Picture of the Week #340 "Helmut Newton" Los Angeles, California 2005

Here is my simple & direct portrait of Helmut Newton, the iconic photographer whom I had the pleasure of knowing as both of us had summer homes just outside of St. Tropez. We had dinner together two weeks before his tragic death at the Chateau Marmont here in Los Angeles. This is where he spent his time while in Los Angeles. His home away from home. He had been forced out of his apartment in Paris when French taxes were overwhelming and so he moved to Monte Carlo. I know he loved it here, and had many friends, but I couldn't understand why he didn't want to live here. Helmut had an incredible sense of humor and a sharp wit that I so enjoyed. He is truly missed, but his imagery lives on. He was an original. 

Picture of the Week #339 "Remember" Santa Monica, California 2011 Signed & Stamped

A sad Memorial Day remembrance of a mother and child devastated by the loss of a loved one. In honor of Memorial Day crosses were placed in the sand. There were too many of them. Especially when it was a loss for a war that we were lied into.

Picture of the Week # 338 "African Gothic" & Bonus "Medicine Men of Kenya" Masai Mara, Kenya 1997 Signed & Stamped

On our Safari honeymoon Ann and I encountered these two Medicine Men. I posed them by the white picket fence which I found totally out of place in the Masai Mara. It reminded me of Grant Wood's iconic painting "American Gothic". Hence my title: "African Gothic". Normally I post one image but decided to add the bonus picture of them in close up. 

Picture of the Week # 337 "Window Washers of Vancouver" Vancouver, Canada 2005 Signed & Stamped

Back to graphics. I have a number of images of Window Washers. I have no idea why, perhaps it's the design or graphics of the modern buildings? Perhaps it's the voyeuristic feeling that something is about to happen? As I'm not particularly good at heights, I must give these brave souls their due. One day I hope to exhibit many of them in large format of 40" X 60". For now they are 13' X 19".

Picture of the Week # 336 "The Masked Man & The Indian" Venice, Italy 2011 Signed & Stamped

At the Venice Carnivale in 2011 I was focused in on all of those people who went over the top with elaborate costumes. I corralled 306 people to pose for me. But every once in a while there was someone who caught my eye, and here he is. It's not so much of a costume but when I caught the shadow of the person just out of frame casting his silhouette, CLICK, I caught it. This will be part of my "Pictures That Make You Smile" series that I hope to be exhibiting and making the viewer smile very soon. Stay tuned.