Vincent Rodriguez Photography

Dog Park - New Milford, CT

2012-02-17T08:46:00.000-05:00

Bulls Bridge - Kent, CT

2012-02-13T11:34:00.000-05:00

Why Do I Feel A Draft? (Danbury, CT)

2012-02-11T11:06:00.000-05:00

Stop Obesity

2012-02-09T08:08:00.000-05:00

Gerard's Waters Edge Marina - New Milford, CT

2012-02-07T21:31:00.000-05:00

"72 Steps" - St. James Terrace, Yonkers, NY - photo taken Feb 3, 2012

2012-02-03T15:40:00.000-05:00

Car

2012-01-26T15:20:00.000-05:00

Shadow

2012-01-21T15:06:00.000-05:00

Guitar Hero - Bridgewater Fair

2012-01-09T21:56:00.000-05:00

Flight (Danbury, CT)

2012-01-06T20:13:00.000-05:00

Jesus Love Hope

2012-01-04T20:19:00.000-05:00

Norwalk, Connecticut Rainbow

2011-12-24T09:32:00.000-05:00

"Mine, Mine" - The VRM Project

2011-12-22T07:02:00.000-05:00

Santa and Mrs. Claus (Southbury, CT)

2011-12-17T17:48:00.000-05:00

Two Dogs in a Car

2011-12-12T00:18:00.000-05:00

New Milford, Connecticut - Tivoli's Restaurant

2011-12-10T09:53:00.001-05:00

New Milford Christmas Tree (New Milford, CT)

2011-12-07T06:28:00.000-05:00

Modern Day Father/Daughter Lunch

2011-12-05T06:38:00.000-05:00

324

2011-11-29T06:36:00.001-05:00

New Milford, CT (Bank and Railroad Street)

2011-11-26T20:26:00.000-05:00

The Rising - 9/11 Memorial at Kensico Dam - Valhalla, NY

2011-11-20T19:07:00.001-05:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rising_(9/11_memorial)

Veterans Day - Stamford, Connecticut

2011-11-13T16:40:00.000-05:00

Brass Mill Center (Mall), Waterbury,CT

2011-11-08T21:45:00.000-05:00

Sherman, Connecticut (Route 37)

2011-11-05T11:25:00.000-04:00

Candlewood Mountain Road - New Milford, CT

2011-11-01T07:31:00.000-04:00

Housatonic Avenue - New Milford, CT

2011-10-31T07:09:00.000-04:00

Saw Mill River Parkway near Mount Kisco - October 29, 2011

2011-10-30T07:25:00.000-04:00

Center Diner - Peekskill, NY

2011-10-29T10:04:00.000-04:00

"Reach Out"

2011-10-22T20:19:00.003-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XapvLxgxI7c

New Milford, CT

2011-10-20T07:21:00.000-04:00

Mulberry Street, Little Italy, NYC

2011-10-18T07:04:00.000-04:00

Occupy Wall Street - Zuccotti Park, NYC - October 15, 2011

2011-10-16T11:40:00.001-04:00

Averill Farm - Washington Depot, Connecticut

2011-10-12T07:20:00.001-04:00

"Yum Yum" - 46th Street and 9th Avenue, NYC

2011-10-10T22:04:00.001-04:00

Tag Sale - Washington Depot, Connecticut

2011-10-08T22:46:00.000-04:00

Chip - Ridgefield, CT

2011-10-07T18:37:00.000-04:00

Danbury High School 50 Year Reunion "Class of 1961"

2011-09-25T22:28:00.003-04:00

When Steve Nargiso, one of the people on the committee for Danbury High School’s class of 1961 fifty year reunion first contacted me via email asking if I would like to photograph the event which took place two nights, September 23, at The Palace Theater and September 24, at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury, CT, I did not really have any preconceived thoughts as to what to expect. I had never photographed a reunion before, let alone one commemorating 50 years which to me is an incredible feat.

After all, 1961 was one year before I was born, so I did expect perhaps some older people pleasantly greeting each other after so many years and a more laid back environment. This could not be further from the truth. I graduated high school in 1980, and being 48 years old now, one would think that a bunch of 67 year old men and women were in the later stages of life and winding down their energy and talking about their grandchildren and how many they have.

True this did happen, but first off, I was amazed at how many of them whipped out their iPhones and zipped through the menus to get to the most recent photos of their offspring and their offspring’s offspring. They did this with much more ease than I ever would. Before long I was quite envious as to how this group of approximately 125 people were able to maintain friendships and keep their common bond of high school and 1961 specifically, so close to the forefront of their busy lives which have led them to all parts of the United States and still have the passion to meet and enjoy a beautiful night out together of dinner and dancing. Also at the event they were lucky enough to have a few of the teachers from back then as special guests in attendance.

Having never been to one of my own high school reunions, and not even hearing of one for Lincoln High School in Yonkers where I grew up, I quickly felt a bond with many of these people all of which I have never met before, and may never ever see again. Little did they know that as I was photographing the alumni who vaguely remembered the photo of the face on the other alumni’s name tag as they both squinted to read the name and then both screaming at realizing who each other was, the warmth generated by the hugs and memories from 50 years ago was something that penetrated me as well. I was honored to be a part of the whole process.

The men were all dressed and dapper but the women were the highlight of the evening. The DJ who was adequately prepared with music from the 50s and 60s, also had some old 45s on hand that created the ultimate ambience of 1961, with much memorabilia including large photos of the hit movies of the era like “Psycho,” “Splendor in the Grass,” and “Spartacus” as well as large photos of the covers of TV Guide with hit TV shows such as “Dennis the Menace,” “The Red Skelton Show” and “Dobie Gillis” all of which I remember, but truly before my time. It was amazing to watch many of the classy women with their dresses and gowns immediately and right before my very eyes transform into the 17 year old versions of themselves as soon as “Rock Around the Clock” and Chubby Checker’s, “The Twist” came echoing from the speakers. It was an amazing sight to see as they bounced around on the dance floor to the rhythm of the music with the dexterity of a high school cheerleader.

After all the speeches at the end of the evening it was quite clear that this group of “Danbury High’s class of 1961” is a special group of people and I look forward to being invited to photograph their 60 year reunion in 10 years! (Story and photos by Vincent Rodriguez)

For more information please go to http://www.danburyhighclassof1961.com/

Danbury High School 50 Year Reunion

2011-09-24T09:09:00.003-04:00

Palace Theater, Danbury, CT

Ridgefield, Connecticut

2011-09-22T20:45:00.001-04:00

Ballard Park

Still River Dog

2011-09-20T07:09:00.004-04:00

Faces of Westport, CT - Gold's Deli

2011-09-17T10:34:00.004-04:00

Grasshopper - Averill Farm, Washington Depot, CT

2011-09-16T07:15:00.004-04:00

9/11 Cross Beams - Ground Zero - May 8, 2002

2011-09-11T09:20:00.003-04:00

Manhattan Demolition - photo taken in NYC, Sept. 17, 2001

2011-09-09T22:47:00.001-04:00

"A Taste of New Milford" - New Milford, CT - Sept. 7, 2011

2011-09-09T07:37:00.003-04:00

For more photos of this event go to
http://www.newstimes.com/seen/slideshow/SEEN-Taste-of-New-Milford-30747.php

"A Taste of New Milford" - New Milford, CT - Sept. 7, 2011

2011-09-07T22:22:00.002-04:00

For more photos of this event go to
http://www.newstimes.com/seen/slideshow/SEEN-Taste-of-New-Milford-30747.php

World Trade Center - September 13, 2001 (view from 42nd Street)

2011-09-07T07:20:00.001-04:00

The Haircut - Cross County/Yonkers, New York

2011-09-05T09:33:00.003-04:00

Argiope Aurantia or Garden Spider

2011-09-03T19:01:00.002-04:00

New Milford, CT after Hurricane Irene - Route 37

2011-08-29T17:07:00.002-04:00

Photos of People at Ives Concert Park to see ZZ Top

2011-08-26T09:47:00.003-04:00

Thursday, August 25, 2011
http://www.newstimes.com/seen/slideshow/SEEN-ZZ-Top-in-Danbury-30539.php#photo-

Milford, CT Oyster Festival - August 20, 2011

2011-08-22T10:27:00.004-04:00

For more photos of this event go to http://www.newstimes.com/seen/slideshow/SEEN-Milford-Oyster-Festival-30447.php

Milford, Connecticut Oyster Festival - August 20, 2011

2011-08-20T23:33:00.004-04:00

For more photos of this event go to http://www.newstimes.com/seen/slideshow/SEEN-Milford-Oyster-Festival-30447.php#photo-

Christopher Scott Miele - New Milford, CT

2011-08-18T13:07:00.005-04:00

http://www.newstimes.com/local/article/Lovers-Leap-fall-victim-remembered-as-a-brother-661854.php

"Planned Parenthood - Rescue a Puppy"

2011-08-17T08:44:00.003-04:00

From the series, "Faces of New York City-August 13, 2011, The Upper West Side"

"Thank You for Shopping Here" - From the series, "Faces of New York City-August 13, 2011" The Upper West Side

2011-08-16T09:39:00.004-04:00

From the series, "Faces of New York City-August 13, 2011" The Upper West Side

2011-08-15T09:37:00.003-04:00

From the series, "Faces of New York City-August 13, 2011" The Upper West Side

2011-08-14T10:26:00.003-04:00

"Three Stages" From the series, "Faces of New York City - July 24, 2011"

2011-08-12T10:39:00.003-04:00

From the series, "Faces of New York City - July 24, 2011"

2011-08-10T10:40:00.004-04:00

I'll Be Back - The Poconos, Lords Valley, PA

2011-08-06T22:14:00.005-04:00

Sherman Playhouse - Sherman, Connecticut

2011-08-04T12:54:00.001-04:00

Mickey and Minnie

2011-08-03T12:04:00.002-04:00

Shoe Store - New York City - 6th Avenue

2011-07-31T16:23:00.002-04:00

Kayak - Norwalk, Connecticut

2011-07-29T13:38:00.001-04:00

Junk Mail (New York City - 6th Avenue and 48th Street)

2011-07-26T07:56:00.002-04:00

From the series, "Faces of New York City - July 24, 2011" (Times Square)

2011-07-25T08:01:00.002-04:00

42nd Street Grand Central Terminal - New York City

2011-07-21T18:20:00.001-04:00

Mariachi Band - New Milford, Connecticut

2011-07-18T08:01:00.001-04:00

Caught in a Web, Now What?

2011-07-16T19:29:00.002-04:00

Photo Exhibit sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance

2011-07-13T13:04:00.003-04:00

Art Exhibit in Danbury, CT on Kennedy Avenue (just off Main Street) sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance to promote Healthly Living. Reception on July 15, 4pm-6pm. For more information go to http://www.eventbrite.com/event/783698062/mcivte

Backyards and Water Balloons

2011-07-11T08:08:00.003-04:00

You would be amazed and how much fun kids can have when you put away all Xboxes and video games and give them a hose and some water balloons. Today we spend too much time with virtual reality and not enough time letting kids just be regular kids like the old days.

Lois Lane

2011-07-10T10:05:00.002-04:00

Morning Paper (Christopher Street Station - NYC)

2011-07-08T13:11:00.004-04:00

Fisherman in Plymouth, Massachusettes

2011-07-06T08:06:00.002-04:00

4th of July Celebration - New Milford, CT

2011-07-03T10:42:00.002-04:00

New York Yankees and Parking at the Stadium (a lesson learned)

2011-06-30T06:15:00.015-04:00

On Wednesday, June 29, 2011, I was lucky enough to get 4 tickets via StubHub for the Yankees versus the Milwaukee Brewers, an interleague game, although I am still not used to the Brewers being part of the National League. Each ticket was $10 plus taxes and fees which brought the total cost to about $50, unheard of these days for a family of 4. However, the parking around the stadium is $25 and up and in most cases it is $45. After driving around for a few minutes, I was also “lucky” to find a parking spot on Gerard Avenue, between 150^th and 151^st Street. The neighborhood was not too great, but I thought I would take a chance which turned out to not be the best idea.

It was a perfect night for baseball even though we got stuck sitting behind two women in their mid-twenties that got drunk, swore like sailors with my 8 year old sitting directly in back of them, where one of them took out a cigarette and puffed smoke in our faces even although I think this is illegal just about anywhere these days.

The Yankees won, 5-2 and we even got to see a couple of home runs. After the game as we walked to the car, I joked with my older son about hoping that the car was still parked on Gerard Avenue. For years he teased me over my paranoia about leaving the car parked on the street, especially in New York, and he always thought that I was worried about nothing. I would tell my kids to put all electronic devices under the seat because why tempt someone. I always told him, I am glad that I have been wrong since he was alive, but being older, I have already had experiences that he is sure to experience himself one day and all I have to do is be right one time.

As we turned the corner onto Gerard Avenue and seeing the car in the distance, I was reasonably happy because I knew we still had a ride home and at 10:30pm in the Bronx, that is a wonderful thing. But as my son got closer to the car, I saw the look on his face and that he was not joking when he told me to look at the front passenger window where there was glass all over the front seat and floor with broken pieces still around the inside edges of the window. The inside was a mess and the glove compartment open. In my haste to make it to the game on time, I forgot to remove the holder for my GPS which is a clear warning to potential thieves that there is more than likely a Garmin under the seat or in the glove compartment, the latter of which was true in my case. So other than the inconvenience of having to deal with insurance, getting the window fixed, and now being GPS-less, it was a wonderful night of baseball. The police told me there are many drug addicts in that area and my $200 GPS was probably sold on the street for $10 within minutes.

After sleeping on it, I am still a little angry as when something like this happens, you feel violated. The bottom line is these are all things which can be replaced, we were unharmed, and still able to enjoy a night out as a family, something that is priceless. But most of all the thieves helped me prove a point to my son. I just have to be right once…