During my photographic investigations I came to the conclusion that the easiest way to get a fantastic smile is to get very close. Because a fantastic smile is one that cannot be helped and therefore cannot be faked. I would advise, though, my fellow photographic investigators to use their intuition before getting too close. Because what in one person could trigger a smile, in another one could trigger a reflex movement of an arm or leg due to the fear of being forced to give a fantastic smile. And this could have catastrophic consequences on a PI's camera.
When an iconic photograph of a famous, but relatively newly discovered photographer disappeared from Momma, New York's top art curators knew for the first time what real panic felt like. I was sensing their fear. I could feel it in my bones. I admit it felt kinda nice… I knew it was a matter of time before the phone rang. And it did, later that night. The Italian connection was on. Of course, I have suspected that too… The only woman -the only person to be more accurate- in the western world that could retrieve a lost art treasure in less than 48 hours, was coming to Athens. It was believed that the photograph was there. I was hired -as I usually am- to follow her and document her work, without her knowing who I really was… What else was knew? Was I working for Momma? Was I working for the smugglers? You will never know.
It was really a pretext so I could get close to her. As usual, I was hired to investigate her. I didn't know why, only that she was a writer and a musician. I had to read her short stories and listen to her music and make her talk to me. What she didn't know was that it was really her pictures that were doing the talking. But I couldn't tell her that. I am often wondering about my employers motives when they send me to photographically investigate someone… I have managed to realise one thing: they know more about my subjects then what these subjects know about themselves. And of course that on the other hand there is always me... That all I really know about anything, is nothing.
Waiting is never easy… especially if you don't like it. I usually shoot my subjects in B&W but this time my subject was missing. I was doomed to wait and wander. Things could be worst, I thought… I could be in any other city of the world… But I was in Venice. I decided to have some fun. Intense colours seemed appropriate. I took the chance, hoping my clients wouldn't hold it against me. How would they know, anyway?
He was there, no doubt about that, but it was obvious to me that he was a projection from a parallel dimension. In my photographic investigations I have come very often across incidents like that-some call them "accidents", but not me. I knew how to recognise the "trespassers". The trick was to look at them with the corner of your eye. Then you could see them standing in both places. Everywhere and nowhere. I shot him. That was my job.
That was the name of the 2 girl rock band I was investigating a few months ago. They were very reluctant to have their faces photographed. Not their feet, though… And what would be more appropriate, considering the name of their band? In fact, one of them had indeed new shoes, while the other one was just "hangin' out" shoeless. Coincidence? Nobody will ever know.
When I first encountered Lupe -this is the name of this strange cat- I thought she was an extremely noir, manga and mysterious creature… The amazing manga series Lupin the III came to mind… I decided that she would be a fantastic asset for Angie Stergio's Photographic Investigations and a great companion for Juanita, my amazing cat-assistant, who was complaining constantly about the load of work I was putting on her… This could really work, I thought… So, I offered Lupe a job… She accepted. Meet Lupe the III, my new cat-associate!
I was killing time between cases, so I decided to take a walk around Acropolis, in Athens. The title is just a Dan Fogelberg song that I was listening inside my head when I was taking these shots… It could very well have been something like "in the shadow of Acropolis", but what can you do? A P.I.'s mind is weird, to say the least…
Ipanema was the name of the bar. She was working there. Not in the morning when I took these shots, though… she was in Ipanema for some other business. I was there for her. I recognised her by her tattoos. I had to investigate and if I thought it necessary, to shoot her. I did. For a strange reason I always thought of a blond girl whenever I listened to that song… Well… who knows how a P.I.'s mind works? Certainly not me…
She came out of a Bollywood movie just for a quick cold coffee with some of her funs, in a athenian suburb… I happened to be there for another case… I didn't let this opportunity go wasted. Her name was Leela (play) Chanda (pleasant) and when she dissapeared she left behind a mesmerising scent of sandalwood.
Surreal reference to the super cult John Carpenter movie "They live". Sunglasses, aliens and attitude… And as Nada said: "I am here to chew bubblegum and kick ass… and I'm all out of bubblegum…".
These are some high contrast jpg shots taken with the Ricoh GR… Completely unprocessed. I am impressed, because I was always shooting raw. It's like the feeling you have when you discover forgotten money in a pocket… Very cool.
What would you do if you discovered a box of old polaroids depicting moments, feelings and people of your life? I thought they were stolen… Not stolen from me… Stolen from time.
Happy, melancholic, angry, unpredictable… Who's afraid of Kay Boo? In my opinion, any sensible person. Who loves her? In my opinion, anyone who is interested in taking lessons in love.
"-Capillary dilation of the so-called blush response...fluctuation of the pupil...involuntary dilation of the iris. -We call it Voight-Kampf for short."
I believe there is an ELO song for every possible situation in life… I have realised this during a long, lonely summer a few years ago, listening almost exclusively to Electric Light Orchestra. Walking around in Athens a few days before the referendum of the 5th of July and taking photos of the beautiful Silver Gold, this ELO song was playing incessantly in my mind. Indeed… and what a showdown it would be… Living in interesting times was never easy.
"Make me a Pallet on your Floor" was the song and the soft, sweet voice of John matched perfectly with these shots… Rest in peace Brother and thank you.
