"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)

"However long the night may last, there will be morning."

This Morrocan proverb inspired this latest self-portrait I shot at the Peekskill waterfront:

 "However long the night may last, there will be morning."

 I arrived at the waterfront earlier than I wanted to because the sun was still shining brightly and I intended to shoot this image at dusk. It was also Memorial Day and many families were still soaking in final rays of the descending sun, and couples strolled about. I was a little annoyed at myself, because this had been an image I hought about making for weeks, and I picked the worse day of the year to do it. Nevertheless, I changed out of my shorts and t-shirt in my car and put on my white outfit. The white was to symbolize cleansing, purification, spirit and because I ws at the water, a call to the orisha Yemaya.

 As the sun made its slow descent, I spent some time shooting silhouettes and a few waterfront activiteis like a father playing with his son. Finally, with my camera mounted to the tri-pod, I began to explore this vision I had. I tried diffrent exposures and varying shutter speeds, shooting only in Manual mode to achieve the results I wanted. A few times I was interrupted by passersby who observed me run from my "posing" position, back to my camera and back again. Offers to take my picture made me chuckle because it led me to believe that these well-meaning people thought I was simply trying to get a sort of "tourist" shot with the view of the magnificent mountains and bay in the background. When I explained that I'm an artist, and I was creating "art", there was the "oh!" followed by a few lingering eyes that continued to watch me as they slowly strolled away. All in all, I like what I achieved here, but I have so much more to explore of myself at the waterfront.

My First exhibition in Peekskill, New York!

Since moving to Peekskill in November, I've been busy shooting, getting acquainted with my new surroundings in the Hudson Valley. Some of that work is being shown in an upcoming exhibition at the Peekskill Chamber of Commerce Gallery and I'm more than thrilled to use this opportunity to introduce Peekskill to me and my photography. "Peekskill Through My Eyes" will open in conjunction with the Peekskill Arts Alliance 17th Annual Open Studios--a weekend promised to be filled with great art, music, and culture. I'm busy making prints now and organizing details of my exhibit and building with excitement as the day gets closer! I relish any opportunity to introduce myself to new viewers, through my art! Hope to meet you there!

Peekskill waterfront as dusk began to fall and the fog thickened.

I took my dog Max out for a walk at the waterfront. One thing that is true about any waterfront is that it's beauty changes with the season. Temps in Peekskill are still struggling to get above 50. The snow has finally all just melted. Even though it's spring, the bare tree's are reminiscent of the winter I would rather forget. Nevertheless, the moodiness is undeniable. The scene evoked a loud peace that I wanted to capture and never forget. This was an atmospheric weekend dressed in wind, fog, clouds, and plenty of RAIN. Days like today where the sky is overcast and the light is diffuse is the best light to shoot in, especially if you like moody images like I do. Below are a series I shot with my iphone. I enjoy grain in moody images. Some photographer's prefer images that are super sharp. I think the grain in the images lends itself nicely to a documentary aesthetic. Enjoy the view!

Rainy day in Peekskill, New York

In many cases, he rain tends to make people feel sad or depressed and oftentimes it is referred to as a 'miserable' day. I've always loved the rain for the cleansing and calming affect it has on the environment and in my spirit. On rainy days I feel introspective and at peace. I never mind getting caught in it (especially in the summer), or sitting in my car listening to the droplets pitter-patter against the vehicle. The best rain experience is always had from inside my home where I can enhance the ambience, by lighting candles, burning incense and listening to the pellets of rain tap against the windows and skylight. It's how I celebrate rain. On a recent drive I made some images from inside my car on what to me, was a beautiful day in Peekskill.

I'm still here!

Self-portrait December 2013

Wow, it's been a minute since I posted here. Facebook and real life have absorbed all my time. I'm still HERE, but you can also see some of my photography updates on my artists page on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/oceanmorissetphotography

I'll be posting here regularly once again. It's a new year and l have many more images to post!

--Ocean

Autumn views in Central Park, NYC.

I love Central Park, and there's no better time to shoot than Autumn! Splashes of color add drama to the transitioning landscape, the distinct smell of dried autumn leaves, and their crunch underneath my feet are all special and distinct elements of fall.

Sunday: Autumnal equinox

Mind's eye

wide open like the autumnal sky.

Saturday: Twilight on the George Washington Bridge, NYC

Photo-essay: 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington 8/24/2013

VOTE as an act of self-defense & self-respect.

On June 25, 2013 The U.S. Supreme Court overturned a key provision of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965.This decision effectively frees nine states, plus parts of several others with a history of racial discrimination, from having to get federal approval before making changes to their voting laws.This was a key issue being represented and voiced at the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington.

Marching for justice with a cardboard cut-out of President Barack Obama. President Obama will make a speech at the August 28th commemoration of the the March on Washington, standing in the same place at the Lincoln Memorial as Martin Luther King, Jr. did in the 1963 march on Washington.

Tens of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall to commemorate the 1963 March on Washington. The march was sponsored by the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, Martin Luther King III and the NAACP.

The March on Washington is best remembered for Dr. King's stirring vision of a United States free of inequality and prejudice

There were various “mini-marches” of groups protesting an array of social issues throughout the National Mall.

WE ARE ONE. Drummers at the Mall.

Two young boys pose with ninety-two year old William Allison of Mathews, Georgia, who also attended the 1963 March on Washington.

People of all races, ages and backgrounds commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Mach on Washington.

Two men take in some of the exhibits at the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington

Demanding an end to racist violence.

Police on horseback keep order along the march route.

The People’s Organization for Progress is an independent, grassroots, community based, politically progressive association of citizens working for racial, social and economic justice and greater unity in the community. At the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington they march for Justice for Trayvon Martin.

Tens of thousands of people marched to commemorate King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, pledging that his dream includes equality for LGBT people, Latinos, the poor and disabled. The event was a homage to a generation of activists that endured fire hoses, police abuse and indignities to demand equality for African-Americans. There was a strong theme of unfinished business.

Martin Luther King III marches with his wife Andrea and two unidentified men to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington.

Rep John Lewis (D-GA 5th District) marched with thousands of others to commemorate the 1963 March on Washington, when at twenty-three years of age was the youngest person standing shoulder to shoulder with Martin Luther King, Jr., a man he calls his big brother, inspiration and hero.

Activists and Civil rights luminaries lead the 50th anniversary of the1963 March on Washington. In this single image appears Trayvon Martin’s family; parents Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin and brother Jahvaris Fulton, Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King III, Marc Morial; President of the National Urban League and others.

Newark, New Jersey Mayor Corey Booker marching with thousands of others at the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.

New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams (D-East Flatbush) at the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington.

All eyes on the future. A young man holds an NAACP poster “We March to End Racial Profiling”

A young man gets a makeshift telescopic view of the march as his father beams with pride.

WE SHALL OVERCOME!