by Donovan

#disneyland (Taken with instagram)

I haven’t had many chances to test out my new camera and lens, but I do like this photo. My feelings toward it, though, have little to do with the gear, because this fuzzy, grainy, black and white photo can be achieved with just about any camera. There’s just a personal and intimate quality to it; I feel that it’s very me, and it’s the kind of photo I’ve been able to take. It’s great knowing that switching systems has no effect on how I see and capture who’s around me, and that alone might be what I like most about the new kit.

#saigon #vietnam #travels The only regret I have from my trip home last summer was that I didn’t use the camera more. I would’ve liked to hire a driver and go all around Saigon. Along the way I would stop anywhere, for anyone and anything to just take a picture. There are such contradictions in this city: banks and swamps, businessmen and beggars, history and youths. They all interact within some chaos of city noise composed by honking, music and chatter. There’s such energy in Saigon. I still need to capture it. I still need to come back. (Taken with instagram)

Reliving my past 2 years as part of MVSC. These are a few of my favorites.

#vietnam #travels #backpacking #earlybird (Taken with instagram)

Morning. Let’s do good things! (Taken with instagram)

Starting to miss Joshua Tree … planning to go back within the next couple of weekends.

warwithinabreath asked: Hey, I read your thing about Salvation mountain, I head he's in a home now :/ did you get the chance to meet him? I was so sad when I heard, I really looked up to that man, do you think it'll still be possible to meet him in the future?

Hello. I met Leonard and took this picture a couple of years ago. I was the only visitor at the time so we talked for a good while.

I haven’t heard any indication that visitors will be welcome. I think the main concern is that various groups will have their agendas for seeing Leonard during these times. Salvation Mountain is under routine threat from churches and parties looking to adopt it for their own purposes. Leonard has always refused any affiliation.

Weekend … of babies. My nephew turned one last Sunday!

I re-visited Salvation Mountain in December with hopes of seeing Leonard Knight again. During lunch and the small talk with the server, we found out Leonard was not well and had been in a care center for at least a few weeks. It was bewildering to imagine all those visitors coming without getting the chance to meet him. Leonard had been living there for years, welcoming guests, accepting donations and working on the adobe structure all at the same time.

He is 81 now. I first sat down with him as the lone visitor on a cold Friday in spring 2010. He was working on a new addition to Salvation Mountain, and noted that though these responsibilities will soon exceed his capacity, he will work until that day. There was such determination in his voice, candid and somehow cogent enough to hide the frailty in his tiny frame. I left thinking I’d see him again, and so would all the visitors who’ll come during the busy winter. I was wrong, and I can only say now that I am very sad. Visitors are currently not welcome, and it is unclear if the public will see Leonard again.