Long Island Boardwalk

After a photo shoot in Long Island, NY, my friend Rich Swingle and I raced out to Long Beach before the sun set, hoping to get in the water on one of the last warm days of the season. We arrived, and walked up the boardwalk facing the ocean. Looking to our left, the full moon was just rising above the horizon, and to the right, the red sun was setting. Same size orbs on either end of the horizon, perfectly symmetrical.

Here's my poorly assembled panoramic of the scene. (When, oh when, will someone come out with a great panoramic digital camera? Or even a poor one? Anything! Please!)



But my favorite thing to do, of course, is watch people. As I was there on the boardwalk, watching the sun set, this young couple came up the ramp from the beach. The boy was carrying a skateboard, its wheels and underside coated in thick, wet sand. He came over and asked if I had a light, and we started talking. They'd been trying to skate on the sand at the water's edge, and both agreed that it hadn't been a successful venture. He's from Hawaii, and she's from France. They graciously allowed me to photograph them there on the boardwalk, in the failing sunlight.


See more of my travel and editorial photography in New York and around the world at www.fritzphotographic.com.

Brooke and Ryan in New York City

New York City is a big place and, as my second photographer Evie noted, from looking at the outside of a building you can't often tell what amazing things you'll find on the inside. This is certainly true of the Angel Orensanz Foundation, which is on a narrow street on the Lower East Side. From the outside it blends in with most of the other old brick buildings. But on the inside it's fairly awe-inspiring.

The same could be said of Brooke and Ryan. We had not met prior to their wedding day, living on opposite coasts. But what a pleasure they were to work with--affable and full of laughter, easy-going but organized. And what a beautiful day it was.




We started in Bryant Park, photographing their family and wedding party. We weren't 5 minutes into portraits when a police officer comes up and asks Evie, "Do you have a permit?" Evie caught on pretty quick, and started talking with the officer, and I started shooting as quickly as I could. In the end, she distracted him well enough that he wandered off and let us photograph unhindered. And the light--and people--were wonderful.


At the Orensanz building--formerly a Jewish synagogue--we were at first struck by how dingy it felt. But as time went on we discovered that it wasn't funky, it was full of texture. And light. They have a professional lighting technician working there, and every part of this old building interior is given added atmosphere with beautiful lighting, which changed as the use of the space transitioned throughout the evening.

View more of our New York wedding photography at www.fritzphoto.com.

New York City, Take 1

I'm in New York City for a few days, here to photograph a wedding, among other things. Spent the day today on the town, adventuring with Evie, my second shooter. We covered Ground Zero, the free Staten Island Ferry (leaving in the sun and returning in a downpoor), Carnegie Delicatessen, and MOMA. And after that, dinner with friends.

A few photo stories and observations before bed:

One of the few places I felt drawn to visit in NYC was Ground Zero. Worldwide turmoil began here, six years ago, and I wanted to see the place for myself.

To be honest, there's not much to see. For the most part, it's a very large area surrounded by fences and covered in construction. There is a temporary-feeling tent with some posterboards, showing the design of the future memorial and new skyscrapers, and a list of the nearly 3,000 people that perished that nightmarish day. And a new transit station. But not much else.

We wandered upstairs and down, and were about to leave, when we heard the faint sounds of a flute, making out the notes of Amazing Grace. I made my way over and found a homeless-looking man, seated on the ground, playing this tune over and over. Most appropriate.




A couple observations on the ferry ride:


This last image on the ferry seems like a fitting visual allegory for prayer, or intercession.


And finally, a boy watching a performance in Central Park:



View more of our New York travel and editorial photography at www.fritzphotographic.com.

Best of Portland Citysearch Photographer

A friend of mine just emailed me, and said I was at third place in Portland Citysearch's Best Portland Photographers of 2007. Considering that I didn't know anything about it, and didn't ask anyone to vote for me, I guess that's pretty good! I even have a nice review on there.

Check it out here.

And if you know my work, or have worked with me, feel free to leave a review for me there. That would be sweet. Assuming you like me.

Through the Shadow in Bend, Oregon

"High Desert Journal and tbd advertising have partnered to present monthly art shows. Each show opens with a First Friday reception. High Desert Journal brings work from artists published in the magazine to the community walls of tbd advertising. The work hangs all month and is for sale.

"Photography by Fritz Liedke will be in display at tbd loft during the month of September. The show will open during First Friday on September 7th at 5 to 9 p.m. with a reception. The photography of Fritz Liedke will hang through the end of the month.

"High Desert Journal is a literary and visual arts magazine dedicated to further understanding the people, places and issues of the interior West, a distinct region abounding in history, creativity and flux. By way of memory, imagination and story, the pages of High Desert Journal represent an ongoing and necessary conversation – a conversation that charts the changes, represents today and lends itself to the future.

"tbd advertising is an agency where there are no preconceived notions. No formulaic thinking. The answer is always “to be determined.” They work with such clients as Deschutes Brewery, Oregon Chai and Brooks Resources.

"tbd loft is located at 856 NW Bond Street, suite 2 above Norwalk Furniture, in downtown Bend, Oregon."

View more of my fine art photography at www.fritzliedtke.com.

Brad and Angela

Brad and Angela were married this past weekend at Meriwether Golf Club. What a beautiful venue for wedding photography in Hillsboro, Oregon!

This kid loved to dance, including his own 7-year old version of break dancing.
With a little help from his dad, he could do quite the head spin.

Visit our website to see the best Hillsboro wedding photographer in Hillsboro, Oregon!

Life with Zoe

Babies are squiggly little things, and require adults to make all kinds of un-adultlike noises to get them to focus, look up, and smile for the camera. Apparently, their toes and toys are more interesting. Zoe is no exception. But the results are worth it. This is my "Kilroy was here" image of her.

View some of the best portrait photographers in Portland at www.fritzphoto.com.