28-Jul-2013
Last weekend in Riga sooo many people (including me) witnessed
event of the decade - The Tall Ships Races 2013.
Waking the harbour Saturday evening with crowds and crowds of people
i had a wish - to wake up very early next morning (the last day of ships)
and to take pictures of these Majestic voyagers of the Seas when there is no
people around. And...
Sunday i woke up with excitement 4.30 without alarm (which was set for 5.00)
and cycled there reaching the harbour 5.30 ...
29-Mar-2013
Roberts
creator meets The CREATOR.
I was honoured a little bit to know this man - leader of Riga Mimes (Rīgas Pantomīma).
I have seen him in VEF's Culture Club (palace - is mentioned in Latvian instead of club) since childhood
as I was dancing in national dance group there. So we were under one roof (as we say). We even participated
together in the dance show where he played narrator. Through all the years I have been dancing I was always
fascinated by Riga Mimes and loved their shows.
About 4 years ago it was Riga Mimes show, where I understood that Stage Photography is my passion - what I LOVE.
Their show was my first photo shoot of the stage (because there was no restriction of photographing the event)
Since then I did not miss almost any of their performances. And creator (Roberts Ligers) somehow saw my photos and
was very excited about my devotion. He gave me honourable (unofficial) position as Palace court photographer.
This was also my first recognition (from him as person from Art world) as a photographer.
My heart now is more joyful than sad, because I am richer with his riches and that we could share the Time we lived in
and shared the same Stage. And I am more joyful than sad, because I know that there is BIGGER STAGE -
on the other Side, where our CREATOR LIVES.
13-Jul-2013
There is routine every night with my son's bedtime going, - that i play guitar
for him. It all started few years ago. I usually play only one or two (my own) songs,
but every time they sound different - with different rhythms and twists, - quite simple
cords which i know.
Sometimes melodies come out as the surprise to myself, like this one.
18-MAY-2013
Out of the grey
I was going home on public bus one day and on one of the stops i saw this girl which stood out with her bright red dress, - with sun shining on her to emphasise the “out of the grey” - shady grey background behind her looking awkward, contrasting with the bright joyful colour.
I was grabbing my camera - could not resist the view and did couple blind shots as i pointed camera into her direction not really seeing the frame i was taking.
…In the next moment her face was filled with a smile as she met her boyfriend …
…and the bus rolled on… leaving their Story (of the day) unknown to me…
PS. I just remembered ....
As i reached home - like half an hour later - Big storm started - really strong wind, pouring rain and even big size hail ... - i hope they found some shelter...
28-Apr-2013
Magnolia
I was in Kiev (for few hours) and visited magnolia (botanical) garden. There was crowds
of people everywhere like bees trying to capture beautifully blooming magnolia trees.
I noticed this young lady standing and peacefully enjoying the view in front of her.
I wish i would ask her permission to take a picture of what i saw of that calm moment,
but instead i tried to take a blind shot which was not as nice of what i took
with my eyes few minutes earlier.
20-SEP-2012
More then a dream ...
In our life there is so many "first time(rs)"... some are smaller, some bigger,
some more important then others ... At this point I have reached one of them - it is Big one (for me)...
As i was reflecting on my photographic walk... - it is actually hard for me to believe that
this Day has come, - that i will have proper exhibition and even with works dedicated to dance.
So many small miracles have happened to put this "puzzle" (exhibition) together and most of them
happened in a time of a year or even less then that.
Yes, - my Tree of Dance has grown fast, - even too fast for me to sort all it's leafs
(all the images i have taken)... I kind of already start to wonder where it will
take me in the future ..., but maybe that is not important (to dream about future),
maybe for now it is more important to live in this moment of experiencing Dream come true
and to enjoy every opportunity i am having giving memories to the people who are not
in the bright spotlight where professionals walk (meaning pro dancers and photographers).
These moments (some hours) in a day with dancers remind me one walk in summer i had with my godfather in Riga
when i was about 10 years old. My godfather had camera with him and he took some photos during
Would i remember that walk without those pictures? not sure..... but these pictures engraved in me SO MUCH, -
importance of simple things (like a walk with dear person for couple hours), they engraved in me
some notion of those feelings of that sunny day and the JOY i experienced,
they engraved in me LOVE which i received...
Maybe that's why i want to give it too.
Purpose
"Everything has a purpose, even machines. Clocks tell
the time, trains take you places. They do what they're meant to do,
like Monsieur Labisse. Maybe that's why broken machines make me so sad,
they can't do what they're meant to do. Maybe it's the same with people.
If you lose your purpose, it's like you're broken."
Hugo Cabret from film "Hugo"
31-MAY-2007
In the world of Silece
This picture was painted one morning when our family
went to meet my wife’s extended family to be together
for a weekend in countryside of England. Connie, my
wife’s sister’s daugher who is deaf (that’s why the title
is called “In the world of Silence”) came into our bedroom
still in her pijamas and laid down on the floor …
She looked like she is in some world on her own, - being happy in it...
It was very special moment...
our Name
Our name. Most of us probably value our name. Lots of
things put together shape it into who we really are.
I value this picture very much because it's kind of symbolizing
the process of making our name known.
This picture is taken in the backstage during the dance project
"From the Sword Sun rises" in which i took part myself.
There was one dance called "Grains" and every dancer had to take
handful of grains to use it in that dance. By the time
every dancer took the grain, backstage floor was full with it
and some girls during the show played with it creating arty shapes
with it, including putting together their names.
05-Aug-2011
Departing ...
Here Comes The Flood
When the night shows
the signals grow on radios
All the strange things
they come and go, as early warnings
Stranded starfish have no place to hide
still waiting for the swollen Easter tide
There's no point in direction we cannot
even choose a side.
I took the old track
the hollow shoulder, across the waters
On the tall cliffs
they were getting older, sons and daughters
The jaded underworld was riding high
Waves of steel hurled metal at the sky
and as the nail sunk in the cloud, the rain
was warm and soaked the crowd.
Lord, here comes the flood
We'll say goodbye to flesh and blood
If again the seas are silent
in any still alive
It'll be those who gave their island to survive
Drink up, dreamers, you're running dry.
When the flood calls
You have no home, you have no walls
In the thunder crash
You're a thousand minds, within a flash
Don't be afraid to cry at what you see
The actors gone, there's only you and me
And if we break before the dawn, they'll
use up what we used to be.
Lord, here comes the flood
We'll say goodbye to flesh and blood
If again the seas are silent
in any still alive
It'll be those who gave their island to survive
Drink up, dreamers, you're running dry.
by Peter Gabriel
_________________________
This picture and song is dedicated especially to my country man,
ice hockey player Karlis Skrastins and also to his "Lokomativ"
team mates and to their relatives who were left behind with tragedy
to live with.
on blog:
http://beforeleavingearth.blogspot.com/
____________
On BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14822582
1928, 14:54
then - "79 years ago" or 'breath of Eternity'
Salvation Army congress
As i emptied some box with my wife's old letters from friends and some old photos, i noticed
some really old photos. i could say that some of those photos are Historical. It is about history
of The Salvation Army in Latvia. I found one quite small photo of The Salvation Army march in Riga.
On the other side of the photo it said that it is Salvation Army congress in Riga, year 1928. From
the photo i could recognize the building which is on the left side, but i was not sure where i have
seen it, but i was sure that it is still standing there today.
For two weeks this photo has bothered my mind making me figure it out where that tram line went.
Two times i failed with my presumptions where it could be, which made me study the picture more
intently. And IT WORKED. My closer look did not disappoint me. I found some clues - main was
the building with columns farther on the street, which made me think that it is Orthodox Church
on the main street of Riga and it surely was correct. So the next day i had chance to stand at
the very same spot where the picture was taken 79 years ago.
In these last days i had some interesting thoughts around This picture and maybe they came to me
even at that particular moment when i stood there waiting for some traffic to clear to make my "79
years after" photo.
I thought about the moment - the daily life of that (THEN) photo and this (NOW) one which i was
taking. The same place, the same street, but time gap tells the difference. Time wanted to whisper
to me some story. As the lens of an old photo showed the street from above,
the same way Eternal with His Spirit lifted my thoughts up to look to this old picture from above.
My thoughts stopped at the people on that old picture with the question: Where are they all now?
And the answer was easy - they ALL are gone, probably even the youngest. Who were they? some were
richer, some purer, some were happier and some maybe not so happy. But they all had been given
their Time to live - to grow and learn, to laugh and cry, to sing and dance, to work and rest,
to sow and reap, to do good or evil, to LOVE or hate. They all have their choices whom to believe
'before leaving earth'.
That is why Salvation Army marched that day - to remind people about Eternal and to help some to
make the right choices about Eternal things - the things what matter the most, the things which
lasts Forever. Their flag was raised to show to Whom they belong and to know where they are now.
As for others - on the other side of the street - we don't know where they are in Eternity.
Maybe 79 years from Today there will be other man finding these two pictures from 1928 and 2007,
trying to find out where those pictures were taken, and finding the street and the spot he will
stand there and will think similar thoughts as he take the same picture, just with his Time
settings, but the same questions to answer.
11-JAN-2007
now
79 years later.
...in my mind i tried to find this place for about 2 weeks and finally with
third attempt i figured it out where the picture was taken. Main clue
provided Orthodox church building's columns which i noticed only after looking
into the old picture more intently. it was great fun though.
