New Hampshire's alright.....if you like politics

A volunteer for republican presidential candidate Rick Santourm, places signs in front of the Elks Lodge in Salem, New Hampshire before the candidate held a town hall meeting there on January, 9  2012.  UPI/Matthew Healey

I only spent a few days in New Hampshire covering the primaries last week.  It was interesting and I wish I had the chance to work up there a bit more before the craziness passed.  But it was still great to shoot for the two days I was there.  First day was running around trying to catch every candidate I could.  The second day was a bit of the same but on top of that trying to shoot photos of people voting and holding signs.  Then the wait for the results.  This is a small sample of what I shot.  Have a look and let me know what you think.  

Republican candidate for president Jon Huntsman speaks at a rally at Exeter town hall in Exeter, New Hampshire on January, 9  2012.  UPI/Matthew Healey

Republican candidate for president Jon Huntsman speaks at a rally at Exeter town hall in Exeter, New Hampshire on January, 9  2012.  UPI/Matthew Healey

Republican candidate for president Jon Huntsman speaks at a rally at Exeter town hall in Exeter, New Hampshire on January, 9  2012.  UPI/Matthew Healey

Supporters of republican candidate for president Jon Huntsman cheer for their candidate before he spoke at a rally at Exeter town hall in Exeter, New Hampshire on January, 9  2012.  UPI/Matthew Healey

Activist and democratic candidate for president in New Hampshire, Vermin Supreme, talks to the media in Manchester, New Hampshire on primary election day on January 10, 2012.    UPI/Matthew Healey

Workers set up a sign for republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman before the start of his primary night party at The Black Brimmer Bar and Grill in Manchester, New Hampshire on primary election night on January 10, 2012.    UPI/Matthew Healey

Kelly Carter-Currier of Nashua, New Hampshire chats to a reporter off camera about her hat at the  primary night party for republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman at The Black Brimmer Bar and Grill in Manchester, New Hampshire on primary election night on January 10, 2012.    UPI/Matthew Healey

Jon Huntsman supporters pass out signs while waiting for the republican presidential candidate to speak at his primary night party at The Black Brimmer Bar and Grill in Manchester, New Hampshire on primary election night on January 10, 2012.   Huntsman placed third in the nations first primary behind Ron Paul and winner Mitt Romney.  UPI/Matthew Healey

Oh and the title of this blog is an homage to song from my youth called 'New Hampshire's Alright (if you like fighting)'.  The band is called Scissorfight and you can listen to it here if you are curious:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9ioePlnTT0  If you were involved in some of the media scrums that occured up there then the song is actually fitting.  Things were pretty crazy.  And if you aren't entirely sure what a scrum is.  Well here is a picture.  That's Ron Paul in the middle with the white hair.

Hang in there

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

Anime Boston 2011

Boston, MA - April 23, 2011: 'Java' and his current wife or waifu, Ne Chen, share a drink at the convention hall at Hynes Convention Center during Anime Boston 2011.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Well I learned what a waifu is this weekend.  A waifu is, um, you know what I'm still not entirely too sure.  I can tell you how that word came into my vocabulary and what it means to one person at least.

This past Saturday while working for The Boston Herald I had some time to go out and enterprise.  I heard from my sister that the anime convention was in town.   I missed the convention the past few years but finally had my chance to check it out. 

I found my way to the press table at the convention hall and managed to get a credential.  I talked to one of the volunteers and he said that they were expecting something like 18,000 participants and that Anime Boston is the biggest convention in the northeast.  

Not even ten feet out the door and I spot 'Java' and his waifu.  He was sitting in a cafe having a drink with the body pillow.  My interest was piqued so I went over and started chatting with him and asking about the pillow.  He explained to me that waifu is just the Japanese pronunciation of the English word wife.  He said that in this context the waifu is earned through a Japanese dating simulation video game called 'Love Plus'.   'Java' plays the game and changes waifu's as he plays.  He told me he doesn't normally go out in public with the pillow version of his current waifu but feels comfortable bringing it out at Anime Conventions.  As I was talking to him a handful of convention goers stopped and asked if they could take photos of him.  One even went so far to thank 'Java' for having the courage to bring his waifu out in public.  

It was a good start to what turned out to be an interesting day.  There were lots of people dressed in costumes.  Cosplay, as it's called is a big part of these conventions.  People go out in elaborate, usually hand made costumes, of characters they like or identify with from anime, video games, manga (comics).  When together in groups they may put on an impromptu performance of a scene from a TV show or movie, or video game.  

I have to admit, the extent of my knowledge of the whole anime world and cosplay culture begins and ends with Akira.  Okay, that and Ghost in the Shell, and Ninja Scroll, but thats, it I promise (totally grew up watching Grandizer).  Anyway there is obviously a lot more to it than a few popular action films.  It's a pretty interesting culture and a goldmine for photography.  Sadly I had to call it after an hour and a half, I needed to get back to listening to the police scanner.

Here are a few scenes from the day.  Leave a comment and let me know what you think and please keep it civil.  

And as always check out my website http://www.matthealey.com for my full portfolio and follow me on twitter @matthealeyphoto

 Boston, MA -  Lara Tang, of Boston dressed as Hizaki from the band Versailles, rests on a windowsill during Anime Boston 2011 at the Hynes Convention Center.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - Attendants dressed as characters from the video game Assasins Creed 2 march down a hallway during Anime Boston 2011 at the Hynes Convention Center on April 23, 2011.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - J.P. Meneide, center of Boston, rides the elevator in his Storm Trooper costume with friends Jen Torres, left of Boston, and Kurt Larsen, second from left of Weymouth during Anime Boston 2011 at the Hynes Convention Center.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - A character wearing cardboard boxes walks the halls during Anime Boston 2011 at the Hynes Convention Center.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - A convention goer walks the halls in costume during Anime Boston 2011 at the Hynes Convention Center.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - Lou Maldonado of New York City, has lunch while still in costume as Ken the Eagle from the anime show Gatchaman during Anime Boston 2011 at the Hynes Convention Center.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - Michelle, last name not given, left of New York, who is dressed as Jasmine You of the band Versaille, shops with friends at Anime Boston 2011 at the Hynes Convention Center.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Boston, MA - Todd (last name withheld) dressed as Princess Leah from Star wars, is led around by Tiana (last name withheld) who is dressed as Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars during Anime Boston 2011 at the Hynes Convention Center.   Photo by Matthew Healey

Still waiting

I realize it is still early in the season but I am probably not the only one that is just begging for the weather to turn warm and stay that way.  You would think I would be used to it now, after all, I am a New Englander through and through.

But it's those days that get you.  You know the ones.  The sky is blue, the sun is out, and most importantly the wind isn't blowing 50mph and it is still April.  People are out playing frisbee in shorts, driving with their windows down blaring that album they have been keeping to themselves all winter.  You think to yourself, wow, its gorgeous out, this is great, spring is finally here.  But it's just a tease.  You have to wait.  The wind picks up, turns a different direction, the sky clouds over, rain starts to fall, you roll up the car windows, put on the defroster in the car and you are back to waiting for the sun to come out again.  It's getting close.

Tea for two hundred

I just looked back at the last few days and I have covered a lot of ground.  Some portraits, a Tea Party rally, two Red Sox games and some quality time at a local McDonald's.  I wanted to share some images I made at the Tea Party rally with you all.

It was held on Friday April, 15 2011.  A day that is, traditionally, the tax filing deadline set by the IRS.  That deadline was postponed a few days because of a holiday in Washington, D.C.. but the they went ahead with their rally on the 15th.  It was held on Boston Common and hosted by several local right wing radio hosts.

I anticipated a fairly decent crowd but when I arrived I only found 200 to 300 people.  The surprise of the rally was a group of pro union demonstrators that set up shop directly in front of the rotunda.  I mean literally in front of the speaker, front and center.  They had big signs and bullhorns and were there to be heard.  They were few but they were often louder than the speakers at Tea Party rally.  The police stepped in to make sure no one got out of hand and to create a line between the Tea Party rally folks and the protesters.  It made for some good photos.

Have a look and let me know what you think.  Oh and I am on Twitter now:  @matthealeyphoto or you can add me using the button below..

Here's looking at you

Just a quick post.  A photo from something I shot over the weekend.  I was working in this room all day and happened to glance at the door and saw this face in the window.  It is a painting on the wall in the other room.  I thought it was cool.  Also I am on twitter now.  You can follow me at the link at the bottom of my page or just find me @matthealeyphoto.