"The First Crack Epidemic" - Tales From The Hood (JDP)

Welcome to another Tales From The Hood.

Feast your eyes on "The First Crack Epidemic". Unsuspecting children were mesmerized by this machine of madness. The quarter dispenser was the exact height for a child's eyes. Below this colorful heaven was a spiral staircase where anticipation and excitement were stoked like a fireplace until the crack reached the dispenser.

Even today, adults have issues walking by this machine without going through withdrawal symptoms. Shakes suddenly occur without warning.

This is made worst for parents whose children have become addicted. After they have paid the cashier for their items, parents must walk down that long Temptaion Aisle before they reach salvation outdoors. Children wave their hands asking for 25 cents. The first word children learn after "mommy" and "daddy" is "quarter".

As this is happening, the whole supermarket moves in slow motion. Asthma pumps are utilized. Getaway cars are previously reved up.

Please be careful if you ever come across this tool of terror.

Thank you once again for attending another Tales From The Hood.

"MTA: Characters Welcome" - Tales From The Hood (JDP)

Welcome to another Tales From The Hood. Today we will meet a man I will call Vox.

This man was having a conversation with himself on the subway here in NYC.

Interestingly enough that wasn't the strangest part. Tucked underneath his left arm was an antique piece of audio equipment. Before iPods, before Walkmans, before boomboxes, dudes carried around their battery powered Vox cassette players. This one reminded me of the kind my granfather used to play old Spanish sermons back in the day.

The music coming out of the recorder was an old school country song with a singer that sounded like the Rappin Duke from "Duh-ha Duh-ha".

This is one of the many characters you will find on the subway trains in the Tales From The Hood.

Urban Fine Art Fave - "Here I Am To Worship!"

PHOTOGRAPHY

Here I Am To Worship! - This portrait of Pastor Ray Serrano was taken at the inaugural celebration of Life Together Fellowship in the Bronx.

The super wide angle allows us to see the expansiveness of worship for an unlimited God for his unfailing love.

Let us embrace Jesus today with our arms wide open.

Urban Fine Art


More Life Together Fellowship photos

"Dollars & Sense" (JDP)

Hmmm, I wonder how much clothing costs in this store?

jPhone

"MSG Out My Window"

This is the view outside my window here in New York City.

"MSG Out My Window" (JDP)

The Org Factor

SOCIAL ARCHITECTURE

This week I had the privilege to visit a seminary in New York City in conjunction with one of the organizations I am involved with. It was a great privilege to sit in one of the Doctoral classes and be allowed to participate. As a result of the class participation, I returned home continuing the class conversation as related to other contexts.

I wrote various notes and one of them I will share here to get clarity from the community:

"The fabric of organizational structures is fear, the fear of chaos and disorder. The fabric of an organism is fluidity, cohesiveness, and mobility. The church is not an organization, it is an organism. Stop the culture of fear." #theorgfactor

Help me out there. I am looking for feedback or pushback. What do you think?

"MTA: Best of Tex Mex CD" - Tales From The Hood

Enjoy another Tales From The Hood...

"MTA: Best of Tex Mex CD"

The C.C. Tales: Run This Town (Chyna Encore)

PHOTOGRAPHY

Alter Ego Portraits

Run This Town (Chyna Encore) from Joseph D. Martinez on Vimeo.

This is the Encore portrait presentation of Chyna from "The C.C. Tales".

Alter Ego Photography by Joseph Dominick

The C.C. Tales: An Alter Ego Photo Story (Part V of V)

PHOTOGRAPHY

As you can see, Catherine and Chyna are not always in agreement.

What will happen when your two egos meet?


The C.C. Tales: Alter Ego (Part V of V)

"Bridge & Tunnel"

Taken with jPhone

The C.C. Tales: An Alter Ego Photo Story (Part IV of V)

PHOTOGRAPHY

A true Aries woman, Chyna is hot-blooded, forceful, courageous and requires her freedom.

The C.C. Tales: Alter Ego (Part IV of V)

"Let Your Snow Glooow"

Taken with my jPhone

Me & My Boo Photo Shoot, NYC

PHOTOGRAPHY

Last summer my schedule did not allow me to photograph the wedding of Catalina and Victor. However, this past weekend, I had the great fortune of following this young couple through midtown Manhattan in the cold weather and taking portraits of them. We started off near Penn Station and then made our way to Times Square.

The pics will be up soon. In the meantime, here is a photo of me, Victor, Cat, and Ura (the makeup artist and cool friend).

The C.C. Tales: An Alter Ego Photo Story (Part III of V)

PHOTOGRAPHY

As a single mom, Catherine's greatest accomplishment is how successful, beautiful and talented her daughters are. A true Libra woman, Catherine is graceful, idealistic, hospitable, and seeks harmony.

The C.C. Tales: Alter Ego (Part III)

The C.C. Tales: An Alter Ego Photo Story (Part II of V)

PHOTOGRAPHY

"It's what you haven't done that will torment you!" This is Chyna's motto. It seems she never rests. A rebel at heart she spends her days riding her bike up and down the east coast. It seems she lives life to the fullest, taking risk, leaving no stone unturned. No responsibilities. No obligations.

The C.C. Tales: Alter Ego (Part II)

The C.C. Tales: An Alter Ego Photo Story (Part I of V)

PHOTOGRAPHY

"Man's work is from Sun to Sun, but a woman's work is never done." This is Catherine's motto. It seems she never rests. A nurturer at heart, she is always caring for her own children or the children she gives speech therapy to at work.

The C.C. Tales: Alter Ego (Part I)

"His Glory Parts the Waters"

jPhone Photography

Urban Fine Art Fave - "Sunshine"

PHOTOGRAPHY

Sunshine - This is the last portrait in The-Genesis-Portrait Project.

I decided on this close-up to highlight the life, the vibrancy, the beauty and the light that Genesis shares with the world. As humans we all have this capacity. I believe we need to share more of that.

Urban Fine Art

Super Hero Name

RANDOM

If I had a super hero name, it would be The Precisionist. Accurate & Deadly.

What's your Super Hero name?