Picture of the Week #214 "Gossip at the Beauty Shop"  Shanghai, China 1980 Signed and Stamped

This is what Shanghai used to look like. What I love about this image is it's universality. These women are gossiping away the same as countless women are doing from Paris to Brooklyn to .... well you get the idea. This salon is outdoors while the fancier American and European parlors are indoors. But what goes on inside is the same wherever you are. I haven't been back to Shanghai but have seen pictures, scenes like this are disappearing if not already gone. C'est la vie.

Picture of the Week #213 "Elephant Love" Tree Tops Aberdare, Kenya 1997 Signed and Stamped

Nothing says love like these two elephants rubbing trunks. This was one of many wildlife images that I took on our honeymoon safari. It was truly one of the greatest and most luxurious trips we've ever experienced. Most people think that Safari means ruffing it, when in fact it can be a moveable feast of food, excitement, luxury and untold pleasures of seeing wild animals in their native habitats. These trips are not cheap, but worth every penny in the memories that you come away with. We can't wait to return.

Picture of the Week #212 "Bright Intelligent Messengers Furnished Here" Montreal, Canada 1965 Signed and Stamped

What can I say. This sign was for real. We were visiting friends in Montreal when I passed this delivery shop. Somehow the sign comes across funny. It doesn't mean to be, but somehow it brings a smile when I read it. I don't know if there was another sign announcing their name or if it was even a joke. There were no bicycles or scooters or vans out front. I only took the picture and moved on. Today, they are probably Fed Ex.

Picture of the Week #211 "Palio Patrol" Siena, Italy 1989 Signed and Stamped

When I spent the summer alone two years before I met my beautiful wife, I went to Siena Italy with nothing on my agenda but just go take some pictures and grab lunch. When I entered the parking area I noticed how packed it seemed. I luckily found a spot and walked in to the walled town. Suddenly I heard the most incredible chants coming from what seemed like hundreds of voices. As I walked past a confectionary store I saw all the way through the shop to the balcony over looking the town square and down below there were thousands of people. It was moments before the famed Palio horse race was about to begin. As I was wearing a camera over my shoulder the woman who owned the shop smiled to me as if to acknowledge that she thought I was a photojournalist and allowed me to join her on the balcony. In a short time a gun went off and the horses charged around the dirt covered Campo. Immediately after the race ended the dirt was swept aside and tables were placed and the town began to party. I was so lucky to arbitrarily pick that day of all days to visit Siena. I can cross that unexpected visit off my bucket list. Unforgettable.

Picture of the Week #210 "Fashion & Weather - Always Changing" Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 1979 & Beverly Hills, California 2012 Signed and Stamped

Okay, I merged two images together to make my statement that fashion and weather are always changing. The beach was in Cabo San Lucas in Baja Mexico, while the fashionista was at the Beverly Hills Art Walk on a beautiful sunny summer day. It was the color that I felt made the two images meld. The beach was shot on film while she was shot digitally. Photoshop is my friend.