When I think of a bar with character, I imagine a venue that is more than just a place to grab a drink. It is usually a venue steeped in history, sometimes filled with eclectic décor, and buzzing with the energy of its clientele, servers, and occasional performers. But what does it really mean for a drinking establishment to have character?
Bars can be categorized in many ways—dive bars, speakeasies, tiki bars, train station bars, and more. Although each type may have its own charm, they can often feel generic. A bar with character, however, stands out due to its unique and authentic atmosphere, historical significance, unpredictability, and the types of entertainment that occur in these environments. Acts in these settings are often not what you’d typically find in a bar. They tend to be more eclectic in content and performance style, with some offering an interactive experience. Patrons range from professionals to street people down on their luck.
Consider Grossman’s Tavern, on Spadina Rd. in Toronto’s Chinatown. There was a time when on any given Friday or Saturday night, in addition to up-and-coming blues musicians, you might encounter jugglers, fire eaters, and stand-up comics, transforming the bar into a lively variety show. Performers would pass the hat after their acts, reminding patrons of the precariousness of many an entertainers’ life.
In Denver, El Chapultepec, once a beloved jazz bar in the LoDo neighborhood, was renowned for its vibrant mix of musicians and music lovers. The back room with its pool table encouraged friendly competition. It was a venue where you could be surprised by an impromptu performance from a well-known headliner, who was playing elsewhere in town, who dropped in to play a set with house band, and try something new and eclectic.
Similarly, CasaMad/Casa Antoine in Turin’s Quadrilatero neighborhood welcomes guest musicians, adding an element of surprise to every visit. You never know who might show up to the venue with a mike, portable speaker, and a makeshift playlist and serenade the crowd at the outside tables or walking through the narrow cobblestone streets, making each night unique and memorable.
Bars with character are more than just places to drink; they are urban cultural hubs where stories are told, customers can have fun, and memories are made. They offer a sense of community and a touch of the unexpected, making every visit a new adventure.
Photo credit:
Photographer: Tomros
Title: Courtney leading the troops at Grossman’s.
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/52622619487_d2b7e7e3c6_w.jpg267400Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2024-08-04 07:43:042024-08-04 13:49:35Bars with Character and Characters
I’ve spent a considerable amount of time photographing graffiti and street art. My primary purpose is to document what I see, use it for future study or reference, and then selectively post it on my Instagram account.
During this process, I’ve learned a few things that might be helpful to others engaged in this kind of activity.
Keep It Simple
I try not to overly complicate what I take photos of and how I take the pictures. One reason I use a smartphone is that it’s convenient and sufficient for my purposes. Using a digital camera could offer more control, but I find it unnecessary for what I aim to achieve. This approach means I don’t need to worry about settings like aperture, depth of field, or lighting. Other than cropping, I avoid post-processing my images (e.g. using filtering capability on social media websites, etc).
Learn from the Masters
To improve my photographs, I spend time browsing through classic graffiti and street art books. The work of Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant, such as Subway Art, and Martha Cooper and Roger Gastman’s Spray Nation: 1980s NYC Graffiti Photographs are important in this respect. More contemporary photographers of graffiti not to be missed is Katherine Lorimer (a.k.a. Luna Park), the author of (Un)Sanctioned. I also follow a lot of instagram feeds that feature photos of graffiti and street art. I ask myself what I like about the photos and what I dislike. This helps me understand how the content can be captured and presented to the viewer. Then I then try to integrate this into my work.
Integrate Life into the Art
To remove the static feel of my photos of graffiti and street art, and to provide additional context, I often include people, animals, or means of transportation when possible, capturing the art as part of everyday life. This approach brings a dynamic element to the images and situates the graffiti and street art within its urban public space.
Revisit and Document Changes
I like to return to same surfaces where graffiti and street art has appeared, after a significant period to see what changes may have occurred. Although this isn’t always possible due to my travels, it adds a layer of historical documentation to my work.
Experiment with Angles
I take several photos of the graffiti from different angles and sometimes wait for people to walk into the frame. While I tend to photograph at eye level or the side of buildings, I also play with diagonal angles, which are frequent in my photos. This experimentation keeps my work varied and visually interesting.
Focus on Interesting Pieces
My goal is to find and photograph interesting pieces, including those that combine graffiti and street art or are placed in unusual settings. I’m rarely in search of a particular writer or artist; instead, photographing graffiti and street art is typically a spontaneous part of my urban exploration. Sometimes it is the contradictions inherent in the piece that captures my interest.
Capture the Moment
Sometimes, I stop my bike or car to take photos of a particular piece. When I have free time, I review my photos, narrow down the best images, and occasionally post them on Instagram. I also like to create videos for large walls or particularly intense images, adding another dimension to my documentation.
A lot of taking good photos of graffiti and street art can be achieved through experimentation. Thus taking multiple photos of the same item might end up producing something interesting and engaging.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Jeffrey Ian Ross, Ph.D.
title pleasure shop graffiti Turin
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_5639-rotated.jpg640480Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2024-07-27 22:36:262024-07-30 18:07:00A Few Things I’ve Learned About Photographing Graffiti and Street Art
Periodically students ask me what I consider to be the “hot topics” in Criminology/Criminal Justice. Although I understand their curiosity, and attempts to be strategic, I always ask them what do they mean by “hot topics” and why they believe focusing on these will benefit them.
Most students are looking for research ideas for their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertations, hoping that by focusing on these subjects, they will open up more doors for themselves. For master’s students, a good topic can help them transition to a top PhD program. For doctoral students, it can mean securing an academic job in a great university or a position in a respectable criminal justice agency.
However, there are several reasons why chasing hot topics might be ill-advised:
Relevance Over Time: By the time you complete your research, the topic might no longer be “hot.”
Research Quality: Focusing on a popular subject doesn’t guarantee quality research nor scholarship.
Supervisor Expertise: Your supervisors might not have the expertise to guide you effectively.
Sustained Interest: You need to stay interested in the topic throughout your research.
Instead of solely focusing on current trends, consider the following strategies:
Enduring Questions: Choose enduring questions and problems within the field, such as gun control, youth violence, and prison overcrowding. These issues remain relevant and impactful.
Distinguish Topics and Questions: Understand the difference between broad topics (e.g., police use of force) and specific research questions (e.g., what factors lead to correctional officer deviance?).
Innovative Solutions: Think of innovative solutions to longstanding problems (e.g., new protocols, technology, etc.). This approach not only makes your research relevant but also increases your marketability to potential employers.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, research on the virus’s impact on the criminal justice system was heavily funded. In contrast, enduring questions like the causes of youth violence remain relevant regardless of trends. Ultimately, while it’s useful to be aware of trending topics, focusing on innovative solutions to longstanding issues will sustain your interest and make your research impactful and relevant in the long run.
Photo Credit
Title: Fire
Photographer: liz west
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/303873311_65c1d633b7_o-scaled.jpg16372560Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2024-07-20 21:48:382024-09-22 12:16:55What are the “Hot” Research Topics and Questions in Criminology/Criminal Justice?
Bars with Character and Characters
/by Jeffrey Ian RossWhen I think of a bar with character, I imagine a venue that is more than just a place to grab a drink. It is usually a venue steeped in history, sometimes filled with eclectic décor, and buzzing with the energy of its clientele, servers, and occasional performers. But what does it really mean for a drinking establishment to have character?
Bars can be categorized in many ways—dive bars, speakeasies, tiki bars, train station bars, and more. Although each type may have its own charm, they can often feel generic. A bar with character, however, stands out due to its unique and authentic atmosphere, historical significance, unpredictability, and the types of entertainment that occur in these environments. Acts in these settings are often not what you’d typically find in a bar. They tend to be more eclectic in content and performance style, with some offering an interactive experience. Patrons range from professionals to street people down on their luck.
Consider Grossman’s Tavern, on Spadina Rd. in Toronto’s Chinatown. There was a time when on any given Friday or Saturday night, in addition to up-and-coming blues musicians, you might encounter jugglers, fire eaters, and stand-up comics, transforming the bar into a lively variety show. Performers would pass the hat after their acts, reminding patrons of the precariousness of many an entertainers’ life.
In Denver, El Chapultepec, once a beloved jazz bar in the LoDo neighborhood, was renowned for its vibrant mix of musicians and music lovers. The back room with its pool table encouraged friendly competition. It was a venue where you could be surprised by an impromptu performance from a well-known headliner, who was playing elsewhere in town, who dropped in to play a set with house band, and try something new and eclectic.
Similarly, CasaMad/Casa Antoine in Turin’s Quadrilatero neighborhood welcomes guest musicians, adding an element of surprise to every visit. You never know who might show up to the venue with a mike, portable speaker, and a makeshift playlist and serenade the crowd at the outside tables or walking through the narrow cobblestone streets, making each night unique and memorable.
Bars with character are more than just places to drink; they are urban cultural hubs where stories are told, customers can have fun, and memories are made. They offer a sense of community and a touch of the unexpected, making every visit a new adventure.
Photo credit:
Photographer: Tomros
Title: Courtney leading the troops at Grossman’s.
A Few Things I’ve Learned About Photographing Graffiti and Street Art
/by Jeffrey Ian RossI’ve spent a considerable amount of time photographing graffiti and street art. My primary purpose is to document what I see, use it for future study or reference, and then selectively post it on my Instagram account.
During this process, I’ve learned a few things that might be helpful to others engaged in this kind of activity.
Keep It Simple
I try not to overly complicate what I take photos of and how I take the pictures. One reason I use a smartphone is that it’s convenient and sufficient for my purposes. Using a digital camera could offer more control, but I find it unnecessary for what I aim to achieve. This approach means I don’t need to worry about settings like aperture, depth of field, or lighting. Other than cropping, I avoid post-processing my images (e.g. using filtering capability on social media websites, etc).
Learn from the Masters
To improve my photographs, I spend time browsing through classic graffiti and street art books. The work of Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant, such as Subway Art, and Martha Cooper and Roger Gastman’s Spray Nation: 1980s NYC Graffiti Photographs are important in this respect. More contemporary photographers of graffiti not to be missed is Katherine Lorimer (a.k.a. Luna Park), the author of (Un)Sanctioned. I also follow a lot of instagram feeds that feature photos of graffiti and street art. I ask myself what I like about the photos and what I dislike. This helps me understand how the content can be captured and presented to the viewer. Then I then try to integrate this into my work.
Integrate Life into the Art
To remove the static feel of my photos of graffiti and street art, and to provide additional context, I often include people, animals, or means of transportation when possible, capturing the art as part of everyday life. This approach brings a dynamic element to the images and situates the graffiti and street art within its urban public space.
Revisit and Document Changes
I like to return to same surfaces where graffiti and street art has appeared, after a significant period to see what changes may have occurred. Although this isn’t always possible due to my travels, it adds a layer of historical documentation to my work.
Experiment with Angles
I take several photos of the graffiti from different angles and sometimes wait for people to walk into the frame. While I tend to photograph at eye level or the side of buildings, I also play with diagonal angles, which are frequent in my photos. This experimentation keeps my work varied and visually interesting.
Focus on Interesting Pieces
My goal is to find and photograph interesting pieces, including those that combine graffiti and street art or are placed in unusual settings. I’m rarely in search of a particular writer or artist; instead, photographing graffiti and street art is typically a spontaneous part of my urban exploration. Sometimes it is the contradictions inherent in the piece that captures my interest.
Capture the Moment
Sometimes, I stop my bike or car to take photos of a particular piece. When I have free time, I review my photos, narrow down the best images, and occasionally post them on Instagram. I also like to create videos for large walls or particularly intense images, adding another dimension to my documentation.
A lot of taking good photos of graffiti and street art can be achieved through experimentation. Thus taking multiple photos of the same item might end up producing something interesting and engaging.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Jeffrey Ian Ross, Ph.D.
title pleasure shop graffiti Turin
What are the “Hot” Research Topics and Questions in Criminology/Criminal Justice?
/by Jeffrey Ian RossPeriodically students ask me what I consider to be the “hot topics” in Criminology/Criminal Justice. Although I understand their curiosity, and attempts to be strategic, I always ask them what do they mean by “hot topics” and why they believe focusing on these will benefit them.
Most students are looking for research ideas for their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertations, hoping that by focusing on these subjects, they will open up more doors for themselves. For master’s students, a good topic can help them transition to a top PhD program. For doctoral students, it can mean securing an academic job in a great university or a position in a respectable criminal justice agency.
However, there are several reasons why chasing hot topics might be ill-advised:
Instead of solely focusing on current trends, consider the following strategies:
Enduring Questions: Choose enduring questions and problems within the field, such as gun control, youth violence, and prison overcrowding. These issues remain relevant and impactful.
Distinguish Topics and Questions: Understand the difference between broad topics (e.g., police use of force) and specific research questions (e.g., what factors lead to correctional officer deviance?).
Innovative Solutions: Think of innovative solutions to longstanding problems (e.g., new protocols, technology, etc.). This approach not only makes your research relevant but also increases your marketability to potential employers.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, research on the virus’s impact on the criminal justice system was heavily funded. In contrast, enduring questions like the causes of youth violence remain relevant regardless of trends. Ultimately, while it’s useful to be aware of trending topics, focusing on innovative solutions to longstanding issues will sustain your interest and make your research impactful and relevant in the long run.
Photo Credit
Title: Fire
Photographer: liz west