Sax Player Ray Blue @ Embark Summer Block Party. Peekskill, NY.

Black youth in particular are problematized, stigmatized, marginalized and pushed into an underclass by society as a whole. We are made to fear our youth--the voiceless tribe of today--so it's no wonder many of them choose to tune out and escape into other worlds of their own.

Copyright Ocean Morisset Photography
Harlem, NYC.

Every day I take pictures of the everyday.--OM

"What matters is to live in the moment, live now, for every moment is now. It is your thoughts and acts of the moment that create your future. The outline of your future path already exists, for you created its pattern with your past". -Sai Babba

© Ocean Morisset Photography
Harlem, NYC.

Brotherhood, Protection and Safety, all at one Harlem crosswalk.

© Ocean Morisset

"Ocean, what kind of camera should I get?"

I get questions all the time from friends and acquaintances about which camera is the best one to buy. To that question, there are a myriad of answers based on what you plan to do or shoot with the camera. Even though photography is a technical field, those aspects don't particularly interest me. I get bored with conversation with other pro's about lenses, DOF, and photography RULES. While I agree it's important to know the basic rules of composition, light and of course camera usage I think honing the "eye" is a much more useful lesson to the layperson embarking on a journey through photography. There are many roads to take towards arriving at a successful image and at the end of the day, the viewer will decide based on how the image moves them (or not).

In my opinion, there's no reason to spend thousands of dollars on camera equipment. I've seen "photographers" with the latest of everything and the photography vest to match, but will use their camera on "A" automatic mode, or do all the "photography" using photo-editing software.

To answer the question about which camera to get, I'd say spend little on a camera with an M (manual) mode. This allows you total control of the camera and will force you to learn about exposure, depth of field and shutter speed. You will of course need much practice with composition--how you "frame" what you're shooting, and that takes much practice so shoot A LOT!

Nowadays, there are advancements with camera phone technology and we've all seen what the iphone can do! I happen to shoot OFTEN with my iphone, but my main pro camera--a Nikon D80-- is considered an antique in the rapidly-changing landscape of DSLR and technology. Yet, I still get the job done, pleasing clients and "fans" alike. When I think about how we revere images from the past-- those taken by "Master" photographers--I note that most of those camera's used to shoot historical images are now antiques! This reaffirms the notion that good photography is not only achieved by the (good/expensive) camera, but mostly by the "eye".

The most important thing in all of this is to ENJOY photography. Whatever genre interests you, be it fashion, photojournalism, landscape, still life, etc., it's important to have fun, treat your subject matter with the utmost importance, and try new perspectives.
These days, everyone claims to be a photographer thanks to the mass accessibility of camera phones, so it's important to STAND OUT from the pack in some way, learn from your mistakes, never compare yourself or your work to another photographer and always remain true to yourself!

(iPhone) Photo copyright Ocean Morisset Photography. Peekskill, N.Y

Ode to Harlem Besties

Piggy back ride

transportation of love

with laughter as its fuel

It never tires, 

not for a sister 

or a bestie...

it rages on like fire.

Our friendship

fits like a glove;

passion- burning warmth

on the coldest days

and darkest nights

moved beyond the depths

of all that inspires,

the joy of which takes form

of these words I write. 

A moment in precious time

In the face of a neighborhood 

and a world

in transition

--Uncertainty--

thick like African musk oil

Vaporizes in the heat of a 

Harlem summer

and joins the breeze

as together, we take flight.

And while all things inevitably change

my love for you stands 

the test of time

and soars 

like an iridescent kite.

"The Pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted  to remain children all our lives". --Albert Einstein

Hudson River, Peekskill, New York.

"Harlem" by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over--

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

(Photo copyright Ocean Morisset)