Skip to main content

Puerto Rico, Nikon, Curtis Mayfield, and Me...

There are moments in your career when you know that something's special is about to happen. I call them, "Vision Spots". They're the small things that remind us of the possibilities of greatness when our dreams are in motion.

Prior to my recent trip to Puerto Rico, I had that familiar feeling of knowing that something special was about to unfold. However, that feeling didn't come without serious opposition. The day before I left I had to purchase a new Nikon D750, assist my elderly uncle, and manage tons of other adult responsibilities. Fortunately, I know that there's always sun on the other side of rain clouds.

It was my first trip to Puerto Rico, and I'd heard from many of my friends how beautiful it was. So while our flight was descending I could see much of what they'd told me about. The small villages and beaches along the coastline. I knew that when my feet hit the ground that I couldn't be anything less than pleased. Before all of the excitement of working in a new location hit me, the reality of the ever so dreaded luggage fight sunk in. Even that turned out not to be so bad, because shortly after I grabbed my luggage I look up and see one of my former college football teammates. That moment confirmation that it was going to be an amazing trip. I quickly realized that I was going to be having a number of inner sidebar conversations with myself about how this trip was going to flow.

I also came to the fast conclusion that I wasn't going to paying twenty plus dollars every time I want to go somewhere. So when we arrived at the hotel wouldn't know that they had courtesy bikes! The big fella had FREE wheels.


My Ride 










I took advantage of the early morning rides. I put on my "Beats" and road out at 7 am to tunes of Curtis Mayfield. The soundtrack reminded me to see the world the way that I see it. It was a reminder that the humanity that I capture stateside, should also be captured along its' borders. So I took my new Nikon D750 and maximized the moments.
Dominos 

Cocco Man


Older Couple 
Real People 
Don't lose your purpose. Take it all in, and see the world the way that you see it...

Puerto Rico, Nikon, Curtis Mayfield, and Me!

To be continued...













Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Money Shot

The "Money Shot". It's not the type of shot where you look to get paid. It's the one that tells the largest story with the least amount of words. Today as I drove through Pen Lucy park, I saw this homeless lady at the stop light. I've driven through here daily for years and today was the first time I'd ever seen this lady. She was as worn as the soles of her shoes. She appeared to have the conscious mind of a 6 year old child. I only had about 20 seconds to capture the moment. It tends to be that way driving through the district where most of the show " The Wire " was filmed. Needless to say I was able to salvage what I referred to above as, " The Money Shot". After countless hours of studying the late great visual artist, Gordon Parks life stills, I've come to the conclusion that life stills are and should be timeless. They hold the frailties of life tight enough to crush them and soft enough to doctor them back to maximum h...

The Measure of a Man.........

the details are below the photos it's a must read story for the men.... The title of this blog maybe familiar to some, it's that of the autobiography of actor Sidney Poitier.  When you mention his name the words courage, great, intelligent, daring, brilliant and faithful may come to mind.  I've got a new name that replaces those words, Von Johnson.   My friend. My brother.  My cousin.  My new HERO. How and what does that have to do with the title? Yesterday, I observed what it means to live the final portion of your wedding vows,  "till death do us part"...... I can't even put it into words how I felt yesterday.  The only word that comes close is "helpless".   It was one of the rare moments in life where you want to take someone else's pain and throw it down the river and start fresh. I learned what the measure of a man is all about.   Can you live on life's edge and handle all it dishes out?  Can you stand in the toughest moments of opposit...

The Players That You Never Knew

With the opening Friday Night of the 2014 high school football season on the horizon, every barbershop in every small-town in America is probably buzzing with the conversation of who are greatest high school football players of all time.  It's a valid question considering the pool of talent that passes through most small towns.  People often wonder where these guys end up long after their playing days are over.  I've often asked the same question about many of my ex-teammates. Two in particular, Darius Brewnington and Kenny Shaw. If you were an athlete in the early 1990's they were arguably considered two of the most influential athletes in North Carolina's rich high school football history.  Unfortunately, like many other high profile athletes life happens.  However, even with the growing pains of life every man has his day of redemption.  With Darius and Kenny being former teammates of mine I wanted to see for myself who they are 20 years removed fr...