Monthly Archive for December, 2009

New York, quit calling.

Published
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Kelvin
on December 27, 2009
in Personal Projects
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After a whirlwind trip to DC and back for Christmas, I stopped off in New York to grab a quick bite with an old friend of mine in Chelsea, as well as to give my brain a rest from dealing with near-horizontal rain and crazy holiday traffic.

So much rain over the weekend, so I didn’t get many opportunities to make any pictures outdoors, save for these iPhone photos.

12.26.2009 — NEW YORK — 16th Street and 9th Avenue. This pedestrian signal makes my head want to explode.

12.26.2009 — NEW YORK — This storefront display at the Moschino Boutique on 14th Street pretty much sums up my thoughts on Christmas and the holiday season in general.

12.26.2009 — NEW YORK — This storefront display at the Moschino Boutique on 14th Street pretty much sums up my thoughts on Christmas and the holiday season in general.

Happy Holidays!

The Longest Night

Published
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Kelvin
on December 23, 2009
in Photojournalism
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With all this talk about a white Christmas, sometimes it’s easy to overlook the homeless. Every year for the past 20 years, the Cathedral Church of St. Paul has their homeless memorial service on the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year.

This isn’t the first time I’ve photographed one of these events — I covered one back in Tampa a few years back. Obviously, weather conditions are much different in Florida, so it definitely has a bit of a different feel back in Boston. With the heavy snow last week and the bitter cold that’s been lingering for the past month, I can only imagine how difficult it is on the street.

Here are some photos from the service:

12.21.2009 — BOSTON — Chris Hunt arranges some tombstones representing homeless people who have died at the 20th annual Interfaith Homeless Memorial Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul on Dec. 21, 2009. The service is held on the longest night of the year.


12.21.2009 — BOSTON — John Predso lights a candle a homeless person who died in the last year at the 20th annual Interfaith Homeless Memorial Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul on Dec. 21, 2009. The tall candle to his right represents 'John Doe.' The service is held on the longest night of the year.

Steam Heat

Published
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Kelvin
on December 22, 2009
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Caught another fire on my way home Sunday night. It was a little late, and nothing too severe, by fire standards for the newspaper, anyway. A lot of steam, but I think I got there a little too late to get any visible flame.

Either way, I really don’t mean to make light of or be insensitive to what must be a devastating loss for this family, especially at this time of year. It looks like the fire gutted most of the house, and who knows what it looks like inside. Hopefully, it reminds people to be extra careful with their space heaters, fireplaces, etc. when it’s cold out.

12.20.2009 — NEWTON, Mass. — Newton firefighters respond to a three-alarm fire at 91 Pickwick Rd. in Newton on Dec. 20, 2009. Fire officials had not yet determined a cause at the time of the fire.

12.20.2009 — NEWTON, Mass. — Newton firefighters respond to a three-alarm fire at 91 Pickwick Rd. in Newton on Dec. 20, 2009. Fire officials had not yet determined a cause at the time of the fire.


12.20.2009 — NEWTON, Mass. — Newton firefighters respond to a three-alarm fire at 91 Pickwick Rd. in Newton on Dec. 20, 2009. Fire officials had not yet determined a cause at the time of the fire.

12.20.2009 — NEWTON, Mass. — A Newton firefighter climbs through an ice-covered tree responding to a three-alarm fire at 91 Pickwick Rd. in Newton on Dec. 20, 2009. Fire officials had not yet determined a cause at the time of the fire.

Tick. Tock.

Published
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Kelvin
on December 22, 2009
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I grew up in Boston, and I’ve spent plenty of time walking through Downtown Crossing and the surrounding areas of the Freedom Trail. The Old South Meeting House was always something of an afterthought — just a building you’d happen to pass on the way from the Common to Faneuil Hall.

Monday, I was assigned to easily one of the coolest assignments I’ve had in a long time. A clocksmith by the name of David Hochstrasser was up in the steeple, restoring the clock to make sure everything was on time. It’s a painstaking process, I can imagine, and with all the gears involved, quite an impressive feat, and very cool for a history geek like me. Here’s some photos of him in action, plus a link to the Boston Herald’s story:

12.21.2009 — BOSTON — Clocksmith David Hochstrasser checks the time after restoring the steeple clock of the Old South Meeting House on Dec. 21, 2009. The restoration of clock, built in 1766 by Gawen Brown, involved no modifications save for a faceplate to commemorate the date of the project.


12.21.2009 — BOSTON — Clocksmith David Hochstrasser puts the final touches on his restoration of the clock in the steeple of the Old South Meeting House on Dec. 21, 2009. The restoration of clock, built in 1766 by Gawen Brown, involved no modifications save for a faceplate to commemorate the date of the project.


12.21.2009 — Clocksmith David Hochstrasser restored the steeple clock in the Old South Meeting House on Dec. 21, 2009. The restoration of clock, built in 1766 by Gawen Brown, who left his signature on this gear, involved no modifications save for a faceplate to commemorate the date of the project.

12.21.2009 — BOSTON — Clocksmith David Hochstrasser restored the steeple clock in the Old South Meeting House on Dec. 21, 2009. The restoration of clock, built in 1766 by Gawen Brown, involved no modifications save for a faceplate to commemorate the date of the project.

Women’s Hoops – Wright State at Boston College

Published
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Kelvin
on December 22, 2009
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Just a few photos from Sunday’s women’s basketball game between Wright State and Boston College. (Factoid: Wright State is in Dayton, Ohio.)

Despite all the snow falling from the sky, I end up getting the stuff that keeps me indoors between this game and the New Kids on the Block concert. Go figure!

12.20.2009 — CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Boston College forward Stefanie Murphy steals the ball from Wright State forward Erica Richardson at Conte Forum on Dec. 20, 2009.

12.20.2009 — CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Boston College forward Stefanie Murphy steals the ball from Wright State forward Erica Richardson at Conte Forum on Dec. 20, 2009.


12.20.2009 — CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Boston College guard Brittanny Johnson fights for a loose ball with Wright State guard Kanisha Ward at Conte Forum on Dec. 20, 2009.


12.20.2009 — CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Boston College guards Brittanny Johnson and Ayla Brown fight for a rebound against Wright State at Conte Forum on Dec. 20, 2009.

Extra Cheese

Published
by
Kelvin
on December 21, 2009
in Photojournalism
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I’m sure a lot of my female friends will be quite jealous of my latest assignment from the Boston Herald. Went to the House of Blues to photograph The New Kids On The Block, in all their cheesy boy band glory. One thing is for sure, these guys love to perform!

12.20.2009 —€” BOSTON —€” Jordan Knight of The New Kids On The Block performs at the House Of Blues on Dec. 20, 2009.

12.20.2009 —€” BOSTON —€” Jordan Knight of The New Kids On The Block performs at the House Of Blues on Dec. 20, 2009.


12.20.2009 —€” BOSTON —€” Joey McIntyre of The New Kids On The Block performs at the House Of Blues on Dec. 20, 2009.

12.20.2009 —€” BOSTON —€” Joey McIntyre of The New Kids On The Block performs at the House Of Blues on Dec. 20, 2009.


12.20.2009 —€” BOSTON —€” The New Kids On The Block perform at the House Of Blues on Dec. 20, 2009.

12.20.2009 —€” BOSTON —€” The New Kids On The Block perform at the House Of Blues on Dec. 20, 2009.

Here’s a little flash gallery of a buttload of photos:


12-20-2009 New Kids On The Block – Images by Kelvin Ma

En Fuego

Published
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Kelvin
on December 14, 2009
in Photojournalism
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As far as spot news goes, fires are usually money for decent images. Heard a call on the scanner yesterday while working for the Herald that ended with “All units please respond,” and I bolted out the door. Got to the smoldering warehouse in Southie around the same time as the first fire truck.

Here’s an accidental photo that I really liked. Not really a news photo, but I dig it.

12.13.2009 — BOSTON — A firefighter exits the smoldering warehouse at 1st and B Streets in South Boston, where firefighters responded to reports of smoke outside the building. Fire inspectors believe the smoke originated from a pile of smoldering garbage being used for warmth by homeless people inside.

12.13.2009 — BOSTON — A firefighter exits the smoldering warehouse at 1st and B Streets in South Boston, where firefighters responded to reports of smoke outside the building. Fire inspectors believe the smoke originated from a pile of smoldering garbage being used for warmth by homeless people inside.

And, of course, a few photos from the initial scene:

12.13.2009 — BOSTON — Boston firefighters prepare to enter a smoke-filled warehouse in South Boston at 1st and C Streets on Dec. 13, 2009. Firefighters responded to reports of smoke, which came from a smoldering pile of paper and garbage on the first floor that fire inspectors believe was being used by homeless squatters to stay warm. One person was treated for smoke inhalation.

12.13.2009 — BOSTON — Boston firefighters prepare to enter a smoke-filled warehouse in South Boston at 1st and C Streets on Dec. 13, 2009. Firefighters responded to reports of smoke, which came from a smoldering pile of paper and garbage on the first floor that fire inspectors believe was being used by homeless squatters to stay warm. One person was treated for smoke inhalation.

12.13.2009 — BOSTON — Boston firefighters open ventilation in the wall of a smoke-filled warehouse in South Boston at 1st and C Streets on Dec. 13, 2009. Firefighters responded to reports of smoke, which came from a smoldering pile of paper and garbage on the first floor that fire inspectors believe was being used by homeless squatters to stay warm. One person was treated for smoke inhalation.

12.13.2009 — BOSTON — Boston firefighters open ventilation in the wall of a smoke-filled warehouse in South Boston at 1st and C Streets on Dec. 13, 2009. Firefighters responded to reports of smoke, which came from a smoldering pile of paper and garbage on the first floor that fire inspectors believe was being used by homeless squatters to stay warm. One person was treated for smoke inhalation.

12.13.2009 — BOSTON — oston firefighters sift through the debris from a smoldering pile of paper and garbage on the first floor of the NEFCO warehouse in South Boston at 1st and C Streets on Dec. 13, 2009. Firefighters responded to reports of smoke, which came from the smoldering that fire inspectors believe was being used by homeless squatters to stay warm.

12.13.2009 — BOSTON — oston firefighters sift through the debris from a smoldering pile of paper and garbage on the first floor of the NEFCO warehouse in South Boston at 1st and C Streets on Dec. 13, 2009. Firefighters responded to reports of smoke, which came from the smoldering that fire inspectors believe was being used by homeless squatters to stay warm.

Pretty boring stuff by fire photo standards, with no actual flames on the scene. But reporter Laurel Sweet, who wrote the story, and I were treated to a tour of the interior by the fire inspectors. Inside was a veritable homeless condominium, with makeshift apartments fashioned out of the offices inside.

12.13.2009 — BOSTON — Homeless squatters left bottles of a mystery liquid that fire inspectors believe to be either moonshine or urine strewn throughout the second floor of the NEFCO warehouse in South Boston at 1st and C Streets on Dec. 13, 2009. Firefighters responded to reports of smoke, which came from a smoldering pile of paper and garbage on the first floor that fire inspectors believe was being used by homeless squatters to stay warm.

12.13.2009 — BOSTON — Homeless squatters left bottles of a mystery liquid that fire inspectors believe to be either moonshine or urine strewn throughout the second floor of the NEFCO warehouse in South Boston at 1st and C Streets on Dec. 13, 2009. Firefighters responded to reports of smoke, which came from a smoldering pile of paper and garbage on the first floor that fire inspectors believe was being used by homeless squatters to stay warm.

12.13.2009 — BOSTON — Homeless squatters had set up a long-term presence in second floor of the NEFCO warehouse in South Boston at 1st and C Streets on Dec. 13, 2009.

12.13.2009 — BOSTON — Homeless squatters had set up a long-term presence in second floor of the NEFCO warehouse in South Boston at 1st and C Streets on Dec. 13, 2009.

With such an entrenched human presence inside the warehouse, it could have been much worse, with the inspectors estimating that about 15 people lived in this place. With that mystery liquid, which could have been anything from kerosene, to moonshine, but most likely urine, it could have been a disaster. Luckily, it wasn’t, and safe enough for the Boston Fire Department to give us an awesome behind-the-scenes look at what they have to potentially deal with in these situations.

Much thanks to the Boston Fire Department!

And finally, I leave you with an outtake of the last known resident of this homeless hacienda:

12.13.2009 — BOSTON — Spongebob Squarepants hangs on the door of one of the offices being used as a bedroom by homeless squatters in a South Boston warehouse on Dec. 13, 2009.

12.13.2009 — BOSTON — Spongebob Squarepants hangs on the door of one of the offices being used as a bedroom by homeless squatters in a South Boston warehouse on Dec. 13, 2009.

The Candidate

Published
by
Kelvin
on December 13, 2009
in Photojournalism
. 1 Comment

Here’s a few photos from a campaign event I covered last week for a new client, the MetroWest Daily News.

U.S. Senate candidate Martha Coakley was making a stop in Marlborough to accept the endorsement of mayor Nancy Stevens. It was a relatively generic campaign event, which is generally how these things go, but Coakley was personable and in full campaign mode — she shook my hand and introduced herself twice while making her round, not realizing she had already done it once. It’s always nice to see candidates interacting with people, and this one was no different, if not very familiar. I did manage to get there early enough to meet some of her family.

Here we go:

12.6.2009 — MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — From left, Scott and daughters Ellie, 3, Audrey, 4, and Grace 6, with their mother, Liz of Franklin, and Maria, 9, her dad Joe and Megan Gentile, 7, campaign for U.S. Senatorial candidate Martha Coakley before she accepted the endorsement from Marlboro mayor Nancy Stevens at the Coral Restaurant in Marlboro on Dec. 6, 2009. Liz Bonacci and her brother Joe Gentile are the niece and nephew of Coakley.

12.6.2009 — MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — From left, Scott and daughters Ellie, 3, Audrey, 4, and Grace 6, with their mother, Liz of Franklin, and Maria, 9, her dad Joe and Megan Gentile, 7, campaign for U.S. Senatorial candidate Martha Coakley before she accepted the endorsement from Marlboro mayor Nancy Stevens at the Coral Restaurant in Marlboro on Dec. 6, 2009. Liz Bonacci and her brother Joe Gentile are the niece and nephew of Coakley.

12.6.2009 — MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — U.S. Senatorial candidate Martha Coakley delivers some remarks after accepting the endorsement from Marlboro mayor Nancy Stevens, in background, at the Coral Restaurant in Marlboro on Dec. 6, 2009.

12.6.2009 — MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — U.S. Senatorial candidate Martha Coakley delivers some remarks after accepting the endorsement from Marlboro mayor Nancy Stevens, in background, at the Coral Restaurant in Marlboro on Dec. 6, 2009.

12.6.2009 — MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — U.S. Senatorial candidate Martha Coakley fields questions from the audience after accepting the endorsement from Marlboro mayor Nancy Stevens at the Coral Restaurant in Marlboro on Dec. 6, 2009.

12.6.2009 — MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — U.S. Senatorial candidate Martha Coakley fields questions from the audience after accepting the endorsement from Marlboro mayor Nancy Stevens at the Coral Restaurant in Marlboro on Dec. 6, 2009.

Work. Progress.

Published
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Kelvin
on December 13, 2009
in Photojournalism
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Here’s a quick portrait from a Boston Herald assignment yesterday. I was sent to Dorchester to get a photo of Lewis Finfer, whose father helped build a wall down by the Neponset River near the Milton-Dorchester border as part of the Works Progress Administration of the Great Depression.

Well, with this recession and job loss continuing, you get the idea… Lew is headed to Washington next week to talk jobs with President Obama.

12.12.2009 — BOSTON — Massachusetts Communities Action Network director Lew Finfer's father worked on the wall along Medway and Ventura Streets in Dorchester as part of a Work Progress Administration project from 1939 to 1940. Finfer will be meeting with President Barack Obama next week to discuss the potential for another WPA-like program, among other solutions, to spur job creation.

12.12.2009 — BOSTON — Massachusetts Communities Action Network director Lew Finfer's father worked on the wall along Medway and Ventura Streets in Dorchester as part of a Work Progress Administration project from 1939 to 1940. Finfer will be meeting with President Barack Obama next week to discuss the potential for another WPA-like program, among other solutions, to spur job creation.

Miami at Boston College Hoops

Published
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Kelvin
on December 7, 2009
in Photojournalism
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Basketball is easily my second favorite sport to shoot, behind baseball of course. I got back into the swing of things today, covering the ACC opener between undefeated Miami and Boston College. It was a pretty active game on the floor, with a lot of steal attempts and loose balls. Not a whole lot happening in the lane, though, at least on my end.

Here’s some photos from the game:

12.6.2009 —€” CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. —€” BC guard Biko Paris tries for the steal against Miami guard James Dews at the Conte Forum on Dec. 6, 2009. Paris was called for the foul as BC won, 61-60.

12.6.2009 —€” CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. —€” BC guard Biko Paris tries for the steal against Miami guard James Dews at the Conte Forum on Dec. 6, 2009. Paris was called for the foul as BC won, 61-60.

12.6.2009 —€” CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. —” BC forward Tyler Roche fights for a loose ball with Miami guard James Dews at the Conte Forum on Dec. 6, 2009.

12.6.2009 —€” CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. —” BC forward Tyler Roche fights for a loose ball with Miami guard James Dews at the Conte Forum on Dec. 6, 2009.

12.6.2009 —€” CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. —€” Miami guard Garrius Adams drives past BC forward Tyler Roche at the Conte Forum on Dec. 6, 2009.

12.6.2009 —€” CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. —€” Miami guard Garrius Adams drives past BC forward Tyler Roche at the Conte Forum on Dec. 6, 2009.

12.6.2009 —€” CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. —€” BC forward Joe Trapani shields the ball from a diving Miami forward Cyrus McGowan at the Conte Forum on Dec. 6, 2009.

12.6.2009 —€” CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. —€” BC forward Joe Trapani shields the ball from a diving Miami forward Cyrus McGowan at the Conte Forum on Dec. 6, 2009.

12.6.2009 —€” CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. —” BC guard Reggie Jackson goes up for a dunk near the end of regulation against Miami, but ended up with a charge call on Miami center Reggie Johnson at the Conte Forum on Dec. 6, 2009. The charge call did not end up costing BC any points as they went on to win, 61-60.

12.6.2009 —€” CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. —” BC guard Reggie Jackson goes up for a dunk near the end of regulation against Miami, but ended up with a charge call on Miami center Reggie Johnson at the Conte Forum on Dec. 6, 2009. The charge call did not end up costing BC any points as they went on to win, 61-60.