Sunbeam

Yesterday in Washington Square Park, the sun came out late in the afternoon giving me a preview of spring. Not only did throngs of people appear in their spring gear, performers materialized wherever I looked. There was a young man playing the grand piano, another the violin, and even a third playing a saw, yes a saw. But it was this fellow circling a hoop up and down his rubbery body that captivated me.As I watched him move through my lens, he began to disappear into one of my Phantoms. It wasn't until I viewed the images last nite that I noticed how a sunbeam had obfuscated his head.New or old readers, please notice the new Follower gadget on the right making it easier for people to follow me; so please click on it and encourage others to join you! Thanks!

Angel

During the past week or so I have been editing the Phantom images that I took while on my trip down south last month. After going on a photography trip, it's best to let your work rest for a while before taking a serious look. That rest provides distance from the personal experience and allows you to develop an objective viewpoint towards the imagery.
Here is a perfect example of an image that I might have discarded at first if I didn't give it some time. In my viewfinder, it had appeared as a fuzzy white blob in the center of the frame at its inception. It wasn't until I projected it on my monitor that I could appreciate how she had sprouted wings and swirled down the staircase mirroring the blacks, white, and grey tones around her. Now, this angel has become one of my favorites!

Isle of Palms

One of the many wonderful things that I discovered on my road trip down south is that you can bike on the beach! Because the sand is so fine, there's a wide swath of shoreline packed down almost as hard as concrete.
Here's one of my new Phantoms photographed on the Isle of Palms, a strip of land about 30 minutes from Charleston, South Caroline, where I stayed with a friend. And here she is speeding along, disappearing into the dusk...
I've yet to name this one so if any of you have an idea, let me know by commenting below.

Savannah

After more than two weeks on the road, I've returned with about 200 images to edit for my Phantoms series. But before I get down to work, I'm posting this image of the Spanish moss that hangs over Savannah like a veil of protection preserving its history and its unrelenting charm.
Despite the trendy shops and internet cafes scattered about, I was enchanted by the gothic architecture, welcoming verandas, and the city's 22 squares arranged in a simple grid. And it didn't take long before Phantoms began to appear; I soon learned that the city is indeed haunted by thousands buried in mass graves due to two devasting fires in 1796 and 1820 and a yellow fever epidemic around the same time.
Ironically, this image was taken on a bike ride in Bonaventure Cemetery. Built on a plantation just outside the city, it's known as one of the most beautifully haunting in the county.