FIN
What’s popping people, it’s Dante.
Currently going for a walk here along Penn’s Landing, and it looks really beautiful. I knew this would happen—I always seem to come here at the right time. Check it out: there’s so much fog ahead, and I really want to run! Man, these conditions are always the most exciting thing to photograph.
The Perfect Conditions
The rain just stopped, and even the bridge looks cool. I don’t want to miss it. These moments are fleeting. It’s going to be exciting to shoot in black and white this time. A few years back, I did a POV session in color with my Fuji, but now I’ve got the Ricoh GR IIIx. Shooting high-contrast black and white, small JPEG files.
- P mode.
- Snap focus.
- Infinity.
The rain stopped at the perfect time, so now I don’t even need my umbrella. I can actually use my GoPro Mini to film some behind-the-scenes action. Let’s go!
Making the Photos
Walking down the stairs, trying to capture the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, I can’t help but feel time slipping. The fog might disappear at any moment, and who knows how long it’ll last. But for now, the scene is incredible—birds in flight, reflections in the river, and trees that look otherworldly.
“These conditions elevate the mundane to another place, creating a new world in a fraction of a second.”
I shoot verticals, horizontals, and anything else that works. You’ve got to shoot more than you think you should. That’s the trick—just keep making photos.
A Lucky Shekel
As I keep walking, I stumble across something: a coin. A shekel. Can you believe it? It even has Hebrew on the back. This is wild because I’ve been thinking about going to Jerusalem since my last trip to Rome. Maybe I should throw this lucky shekel into the Delaware River as a promise to myself. If not this year, then next.
Encounters on the Walk
I ran into a tourist named Ron from Australia, taking selfies. I offered to make some photos of him, and as I was doing that, I caught a bird flying in the background—a moment created through interaction. He even took a photo of me in return, standing in this beautiful foggy scene.
Moments like these are what it’s all about. Photography isn’t just about making pictures; it’s about being present, connecting, and creating moments.
The End of the Year
This walk felt like a fitting close to 2024. I’ve spent the past two years building my foundation—working, thinking, writing, making videos. Now, it feels like the right time to step back and focus.
“It’s time for me to disappear into the fog, to go beyond the horizon and build.”
I’m not sure what’s on the other side, but I’ll find out. For now, I’ll leave you with this:
Happy pure bliss, perfect end.
Onwards and upwards.
— Dante