My Nikon D-3100 on a tripod at Casa Flamboyant in the El Yunque National Park, PR, in August 2016. The photo was taken using my old Samsung Galaxy 5.
Photography by Jason Medina
I have always been fascinated by photos, the older the better. I used to spend hours looking through old family photos. I have learned to appreciate every image, whether it is mine or from someone else. I can easily look into a photo and place myself in that moment, as if I were the photographer.
When I was a kid, my father used to develop his own photos in the bathroom, which served as a makeshift darkroom. It was great when I could be in there with him, watching him work. I thought it was amazing. I loved the smell of the fluid and seeing the pictures appear in the water like magic.
When I got older, I began putting a lot of family photos that were stored in envelopes and boxes into photo albums that I bought. In time, I got my first point and shoot camera and began taking my own photos. By this time, it was the early 1990s.
When I was a kid, my father used to develop his own photos in the bathroom, which served as a makeshift darkroom. It was great when I could be in there with him, watching him work. I thought it was amazing. I loved the smell of the fluid and seeing the pictures appear in the water like magic.
When I got older, I began putting a lot of family photos that were stored in envelopes and boxes into photo albums that I bought. In time, I got my first point and shoot camera and began taking my own photos. By this time, it was the early 1990s.
Photographing a dirty mirror to obtain a ghostly effect. The light was positioned over my hand, while I stood back in the shadows.
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At first, it was just another hobby for me. I didn't really take it seriously. I'd take photos of my cousins and I, and then eventually of my girlfriend, at the time, her sister, and our friends. For me, it was just a way to capture the memories. Sometimes, I'd just take photos of myself. That's when I would begin experimenting and getting creative with the lighting and use of mirrors. Photography was becoming very interesting to me.
I started taking photos of my cousins and niece, using them as my unofficial models. I'd take about a hundred photos of each of them during our photo shoots. They worked for cheap. Free! Plus, they loved the photos and it gave them confidence with their looks, which was another plus. It didn't hurt that they are all so beautiful. |
"Photos are very important. They help keep those old memories alive. It's disappointing whenever someone tells me they don't like taking photos. I love to look back on those old photos. I am grateful to have them. I try to take photos whenever I can because someday today's photos will be tomorrow's old photos." - Jason Medina
By the time, I began doing paranormal investigations in 2006, I realized the kind of camera I used was very important. The photos had to be sharp and clear. No fuzzy or pixelated images were acceptable. I knew it meant spending some money on a good camera. I made my decision to buy a Nikon D-3100. I believe it was around 2007-2008. It was the most expensive camera I would buy to date.
I still use it and it works great. I also have several lens attachments, tripods, and a few other simpler cameras as back-up. Now, that I am retired, I have more time to dedicate to photography. I have taken this hobby quite seriously. So seriously that I have created this web page to feature certain photo collections, which I am very proud to show off. Please, look through each collection and let me know what you think.
I do not claim to be an expert photography, but I am fairly decent and have a good eye for photography. I do believe that the photo should look great without having to add effects, although sometimes an okay photo can be turned into something really cool with a few effects added and sometimes it is okay to use yourself as a subject!
Basically, I enjoy taking photos from time to time, whether it be of myself, someone else, or of a location. Photography is a very dear hobby of mine. While I don't do it professionally, I do it frequently. Below in the following galleries are photos I've taken throughout the years. Some have been edited for added effect.
Judge me not by my insanity, but by my pretense of sanity.
I still use it and it works great. I also have several lens attachments, tripods, and a few other simpler cameras as back-up. Now, that I am retired, I have more time to dedicate to photography. I have taken this hobby quite seriously. So seriously that I have created this web page to feature certain photo collections, which I am very proud to show off. Please, look through each collection and let me know what you think.
I do not claim to be an expert photography, but I am fairly decent and have a good eye for photography. I do believe that the photo should look great without having to add effects, although sometimes an okay photo can be turned into something really cool with a few effects added and sometimes it is okay to use yourself as a subject!
Basically, I enjoy taking photos from time to time, whether it be of myself, someone else, or of a location. Photography is a very dear hobby of mine. While I don't do it professionally, I do it frequently. Below in the following galleries are photos I've taken throughout the years. Some have been edited for added effect.
Judge me not by my insanity, but by my pretense of sanity.
The photos of me above were taken by myself, while in New Orleans.
Photo Galleries
The following photos were all taken by myself. I used many different types of cameras to take these photos, including full spectrum cameras, cellphone cameras, and of course, my Nikon. Click on the images to enter separate gallery pages dedicated to each subject. I've added a few new categories!
Arizona
I have been to Arizona twice. Both times I stayed in Tucson. The first time I was just a kid with no camera, but the second time was in 2018. During that trip I was able to go to Tombstone. It was a great experience. I took a great deal of photos during this trip. Arizona is a beautiful place for a photographer to cut loose.
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Baltimore, MD
Baltimore is a pretty cool city for photography, most notably in the area of Inner Harbor. There are so many great sites to see, including a few historic locations, and activities to keep you entertained, as well as a lot of food choices. I enjoy being there. I've been there twice and plan to return a third time.
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Cemeteries
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Gettysburg, PA |
I have been to dozens of cemeteries, especially due to my interest in the paranormal. I have come to realize that cemeteries are among the most serene locations in the world and they are filled with fantastic statuary and scenic views. Well, some are anyway. Check out this collection of cemeteries from the U.S.
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Ever since I was a child, I've longed to visit Gettysburg, so I could check out the battlefield of one of the bloodiest battles from the American Civil War. I am glad I waited long enough to go that I was already into conducting paranormal investigations, by that time. It was an amazing experience. It was so good, I went back another time. I have so many photos of this place. I plan to return for more.
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KPPC
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Letchworth Village |
The Kings Park Psychiatric Center holds a special place in my heart. I first learned about it through my love for the paranormal. I became fascinated with the history. I have written two books about it, so far. During my many years of research, I took thousands of photos around the buildings, in the buildings, and under the buildings! Take a glimpse into this notorious mental health facility that has been abandoned since 1996. There is nothing like "abandoned" photography.
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Like the KPPC, Letchworth Village is an abandoned state mental hospital. Located in Thiells, NY, it housed both adults and children. Today its many abandoned buildings are easily accessible and hold many mementos of the past, but beware of black bears! There is also a cemetery, but you will find that listed under my Cemeteries category.
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Long Island, NY
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Massachusetts
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There are so many beautiful things to photograph on Long Island. Some of my favorites are the KPPC, the Long Island Sound, and the lighthouse at Montauk Point. However, since I made a separate gallery for the KPPC, I will omit it from this one, as not to be repetitive.
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Massachusetts has so many places that I want to visit. I have only barely explored this state. Here is what I have so far, but I hope to add more in the future.
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Nature
Mother Nature offers us countless beauties in the world to enjoy. Capturing them in photos is not always simple. A lot of times, it takes patience and precision. Here are some of my better shots taken of wildlife, flora, oceans, and some other great scenery.
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Nevada
During my one trip to Las Vegas, I managed to take some decent photos. I also managed to visit Hoover Dam. These are the best photos of the bunch.
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New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is truly a magical place. If you have never been there, I strongly suggest you take a trip down there and spend at least a week. It is the only way, you will have time to enjoy all the great things it has to offer. I have been there four times and still have not seen everything I want to see.
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New York City, NY
New York City is one of the largest most populated cities in the U.S. It consists of 5 boroughs (Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the Bronx). I was born in the Bronx and worked in Manhattan as a cop for 23 years. I currently live in Yonkers, just a few minutes away the city that never sleeps. Working the midnight shift gave me a unique perspective on this city. I was able to find a lot of peaceful locations that some never get to see. You can see a few in this gallery. Of course, I also included a few tourist spots.
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North Carolina |
Puerto Rico
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My two visits to North Carolina have been brief, but I managed to get in a few sites during those two weekends. Take a look. It shouldn't take you too long. I have family living there, so I will probably go back someday.
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My home away from home. Ever since my first visit to PR at the age of 10, I was in love with this island. I returned in the late-1980s, and then in the 1990s. It was not until 2012 that I really started taking decent photos there. By this time, I had a different perspective as a would-be photographer. These days, I go to PR about two times a year, since I have a home there. It's given me lots of unique opportunities for some great photos. Please, enjoy.
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Railroads |
Retrofeelya
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I realized I have so many photos of railroad tracks and trains that I needed to make a separate category just for that. I would not call myself a train enthusiast, but I do like photographing the tracks. I suppose I like h0w they seem to go out into infinity.
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In December of 2015, I was introduced to an upcoming band by the name of Retrofeelya. It was only their second live show, at the time. I feel in love with their music and style right from the start. I saw them, again, in the early part of 2016. As the year went on, I saw them several times at several locations, including at the NJ Rock Carnival. These guys are a dedicated bunch of musicians full of energy and loaded with talent. Being young and good looking, they are quite photogenic. I am proud to call them my friends.
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Shanley Hotel
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Virginia
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The Shanley Hotel in Napanoch, NY, is one of my favorite haunted hotels. It has never disappointed me when it came to acquiring evidence of the paranormal. Over the years I became good friends with the owner, Sal. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2016. I thought I'd share some of the better shots taken there.
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I have passed through Virginia a few times usually on the way to Florida, so it was a nice change to actually spend a vacation in Virginia. I was able to visit several historic sites and took many photos during my journeys. I even got a chance to explore an abandoned fort and a naval base! Take a look at the photos and see for yourself.
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Yonkers, NY
Yonkers has been my home, since the end of 2000. It is a beautiful city just north of NYC. As a youth, I used to spend many weekends at my cousin's house on Caryl Avenue. In fact, when I got my first car, that was my first destination. I used to spend pretty much every week shopping on Central Park Avenue, as well. I still do. Naturally, I was ecstatic when I finally moved to Yonkers. I knew I'd save a bundle on gas money. Situated between the Hudson and Bronx Rivers, it is filled with plenty of beautiful locations.
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Misc. Photography
There are other random photos, which I did not bother to separate into their own categories. Instead, I lumped them together on a separate page. Many of these were the result of experimentation. Please, take a look. I hope you enjoy them.
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I think I have an EYE for photography.