YEAR OF THE DRAGON

I traveled to Richmond today, to the number 5 road, to celebrate Chinese New Year.

At the Ling Yen Mountain Temple there were some suggestions

"New Year is the time to cultivate wisdom and morals

At the beginning of the new year, everyone should reflect and motivate themselves to:

further develop one's virtue and morals

eradicate one's ignorance and karmic hindrances

bring one's Bodhi practices to fruition

completely eradicate one's vexations and karmic hindrances"

Wanders around the Downtown Eastside, Vancouver

This is a portrait of Ken and his lovely dog Amber who he got as a puppy. I was walking around the area of Carral street with my camera. I was in a whimsical mood, one of those days when you can slow down, look at the world, have a chat, take some photos. Something about the companionship of Ken and Amber struck me, so I asked if I could take his photograph. He agreed rather graciously and I took about 6 or 7 photographs. After the photographs I sat next to Ken and asked a little about him and his life.

He disclosed that he was in fact an addict, heroin I believe, although now he is on methadone and lives quietly these days.

He gave me a brief run down on the activities of the corner we were sitting at, "Everything can be bought for $10 he explained, this street based economy, flap of heroin $10. roch of crack cocaine $10.00, pack of black market cigarettes $10.00 and even a sexual act such as a BJ, $10.00.

I was amazed at how much was going on, but I could not see it, until it was explained to me. I thanked him and moved on with my walk.

PHOTOBOOTH FUN

Excited to be working on some new projects for 2012. Details to follow

One of my assignments last year was to create a photobooth for a wedding that I was doing the photography for.

Here are some of the photos: