Father Jayson Landeza, Oakland Fire and Police Department Chaplain

Father Jayson Landeza, Oakland Fire and Police Department Chaplain

I first heard Father Jayson's name the week 4 Oakland Police officers were violently killed last year. He presided over the funeral service, guiding a bewildered city in peaceful morning. It was a joy to meet him last week at one of Oakland's fire stations to discuss his work and set up this portrait shot in front of one of the trucks (which illustrated the hard-working nature of Oakland's public service by coming and going twice during our brief shoot...)

Father Jayson has a jovial warmth and quick access to empathy that many in the East Bay have found comforting in desperate times.

Thank you, Father Jayson!

Painter & Church Planter, David Nyquist

David Nyquist, Painter & Church Planter

More than most, my shoot with David was a collaboration. We both arrived to our location in station wagons, one full of photography gear, on with art. Serious art too, David's metal pieces, created with beefy recycled sheets, are heavy. I was excited to see the depiction of Jesus, the canvas piece shown hanging on the white wall, emerge from David's wagon. I first saw it on a social networking site described as being created as part of a live worship event..

I hoped to capture, with lighting and composition, a feel of radiance.... it would describe David perfectly!

Oakland Christian Hip Hop, Turf Ministries

Oakland's Turf Ministries

Gospel Musician Rob Collier

Gospel Musician Rob Collier

Rob is a joyful presence, and a passionate musician. I enjoyed setting up our shoot and spending time photographing. I wanted to include elements to describe Rob and his music. We used a Hammond B3 to communicate the tradition of gospel music and an outdoor brick wall to add roots of blues and urban music. I used lighting to suggest a blend of stage light and sunlight...

Thanks, Rob!

Terrance Kelly and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir

The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and Director, Terrance Kelly

This was a really fun shoot. The choir, a rocking well-know group in Oakland, derives its joy, power, and funk from Mr. Kelly, a soulful and passionate leader. We set up to shoot and started with a relatively traditional look. It took very little prompting to get folks grooving out with the choir's pounding quartet of B3, Piano, Bass, and drums effortlessly taking up a beat. They are a powerful group and an undeniable presence in the city. Thanks for the shoot, OIGC!

Rev. Pedro Morataya, Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Hispana

Rev. Pedro Morataya, Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Hispana

Rev. Morataya is the lead pastor of a dynamic and international church that stands prominently on High Street in Oakland's Hispanic Fruitvale district. Just a block from International Blvd, the church is a peaceful place in a neighborhood that doesn't rest.

We had a chance to meet in his office before our shoot. He is a wise and soft-spoken leader, graciously uniting a close community of congregants from a half dozen countries. He radiates a calm contentment and draws strength from a life of hard work and the struggles of expatriot life. His matter of fact and deep-reasoned faith was familiar from my time with Christians in Central and South America and stands in contrast to the complicated religions of many in our town. It was a joy to meet him. Thank you, Pastor Pedro!

Rev. Emily Lin, Chinese Community United Methodist Church, Oakland, CA

Chris Williams, Director of Oakland's City Team

Chris Williams, City Team

I had a great time setting up and photographing Chris. In the past, my church has volunteered at the downtown shelter that serves the community with food, housing, and a variety of tools to improve and build up Oakland. He runs an organization that is optimistic, effective, and a true place of shelter. He is pictured in front of the organization's building.

The Rev. Harry Williams, Author, Preacher, & Street Evangelist

It was a very cool experience spending a morning with Rev. Harry. He's a pastor with Allen Temple Baptist Church in East Oakland, author of "Strait Outta East Oakland," and street evangelist working one of America's most infamous 'hoods. He is a humble, eloquent speaker with a love for his community.

If Jesus were walking the streets today, he said, he'd be somewhere like East Oakland.

East Oakland, to be certain, is fortunate to have people like Harry working the streets. Thanks, Rev. Harry!

The Project Abstract.

I've been working for a week or so on putting a finer point on the academic side of my thesis project, including a new title and accompanying written description. I'll be presenting the project at the Academy of Art in San Francisco in November and am beginning to line up Oakland churches that are interested in displaying the finished pieces in an informal gallery setting.

Being "on point" academically will be critically. Modern American academics tend not to trust Christianity and to not understand the language of religion that we take for granted. A big motivation for me is to present the Christian church as I see it, good people serving the surrounding community with heart, soul, and mind. Thanks for reading, please feel free to refer potential subjects to me.

In the meantime, here is the newly re-written abstract:

4b. Abstract

“The Faith; The Modern Face of Christianity in Today’s City” is a series of portraits of influential Christians in Oakland, CA. My photos, shot on location throughout the city, are intended to provide a visual for today’s church, by portraying church leaders; faith-driven community workers; Christian artists, writers, and musicians; and people motivated by faith to improve our East Bay community.

I am an Oakland-based commercial photographer and MFA student at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. This series is my masters thesis, which will be presented in San Francisco in November, 2010, and shared with churches in Oakland. Having served the church as a missionary in South America for a number of years, I have a deep interest in our portrayal to both congregants and the secular community. This project is both an exploration of my Oakland home and a tribute to my Christian faith.

“The Faith; The Modern Face of Christianity in Today’s City” can be followed online on a dedicated blog:

http://oaklandchristiancommunity.blogspot.com

And my commercial work can be seen on my Webpage:

http://mattbeardsleyphoto.com

Matt Beardsley

925-381-4196

mattbeardsleyphoto@gmail.com

Father Tom Zaferes, of Oakland's Greek Orthodox Ascension Catheral

Father Tom Zaferes,

The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, Oakland, CA

I really enjoyed meeting Father Tom this morning in his office high above Oakland. It's a beautiful spot. The church is a significant presence in Oakland. Father Tom has only recently taken on the ministry, as an experienced and scholarly leader for the congregation. He provided valuable insight for my ongoing exploration of the East Bay church and its interaction with the secular community.

Rudy de Vos, Music Director at Christ Our Light Cathedral

Rudy de Vos, Music Director at Christ Our Light Cathedral, Oakland CA.

Rudy is relatively new to his position, and poised to become an influential force in Oakland. His ambitions for the city include a choir school open to all students and free concerts in the Cathedral. It is a master at the organ and is taking to his new role with enthusiasm. Says Rudy:

"Beauty is for everyone, regardless of social standing or level of education. I always remind myself of the quote of the composer Franz Liszt: 'The artist should not step upon the platform as the accused would appear before his judges, but as a true witness of beauty.'"