From the archive | Coffee man

"Peering over the counter, a worker answers the phone in Munich, Germany, Monday, June 25, 2009."

In 2009, I made my first trip to Europe. It was exciting and new, but when I travel I really like to be out of my element.

Sure, I didn't speak the language of the multiple countries I visited, but navigating the streets and trains was far too easy. I love to roam around, taking in the lifestyle of the locals, get lost and have trouble ordering my dinner. To me, that's the fun part of travel - the adventure.

While over there, I am not sure what triggered it, but I was making a lot of interesting photos of unidentified people. While they were all unknowns to me, the way the photographs were taken, not even those around them may be able to identify them.

I kept up with the idea, project during my travels. It was a lot of fun and a good way to make the trip a challenge since getting around wasn't one.

This is still one of my favorites from the trip. You can see the short essay on my website.

From the archive | Street

"A pedestrian makes their way down Stoofstraat in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, June, 23, 2009."

I was digging through some travel photographs last night and came along my Europe pictures from 2009. I believe this has been a hidden frame on this blog until now.

A friend asked me recently, if I could be paid so much money a year (read: a very comfortable number), but I still had to be a photographer, what type of photographer would I be?

It's a difficult question if you put serious thought into it. When he asked me, I gave him an serious answer, and he said that I probably wouldn't want to do that every day.

I've been thinking about it a lot of recent. When I think about what usually brings me joy, it's street photography.

I love to travel, mostly for the feeling of being immersed in somewhere completely foreign. There are no preconceived notions or thoughts, you're simply lost in a world you know nothing about. Everything is spontaneous and fresh. And even in your own backyard, the street is the same way. There is a certain anonymity about it, and I think this frame perfect sums that up.

Jimmered

"BYU guard Jimmer Fredette poses for a portrait in Provo, Utah, Friday, Nov.19, 2010."

Jimmer Fredette has been in the national spotlight of recent as he leads the nation in scoring.

Fredette and I have a weird relationship. Having only met him once one could say we don't really know one another. And we don't. But I think he owes me an apology (I say that in Jest, Jimmer).

Most of us know of the "Madden Curse" which occurs when a photographer shoots a picture of a superstar athlete for a front page of a publication. What usually happens to the athlete after the photo is that they are sidelined, usually due to an injury.

And if you're wondering where the name comes from, "Madden Curse" it originated with the Madden video game series.

Well, with all that in mind, I certainly experienced what possibly could be the first case of the "Reverse Madden Curse." After photographing the BYU superstar basketball guard, I found myself sidelined for the season, with an injury, while he continues to strive.

It happens, but I am noting that this is the first documented case here. I guess I was, as students at BYU say, Jimmered.