In praise of my friend Matthew! He is the only photographer I have ever met who shares the courage I do. We would fight in the grass around our campus at Hebrew University to pump ourselves up before going into the danger zone. I don’t trust any photographer who won’t fight with me.

Clashes at the Qalandia Checkpoint, 2017

I think as a kid, I ate more dirt than the others around me. I was always in the backyard and the woods rummaging my hands around in the earth. Whether I was digging holes, building forts, or playing with sticks and rocks, I had my body connected to the Earth as much as possible. I think this effects your overall health in an unorthodox way.

Just eat fermented kimchi every night as a natural alarm clock. I haven’t had to set an alarm to wake up in the morning ever since I started eating kimchi. I think the spicier the better. I like the flavor from Costco, but it’s not as spicy and flavorful as the local kimchi I can get from Sue’s Produce in Philadelphia.

Your gut health and all of the good bacteria inside you is connected to the brain. Any feelings of poor “mental health” will fade right away when you start having proper bowel movements every single morning.

Today I went for a bike ride along the Lincoln Drive Trail in the Wissahickon Creek. I enjoyed the trail, discovered new things, and sang a song!

“The name of the neighborhood comes from the Lenni Lenape word wisameckham, for “catfish creek“, a reference to the fish that were once plentiful in the Wissahickon Creek. Wissahickon. Neighborhood of Philadelphia.”

I was really impressed by this E-bikes uphill and off-road performance! I was able to climb steep hills, ultimately leading me to discover the Hermits of the Wissahickon.

Kelpius, a 17th century German Pietist and mystic, based his belief on the teachings of his mentor, Johann Jacob Zimmermann, who through astrology foretold the Second Coming of Christ, and was convinced the coming apocalypse would happen at the “edge of the wilderness.” This prophecy he attributed to a passage in the Book of Revelations about a woman who fled into the wilderness, where God had readied for her a place to await the impending rapture.

Zimmermann began negotiations with William Penn to obtain a land settlement in the Province of Pennsylvania so that he and his followers, “The Society of the Woman in the Wilderness,” could prepare for the day of reckoning. The 40 followers – 40 being a significant number for the society – were mystics who belonged to a Pietist sect in Lutheranism, and they chose Pennsylvania because of its reputation for religious tolerance.

In 1693, before the sect could journey from Germany to Philadelphia, Zimmermann died suddenly, leaving his disciple, Kelpius, a 26-year-old, as the society’s leader.

When the sun is out I notice people tend to be a lot more friendly and talkative on the street. I try to stay in the sun as much as I possibly can. Here in Philadelphia, the mornings can be chilly, and the winters are rough, but I love finding me a patch of sunlight to bask in! It’s so nice to just let the sunlight hit your skin and recharge your soul. I think the sun is one of God’s most important creations for human beings.

May is here! A quick stroll through Philadelphia around Market street this morning. Ricoh GRIII High Contrast Black and White with Small JPEGs

This organ is so beautiful! On Sunday, I went inside the Wanamaker building in hopes to listen to the beautiful music, but it seems that the schedule fluctuates on this day. Meet me at the eagle statue at 5:30 for my very own super secret street photography fight club. Register via email today: dante(at)dantesisofo.com

Grip strength as the ultimate determining factor of somebody’s strength? I am starting to think that grip strength is everything. Having no grip strength is the ultimate sign of weakness. I have been doing farmers walks everyday with heavy dumbells as a way to stay physically strong. Without tenacity, I can imagine that you naturally lack courage.

te·nac·i·ty
noun
the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip.”the sheer tenacity of the limpet”

Street Photography on a Rainy Day

Embracing the Weather

Rainy days are often seen as obstacles, but for street photographers, they open up new creative possibilities. While rain might keep you from shooting in the open, it presents an opportunity to explore different environments, like underground spaces, where the atmosphere is entirely unique.

“Rain or shine, there’s always a way to keep shooting. You just need to adapt to the conditions.”

Shooting Underground: A New Perspective

When it rains, I head underground with my Ricoh GRIII and a hot Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. The underground offers a wealth of photographic opportunities:

• Pockets of light: These can create dramatic, high-contrast compositions.
• Interesting architecture: Glass windows, staircases, and tiled walls offer unique backdrops.
• Dynamic movement: Subway stations are perfect for capturing people in motion, creating dynamic street scenes.

“The underground becomes a playground for light and shadow, offering new ways to explore and create.”

The Benefits of Shooting Underground

1. Stay Dry, Stay Inspired

No need for umbrellas or weatherproof gear. Underground locations keep you dry while still offering plenty of action and visual interest.

2. Find Unique Lighting

Artificial lighting in subway stations and tunnels can create striking contrasts and unexpected textures. Use these to your advantage, especially in black and white photography.

3. Capture Human Stories

Subways are filled with people rushing to and from their destinations, each carrying their own story. The confined space allows you to focus on facial expressions, body language, and fleeting moments of connection.

Techniques for Rainy Day Street Photography

• Stationary Shooting: Find a good spot near an entrance or staircase and let the subjects come to you. This works especially well in high-traffic areas.
• Use Reflections: Wet surfaces, glass panels, and subway windows create interesting reflections that add depth to your compositions.
• Play with Angles: Look up, look down, and shoot from unexpected perspectives to make ordinary scenes extraordinary.

“Rainy days invite you to slow down and see the world differently. Underground spaces become stages for life’s quiet dramas.”

Conclusion

Rainy days might keep some photographers indoors, but for those willing to adapt, they offer a chance to explore new environments and capture unique stories. Whether it’s the glow of a subway station or the quiet rhythm of commuters, there’s always something worth photographing—even when the skies open up.

“Rain doesn’t stop the hustle, and it shouldn’t stop your photography. Embrace the weather, explore new spaces, and let the streets surprise you.”

First ride with my new E-Bike! I am so pumped about this thing. It can ride up to 150 miles on a single charge using this dual battery system. Uh-oh! How far will Dante go?

The largest working pipe organ in the entire world! Who needs a Spotify account? Come and meet me at the Eagle at 5:30 any day of the week and join me in this Philadelphia ritual!

“Reading Terminal Market opened its doors in 1893. The new Market was approximately 78,000 square feet and held nearly 800 spaces for merchants, each positioned in six foot stalls. The Market was laid out in a grid system similar to the streets of Philadelphia. There were twelve aisles and four avenues. It was the perfect location for easily receiving and shipping goods.”

In the spring and summer of 1776, the Second Continental Congress gathered in Philadelphia to debate declaring independence from King George III and the British Parliament. 

Join, or Die. by Benjamin Franklin (1754), a political cartoon commenting on the disunity of the Thirteen Colonies during the French and Indian War. It was later used to encourage the colonies to unite for the cause of independence during the American Revolutionary War.