Damon Winter - I am in AWE!

Yes, I know I am a procrastinator. It's been so many weeks since I've jolted my brain to be inspired. I often asked myself: "I'm supposedly writing a political blog (or so I think), why do I need inspiration or lack creativity?" Hell YES. I am trying not to just hash out what's already been written by tons of journalists or bloggers, I am trying to find a piece of story or some news that interests me and also entertains you (assuming there are a bunch of you)! There are so many f***'ed-up things going on in this world right now, I don't even know where to begin!

This morning, I thought I'd better catch up on some news and hope to understand what's going on in Gaza, but instead I saw this big headline, 2008-The Year in Pictures, on The New York Times website. Curiosity led me deeper into the photo gallery, and of course I had to first look at the section on "The Election".

Call me whatever you want, I am crazy about Obama! This photo caught my eye!

So I started paying attention to the NYT photography staff. This is the work of Damon Winter.

I am usually not easily impressed by photography, since so many digital manipulations can now be done to enhance photo quality, and anyone who can operate a digital camera can call themselves a "photographer" - Yikes! Yep, I am snooty when it comes to art (among other things), but I was mesmerized by Damon Winter's work. Of course, he was covering Obama's campaign.

He's got a keen eye for compositions and finding interesting angles of his subjects. I just love his way of playing with the positive and negative space of the images by using light and shadows. Most of the images he captured on the campaign trails did not bombard viewers with large, single-minded pictures of Obama, but subtle details of Obama's magnetic presence. See for yourself. "Photographers Journal:Following Obama". Look closely at one of the photos: when Obama was on stage, pitch darkness surrounded him. You see nothing else except a profile of Obama from just a glow of light from behind and a small blue sign of "Change we can believe in" in front of him. This is just fascinating!

Thank you, Damon Winter for capturing this historical event of our time in such a stunning and artistic format. I will now not take photography for granted. And my eyes are all on YOU! You inspired me.

More info and link for Damon Winter:

Damon Winter

Photographers Journal: Political Landscapes

Interview of Damon Winter with Photo District News

Play It Cool, Barack Obama.

Is this pretty much true about Barack Obama? Have a laugh....

Rid of Idiot like Blagojevich

Who is this guy, Rod Blagojevich? A corrupt Democratic Governor of Illinois! OH NO.... aw yes!

Sometimes you gotta wonder why people with such powerful positions would have such poor judgement ... selling a high profile vacated senate seat to the highest bidder, in a high profile state known for corruption, during a high profile presidential transition period. What was this idiot thinking? Precisely! An idiot!

I have not read much into the details of his scheme, but have seen him on television enough during the course of his arrest and release. I can't help wondering, how did this meathead get elected to governorship? He looks a little smug to me! I know I should not judge one by one's appearance, but he just looks like those movie extras that director would use for playing roles like "snitch" gangsters in witness protection! (Below, see what I mean?)

It's such a bad move for him, at a time when everyone in Washington is talking about political reform, and cutting down government corruption. I wonder what impact this would have on Obama's transition into the White House. Today, Obama has called for Blagojevich's resignation - let's hope he will exit the governorship with a little dignity and show some respect for the president-elect.

There must be some "house cleaning" for Obama and the Democratic Congress. It would be embarrassing for all democrats to run on a platform of reform and change, yet the corruption is coming from within. Another layer of the challenges for the incoming administration! (sigh!)