Saturday, July 23, 2011

Commentary on Amy Winehouse and the Olso Killings

Amy Winehouse, how sad to hear of her death. At this time we can't know for sure but recreational drugs and alcohol insinuate themselves in the lives of so many people and in such a way that for certain people it is simply playing a game with death where death wins and suddenly. Playing to lose, for people with a death wish leaves the living behind when a way of no return opens for death and the very real dimension to the living closes for the one who has no way to come back.  Families, loved ones, fans and the the what could have been of a beautiful life washed away forever. 

A star, and, we are all stars when it comes down to the fundamentals of it, a star goes supernova and as interesting as that may or may not be (we cannot entirely know but only speculate from the living side of things).  Death, one's own personal supernova is particularly sad when it happens to young and otherwise healthy people so of course, I am very saddened to hear Amy Winehouse has died.  This is breaking news along with the massacre in Olso where so many innocent young lives have been destroyed.

The Oslo shooter was thankfully captured.  He is young and living for the time being at any rate but the question remains of why? 

Why?  Why not just a self destruction for someone so full of hate and anger?  Why destruction of innocent lives?  I believe the answer is a very simple one, because it is possible, attainable and doable, plain and simple but, wait there is the question of justice. 

I know that long before any trial or appearances, the police in Olso have captured the man responsible who is alive with a story to tell who will wish he were dead but, he won't be dead.  He may remain alive and young for a long time to come and from what the press has released, can only serve a limited number of years in jail if he is able to survive the jail experience.  The question that comes to mind is whether or not he will survive his jail experience and make a return to society. 

We suffer the wars (in the US it's from the distance, it's not rockets, bombings and destruction that we experience just limited news reports) and along with the many wars that are on across the globe we have this too now, another burden of violence and trauma for the world to bear and the sad loss of a beautiful young talent.  There is no place of paradise here on earth, there is no peaceful, enlightened country where horrific incidents such as the one in Oslo take place. 

Evil is very real and finds a way again to harm innocents who never feared or expected something like this to happen.  Our world is darkened yet again. 

Prayers are needed for those who suffered and for the families left behind who may never recover from their losses. 

Summer takes on a very somber tone and still, prayers go out to the lost and their loved ones and by extension to all of us who will need to heal from this horrible event as we go forward. 

Monday, July 4, 2011

Boardwalk Scene at Night, Coney Island, Photograph, Joyce Dade (c) 2010

Family Night with Fireworks, from the Boardwalk & Firework Series of Photographs, Joyce Dade (c) 2010

Happy July 4th to all!  Enjoy the holiday!  In contrast to the daytime beach images, here are a sample of photographics taken last year after dark on Fireworks night on the boardwalk at Coney Island.  The collection of images are beautiful and they include blur, focus on family and spectators, not the fireworks per se.

In most images in the collection, it is the people who sparkle, most of the fireworks are deliberately fizzed out and let us say, anything but spectacular because after all; it is the people who look to the sky to be thrilled who count as subjects and not the lovely night sparks.

I will be posting nighttime images soon because in a way, night is my preferred time to photograph Coney Island, so be sure to return for a greater selection.  I have not been on the beach for fireworks yet but, you will be the first to know when I have!  Be safe, stay calm and carry on, dear visitors!

Boardwalk Crowd on Fireworks Night, from the 2010 Boardwalk Series of Photographs, Joyce Dade (c)

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Coney Island Summer from the Beautiful Beachcomber Series of Photographs, Joyce Dade (c) 2011

As far as the eye can see there is no disputing that the Coney Island beach is more sparkling and cleaner than ever.  A visit there will prove it to you.  The water is clearer than it has been in recent years. when garbage littered the shoreline and; it was difficult to see that for those of us who love this beach so intensely as I do.

Obviously, it has to do with Mayor Mike and his crew, who apparently made it so that, we now have patrols of security also on the bays who stay after the lifeguards leave so there is an additional security presence there for those interested in a stroll after hours along the shore. 

I spoke with a few of the beach security who informed me that they are there until late evening and one wonders, why haven't we had this until now? 

They informed me that they've been active for the past five years and now, we can all feel safer and more comfortable about walking even alone along the shore after dark and even after fireworks on Friday nights. 

Despite recent boardwalk violence, the boardwalk and beach at Coney Island are more beautiful than ever and there will be new developments as the amusement area undergoes a renewal that will apparently take some time, meanwhile, my hope is that you won't hesitate to visit and revisit this beautiful location. 

Summer is new, yes, but summer does not last forever.  The more times you visit the more you can enjoy what is merely a subway ride away for all of us living in the New York City area. 

Fireworks on the boardwalk at 9:30 PM is another event not to be missed, so many people, so many ethnic groups together and everyone there with one object in mind and that is to be dazzled by the fireworks show.  You too will not be disappointed because dazzling and thrilling it is. 

Eccentric View of The Ice Cream Vendor, from the Beautiful Beachcomber Series of Photographs, Joyce Dade (c) 2011

Early Summer, a Blur Photographic, Prints Available from the Beautiful Beachcomber Series, Joyce Dade (c) 2011

Pale Young Man Wears Pale Blue Shorts, from the Beautiful Beachcomber Series of Photographs, Joyce Dade (c) 2011