Washington Week Comes to Cleveland

"Cleveland rocks and so does this political campaign. We're here to find out why, here in northeast Ohio tonight on "Washington Week."

This was how Gwen Ifill opened the special Cleveland Edition of Washington Week on April 4. I had an opportunity to meet her and see firsthand how the show is set up and televised. WVIZ/ Ideastream had asked me to photograph the broadcast as well as an evening cocktail party where Ms. Ifill met local executives, station supporters, and donors.

Gwen Ifill became moderator of Washington Week in 1999 which is PBS's longest running public affairs program. She also works as senior correspondent for "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer."

This week’s show was broadcast from Waetjen Auditorium on the campus of Cleveland State University. It was then followed by a special edition which was tailored to the local audience.

The staff of Washington Week and WVIZ converted CSU's music hall into a temporary television studio for this special event. The broadcast audience was composed of students and Cleveland residents.

Ms. Ifill was accompanied by a round table of some of the nations top business and political reporters.

On stage were Alexis Simendinger, National Correspondent with the National Journal, John Dickerson, Chief Political Correspondent for Slate.com, Jeanne Cummings from the Wall Street Journal, and Michael Duffy, Assistant Managing Editor at Time Magazine.

Also in the audience was Sam Fullwood, Plain Dealer reporter and longtime friend of Ms. Ifill. He was introduced during the Cleveland edition broadcast of Washington Edition which gave the audience opportunity to pose questions to the panel. The sub prime mortgage meltdown, foreclosures, unemployment and the presidential race were some of the areas covered.

The evening before the broadcast Gwen visited Ideastream and met with community leaders and station benefactors. She spoke to the guests about her years in journalism and fielded questions from the floor about working in Washington, politics and the upcoming election.

Also attending the Thursday evening reception was Dick Feagler, Plain Dealer columnist and host of the weekly interview program Feagler & Friends on WVIZ/PBS.

The complete April 4th, 2008 Washington Week broadcast can be seen in the archive at the WVIZ/Ideastream site.

All photographs copyright Stuart Pearl Photography 2008. Please visit my website at http://www.pearlphoto.com/ and also my online galleries: http://www.pbase.com/sapearl

An Alternative View from the 21st Century

Herbert Ascherman

Digital is a relative newcomer to the world of photography. People love it because the results are immediate. It’s fun to see your pictures right away.

But this instant gratification belies the fact that early photographs required hours if not days of hard and dangerous work, before the final picture could be viewed. For more than 150 years, other techniques evolved at the hands of photographers, chemists, and scientists, crafting the processes that would become today’s modern images.

A dedicated group of very creative people work hard to insure that the old techniques don't die. And under Herb Ascherman's guidance they were brought together for a unique visual effort.

(L to R: Richard Wolf, Charles Caito, Greg Martin, Bruce Gates, Jeannette Palsa, Herb Ascherman, Ryan Durdella, Roy Woda)

These individuals comprise The Cleveland Society of Alternative Photographers . An exhibit of their work is currently on display at The Plain Dealer Gallery, 1801 Superior Avenue. I am not a member of this talented group of Clevelanders but had been invited to photograph the show’s opening.

These are not digital images captured in a matter of seconds. Thousands of hours of meticulous hand crafted work and wet processing technique went into the production of these fine art prints.

Jeannette Palsa

According to the group’s website: “The Society seeks to encourage, enhance and preserve the 19th Century photographic techniques known as The Alternative Processes.

Ryan Durdella

These processes include, but are not limited to: Daguerreotypy, Platinum, Albumen, Collodian, Cyanotype, and Gum Bichromate printing methods among others.”

Greg Martin

Herbert Ascherman is Co-Founder of The Cleveland Society of Alternative Photographers and was responsible for organizing the show. Jeannette Palsa is Co-Founder and Secretary of the organization .

Bruce Gates

I have no qualifications as an art critic and would never attempt to judge this show. But it is enjoyable because of it’s uniqueness. One does not often see works of this nature separately, let alone in a single collection utilizing common technologies from a bygone era.

Charles Caito

Because of the way they were processed, some of the prints take the viewer on a private journey into past eras of stone columns, elegant archways and stately mansions. And even when the subjects are contemporary, the viewer is often presented with delicate and soft images reminiscent of past centuries.

Richard Wolf

The exhibitors include Herb Ascherman, Jeannette Palsa, Charles Caito, Ryan Durdella, Bruce Gates, Roy Woda, Greg Martin and Richard Wolf.

Roy Woda

Herbert Ascherman introduces the show's exhibitors.

Approximately 75 - 100 guests viewed the show which is displayed on two levels of the Plain Dealer atrium. The exhibit continues through February 29, 2008.

Herb with Bill Jean, widely acclaimed artist and one of the PD Gallery's exhibit schedulers.

Herbert Ascherman, Shirley Stineman Director of Community Affairs for the Plain Dealer and Mindy Tousley, gallery scheduler.

A gallery of photographs taken at the show can be viewed by clicking HERE.

Cleveland: City Mood - November Winds

There's the old Cleveland joke about our climate. If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes...... it'll change. What may have started as a pleasant sunrise reflecting off the Hope Memorial bridge at 9 A.M. could end up as a rush hour thunderstorm by day's end.

Visitors to our city don't really don't appreciate this statement until they've spent some time here. But Living on the Northcoast, Clevelanders enjoy Lake effect snow and rain, blistering summers, ice storms, high winds, and temperatures that can vary over 110 degrees in a single year.

Many of us feel this area offers great compensation for the winter slush and cold. You get beautiful spring blossoms followed by spectacular fall foliage. Short as the summer may seem, it is ideal for boating, hiking, picnicking and visiting area attractions.

As an east sider we often see heavy dark storm clouds coming in out of the West. One minute we may be enjoying a beautiful sunset over the West Side Market or a pastel backdrop framing an ore freighter moored on the Cuyahoga.

And within less than an hour, a twilight overcast can roll right over the downtown skyline. Building tops will disappear in fog. Short ragged waves will dance along the Cuyahoga. High winds and stinging rain will lash across the bridges and roadways.

But most of the really nasty weather comes out of the Northwest. Before the heavy snows arrive we get the Alberta Clippers blasting in over Lake Erie right out of Canada.

Lake Erie's waters remain relatively warm into the fall. In late November the cooler western and Canadian air begins washing over it. The warm lake air rises and collides with this cold front. First we get sleet on the roads along with pea sized hail. As the temperature continues to drop, we get our famous lake effect snow.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sits right on the edge of the Inner Harbor. Built in 1995, it's glass and steel frame is designed to withstand 150 MPH winds. Fortunately we rarely get lakefront gusts above 60MPH. Either way you don't want be at water's edge when the lake takes on a stormy aspect.

Photography Under Surveillance

"I-90 Bridge Over the Flats"

“I can see him walking down the West steps. Yes, he’s the guy with the beard and camera. He’s taking pictures of the railroad tracks right now…..”

I could overhear the young security guard as he spoke into his walkie talkie. He was obviously reporting my step by step movements to somebody in the building’s command center. Was that a laser dot I imagined on the back of my neck? Or was I just being paranoid?

"West of the Federal Courthouse"

Fortunately I’d made the guard’s friendly acquaintance a few minutes earlier. I had even given him a business card. “My specialty is weddings,” I cheerily said “If you know anybody getting married I’d be glad to provide a free quote. I also do other social events.”

"On the Detroit Superior Bridge"

This was a recent encounter I had on my way to work. I’d stopped at a downtown street corner with camera in hand to take advantage of the Fall morning light as it spread across downtown Cleveland.

The sun is quickly getting lower in the sky. The shadows are growing longer. This creates an intriguing pastel interplay over the bridges and tracks that crisscross the Flats. It’s a photographer’s dream and my favorite shooting venue. Unfortunately I was capturing these scenes from the plaza of the Federal Courthouse. My actions attracted a security guard who seemed to appear from nowhere.

"Ore Freighter Alcoway on the Cuyahoga"

Our “introduction” went well since I made it a point to be pleasant and cooperative in response to his questions. I even referred him to my website where he could view my work. I have no doubt that he and a variety of cameras kept a close watch on me. But I made sure to direct my camera and attention away from the Federal building. They don't like people taking closeup photos of the building.

"A Rainy View from the Superior Viaduct"

I respect law enforcement. Police, the Feds and security guards have a tougher job today since 911. Anything perceived as suspicious behavior becomes suspect. Mundane activities can really be hidden threats. In partial defense of the Establishment I can understand this attitude.

"Guardian of Transportation - Hope Memorial Bridge"

The urban photographer can easily fall into the category of suspicion as he walks around the city, loitering with camera in hand, studying the shadows and detail, looking for the next “great shot”. Will photographing a bridge attract unwanted attention? Does aiming a camera at a freighter look suspicious? If you seem too interested in a Federal building does that imply an ulterior motive?

I know what I am doing when I photograph a cityscape. But how does that appear to law enforcement? Extra effort must be made to act responsibly and with common sense these days. Now more than ever you have to be aware of your surroundings.

"Near the Oxbow Area"

On the way back to my car I cut through a parking lot. The attendant spotted me and quickly approached. "What are you doing here with that camera?" Again, I explained my photographic interest in the Flats and gave him a business card. We chatted a little. Eventually he seemed convinced that I was harmless.

"The reason I stopped you is because last week there was another guy going through the lot with a camera. He was taking pictures of all the cars. We think maybe he was a car thief making up some inventory photos for interested buyers." Now that's something I never would have thought of myself.

Click on photo to see full panoramic image

Horsing Around at Landerhaven

The horseplay was only minor. Bit it did add to the fun I had photographing the wedding of Megan McCoy and Brian Astman at Landerhaven on October 13, 2007.

As much as I like recording Cleveland’s urban landscape, I also enjoy covering weddings and social events. This has been going on now for over 30 years.

Working with Megan, Brian and their large wedding party of 18 was a lot of fun that Saturday.

They were easy to work with and made the day fly right by. I have to say they were a pretty handsome looking group too.

Other than a cool Fall breeze the weather was cooperative. We were able to do much of the preliminary group and casual portraiture on Landerhaven’s beautiful grounds prior to the ceremony. I prefer doing this beforehand as it's less stressful for the bride and groom later in the day.

There is nothing worse than a nagging photograper insisting upon a shot list late into the evening.

The ceremony began at 6:30 P.M. with Robert Stephens and Henry Cogan officiating. At that point the weather was starting to turn and a few rain drops could be felt.

Dark clouds began rolling in and the temperature was steadily dropping. Fortunately umbrella's were not necessary and the ceremony was over by 7 P.M.

Mother of the Bride Linda McCoy toasting the couple.

When I first started covering weddings in 1973, I was typically close in age to that of the bride and groom. Now I am usually the age of their parents. The irony of Megan's wedding is that both the bride and my daughter Jennifer went to high school together.

These were only a few shots from Megan and Brian's wedding day. You can view their entire online proof gallery by clicking THIS link.

Once you arrive at the first screen, click on slideshow (upper right corner) to view all the photos in sequence.

If you wish to order any of the photograhs, you can do so by either contacting the bride or clicking on my ORDER FORM. Print out the form, complete the necessary information and then mail it back to me with a check for the appropriate amount.

Want to learn more about Stuart Pearl Photography? Visit my website or call me on (440) 449-2782.

Ponte Vecchio - Different Perspective for this Photographer

I’m not a restaurant critic. But give me a beautiful night out with my wife Jeanne, good food in a fine eatery with great views of the city, and I can be a very happy man.

All of this came together Saturday night. To celebrate Jeanne's birthday, we had a delicious dinner at Ponte Vecchio Restaurant in the Flats, atop the old Superior Viaduct.

I discovered Pont Vecchio by accident while looking for new photography venues. I’m currently building a Flats portfolio and I try to visit familiar as well as new areas of the city under different lighting conditions. The Superior Viaduct provides great views of the skyline as well as areas of the Flats and Cuyahoga River.

To reach the Viaduct from downtown, head west on the Detroit-Superior bridge to W. 25th Street. Turn right when you get to the light. Drive a few hundred feet until you see Superior Viaduct road on the right. Turn right again and drive through the iron gate until you see the restaurant on the left, halfway down what remains of the Viaduct.

It’s hard to say if many know about this area. Condos, apartments and restaurants are now replacing what used to be old warehouses and machine shops.

While some city neighborhoods continue deteriorate, this is one pocket that seems to be staging a comeback.

Unfortunately it’s very easy to drive by this area off W. 25th if you’re not aware of the new construction. You cannont easily see the restaurant from the main road. However, it’s worth the search for both the food and the view.

Jeanne and I had a very pleasant and relaxing evening at Pont Vecchio. It was was fantastic weather for a Saturday night out. We were also fortunate to meet Britanny Smith, charming daughter of Pont Vecchio's owner who told us a little bit about the establishment.

Leaving the restaurant we took a stroll to end of the viaduct to view the city lights and the river below. Who would think we’d still be enjoying 80F+ weather in October here in Cleveland?

Want to see more photographs of the Cleveland skyline? Click HERE. Additional images can also be seen in my Flats Gallery.

Please visit my website at Stuart Pearl Photography.