BRIAN TROPIANO | BLOG

Photography + Poetry Shows

2010-10-18T23:19:00.017-04:00

Beneath the earth is more earth
and below that: rock, and cold things.
Yet here we are.

Walker and I will be doing our first shows together featuring new photography and new poems. There will be stories, surprises, cupcakes, and moody lighting. Both events are free admission, so come on out!

Photography + Poetry Show, from Brian Tropiano and Walker Pfost
Friday night, October 22nd, at the Chinatown Coffee Co in Chinatown
475 H St NW, from 6-8p

and/or

Photography + Poetry Show, opening for Wendell Kimbrough
Saturday night, October 23rd, at the Oakwood Terrace home in Mt Pleasant
3423 Oakwood Terrace NW, doors open at 7:30p

Wendell Kimbrough, singer-songwriter extraordinaire, will be sharing music from his upcoming, untitled album, slated for release in 2011.

Thanks! Hope to see you this weekend!

I want to talk about the Wall.

2010-09-28T14:03:00.012-04:00

People. I want to talk about the Wall. I want to tell you about the graffiti.

I want to talk about the Muslim sheikh who prays for peace, and Jesus' second coming.

I want to talk about the little kids in Bethlehem carrying toy guns, because violence is all they know.

I want to talk about the landscapes, and the rocks.

I want to talk about how old the olive trees are in the Garden of Gethsemane.

I want to talk about Jesus carrying the cross in this city...

... and through these streets, 2000 years ago.

I want to tell you about the tension in Hebron and the Tombs of the Patriarchs.

I want to talk about this ladder and why it's been sitting here for 160 years.

I want to talk about Jesus' message of the Kingdom. Because it's not about Christianity.

I want to talk about peacemaking. Because I can't even love my housemates.

I want to talk about Israel and the West Bank. Because I knew so little about them before I went two weeks ago.

I want to talk about this stuff.

Show at Tynan. Opening Reception tonight.

2010-06-24T13:34:00.003-04:00

Hello people. Tonight I have the great joy of opening a show at Tynan Coffee and Tea in Columbia Heights. Opening reception runs from 6:00-8:00p.

More details here:

The Show . Part 2

2010-06-01T11:13:00.004-04:00

Here's part 2 -- bigger prints, bigger frames. Greatness.

below :: Frame 21 5/8 x 28, Print 14 5/8 x 22
$360 each

below :: Frame 30 x 35, Print 23 x 29
$450

below :: Frame 30 x 37, Print 23 x 31
$500 each

All photos, Brian Tropiano 2008-2010
For show inquiries, and/or book readings :: Contact brian@briantropianophoto.com

The Show . Part 1

2010-05-27T11:40:00.011-04:00

For those who missed it -- GOLLY -- I wish you could have been there. It was pretty packed, but a very nice evening of photos and socializing. Many have asked about prints, and it's taken til now to get the prices together. sorry. I failed to capitalize on your compulsive decision to buy art work. Good. I want you to enjoy what you spend your money on, and especially the art you buy. Like cherish it, you know?

. those that are interested in adding a piece of BT's finest to your collection -- holla at me. these puppies are ready to be shipped off .

below :: Frame 19x24, Print Size 12 x 18
$300 each :: proceeds benefit International Justice Mission

below frame 19 3/8 x 27, Print Size 13 3/8 x 20
$350 each :: proceeds benefit International Justice Mission

below :: frame 20 3/8 x 26, Print Size 13 3/8 x 20
$320 each :: proceeds benefit International Justice Mission

The second half will be up next week. Bless you.

WYDE -- Sneak Peek

2010-05-13T09:44:00.010-04:00

Until tomorrow...

From What You Don't Know is Everything.

Photography by Brian Tropiano, Illustrated by Walker Pfost

Book release at the exhibition, Get Closer: A night of photography and storytelling with Brian Tropiano

WYDE -- Sneak Peek

2010-05-12T09:35:00.008-04:00

This is a familiar image to many of you, and one of my favorites :: hence, my Facebook and Twitter profile pic :)

It was taken in Antigua, Guatemala for a wedding I shot last Spring. A quiet man was feeding pigeons, and I noticed the weathered wall would make a beautiful backdrop as the birds flew away. I dropped the shutter down to about 1/50 to get some movement of the flight. I love it. A lot.

It is my hope that Walker's words bring you into this scene, and perhaps other places.

From What You Don't Know is Everything.

Photography by Brian Tropiano, Illustrated by Walker Pfost.

WYDE -- Sneak Peek

2010-05-11T09:07:00.016-04:00

Another look into my collaboration with Walker Pfost.

4 days until show + book release!

From What You Don't Know is Everything.

Photography by Brian Tropiano, Illustrations by Walker Pfost

WYDE -- Sneak Peek

2010-05-10T14:33:00.006-04:00

The show is only 5 days away! I am very excited to spend the evening sharing photos and stories with you all that are able to attend. But that is not all::

My first published book will be available for the first time. The book entitled, What You Don't Know is Everything, is a collaboration of my photography and original poetry by Walker Pfost. Walker is a good friend and striking poet. While he was in Korea, he wrote a poem everyday for 6 months and you can read those poems here. Our collaboration is an exciting step forward as artists, and is dedicated to the people that share this special event together.

Check back here everyday up until the show, Friday, May 14th to see an excerpt from the book. Below is the poem and photo that inspired the title ::

Get Closer | Washington DC

2010-04-21T15:34:00.009-04:00

1615 Irving St NW, Washington DC 20010

May 14th, 2010 @ 8:00p

Please RSVP to briantropiano{at}gmail{dot}com

Cap Haitien | Haiti

2010-04-08T10:44:00.009-04:00

In Cap Haitien I got a glimpse in to what Haitian life was probably more like BEFORE the quake. About 8 hours journey from the capitol city Port-au-Prince, Cap Haitien is a city of about 190,000 people on the north coast of Haiti. It was largely unaffected by the quake (some of the people I was with had not even seen photos from the disaster).

We're familiar with imagery of the devastated landscapes around Port-au-Prince. Even though it was my first trip to Haiti, I have the sense that life in Cap Haitien is what it was like before the quake as a Haitian ::

There is a lot of work to share, but I am holding off for a couple projects in the works :: Including my first mini-book and a show in May, here in Washington DC.

La Casa | Mr Mike's 64th Birthday

2010-02-24T14:00:00.012-05:00

I simply love birthday parties. The celebrations, reflections, unhealthy food, etc. The only thing thats sure to ruin a birthday party, is if no one throws one.

Mr Mike. 64 years old. A gem of a man, he is.

Christianity Today, World, IJM, Furman Engage :: PUBLISHED

2010-02-12T11:08:00.007-05:00

A number of publications featured my work last year, so I figure I'd share my excitement with you all!

The above cover photo was taken by my talented friend, Ryan Lewis.

My dearest friends and family are responsible for the accomplishments above. They bought me my first camera and told me I could do this thing.

Elizabeth Gilbert on Genius.

2010-02-11T10:14:00.002-05:00

This is a great follow up video to the last post. Thanks, Wendell.

I hope you take the time to watch it.

http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

Art :: Are we really creating, or discovering?

2010-02-08T14:42:00.010-05:00

Peru, 2007. Brian Tropiano

The more I think about photography, or any art :: even living life :: the more convinced I am that art is the joy of discovery. I am less inclined to believe I am creating anything as a photographer or person.

We may be tempted to think it is just a matter of semantics -- discovering something rather than creating it -- but I think it's more significant than that. No one really "creates" anything, we only produce things through curiosity and discovery. Matter is neither created nor destroyed... anymore. Genesis 1:1.

I find the pride and competition in trying to "create" something to be very isolating. Instead, a genuine curiosity becomes the greatest gift of any maturing art or artist.

How could this apply to us as business people, or creative professionals, or teachers, or students, or friends?

Flying

2010-02-07T23:13:00.005-05:00

2008, Guatemala. Brian Tropiano, for International Justice Mission

Education

2010-01-21T12:48:00.005-05:00

2007, Peru. Brian Tropiano

Children are beautiful, and education is important.

La Casa | My first time with the XPAN

2010-01-18T21:38:00.013-05:00

I shot two rolls of film at La Casa a couple weekends back with a friend's 35 mm Hassleblad XPAN. It was a real treat. It was the first time I had shot film since 2007, my first and only photography course in school.

The intentionality behind a film camera is so wonderful. Carefully composing and waiting patiently for the right moment -- I can find myself a lot more impatient behind my 5D.

Anyways, these are a few frames from the Color & BW rolls I shot. Don't you dig the panoramic negatives?

New project: La Casa

2010-01-05T13:06:00.006-05:00

A lot of die-hard photographers always have their camera with them. They are constantly photographing everything they see, everything that appears interesting to them. If you're one of those out there ::High-five::

I for one, often opt for the mental pictures. Constantly framing things in my head, approximately exposures, thinking focus on this, take the exposure of that, and position myself in a way to crop out this... annnnnd :::snap:::. Done and done. A beautiful mental picture. That satisfying and warm feeling is gone quickly, but it doesn't stop me from thinking, "Yeah, I am totally a photographer -- I even take mental images."

But let’s save my high-five for later: I’ve gotta start shooting more.

Let me introduce to you my “real” new personal project:

Every week, a group of good friends and I have served coffee and donuts to these guys at a homeless shelter just three blocks away. Over the last year and a half, they've become friends. We've held dinners, birthday parties, ping-pong matches, and even a humble New Years Eve celebration, right there in the shelter.

These experiences have brought me such joy since moving to the city, and by golly, I want people to see this place. I’ve really only scratched the surface, and photography is an incredible tool for building relationships and gaining access in to places most people don’t see.

My goal is to introduce you to these men, share stories with portraits and places (when I can), and to develop the project with your help. With the way blogging and twittering work, I think this can be your project as well. So I encourage you to keep up with the blog.

January 3^rd, 2010. This is Johnny. He is having a rough season, but manages to keep himself very clean-shaven and well dressed. I really like this man. On Sunday, he made a remark about how much he respects me. I tried to brush it off (as I don’t take compliments very well) and tell him how glad I am to know him, but he doesn’t let me get away that easily. He tells me that he used to be following Jesus in to the dark places, much like he explained I was. He sees himself in me; and he’s envious of it. He came to church that night for the first time since detox. It was another reminder to me that presence matters. Being there matters.

Thanks for reading.

19in in one day!

2009-12-21T17:31:00.001-05:00

My plans and thoughts for 2010.

2009-12-09T10:04:00.012-05:00

Traveling and photography often go hand and hand. I have had some really extraordinary experiences over the last couple years traveling, for which I am still discovering how to make the most of {dot, dot, dot}

Part of my plan for 2010 is to use my wedding photography business by donating 5% of all my profits from packages to (2) not-for-profit organizations. Half will go to the International Justice Mission, and half will go to a cause the bride + groom feel passionately about.

This idea excites me for so many reasons. For more information, visit the GIVING BACK section on my website.

To see more photos from the documentary projects and portraiture abroad, visit my Facebook Fan page. I am also on Twitter if you want keep track of me and my work in the 2010 year.

World Vision

2009-10-06T10:41:00.003-04:00

Last Thursday, I shot my first event for World Vision here in DC! It was their annual day of prayer. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to support such an established and fruitful organization.

To subscribe to World Vision's Latest News RSS feed, click here

To subscribe to their latest media resources, click here

Tales from Malawi.

2008-10-18T12:41:00.009-04:00

Embangweni, Malawi.

A few weeks back, I had the remarkable opportunity to travel with Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC, to the wonderful country of Malawi. It is affectionately known as "The Warm Heart of Africa" for the welcoming and peaceful nature of its people, and the beautiful landscape at every turn. MPPC is invested in a diverse group of projects over there, and has largely committed to helping counsel the leaders of the health care systems in project management and financial planning.

Health care in Malawi is bitterly scarce. Shockingly, there is 1 doctor for every 400,000+ people (yes, one doctor for every four-hundred thousand people), and the majority have to travel hours by dirt road to find a hospital. (And we think the health care system is bad in the United States.) Needless to say, I was intrigued as I walked around the small, over-crowded hospital in Embangweni.

These women above worked tirelessly in the smokey heat of a mud-brick kitchen to provide the food for the countless patience coming through the hospital of Embangweni.

Thanks for reading! BT

{Skateland USA} Greenville, SC

2008-06-27T01:28:00.008-04:00

Enjoy a few of my favorites from the project.

Identity.

Rolling Affection.

Skateland.

Found.

Love Sick.

Leap Frog.

Bling.

In Training.

Sideline.

Planted.

A Glance.

A Glance.

Miss July.

{Portrait Summary} Peru, Guatemala, and Kenya

2008-06-25T16:10:00.011-04:00

| Keegan Dyer |

2007-12-18T19:42:00.001-05:00

Another Mainstage crew.

Dulce, BT

| David White |

2007-12-15T14:03:00.001-05:00

This was a promo shoot for the Mainstage poster here at Furman University. I've had shoots with over 20 artists in the last 3 weeks. These are some of my favorites.

HOLLA. BT

This is the Last One.

2007-08-11T22:00:00.000-04:00

I am finally a North American again. It's a bit surreal: to pronouce my name normally; to read signs in english; to sweat in 104 degree heat; you know, be in Georgia again. But I am home and I love it.

Here are some pictures and some stories.

The last month of our trip was rather chaotic. There were a ton of road strikes and riots that disabled many of our travel endeavors. In the end, two villages were crossed off the schedule because we couldn't get a bus, and we got stuck in Nazca, again. This was the third time we had been here and by this time we had gotten to know some people. I spent the majority of my time in Coffee Break, a sweet coffee house that always has tons of European and Australian tourists (aka, muy dulce.) One night, I was there for the third time that day with my team, and we asked Damaris -- the beautiful Peruvian chica who ran the joint -- if we could help bake cakes, because they were OH SO GOOD and we had time to kill. So Kathy, Lindsay, and I woke up bright and early to head over to Coffee Break to bake some cakes. We baked all morning. While we enjoyed a piece of our creation and a cup of coffee, we started talking about Life.

Damaris' previous boyfriend used to beat her and is no longer in contact with her and thier 2-year-old daughter, Melanie. (Melanie is always hanging out at the coffee shop, is just as beautiful as Damaris, and I love her mucho. She too, now knows the "pound-explosivo".) Lindsay explained the new life God has given us through the death of Jesus Christ: Everything she had been looking for for 4 years. That afternoon in Coffee Break, Damaris accepted the Gospel.

When we finally made it to our next village, Lampa, there was a special little worker named Ide (pronounced "eye-day") at our hostal. The first three days we were in Lampa, John told me he felt a responsibility to share the Gospel with this little girl. One morning while we were all resting upstairs in our hostal (probably watching a pirated DVD or something) John found Ide washing clothes and sweeping the kitchen. He went through a children's Bible he had given her, reading her stories about Jesus, and asking her questions. It was such an encouraging example of obedience.

The ride to our last village of the summer, Nunoa, was the most beautiful scenary I had ever seen -- in my entire life. Solomon, John, and I rode for an hour in the back of a pickup into the village as the sun was going down. The sky was a dramatic gray with patches of brilliant white and blue, and the hills were golden from the setting sun. I shot about a million pictures.

These were taken at a childrens church service, and was one of the last performances of the summer. The image on the far right is a shot of two young boys after the performance asking Kelly if she was going to give them money before she leaves. These conversations with villagers were all too common. We had to explain that only thing we have to give them is this love of God, and when it is understood, is greater and more full than anything material anyone could ever give them.

In celebration of the final performance, everyone wanted to do a photo shoot with their respective puppets to forever cherish the memory. It's kind of ironic that as the summer went on, everyone started to look like their puppet.

I mean, it would only be appropriate to end the last post with a cool portrait. This is Damien. We did a bible study with him one afternoon when we were in Lampa. His eyes were so intense, and his hat was totally rockin.

_______________________________________________________

So that's it guys. This summer is a testimony to the passion of Christ in active believers. Lives were changed, and it is through this that God is changing the world. I worked with some of the most passionate people I have ever met, and it has convinced me that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is what is going to change this messed up world.

Read 1 Corinthians 12, now.

Thank you for all prayers and support.

Volcanoes, waterfalls, hot springs, and banana pancakes.

2007-07-09T16:46:00.001-04:00

At the moment I am stuck in Pauza without a bus to our next location. It is kind of cruddy, but I have a free floor to sleep on and unlimited Internet. We will be leaving tomorrow morning, bright and early. Regardless, I hope this unexpected post blesses your day.

My adventures over the last week and a half has brought me volcanos, waterfalls, hot springs, banana pancakes, and hot showers. As for the rest of the summer, we are scheduled for Macchu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and the jungles. It’s been a crazy adventure, and I am so excited to share it with you.

I don’t really know what to say except check out the pictures, read the captions, and tell me what the crap is going on in everyone’s lives back home. Without further ado…

During our time in Incuyo, we went to talk with Amelia and her son Orlando. Amelia is dying of breast cancer and we went to pray for her. Before prayer, Solomon and Ivan shared the Gospel with her son, Orlando. It was a very emotional and intimate experience, and some great photos came from it. As the summer has progressed, the onsite village teams have developed great relationships with people in their towns, so as our team travels to these villages, these situations are developing almost regularly.

Marcabamba was one area where we saw the immediate fruits of our service. The onsite team is made up of two guys, Jacob and Derek. They have done some really amazing things in the area. However, being two guys, their ministry is womanless. Our team spent a total of four days in Marcabamba. Within that time, Kathy and Lindsay were able to lead 5 girls to salvation, give them Bibles, and connect them to the people in the local church.

Saturday, we went to some hot springs between Pauza and Mirmaca with a teacher named James. Jacob and Solomon used the opportunity to share the Gospel with him. He didn’t become a Christian, but I feel like the images reveal how powerful the time was.

After the presentations at the school, several children followed us back to our hostal. I had the camera, and of course, I wanted to photograph. I photographed over 20 kids individually, right there. I told them to come back that afternoon, and I would show them their pictures on my laptop. That afternoon, about 15 kids came back to see their portraits. What an incredible time. For the majority of the kids, they had never had a picture taken of them, let alone seen it. No one has ever given them the opportunity to see how perfect they are. Sharing these portraits with these kids was definitely one of the most memorable experiences I have had so far. I look forward to more opportunities like it. There are so many images, and I will show you all the slideshow when I get back.

Just for kicks, I had to attach this portrait of this old woman. She was absolutely hilarious. She lived two doors down from our hostal in Marcabamba. Everytime she saw me or Derek, she greeted us as “Negritos,” meaning “little black boys.” You never got by her without some sarcastic joke and a witchy laugh. I want her to be my grandmother. Her name is Maria.

Thank you so much for staying faithful to reading and checking out the pictures. If you all have the time, please e-mail me, let me know what and how you are doing. There has nothing more challenging than being disconnected from so many people… and not having good coffee.

The Halfway Mark.

2007-06-22T15:19:00.000-04:00

People in Peru don’t sweat, they give soft handshakes, work until they die, and find pale skin tones fascinating. They laugh with their eyes squinted and their mouth wide open. Their smiles are beautiful – weathered and proud. As anticipated, it is the people here that make this trip. Yet they’ve come into my life as quickly as I’ve left. It’s the beginning and end within four days.

A little over two weeks ago, one of my best friends, Matt Lewis passed away. When I heard, I was on my way to the small village of Cusicancha, six hours from a practical phone call or decent Internet connection, and cut off from mourning friends and family. For the few who knew him and the many that knew him well, you know he was someone of remarkable love for our God, and has finally received his reward.

I look back on this and some of my pictures. It has brought me to thinking about people in my life and the time I have had with them. People are amazing, wouldn’t you agree? Who we meet, young and old, how they change us, what we share with each other: It may sound cheesy, but that’s what I think about when I look through the pictures from this funeral I photographed in Santiago. I was so scared to be a part of such a personal event. Surrounded by the deceased’s friends and relatives, I was the gringo with a huge camera. But I quickly discovered they wanted me there. They offered me coke and asked me to take their pictures with their beloved grandfather’s casket, and to share with everyone that would care.

All people really want is to be celebrated and remembered. To be given a time when it is all about them. To be lifted up on shoulders: that’s all anyone wants, really. I want to show you some of the images I have taken over the last week that celebrate a few of the people I have met. Our lives are like the work of a million artists. Each person makes a quick chisel in the sculpture of our life; it is unchangeable and on display.

Hector Soto approached one of the guys on my team as we were waiting for the bus leaving Santiago last Friday. Over the past few months he has been going blind. He spoke to John for about 2 minutes before he invited him into his home, asking him to pray for his eyes. Solomon followed to translate, and I followed to photograph.

Gisela worked one of the tiendas in Santiago. She loved using the few English phrases she knew, and did her best to teach us Spanish and Quetchuan. She had a mean volleyball serve and was by far the best cook in Santiago.

Teach those that are willing to listen, and share with them what you know to be true. That’s our role, no doubt.

Share time at the table with a stranger and you can quickly become friends. After performing at one of the schools we had the opportunity to have a pre-lunch with the students. This is Jerson.

Julia turned 74 Sunday night. A large group of her family and friends came together to celebrate this wonderful lady’s life. We ate cake, danced (well, I didn’t – you know me), and smashed the piñata. Julia owns the hostel we stayed at in Bella Union this week. She’s the one dancing in blue and the one that all the goodies are falling on under the piñata.

I don’t believe that you are remembered for what you have done, but because of who remembers you. When I photographed the funeral last week, I had no idea who this 82 year old man was, but I talked to a couple of the people around the casket. They were filled with dignity, and they loved this man. That was enough for me to remember him.

Thanks for reading. Hopefully I can update sooner than later next time.