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2013-06-19 02:30:30 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 36 +1s)

the old ghost who wasn't even there sat staring glaring then slowly with a look quite wild
he smiled and gave a sharing look that left some shook and the rest of us laughing.

the old ghost passing through.

2013-06-19 01:45:34 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

This Is Google+’s Hottest New Trend

http://www.buzzfeed.com/charliewarzel/this-is-googles-hottest-new-trend

2013-06-18 21:01:09 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 38 +1s)

Flying away for vacation is good. Flying with wifi even better :)

2013-06-17 22:04:16 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 30 +1s)

Lay Back Rorschach

This composition reminds of a Rorschach test.  You know, those black and white ink pattern tests that psychologists use to tell us we are crazy for seeing too many boobs and not enough butterflies.  It isn't, obviously.  But I could argue that what you think about the image is as interesting and revealing as if it were a Rorschach test.  I happen to believe that what we think about any portrait we look at reveals more about us than the actual portrait.  We see ourselves in the expressions of the subjects we examine.  We recognize shared emotions and feelings.   We connect uniquely in our own way.

So, lay back on the couch.  Look at this portraiture.

What do you see?


#portrait   #portraiture   #psychology  

2013-06-17 16:39:44 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 40 +1s)

It takes all kinds.

Another candid street shot. So many things bother me about this photo.  But the overall feeling I get from it makes me want to share it.  

#portrait   #portraiture   #candid  

2013-06-17 15:23:55 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 31 +1s)

Candid Street Portrait

I find this man's facial expression subtle and complex.  There is a calmness, a hint of satisfaction, a touch of fatigue.

What do you see?


#portrait   #portraiture   #portraitphotography  #candid #people

2013-06-14 12:15:03 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 37 +1s)

Joe & The Idea of Hope

This is Joe. It was important for him to tell me that he isn't homeless. He is "in between". I can appreciate that distinction. That distinction is called hope. "In between" looks a lot like homeless.

He was sitting outside a convenience store, asking for money, all of his earthly possessions in a bag next to him. However, in his mind, he is in transition. This isn't Joe's fate. Joe has hope.

And that's a great place to be when you are "in between".



#plusphotoextract  #portrait #anotherdayanother600seconds

2013-06-13 22:21:50 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 4 +1s)

"Sometimes you see meth labs in the darndest places." - Vince Gilligan regarding the final 8 episodes.

2013-06-13 20:56:46 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 44 +1s)

Inward Focus

There are two types of focus.  Inward and outward.  Both can be meditative.  An example of focusing outward would be the man who is building a house of cards.  He is extremely careful, deliberate, and focused on every move he is making.  He has lost awareness of his surroundings.  

This man is an example of inward focus.   

I love making portraitures of people who are focused inward.  As we stare into their eyes, it is as if they have left the door open for us to peak with them into their soul.  We can see the emotion clearly.  And although we cannot know specifically what he is thinking about, we are still connecting on a human level.

The inward focus.. my favorite type of portrait.


#portrait   #portraiture   #plusphotoextract  #candid 

2013-06-13 19:15:28 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 45 +1s)

Primal Reflection

Interested in owning one of my selected wildlife photos?

Visit here: http://goo.gl/8Dn37


#ape   #gorillas   #wildlife  

2013-06-13 14:09:19 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 34 +1s)

Over the Shoulder

Her lips reveal what her hidden eyes cannot.


#portrait   #portraiture   #streetphotography  

2013-06-13 01:58:34 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Vince Gilligan on Final Season of 'Breaking Bad': 'There Will Be Blood'

http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/vince-gilligan-on-final-season-of-breaking-bad-there-will-be-blood-20130612

2013-06-12 19:02:59 (12 comments, 10 reshares, 106 +1s)

The Strong Silent Type

A lion's walking along in the jungle. He goes up to an ostrich and says, "Roar! Who's the king of the jungle?" The ostrich says, "You are, lion."

The lion goes up to a hyena and says, "Roar! Who's the king of the jungle?"  The hyena says, "You are, lion."

The lion goes up to an elephant and says, "Roar! Who's the king of the jungle?"  The elephant smacks him with his trunk, picks him up, twirls him around over his head a few times, smashes him into a tree and tosses him about thirty feet.

The lion gets up and says, "Sheesh. You don't have to get so pissed off, just because you don't know the answer."






#elephantwednesday   #elephant   #blackandwhitephotography   #wildlifewednesday  

2013-06-12 14:20:22 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 36 +1s)

Same Song Sung Different

I posted this woman yesterday (http://goo.gl/Wv6LA) but was torn about which version of processing I should post.  I initially went with my usual style of black and white.  But today I am posting a new version.  This has a different composition, and it's in color.

I still can't decide which I like better.

Which do you prefer?


#portrait   #plusphotoextract   #portraiture   #people  

2013-06-11 18:39:53 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 41 +1s)

Self Portrait

Want to feel really old and self conscious?  Just take a super tight portrait of yourself, then get to work cleaning it up in post process.

Ugh.


#portrait   #portraiture   #selfportraiture   #portraittuesday  

2013-06-11 16:29:31 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 28 +1s)

Richard

Richard isn't homeless. But he was in front of a store collecting money for the homeless. He has a little table. He has a box with a little slot on top to put the money securely inside. Other than his partially official looking sign that reads "help the homeless", there is no proof whatsoever that anything you give him will help a single homeless person.

My heart trusts him, but my mind says "don't be naive".

Fact of the matter is there are many other ways to help the homeless, so not giving Richard any money can easily be skipped, contributing in another way instead. In this case, I donated... in exchange for his portrait. He had no problem agreeing "for the cause".



#photography #blackandwhite #monochrome #portrait #streetphotography #plusphotoextract

2013-06-11 14:47:07 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 31 +1s)

Another Candid Street Portrait

If it's candid, then why is she looking right at me?  My camera has a flip out LCD, which enables me to hold the camera at chest level.  It's a bit more discreet, and with a little practice it looks like I'm reviewing shots, or adjusting settings, not focusing in on a subject.  

While the subject looks away, I make sure the focus is locked, everything is framed nicely, and I wait.  Usually, after a few seconds, the subject instinctively looks at the camera that is aimed at her.  But after taking the shot, I only the move camera slightly away from the subject, and after another second of pretending to play with settings, I then hold the camera up to my face, the way most people would expect, and take a picture of something else.

The subject has given me an unguarded portraiture.  And I am able to drift in an out of thecrowd... more »

2013-06-10 21:25:14 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 35 +1s)

Get Smart



#automotive   #cars   #smartcar  

2013-06-10 19:22:58 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 29 +1s)

Red Parrots



#parrots   #birds   #wildlife  

2013-06-10 15:20:49 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 25 +1s)

The Concentrated Form

With some portraits all I need is a good title.

#portrait   #portraiture   #blackandwhitephotography   #candid   #people  

2013-06-10 14:30:42 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 36 +1s)

Robert

Robert is an addict. He is homeless. He is living in a state of hell. He didn't need to tell me any of this for me to know it. Spend a minute with Robert and you learn all of this from observation. His primary goal is to survive the day. His life is broken.  And guess what.. it's probably all his fault.  Or maybe it isn't.  But does it really matter?  Did he become less human as he made his decisions in life?

What is Robert's destiny?

The fact of the matter is this:  Robert is you.  Robert is me.  You can believe that.  And Robert's destiny is our destiny.  There is no ignoring people like Robert.  He is a reflection of our attitudes and ideas.  To discard him to the trash is giving up on us all.

What is our destiny?




#photography #streetphotography #blackandwhite #monochrome #plusphoto... more »

2013-06-09 20:36:52 (2 comments, 3 reshares, 51 +1s)

Mike & the L.A. River

A member of the LAPD approached the side of the Los Angeles river.  The phrase "L.A. River" can be humorous as often the river is little more than a barely filled basin.  "Los Angeles has a river?" is a phrase that's been uttered more than once.

The officer looked down over the chain link fence, into an area surrounded by shrubs and bushes.  His eyes opened in disbelief at what he saw.  "Joe!", he shouted into his radio, "you gotta come over here and see this."

Down below, near the bottom of the basin, partially hidden by the trees and bushes, several homeless people had built.. a living room.

There was a couch, an arm chair, a carpet, a couple of foot lockers filled with food, canned items, etc.  A man sat on the couch reading a book.  A small white cat laid on the lap of a womanas she ... more »

2013-06-09 03:14:49 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 43 +1s)

God Ain't Looking Neither

i see them hurting over there
it's not my fault that life's not fair
i'm sure a part of god must care
but he ain't looking neither

i have to turn my head away
can always look another day
i know that god won't make me pay
cause he aint looking neither

i pretend that it's all good
i won't help even though i could
i am sure god probably would
but he aint looking neither

i hold my nose shut as i pass
i hide behind my rose colored glass
god is busy sleeping through mass
and he aint looking neither

by jj bentley

#streetphotography   #photography   #portrait   #anotherdayanother600seconds  

2013-06-08 16:39:27 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 39 +1s)

Ernie from Klingon

I am not making light of Ernie.  He told me he was from Klingon, and told me many times.  He is running for president.  He is famous.  These are facts I learned from Ernie.

What I also learned, from my own observations, is Ernie likely suffers from schizophrenia. 

When we see a dog running lost and tired alongside the road, we pull our cars over to save him.  What happens in our hearts that we so easily leave Ernie to his own devices.  A device, mind you, that is broken into a thousand fragile pieces.


#photography   #portrait   #schizophrenia   #streetphotography   #blackandwhite   #monochrome   #plusphotoextract     #anotherdayanother600seconds  

2013-06-07 21:23:09 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 34 +1s)

Remembering A Simpler Time






#candid   #portrait   #portraiture   #people  

2013-06-07 16:23:02 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 33 +1s)

The Shadows

sometimes
the shadows and the darkness
make the beautiful
more beautiful



#floralfriday #photography

2013-06-07 15:31:01 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 27 +1s)

The Old Man
by jj bentley

A young man and an old man were sitting on a park bench.   The young man noticed the old man sat quietly and peacefully.  He was curious about the secret to living life in this manner.  

"Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?" the young man asked.  The old man turned his head and smiled, but said nothing.  The young man took the smile as a sign to ask the question.

"You seem calm and peaceful.  What's the secret?"

The old man looked into the eyes of the young man.  A thought appeared to be forming.  Finally, he quietly responded.

"Speak only love and forgive everyone."

The young man thought about the answer.  It seemed simple, but difficult.  The old man continued to look at the young man, interested in his response to the answer.  

The young mansaid, &quo... more »

2013-06-07 14:11:12 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 37 +1s)

Can You Put Your Finger On It
words and photo by jj bentley

what dream today
still lingers
from yesterday
can you put your finger on it

what memory
though fading
is still plain to see
can you put your finger on it


#portraiture   #portrait   #people   #candid   #streetphotography   #portraitphotography   #blackandwhitephotography  

2013-06-06 19:51:34 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

Can You See
words and photo by jj bentley

can you see the soul
can you see the spirit
close your eyes
you can hear it before you
whispering 
i adore you
earthly creature from above
can you see the soul
can you feel the love


This is a photograph I took of an animal known as an okapi.  It's legs resemble a zebra, and its head resembles a giraffe.  (It is actually the only living relative of the giraffe). Their natural habitat is the Ituri Forest, a dense rain forest in central Africa.  They have a highly developed sense of hearing, and being wary animals, have done well in avoiding detection.  It was only as recently as around 1900 that the species was discovered.

#wildlife #safari

2013-06-06 16:06:54 (12 comments, 3 reshares, 47 +1s)

Choices

Sometimes I write a long post to go with my photograph, full of philosophy, pretentious insight, and the such.  Then, after reading it again, I am sickened by the lameness of it, and delete it all.

Here's a street shot!


#candid   #streetphotography   #plusphotoextract  

2013-06-06 14:48:45 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 46 +1s)

His fishing pole remained motionless.  But fishing at the pier isn't always about catching a fish.  It's about the time alone.  It's about thinking.  Meditating, if you will.  And although covered up quite well to stay warm in the evening chilly breeze, I didn't need much to get a peek at what he's thinking.



#portrait   #candid   #streetphotography   #portraiture   #portraitphotography  

2013-06-06 14:39:19 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Probably should have locked up the car before going for that walk.

prints available: http://goo.gl/UEOe4


#lions  #wildlife #photography

2013-06-05 18:42:28 (7 comments, 4 reshares, 45 +1s)

African Black Crowned Crane

Dancing is everything for this bird.  To mate he must swoon the object of his affection with movement, jumping, and swaying.  Deep booming honking noises, while ineffective on you perhaps, really get his girl excited.

Some people in Africa believe the bird can bring rain.  They incorporate it's movements into their dance rituals, and hang pictures of cranes, in order to help produce rain.

I decided to incorporate some of his dance moves into my everyday life, but stopped when people thought I was having a seizure.

Prints available: http://goo.gl/HQktH


#crane #birds #africansafari   #wildlifewednesday   #wildlifephotography   #plusphotoextract  

2013-06-05 15:18:13 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 32 +1s)

Baby giraffe sitting down because his feet are tired, his back his sore, he can't possibly stand another second.. until two seconds later when gets up to run off and play again.


#wildlifewednesday   #blackandwhitephotography  

2013-06-04 21:50:56 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 24 +1s)

If You Blink, She's Gone

The African cheetah is a beautiful feline.  They are one of the few cats with semi-retractable claws, which allow them to get extra grip to run faster.  

However, while the cheetah has insane speed, accelerating from 0 to over 100 km/h (62 mph) in five seconds, it is not a powerful animal.  Since it's not strong enough to break the necks of it's prey, it trips the prey with it's paw, then grabs onto the their neck until they suffocate.  An effective technique for an animal short on power.

If you visit the San Diego Safari Park, you can watch this beautiful animal in action.  It's a tough subject to get on camera, though.

If you blink, she's gone.

#cheetah   #sandiegosafaripark  

2013-06-04 18:55:04 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 31 +1s)

when there is nothing to say
so few can stay quiet

- jj bentley


#floralphotography   #flowers  

2013-06-04 16:01:22 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 31 +1s)

Protected

Baby rhino resting in peace as Mama keeps guard.


#rhino   #blackandwhitephotography  

2013-06-04 14:35:14 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 30 +1s)

Ruffled
words and photo by jj bentley

we cannot always be contained
let alone restrained when we are so
ruffled.

the art of letting everything blow
so it doesn't show as it slowly passes
through.

leaving our feathers
not ruffled
but cooled.

the difference between
a wise man
and a fool.


#blackandwhitephotography   #poetry  

2013-06-03 20:16:43 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 30 +1s)

Certifiable Malfunction

The beautiful long multi-colored ribbons danced in the air around his head.  They interacted with each other, circling him, playfully touching his shoulders, his face.  He smiled in amazement.

The ribbons slowly lost their color, but the change was not immediately noticed, for their dance and movement was simply hypnotic.  He tried to watch all the ribbons at once, but their ebb and flow was changing slightly, and they had begun to circle his body.

The ribbons, now more deliberate in their movements, began to wrap themselves around his body.  Gone was the multi-colored beauty.  The playful dance had turned to a methodical mission of unknown purpose.

The ribbons, now fully wrapped around his body, tightened.  Confusion and panic began to cloud his mind.  He couldn't move his arms.  He shook his head.  This was a dream. It must... more »

2013-06-03 17:48:51 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 47 +1s)

East African Crowned Crane

Crowned cranes are famous for spectacular dance moves, head bobbing, wing fluttering, and a basic all around knack for gettin' down.

They aren't shy around a camera, either.

#birds   #photography  

2013-06-03 14:52:55 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 43 +1s)

African Elephant

My family and I went to the San Diego Safari Park, but were disappointed to find out they had moved the lions, tigers and apes into a sheltered area because of a local fire nearby.

I did, however, get this photograph of an African elephant.

#elephant #monochromemonday #blackandwhitephotography  

2013-06-03 14:53:31 (7 comments, 2 reshares, 44 +1s)

Selected Portraits

It hasn't been intentional, but it seems my work can be split up into about 3 specific styles.  Just a natural evolution based on personal preference, inspiration, access to new techniques. 

I am particularly proud of these portaitures I've included in this album called "JJ Selected Portraits".   Inspired by the works of +Mike Shaw, +Alan Shapiro and a few others not on G+ such as Martin Schoeller, it has always been my intent to produce an image recognizable as my own.  Hard to do when so much of photography, and art for that matter, is derivative of other works.

Aside from processing choices, and more importantly, I have tried to find the soul of my subject, and to illuminate that soul in my work.  Perhaps, as you flip through these portraits, you will see not only the faces of so many fascinating people, but indirectly youwill ... more »

2013-05-31 16:22:46 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 37 +1s)

I'm still finding my style, my voice as an artist. I am writing that today, and I expect I'll be writing the same thing in forty years.

I have dreams and ideas about where I'd love to be as an artist one day.  Sometimes I think it's crazy to imagine such things.  Other times those dreams give me hope and keep me motivated as an artist.

The bottom line though is many things are out of my control.  All I can do, and will continue to do, is produce work.  Everyday.  Keep creating the kinds of work that bring me satisfaction.  Everyday.  Keep growing.  Keep evolving.  Everyday.

"Whatever will be, will be", someone once said in a song.

This is today's portraiture.

2013-05-31 14:44:39 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 30 +1s)

Red Eared Sliders

These turtles are called "red eared sliders".   They mainly live in the water, ponds and such, but climb onto rocks to bask in the sun.  They are nervous little fellows.  They are deceptively fast, and will slide right back into the water at the first sign of any predator. 

Sex for red-eared sliders takes place under water. The male swims toward the female and flutters or vibrates the back side of his long claws on and around her face and head. The female swims toward the male and, if she is receptive, sinks to the bottom for mating.

If the female is not receptive, she may become aggressive towards the male.  Sounds like every Friday night in the 90s. 

The courtship can take up to 45 minutes, and the mating itself usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes.   Forty-five minutes of foreplay?  These guys are animals!

Now youknow mo... more »

2013-05-31 14:11:23 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 23 +1s)

Absurd

two small birds
talk with each other over
the sound of running water
each chirp a word
about the weekend

absurd.


#photography  

2013-05-30 21:30:16 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 29 +1s)

Focus

Young man contemplates his next move in a game of chess.


#portrait   #portraiture   #portraitphotography   #streetphotography  

2013-05-30 16:30:25 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 63 +1s)

Be Near Me
words and photo by jj bentley

if you want me to stay
then say it in my ear 
in a whisper
be near me
with a quiver
be near me

if you take too long
then i'll fly away
in a song
can you hear me
singing
be near me


#poetry   #photography  

2013-05-30 15:00:20 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

Like Stone
words and photo by jj bentley

life slowly hammers away at the bone
takes a strong soul to survive
leaving us feeling a bit like stone
takes love to keep us alive


#portrait   #portraiture   #portraitphotography  

2013-05-30 14:41:29 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Secrets

Is this art?  Or is this an attempt to salvage or poor shot?

I'll never tell.

#portrait   #portraiture   #portraitphotography  

2013-05-29 21:08:20 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 41 +1s)

Beauty on the Beach

I was finished shooting and heading back to my car when I saw this person flying a kite with a friend on the beach.  

I figured I'd better take a couple more shots.


#candid  #people #beach