Spooky Nights And Halloween Frights

Halloween Decorations In New York City

House Of Horrors - New York City - Halloween 2021

Skeleton Crew

Web Of Frights

Sinister Clowns - New York - Halloween 2021

Camera: Fujifilm GFX 100S

Lenses: GF 30mm f/3.5

            GF 23mm f/4

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Copyright © 2021 Daniel R. South
http://www.dansouthphoto.com
www.instagram.com/dansouthphoto

All Rights Reserved

Going AWOL

A Bar By Any Other Name?

This has to be one of the best-named establishments in New York City.


"Have you seen Ed?"

"Not since this morning."

"He didn't show up for the three o'clock meeting."

"I guess he's gone AWOL."

Let's Go AWOL!

Camera: Sony a7R III
Lens:     Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.


Copyright © 2018 Daniel R. South
http://www.dansouthphoto.com
All Rights Reserved

Improve Your Selfies

Sidewalk Signage

To take your best selfie, first make sure that you look your best!

Camera: Sony A7R II
Lens:     Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.


Copyright © 2017 Daniel R. South
http://www.dansouthphoto.com
All Rights Reserved

The Weird World of Woolworth

Get Shorty

Woolworth stores were once an American institution, but I haven't seen one in the USA for years. Apparently, Woolworth still does business in Mexico. 

When I spotted this store during my walk through Puerto Vallarta, I pulled my camera out of the bag and took a few photos. I thought that friends of a certain age might be tickled to see a Woolworth store still in operation. 

The road in front of the store was busy. I decided to wait for a couple of minute to see whether the car and pedestrian traffic might clear. That's when things started to become interesting.

Woolworth Store - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

A short, mustached man wearing a hat and sunglasses called out as he raced toward me from across the street.

"Sir! Sir!"

Photographers learn quickly that when someone addresses you as "Sir" or "Ma'am" as you're shooting, their intention is not to be polite. It's confrontational.

"What are you waiting for, Sir?"

I decided not to ignore the man.

"Sir! Why are you taking pictures?"

Smile if you must, but keep ignoring the confrontational pest. It drives them crazy.

"English?" the man demanded when I didn't respond. "¿Español?"

"Sí, Español," I confirmed without making eye contact. 

He rambled on for a bit in Spanish. I continued to ignore him.

"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" yelled Shorty as he raced across the street. 

There was a pay phone on the corner near the entrance to the store. Shorty called someone and spoke to them in a very agitated manner. He waved his arms, pointed back at me, and made hand gestures like someone shooting a camera.

One can only guess why Shorty was so upset. If he had been associated with the store, he would have sent an employee or a security guard to speak with me. If he were an official, he would have sent the police.

My guess is that Shorty may have been engaged in some illicit activity. Perhaps the street in front of the store is a drop off point for contraband. Anything is possible in Mexico.

Undaunted, I walked into Woolworth and did some shopping. There was no sign of Shorty when I came back out. I walked around town for the rest of the day without incident. 

It's important to be careful in Mexico and in all of Latin America. Crime rates south of the border are staggering. Luckily, this time I was able to avoid trouble simply by remaining cool and refusing to engage with this character. It was broad daylight on a busy street, so I didn't expect an armed confrontation. Things get more serious after dark.

Be careful out there. There's going to be a "Shorty" character just about anywhere you travel, and he'll be watching you.



Camera: Nikon D810
Lens:     Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G ED

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.


Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South
http://www.dansouthphoto.com
All Rights Reserved

The Rump

Finding New Meaning In Old Images

Sometimes, I'll shoot a photo for a specific purpose. The purpose directs the shot - What message or emotion would I like the photo to convey? Where will I find an appropriate subject? What type of light will be needed?

But most of the time, I select subjects on the spur of the moment. Something catches my eye, and I make a photograph without putting much thought into how I might use it. I trust that one day I'll find a use for it. 

The Rump

Circumstances change. A photo that once seemed fun or cute or novel might take on an entirely different meaning, and I'll finally understand why I took it.

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens:     Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS

Light happens.  Be ready.  Shoot hard.

Copyright © 2015 Daniel R. South

http://www.dansouthphoto.com

All Rights Reserved