"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera." - Dorothea Lange

Friday, October 31, 2014

halloween at operation breakthrough

The kids lined the hallways in their donated costumes and, holding onto their parent's hand, made their way to the treat tables. Always a big day at Operation Breakthrough.



















Thursday, October 30, 2014

take me out to the ballgame

What a wild and whacky two months it's been. As soon as summer ended, just as Eddie and I returned to Kansas City, we were whisked off to a Royal's game by our close friends G and R. We hadn't really been huge fans since the 80's and early 90's, when we had season's tickets and loved everything about the Royals. The player's strike in 1994-95 completely turned us off to major league baseball and all its trappings. But we'd been in deep. If we were out of town, we listened to the games on the radio. Both our kids had thrown out first pitches and sung the national anthem with their classmates for several years when they came out on top raising money for the MS Read-a-thon. I'd had the opportunity to photograph George Brett up close and personal. Eddie and Sluggerrrr were good buds. We had a collection of signed baseballs. We had a souvenir section of the old astro-turf that used to carpet the stadium.

I was even at Game 7 of the 1985 World Series.

Dear Baseball: I'm sorry I went away. But, guess what? I'm baaaaaaack!

I remember asking R. on our way to Kaufman Stadium on August 31st, "So, who are the key players this year?" That's how far removed I'd gotten. That was two wild and wonderful months ago. Now I can tell you every back story of every player, I am the proud owner of a Royals sweatshirt, I have my own rally rag, I cancel stuff so I can watch games on TV, I even shelled out the big bucks to attend two of the post season games, including GAME 7 of the WORLD SERIES!




Mary Jo and I didn't decide to go until late in the afternoon. We're both pretty spontaneous crazy, so when the ticket prices started to drop (around the same time the fabulous Joyce DiDonato was warming up her vocal chords for the national anthem), we pulled the trigger. Miraculously, we got to our nosebleed seats just in time to the see the boys in blue bat in the bottom of the first.

The Royals lost, as you know by now. But, I don't think anyone really lost in all of this. Our town has become the City of Love (please, please, can this feeling last!!?). Everyone seems happy and optimistic. Around town you see royal blue water in all of our fountains, royal blue ribbons tied around our trees, royal blue lights on our houses and offices. There's a feeling of camaraderie and pride. There's this feeling we can do anything if we just believe. And I don't think that feeling is limited to Kansas City. The feel-good post season Royals managed to charm their way into hearts all across the country.

I'm not sure how I'll fill the void now. I've watched a lot of baseball these past two months. I'll probably go into some sort of withdrawal, along with the rest of the folks in Kansas City. But here's the cool thing…

Spring is only a few months away!

Hos, Salvi, Moose, Nori, Gordo, Holly, Country Breakfast, Esci, Cain and all the rest of you scrappy, determined, fun-loving, beautiful, genuine, amazing boys in blue: you got me. Thanks.





















































PS - Coming home, we shared a cab with two Giants fans. They said KC had the friendliest people they'd ever met. They even paid our fare!

PPS - I owe my San Francisco brother a bottle of barbecue sauce. He wants to know if it'll make a nice garnish for his Rice-a-Roni.



Wednesday, October 29, 2014

open for business as always

image from the book i'm hoping to get published


My recent "Store Closing" post has led to phone calls asking what camera equipment I'm selling, emails wishing me a happy retirement and request by blog readers not to hang it all up yet.

I'm not going anywhere. Just closing up my studio space at the Livestock Exchange Building.

I'm actually working harder than ever before. I'm busy with current self-assigned projects, grant and fellowship applications, a new book I'm trying t get published, a film for which I'm doing production stills, the new Operation Breakthrough video, even a few on-location commissioned portraits. Never a dull moment around here.

So, don't bid me farewell quite yet!!! Sorry for any confusion.

PS - GO ROYALS!!



Saturday, October 25, 2014

ctt fundraiser coming up soon



Please join us in Kansas City at Hamburger Mary's this Tuesday from 7:30 - 9:30 PM. Mary's is located at 101 Southwest Boulevard.

We'll have great prizes - all from Uganda - for your winning bingo cards, a 50/50 raffle and lots of fun. Hope to see you there!


Thursday, October 23, 2014

change is in the air



For  a variety of reasons, I am closing my studio in the Livestock Exchange Building on November 30th.  I will continue doing portraits on location.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

if you've been wanting a studio portrait by me, you should probably book it now.

there are some nice pieces of furniture in the studio that will have to find new homes.

i will offer framed pastel drawings and a select group of framed photographs for sale at a reduced price.

i have many frames/glass also available for sale.

copies of my books convergence and kutuuka will be available for 50% off.

one soft box and stand will be for sale.

If you would like to contact me regarding any of the above, please do so at gbfeinstein[at]gmail[dot]com.


Tuesday, October 21, 2014

on the street

Here are some more street pictures I made in New York.









Monday, October 20, 2014

nyc!

I've just spent the most fabulous weekend in NY, putting memorable and meaningful final touches on the celebration of my 60th birthday - with the help of seven close girlfriends.

I took some time to see the Ray K. Metzker and Saul Leiter exhibitions, both of which really inspired my street shooting. Though I spent most of the time laughing, eating, talking, confiding, drinking, walking, seeing shows and laughing and eating and drinking some more, I did make a few pictures.