New Jersey & New York
Leonard J. Buck Garden is a nice little oasis hidden deep in the woods, just like most of the gem spots I have been finding throughout New Jersey. This small very well maintained garden is sculpted around huge natural rock formations which were deposited by glaciers. It has a large pond full of fish, tadpoles, and home to a couple of snapping turtles that are right in the center of the garden which is broken up into three sections but they all feed into each other by a creek.
The fireworks show that I went to this year was a slight disappointment. Aside from everyone just being rude by pushing and shoving when the fireworks started, half of the show was blocked by trees. I was able to get a few abstract shots playing with long exposures and my camera movements.
No better time for a government shut down like Fourth of July Weekend. These Images were taken at Great Falls National Historical Park in Paterson, New Jersey. I am still learning about what New Jersey has to offer, it has a lot to explore but not much can be done when they close all the beach and parks.
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Here are the rest of the images from my shoot with my cousin Erin. I am finding some aspects of shooting a person in water frustrating. Space is the major downfall my bathroom and tub are small to get the desired effect. however, I am quite pleased with how this set of images have come out. Now I just need a larger body of water and a few volunteers. Perhaps I will attempt this in a new environment like in a pool or at the beach, Ideas for me to think about ?
This month I had the pleasure of having my cousin as a model for the project I have been working on of People in water. I am quite excited about the outcome! I am editing now here is a taste of what is to come…. 
South Mountain Reservation is a large area of preserved land, one small area of it is home to a sculpture garden, dog park, and a wildflower garden. The Wildflower area is a fenced in section of the preserve that is taken care of by volunteers. One side of it was quite overgrown so I tried the other entrance which brought me directly to the wildflowers, they weren’t fully in bloom yet which just means I will have to go back. As I ventured deeper back I encountered a more swamp-like area with more sculptures aside from the ones at the front gate. The area was rich with Multiflora Roses, Ferns, and Skunk Cabbage. I had to look up the Eastern Columbine and the purple flower I still am unsure of it looks to me to be in the rose family?
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Lenape Park is a small stretch of a paved pathway in the middle of a swamp or marsh area. It follows along the Rahway River and it actually is in the middle of a path that connects four parks total. Black Brook Park, Nomahegan Park, and Echo Lake Park are the other three that you can access from it. Lenape Park had a lot of activity from pedestrians. In fact, the other parks do as well. This was somewhat disappointing for me because it made it difficult for me to try to stop to look and watch for wildlife. At one point I spotted a cottontail rabbit, I stopped to try and take some photos but if I stopped dead I would be a hazard to the cyclists whizzing past or the power walkers. Before I could even get my camera up to snap away someone on a very noisy bike scared it off. They do have protected area for migrating birds so next time I go I will try and get there early enough to do some bird watching. The Stretch of the park that I did walk was utterly taken over by the multi-floral rose which is an invasive species.
Over the past couple of years I have found Polaroid cameras at various thrift stores. I figure why not use them to create a series. I had my father help me with converting my land camera to take AAA batteries instead of the hard to find expensive one needed. Because of the cost of Polaroid film this project will be a constant effort and very selective with my shots, I am going to be very picky. I cant wait to see how it comes out !
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These Panoramic images are from a resent winter hike at Cheesequake State Park. I love exploring where I live and I really miss being by the shore.
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I was flipping through my film binders and I realized that I have a ton of transparencies which are positive film placed in plastic slides. This set of images are a few of the images are some of my favorites.
