montague

i've moved!

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:28:00 +0000

This little blog is still alive, but has moved address!

You can visit over here from now on.

You can subscribe to the new feed here.

I'd love it if you could update your links too: http://www.onmontague.com

I will leave this blog up for a couple more weeks to ensure everyone knows where I've gone, but don't worry, I've transferred these archives over to my new home.

See you over there!

unable to stop

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:10:00 +0000

It might be the weather, which has been very un-spring like up to just a few days ago, but I find myself spending long stretches of time with my hands playing with yarn and it is pretty safe to say that I have developed a ~~severe~~ slight addiction to knitting over this past winter. It's been a growing source of enjoyment for me, to hear the needles clicking, creating patters and textures out of simple string, but it might be getting out of control. I think it's officially 'out of control' if you have to stop your knitting because your hands hurt too much to continue. As I started to tidy up our living room a few days ago, I glanced around and counted nine works in progress. NINE. That's a lot of work in progress. And they are not small projects... a blanket, (well, two really, since I still need to weave in all the ends of this one) a shawl, a bag, hats, a sweater...

I am hoping that the approach of summer will inspire me to kick the habit - at least until next fall at least. Or until we turn the AC.

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Today's Soundtrack
Hey Ya (acoustic) cover

rain

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:01:00 +0000

It's rainy, and damp. And beautiful.

Perfect weather to stay indoors, knitting, watching a movie. Or to lose yourself, staring out the window at few sunrays dancing through the big gray clouds.

Maybe I should be annoyed at this weather, stealing from the those precious few New York spring days, but I can't. It reminds me of summer storms in Verona, and spring days in London, when the air is saturated with moisture, and there is an undeniable feeling of newness, cleanliness and freshness everywhere.

Thanks Brian, for the inspiration...

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Today's Soundtrack

Badly Drawn Boy - The Shining

warmth

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:01:00 +0000

Thank you for the comments, the emails, the gentle reminder, that you are all out there and that maybe, just maybe, I should pull myself out of my blogging coma and show my face.

What's been going on? Lot's. Life. Sunshine. Friends. Travel. Decisions. Yarn (oh my, so much yarn!). And that glorious spring light... so perfect for playing around with a film camera for the first time...

I've also been working on sprucing up this little space (and developing a little shop!) and I was using that as an excuse to push back my return to this online universe. But it turns out, I am not that good with html and it is taking me way longer than expected - a whole three months longer - to do what I want to do. And, surprise surpise, it's not done. Yet. So stay tuned for that, sometime soon. Or maybe in 2010.

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Today's Sountrack

Katy Perry - Hot'n'Cold

nineteen days - year two

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:42:00 +0000

Last March, my friend Leila and I embarked on a nineteen day long project to mark the annual occurrence of the Bahá’í Fast. It lead to a year long project - Every Morn and Eve - and now, just shy of a year later, here we are again, about to start the Fast once again.
We are both excited to be embarking on the nineteen days project again - a chance to share with all of you our thoughts and photographs during these most special days.
This year, we are adding an additional layer to the project by inviting 19 Bahá’í photographers from around the world to join us - by submitting photographs and thoughts from their daily Fast.

For Bahá’ís, and particularly for me, the Fast is a period of intense reflection - a time to recollect, regroup and gear up for the new year - for the coming of spring for the changing of seasons.

I hope you will come visit over at nineteen days, starting tomorrow.

guest photographer: leili towfigh

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:12:00 +0000

Wow. This is it. This is really IT.
Alison's fabulous week at Every Morn and Eve is over and here I am, introducing to you the final guest photographer: leili.

I can tell you, in no uncertain terms, that leili was my main and biggest inspiration when I first started taking pictures. I always admired her work, and when, one rainy New York winter day, I discovered that so many of her photos were taken with a small point and shoot, I suddenly realized that I didn't need to have any fancy equipment to take photographs! Look at what leili is doing!
She has a spectacular eye for details, and her photographs are always multi layered, and unique. Not only that, she is an accomplished artist in so many different mediums...
So it is only fitting that leili join me in this final, last week of this year long project. Thank you leili...

"I'm an educational technologist who likes to make things out of film, paint, paper, bit, byte, pencil and clay. I love beauty, color and texture and am obsessed with fractals and other repeating patterns.

My online portfolio of pictures and words lives here: www.leili.org.

For me, one of the benefits of art is that it can awaken spiritual capacities of discernment and sensitivity. Art reflects the spirit in which it was made.

Until about a year ago, my tiny Sony Cybershot suited me fine. I now use a small PowerShot, a Digital Rebel xti, and occasionally some toy cameras (Holga, Lomo).

My photographs are from Addis, Akko, Alaska, Big Sur, Boston, Bristol, Cambridge, Delhi, Haifa, Ipswich, Kampala, Lincoln, London, Lucknow, Mbale, Medford, Mexico City, Mountain View, Murrell's Inlet, New York City, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Tel Aviv, Vermont ... "

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Today's Soundtrack
Iron & Wine - Naked As We Came

guest photographer: alison bird

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 03:36:00 +0000

Folks, I know, the week is nearly over and I STILL haven't blogged about this week's photographer! Yes, and Philip's photos finally made them all up to Every Morn and Eve. Oh my, yes, this blog is all about apologizing and sharing other people's photos. Good grief. I don't really see the light at the end of the tunnel... yet. But it's there. Somewhere hazy, towards the end of March. Maybe then I will be back with some semblance of regularity and original content.

WHEW. That being out of the way, let me tell you all about Alison.
Oh, Alison...
Alison happens to be Philip's sister in law, and also one of the most wonderful, sweet, adorable, selfless, precious people I know. The kind of person to drag pounds of gorgeous african fabrics with her all the way to New York to gift to me. And talented, incredibly talented. Yes, it is true. I can just imagine Alison blushing right now as she reads this, so I will save her from further discomfort and just let her and her photos tell you more about herself...

"Alison, 29, a Baha'i.

moved to angola 3 years ago, work for usaid - it's been a mad adventure. and ... i love life!

i believe that every photo can tell a story. i very much aspire and strive to develop this capacity. but i have no rules, i just to follow my heart. most of the time i don't know what i'm doing.

i see someone or something, and just know i have to photography it in a specific angle. that's it. i've loved photography for as long as i can remember. i used to spend hours looking through our family photo albums, and my room was covered with photographs throughout my university years. photography keeps memories alive, when my mind forgets and helps alleviate the pain i feel from missing my loved ones.

photography is intense - sometimes my heart skips a beat or two from the excitement, in the knowledge that the very moment i hope to capture will never duplicate itself again. ever. this is the way i view the world through the lens."

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Today's Sountrack
Paul Simon - Under African Skies

guest photographer: philip blyth

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:16:00 +0000

I am having some internet issues, so posting over at Every Morn and Eve is quite irregular right now... I hope to update later today. For now though, please take a second to view this set of photos, and this one. Some of my favorite from Ronnie's virtual visit last week...

And this week, my dear friend Philip Blyth has been taking photos with me. Philip and I happen to live in the same city, but you wouldn't know it, given how impossible it seems for us to get our act together and meet up. I've know him and his lovely wife since we were all 12 and scrawny. We share many a passion, photography being one of them, and have been planning an outing to the fashion district to go fabric shopping for over a year now. From Philip...

"I'm a Belgian/British/NYC-based freelance interactive media designer with a burning passion for communication and photography.

Less is more, but it doesn't always work that way."

Some of Philip's photos are already up - once the internets collaborate, you'll get some more!

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Today's Soundtrack
Maritime - Tearing up the oxygen

guest photographers: ronnie yousefzadeh

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:07:00 +0000

Someone left a comment on my previous post, asking that I kindly start posting some of my own photos again! Yes, it has been a long time, and no, today is not the day when that changes. Blame the weather (why not!)...

Still, I do have some eye candy for you today - in the shape of images from this week's guest photographer: Ronnie.

Ronnie was the third piece most of my college days puzzle, together with Saleem. It's funny to me that none of us displayed much of an inclination towards photography at the time... and yet here we are, years later, all snapping photos in our respective corners of the world. Ronnie's photos have really impressed me. The light, colors and tone of them are always beautiful, the subject matters well thought through and I often find myself dazing at his photostream in sincere awe and amazement. Here is a bit about Ronnie:

"Whilst my academic and professional route is purely medical and scientific, my biggest passions in life, apart from the Baha'i Faith, are photography and music.

I live in London, a city where there is no shortage of people and pockets of hidden treasures around every corner.

My approach to photography is experimental in the sense that I like to constantly challenge myself and be as spontaneous as possible. I endeavor to learn new techniques and utilize technology, whether its strobe lighting to new post-production techniques.

Whilst my style is random, I'd say there is a method to my madness. I particular enjoy find something interesting in things dismissed as mundane.

Beauty lies in all creation, sometimes you have to look hard to find it."

I have no doubt that you will enjoy and look forward to his daily photos over at Every Morn and Eve as much as I will.

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Today's Soundtrack
T-Rex - Ride a white swan

guest photographer: sholeh loehle

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:18:00 +0000

I am not quite sure where the weeks are going, but they are just whizzing by and I am feeling a mix of joy (let's get through winter as fast as we possibly can) and stress, since there aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish all i wish for! So bad that I am lagging a couple of days behind on Every Morn and Eve -- but I promise to try to get you the last couple of Kadria's photos up tonight or tomorrow! That girl creates magic with her camera, for sure!

Speaking of magic... please help me welcome Sholeh! Sholeh and I have worked on another photo project together (which I won't link to right now, because it's sort of on hiatus) and I am thrilled that she is joining me for the coming week!

Here is a bit about her, from her. And her lovely photos... of course!

"Photography has always been a part of my life, both in front of the camera and behind it...as I've gotten older, I have learned to experiment more with the kinds of pictures that I take.

In photography, like in my writing, I love the little out-of-place things and the grand perspectives, the macro and night shots. I use a little Samsung point-and-shoot, and while it limits me in some ways, it forces me to get creative. Photos are memory triggers and history books for me.

Recently I discovered that my great-grandfather in Persia also took pictures as a hobby (and had a business selling cameras), often documenting the Baha'is of his region.

The challenge of posting photos in a public forum pushes me to improve and learn."

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Today's Soundtrack
She&Him - I thought I saw your face today

guest photographer: kadria simons

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:27:00 +0000

I loved having Mehdi guest posting this past week... not only because his photos are gorgeous, but also because he me back to my gorgeous, beloved London for a few days, especially with shots like this one and this one.
I managed to pull myself off the couch for a short while today (I was tackled and pinned down by a monstrous virus that left me exhausted, with barely the energy to lift my head) to come and tell you all about this week's photographer - Kadria.
As with many others of the guest photographers that I asked to participate, I originally met Kadria online, and fell in love with her work.

When I traveled to Israel for Pilgrimage back in June, we had a chance to spend a bit of time together, since she is volunteering at the Baha'i World Center. We became fast friends, with an ease and comfort that I hadn't encountered for a while, and I am glad that we have remained close from afar, encouraging each other in our work, in our passions, in our lives.

I really struggled to pick just a few of her photos to share here, since I really do love them all.

She has been shooting exclusively with film up to now (though she is borrowing a digital camera for the next week) and I love love love the quality that using film adds to her photos.

Go take a look at her photostream... and here is a bit more about her, in her own words:

"I have an endless fascination with portraits, so it tends to be what I do best. I love classic, black and white photography and derive much inspiration from great ones like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, and Martin Munkacsi. I have an unquenchable thirst for travel. So much so that anyone I've travelled with during the last few years knows that I'd much rather walk around all day taking photographs than follow a tour guide or stay indoors."

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Today's Soundtrack
Rhianna - Umbrella (Acoustic)

guest photographer: mehdi van den bos

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:06:00 +0000

Sorry for the sketchy presence - it's been a busy start to the year over here ! How are you all doing? I hope that January is treating you well, despite the cold!
Anjali's last day of posts was on Sunday - and I particularly love this combo... and this one. It was so nice to have her around - I think we need to plan a little photo project she and I - especially now that she's gotten her hands on a polaroid too!

This week, Mehdi van den Bos is joining me. I think he was one of the earliest people to encourage me into photography - advising me on equipment, giving me ideas, feedback, inspiration. I asked Mehdi to tell me a bit about himself, but he's a shy one, so here is what I can tell you about him.
He is kind harted, and will sit through an entire movie he saw JUST the night before and not even tell you. He takes amazing photos, mostly of nature and water. He's lived in Australia most of his life but is currently in London, doing research in neurology and taking photos. Glorious photos.

Here is his first evening submission from yesterday - I just love it. ~~It will be posted over at Every Morn and Eve shortly, once wordpress decides to cooperate with me.~~ It's up!

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Today's Soundtrack
Death Cab for Cutie - I will follow you into the dark

guest photographer: anjali pala

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:44:00 +0000

I must say, the usual Monday blues have really been temporarily alleviated for me, since I look forward to welcoming a new guest photographer every week.
It's been so great to have Saleem posting at Every Morn and Eve - this is for sure my most favorite of his shots this week, though I truly love this one as well. And this one too!

And this week... oh, this week, I sure have something wonderful in store for you. I think the best way to describe my adoration of this week's photographer's work is as that of a stalker towards the object of their obsession. Sounds a bit much? Trust me, I mean every word of it.
Anjali's photographs (yes, click on that link and you won't regret it), and specifically her portraits of children, are just breathtaking. And to boot she is a lovely person, which I can attest to because, once we actually met in person, we spent time easily chatting about books and how to categorize them, and photos and how we love them, and Italy and how it's perfect, over Indian food, - which are just some of my favorite things.
Here are some of her photos, and a bit about her, in her own words.

"I grew up taking pictures, but I really fell in love with photography was when I was 14 and learned how to develop my own photos in the darkroom.

It felt like magic, the perfect synthesis of chaos and order -- watching images emerge out of nothing, the uncertainty of never quite knowing how anything will turn out, the technique and the serendipitous disasters.

I shifted to digital three years ago when I moved to Israel and mostly use a wide-angle (17-40) or 50 mm. I prefer available light (no flash, thankyouverymuch) and love photographing children.

I like the practicality of using digital for projects or traveling, but the luddite in me would still love to have a darkroom some day."

Stay tuned for daily photos from her every day this week over at Every Morn and Eve...starting later tonight.

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Today's Soundtrack
Coldplay - Death and all his friends

no kidding

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:51:00 +0000

Yes, I know it's January 1st and really I should not blog for a whole month just to recuperate from the past month of mad daily posting. BUT. I just could not stay away once I found out that the lovely people over at Poladroid FINALLY launched a beta version of their software for us, poor, lonely PC users.

I can see you all you Apple folks out there roll your eyes, you know, and you're all "dude, OLD news" but hey, just humor me, m'kay?

Anyhow - this won't substitute my real, true, i can hold them in my hand and hug them tight at night Polaroids. But it will supplement it, significantly.

I posted a few more in this flickr set - and I am currently going though my stash and creating more and more... so feel free to check back!
Thanks to Chessa for introducing me to this - and then leaving me to drool for months as I waited for the PC version.

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Today's Soundtrack
Bruce Springsteen - Born to run

2008: a year in review

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 03:00:00 +0000

Well, I did not think I would make it - but here I am, 31 days later, done with a month long challenge of posting something every day. It was actually lot's of fun, and not as hard as I thought it would be - once I stopped fretting about what to post. I am painfully aware of the fact that I did not post about certain things I told you I would, but they are on my to-do list and I will get to them in the next little while.
For now though, to wrap up 2008, here is a small selection of some of my posts from last year that I thought you might enjoy...

rainbows and boxes.

we've decided to go in another direction.

he's got moves.

detour.

this is no ordinary lens, baby!

i'm no granny...

because it's friday.

it only took one take. ahem.

navel gazing.

i really do ♥ new york.

last supper.

kids in Akka.

s'mores.

i ♥ new york - a black and white love affair.

the photographic exercise.

last stance.

i ♥ new york - coney island

by the mediterrean sea.

holding on.

why i am never coming home.

31 days.

i ♥ new york - holiday lights.

Thank you so much, to each one of you out there, for stopping by, taking the time to read, comment and encourage. It is more appreciated than I can express.

I wish each one of you, your friends, families and dear ones, a happy, joyful New Year.

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Today's Soundtrack
Auld Lang Syne (I am partial to this instrumental version.)

as promised

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:00:00 +0000

I gave you a little taste of a story I shot a few days ago - about this wonderful woman who has been living above Carnegie Hall for the past 40 years.

It was an absolute joy to take photos of Editta - a person so full of life, energy... gumption - that I just said a little prayer in my heart that if I live to be 96, I may be even half as amazing as she is.
You can read the full article over here (some of my photos are there too), but here are just a few more images of her that I liked.

I simply loved the way she posed for this shot, with her knee slightly bent, standing proudly next to the camera that belonged to her father, that has captured so many famous faces.

Her studio was simply packed with old photos, papers, letters...

I instantly fell in love with black and white checkered floor - and I wish I had photo of the amazing view from her window...

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Today's Soundtrack
Patrick Watson - The Great Escape

guest photographer: saleem vaillancourt

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:00:00 +0000

I cannot properly express how much I am enjoying the guest bloggers' contributions over at Every Morn and Eve. Did you see this photo and this one from Sarah? Breathtaking for sure!

Joining me this week is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Saleem and I went to college together and in the company of another very talented photographer (that will be joining us later in the project) spent many hours hanging around the school cafeteria, talking about everything, anything and at times really nothing much of consequence.

Here is a bit more about Sal, in his own words - and in his photos...

"My name is Saleem and I like taking photos for fun. Other things are hard work and photos can be too, but i don't take them that seriously, it's jut a whimsical skip and dance for me. I also like taking photos because that way it's impossible to appear in them. As a writer on the far side of the world from most of my friends and family, I have learned to love the enforcement of anonymity. Godspeed! Here are some photos I took that were lucky shots:

Cairo

New York

Singapore

Saigon

Hong Kong

my friend Amy, our host.

S."

Welcome Sal - I look forward to your photos this week!

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Today's Soundtrack
The Beatles - Norwegian Wood

goa

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:48:00 +0000

Can you handle more photos from India? Really? Good, because here are some from the three short days we spent in Goa. It was gorgeous, beautiful, relaxed, perfect.
I miss warm sunshine on my skin, and sand between my toes.

Our little scooter motoring us along the small roads, quiet roads.

Rundown buildings, even more beautiful once they hand over the reins to nature.

Long walks on the beach at sunset. As painfully corny as that might sound.

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Today's Soundtrack
Dixie Chicks - Landslide

a movie to watch

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 04:38:00 +0000

We watched Slumdog Millionaire last night. I highly highly reccomend you watch it. It was truly fantastic. And it made me miss India ever so much.

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Not to mention, songs from one of my current favorite artists were sprinkled throughout the movie, so today's soundtrack (and yes, I've posted this song before, but I love it so!)
M.I.A. - Paper Planes
(the video is a scene from the movie, so you get a little preview too)

editta sherman

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:07:00 +0000

I took photos of Editta Sherman (not the one in that article -- I wish!) for work a few days ago. She lives above Carnegie Hall - where she's lived for the past 40 years - and is being evicted. She is a celebrity portrait photographer. Walking into her studio was amazing - all over the walls are photos of famous people she has photographed over the past 50 years. Yes, she is 96.
I'll share some more photos later next week - but here is one of her in her studio...

.. and a close up of a photograph she took of Andy Warhol.

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Today's Soundtrack
The Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You

photo inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 03:00:00 +0000

Here are a few pretty places for photos. Enjoy.

- americana
- bloom, grow, love
- brian's project 365
- ciao, chessa!
- [daily dose of imagery]
- huffmania
- maine momma
- me between you
- my polaroid blog
- nectar & light
- the 10 cent designer has lost her head
- strandgut

What sites inspire your photography? Please let me know!

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Today's Soundtrack
Guy Sigworth - Elephant in the room

Today's Soundtrack

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 03:00:00 +0000

Holiday Edition. If you can stomach anymore, I think you'll find a few unusual choices.

Mixtape from http://favtape.com/amysahba/december 24th 2008

oranges

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 03:00:00 +0000

They remind me of winter afternoons, by the fireplace, in my parents' home.
Peeling them, with my feet in wool socks, up against the fire.

Tossing the skins in the flames, the room smelling of orange zest, and olive, from the wood.
Sitting until it was too dark to see.
Until your cheeks were so warm, and bright red from the heat.

A good book on my lap, someone I love in the chair beside me.

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Today's Soundtrack
Coldplay - Viva La Vida

guest photographer: sarah-j

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:00:00 +0000

It's Monday again, which means we have to say goodbye to dear Elizabeth, after her week-long appearances on Every Morn and Eve. Elizabeth really had some fabulous shots this week - I particularly liked this one and this one. Thank you Elizabeth!

So, I am sad to see her go, but on the bright side, I am excited to welcome Sarah as this week's guest photographer. I've actually never met Sarah, other than online, but she was one of the early, staunch supporters of Every Morn and Eve when we started back in March. And her photos are also, of course, beautiful.

I asked Sarah to tell us something about herself - and to share some of her favorite photos...

"From my earliest childhood, my father’s musical instruments, his camera, his plants and his ham radio were ever-present, and wherever we lived, these items were a comforting and familiar part of our landscape. Taking photographs of nature gave my father joy, and what I appreciate most, looking back now, is that he shared this enthusiasm with me. He is the one who bought me my first camera so many years ago.

My mother let me borrow her Olympus when I was first learning how to take photographs in high school, and she helped me pay for photographic paper and Cokin filters. But more importantly, she introduced me to the Baha’i Faith, and for that I am eternally grateful.

I am most at home doing macro nature photography but also enjoy using a wide angle lens to take photos of our family and people when we are out and about. I prefer natural light but wouldn’t mind learning how to use my Speedlight successfully, as others have. While there are things I wish I could do, such as illustrating and/or writing a children's book, photography is something to which I can devote hours, and instead of becoming discouraged when the picture doesn’t look like the one I had in mind, I just want to keep with it. Seeing other people’s photographs stimulates my mind and heart in the same way that music does, and the Baha’i Writings fill my soul. Thank you, Amy and Leila, for starting Every Morn and Eve and for letting us participate."

Sarah - I am thrilled to have you join us! Our first post will be up later tonight!

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Today's Soundtrack
Benny Goodman - And The Angels Sing

winter trees

noreply@blogger.com (montague) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:00:00 +0000

I am in awe of the snow, the sky, the trees. It's magical, that light, that haze.

Flakes nestling where birds should be perched.

Those dark, deep, heavy clouds, with the long, skinny, bare tree branches, like fingers, crawling through the empty space.

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Today's Soundtrack
Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now