Panomorphia | CD Cover Photo

People have been asking me about the cover image on my new CD, Panomorphia.  It’s not one of my photos, but it’s an amazing image that I chose because it absolutely conveys the spirit of the album.  The photo was taken by award winning photo journalist, Christopher Furlong, who licensed the image to me through an agent.  The photo shows Lloyd Scott, a retired Fireman and professional U.K. Footballer and “Extreme Fundraiser”, as he waded into Loch Ness. In support of a charity for Children with Leukemia, Mr. Scott wore a 180lb vintage diving suit, and walked the 26 mile rim of the famous Scottish lake, 30 feet below the surface in 37 degree water for 12 days straight.  He didn’t see the monster, but, “I only saw two fish - which means there wasn’t many in the loch in the first place or something has eaten them all.”

The Evening Sun

This is my one submission to the Alameda On Camera exhibit, which opens next weekend 4/6/12 at The Frank Bette Center For The Arts.  Like the other 48 photographers, I had 48 hours during a weekend in March to work within a designated slice of the Alameda map.  Loved this tree, fully grown, all by itself.  “The Evening Sun” is a processed image, snapped shortly after sunset, and illuminated by park lighting.

Bert Sugar: A Friend To The Sweet Science

The boxing historian Bert Sugar passed away this week.  A writer, publisher and sports commentator, Mr. Sugar was a fixture on ESPN, sports television and documentaries.  When I first saw him years ago, I didn’t like him very much.  He seemed more interested in playing the vintage newspaper man character than providing good information.  But I grew to like and respect him as it became clear that he knew a lot more than his younger colleagues.  Even if I didn’t always agree with his analysis, he brought integrity, humor and insight to my favorite sport.  In 2007, I was a guest at The Cotto-Mosley fight at Madison Square Garden.  I sat in the press section with my friend, Richard O’Brien, and seated in front of us was Mr. Sugar.  Mr. Sugar didn’t say much during the fights, but when the main event was over, he turned around and we spoke briefly, even sharing a joke.  I watched him make the social rounds, converse with friends, including Lennox Lewis, whom Bert was lecturing to long enough for me to snap a photo.  However, the moment I remember most is the image I captured here.  During the National Anthem, while the crowd stood at attention, Mr. Sugar didn’t remove his hat.  Instead, in a very personal gesture, he bowed his head, and ever so slightly, lifted his fedora.