© Jake StangelJudy- April 2008
© Jake StangelKevin- April 2008
© Jake StangelJon- April 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
One more thing...
Just updated my site for probably the last time till August, added some 4x5 portraits I took throughout the east coast. Enjoy.
© Jake Stangel
© Jake Stangel
© Jake Stangel
© Jake Stangel © Jake Stangel © Jake Stangel
I Pack
I'm leaving for Providence tomorrow morning, and of course left all my packing till today, mostly because was going to rain all day, so I wouldn't feel bad about not being outside. I seriously think I'm packing more camera gear than clothing though.
Last summer's trip was shot with a Hasselblad that I sold back in January. I kind of dislike buying things, except for good food; as a result, I'd amassed enough in savings to recently buy a Toyo 45A large format camera as well as a Canon 5D. Through some eBay shenanigans, I was also able to flip enough camera and bike parts to obtain a Leica Z2X point and shoot, 20 rolls of 35mm film, and a convertible Schneider 150/265 lens, while still breaking even.
So this summer, I'll be riding with the Leica in my jersey pocket, the 5D (protected) in my camelbak, as well as the Toyo 4x5 in the back of our support van. I'm also guessing my camelbak will weigh 10 or so pounds (with 2L of water in it), and it's gonna suck when I'm riding.
Leica Z2X, Toyo, some film
Last summer's trip was shot with a Hasselblad that I sold back in January. I kind of dislike buying things, except for good food; as a result, I'd amassed enough in savings to recently buy a Toyo 45A large format camera as well as a Canon 5D. Through some eBay shenanigans, I was also able to flip enough camera and bike parts to obtain a Leica Z2X point and shoot, 20 rolls of 35mm film, and a convertible Schneider 150/265 lens, while still breaking even.
So this summer, I'll be riding with the Leica in my jersey pocket, the 5D (protected) in my camelbak, as well as the Toyo 4x5 in the back of our support van. I'm also guessing my camelbak will weigh 10 or so pounds (with 2L of water in it), and it's gonna suck when I'm riding.
Leica Z2X, Toyo, some filmOf course, 2 of these 3 cameras shoot film, which I'm sending directly over to Anthony Accardi at Green Rhino throughout the summer, but I won't be able to see the results until I get back to NYC in August. So for now, I'll only be putting up shots from the 5D. Wah-wah.
From last year's experience, I know this trip already contains all the necessary elements- crazy lifestyle, total spontaneity, amazing lighting conditions and landscapes, and a crew of 30 younguns biking/living together for 2.5 months- to make for good photos. Below is one of my favorites from last summer. Basically, all the potential is there, the cameras are certainly there, and its up to me to take some baller photos.
© Jake Stangel
Mike- Bloomington, IN. June 2007
From last year's experience, I know this trip already contains all the necessary elements- crazy lifestyle, total spontaneity, amazing lighting conditions and landscapes, and a crew of 30 younguns biking/living together for 2.5 months- to make for good photos. Below is one of my favorites from last summer. Basically, all the potential is there, the cameras are certainly there, and its up to me to take some baller photos.
© Jake StangelThursday, May 29, 2008
Mission Accomplished
The actual 'mission accomplished' I'm referring to: I finally raised the $4,000 needed for this year's ride. It was super tough this second time around, especially considering this progressively hellish economy, so I wasn't all too surprised when the majority of fundraising letters I sent out eons ago were met with no response.I did get a little entrepreneurial/creative this past weekend to help raise my last $1,000 dollars. I borrowed a bike trainer from a local bike shop, and donned my Bike & Build jersey, spandex, and a massive sign that read "I'm biking across the country this summer to support Habitat For Humanity". I posted up in one of the most affluent and bike-friendly communities near me, and quickly raised $400 cash in three hours. It's all going to the cause, scout's honor. Interestingly enough, I tended to receive wads of either $20's or $1's, but not much in between. Definitely a lesson in marketing and demographics. I finished the day stoked, and also got to meet tons of friendly and supportive folks.
I'd also like to send a special shout-out to two families, the Furedi-Boyles and the Leons, as well as my moms, for consistently holding great interest and financial investment in both of these rides. Money can most certainly not buy love, but its quite a touching honor and privilege to know these folks have gone out of their way to have my back, it definitely means alot.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
In a nutshell, this is what I'm doing
I'm biking from Providence to Seattle this summer with a non-profit called Bike & Build. I'm riding with 30 other people, 2 of whom I know, the rest I've never met. Each of us has raised $4,000 to ride, and nearly all proceeds go towards funding an affordable house in Rhode Island, built by the Providence Habitat for Humanity. The rest of the money is donated in small grants to affordable housing groups throughout the country.
Aside from raising a ton of money, we also spend about once a week volunteering on pre-arranged build sites along our route. This was my favorite aspect of the trip when I did it last year (I rode from Virginia to Oregon with Bike & Build in the summer of 07'); there's nothing like rolling up to a bare-framed house in the morning and leaving it wrapped in sheeting and a new roof that afternoon.
Additionally, our group also spends alot of time learning about and interacting with the communities we stay with throughout our route- we eat alot of community diners, meet with many affordable housing organizations along the route, and generally attract alot of attention in small towns. These three components- in our roles as fundraisers, volunteers, and representatives of our generation- make Bike & Build an incredibly multifaceted program.
© Jake Stangel
Riding through Colorado, July 2007
Last summer, I learned that riding a bike across the country is an amazing educational tool, one which offers a deep understanding of American culture, civilization, and landscape, on both macro and microcosmic levels. This (along with reports from the road) is the intended purpose of this blog, so bookmark me, stick around this summer, and I'll git'r done.
Aside from raising a ton of money, we also spend about once a week volunteering on pre-arranged build sites along our route. This was my favorite aspect of the trip when I did it last year (I rode from Virginia to Oregon with Bike & Build in the summer of 07'); there's nothing like rolling up to a bare-framed house in the morning and leaving it wrapped in sheeting and a new roof that afternoon.
Additionally, our group also spends alot of time learning about and interacting with the communities we stay with throughout our route- we eat alot of community diners, meet with many affordable housing organizations along the route, and generally attract alot of attention in small towns. These three components- in our roles as fundraisers, volunteers, and representatives of our generation- make Bike & Build an incredibly multifaceted program.
© Jake StangelLast summer, I learned that riding a bike across the country is an amazing educational tool, one which offers a deep understanding of American culture, civilization, and landscape, on both macro and microcosmic levels. This (along with reports from the road) is the intended purpose of this blog, so bookmark me, stick around this summer, and I'll git'r done.
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