Photography by Gregory Tapler

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2010-02-01T16:03:00.001-05:00

Visit me here Reflections

Anytime Photos May 7, 2009

2009-05-07T17:30:00.003-04:00

Lunchtime Photos April 30, 2009

2009-04-30T12:58:00.003-04:00

Lunchtime Photos April 24, 2009

2009-04-24T12:50:00.005-04:00

Lunchtime Photos April 23, 2009

2009-04-23T13:06:00.003-04:00

Lunchtime Photos April 16, 2009

2009-04-16T12:47:00.004-04:00

Lunchtime Photos April 15, 2009

2009-04-15T14:24:00.002-04:00

Lunchtime Photos April 8, 2009

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Lunchtime Photos April 7, 2009

2009-04-07T12:40:00.004-04:00

Lunchtime Photos April 2, 2009

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Lunchtime Photos April 1, 2009

2009-04-01T17:54:00.003-04:00

a stretch i made to shoot two days a week for one month, whatever, wherever i want. unedited and uninterpreted.

Me and Hope

2009-03-13T18:03:00.006-04:00

This is a little story about hope. These are tough times. How many times have you heard that today? It's almost to the point where we've become desensitized to the struggle millions of people are having. It's all over the media - radio, tv, web. Seems we're flooded with hard times and struggle. Maybe. Maybe not.

For those of you who know me, you know I look at life through a different lens. I see life as opportunity to learn, opportunity to teach. Sure there are people 'struggling'. What makes that so bad. Some of the most beautiful things were born through struggle.

Now, for the sake of the story, we'll call this little peanut shown in the picture, Hope. You see, her parents are friends of ours. My wife and the mother of Hope go a LONG way back. While she was in the womb, there were doctors talking of problems, you know difficulties. Apparently she wasn't growing as much as they would have liked. We all figured, ah, in time, Hope will come around. Let's not worry too much.

In the months ahead, her growth was at a rate that made many people scared - including me. Fear was starting to build. Questions were starting to arise. What was going on - what was happening to Hope.

The doctors decided to bring our little peanut into this world a little early. They figured they could take care of her outside the womb more carefully - more cautiously.

For months, our little peanut struggled. She struggled to eat. She struggled to grow. She struggled to live.

~ take a breath

Through all of that struggle, I witnessed the beauty of Hope. She brought friends together. She kept family first. She brought joy and beauty to wherever she was by simply existing. By simply being who she is.

You see, my belief is that Hope never saw the struggle. She never experienced the hard times. My belief is that Hope simply is. She is love. She is joy. She is family. She is friends. Through her existence, through her being, she lives in love. She lives in joy. She lives in Hope!

Much Love Peanut.

- greg

Open your eyes...

2008-06-05T18:58:00.012-04:00

A saw a headline today in the news about a 78 year old man who was a victim to a hit and run and no one stopped to help him. (Story found here). Yesterday, on my way home from work, I saw a collection of items in the road, that apparently didn't belong there, taking up an entire lane. As I approached closer, I saw there was a woman in an SUV pulled to the side of the road preparing to collect her items that leaped from her car. Cars ahead of me slowed down, moved to the other lane and simply passed by. Others didn't even bother slowing down, just jetting to the other lane and cruising by. I stopped and parked my car to protect her items, got out and carried her children's stroller to her truck for her. Her kids were in the back watching everything go down.

So I think to myself, WTF. Please don't get me wrong, I realize this could be read as some holier-than-though bull crap. That is in no way my intention. I want people to wake up! Come on now, there are more people living in this world along with you. Where's the compassion, where's the community, where's the love???

-- I'm reminded suddenly of an earlier blog about the child I found wondering in the parking lot. (Read about it here) --

One question I've learned to ask myself through the years is "what is this about for me?".

My first reaction to this is anger. I get pissed off that people are so self-absorbed that the entire world around them is a blur...almost non-existent. They walk around bumping into people while texting. They talk blindly on their cell phones while standing right next to you with no regard to tone. If I were to embrace this anger, I'd probably end up grabbing someone, smacking them upside the head and saying... Shit! You know what? It doesn't matter. Probably wouldn't make a difference. Anger breads nothing but anger.

As I look deeper I see the fear. The fear feels like a dark cloud circling around my stomach. It shortens my breath. It tightens my chest. My fear is that these people will endanger me, my wife, my family. These people will ignore me if I fall and need them. These people will ignore my cries for help. Am I really alone?

Still deeper I see the sadness. The sadness feels like a river of tears flowing through my entire being. It weighs on my heart. It weighs on my soul. I can taste the salt. My sadness is around the belief that people are not inherently good. That people don't care for each other. That people aren't interested in loving. That people aren't interested in me.

I've learned much about myself over the years. I know that I am a loving man. I am a man who chooses to be compassionate, chooses to be part of the community...part of the village. I am a man who strives to live my life with integrity, who strives to hold myself accountable for each and every one of my actions. I am also a man who needs people. I need people in my life to nourish, to nourish me. I need people in my life to love. This is part of my core...part of who I am.

So what to do?

I can choose to live my life as I am, simply allowing you to be who you are. I can choose to stand up and get on the nearest soap box and start screaming at the top of my lungs for you to wake up. I can allow the feelings and the judgments to absorb me, to fall into a depressive stupor and loose myself in the experience.

~ take a breath

WAIT! I have another idea...

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I'll meet you there.

When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase 'each other'
doesn't make any sense.

~ Rumi

Not only open your eyes...open your heart.

- greg

Monocacy - Up Close And Personal : Part V

2008-04-10T19:24:00.014-04:00

The Big Picture.

As I wrap up my series for the Monocacy, I want to take a look at what this project has taught me, us, along the way.

With Part I (found here), I shared my intention of the project. My hope was (and still is) for you to become part of the photograph; to remind you that you are part of something bigger; to remind you that everything and everyone is connected.

With Part II (found here) I brought you into the peace of nature. I provided you with an opportunity to experience the calmness, the magic of what's all around you - all of the time. My hope is you were reminded that wherever you are, whenever it may be, there is a peace of nature along with you to ground you - to remind you.

With Part III (found here) I opened myself up further with some of my frustration and anger. I was forced to take a good look in the mirror and come face to face with the battles that lie within. My hope was to allow you to do the same. Take a look into where you fit and what it is you may want to do differently.

With Part IV (found here) my hope was to remind you that life is full of choice. Every moment can be viewed in many ways and accepting and embracing life for what it is, without judgment, could be peaceful and fulfilling.

So, as this project comes to an end, I thank you for walking this journey with me. Knowing in some way that all of us who have read this will embrace life differently, perhaps more aware, fills me with great joy and hope.

~ take a breath

Namaste.

- greg

Monocacy - Up Close And Personal : Part IV

2008-02-14T19:34:00.012-05:00

Redirected.

The water flows freely, following the path it has carved for centuries. Suddenly, there's something in the way...what could it do? It does what it has been doing for as long as rivers flowed - it embraces it and move through. What happens to the water though? Does it change? Look at it.

Lines that once were now become curves. Stillness now becomes turbulence. Light becomes shadow. Is it different? Or is it more?

I see this image and I'm reminded of life and the choices I have. There are times when my life is moving along smoothly, comfortably, even peacefully. Then suddenly, there's a stump in my way. I have many choices. I can avoid it completely. I have learned, though, that if I do, I will be facing that stump again. I can pretend it isn't there at all. I have learned, though, that if I do, I'm only lying to myself. I can replace it with something else - another stump perhaps. I have learned, though, that this is no way to live.

There is another way!

I can learn from the water. I can embrace it and move through. I have learned that if I step back and see the stump as part of the water - part of life - and not a hindrance, I can take in the beauty it creates - the curves, the turbulence, the shadows.

~ take a breath

Life is choice - every moment can be viewed in many ways. I choose to dance with the beauty created by the stump.

- greg

There are additional images from the Monocacy available on a blog-only section of my website. I hope you find them pleasing.

As the sun sets...

2008-01-02T13:45:00.000-05:00

I took this photograph pondering the events of 2007, the milestones like opening my studio; my wife and I applying to adopt a baby - the successes like the completion of a large home project - the challenges like writing my autobiography - the family and friends that have meant so much to me...it was a great year. This photograph has another meaning to me now. Let me explain...

I met Phil over a year ago at the gym. I was screwing around playing some basketball and he approached me along with his buddy. "Wanna play ball?"...sure, why not. We weren't very good, but good enough to run around, get some exercise, make a few points, scream at the ball, and call a foul on whatever because we were tired and frustrated. I'm not sure what happened, but after a while, more people joined in and it became an every Tuesday event...then every Tuesday/Thursday event...than back to every Tuesday (for me, at least). We had a great time.

Phil, played soccer and he was fast - when I say fast, I mean one second you're dribbling, the next second, he's flying past you with the ball in his hands. He wasn't the best shot, but I'll tell you what, every time he made one, you'd stand there, scratch your head and ask "how the heck did that go in?". He had this thing when he would shoot a three-pointer. He would post, take a loud, deep breath, then shoot, with no regard, towards the basket. When he would miss, he'd miss big - when he made it...+3 with style ~ "COUNT IT". He was a lot of fun to play ball with. When we weren't playing ball, we'd be working out and he was quick to help out with a spot on a lift or just helping me mack on the Cowboys.

Phil passed away over Christmas ~ he was 24.

~ take a breath

It's with a heavy heart that I look again at this sunset. I realize how it will never be the same. I also realize that I can find comfort in knowing that it will always be. Tomorrow, the sun will rise, and set, as it always does - but it will most likely look different than it did today.

I mourn my friend with great sadness, while at the same time, celebrate the life he lived with his friends and family. I find peace in knowing that although Phil, the man, has left us, Phil, the spirit remains.

May he walk gently into the light...

I'll miss him.

- greg

Monocacy - Up Close And Personal : Part III

2007-11-30T13:03:00.000-05:00

Subtitled: Interpretation

When I tell a story of an image, at times, it's because of the emotional response I had while taking the photo. Other times, it's life's moments that bring about the image in my mind. I'm not clear on why 'this' image - I've learned not to question.

Also, this story is a little longer than usual - it needs to be that way.

I was shopping recently and while I was walking towards the ramp to go into the store, I noticed a little boy, around 2 or 3, clearly alone, wandering down the ramp. I paused. I looked around. I didn't notice anyone 'claiming' the boy. I kept my eye on him. Then he decided to venture into the parking lot. Now, keep in mind, other people noticed the boy (I saw that much). One woman continued to back out with the boy wandering around her van. Another couple just went along their merry way as if he was some kind of employee cleaning up the parking lot...I ran towards him and stopped him. He looked surprised. I asked him where his mommy was. He said nothing. I reached out my hand, he took it, and we walked into the store. I told the cashier I found this little guy and she yelled out "Did anyone lose a boy?" A young woman approached and said "Yes" and claimed him. I told her I found him in the parking lot and then she said "Ok"...That's it? "Yes", "Ok"...hmm.

I wondered what she was thinking. I wondered how she felt.

I left it alone and went shopping. When I was finished, I heard the cashier talking about the mother. How she was so irresponsible and thankless. How people steal kids all the time. How she would never let that happen to her son...hmm.

I got angry. I thought for a moment..."that could happen to anyone". What pisses me off are the people in the parking lot. The people so oblivious to what's going on around them that they couldn't spot a lost little boy wandering around in the parking lot...or if they did, chose to do nothing about it. WTF!

When I was leaving, the cashier said to me "I guess you did your good deed for the day."...hmm.

Good deed, what good deed? That's simply being responsible. Being accountable to our world's children. Being a human. Helping a mother who's so consumed by her life that she loses her little boy while shopping..good deed? Come on people WAKE UP!

~ take a breath

Look, I don't want to force-feed anything to anyone. What I want is for you to see how you fit into the world. Maybe there's room to be more compassionate. Maybe there's room to be more loving. Maybe there's room to be more selfless...maybe.

Looking at the photo of the waterfall, one can interpret the water as a gentle song. Another can interpret it as a crashing symbol...either way, it's your interpretation; this story is mine.

- greg

A pat on the back

2007-11-09T14:26:00.001-05:00

Have you ever had a hard time patting yourself on the back. I have - i still do. I met Rachel Brooks through my mentorship with big brothers and big sisters. They were shooting a promotional commercial with her and asked me to photograph the event. I enjoy donating my time and talents. She's a great girl - smart, caring. I mentioned that if she ever needed a photographer, she could contact me. Long behold, she got in touch with me some months later and asked if i would sponsor her and the Miss Pennsylvania pageant with a photo shoot. Sure, why not...it should be fun.

So she shows up to my house, meets my wife and dog, and changes into this beautiful gown. At first i was intimidated with the pressure of 'getting it right' and 'doing a good job' - it's more about my b-s stories of not being good enough - once i started shooting though, all the worries and untruths dissipated (for a while, anyway). Her director was accompanying her and offered some great ideas for poses. It was a lot of fun. My wife was totally into it and assisted with props. I believe she truly loved embracing her little girls excitement around being with Miss Pennsylvania. We all had a great time.

Shortly after, once i provided the organization with the photos, they asked me if they could use one of the shots for the Miss America Organization for their website . Sure, why not...it should be fun. All of a sudden, the b-s comes back - 'are you sure you want people to see this' - 'the photo isn't THAT good' - AAARRRGGG!!! SHUT UP!!! I'm tired of thinking that I'm not good enough - I'm tired of hearing those 'stories' in my head.

~ take a breath

I've been doing personal work for many years and am very familiar with this voice. I am coming to the point of understanding that it may never go away. Sure it's silent for a while, there are times, though, when it creeps it's ugly head back in. What i DO know is that it's a lie. It's crap handed to me from people who never felt good enough about themselves and threw their 'stuff' at me...apparently, it stuck (like crap does).

Well, that said, i want to publicly and proudly pat myself on the back for doing a great job.

Here's a quote from the executive director of the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Organization...

"This is one of the best photos taken of Rachel since her state win..."

take that in!

- greg

Brothers

2007-10-31T11:14:00.000-04:00

So I had this photo shoot the other day of a family that consisted of mom and dad, two boys and one girl. It started out just like any other shoot, you know, position the bodies, reposition the lights, so on and so on. Midway through the shoot something magical happened. Not stardust, fairytale magical, but memory magical. The older brother decided to punch the younger one in the gut - sparking a cry of mercy and revenge. Some of you may read this and think - "now that's mean" or "what was that all about". Others will read this and think to themselves, as I did - "ah, memories".

I'm not sure how many of you have a brother(s), but for those of you who do, I'm hoping you can relate. Right after the not-so-inconspicuous shot to the gut, memories of my younger brother came flooding to me from years back. I remembered the exact same incident occurring between myself and my younger brother. I don't know what the heck we were talking about, but I ended up giving him a shot to his stomach. I remembered how sad he looked. I remembered how scared I was - I just knew he was going to run and tell my dad and I was in for it.

I then stopped to take a look at these two boys, seeing them in another way. I noticed how they were different. I took a look at the older boy and saw this confident, strong-willed, outgoing being that was practically always looking for attention. I then turned my attention to the younger boy. He was quiet and reserved. His self-confidence was lower and he appeared to be much different than his older sibling. I started to think about how my younger brother and I used to argue - how we would know each others buttons and how and when to push them. I remember times when I would run away from him when he was trying to hang out with me and my friends. I remember how I felt we were so different and, at times, probably not related at all.

After things calmed down from the effects of the punch, which took all of about 5 seconds, I noticed how they began to play together - doing pull-ups on my support beam, making faces at their sister... I had to smile. Remembering the mud pies we made together, the holes we dug to China, the tree forts we invested most of our time into, I felt my heart beat a little stronger. I realized how much my brother means to me. No matter what we've been through with each other - regardless of the pain we inflicted on each other - in spite of the millions of times we said we hated each other - he's my strongest ally, he's my best friend - he's always there for me - as I am for him.

~ take a breath

It's poetic to me that doing exactly what I love to do brings about such joyous and loving memories... life is indeed good!

P.S. This one's for you Tone.

- greg

John

2007-10-11T18:47:00.000-04:00

I met John this past weekend during Bethlehem, PA's first Harvest Festival on Main Street. My wife and I were walking down the hill towards the area where the outdoor bands play. I spotted John sitting in a chair - thin, smoking, tired - with a broken brick-stucco wall as his backdrop. I instantly felt the sadness of the scene. Here sits this man, beaten, weathered, alone, taking the time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. I shot an image and he instantly sensed me. He looked toward me and I snapped again (not my best shot, but you get the picture). His smile welcomed me.

I walked over and introduced myself. He told me his name was John. I explained I was a photographer and love to be outdoors with people for candid moments. I told him he was very photogenic. He welcomed me to have a seat next to him and feel free to shoot. After speaking for a while, I learned that he has been through a long and hard journey and felt tired and beaten. I learned that he battles his demons one day at a time and feels alone a lot. He told me a story of a man who took advantage of him and that brought up anger for me. He spoke about it like it was an every day occurrence for him and that brought me sadness. Here sits this quiet man, struggling through life and arrogant son of a beeps take advantage of him. ~ take a breath.

In my attempt to break the silence, I asked him to smile for me. His first attempt, he kept his mouth closed - for obvious reasons - and that didn't seem to fit his soul. I said to him "show me some teeth". He started cracking up and broke out this huge smile. I laughed, he laughed, it was warm and kind. The band started playing shortly after and we sat and listened to some John Mellencamp and J. Geils Band tunes. I dug in my pockets and found a couple bucks to offer to John. He saw that it was pure and gently removed the money from my hands and placed it in his. I don't think I'll ever forget the look of appreciation he gave me...correction, I hope I always remember! What a great man - what a great time! Thanks John!

Thanks John!

Monocacy - Up Close and Personal: Part II

2007-09-25T20:23:00.001-04:00

Alas, the journey continues. I walk along the creek of the Monocacy in Bethlehem and come upon a tree. Not a difficult thing to do - it is, after all, a creek bed. This tree grabbed my attention. Perhaps it was the way it decided to grow right along the creek bed. Maybe it was the way it was partnered with the water flowing through the rocks...it whispered "hey, come here and sit...relax...breath."

Imagine yourself sitting with your back against the trunk, listening to the water flow behind you. Imagine you close your eyes and just feel the weight of the world lifted off of your shoulders...mmmm.

~ take a breath ~

The tree is subtle and comfortably fits into the photograph as natures edge. I especially like the way the trunk protrudes in the center, breaking up the edge. As the water flows from the calm to the wild, the tree is always there to support - to ground.

Enjoy!

- Greg

(Comments appreciated and welcome)
P.S. If you're interested in purchasing any of my photographs, please contact me and we'll make it happen.
gregtapler@gmail.com

Monocacy - Up Close And Personal : Part I

2007-08-31T11:09:00.000-04:00

I remember being told "it's important to have a goal". Well, I've just created a goal for myself. My goal is to photograph images of Monocacy Creek, Bethlehem, and create a collection named "Monocacy - Up Close And Personal" - It will be comprised of scenes I encounter during my walks along Monocacy Creek.

I want to share the images with you so you can get an inside look at who I am along with experiencing and appreciating natures beauty for yourself through my photography. One intention with my photography is to spark an emotional response from the viewer. I want people to feel the composition, the lighting, the exposure - I want people to be part of the photograph and have the photograph be part of them.

The first image I chose to share is an exposure I made recently. One of my favorite places to be in nature is near water. Whether it's the ocean, a lake, a pond, or a creek, water sooths my mind. You'll most likely see water in many of my works. The water from this location was flowing through the rocks and making a soft trickling sound. When I sat there and closed my eyes, the sound and the energy of the flow took any anxiety with it. It released any fear and worry. I felt free and I felt connected.

~ take a breath ~

The smooth transition of the water starting at the top of the rocks is subtle and gentle. Once it passes through the rocks, the splash is created below, bringing with it the subtle power and force of the creek ~ of life. I especially enjoy the swirling of the shadow of the tree and the reflection of the sun in the center (left center) . It reminds me that everything is connected; that life is fragile.

I hope you enjoy this photograph and it brings peace to your mind and soul.

- Greg

(Comments appreciated and welcome)
P.S. If you're interested in purchasing any of my photographs, please contact me and we'll make it happen.
gregtapler@gmail.com

What's the big secret

2007-07-30T20:16:00.000-04:00

OK, by now you might have heard that there's a secret brewing with my photography. The news is that I now have a new studio. In fact, it's my first studio! It's located in Bethlehem, PA and has just what you'd expect to find in a professional studio - lighting, reflectors, backdrops, props, and a one-of-a-kind, professional, creative, enthusiastic, and passionate photographer [cough, cough] ~ ME!

Recently, I've been finding that a large part of my passion for life is falling into my photography. I've been studying under an international photographer from London, England named Olaf Starorypinski (www.ORSphoto.com) for a few months and learning, extensively, about lighting, subject positioning, and bringing out my creativity. What I'm finding is that I love, wholeheartedly, bringing out the magic, the trueness, the realness of a subect ~ whether it be human or not.

What I'm hoping for is that my photographic skills find a place into your life. Whether you would need an updated photo or your children, a new family portrait, a scenic display to hang on your wall, or a special event covered. What I want is for every single one of my clients, when they receive their photographic results, to feel that they got not only a portrait, but a memory that they'll hold in their heart for a lifetime.

~ greg
...view my profile for contact information (gregtapler@gmail.com)
...visit my photos on Flickr (http://flickr.com/photos/gregorytapler)

Some comments from previous clients:
"Greg created a comfortable atmosphere in our own home. My children had no problem posing for their pictures. This is the second time in 4 years that I was able to get professional photos taken of my 4 year old son. Every time I would take my kids to department stores to have their picture taken by other professionals, have been a nightmare. Greg's professionalism and enthusiasm made it easier to finally get a beautiful picture of both my kids." THANKS GREG" ~ Diana

"Great work at a great price. He was excellent with our children, very patient. Fast turn-around and outstanding photo quality." ~ Melissa

"Greg repeated "house calls" when we had our anniversary celebration and caught everyone having a real good time. Also for business, Greg came to the house and was able to take a group photo of the office staff. It's hard to please everyone in a group, but he did that." ~ Penny & Dick