Kratos

We are currently on a giant rock, flying through space, while orbiting around a ball of fire. Without the sun, we have no power. As a human being, I must acknowledge the power I feel when under the sun.

At the end of the day, it’s because of the perfect distance between Earth and the sun that we are even here right now. When I consider the meaning of the universe, humanity, and our ultimate goal, perhaps it is to simply reproduce, create, propagate, and evolve. No matter how many technological advancements humanity makes, we will always be biological beings first. Perhaps the ultimate power that a human possesses is within our physiology, biology, or physical flesh. Maybe our flesh is the technology…

To Understand Life Is to Understand Light

Objective reality is in the light. He who masters light, masters the universe? When I consider the sun, as the ultimate source of power, and the reason why we are even here, breathing, thinking, and able to make art, I can’t help but consider the essence of light, where it comes from, and why it’s even here in the first place. Maybe all of the answers to our biggest questions are found in the light, and to understand light is to understand life.

Can Time Stand Still?

When I photograph, or paint with light, I feel as though I’m making pictures at the speed of light itself. At a fraction of a second, I can freeze time forever.

“I exist outside the passage of time.”

When I’m walking, moving my physical body, and photographing, I’m merely existing now. Of course, we have a past, and future, but photography brings me closer to the moments that are ever fleeting. Maybe the paths that we take are critical to consider. I find that when I am walking around the streets on the grid, that curve, turn, and zigzag like a maze, time feels short, and passes at a rapid pace. However, when I go for extremely long walks along the river trail, which is essentially endless, time feels as though it stands still, and is extended longer.

Maybe photographers are like superheroes that can stop time. We exist outside of it.

I’m Going Super Saiyan

There truly is a difference between being in the light on the sunny side of the street and being on the shady side of the street. The temperature feels like night and day. When I’m in the shade, I might as well just put on a jacket. But when I’m in the sun, despite whether or not the temperature is cold, my body heats up in a matter of minutes or even seconds.

“At the end of each day, I’ve been sunbathing around the Schuylkill River Trail, by the dog park.”

I have a nice view of the river, water flowing, and sunset directly penetrating my soul. I find that I have so much abundant energy stored up within my body all day when I spend the maximum time in the sun. There’s something about standing in the sun, absorbing its raw power, and turning it into physical energy within your body like you’re going Super Saiyan!

Ghouls and Goblins Prefer the Dark

Maybe ghouls and goblins prefer the darkness, the nighttime, and seek pleasure away from the sun. Just think about nightclubs, bars, and nightlife in general. Typically the people that are out, have a preference for this time of day. They have a preference for the caves, dwelling in the dungeon, or the bar, or the club. Avoid people that prefer the dark and just focus on yourself.

In this very short life of ours, perhaps it’s wiser to focus on ourselves instead of others. I say, your immediate family, friends, and yourself are all that really matters. Ignore the noise, the drama, and the excess. Keep your circle close, tighten it, and don’t worry about other people.

Focus on the Good and Beautiful

Going forward, let’s focus on the good, the beautiful, and forget about the bad, and the ugly. It’s very easy to find the ugly and the bad in this world through the news or social media. My theory is that hate is fear, and the news merely promotes hate, or fear. If you check the news too often, you might find yourself in a situation where you feel unsafe, scared, and want to spend the entire day in bed. I say, embrace the world with the spirit of play, find yourself in the park, looking at beautiful things, focusing on the good, and forgetting about the bed, the noise, and the distractions.

“I am reminded of the first time I ventured into a Palestinian refugee camp in East Jerusalem, Shu’fat.”

I checked the news, Google, and images, to see what’s going on in this place. I learned right away that this was not a good idea, because it was merely instilling fear in me, with nothing but doom and gloom, and preventing me from going for a visit. Alas, I mustered up the courage to pack my camera, forget everything I think I know, and headed over to East Jerusalem and entered through the gigantic wall looming around Shu’fat.

What amazed me was how welcoming my experience was overall. While I did have some pesky kid throw rocks at me and hit me, there were families that invited me into their homes, offered tea, food, and coffee. I ultimately wound up making one of the strongest photos of the separation barrier. While walking along the wall in what seemed like no man’s land, a boy wound up throwing a baby stroller towards the wall, and while I watched him, I made a photograph. I even decided to climb to the top of the wall and stood proud and confidently as I conquered this location.

“It was in that moment that I learned that you must go into the world, the chaos, the unknown, without any preconceived notions of what you may find.”

By disconnecting from the bad and the ugly, you will be delivered with the good, and the beautiful.

Why I Love the City

The city provides me with just enough chaos and connection to reality and society that keeps me in touch. I like being around other people, and thrive amongst urban life. Philadelphia is a perfect paradise for me because of its gritty and raw nature. While it is gritty and raw, there is also beautiful nature trails and parks and historic architecture that keeps me inspired and balanced between the ugly and beautiful.

Maybe Philly is just gritty enough and just beautiful enough to have the perfect balance and harmony that keeps me creatively thriving.

Demokratia

Today is the primary election here in the state of Pennsylvania, and I am reminded of what it means to be a citizen of the United States of America and partake in democracy.

The word “democracy” comes from the ancient Greek word “demokratia.” This term is a combination of “demos” meaning “people” and “kratos” meaning “power” or “rule.” Thus, democracy translates to “rule by the people” or “the power of the people.” This concept originated in ancient Greece, specifically in Athens around the 5th century BCE, where it was developed as a form of government in which all eligible citizens participated directly in making decisions.

While we, the people, the citizens, have the opportunity to use our voice and vote for particular candidates in office, my thought is that we cast a vote every single day as individuals, disregarding politics. We have the choice to vote for who we want, say what is on our mind, associate with particular people, think certain things, do what we please, consume what we want, and purchase what we desire. Maybe what makes the individual powerful is within the decisions that you choose not to make. There’s power within subtraction, and through removing more, you become an empowered individual.

Freedom Is a Choice

You can choose to purchase a car, gasoline, insurance, and deal with all costs associated with owning a vehicle. Or, you can choose to use public transportation, ride a bike, or even just walk. You can go to the grocery store and buy eggs, or you could buy some chickens and raise your own. You can buy sugary cereal, or grass-fed beef. You can send your kids to public school, private school, or even just teach your kids at home. You can buy the latest fashion or choose to make your own clothes. You can own a home and pay for a mortgage or choose to rent an apartment.

“Perhaps the value of things is merely determined by what the person next to you will purchase it for.”

Maybe the only problem with democracy is democracy itself. It’s the decisions that people make that ultimately determine the outcome of our nation.

Confidence

Confidence is not just having your chest open, shoulders back, and head up. Confidence is being good at something, and knowing it. When I consider confidence, I consider my skills and talent as a photographer. I know what my capabilities are, but I continuously push my limits, and know that I am forever an amateur—learning and advancing my craft each day. However, once you figure out that you’re good at something, you no longer need any approval or feedback from others, especially other photographers.

“I just don’t care anymore. If you’re not good at something that I value and respect, I simply don’t care what you think.”

You can’t use any life hacks or tricks to make yourself confident. You actually have to own it, know it, and be it. Confidence is actually being good at something, being physically strong, and dangerous.

How to Win

Maybe whoever runs the most laps around the track wins… When I consider photography, and its physical nature, I’m reminded that you must be in movement, embracing motion, and walking, in order to make anything. Because of this, I believe the one who walks the most will see the most, and ultimately, photograph the most.

My thought is, whoever makes the most pictures, wins. I do not care whether your photos are good or bad, I care whether or not you are filled with curiosity and courage at the forefront. It is there that you will make strong work, and it’s inevitable that with your insatiable lust for life, you’ll make more photos.

I’m Really on the Streets

Honestly, I’m really out here. I’m really on the streets. I be about this shit. I really fucking love photographing, embracing chaos, and the bustling nature of urban life.

No Shame

Could you imagine being the first human being to look into the reflection of the river and perceive yourself? Perhaps this is where notions of shame come from—our perception of ourselves, naked, and alone.

In the story of Noah, there’s a moment that shows he wasn’t perfect. After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard, made wine, and got drunk in his tent. While he was drunk, he ended up naked. One of his sons, Ham, saw him like this and told his brothers. But instead of laughing or making fun, his other two sons, Shem and Japheth, took a blanket, walked in backwards, and covered Noah without seeing him naked. This shows how they respected their father despite his mistake. It’s a reminder that everyone has moments they aren’t proud of, and how important it is to handle others’ mistakes with kindness.

My thought is that shame is bad. We should have no shame, and embrace our authentic self. Nobody is perfect, and we should embrace this imperfect human nature.

Also, why are people so boring? Everything seems so sterile, bleak, boring, and same same. Everyone goes along with the program, following the same guidelines and social norms, without thinking freely or openly. I feel like there’s a lack of expression in the modern world. It seems crazy to laugh loud, be proud, smile, and be a gay or jolly fellow. Maybe shame is what holds us back from self-expression.

What Is Your Purpose?

Maybe my ultimate purpose is to connect with life more. I become closer to life through photography. I find that by photographing, I’m able to have a dialogue with the world, asking questions with each photograph I make. I’m simply wondering, why? What even is my purpose, the purpose, the point of it all? I don’t think anybody really knows, but perhaps through exploration, curiosity, and the creation of new art, we can find the answers.

Give Me Light and I Shall Dominate

Is it just me, or do you feel 1000 times better when the sun is out? I believe in the reality of seasonal depression, but I also believe that mental health is simply physical health. This means that sunlight, movement, and embracing our physical nature as humans are critical considerations when discussing ‘mental’ health. During winter—when it is cold, cloudy, and there is less sunlight—people are much more prone to feeling ‘under the weather,’ becoming unwell, sick, or depressed. I know from personal experience that I have so much more energy, positive thoughts, and excitement for life when the sun is out. On cloudy days, I can still maintain energy from the sunny days I’ve enjoyed previously. It’s interesting because when I spend the maximum amount of time in the sun and the next day is cloudy, the energy seems stored in my body and carries over. Perhaps humans are like batteries that need to be charged, with sunlight as our power source.

Let us not forget that photography is merely painting with light, and sunlight allows us to create works of art. My thoughts about light and how it etches and gives shape and form to objects foster an infinite and abundant mindset, continuously driving my curiosity and inspiring me to produce more photographs. I know I can never take the same photograph twice; photography is a stream of becoming, and my next photograph will be my best. When you adopt this infinite, endless, and abundant approach to creating work, it will fuel your lust for life and enable you to dominate within the realm of photography. As long as I have light, I am happy!

Why Is the Sky Blue?

When I consider light and the spectrum of colors emitted by the sun, I’m reminded of that question we asked as little kids: Why is the sky blue? The answer lies in the size of blue light waves; being shorter, they scatter across the sky and interact with various molecules, creating the blue hue we see. Light not only shapes and forms objects, people, places, and faces but also casts vivid colors that allow us to perceive and revel in its beauty.

Stripping away color from my photography, and returning to black-and-white, light and shadow, I simplify the way I create work. While I see the world in vivid color, I’m much more interested in the abstract nature of photography and its ability to transcend this reality. Perhaps I am looking to find a deeper way to explore life, and by embracing light and shadow, I hope the viewer of my photographs becomes engaged with the world in a more nuanced way.

“I’m still surprised by how many rainbows I’ve photographed in my life so far. It seems that no matter where I go, I always find a rainbow.”

I remember the first time I photographed one with much intention—it was a rainy day in Baltimore, and I decided to head out with my umbrella and my camera in hopes of capturing a rainbow. When one appeared, I was astonished and quickly made an effort to photograph the scene. All the puzzle pieces aligned, and luck was in my favor. It felt as though it was a gift given to me. Throughout my journey, I’ve gotten lucky over and over again. Maybe the luck is something that’s carried over with you through effort and hard work.

When I spent time in Jericho, which is a desert and very dry, I actually photographed a rainbow. What amazes me about the photograph I made in Jericho is the fact that it almost never rains there. It only rained for about 5 to 10 minutes, and during that time, I had to act extremely fast to photograph the tiny rainbow in the distance. A young boy, Ramsey, picked up a rock and began throwing it toward the abandoned buildings in the foreground and toward the rainbow in the background. When I look at this photograph, it may be one of my ‘luckiest’ shots ever made because of the conditions, the rare situation, and the moment that completely encapsulates the Palestinian conflict with the gesture of the young boy throwing the stone. This photograph reminds me of David and Goliath and might just be one of my best works ever made.

With a little bit of dedication, hard work, and belief in oneself, we can do anything.

Why I’m So Prolific

I’ve never visited a location without coming home with something powerful or compelling from my photography. I’ve always had the ability to embrace chaos and impose order on it. I believe that I am a prolific photographer with a natural talent that I have been blessed with. Sure, I started off early in high school, learned the basics using film, and developed my technical skills, but since I hit the ground running, I’ve always created successful work. This isn’t just an ego stroke—or maybe it is. However, I know that my prolific nature as a photographer is due to my insatiable lust for life.

“You see, I believe that a photographer is merely responsible for being curious.”

We are responsible for going out into the world without preconceived notions, with an open mind and heart, and finding ourselves on the front lines of life. I am a very curious person, filled with courage, and this dedication to exploration has led me to great success over the years because of that. It has nothing to do with technical ability or how well you can put together a composition; photography is all about your curiosity, courage, and lust for life. I’ve become so prolific as a photographer through my dedication to embracing chaos and positioning myself on the front lines of life.

Learning Is Confidence

I’m confident because I know that I know nothing. While I am confident in my abilities as an artist and photographer, I still like to consider myself an amateur, a child, always eager, open, and prepared to learn. I believe with each new day, life, the world, the universe—whatever you see and perceive—has something to teach us. Perhaps through photography, we engage in a dialogue between you, your body, your brain, the connections between your mind and your eyes, and the things that you find beautiful along the way.

When I photograph, I allow my intuition to carry me onward. While I have technical skills, the ability to create compelling photographs, and a lot of experience, I don’t ever want to feel like I’ve mastered photography. I believe that each day is a new way for you to learn, grow, and evolve. Perhaps as an artist, the wisest thing we can do is to never stay the same, and always embrace change.

Always Changing

No day is the same. It does not matter if you walk the same mundane lane every single day; there is always something different and a new way for you to say something. You see, photography gives you a voice. It gives you an opportunity to change your opinion, to change the way you see things, to change what you would like to photograph, and to change the world through articulating it. Perhaps, as artists, we must embrace change, never remain stagnant, and embrace the spontaneity of the streets, life, and the chaotic nature of the universe. While there is order to this place that we live in and call home, maybe there is still so much that’s out there and unknown.

Just think of Elon Musk and his aspirations to make life multiplanetary. Perhaps we’ve conquered all of this earth, and there’s a need for us to explore and to go beyond the horizon. When I consider his work in advancing technology, science, and space exploration, it inspires me as an artist to remain curious, embrace the future with an optimistic spirit, and change with each new day.

Why I’m So Grateful

I am grateful for simple things. Water is our life force, and we should protect it, honor it, and cherish it. Maybe you can fast for a very long time without food, but your body needs water. Water is the first thing that I am grateful for today. I’m grateful that I can drink water from my tap, filling my belly, providing me with energy in this life and vitality to conquer today. I’m grateful for the sun, and the power that it provides me with. I’m grateful for the breeze, and the sensation that it gives me upon my skin. I’m thankful for the sounds of birds, chirping, and society, and the people that I can surround myself with. I’m surrounded by beautiful people, nature, and architecture that uplift and inspire me, allowing me to remain grateful for the small things. I’m grateful for the time I spend with my mother, family, and loved ones. I’m grateful for my lifelong childhood friends, and the people that I am closest to. I’m grateful for grass-fed beef, which satiates me and keeps me going every day. Honestly, I’m filled with nothing but gratitude and abundance, and going forward, I just want to share this joy with others.

The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

Jesus says that the meek shall inherit the Earth. When I initially consider this thought, it makes me feel weak, to be humble, and to not be too proud or domineering. It feels like something that goes against the natural human will to power. And while I have my critiques on this sentiment, I do believe that it is a nice message, positive, and uplifting at its core. It does not matter if you are lame, sick, weak, or poor, all people can find hope and reap the rewards and fruits that life offers. Maybe we need more optimistic messages in our lives like the sermons Jesus gave throughout his life.

Decisions Are Discipline

I believe that we can all thrive together and seek power through simple physical pleasures. The decisions that we make ultimately determine our outcome in life. With a little bit of discipline, and consideration of the things that you do and don’t do, consume and don’t consume, you can make significant changes in your life.

The problem with modern cities is that there are too many options. There’s too much tempting food, endless TV and entertainment, things to do, and places to be. This can become overwhelming for a city dweller, and cause one to embrace degeneracy, hedonistic pleasures, material things, and ultimately get lost in the sea of options. I’m reminded of my time spent during the pandemic when I lacked discipline and embraced hedonism through escapism in video games, junk food, and degeneracy.

…

Be Fearless

When I was a kid, my friends and I would often climb trees. We would climb so high in the trees that it felt like you could touch the sky. I am amazed by the courage that exists within a naïve child. I remember my brother and I would often seek danger. We got into skateboarding very early on, around four or five years old, and would throw ourselves down the ramps and launch our bodies into bushes, onto concrete, scrape our knees, and get back up. Maybe skateboarding is a really great sport for kids because of the courage required and its inherent creative nature. It reminds me of street photography, and the curiosity and courage an artist must possess to throw themselves out into the chaos. Going forward, we should become more like children, curious but dangerous, and courageous. I believe it is at the intersection between curiosity and courage where we can all thrive together.

Just give me light, and I shall dominate.

Keep it Simple

Simple Living

I’m always looking to simplify. Whether it’s within my photography practice or daily routine, I prefer keeping things streamlined and simple.

Zen Lifestyle

My thought is that the life of Zen requires zero distractions. Whether that is phone calls, text messaging, “group chats,” emails, or media consumption, this modern world provides lots of distractions. It is wise to remove as many of these distractions as possible.

Firstly, just go through your phone and delete all media apps. Delete YouTube, YouTube Studio, Instagram, Facebook, etc., and only really use the phone for ChatGPT, FaceTime, and Safari for blogging. I’ve recently started using Safari as my main blogging tool instead of the WordPress applications, as it is much more minimalist and less distracting. I just log into my site through the browser and can publish to YouTube browser as well.

While digital detox is a good first step, I believe that embracing the moment and following your intuition is the most critical. With these distractions removed from your life, there will be less need for you to check the phone or do other distracting things such as consume media.

Instead of consuming media, just make your own. Get a GoPro, mini, film using super view, export to 720p, and upload your own thoughts, experiences, and POV to YouTube and your own blog using Videopress.

In terms of writing, I’ve been using the iA Writer application on my phone, iPad, or Mac. I find that it’s best to start a document using my phone and walk around outdoors, speaking to the phone using the voice dictation built into the device. I just click the microphone at the bottom right of the keyboard and speak directly to the mic built into the phone.

I find filming using a GoPro is almost like a way to flush out your thoughts and treat it like stream of consciousness writing. What I’ve been doing is going for long walks, speaking candidly about whatever is on my mind, coming home later that night, and then going into a document and writing about what was on my mind. This seems to be the most effective way to do any writing these days as it does not require you to sit down, hunched over at a keyboard, typing away at a computer.

Why I Love Philly

I was born and raised in Philadelphia, and I’m very passionate about my hometown. I find that this city is the most walkable place in the United States. I never need to use a train, bus, and I can simply walk with my two feet everywhere. This provides maximum enjoyment for my everyday life, as there is no need for a car, being stuck in traffic like most people undergo when living in the suburbs.

I think that the suburbs were a good place for me to grow up, having the forest in my backyard, neighbors to play with, and a safe community to live in, but as an adult, the city is my playground.

I thrive around other people, the bustling streets, and enjoy the chaos of urban life as an artist. It makes sense that I love Philadelphia as a photographer, because it is extremely underrated, and not well documented. It gives me a purpose and more meaning to my work as I head out there with my camera each day, knowing that I am doing something that matters. I want to uplift the human experience in Philadelphia to new heights.

City life is supreme, especially Philadelphia, given we have so many parks, green spaces, trails, and places to roam around. We have beautiful architecture, historic sites, museums, and infinite things to do and places to explore. All you really have to do is walk outside your door. There is always something going on, something to photograph, somewhere to be, and something to see.

Happiness is Physical

What I’ve realized is, happiness is a physical thing. You hear notions such as “mental health,” but I believe that physical health is what ultimately determines your mental state. I found that it is quite impossible to become depressed if walking all day long, in the direct sun, and especially while wearing short sleeves, short shorts, or even just walking topless. Maybe the sun is the source of all power, our bodies are like batteries, and absorbing as much UV radiation as possible throughout the day is how you keep your body charged with full power.

Maybe modern man spends way too much time inside, in the dark, and not getting enough natural sunlight. Most jobs these days keep people inside, locked away. This is not good and goes against our natural biology and what promotes healthy physiology.

I’ve learned to love the heat throughout all of my travels, whether in the desert of Jericho or in the villages of Zambia. During the winter months here in Philadelphia, the best thing that you can do is simply get one of those Canada Goose jackets and just call it a day. I got mine as a gift, and it was probably the greatest gift that I’ve ever received in my life.

I actually think that the clothing that you choose to wear is more critical than superfluous things like cars and watches. Ultimately, it’s worth investing in the good stuff, like Lululemon license to train shorts, shirts, and the Vibram FiveFingers ELX shoes. I find that the minimal barefoot shoes help me connect with the earth, enhance my daily commutes, slow me down, and allow me to appreciate each step.

In terms of the shorts, zipper pockets are critical for camera batteries, camera equipment, and my GoPro. I also like the 5-inch version because it’s shorter and exposes more of the legs, getting even more sunlight. I’ve been wearing Lululemon clothing for about a decade now and honestly, some of the shirts that I’ve purchased years and years ago, I’ve gone through all of my travels and they still hold up.

Food is Energy

So, as I said earlier, the sun gives me and my body power. Combined with the power of the sun with some weightlifting, and you’re bound to increase your strength. However, food is critical to consider.

What Food Should We Eat?

My thought is that food is energy. The way that the vitamins, minerals, and cholesterol synthesize within your cells enhances your strength and builds your muscles. Foods that seem most effective at increasing strength and building muscle are all found within animal-based products such as grass-fed red meat, beef liver, ribeye, beef loin, Wagyu ground beef, beef eye of round, lamb leg, and pasture-raised eggs.

I will occasionally eat kimchi as a side. I pretty much never eat sides with my meal, but have perfect gut health, digestion, and feel great. My thought is that the starches in vegetables, broccoli, potatoes, and even the sugary fruits, don’t do much for our bodies. I will occasionally have a piece of fruit here and there if I’m with family, but for the most part, it’s never a part of my diet.

What I’ve been doing for over a year now is simply visiting the Costco in Cherry Hill, New Jersey once per month, and filling my freezer so that I don’t need to do any grocery shopping for an entire month. I believe it’s best to simply eat one meal a day on a strict carnivore diet because it is so insanely satiating that you will find yourself full throughout the entire day without the need for any meals. I basically just fast until the end of the day, eat 3 to 5 pounds of beef, and go to sleep.

Sleep is a Steroid

Sleep is the ultimate steroid, combined with nice grass-fed beef. After I eat my massive meal at night, I get such good and deep sleep. I’m typically in bed around 7:30-8:30 PM after the sun sets. By going to bed with the setting of the sun, I find that I rise early before sunrise around 4:30 to 5:30 AM.

When I eat, I just eat until I am full and satiated. I find it similar to the way I go to bed, I simply wait for my body to start to get tired after a full day of walking, creating, and then finally eating. Once I have the food in my belly, I feel my body’s ready to go to sleep, take a hot bath, read a book, and stay away from any screens and just keep all the lights off in the house. I also like to sleep with my windows slightly cracked to let the air into my bedroom. I think we need to start training our bodies to become used to sunlight, and stop being a slave to time, clocks, watches, and alarms.

Art is the Answer

So once we have removed all distractions from our life, and become locked in with good sleep, meat, and weightlifting, what can we then do with our time on this earth?

My thought is that art is the answer. Perhaps art is the greatest gift that humans can create. When I consider photography, it is supreme because it deals with reality, people, and the outdoors. Photography is a physical medium as much as a visual one. It requires the artist to explore, and see the world from their own perspective. It really is a liberating medium because of this fact, accessibility, and the ease of use when it comes to camera technology.

We should remain in a state of production as photographers, like a stream of becoming. Water, ever flowing and changing, an artist should learn to embrace the change as well. When I see the world, I see it anew each and every day like a child. I recognize that I can make a photograph of the same thing each and every day, but you can never make the same photograph twice. This is the power of photography. It is merely painting with light. The way that light captures shape and forms subjects, objects, places, people, it allows the photographer to create something new, something from nothing, each and every day.

Could you make a photo essay every day? Just treat photography like a personal diary. Photograph everything. Photograph yourself, take selfies, photograph your hands, photograph out the window of the car during your commute, photograph riding your bike, photograph buildings, people, details, textures, and don’t limit yourself to photographing one way.

I believe that if you are looking to thrive as a photographer and become your most creative self, you should consider photographing using a compact digital camera like the Ricoh GR III. I believe this camera is supreme because of its accessibility, ease of use, and size. It fits in your pocket and can always be carried with you. I like using the small JPEG files with the high contrast black-and-white settings, cranked to the max, to return to the basics of the medium of photography, using light and shadow. Perhaps using this approach, we can become closer to the roots of the medium and create our own world, abstracting what we see.

Making art is the ultimate way to affirm life. Treat the world as a canvas, and find beauty in the mundane. Become your own journalist in your hometown, and just go out there with curiosity, wondering what is out there, and documenting your daily routine. Don’t go out there with any expectations, detach yourself from the outcome, and really learn to love the process and the journey itself.

Thrive in Chaos

As street photographers, we must learn to love chaos. What does the street photographer thrive on but on the front lines of life? Our ultimate goal as street photographers is to get closer and closer to life itself. When you see life in front of you, you’re not looking at pictures—you’re looking at chaos. Throw yourself out there into the abyss, articulate the unknown, the unexpected, embracing serendipity, trusting your intuition, and making your compositions this way.

Having courage is most critical when it comes to practicing street photography. You must remain strong, in order to make strong photographs. Don’t allow yourself to get lost on the sidelines, distracted with AirPods, wearing sunglasses, and being merely a bystander during this life that we live. Become engaged, not only a bystander but an active participant within the drama that unfolds on a street corner. Don’t be afraid of interaction, chatting with people, and engaging all of your senses, whether visual, auditory, or sensual.

You should smell the street, you should feel the street, in order to conquer the street.

What is There Left for Man to Conquer?

When I start my morning off, I like to go for a walk along the Schuylkill River Trail, and find myself at an elevated view behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art, looking out towards architecture, woodlands, and the river. I find that this starts my day off on a good note, filling myself with power, and it feels like I can just conquer this entire city.

But what is there left for man to conquer? All of the streets are filled with traffic signals, paved roads, highways, organized offices, condos, malls, factories, Amazon delivery, computers, cars, etc. Maybe there are no more physical spaces in this world for man to conquer, but perhaps we can use photography and the digital space as our domain to dominate.

I think that photography is endless, and that there’s still so much to do and innovate within this medium. One practical suggestion I have for any photographers out there, is to simply stop shooting film. If you want to innovate and move forward with the medium, out with the old, in with the new. I believe this is necessary in order to thrive creatively and become the most prolific photographer that you possibly can be.

Maybe people romanticize the process, nostalgia, and find themselves more interested in cameras, gear, photo books, and history—wanting to be like the legends: Bresson, Gilden, or Winogrand.

Sure, have a general understanding of what’s been done before, but once you know, you know. There’s no more need to be in a constant state of studying. Recognize that the more you know, the worse you are. Just be foolish and childlike with your approach and forget everything you think you know.

Maybe we should start thinking 30 years into the future and 3,000 years into the past. Draw your inspiration through ancient Greek philosophy, Greek epic poems like the Iliad and the Odyssey, books by Nietzsche, and the strength and courage of the Spartans. Download some audiobooks, and go for a walk or ride your bike and listen to the Iliad.

We should strive to become the next Renaissance men, not just photographers, but innovators, philosophers, writers, and poets, using all tools that are at our disposal, such as compact digital cameras, iPads, ChatGPT, and modern technology.

It seems that most photographers still have these romantic ideas of the gallery and photo books. I say, these are basic ideas and not interesting anymore. Every artist should make their own website and blog. The best solution is using wordpress.org and bluehost.com to host your first name and last name as the domain. I then installed the Jetpack plug-in and VideoPress to host my own video media. I also use the Astra theme as it is simple and popular. Whatever’s most popular in terms of themes and things that have to do with website building is often best because they are reputable and just work. Just don’t use Squarespace. I’ve never felt so free and liberated as a creative since launching my website over a year ago. It’s probably the single best decision I’ve ever made in my life.

I must say, treating YouTube as a way to archive your life, stream your everyday routine, share your POV, thoughts, and techniques in terms of photography, is a great place. However, I highly suggest removing all likes and comments, and simply keeping the metrics turned off. At this point, we should just assume that anybody commenting on social media is merely a bot account. It is quite impossible to distinguish between things that are written by artificial intelligence and by humans, so as a consequence, let us disengage and simply create for ourselves and one other person that is interested. Just imagine 30 years from now, looking back at everything that you’ve said, recorded, photographed, written, and having everything in one space such as a website.

The problem with platforms like Instagram is the fact that you must have an account to view the media that is produced there. Everything becomes tied down to this single platform and is not open and accessible to the worldwide web.

Another thing that I’ve made the effort to do is simply speak my mind more. This means no more pretending, acting, and trying to be somebody that you’re not. I say, don’t trust anybody that is making videos and speaking in front of a camera while sitting down inside their home with those fancy lights, jump cuts, and HD camera. If AI can do it, you shouldn’t do it. When you make media, make it as human as possible, raw, uncut, and imperfect. I find that the more you just simply press record, speak your mind, the more that you become. It not only helps with thinking, but you start to become your true and authentic self by just letting go.

What Next?

One assignment that I have for you is to create your own contact sheets. This means, go through your archive, find a few photographs that you deem successful, and screenshot the behind-the-scenes of this particular image. Make a spread in Lightroom and create your own digital PDF like mine. I believe this is a great way to study from your own work and better understand how you view the world.

If you’re looking to improve your street photography game, there’s only one place on the Internet that provides the opportunity for you to grow, and that is the Flickr group, Street Fight! I personally do not participate any longer, but I know for sure that it will benefit you if you’re just getting started with street photography or are a seasoned veteran looking to participate in some sort of community. Essentially, they match two photographs up against each other each week under the discussions tab, and the group votes on which photograph will enter the pool by including a description in the comment for why they voted for one photo over the other. It’s essentially like a little photo contest each week, alongside some of today’s best contemporary street photographers. I believe you can learn through simply reading through the discussions tabs, looking at the photos that win and enter the pools, and judge for yourself as a bystander, without even having to participate.

Buy a pair of gymnastic rings from Amazon. When I was in Zambia, Africa, as a Peace Corps volunteer, I used rings as a way to work on my fitness off the grid. I simply threw them up in a tree, did pull-ups, dips, muscle-ups, and other calisthenics movements. I actually think that this is the best first place to start when it comes to strength training.

How much ground beef can you eat? Fast all day, spend the entire day outside, walking in direct sunlight, and when it comes to the end of the day, see how much ground beef that you can eat in one sitting. Just eat until you are full, and see what your limit is.

Ultimately, our goal is to increase our physical power. There’s no amount of money and fame in this world that will provide you with as much power as good sleep, grass-fed meat, and weightlifting. Let us sculpt our bodies into Greek demigods and become the strongest versions of ourselves. The more powerful you become, the more photographs you will go out there and make. We can thrive together!

Remember, good artists copy, but great artists steal like a thief at Target during the pandemic.

Let us conquer the world through photography and dominate our new domain.

Yes, fat is a form of energy storage in the body. It is one of the primary sources of energy, especially during prolonged periods of low food intake or high physical exertion. Fats are dense in calories, providing about 9 calories per gram, which is more than double the calories provided by carbohydrates or proteins. In addition to being an energy source, fats are important for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and for insulating and protecting the body’s organs.

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dante-sisofo/embed/episodes/Create-your-own-story-e2j4i27/a-ab7nr0i

Bartram’s Garden holds significant historical, scientific, and cultural value for several reasons:

Historical Significance

• Oldest Surviving Botanic Garden in North America: Established in 1728 by John Bartram, the garden is the oldest surviving botanic garden in North America. It represents an important piece of American colonial history.
• John Bartram’s Legacy: As the home and garden of John Bartram, a pioneering American naturalist and botanist, the site is intimately connected with the early scientific study and documentation of North American plant species.

Scientific and Educational Importance

• Repository of Native Plants: Bartram’s Garden houses a wide variety of native plants, many of which were first discovered, studied, and cataloged by John Bartram and his son William. It serves as a living library for botany and horticulture students, researchers, and enthusiasts.
• Conservation and Biodiversity: The garden plays a role in conserving plant biodiversity, particularly of species native to the eastern United States. It’s a place for ongoing environmental education and conservation efforts.

Cultural and Community Impact

• Cultural Exchange: In the 18th century, Bartram’s Garden was a hub for the exchange of plants and ideas between America and Europe. John Bartram’s extensive correspondences and plant exchanges with European botanists helped introduce American plants to the world.
• Educational Programs and Community Engagement: Today, the garden serves as an educational resource for the community, offering programs, workshops, and events focused on botany, ecology, environmental sustainability, and history.
• Urban Green Space: Located in Philadelphia, Bartram’s Garden offers valuable green space for urban residents, providing recreational and educational opportunities in a natural setting.

Architectural and Aesthetic Appeal

• Historical Buildings and Landscapes: The site includes John Bartram’s original house, a National Historic Landmark, which along with the garden layout, offers insights into 18th-century life and landscape design.

Bartram’s Garden remains a testament to the curiosity and dedication of one of America’s first botanists, serving as a bridge between past and present efforts in botanical science, conservation, and public education. It’s a place where history is alive and continues to inspire those who walk its paths.

John Bartram (1699–1777) was a pivotal figure in American botany and horticulture. Known as the “father of American botany,” he was a self-taught naturalist, explorer, and botanist whose work greatly contributed to the understanding and appreciation of North America’s native plant species.

Early Life and Background

Born in Darby, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, Bartram had only minimal formal schooling but developed a deep love for nature and an insatiable curiosity about the world around him. His interest in plants was initially practical, rooted in their medicinal uses, but it quickly grew to encompass a broader scientific and aesthetic appreciation.

Contributions and Explorations

In 1728, John Bartram bought land along the Schuylkill River and established Bartram’s Garden. This became his base for a lifetime of studying North American plants. He traveled extensively across the eastern parts of the continent, from Lake Ontario in the north to Florida in the south, collecting plants and seeds. His explorations allowed him to discover and document hundreds of plant species previously unknown to science.

Legacy and Impact

Bartram maintained a correspondence with many leading European scientists and sent boxes of seeds and plants across the Atlantic, which helped spark a fascination with American species in Europe. He was appointed as the King’s Botanist for North America by George III in 1765—a testament to his significant contributions.

Personal Life and Family

John Bartram’s legacy continued through his children, several of whom also made their marks in botany and exploration. His son, William Bartram, is also notably recognized for his explorations and detailed observations of North American flora and fauna during the late 18th century.

Preservation of His Work

Today, Bartram’s Garden remains a vibrant, 45-acre National Historic Landmark, a testament to John Bartram’s lasting impact on horticulture and botanical science. The garden not only preserves his original house and garden but also serves as a center for community and educational programs that continue to inspire interest in the natural world.

John Bartram’s work significantly broadened knowledge of North American plants and contributed to the scientific and cultural exchange between the New World and Europe, laying foundational stones for future botanical studies and conservation efforts.

Horticulture is the science and art of cultivating plants, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental trees and shrubs. It encompasses a wide range of activities related to plant propagation, breeding, genetic engineering, soil management, and landscape restoration. Horticulture focuses not just on the growth and production of plants but also on enhancing plant health, quality, and yield.

Here are some key areas within horticulture:

1. Pomology: This is the study and cultivation of fruit. Pomologists work on improving the cultivation methods and varieties of fruit trees and bushes to maximize their yield and fruit quality.
2. Olericulture: This area focuses on the production of vegetables. It involves the breeding and cultivation techniques to grow vegetables more efficiently and in various climates.
3. Floriculture: Floriculture deals with the cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants for gardens, decorative use, and the floral industry. It includes breeding new varieties and arranging flowers.
4. Arboriculture: This involves the care and management of trees and shrubs, particularly in urban environments or ornamental settings. Arboriculture aims to maintain the health and aesthetics of trees.
5. Landscape horticulture: This field combines elements of art and design with plant cultivation, focusing on the planning, design, and management of landscapes to create appealing and functional outdoor spaces.
6. Turf management: This is about maintaining grasses in sports grounds, golf courses, lawns, and parks. It covers everything from grass planting and pest control to soil health and mowing techniques.

Horticulture is both a practical discipline, aimed at solving specific agricultural and environmental problems, and a form of artistic expression that enhances human environments through the thoughtful arrangement of plants. It plays a crucial role in food production, environmental conservation, and the beautification of inhabited spaces.

Horticulture can be seen as a form of art due to its creative aspects and the intention behind cultivating and arranging plants. Here are a few ways how horticulture aligns with artistic expression:

1. Design and Composition: Just like in painting or sculpture, horticulture involves elements of design and composition. Gardeners and landscapers play with colors, textures, forms, and spatial relationships to create visually pleasing arrangements. This might involve choosing plants that contrast or complement each other, or creating patterns and shapes that enhance the aesthetics of a space.
2. Creative Expression: Gardens are often reflections of the gardener’s personality, emotions, or aesthetic preferences. Horticulturists can express ideas or convey emotions through the choice of plants and the way these are arranged, much like an artist would choose a palette and style to express feelings or concepts.
3. Interaction with the Environment: Horticulture involves a deep understanding and manipulation of the natural environment. This includes adapting to and modifying conditions like soil, light, and climate to create a living artwork. The dynamic nature of living plants, which grow and change with seasons, also adds a temporal dimension to this art form, offering a continuously evolving display.
4. Cultural and Symbolic Meanings: Plants and gardens often carry cultural, symbolic, or personal significance. The selection of certain plants can reflect cultural heritage or personal memories. Gardens can tell stories or commemorate events, similar to narrative art.
5. Sensory Experience: Horticultural creations engage multiple senses—sight, smell, touch, and even sound—which enrich the viewer’s experience. The immersive nature of gardens can evoke feelings and thoughts, much like any other art form.

In these ways, horticulture transcends simple plant cultivation, becoming a medium through which creative expression and aesthetic exploration can occur. It merges art, science, and nature, offering a unique and impactful way to interact with the environment.

Inspiration in Street Photography

What’s popping, people? It’s Dante, thinking today about inspiration and street photography. After a decade of practice, I often ask myself: How am I still inspired? Why am I still inspired?

The Street as a Stage

I view the street as a canvas, a stage where life unfolds in unpredictable and spontaneous ways. It’s a theater, and I get to both watch and participate in the show every day.

“The street is where life is, where every detail becomes magical, and anything is photographable.”

Find Inspiration in the Mundane

From the flight of pigeons to the subtle changes in light, inspiration is everywhere. Observing the mundane and anticipating moments like a pigeon taking flight can turn the ordinary into something extraordinary.

“Inspiration is simple—detach from external sources and immerse yourself in life.”

Get Closer to Life

The key to staying inspired is positioning yourself on the front lines of life. Move your body, use your legs, and get outside. Inspiration often lies in the simple act of moving through the world.

“The goal is to remain curious. The photographs are a byproduct of your experience.”

Embrace the Journey

Forget about the result. Enjoy the journey, the fleeting moments of life. Inspiration doesn’t come from chasing success but from embracing the process.

“Photography is an endless journey. You cannot make the same photograph twice.”

Practical Inspiration Tips

1. Move Your Body – Inspiration comes from physical movement.
2. Set No Expectations – Expect nothing, and let life surprise you.
3. Photograph Daily – Even if it’s mundane, find joy in the act itself.

Inspiration Through Limitation

Limiting your choices can spark creativity. A single camera, a single lens, black-and-white photography—all these constraints can fuel your inspiration and sharpen your focus.

“Through limitation, creativity flourishes. Simplicity is the key to endless inspiration.”

Curiosity Fuels Inspiration

Waking up with curiosity, eager to explore the world, is the heart of staying inspired. See the city not as boring but as a playground filled with endless photographic possibilities.

“Photography isn’t about photography; it’s about you and your curiosity.”

Let the World Inspire You

From tunnels at City Hall to pigeons in flight, every corner of the city offers beauty. Spend time in nature, explore architecture, or just observe the world as it moves around you.

“Inspiration comes not from seeking but from being open to what the world offers.”

Street Photography as a Meditative Practice

Street photography is more than capturing moments; it’s a meditative practice. It teaches you to see patterns, study light, and abstract the world into your own vision.

“Every press of the shutter is a step in a stream of becoming.”

In the end, inspiration is about embracing life with curiosity and courage. It’s about being in the moment and letting the world unfold before you, camera in hand. Go out there, create your own game, and let inspiration find you.

The Renaissance was a profound cultural movement that began in Italy during the late 14th century and spread across Europe over the next few centuries. This period marked a significant rebirth of art, literature, science, and philosophy. It was characterized by a renewed interest in the classical knowledge and aesthetic ideals of Ancient Greece and Rome, which contrasted sharply with the more religiously-focused Middle Ages.

During the Renaissance, there was an emphasis on human potential and achievements, expressed in the doctrine known as humanism. This led to innovations in a variety of fields, including the arts, where figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo pushed the boundaries of visual art, and literature, where writers like William Shakespeare profoundly shaped the modern English language.

The Renaissance also saw major developments in science and exploration, as exemplified by figures like Galileo Galilei and explorers like Christopher Columbus. This period set the stage for the modern era, profoundly influencing the course of Western history and culture.

One simple way to improve your posture and feel stronger with each step is to simply flex your abs while walking. As much as keeping your head up, shoulders back, and maintaining that proper posture with your upper body is necessary, don’t neglect your core. The more I focus on strengthening my core, and flex those muscles and keep them tight while walking, I can go for longer distances, and feel much stronger while I walk.