While in NYC, I wanted to visit one of the legendary basketball courts, where legends are made and egos grow wild. A little research and I came across “The Cage” in Greenwich Village.
A couple of the friends I was staying with, Tom and his son, Gus, joined me to see some real hoops action. The court is remarkably small. The turnout, though on a holiday, was pretty mild. And I’ve got to say the quality of play we saw was pretty bad. Really bad. Ok, terrible. But I had good light, so what did I care?
Before I went, I had a good, healthy pep talk over the phone with Matt Eich. I called him up to discuss 1) how to make unique pictures from things you shoot all the time (for me, that would include hoops) and 2) how to find what you don’t know how to find.
To me, Eich is great at seeing things in a unique, captivating way. Like with all my über-talented friends – and I’m so humbled when I look at my digital Rolodex – Eich is able to capture images at such a high level that it is hard to put it into words. In fact, I won’t try. I don’t feel smart enough to do so. But I will say he’s rad. (How’s that for a compliment?)
I’m looking for photos I haven’t made before, that I haven’t seen before. I know what I know. And I don’t know what I don’t know. He seemed to get what I was saying and said he felt that way at times, too.
Up until this point, I’ve been trying to look differently at things than other photographers. But how do I look differently at my own work and style? Again, a continual theme for me lately. Something I was thinking about even more while shooting a couple pick-up games with bad ballers.
When I’m back in NYC in August, I want to visit some courts in Harlem. Maybe the action will be a little better. And this time, I expect you to bring your shoes and game with you, Gus!
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