Hello Stalkers!

No friendly Hellos or pats on the back?

I’m planning to hit the States sometime Apr next year, probably on the J1 visa (for internships). Because the photojournalism / reportage scene is almost nil here in Singapore.

Is there any planning research i should do prior to that? Besides sending out my resumes of course. I’m thinking of accommodation and traveling related.

Probably hitting DC, Dallas after my 1-month exchange at Oklahoma City University.

Thanks in advance to any kind souls who can point me in the right direction.

I can’t help you with that but here is a friendly hello from JR in the UK !!
I guess everyone is too busy stuffing Easter eggs.

Travel accommodations are pretty easy to find but without a car you’ll want to know exactly where you’ll be staying or be prepared to pay a premium.

A lot of US cities don’t have extensive public transportation like you may be accustomed to.

There are exceptions of course (NYC) but do your research.

As you get further in your planing specific questions will probably be answered more quickly.

Someone seems a little needy! Hello! Welcome! We are happy to have you!

Now that that is out of the way, if you would like some constructive criticism. I would suggest that you start working closer, much closer, like minimum focusing distance closer. While you topics are interesting, I feel a lack of intimacy in your work. When I looked at your religion link I found this to be especially acute. Check out my similar story on a tent revival I shot in Brooklyn many years ago: http://damaso.com/revival.swf . While I don’t think it is my finest work, I did try hard to get as close as possible. Often it is uncomfortable but you have to try not to let the camera get in your way…

Interestingly Damaso, i’ve got plans to expand the story on inner healing to a multimedia piece as time goes by when i’ve gathered more images. Its usually the way with works-in-progress. While waiting on the “completed” vision, there are still other channels to explore with what you have meantime. Short picture essays may not necessarily be the most in depth, but i figured at least i’m putting works out there instead of committing it to resting forever in binary in the HDD.

I’ve got tons of stuff just sitting in there, its just sad that it doesn’t see the light of day.

Hope everybody had a great easter!

ps/ Mark, I was thinking of renting a vehicle when in the USA. There are car companies that facilitate driving across different states?

It’s very rare that car rentals restrict travel between states.

Most large rental companies allow for the pickup and return to be different locations but you have to specify/pay.

Any good URLs? Besides Hertz?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Joel!

When I traveled in Europe, I have found discounted auto rental through airlines. Avis is another big rental company in the US and the world. Look at this site

You might find an airline you are going to use to come to the US from Singapore.

Hey Tomoko,

Thats great! Yeah i know about Avis & Hertz. This will be kinda like the 1st time i’m going it alone in a place far from home so i’m just starting to do my research early.

My “planned” route so far is Oklahoma to Dallas to DC. Maybe even up to Baltimore. Any chance of getting some help then?

Joel