I was talking to my good friend and subscriber Rich who said I had to write about this, so I did! As usual, sometimes he’s right.

What a relief! In the strange times in which we live sometime we get a nice surprise.  In this case I received a lovely email from the great photographer Jeff Dunas this week. He had read my entry about his beautiful book Highway 61 to Honeyboy. I can’t tell you how many pompous asses I’ve met in photography that can’t hold a candle to Jeff. We ended up exchanging a few more emails … very nice, totally unexpected and much appreciated!

Here’s what I had written about Jeff’s book. You can find it On My Bookshelf.

Jeff Dunas, Highway 61 to Honeyboy

Can a book also be a tiny gem? Most certainly!

I don’t write about my books all that often, and never write about a book by the same photographer within a short span … but this is special! In the video interview of Jeff Dunas that inspired me to feature American Pictures, he mentioned a book he had done with Nazraeli Press. It intrigued me so much I had to get a copy ASAP!

Highway 61 to Honeyboy is a small limited edition book published by Nazraeli Press and it’s like nothing I own. Part of it’s One Picture Book Series, it’s made of the best materials, is limited to 500 numbered copies, and includes a removable, signed, original 5×7 print by Dunas that is slightly smaller than the book itself. When I first held the book in my hands it I felt like I was looking at a handmade object of art and a beautiful portfolio at the same time. At $60 it’s both a wonder and a gift!

According to the publisher, “US Highway 61 runs for 1,400 miles between New Orleans, Louisiana and the city of Wyoming, Minnesota, generally following the course of the Mississippi River. This highway has been referenced in the lyrics of music by myriad artists with roots in the region. The junction of US 61 and US 49 in Clarksdale is the mythical crossroads where, according to legend, Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for mastery of the blues guitar style.

The Blues Highway portion of Highway 61 follows its path North from New Orleans to Chicago, passing through Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, past the western tip of Tennessee and through Missouri. It was here where Jeff Dunas headed in the mid-1990s to photograph many of the true blues legends for his portfolio and monograph State of the Blues.

For his contribution to our One Picture Book series, Jeff Dunas has retraced his steps from that journey, presenting here a selection of landscapes and portraits with accompanying texts describing what he saw, and why it is as important as ever.”

Yes, there are only eleven pictures in the book and yes it’s small, but short of a few even more limited edition softbound books I own, it’s like nothing I have and a new prized possession.

In a time of meaningless mass produced schlock and AI generated sensory insanity, this is a little breath of fresh air and something to be savored while sitting in a comfortable chair.

I love this book!

Stay well,

Michael

P.S. Just checked and this wonderful little book is still available from the publisher, Nazraeli Press!  Still highly recommended!

On December 3rd former US Army Major Nidal Hasanis is scheduled to be executed by firing squad, by order of our make believe Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth and endorsed by who is now unmistakenly the worst person to occupy the White House in our Nation’s history. James Buchanan … Andrew Johnson … Herbert Hoover … Richard Nixon … no comparison … not even close.

If it proceeds as planned, the spectacle will be streamed live and available to anyone, including children. Yes, you read that right!

What’s next? Is the National Zoo going to be emptied of its lions, tigers and bears so they can be brought over to Nationals Park? Afterall, it won’t be used for much now that Nat’s season is over. Perfect place for gladiator events and execution of unwanted individuals. We’ve already had UFC cage matches on the White House lawn, so why not go all the way? There’s plenty of immigrant detainees being held in detention centers around the country.

We have a modern day Caligula running our country so anything’s possible.  The infamous Roman emperor was known for his extreme cruelty, erratic behavior, and tyrannical rule. Sounds familiar? Hmm, just this past week he made a Faustian deal with his bromance buddy Putin to buy Russian diesel fuel in order to try to lower US diesel prices prior to the midterm elections. This, because he can’t get out of the idiotic and illegal war he started with Iran. So much for a democratic Ukraine … we’ve abandoned it. This flies in the face of our sanctions, helps fund Putin’s war, while undermining NATO and our national security.  Besides, there’s money to be made and what’s a little corruption anyway? So what’s next? Options on prime beach front property in exchange for Taiwan’s security?

The list goes on and on. Here’s a highlight. His gutting and budget slashing of USAID with the assistance of his able ward Elon Musk is estimated to be responsible for the loss of as many as seven hundred thousand lives so far.

Pathetic creep.

His sycophants carry out his every wish, no matter the legality. His enablers in Congress look the other way. And the Supreme Court makes sure almost anything goes and has ensured that he won’t face criminal prosecution for any of his horrible acts.

So what to do? Election day is just over three weeks away. Who knows what shenanigans he and his followers will try to pull up to and after the polls close. Do not be deterred! VOTE!!!!!

Our lives, our democracy and much more we take for granted depend on it!!!!

Stay well,

Michael

Yet another photograph made early on at the Buffalo Zoo. Like the rest of my zoo pictures I think of them as environmental portraits, just like ones I have made of people in their homes or at work, etc. As previously before, I felt as though several of the subjects were looking at me as much as I was looking at them, their eyes penetrating right through me!

I feel that the pictures I made that day had a power to them that was and remains compelling to me. The subject aren’t people … in this case a gorilla … but it doesn’t matter to me. Maybe you have to be an animal lover as I am to think about them as you would people … and about the feelings they have. I’ve had five dogs in my life, each a true friend and companion.  Honestly, my life wouldn’t be the same without them. I’ve often felt better about them than many of the people I’ve known. So these pictures mean a lot to me and I visit them often.

As per previous entries, I used either my Nikkormat or Nikon F2 I finally was able to save up for.  The lens used was a Nikkor 50mm … either an f/2 or the f/1.4 I got with the F2.

These pictures were made over fifty years ago. And while my recollection of exactly what camera and lens I used is a bit fuzzy, my memories of that most important day are not!

Another meaningful picture that had a significant impact on much of the work to come.

Stay well,

Michael

Do you feel like the beginning of September is the end of summer, and do you stop making photographs then?  I’ll bet a lot of people do. What about when summer is officially over like it was last week? Do you stop making pictures unless you’re a leaf peeper into capturing the color of fall foliage? Yeah, I’ll bet a lot of people do.

I’ve actually been pretty busy making pictures in September and I expect to continue. And why not? Note to self … the Asbury Park Zombie Walk is next Saturday! It’s not like good picture making opportunities stop once the temperature drops below eighty degrees!

I actually have a number of things planned that will take me through the end of the year. And if they don’t work out at least I will be making a good faith effort. That of course will leave more time to decide what to print and getting it done. My backlog of negatives from the year has been growing so more darkroom time is coming.

Bottom line, enjoy the fall and the winter that will be coming soon enough. There’s a lot out there! Go get it!

Stay well,

Michael