Vigil at Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

A few portraits from an assignment at the beginning of the month.  Parishoners at Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini church in Scituate, Massachusetts have been on an around the clock vigil inside the church since the Archdiocese of Boston announced that they would be closing the parish seven years ago.  They stay in shifts, an hour here, a few hours there, and with at least two people sleeping in the church overnight.  For seven years.  The parishioners are afraid that if the Archdiocese close the church then it will be sold off to pay for settlements stemming from the priest abuse scandal.

It's not my first time covering the vigil but it is the only time that the light was in my favor.  Natural light, in the late fall and winter is hard to come by in New England.  But we have had a great streak of warm days and clear skies.  Thankfully this assignment was at 3:30 meaning the light was streaming through the incredible stained glass windows that adorn the church.  So I worked them and I think the results were pretty nice.

Jon Rogers of Scituate, MA, parishioner and spokesperson for The Friends of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini church, stands for a photo inside the church nave on Thursday, December 1, 2011 in Scituate, Massachusetts.  Mister Rogers and his fellow parishioners have held an around the clock vigil inside the church since 2004 when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston announced that St. Frances Cabrini was slated for closure.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Jon Rogers of Scituate, MA, parishioner and spokesperson for The Friends of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini church, sits for a photo inside the church nave on Thursday, December 1, 2011 in Scituate, Massachusetts.  Mister Rogers and his fellow parishioners have held an around the clock vigil inside the church since 2004 when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston announced that St. Frances Cabrini was slated for closure.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Jon Rogers of Scituate, MA, parishioner and spokesperson for The Friends of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini church, sits for a photo inside the church nave on Thursday, December 1, 2011 in Scituate, Massachusetts.  Mister Rogers and his fellow parishioners have held an around the clock vigil inside the church since 2004 when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston announced that St. Frances Cabrini was slated for closure.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Jon Rogers of Scituate, MA, parishioner and spokesperson for The Friends of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini church, stands for a photo outside the church on Thursday, December 1, 2011 in Scituate, Massachusetts.  Mister Rogers and his fellow parishioners have held an around the clock vigil inside the church since 2004 when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston announced that St. Frances Cabrini was slated for closure.  Photo by Matthew Healey

George P. Kelly of Scituate, MA, long time parishioner of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini church, sits for a photo in the vestibule of the church while sitting vigil on Thursday, December 1, 2011 in Scituate, Massachusetts.  Mister Kelly and his fellow parishioners have held an around the clock vigil inside the church since 2004 when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston announced that St. Frances Cabrini was slated for closure. Photo by Matthew Healey

 

Occupied

Just one from last month.

Boston, MA - A woman who goes by the name Mike holds up a sign as a pedestrian walks by at the tent city for Occupy Boston at Dewey Square on Friday October 14, 2011.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Travelin

Sadly I don't get to travel all that often but like most people I really enjoy it when I do.  I finally married my long time love Christine Hochkeppel (now Healey!) and we decided to go all out with the honeymoon and head to Southern Spain and France.

I always have a hard time deciding on what to bring for a camera when I travel.  I love shooting photos, but it is also a job for me, so it's nice to just step away from the camera and experience life without that urge to document it.  I compromised with myself on this trip and just brought one body and one lens and two memory cards.  I decided to bring a beat up 1D Mark 2 body and the Sigma 30 1.4.  The combo makes for an interesting look.  The lens adds a touch of vignetting and allows me to really blow out the background with the shallow depth of field.  I also chose the combo because it's an older body that is nearing retirement.  It still works well and is weather sealed but if it somehow got away from me then it wouldn't have been a big loss. 

It turned out to be a good decision.  I had a lot of fun shooting and the lens was just wide enough and just fast enough to make it really versatile.  When I was not using it I just broke it down and packed it up in my backpack. 

So here are a few frames from our two week trip.  Enjoy.


Blog 111711 - Images by Matthew Healey

Holga AKA the original hipstamatic

Boston, MA - Boston Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis signs autographs before a game at Fenway Park.  Photo by Matthew Healey

The medium format TLR that I usually keep in my car has temporarily bitten the dust, so I have been shooting with my Holga again AKA 'the original hipstamatic'.  I've talked about it on here before.

The Holga is made of plastic and has a set apeture of 'around' f13 and a shutter speed of around 1/100th of second.  So the only way to adjust the exposure is to use different film, or try and modify the aperture hole.  I usually load it with 400 iso black and white color process film and try not to shoot when it is too bright out to avoid overexposing. 

There are moments when I am using the holga, usually after I get a roll developed, that I question why I should even bother.  Especially when I can shoot an unlimited number of photos that look almost the same for free by using my cell phone.  I think I still like to use film because it brings back that old feeling I used to get before I had a digital camera.  The anticipation.  I know what I shot, I know what to expect, but there is always a surprise thrown in there.  Which I guess is the beauty of the camera.  Forgot to wind the film after you shot something?  Oh well you just made a double exposure (see below).  Pointed the camera into the sun, yeah welcome to lens flare city (same).  Shot from the hip while walking back to your car, actually, that wasn't too bad. 

I learned pretty quickly that the dreamy effect that the camera gives to your photos can only get you so far.  The old rules of content and composition still apply.  A boring photo, even one that looks like it was shot through vaseline, is still a boring photo.  I should know, I have a lot of them.  But every now and then I get one or two that I think are worth scanning.

Boston, MA - A young Boston Bruins fan poses for a photo before a Stanley Cup game against the Vancouver Canucks at TD Garden.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - A young Boston Bruins fan poses for a photo before a Stanley Cup game against the Vancouver Canucks at TD Garden.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - An Occupy Boston participant speaks before the group marches on Dewey Square.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - An Occupy Boston participants march through the Financial District.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - An Occupy Boston participant poses for a photo on Dewey Square.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - A Occupy Boston tents on Dewey Square.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - A man smokes a cigarette in a doorway.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Foxboro, MA - New England Patriots double exposure.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Foxboro, MA - New England Patriots.  Photo by Matthew Healey

The bottom line is, the Holga is fun, and gets me to slow my shooting down, if only for a little while.

A note on scanning: I don't have a medium format film scanner so I have been laying the negatives on a light box and then taking a photo of them with my digital camera.  I then invert the images in photoshop and tone them properly.  Results aren't too bad but the cropping makes the images a bit softer than they are. 

One week apart

Or why I love New England, and never leave home without boots.

Boston, MA - Harvard University junior running back Trevor Scales (24) charges upfield on a carry against Dartmouth in the first quarter at Harvard Stadium on Saturday October 29, 2011.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - Jansen Tiongson of Boston reads on the Esplanade on a sunny afternoon on Saturday November 5, 2011.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Juxtaposition

One of the most exciting aspects of working as a photojournalist is the fact that every assignment you have is different.  Sometimes they are exceptionally different.  For example showing up at a fancy gala for a celebrity photo after just leaving a murder scene that was only a two miles away.  At the gala, people are laughing, having fun, drinking, eating all while looking their best.  At the crime scene you are sometimes dealing relatives of the victim who are literally having the worst day of their life.  It can be strange and can take some getting used to and you have to learn how to wear different hats.


Back in July I had one of those days.  Was sent to a candlelight vigil for two murder victims and then directly over to a private concert featuring scantily clad 20 somethings downing free rum all night.

Boston, MA - A card written in memory of Hyde Park murder victim Billie Marie Kee is amongst other gifts at a memorial in front of the apartment building where Kee was found as seen during a vigil on Saturday July 30, 2011.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - Tanisha Dupree of Boston, light candles for Hyde Park murder victim Kevin 'Smiley' Thomas at a makeshift memorial on the front steps of the apartment building where Thomas was found, as part of a candlelight vigil on Saturday July 30, 2011.   Photo by Matthew Healey during a vigil on Saturday July 30, 2011.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - Friends of Hyde Park murder victim Kevin 'Smiley' Thomas, hold hands in prayer as part of a candlelight vigil on Saturday July 30, 2011 in front of the apartment Thomas was found in.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - Friends of Hyde Park murder victim Kevin 'Smiley' Thomas, from left Robyn Chaney of Boston, Valerie Simpson of Boston, Lisa Dupree of Boston and Tanisha Dupree of Boston, light candles at a makeshift memorial on the front steps of the apartment building where Thomas was found, as part of a candlelight vigil on Saturday July 30, 2011.   Photo by Matthew Healey

 

Quincy, MA - A couple dances before Ciara performs at a private concert as part of the Station Invasion presented by Malibu Rum at Oyster Bar on Saturday July30, 2011.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Quincy, MA - Two women wait on the dance floor before Ciara performed at a private concert as part of the Station Invasion presented by Malibu Rum at Oyster Bar on Saturday July30, 2011.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Quincy, MA - Fans take photos as Ciara performs at a private concert as part of the Station Invasion presented by Malibu Rum at Oyster Bar on Saturday July30, 2011.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Quincy, MA - A couple dances before Ciara performs at a private concert as part of the Station Invasion presented by Malibu Rum at Oyster Bar on Saturday July30, 2011.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Sox

Thought this sums up how September is going for the Sox right now.

Boston, MA - Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury adjusts his cap in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on Saturday July 9, 2011.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Everything is fine

Been slacking on the blog so here is a pic from last month.

Boston, MA - WCVB Anchor Liz Brunner looks up towards the roof as she rappels down the side of the Hyatt Regency for the Special Olympics Over The Edge fundraiser on Friday July 22, 2011.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Weekly Rentals - Tiffany and Jenna

West Yarmouth, MA - Tiffany Rose walks her one year old daughter Jenna Marie Rose in front of the motel on a cold spring day.

I have been slow to update the blog here for various reasons.  Primarily because I have been busy with work.    Which is great, but I need to be better about putting at least one or two photos a week up here.  Cause I know you are all waiting for my updates.  Right?

Anyway speaking of updates I am posting more from the Weekly Rentals project I have been working on.  To make a long story short the town and the motel owner have come to an amicable solution with regards to the residents.  The owner promised to update the building so that it will qualify for long term stays.  The town said they had no interest in evicting residents and held a housing workshop to try in an attempt to help the motel residents find something more stable.  Life goes on at the motel for now.

I met Tiffany and her daughter on one of the my first visits to the motel.  She would often hang out in the management office during the day and chat with the manager Deb.  She has lived in the motel since October 2010 and is only able to remain because Deb has offered her reduced rent.  When I last chatted with Tiffany she was pregnant again and still not working and told me that if she is forced out of the West Yarmouth Lodgings then her only other option would be a shelter.

West Yarmouth, MA - Tiffany Rose (L) and her one year old daughter Jenna Marie Rose chats with manager Deborah Bellows. Tiffany, has been living in the motel since October 2010 and is only able to afford to stay because Bellows reduced her rent.

West Yarmouth, MA - Tiffany Rose (L) tries to calm her one year old daughter Jenna Marie Rose who was upset because her mother took away a bottle that she was playing with. Tiffany, who is pregnant and has been living in the motel since October 2010 has only been able to afford to live in the motel because the manager has reduced her rent.  If she is forced to relocate she says her only other option would  be a shelter.

West Yarmouth, MA - One year old daughter Jenna Marie Rose pushes on the door of her grandmothers car as her mother Tiffany Rose cleans out the car after borrowing it.  Tiffany and her daughter have been living in the motel since October 2010.

Congrats grads

I normally shoot a lot of high school graduations come late spring, but this year I only had one.  As a general rule, for me at least, the best images are at the beginning and the end.  The middle, when they ask way too many people to speak for way too long is usually not really worth shooting.  People are just sitting there, baking in the sun as the speaker promises to be quick and 15 minutes later is still thanking the school board members and then prepares to make their actual speech (Oh! The Places You'll Go anyone?).

Okay I admit it, I have never been one to enjoy graduations.  I never thought I would be going to them for work, but I've looked back at some of the previous HS graduations I have covered and they usually produce good emotional and interesting images.  Here are just a few from that last one.


Blog Photos - Images by Matthew Healey

Hang in there

Waltham, MA: Stretching before the inaugural Moody Street 5K.  Photo by Matthew Healey

A beginning, again.

Mitt Romney announced his candidacy in New Hampshire last week and I was sent up to photograph it.  I am still new to covering presidential politics and that may be why I still enjoy it so much.  After talking with colleagues who have been doing this season after season I can understand why you would get sick of it.  It must get old fast.

Everything is staged, the candidates and their flaks are very careful about their image and try to control it as much as possible.  A well placed flag here or an old couple in the background holding a folksy looking hand made sign (that was made by someone in the campaign) sitting right behind the candidate.  Oh wait, that old couple behind the candidate looks too old, lets move them to the edge and add some hip looking 20-somethings to the background.  Yes, that happens.  What isn't controlled though are the people that go to these campaign stops.  To watch people get so excited and fired up over politics is somehow reaffirming.  It gives me hope for this country.  It can also make for some fantastic images.  I'm looking forward to the months leading up to 2012.

A well placed flag next to a bucket of cold water.  Former Massachusetts Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney formally announces his candidacy at Scamman Farm in Stratham, New Hampshire on June 2, 2011.    Photo  by Matthew Healey

Mitt Romney supporters dish up bowls of Ann Romney's famous chili before Mitt formally announced his candidacy at Scamman Farm in Stratham, New Hampshire on June 2, 2011.    Photo by Matthew Healey

Former Massachusetts Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney (C) serves up chili with his wife Ann Romney (R) just before  formally announcing his candidacy at Scamman Farm in Stratham, New Hampshire on June 2, 2011.    Photo by Matthew Healey

Supporters listen in as former Massachusetts Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney formally announces his candidacy at Scamman Farm in Stratham, New Hampshire on June 2, 2011.    Photo by Matthew Healey

Supporters listen in as former Massachusetts Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney formally announces his candidacy at Scamman Farm in Stratham, New Hampshire on June 2, 2011.    Photo by Matthew Healey

Supporters stand in front of a barn after former Massachusetts Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney formally announced his candidacy at Scamman Farm in Stratham, New Hampshire on June 2, 2011.    Photo by Matthew Healey

Old Timey Baseball

Just a little break from my ongoing story.  Shot the Cubs v Sox game on Saturday at Fenway.  The teams donned circa 1918 style uniforms as a nod to the year that the Cubs were last in town.  They even went so far as to bring in old announcers with big megaphones that walked around and called out the players at bat.  Pretty cool.  I shot the introductions with a lens that I thought would fit the mood.  It adds a heavy vignette on the edges of the photo and allows me to shoot in a shallow depth of field.  My intent was to give the images that old timey feel.  Have a look and let me know what you think.

Weekly Rentals - John Michael

John Michael.

Deb, the manager of the motel, had told me a lot about John, before I had even ventured to his room.  For one, he is an alcoholic and in her words is 'drinking himself to death'.   The other story that she told me repeatedly is from when he was living in the guest home across the street.  The guest house is part of the motel property but can legally allow for long term residents.  John was living there for awhile and people had gotten used to his routine.  One day some of the residents realized they hadn't heard or seen John in a few days, and they were starting to get concerned.  So Deb checked on him and found him on the floor in rough shape and called for an ambulance.  He spent some time in the hospital.  During that time, there was a major fire in the guest house.  Deb thinks that if he hadn't been hospitalized he probably wouldn't have made it out.

John is wheelchair bound and spends most of his days drinking, and watching movies on AMC.  He can often be seen making a regular trip to the liquor store a block away.  Residents joke that it takes him three hours.

He has been in his current motel room for over a year.  He used to live in Florida and worked as a computer repair technician.  He also spent some time as a farmer in upstate New York.  He moved to the Cape with his wife but things didn't work out, and ended in divorce.  He does have adult children but they don't live in the state and he doesn't see them often.

For food he receives meals from the local Meals on Wheels program, and sometimes from concerned neighbors.  Deb has removed the curtain to his back window so that she can check on him from the office.  If she doesn't see his silhouette in the window for more than a day then she will head down to his room and check on him in person.  She doesn't want him to die in the motel.

If he is forced out of the motel he thinks he will probably end up in a shelter.  He wants to move to the motel across the street that has been turned into condominiums, but isn't sure if that will ever happen.