Hate is fear

People only hate those that they can never amount to be. Hatred is rooted in deep insecurity and the fear of overcoming oneself.

People that hate are living in fear.
People fear those that they hate.

Open Spaces

The reason why I love visiting Penns Landing, the Schuylkill River Trail, and the various parks throughout the city of Philadelphia is because of the open space. When I visit open spaces, I can feel myself becoming much more curious, and ultimately happier. I feel powerful when I can look out towards the horizon, feel the breeze, and be surrounded by trees, and the clouds up above. There’s also something about water, and being near bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans that are always flowing and changing. Maybe Bruce Lee was right, we should be like water, formless, and become one with everything around us. When I consider street photography, I’m reminded of the connection I have to the environment, the street, and perhaps we should seek to become the street.

SEEK POWER

Perhaps it is wise for us to seek power first and foremost. I think that power is what we all seek as men. I don’t mean money, fame, and influence over others. I simply mean, physical power, raw power, power that derives from your physiology, and your body.

Become a Greek Demigod

Let’s sculpt our bodies into Greek Demigods. This means that you are not only an artist, sculptor, but also the sculpture, and the hero within it. I think that we can all become heroes, and become a Greek god, if we choose to. It’s about the decisions that you make, things that you consume, what you do and more importantly don’t do.

We should strive each day to make our bodies the strongest version they can possibly be, through simple acts of weightlifting, and eating red meat. Deep sleep, and sunlight can go a long way, so I say, stay in a state of motion, standing, walking, and moving your physical body throughout the entire day.

When we consider the ancient Greek heroes, such as Hercules, we often look at them with admiration for their courage and strength, and admire them through sculptures. Maybe we can become our own sculptures, by simply making a picture of yourself, without a shirt on, and see your results over time.

Strength is happiness

As you become stronger, you become happier. Weakness is bad because you do not feel power. Strength is good because you feel power. When you feel power, you feel like you can do anything. By overcoming a bit of resistance, you can reach your fullest potential. I know that I feel best when I’m able to overcome challenges, conquer fears, increase my strength, and feel the results of my hard work.

Reject weakness, embrace strength, and seek power.

Frank Horvat – Side Walk

Who is Frank Horvat?

Frank Horvat, born on April 28, 1928, in Abbazia, Italy (now Opatija, Croatia), was a distinguished photographer known for his significant contributions to fashion, street, and documentary photography. His life’s journey through photography was marked by innovation, a quest for realism, and a profound understanding of the human condition.

Early Life and Education

Horvat’s interest in photography began in his teenage years. In 1950, he moved to Paris, where he initially studied art but quickly gravitated towards photography, inspired by his surroundings and the post-war cultural resurgence in Europe.

Career Beginnings

Horvat’s early work was influenced by the humanist photographers of the time. He embarked on extensive travels throughout Europe and Asia, capturing landscapes and scenes of everyday life, which helped him develop a keen eye for detail and a deep empathy for his subjects.

Move to Fashion Photography

In the 1950s, Horvat settled in Paris and began working with magazines such as “Vogue” and “Harper’s Bazaar.” Unlike many of his contemporaries who preferred studio settings, Horvat was one of the first to take fashion models out onto the streets, using natural urban settings as his backdrop. This innovative approach not only changed the way fashion was photographed but also added a narrative and dynamic element to his images.

Technological Innovation

Always at the forefront of technological advancements, Horvat was an early adopter of digital photography. He embraced digital cameras and Photoshop long before many of his peers, experimenting with these tools to enhance his artistic expression. This blend of technology and art allowed him to continue evolving his style, even as the photography landscape changed around him.

Personal Work and Documentaries

Beyond fashion, Horvat engaged in more personal and documentary projects. His series “Side Walk,” shot in New York during the 1980s, is particularly notable for its candid portrayal of the city’s vibrant street life. Moreover, he documented significant historical events, such as the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, showcasing his versatility and commitment to capturing profound human experiences.

Legacy

Throughout his career, Horvat’s work was characterized by a combination of classical photographic techniques and modern technology, which allowed him to craft images with both emotional depth and aesthetic appeal. He published several books and his photographs have been exhibited in major galleries and museums across the world.

Frank Horvat passed away on October 21, 2020, but left behind a body of work that continues to influence and inspire photographers and artists globally. His approach to photography as a narrative, emotive, and aesthetic medium helped to redefine the possibilities of the camera as a tool for storytelling and artistic expression.

About “Side Walk”

In the bustling streets of 1980s New York City, Frank Horvat turned his lens toward the everyday, capturing moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. His series “Side Walk” is a poignant exploration of urban life, chronicling the diversity and dynamism of the city through candid and compelling street photography. This series not only showcases Horvat’s mastery of the medium but also provides a vivid snapshot of a bygone era in one of the world’s most iconic metropolises.

A Candid Glimpse into New York City Life

“Side Walk” stands out in Horvat’s oeuvre for its raw depiction of New York City’s streets. Utilizing a 35mm camera, Horvat blended seamlessly into his surroundings, allowing him to capture the unguarded expressions and spontaneous interactions of city dwellers. From the rush of commuters navigating the subways to the solitary figures pausing amid the chaos, each photograph in the series offers a story frozen in time, reflecting the individual narratives that collectively form the city’s identity.

Techniques That Enhance Narrative

Horvat’s photographic technique in “Side Walk” was groundbreaking. By employing a deep focus, he managed to keep both his foreground and background sharply in view, creating a layered effect that invites viewers to explore every corner of the frame. This approach not only highlights the main subject but also situates them within a broader urban context, emphasizing the interconnectedness of city life.

Color as a Character

Unlike many of his contemporaries who favored black and white for street photography, Horvat’s use of color in “Side Walk” adds a rich dimension to his narratives. The vivid hues bring an added vibrancy to the scenes, capturing the eclectic energy of New York City. From the bright reds of street food carts to the subdued grays of the city’s architecture, color plays a crucial role in conveying the emotional and atmospheric tones of the series.

A Lasting Impact

Frank Horvat’s “Side Walk” is more than just a collection of street photographs; it is a historical document that preserves the essence of New York City during the 1980s. For photography enthusiasts and historians alike, the series serves as an important study in the evolution of street photography and its capacity to tell compelling human stories through simple, yet profound, visual details.

This series reminds us of the power of photography to capture the spirit of a time and place, leaving a lasting impression on viewers and serving as an inspiration for future generations of photographers. As we revisit “Side Walk,” we are reminded of Horvat’s ability to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary, revealing the beauty and complexity of everyday life in one of the world’s most bustling cities.

Articulate

The word “articulate” has its etymological roots in Latin, stemming from the verb “articulare,” which means “to divide into joints” or “to speak distinctly.” This verb itself is derived from “articulus,” a diminutive of “artus,” which translates to “joint.” The development of the meaning involves the idea of something being clear and distinct, much like how joints are separate and defined parts of a structure.

Over time, “articulate” evolved in English to encompass both physical and verbal clarity. Physically, it refers to the connected structure of joints, as in “an articulated skeleton.” In terms of speech and expression, it describes someone who speaks in a clear, effective, and coherent manner, capable of expressing thoughts and ideas well. This dual meaning reflects the connection between the physical act of moving parts smoothly and the intellectual act of expressing thoughts clearly.

The Power of the Sun

I find that sunlight is the ultimate source of power. Maybe our bodies are like batteries and the sun is the charger. Two days ago it was extremely nice outside with lots of sunlight and I made sure to walk around without a shirt on by the riverside and absorb as much UV rays as possible. What I realize is, basking in sunlight is bliss. Not to mention, the following day, I felt like I had an insane abundance of power that was stored up from the day before. Also, it helps me get better sleep, setting my circadian rhythm or my natural biological clock, waking up before sunrise and sleeping with he sunset.

Why are people anti-sun?

A few days ago, while I was tanning in the park, this guy came up to me and was questioning how I’m able to stand in the sunlight for so long. He told me to put on a hat at least or wear some sunglasses like himself. He was completely covered up with a hat, sunglasses, and full beard. He had very pale skin and looks like he hasn’t been outside for a while. Maybe people are becoming more accustomed to the indoor lifestyle, and because of this, get used to wearing sunglasses. Maybe sunglasses trick your eyes into thinking that you’re still inside, making it harder for your eyes and body to adapt to the sunlight and the way that it interacts with your skin. I think that all people can get tan, perhaps you just have to do gradual increments overtime. I think that having tan skin means that you are full of vitality and energy and healthy. I feel so much better when I’m tan, in the sun, and absorb as much sunlight in my day as possible.

It seems that a lot of people think that the sun causes cancer and that too much exposure is unhealthy. To me, this makes no sense. The main reason why we are here right now, breathing, talking, and thinking is because the sun is positioned at the perfect distance from the Earth. Without the sun, there are no people. I just use this simple fact alone to guide my thoughts in regards to sunlight. Even in the first couple of words in the Bible in the book of Genesis of the Old Testament, you read that God has created light on the first day.

Let there be light!

Without the darkness, there is no light. On the rainy and cloudy days like this, I’m thankful for the good days, the days when the light is out, and the sun is peering beyond the clouds. I’m very grateful for the things, such as sunlight, water, and grass fed beef. There’s very simple things and pleasures that keep me happy.

Painting with light

Let us not forget that photography is merely painting with light. When I consider this, and the way that light casts upon the surfaces around me, the world is an endless canvas for me to draw endlessly upon. There’s infinite potential with photography because of the nuances and changes of light and the way it etches shapes and gives form to objects, people, and places. Because of the change that light provides, you can never make the same photo twice. It does not matter if it’s of the same thing or even a separate photographer at the same place, the light will never stay the same. Perhaps we should embrace this notion of change and create photographs in a stream of becoming. This means, your next photograph is your best photograph, and the goal is to remain curious, continuously evolve, change, and transcend, like a stream ever flowing.

Go beyond

As we go through every day lives, always bring a camera with you. Snapshot your way through life, and embrace the mundane world around you. Find new ways to uplift the things that are seemingly overlooked or banal, and create something from nothing.

With a camera in hand, nothing can stop you, nothing can break your spirit, and your lust for life.

We must learn to appreciate the journey and let go of the outcome. Forget about the pictures, results, galleries, books, contests, and all of the things within the realm of photography. We must continuously push our rock uphill even if we never make it to the top. One fun approach I have to life is to treat it like a video game. Video games are meant to be fun, and so should our photographic journey and life. It shouldn’t feel like a chore to take pictures, but it should be second nature to us. Lighten the load of your rock, and embrace the new, compact, digital camera systems to make the game easier to play. When you’re out there on the street, you never know what stories will unfold on the street corner. The people you meet along the way, things that you see, and experience, are what make this journey worth it in the end. Like in a video game, there are endless stories and paths that you can take. There’s new ways that you can play each day that makes the novelty of video games so enticing to players. Use photography as a way to increase your lust for life, discover new places, and find novel ways to approach the same thing each day.

Elevate your soul

When I consider the goal of street photography, maybe it is to elevate the human experience to new heights that have never been seen before. not only do our photographs become an abstraction of the street and life itself, but it reflects inward on our soul. There is a strange trend towards the tormented artist, the overly emotional, nostalgia, sensational, dark, morose, and emo aesthetic. Think of artists like Basquiat or Pollock. Basquiat died at my age, 27, from a heroin overdose. Pollock died in a car crash while under the influence of alcohol. We should stay sober and find our Dionysian state outside of drugs and alcohol. Embrace danger, and the chaos artists seek in new ways such as weightlifting and travel. We should strive to create from a joyous state of abundance, and ultimately your photographs will reflect this joy, curiosity, and childlike spirit. The world doesn’t need another tormented, drunk, or emo artist. The world needs more dangerous and gay monsters. Achieving the state of abundance and joy is very simple. Just go for long walks, get more sun exposure, eat more meat, and get deep sleep. Also, delete your Instagram, and uninstall all media applications from your phone.

Stop consuming, and start moving.

One practical suggestion I have is to start your day off from an elevated surface. When I visit the cliff behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art, I can look out towards the river, trees, and beautiful architecture. By quite literally elevating myself at this height, I can see beyond the horizon, and recognize the infinite and endless opportunity to explore that the world provides you. Just think, you could live to 120 years old, and never see everything that life has to offer. In this world there is so much to see, do, and explore, and we should remind ourselves this by gazing out at the horizon, and recognize that we can transcend and go beyond it.

Another important thing that I’ve been adopting in my lifestyle is eating one meal a day. When I am fasted, and have no food in my belly, the connection between my mind and my body is extremely sharp. Let us remember that the camera is an extension of your body and your mind, as your mind and your eyes are connected, and your oculus, your two eyes, are what allow you to perceive the world, with sharp visual acuity, recognizing the patterns in both nature and human behavior. This is something to consider, as when your gut is digesting, and there is food within it, I find that your mind and body connection is disrupted. I believe that we must follow our intuition, listen to our gut, and trust our natural instincts went on the street. By remaining fasted, you can tap into that godlike intuition that you possess deep within your physical gut. My theory is that God is with within your body, within your physiology, within your gut.

How much ground beef can you eat?

How to become stronger? Eat more beef.

Test your limits with beef consumption. Don’t eat breakfast or lunch, and buy 3-5 pounds of ground beef. See what your body’s limit is. Just eat until satiation and stop once you are full.

How to Become a Demigod

Praise the Sun God

First and foremost, you should get sun exposure every single day. This means more time outside. Preferably with minimum clothing on and to be outside for the maximum amount of time humanly possible. If you’re in a cold climate, just wear a really nice winter jacket. In order to get good sleep you must increase your sun exposure early in the morning. I think if it’s a cloudy day, you can still get some sunlight. Set your circadian rhythm every day and get your ass in the sun.

Sugar hijacks you, and slowly kills you…

The problem with sugar is it hijacks your body. The connection between your gut and your brain is often times overlooked. This is why I’m a fan of kimchi and it’s probiotics that it provides in my gut. Having a healthy gut and strong body is vital for human thriving. The gut speaks to your brain every day. There’s millions of micro organisms that live inside you and are responsible for your brain’s health. Everything’s connected. If your brain is telling you “mmmm yummy cookie, that looks good,” there’s clearly a problem. You shouldn’t be looking at these fake looking foods with bright popping colors, Cheetos, Doritos, Pringles, cookies, candy, etc. with an appetite. They should repulse you. Your gut should be speaking to your brain right in that moment, telling you please do not put this in my body.

To walk is to be human

Humans are bipedal for a reason. We have two legs because we are hunters and gatherers in nature. We should be moving our physical bodies constantly. We should be outdoors all day long. The only time I like to stay indoors is to eat and to sleep. If it’s raining outside, embrace the elements or go and walk around somewhere indoors. There’s no need to be sitting down in the day. If you are a human, you are designed to move. Just let the robots do the other shit.

Death to the media

It’s my belief that our newfound religion in the world is consumerism. To be sedentary and to sit in front of a screen all day is the new norm. This is not good and very unnatural. If you want to become more human, I have some advice. Do not watch the news, do not watch any movies, TV shows, social media, etc. Delete your Instagram, stop watching YouTube videos and Podcasts, and get your ass outside. People that watch TV shows on Netflix or cable, truly baffles me. How can you find yourself enjoying this garbage? Do not consume garbage whether it’s media or food. I’d rather stare at the sky and watch the clouds move slowly. Or even better, create your own media empire!

Drugs and alcohol are for losers

If you’re an adult, and you’re consuming any alcohol, smoking weed, or indulging in any weird drugs, I think that there’s something seriously wrong here. Anytime you take a sip of alcohol, recognize that you are poisoning your body. Why are we purposely doing this to ourselves? I seriously believe that the cultural influences around you and society’s pressures can become a huge toll on us. Make sure that your friends are good people. Stay away from social contagion like the plague. Don’t allow yourself to become indoctrinated by others.

Focus on becoming strong

Your body should be strong. You should be able to lift heavy things. You should be able to lift your own body weight above a pull up bar. You should be doing push-ups every morning. You should be able to stretch and touch your toes. Your core should be like a rock and you should be able to sustain heavy weight on your back. It is our duty as men to be strong!

Fast all day and eat red meat

What is the antidote to modernity? Simulate how we were designed in nature. Keep yourself fasted until the end of the day and eat plenty of red meat. Treat yourself like a Spartan and become a warrior with every step you make throughout the day. We are strong and capable of fasting. You do not need to consume it. Just wait until the end of the day and pretend like you had a full day of hunting. Simulate what it was like to live like our ancestors. Red meat is good for you. Just clear your body of all of the toxins and start fasting. Eating red meat and fasting all day will allow you to focus and become stronger.

Demigod goals

The goal is to lose fat and to gain muscle. We want to become like those ancient Greek demigods. How to do this? Eat more red meat! Get good sleep. Increase your sun exposure. Walk more. Start lifting. Stay away from sugar and toxins. Don’t watch the news or stay in tune with the latest media and avoid social contagion like the plague.

Subtraction is more powerful than addition:

  • No porn, no fap 
  • No smoking, no alcohol
  • No breakfast, no lunch
  • No news, no social media
  • No sunglasses, no hats
  • No AirPods in public

The simple things go a long way:

  • More sleep
  • More sunlight
  • More walking
  • More weightlifting
  • More red meat
  • More smiling

Your body *IS* the temple

Spread your joy far and wide

When you are filled with abundance, allow it to flow outwards! Let’s shine as bright as possible while we are here. The secret to joy is to just be under the sun?

Peace amongst the chaos

While I love living in the city, I find that I need to start each day with a nature walk in order to thrive. I believe that it’s important to find spaces where you can find peace away from the city, hustle, and bustle, and urban life. Sometimes when I wake up, I feel confined to the grid, surrounded by tall and looming buildings. Because of this, I instantly go for a walk off the grid, following the Schuylkill River Trail towards nature. I find peace amongst the water, trees, breeze, flowers, and natural things. From there, I can return to the city with courage and curiosity.

But if I start my day off by simply walking around the grid, I feel confined. I must visit an elevated view in the morning, look out at the horizon, and feel this powerful sensation of an open space to conquer the day. It’s critical in my everyday routine and something that I highly suggest you trying if you live in an urban city like Philadelphia.

ETERNAL PHOTOGRAPHY

One of the most inspiring thoughts I have is that photography is endless. When I wake up in the morning with my eyes wide open, I’m always ready to go out there and make new pictures despite how boring or banal life may seem on a day-to-day basis. I can walk anywhere in this world, and find something to uplift with a photograph because I know that I can articulate the unknown, making order from the chaos that is presented in front of me. The most liberating form of art is photography, because of the accessibility of cameras, and infinite opportunities to make something from nothing no matter where you are in the world.

I find that street photography is merely an ethos, it’s a way of seeing, and doing things. It does not matter where you are, you should be able to find something to photograph. This is the abundant mindset that a street photographer must possess. You must be able to put yourself out there on the frontlines of life, finding ways in which you can see the world anew each day. The camera becomes a superpower, an excuse, for you to go out there each day and embrace the spirit of play, like a kid again.

Maybe you will die, but at least you can make photographs

Another amazing thought I have about photography is that it has an immortal quality to it. The photograph itself is something that can outlive us as a human being. Perhaps the moments that are fleeting in front of us will pass and go by, and you will die, but you can make photographs and freeze time forever. Photography is a way to exist outside the passage of time.

When I’m moving my physical body through the world, recognizing the patterns in both nature and human behavior, I don’t exist.

I’m merely floating through life, without any strife, on a feather bed. I go through each day, with my head held high, knowing that I will die, but because I have my eyes open wide, I find, that this is bliss. Moving, observing, participating with the street. Where the street becomes a stage. Everybody upon the stage is an actor, and so am I! I watch the feet as they dance upon the concrete, the moments as they fleet, the people as they dance and groove, and move, as I do too, one with my camera, mind and body, my soul is evoked through the medium.

Intuition is composition

One thing that I hear a lot is notions of composition, filling the frame, leading lines, and all these basic thoughts about what makes or breaks a good picture. I say, let the chips fall as they may! Composition is merely derived through your intuition. I believe that everybody possesses a godlike intuition within your gut. Perhaps the physical gut is the source of this intuition. I personally practice eating one meal a day, which means I do not eat breakfast, and I do not eat lunch. I find that when I do not have food in my belly, the connection between my mind, and my body is insanely sharp. I move fluidly with my camera, looking in front of me, behind me, to the sides of me, and I’m always prepared to photograph whatever is thrown my way. I’m on my toes, moving slow, like a grooving dancer, ice, skater, ballerina, skateboarder, basketball player, and observer of life. There is a dance that you must partake in when operating a camera on the street. It’s not necessarily 123, ABC, let me line things up this way, layer things that way, put the middle ground and foreground there… You must have a clairvoyant vision. You must be able to perceive things before they even occur, and have a perceptive quality that is unlike a regular bystander on the street. When you become in tune with the rhythm and the beat of the street, it is inevitable that your compositions will become stronger and stronger as you increase your visual acuity.

Photography is supreme

When I consider photography, I consider it to be the greatest medium of art. Why?

It’s because of its physical nature, and the fact that it relies on reality, and real life. Photography is a way to uplift the human experience to new heights. We can create our own world through the medium, by abstracting the real world around us. The supreme nature of photography lies in its accessibility as well. Anybody and everybody can go out and make pictures. And I believe that this is what makes photography so great. It’s not like sculpting with marble where you need years and years of practice and technical capabilities to make these magnificent pieces. We’re not looking to go out there and make the next Mona Lisa, but to make photographs in a stream of becoming is the goal. What this means is, your next picture is your best picture. It doesn’t matter what pictures you made yesterday, last week, last year, just look forward and onward always. Make photographs in a way that allows you to be in this spirit of play and production. Set yourself in motion, and move your body endlessly. Go out there each day with curiosity and courage, and simply make pictures as a way for you to see the world, understand yourself, and how you see things. The reason photography is such a supreme art form, and I believe it to be the greatest medium of art has to do with the fact that it is so open, with so much more to see, so much more to do, and infinite and abundant possibilities with this medium. It’s still so very young, everybody has an iPhone, everybody has a camera, and this is a great thing. This means, we are participating in the most democratic form of art. Recognize that, and dominate.

Where can men conquer?

When I look outside my window, I see highways, Amazon delivery, traffic, signals, cars, computers, technology, machines, apartments, condos, sky rises, malls, etc. I don’t see anywhere for man to conquer in the physical realm. However, perhaps we can conquer within the realm of art. Use the camera as a way to conquer the streets. Use your photography as a way to conquer the world. When you travel to new places, dominate. I say, don’t just be a photographer, but become a warrior.

Wield the camera as a sword, strike through the heart of chaos, reveal the soul of the street, and create visual order and harmony through the spontaneity of everyday life.

When you go out there with your camera, you’re not just making pictures, you’re not just making art, you’re conquering the world, you’re conquering the streets, you’re dominating your domain. I say, we must conquer, we must dominate, we must make pictures in a way that affirms life, empowers us, and makes us feel uplifted, strong, and able to see more, go and do more, and transcend beyond the horizon and create our own worlds.

CONQUER THE WORLD

When I look outside my window, I see paved roads, traffic signals, condos, and apartments, malls, highways filled with cars, signs informing you what to do and what not to do, Amazon delivery, machines, and technology… it feels like there is nothing left for man to conquer. Everything is perfectly organized and structured in cities far and wide all across the globe. Where can man conquer these days?

Photography is the Domain

Let’s create our own domain to dominate. Photography seems like fair game and wide open with infinite potential to conquer within. My thought is that we can use our digital platforms like websites to leverage our perspective, voice, art, media, writing, etc. and share, propagate, and create our own domain to dominate. Another thought is that when you are hitting the streets, don’t just walk the streets, but conquer the streets. You should own the streets with confidence and courage at the forefront. Maybe we cannot literally conquer physical spaces anymore, but we can dominate within the realm of photography and art and leverage the digital world as it is infinite. Conquer the world with photography!

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