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Along
the Migrant Trail (Box Set)
The limited edition box set, Along The Migrant Trail, was commissioned by the
University of Arizona Special Collections, associated with The Center For Creative
Photography in Tucson, Arizona in May, 2005. The set contains thirteen gelatin
silver prints sized 4" X 5" displayed in a jewel box with a cover sleeve, list
of photographs, and a booklet describing the work illustrated with three more
photographs, all made between 2003 and 2005. Seen here are five images from the
set. Others in the box include Migrant Father - Altar, Mexico 2005, Beginning
of a Migrant Trail 2004 and End of the Migrant Trail, Tohono O'Odham Nation 2003.
These photographs are a small sample of the complete portfolio. Email
Michael for more info. Four of the limited edition of thirteen box sets are
available for purchase.
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Humane Borders
In October 2002 I began documenting the efforts of Humane Borders, the volunteer
organization that places water stations in the desert to help prevent migrant
deaths, and lobbies for a more humane border policy. During this period I was
invited to photograph Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument west of Tucson on the
U.S./Mexico border for the Desert Places book series published by the University
of Arizona Press. In August 2004 the book Organ
Pipe - Life On The Edge was published. It includes the photograph Humane
Borders Volunteer - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (2003), which is also
included in the box set Along the Migrant Trail. Other images shown here illustrate
an annual walk for migrants, trash pickup along a migrant trail and Humane Borders
founder and president Robin Hoover. These photographs are a small sample of the
complete portfolio. Email Michael for more info.
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Samaritans/
No More Deaths
In 2004 I was invited to photograph the humanitarian work of Samaritans, and
then the efforts of the No More Deaths coalition when it formed. Since 2002
Samaritans have provided water, treated severe sprains and other injuries,
bandaged blistered feet (life-threatening on a long desert walk), called Border
Patrol Search & Rescue units for severely dehydrated persons, offered
blankets during cold winter nights, helped non-migrants in distress, and worked
to reinforce a sense of human dignity for those less fortunate. No More Deaths
is a non-profit coalition of individuals, faith communities, human rights advocates,
and grassroots organizations who have come together to work for social justice
in the Borderlands. Volunteers hike migrant trails and work to educate the
public about the root causes of migration into Arizona. These photographs are
a small sample of the complete portfolio. Email Michael for more info.
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More Migrant Artifacts
By carefully looking into these photographs of migrant artifacts, one can more fully understand the plight of desperate people seeking to improve their lives in America. Even though it may cost them their lives trying to get through our desert, they are willing to risk it all to find work that pays much more than wages back home. This is the current reality of global economics. Aside from common trash that gets left behind, one often finds personal items that raise questions about the lives of migrants in general. These artifacts suggest a vibrant humanity whose rich cultural heritages should be welcomed in our land of opportunity. From the humorous Spring Flowers & Pulp
Fiction to the tragic A Stretcher Made to Carry a Dying Migrant, More Migrant
Artifacts places a sharp focus on brooding mysteries of fates unknown. These
photographs are a small sample of the complete portfolio. Email
Michael for more info.
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Mexico
I have been photographing the people of Mexico for over 30 years (see Three Wise Guys & Jesus in the Postcards section). More recently I traveled to Mexico City and have spent considerable time in Altar, Agua Prieta, Sasabe and Nogales photographing for the Migrant Trail series and Migrant Artifacts book. I've also gone to BorderLinks' Casa
de la Misericordia (House of Mercy) in Nogales several times. The two photographs
from the Casa were made during the December Posada celebration. Close to 1,000
children from the impoverished Colonia surrounding the Casa came for lunch and
Christmas presents. The other photographs were made in and around Mexico City
during a human rights trip with a Humane Borders delegation. These photographs
are a small sample of the complete portfolio. Email
Michael for more info.
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2001 to 2006: Selections
From 1986, when I moved to Arizona, to 2000 I mainly made casual photographs
of my family while concentrating creatively on my radio show ROUTE 66 and then
the Classic Railroad Songs series. I didn't quit photography, just took an extended
break. The hiatus ended in mid-1999 as I began seeing the outside world photographically
again, and most importantly, finding the inspiration and drive once again to
go deeper than the family snapshot. These ten photographs
are good examples of my eclectic interests, from the portraits of my children
Brenden and Lucinda - Disneyland and legendary radio host Bob
Edwards to the study in forms in Shiprock, New Mexico and Equivalent - Homage
to Stieglitz. There's mystery in Dreamscape - Dragoon
Mountains and humor in Henninger's Tavern - Baltimore and Sign
of the Times - Tucson. These photographs are a small sample of the complete portfolio.
Email Michael for more info.
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Musicians
One of my earliest and most favorite subjects to photograph
was musicians. While a student at Moorpark College in California in 1969 I
photographed the anti-war movement and the folksingers around campus, including
Dan Wheetman, now a famous producer of musicals and member of the band Marley’s
Ghost. During my trip to Ireland I photographed The Boy Scouts following their
performance at an anti-nuclear demonstration (see Ireland portfolio). Upon
my return to Los Angeles I began photographing The Plugz, one of Hollywood’s
seminal punk rock bands. Around that time new wave stars The B-52s came to
town and signed LPs at Tower Records. Up and coming in the New Traditionalist
Movement was Dwight Yoakum, seen here with band-mates rehearsing backstage
at McCabes Guitar Shop. The folk music leanings of members of X, plus Dave
Alvin and Johnny Ray Bartel were captured by The Knitters prior to their opening
set for John Prine. Folk and bluegrass legend Doc Watson sat for this portrait
in Tucson in 2003. These photographs are a small sample of the complete portfolio.
Email Michael for more info.
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Ireland
I went to Ennis, Ireland in May 1979 for the Fleadh (pronounced " flah").
Fleadh is the annual festival of traditional Irish music.
I wanted to attend the festival first and then hitchhike around the island
during the rest of my one month stay. Due to unforseen circumstances I missed
most of the festival but got to go to Tralee instead where I met a member of
Ireland’s all-women punk rock band The Boy Scouts. Over Guinness I learned
a lot about the new punk music scene emerging in Ireland and England. I also
met new friends that I stayed with at the end of my visit who took me to the
11th Century Franciscan Monastery in nearby Ardfert. Traveling north I discovered
this cemetery and round tower on a very cold and stormy afternoon. Later on
during the trip I spent election day in Bandon where M. Tobin is both bar owner
and undertaker.
These photographs are a small sample of the complete portfolio. Email
Michael for more info.
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Boston
I had the urge to go live in Boston for some time and finally did in October
1972 where I held various jobs, including short-order cook, delivery boy and
photographer for the East-West Journal. My favorite place to photograph was
in the Italian neighborhood called The North End. It was like being in Italy
with its vegetable stands, butcher shops and old-world charm. The adults spoke
Italian and the men passionately debated every subject in the current news.
It was easy to photograph around the parks and on the playgrounds where no
one seemed to notice me. Or perhaps I’d learned how to blend in, as Cartier-Bresson
had done so often. I’m happy to give him credit anyway, for that and
all the other lessons. Not that my photographs compared much to his then, but
his influence was certainly felt and I think reflected in this early work.
These photographs are a small sample of the complete portfolio. Email
Michael for more info.
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5th & Wall Street, Los Angeles
I began photographing on Skid Row in Los Angeles in 1972, and then again after
returning from Boston. It was then that I had the opportunity to work on a
documentary film that Charles Pavlich was making about two residents of the
Chapman Hotel on the corner of 5th and Wall Street. One of them was Leonard
Graham, who was a heavy smoker and drinker. He could also do great imitations
of Hank Williams. I became Chuck’s assistant and even helped edit the
film. At the same time I had lots of opportunities to meet and photograph many
of the other hotel residents and their neighbors. One was Bastillo, who shared
a room with his crippled wife and dog. Another was sad-eyed Mona, the hotel
housekeeper. Whether on the street or on the roof, I could always find something
interesting to photograph at 5th and Wall Street.
These photographs are a small sample of the complete portfolio. Email
Michael for more info.
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1969 to 1982: Selections
My interest in photography began in 1968 after seeing the
work of Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange and Henri Cartier-Bresson. Upon completion
of a basic photography course at Moorpark College, I landed a job making photographs
to illustrate the college catalog. The library there had a good selection of
Aperture magazines. I spent hours looking at them. Then I attended a peace
march in Venture where I made what I consider my first good photograph. Not
that the tonal range is so great; after all the sky was heavily overcast that
day. But it does speak of the polarization in American society during the Viet
Nam War. Contrasting thinking and contrasting forms have dominated my images
and interests ever since.
These photographs are a small sample of the complete portfolio. Email
Michael for more info.
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Digital Color
Who can resist the convenience of the digital age, the instant gratification
it provides and the challenge of seeing in color. I’ve always used Pentax
cameras and found a good digital one a couple of years ago. I’m experimenting
but continue to shoot black and white film. Here are five recent color photographs
exemplifying my interests in social documentary, humor and form. Your feedback
is welcome. These photographs are a small sample of the complete portfolio. Email
Michael for more info.
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