where the swamp thing lives.

I extended my stay in Philadelphia by one night and went out for a late night bike and photo excursion with a friend.  We snuck into the area by the old South Street Bridge where there is a lot of construction going on.  We shot for a while and sat down to take a break.  From the depths of some weird dark canal beneath us we heard some movement (the likes of which were far too loud and scary to be a rat…unless it was the swamp rat from Princess Bride) and decided right then and there that we should probably leave.  I went ahead and decided that it was the Philly Swamp Thing and that we had, in fact, just narrowly escaped death at his hands. Anyway, I got a few shots I kind of liked, and this is one of them.  I'll post the other sometime later on today.

leonard.

Yesterday was my last day in Philadelphia, so I spent a good part of it doing what I love to do most there…reading in the park.  I finished my book, packed up my things and started to head out.  I spotted this sweet looking man sitting on the wall with a chess board laid out and no one to play with.  I walked over and chatted him up a bit and asked if I could take his photo.  He agreed, but was extremely shy and wouldn't look at the camera.  I never ask people to look at me when I take their portrait, I just let them do what is most comfortable for them.  I really loved the way the sun created a subtle halo of light outlining his face.  He said he moved to Philadelphia in 1993 from Michigan and comes to the park as often as he can to play chess. I think one of the things I'll miss most about Philadelphia is the times I had in the park, whether it was with a good book or good friends, and definitely all the amazing photographic opportunities I was given because of it.

vacant.

I emptied, cleaned and turned in the keys to my apartment today.  I took this timed shot as I was about to leave for the last time.  I figured it should be a self-portrait of sorts.  The last things to go were me, my bike and my camera…how appropriate. On to the next chapter…