This photograph was taken in Indianapolis some 4 to 5 years back. If memory serves, it was freezing cold and I was randomly approached by this guy who claimed to be an agent for local east side rappers who then asked if I could take his promo photos for the clients he represents. He then proceeds to state in a roundabout way that he can't really compensate me with currency per se, but the exposure he could provide, would make 'famous' in his scene. Annoyed, I proclaimed that while I may take photos under a bridge, I don't conduct business under them and handed him my card. He never called.
This phenomenon is a very old story. I only freelance part time and have a different stream of regular income, but artists of any kind are frequently propositioned in ways that relate much to panhandling. Although the man in this story is not of the highers classes, but this is indeed how wealthy people beg. Some upper class organization will offer you publicity, exposure, and a chance to socialize with them and all you have to do is hand over your hard work that keeps you sustained.
Showing posts with label indianapolis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label indianapolis. Show all posts
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Triplets
Taken at the corner of Washington and College on the near east side of downtown Indianapolis, along the Pennsylvania Railroad viaduct. The area of Washington Street has seen recent reconstruction.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Eastern Tracks & Silhouette
The Indianapolis skyline from the area near State and Southeastern on the near east side. The Pennsylvania Railroad heading west…
Monday, January 10, 2011
Its...Another Alleyway
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The Noodle gets Extra Slippery in the Winter
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The Crumbling Vacated Merrill Street
I visited Indianapolis and the family for the holiday season and was supposed to go back to NYC on Sunday. That was until a major blizzard pummelled the east coast; as a result I am still here and that extended time can mean only one thing: Indianapolis Photos! This collection focuses on the area of Pennsylvania and the now vacated Merrill street, near the Lilly complex.
Used to be a tunnel, but most of that has been ripped out other than the rail overpass. Used to be a prominent hangout for homeless people and Lilly employees that smoked until all this was done. The dozens of homless people moved to another similar underpass about five blocks away. Taken on the near south side of Indianapolis in an area known as Pogue's Run.
Looking at the Chase Tower from Pennsylvania Street.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Its...? Its...? Um... Something...
This shot was taken two years ago when I enjoyed a 'tour' Citizen's Gas and Coke facility on the East side of Indianapolis. This place was a major inspirational factor for #4 in my recent Nighthawk Photography post. Take my word for it, parts of this facility are downright foul with unspeakable substances bubbling up from the ground, don't believe me? See for yourself here.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Slightly Haunted
Anyone that personally knows me would tell you that I'm not the type of person that's subscribes to the supernatural. They would be correct, I don't; that doesn't mean however, that I can't portray these themes in my work. Urban hauntings will be the theme of this post.
The Gas Light Inn is a working class pub on the south side of Indianapolis, near the corner of Meridian and Pleasant Run. They make a gigantic pork tenderloin sandwich and is rumored to be haunted.
Tank-o-graffiti, what makes you appear so ominous? Achieving an ominous feel in photographs taken in underground places such as in this subway station (86th and Lexington) is not difficult, I just wish I would have caught some photos of ectoplasmic rats floating about.
Have you ever experienced the phenomon of an ice cream truck equipped with less than optimal speakers that make the music it plays sound slow and out of pitch? Its sounds like haunted clown music from IT. You expect to be served by Pennywise, but it turns out to be an amputee, who has fewer teeth than limbs. The most frightening aspect of this image however, is the use of the improper homophone, SUNDAYS. This shot was taken on the west side of Indianapolis.
I ain't superstitious, but a black cat just crossed my trail...wha wha. Jeff Beck walks with me through the 5 Pointz area of Long Island City, Queens.
This shot was also taken in Long Island City, ghostly light and tree shadows haunt Queens Plaza. The clang, clang, clang sound of the elevated train adds to the mood.
How many things are more frightening than street signs making shadow puppets? Not many, except maybe the haunted pathogens stagnating in the nearby Gowanus Canal. Taken in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Gotham City lives through dead industrial buildings. On this chilly night, a cloudy, moon lit sky overshadows abandoned art deco industrial buildings along the New York Navy yard in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. This area is rapidly changing, and its only a matter of time before variances are made and apartment/condos are available at inflated costs (insert scary, sinister laugh here)...
Damn! Haunted garbage, but sill an unmistakable lack of an ectoplasmic rodent presence; only the occasional hipster rapidly passing through this rougher stretch of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This photo was taken under the old BMT Jamaica Line spanning Broadway.
Can't really explain why I find this place a little eerie, but I do; maybe its the gas meter... Taken near the corner of Virginia and College in the Fletcher Place neighborhood of Indianapolis.
Throw in some lousy graffiti, ivy, and a little fog, and you have one bona fide haunted photograph. I'm not sure what role this structure was assigned at one point, but there are several signs stating "government property, keep out". This shot was also taken near the Navy Yard near Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Its Coming
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Brutal
The Minton-Capehart Federal Building or as I like to call it, Boston City Hall-Lite, is a classic example of Brutalism. Taken from Pennsylvania Street in the Indianapolis neighborhood of St. Joseph.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Virginia and College Part II
A different perspective of the street corner (Virginia and College in Fletcher Place, Indianapolis) earlier featured here...
Monday, November 8, 2010
College and Virginia
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Alone in Irish Hill
Formerly a working class Irish neighborhood on the near east side of Indianapolis, Irish hill is now no more than a ghost town where colonies of homeless people live under viaducts, much of it has returned to nature, or is populated with abandoned industrial buildings. Being so close to the Eli Lilly complex, Fountain Square, and Fletcher Place, I wonder if this area has a new urban future.
The Studious Cop
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Clouded Corner
People in the midwest look at the sky for two reasons; either in awe of its beauty or wondering if the storm it brings is going to kill them. Fortunately in this case, it was the former. This photo was shot at the corner of Delaware and Market in downtown Indianapolis, near the City Market.

Best if viewed large...
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Indy Urbex Flashback
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Nostalgia...Bitter Cold
I recall taking this shot, it was that viaduct over Pleasant Run near Christian Park in Indianapolis. The air was like ice, and my frozen fingers struggled to depress the camera shutter. Its now summer and the sweaty beads of reminiscence brings its appeal forth. Every year, I complain about every season, begging for the next one to make the scene...Repeat.
This location has been geotagged in Flickr, you may click the image to view it...
Friday, August 6, 2010
City Market Relic
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
What's at the end of the tunnel?
Friday, July 23, 2010
Crosswalk Composition
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