In case you've wondered where I've been

What is up

2008-04-29T18:11:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

In case you haven't noticed, I haven't been updating this blog for the past 2 years or so. My apologies for that. To keep up to date with things, please visit my website or the newly formed Aevum photo collective website.

I am now represented by Aurora. Please contact David Laidler for assignments
David Laidler | Assignment Division
New York Office: +1 646 290 7816
dlaidler(at)auroraphotos.com
www.auroraphotos.com/select

Flight

2006-01-18T14:08:00.001-08:00

Flight
Originally uploaded by matteich.

We never really grow up.

Piano arson

2006-01-18T14:08:00.000-08:00

Piano arson
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Arson left this piano and the house it resides in charred nearly beyond recognition. Nobody was charged in the incident.

The Union: Girl with the red coat

2006-01-18T14:05:00.001-08:00

The Union: Girl with the red coat
Originally uploaded by matteich.

& shadows creep by bars as the night drags on.

Chauncey: Traces

2006-01-18T14:05:00.000-08:00

Chauncey: Teddy
Originally uploaded by matteich.

An abandoned stuffed animal lies in the mud where children used to play in Chauncey, OH on January 11th, 2006. The family that used to live there recently split up with the father moving to Florida with some of the children while the mother took the rest to Tennessee leaving only telltale traces that they were ever there.

The Union: Pool

2006-01-18T14:04:00.000-08:00

The Union: Pool
Originally uploaded by matteich.

James Chance plays pool at The Union.

Tickets

2006-01-11T22:18:00.000-08:00

Tickets
Originally uploaded by matteich.

At the movies.

Safety

2006-01-11T22:17:00.004-08:00

Safety
Originally uploaded by matteich.

& we can feel like children under there. Safe from the world outside as the light filters through her favorite blanket.

Mood

2006-01-11T22:17:00.003-08:00

Mood
Originally uploaded by matteich.

& I don't know what was weighing on my mind when I made this picture.

Dance

2006-01-11T22:17:00.002-08:00

Dance
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Smiles & alcohol & dancing.

Beth & Mike.

Carwash

2006-01-11T22:17:00.001-08:00

Carwash
Originally uploaded by matteich.

When I attempted to clean my car before she arrived.

The streetlights

2006-01-11T22:17:00.000-08:00

The streetlights
Originally uploaded by matteich.

En route.

Rainy Christmas: Mother

2005-12-26T00:09:00.000-08:00

Rainy Christmas: Mom
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Its Christmas morning & the rain is running down the car windows as she gets in. I tell myself that somewhere colder it is snowing. But all I took this Christmas day is this dark blurry picture that I love & I can't tell you why.

Christmas

2005-12-24T19:09:00.001-08:00

Christmas #1
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Joy.

Noon & time for a beer

2005-12-24T19:08:00.001-08:00

Noon & time for a beer
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Nothing's perfect. Our lives, your car, this picture. But we can make the most of it & we do.

The light will set us on fire

2005-12-24T19:08:00.000-08:00

The light will set us on fire
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Two and a quarter beers. She's giggly drunk & singing Christmas songs while washing my mom's dishes as the afternoon light poured through the kitchen window.

Richmond

2005-12-17T17:11:00.000-08:00

Richmond
Originally uploaded by matteich.

& you love this city & you hate this city because it's eaten love & so many memories & the people you were closest to but it still manages to be beautiful somehow.

You can see it & you know it is

2005-12-17T17:09:00.002-08:00

You can see it & you know it is
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Love.

A Navy ship returns.

O'Hare #2

2005-12-17T17:09:00.001-08:00

O'Hare #2
Originally uploaded by matteich.

O'Hare International Airport; Chicago, Illinois.

O'Hare #1

2005-12-17T17:09:00.000-08:00

O'Hare #1
Originally uploaded by matteich.

O'Hare International Airport; Chicago, Illinois.

Santa

2005-12-17T17:07:00.001-08:00

Santa
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Wandering around Truxtun in Portsmouth there were telltale signs of the holiday approaching littering people's yards. This yard wasn't so telltale but Santa hid in the back corner like an afterthought. So, Merry Christmas. A little early.

Carter

2005-12-17T17:07:00.000-08:00

Carter
Originally uploaded by matteich.

The last time I saw him before he moved to Richmond.

Paper airplanes

2005-12-17T17:06:00.001-08:00

Paper airplanes
Originally uploaded by matteich.

I looked out the window this morning to see the ground littered with paper airplanes where my brother had thrown them from the second floor. His childlike amusement fluttering to the ground below.

Truxtun

2005-12-17T17:06:00.000-08:00

Truxtun
Originally uploaded by matteich.

He asked me to take his picture in front of the house. Standing there
so proudly in the green shirt that matched his shutters as the wind
blew his tie.

Chrissy

2005-12-17T17:05:00.000-08:00

Chrissy
Originally uploaded by matteich.

But now you question yourself & everything & you're wondering what Christmas will be like once the hearts have been separated

Mikey

2005-12-17T17:04:00.000-08:00

Mikey
Originally uploaded by matteich.

When Mikey realizes that the girl he had been staring at couldn't be any older than 15. "Fuck man...I'm a pedophile", he groaned

Mootispah

2005-12-17T17:03:00.000-08:00

Mootispah
Originally uploaded by matteich.

& my guess is as a child he never saw himself dying behind bars.

Holding hands

2005-12-17T16:46:00.000-08:00

Holding hands
Originally uploaded by matteich.

& I can't wait to see you again.

Where I've been...

2005-12-17T16:42:00.000-08:00

So once again it has been forever since I've posted. I will try to be more regular but find myself posting more often on my other photo page . Please feel free to look into that. This blog will become more of a haven for personal photos and the thoughts that come with them. I hope you all are well.

::.matt.::

The Ridges #1

2005-10-30T21:47:00.000-08:00

The Ridges #1
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Whitney Osterhort was a character from Phantom of The Opera. She was photographed in the graveyard behind 'The Ridges', what was once an asylum in Athens, OH.

The Ridges #2

2005-10-30T21:46:00.000-08:00

The Ridges #2
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Adam Fardy was a character from Scream.

The Vampire Couple

2005-10-30T21:44:00.000-08:00

The Vampire Couple
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Neil Waggoner and Colleen Dougherty dressed as a vampire couple for Halloween. They woke me in the early morning hours to make this picture of them before their makeup washed away.

Walking into the light

2005-10-30T17:11:00.001-08:00

Melissa
Originally uploaded by matteich.

After days of rain, the sun finally broke through the clouds, nearly blinding us.

Ross Mantle loves kittens

2005-10-30T17:11:00.000-08:00

Ross Mantle loves kittens
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Mr. Gilligan and Ross Mantle share a moment in the early morning hours at Sarah Nix's house in Athens, OH

Decorating

2005-10-30T17:10:00.001-08:00

Decorating
Originally uploaded by matteich.

There were some scary masks floating around.

Siegfried

2005-10-30T17:10:00.000-08:00

Siegfried
Originally uploaded by matteich.

The view from the 3rd floor of Siegfried Hall in Athens, OH.

The Aftermath of an Underwear Party

2005-10-30T17:09:00.000-08:00

The Aftermath of an Underwear Party
Originally uploaded by matteich.

The party's hostess was helped into bed by a couple of less inebriated friends before they donned their clothes and trudged home in the cold.

Underwear Party

2005-10-30T17:08:00.000-08:00

Underwear Party
Originally uploaded by matteich.

I kept my clothes on.

The Hallway

2005-10-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

The Hallway
Originally uploaded by matteich.

People are already preparing for Halloween here in Athens. Trying on costumes and wandering the halls.

Melissa

2005-10-17T16:29:00.000-07:00

Melissa
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Late night. Red lights.

The Trip Home #1

2005-10-17T16:25:00.001-07:00

The Trip Home #1
Originally uploaded by matteich.

We hadn’t seen the sun for four days as we began our trek back to Ohio. We were swallowed by a fog bank and the sun began sneaking peeks through the haze. It felt as if we were driving into a dream.

The Drive Home #2

2005-10-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

The Drive Home #2
Originally uploaded by matteich.

The fog grew thicker & I decided to pull over for some pictures.

Eddie Adams Workshop: The Memorial

2005-10-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

Eddie Adams Workshop: The Memorial
Originally uploaded by matteich.

The releasing of balloons for the photojournalists who died during The Vietnam War.

Eddie Adams Workshop

2005-10-17T16:23:00.001-07:00

Eddie Adams Workshop
Originally uploaded by matteich.

A Black Team member sits atop the barn in Jeffersonville, NY.

Friendship Baptist Church #1

2005-10-17T16:23:00.000-07:00

Friendship Baptist Church #1
Originally uploaded by matteich.

The churchgoers circle up and hold hands as Reverend Miller leads the group in a prayer.

Friendship Baptist Church #3

2005-10-17T16:22:00.000-07:00

Friendship Baptist Church #3
Originally uploaded by matteich.

The microphone overdrives and the reverend's voice crackles through it like an AM radio station. There is an electricity in the air and it stirs even me, with my two hours of sleep. the church was alive, from the elderly women in their Sunday hats to the man with his autistic son, slowly rocking back and forth on the front row.

Friendship Baptist Church #4

2005-10-17T16:21:00.001-07:00

Friendship Baptist Church #4
Originally uploaded by matteich.

The sermon breaks out into spontaneous song and the organ chimed in as the preacher began to dance and prance up and down the aisles.

Garage Band #4

2005-10-17T16:21:00.000-07:00

Garage Band #4
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Lindsey Jardine (15) tries to stay dry outside as the band takes a break from their play in Liberty, NY.

Garage Band #2

2005-10-17T16:20:00.001-07:00

Garage Band #2
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Bobby Kopp (18) poses for a portrait after a garage jam session in Liberty, NY.

Garage Band #1

2005-10-17T16:20:00.000-07:00

Garage Band #1
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Taylor Jardine (15) lights a cigarette during a jam session in her family's garage in Liberty, NY.

Garage Band #3

2005-10-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

Garage Band #3
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Bobby Kopp (18) plays the drums during a jam session in Liberty, NY.

Somewhere in Pennsylvania

2005-10-17T16:18:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in Pennsylvania
Originally uploaded by matteich.

On the drive up to New York.

So long...

2005-10-17T16:13:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. Sorry its been so long since I last posted. Life has been a bit crazy. I just returned from The Eddie Adams Workshop in Jeffersonville, NY a week ago. That was a great experience. Above you will find some pictures from that. For more complete work, check out the other picture site that I've updated more frequently. Thanks for your patience.

Rugby #1

2005-09-20T21:12:00.000-07:00

Rugby #1
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Wilson Burton takes a quick breather during a rugby practice held on the South Green rugby field on the Ohio University's campus. Photographed on September 20th, 2005

Rugby #2

2005-09-20T21:11:00.000-07:00

Rugby #2
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Members of the Ohio University Men's Rugby team huddle up at the end of a practice on the South Green rugby fields of the Ohio University campus on September 20th, 2005.

Dance or Die

2005-09-14T21:24:00.000-07:00

Dance or Die
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Two people (names not published) share a moment as Adam Shelton and Emily Maluski dance at last Thursday's Dance or Die held at The Union in Athens, OH.

This is true...#1

2005-09-11T22:24:00.001-07:00

This is true...#1
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Matt Goins: True House, 245

This is true...#2

2005-09-11T22:24:00.000-07:00

This is true...#2
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Alyssa Lawrence: True House, 226

Toys for Tots Carwash #1

2005-09-11T22:23:00.001-07:00

Toys for Tots Carwash #1
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Archie Williamson (center) jokes with Darci Edwards (L) and Lily Niple (R) regarding the beaded necklaces that he just gave them after washing his truck at the Toys for Tots carwash fundraiser held at The Lakeview Tavern near Albany, OH.

Toys for Tots Carwash #2

2005-09-11T22:23:00.000-07:00

Toys for Tots Carwash #2
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Darci Edwards washes a truck wearing the 'hooker heels' for the Toys for Tots carwash fundraiser held at The Lakeview Tavern near Albany, OH.

Melissa

2005-09-11T22:22:00.000-07:00

Melissa
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Studying down the hall.

Closing time

2005-09-10T01:13:00.000-07:00

Closing time
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Another from the party the other night. These girls embraced as if it were the last time they would ever see one another.

A disruption of intimate moments

2005-09-06T00:37:00.001-07:00

A disruption of intimate moments
Originally uploaded by matteich.

At the party last night, this couple just couldn't keep their hands off one another. They fell into their own world. Oblivious to the noise and music and people around them. They just held each other close as the alcohol coursed through their veins.

Aubrey

2005-09-06T00:37:00.000-07:00

Aubrey
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Taken on my first night back in Athens. Its so good to see so many people again. The laughter is still there.

Leaving Richmond: C #2

2005-09-06T00:36:00.000-07:00

Leaving Richmond: C #2
Originally uploaded by matteich.

We sat across the table from each other in the Village Cafe in Richmond and had breakfast. Flirtatious eyes but cautious hands. Careful not to touch for fear of it saying what was on our minds all too clearly without using words.

Leaving Richmond: C

2005-09-05T23:33:00.000-07:00

Leaving Richmond: C
Originally uploaded by matteich.

"Do you think we're inseparable?" she asked. "Time will tell" came my best attempt at carelessness. Because now I've built up layers of scar tissue & I feel so little. So little that it overwhelms me.

Jon Jennings

2005-09-05T23:32:00.000-07:00

Jon Jennings
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Jon Jennings jokes around with his wife Debbie as they both fit rather comfortably into a pair of Jon's old pants. They were a size 72. His life has made a turn for the better since losing over 260 pounds. In the background is their son Josh (15) and their daughter Catherine (11, not pictured).

Sand & toenail polish

2005-08-28T23:03:00.001-07:00

Sand & toenail polish
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Mismatched toenail polish colors & "Xs" left as a reminder of the show the night before.

Annie: The downtown tunnel

2005-08-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

Annie: The downtown tunnel
Originally uploaded by matteich.

The tunnel lights flashed by in a blur & she wore glasses; completely disregarding the fact that it was pitch black outside.

Beach trip

2005-08-28T23:02:00.001-07:00

Beach trip
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Coming prepared with sandwich making materials.

Liveaboard:

2005-08-28T23:02:00.000-07:00

Liveaboard:
Originally uploaded by matteich.

A liveaboard rolls up an anchor at the Nautical Boats Dock in Portsmouth, VA.

The Oasis: Portsmouth

2005-08-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

The Oasis: Portsmouth
Originally uploaded by matteich.

The Oasis Ministry Shelter on High Street in Portsmouth, VA. Shooting from the hip.

Mike Steadman

2005-08-22T21:41:00.000-07:00

Mike Steadman
Originally uploaded by matteich.

I found Mike Steadman on High & Potomac with his wife Brenda and daughter Samantha (14). They left North Platte, Nebraska on May 30th when Samantha got out of school, looking for work and a place to live. Now, months and thousands of miles later, they are still searching for these basic necessities.

Theater Outtake

2005-08-22T21:39:00.000-07:00

Theater Outtake
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Eileen Boarman is the head of The Generic Theater of Norfolk, VA. This is an outtake from a portrait session with her.

Father & Son

2005-08-22T21:38:00.000-07:00

Father & Son
Originally uploaded by matteich.

A portrait of Gabriel, 6 months old with his father in Norfolk, VA.

Belly-landing

2005-08-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

Belly-landing
Originally uploaded by matteich.

LT. Mike Zaiko was the pilot of the C-2 Greyhound that had a landing gear malfunction yesterday evening resulting in a belly-landing. None of the 24 crew or passengers were injured. Photographed on the Norfolk Naval Base in Norfolk, VA on August 16th, 2005.

C.J. Smith: Haiku

2005-08-16T20:02:00.000-07:00

C.J. Smith: Haiku
Originally uploaded by matteich.

C.J. Smith (7) wrote a haiku about fishing with his dad:

"I love to fish with my dad
He tells me to 'hush'
Fish are smart, but I caught one!"

Vacuum your lawn

2005-08-09T19:09:00.000-07:00

Vacuum your lawn
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Vernon Casey (75) of Chesapeake Virginia shows me an old vacuum cleaner that he is throwing out. He said he had it for more than 15 years. Casey can't afford a car, so he rides his bike to the store and on his errands. This grows more difficult as his arthritis gets worse.

On the corner of Frederick & Arlington

2005-08-09T19:08:00.000-07:00

On the corner of Frederick & Arlington
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Kayla Cassell (7) sprays Paul Thomas (8) as the two attempt to stay cool on a hot August afternoon in Portsmouth, VA.

Lindsay

2005-08-05T22:25:00.000-07:00

Lindsay
Originally uploaded by matteich.

From the Window Light Workshop held at The Hermitage Museum in Norfolk, VA on June 11th, 2005.

Mrs. Thelma Harrison

2005-08-05T22:24:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Thelma Harrison
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Thelma Harrison (90) recalls the times surrounding the conception of the Voters Right Act as she compares the differences between how citizens views of the right to vote differ from that of today's youth.

Slithering

2005-08-05T22:23:00.000-07:00

Slithering
Originally uploaded by matteich.

From the Window Light Workshop held at The Hermitage Museum in Norfolk, VA on June 11th, 2005.

Ocracoke #2

2005-07-29T21:31:00.001-07:00

Ocracoke #2
Originally uploaded by matteich.

His stoic stare & her sunburnt nose. Hannah Eich (15) makes a mustache of leaves for her brother Peter (9).

Ocracoke #1

2005-07-29T21:31:00.000-07:00

Ocracoke #1
Originally uploaded by matteich.

The past week has been spent with family on Ocracoke Island, NC. I'll add text to these later when I'm not so tired.

Like Floating

2005-07-22T09:25:00.001-07:00

Like Floating
Originally uploaded by matteich.

What do you do when you live in a house that has no air conditioning with eight other people? Kayla Cassell (7) and Paul Thomas (8) spend the day with their siblings in an inflatable pool in their front yard in Portsmouth, VA. Here Kayla helps Paul practice floating.

Summer in Portsmouth

2005-07-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

Summer in Portsmouth
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Tina looked to be so exhausted, sitting on her front porch with water droplets running down her face and her hair matted against her head. Katina perched on her lap, curiously grabbing at my camera lens whenever it got within her short arm’s reach, or chewing on a plastic bowl as her mother attempted to juggle her, her bottle and her pacifier. As the temperatures soared, the occupants of the house sought relief in the inflatable pools in the front lawn.

Explorations #1

2005-07-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

Explorations #1
Originally uploaded by matteich.

After shooting an assignment by the oceanfront I walked down the boardwalk to get a view of the water. This boat peeked out from under the deck. Its an amazing job that can take me in the course of a few hours from a three-story oceanfront house to a teeny, run down inner city house with no air-conditioning that houses nine people and have both families accept my presence.

Jump Rope Indoors

2005-07-22T09:23:00.000-07:00

Jump Rope Indoors
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Katya Pomazhna jumps rope on the landing of her host family's house in the Oceanview area of Norfolk. Katya is originally from the Ukraine and has come to the U.S. as part of a church sponsored exchange program.

Bloody Nose

2005-07-20T17:54:00.000-07:00

Bloody Nose # 1 of 3 for July 19th
Originally uploaded by matteich.

September 3rd, 2003: "I awoke this morning with blood streaked across my face & wondered if somehow, maybe my dreams were a little more real than I had imagined."

Behind glass

2005-07-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

Behind glass
Originally uploaded by matteich.

"In my best possible world, ugliness would be in museums and everything out in the world, on the street would be beautiful." - Joel-Peter Witkin

How to Build A Sandcastle

2005-07-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

How to Build A Sandcastle
Originally uploaded by matteich.

From a "how to" article. I didn't know sandcastle building was so complex.

A moment later

2005-07-12T22:54:00.000-07:00

A moment later
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Casey Frankenfield (8) plays with her sister Sasha (2) and cousin Lexa Rabinowitch (3) while Jacob Boynewicz (6) pouts because his brother Jason (4) just took his golf club.

A conflict

2005-07-12T22:53:00.001-07:00

A conflict
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Casey Frankenfield (8) plays with her cousin Lexa Rabinowitch (3) while Jacob Boynewicz (6) and his brother Jason (4) argue over a golf club while visiting the Chesapeake Bay.

Birthday at the Beach

2005-07-12T22:53:00.000-07:00

Birthday at the Beach
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Troy Linx watches as his friend Ryan Colston (13) attempts to catch a wave in the Chesapeake Bay. They were at the beach celebrating Ryan's birthday. Photographed on July 12th, 2005.

Peter

2005-07-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

Peter
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Yesterday I went to my parent's house for my birthday. I was playing guitar and my brother Peter (9) was harassing me to play checkers with him. After awhile, his patience wore thin and he flopped down on the floor at my feet. I played him later and dusted his ass. Though something tells me I shouldn't be so excited about beating a nine-year old at checkers.

Lost Pictures

2005-07-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

Lost Pictures
Originally uploaded by matteich.

From a series of images from the past that have been misplaced or fogetten, whether purposely or otherwise. This photograph poses a question to me about loneliness and isolation as we grow older. Will we end up alone, surrounded by the empty seats of all those we pushed away?

Chimes

2005-07-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

Chimes
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Mikinna Miller (6) plays with chimes on the playground at Mount Trashmore during the Victims Against Crime summer camp field-trip.

Like pulling teeth

2005-07-05T21:18:00.000-07:00

Like pulling teeth
Originally uploaded by matteich.

"Mother remember being so stern with that girl who was with me? Mother remember the blink of an eye when I breathed through your body? Mother don't worry, I've got a coat and some friends on the corner. Mother don't worry, she's got a garden we're planting together. Mother remember the night that the dog got her pups in the pantry? Blood on the floor, fleas on their paws, and you cried 'til the morning. So may the sunrise bring hope where it once was forgotten. Sons are like birds, flying upward over the mountain." -Iron & Wine

Katie #1

2005-07-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

Katie #1
Originally uploaded by matteich.

Katie (L) has more personality than any one person is entitled to. This is probably accented by her handicaps which prevent her from living any semblance of a normal life. She has limited motor skills and is unable to communicate verbally other than "yes", "no" and a few other basics. Despite all my aunt & uncle's attempts to explain to her, she has yet to conceptualize the fact that I am her cousin. Thus, she flirts with me shamelessly every time I see her. Each day she goes out and picks dandylions or any other flowers she can find growing and leaves them on my doorstep. I guess she reminds me that love is a feeling that we all possess and desire; an intrinsic part of being human. As she studies me in her child-like curiosity, I've decided to study her with my camera over the next few months that I'm living here. Hopefully it will yield something telling & beautiful.

We'll cross that bridge when we get to it

2005-06-29T16:36:00.000-07:00

We'll cross that bridge when we get to it
Originally uploaded by matteich.

The view from my car as one rainy day reminds of another. But that is neither here nor there. "We waited until the rain was pounding against the ground and ran out into it, along the river, lit by the street lights. My face so close to hers as the rain chased down her cheeks and we held hands."