with the worst yet to come- and we got warmed over shit served on a brand new platter for today's menu...

*Just a little something for all to ponder while I'm away (see yas full force come July- preposted a coupla things for the interim).

400 ppm

I won't be around when it hits 1,000 come the end of the century- wonder how many Republicans will be around then living in their gated hill top communities watching the peasantry float by in the valleys below and, of course, blaming them for their woes...

350+

This is some scary shit, and it affects each and everyone of us- there's no hiding, no running away, no ignoring. And it will bite us all- BIGTIME!

"Carbon in the atmosphere greater than 350PPM is not compatible with life on earth. Today we are at 395..." Now watch it in earnest---

A Coupla Thoughts (& 3 Iconic Images)

Right now (actually for the past coupla days during early voting), racist Republican motherfuckers (let's call these shameless lowlife turds what they really are) are trying to suppress voters (and voting) in predominantly African American and minority neighborhoods. From your stereotypical White Trash bullies, all the way to the governor's office, they are trying anything and everything to stop non-Whites from voting. And that includes: curtailing voting hours, giving out false voter information and outright voter intimidation- as they have countless times before in history (from Jim Crow right up until this election). All for a draft dodging, say anything, tax cheat, son a bitch, rich kid (no, not our last Republican President). Is there a pattern here?

For the life of me, why is it, how is it, that a rich brat, a rich spoiled brat that any working class son would happily take a swing at in any grade school playground... that same spoiled shit, somehow grows up to be their redemptive savior- after never earning an honest day's pay in their entire life!

Must be- that ol' Black Magic...

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And now for something completely different...

How it was shot and how you can help...

Best self portrait in the history of mankind.

The Future Present- get used to it.

Petrochemical America- Richard Misrach

Petrochemical America: Picturing Cancer Alley is the latest opus from Richard Misrach (in conjunction with Kate Orff) that concentrates on the oil producing area round bayou way. Mr. Misrach does little on a small scale- even his little P&S photos of Katrina were printed extra large in Destroy This Memory. But this current exercise goes well beyond bludgeoning with sheer size- this is his full steam ahead, leave no stone unturned, grand thesis of a visual and informative tour de force. Not only does he seduce us with some of his incredible large format images, but we're also treated to some incredible graphics that break down and portray just about everything concerning petrochemicals and their relationship to: health, environment and economy- and we're talking in depth and detailed! Spectacular color diagrams (near works of art themselves) that demonstrate how those insidious chemicals affect flora and fauna, land and water, air and climate, man... and his future present. 

It ain't cheap, but ya get what ya pay for- a visual feast and a pretty thorough education.

So... What's New?

New? In the last decade? The one which has probably witnessed more technological innovation in the field of photography than any other period since its inception? How 'bout the fact that most photographers were still using the now antiquated medium called film? It's been a veritable technological sea change: digital capture that surpasses film quality, smart phones with sophisticated cameras, the ever evolving world of multimedia, photo editing software that defies reality...

Then there's the not so insignificant matter of the technology that disperses and promulgates all these images, in some cases instantaneously- of which you know better than I. Not to mention blogs, Facebook and Twitter (allowing us common folk some small voice in all that's happening), and perhaps last and not least, what some are currently referring to as "The Golden Age of Photography Books," brought on by the surge of independent publishing.

And all of that is great and good and wonderful, each of us "free" to pick and use whatever within our means and interests. But despite the glitter of technology, the most significant meaningful trend in the act of photography itself has been how some photographers have chosen to deal with their subject matter, particularly in documentary and photojournalism when dealing with the people that make up their story- not as fodder for mass consumption, but as real live human beings with lives that extend well beyond a picture frame and a deadline. As technology evolves and increasingly speeds us along, some have elected to purposely slow the process down, sometimes long enough to realize that those in front of their cameras also have eyes that see, and voices well worth listening to. These are the photographers who choose to give of themselves as their subjects give to them, those who do long term projects, projects that not only record visually but also investigate causes and seek out solutions. Ideally, the latter would also include empowering indigenous peoples to become media savvy themselves.

This more humane and responsible manner of documentation is not without precedent. Gilles Peress, Simon Norfolk, Susan Meiselas, Jim Goldberg, Sebastio Salgado, James Nachtwey, Ken Light, Mary Ellen Mark, Shelby Lee Adams and Fazal Sheikh all helped pioneer various kinds of multi-faceted, long term documentation well before the digital revolution. And while all the above have continued their work well into this century, other, newer names have committed to expand and further that very legacy:

 Aaron Huey's documentation goes well beyond the extremes of simple romanticism or blatant voyeurism and strives for solutions.

Taryn Simon's multilayered work unveils hidden myths and truths that allow making real life (and even life saving) connections.

Zoe Strauss learned, practiced and exhibited her photography on the streets of her hometown.

Eva Leitolf's deceptively subtle and stunningly beautiful images serve to accentuate the horrors they disguise.

 

Mr. Thomas creates controversial images that can literally shock us into awareness and recognition (or descend us yet further into denial). Pity we don't have more great art that examines its relationship with money, rather than art created solely to make it. 

Matt Black's old school B&W triumphs when it comes to depicting today's troubled economic and environmental landscape.

Brenda Ann Keneally- The strength and passion of her commitment is surpassed only by the quality of her photography and the trust of her subjects.

Hopefully you're already familiar with these names, and their accomplishments- I've surely made some major omissions, so please feel free to include your own additions... I also think Benjamin Chesterton* of Duckrabbit blog should be mentioned for championing this very kind of dedicated photography not only on his blog, but in practice- through his advocacy, workshops and multi-media productions.  * In the interest of full disclosure I do "know" Mr. Chesterton, if only through the interweb. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And then there are those who commit themselves to the long term visual documentation of the slow and sorrowful denigration of our very planet; a planet being wantonly stripped and scoured of every last ounce of its resources- 90% of the "big fish" in our oceans have been fished out and our climate would continue to increase in temperature for years even if we immediately shut down every coal plant on earth and stopped driving each and every single car, truck and airplane. And still, we continue to do... Nothing! We're approaching the very tipping point before ecosystems worldwide begin a nonstop cascade to oblivion. Photography may not offer answers, but it can help shine a light on the enroaching threat(s) surrounding us all, threats that will continue to endanger us well beyond the distractions of today and tomorrow's dessert and celebrity photos.

The following photographers are producing the kind of photographic documentation, and evidence, that if not willfully ignored, would make believers of the most ardent deniers. The plethora of highly detailed and comprehensive work created by the first three photographers have expanded into film, the last two photographers are perhaps less known but provide exemplary images of an environment and world community in crisis...

 James Baalog

Chris Jordan

Edward Burtynsky *

Bruce Haley

Daniel Shea

*I criticized Mr. Burtynsky years ago for not being "critical enough" of the criminals responsible for the desecration depicted in his photographs- in a word, I was wrong. There's no way he could continue to have the access he needs and maintains if he was, in fact, so openly critical. It's up to us to have the sense to notice, and the willingness to act... if only to save ourselves.

Conservative Parents Everywhere!!!

You guys got kids, right? I don't have a worry, don't gotta one- I'll be cashing out in another 25 years, if not sooner... just like the fat bastard so rich he spends every day spewing ever more deluded rantings no real working person with the slightest would ever believe.

But I assume you worry about your kids- right? You know, like their well being, and future and stuff... You like, love them, right? Right? Then time to embrace the Conservative in you and start facing the fact that this planet you're leaving them is... dying!  
 

I realize you think "science" all a myth- unproven, hysterical, left wing propaganda. The Great Liberal Lie! Otherwise, you wouldn't be so preoccupied with your real religion- making money at any cost, even at the very expense of the planet that keeps you alive. Just hope the religion you go through so much trouble trying to convince everyone else you really believe in comes through and Raptures your ass on up high into the heavens you're so busy polluting with your SUVs and your non regulated, profit inducing carbon emissions- cause pretty soon there aint gonna be shit to eat down here!

Not to worry- fat man's got your back! Your kids can bet on it...

Non Photo Of The Year!

Cover shot chosen by major media depicting The White House surrounded on 11/06/11 by human chain of 12,000 anti-XL pipeline protestors.

4% Water Vapor

-and it's consequences...