TooLoose-LeTrek's photostream  

I am just a guy with a camera, taking cheap shots.

I have no training and I'd like to keep it that way. In fact, I have no interest in improving my photography; I figure when it dawns on me that I need to improve, my inner teacher will take care of that. It's really more fun this way, and more in touch with a Zen-like approach to photography, which is what I've developed. No mind,Snap.

I must go alone!

I grew up in and have lived my entire life in the Detroit area. Detroit is my city, and Detroit is in a lot of pain right now. My city photos are meant to bring an awareness of the city and what is going on there. I started exploring Detroit, photographically speaking, nearly seven years ago. Now, many others have joined me. I prefer to explore the neighborhoods where the people live.

Hopefully, things will change.

I know that I go to places I shouldn't go. However, if I didn't, I wouldn't get my pictures.

If you are looking for pretty pictures of unscathed flowers and butterflies, I suggest you look elsewhere. However, I do look for beauty in the strangest places.

If you are looking for urban inside shots, look elsewhere as I am totally an OUTSIDER.

I find many situations in the inner city that just do not occur out in the burbs, like hijacked car seats propped onto porches that are disassembling themselves over time. Or random household objects (like chairs) placed by fire hydrants, let alone severe levels of destruction and frustration.

Much to the chagrin of those who like to explore my inner city shots, I love visiting cemeteries and spend many hours roaming them, looking for that one shot on that particular day. Cemeteries, to me, are like gardens of remembrance and unfortunately in today's culture, we just as soon dig a hole and drop in our dead and forget them. As might be expected, I am all in favor of festivals like dia de los muertos, the Day of the Dead, a day when the dead truly walk the earth again and meet with their loved ones in an twilight realm of the imagination.

Occasionally I will slip in a photo that is neither death nor destruction, but something that just caught my eye. I would post many more, but such photos are usually passed over by you the viewer. I suppose if you were looking for just plain old regular pictures and you chanced upon my gallery, all the death and destruction would scare you away, anyway.

I hope you enjoy my photos, and don't mind too much the confusing mix of themes and subject matter.

My Facebook: www.facebook.com/tooloose.letrek

I am simple regarding my participation here. Please do NOT post large banners and other self-promotional materials in my photo comment section. If you want to attract others to your site, do so by leaving an insightful message about my photo and hopefully others will be curious about who wrote such a tantalizing comment.

My photos are sometimes selected for the Flickr Explore page. Please...these pages are not an advertising board for you to network with.

I reserve the right to delete any messages with large banners, buttons, or other self-promotional materials. I also do NOT participate in groups that require mandatory interactions. I will delete those sorts of invitations.

Thank you for your understanding in these matters.