This was an informal photo I took of my friend Jo after taking pics of her for my photo assignment — which, I might add, was a hands down success. The photos fooled everyone in my class, even the teacher. They couldn’t tell the real Marilyn Monroe from the stand-in.

My mom still thinks New York is a dangerous, dirty place (well, maybe it is a little dirty). But the other day, she asked me if I could see any part of the sky from my apartment. Indeed I can, and there are even a couple of trees (lower right) for that “in the country” feel.

There is nothing like a crab feast with friends on a sunny day by the river. The crab here would care to differ, judging by the leg he got a hold of from another crab right before becoming my lunch.

Distracted from the purpose of my homework assignment, I was struck by the beauty of the light shining around my friend, Jo, who was patiently sitting in her hot garage, waiting for me to photograph her. My assignment was to imitate a famous portrait (I picked one of Marilyn Monroe), which is a lot harder than you’d think, but a very good lesson.

This is another photo I’ve always had an affinity for despite a luke warm enthusiasm from others. It was taken during a week of celebration for our friends Nazar and Doreen. In this particular instance, it might be my emotions and memories of Istanbul that cloud my judgement on whether this is considered a successful photograph or not. But, whatever. I still like it.

On assignment, I shot about 60 photos of this plate of salmon and asparagus for a restaurant review to print in a local paper. Can you hear the enthusiasm in my voice? This will not be the money shot, but I like that the framing is off, yet the food still looks somewhat appealing.

This girl was spotted crossing the West Side Highway last Saturday evening. She was dressed to impress, but you get the idea.