Blind Chinese Dissident Chen Guangcheng Arrives in New York City

Under the circumstances that surround blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng and the availability of this "media opportunity" the moment was shrouded in its rarity for the media and absolute joy for the dissident and his family as he stepped with one bad foot into the United States.

After tracking Chen Guangcheng's movements for the last month, the visual media had finally gained an opportunity to document the man that captivated much of the media's attention since his escape from home confinement. Now instead of editors having to work with the few handout images from the United States Embassy in Beijing and glimpses of him being wheeled through a hospital, the media had finally gained almost open access to record his arrival on the campus of New York University in Manhattan on Saturday. Now he begins his new life in Greenwich Village.


Blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng gestures with his wife, Yuan Weijing, beside him before making remarks to the media upon arriving on the campus of New York University on May 19, 2012 in New York, New York. China allowed the activist to leave a hospital in Beijing and board a plane for the US, a move that could signal the end of a diplomatic standoff between the two countries. (Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)


Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng steps out of a van with his wife, Yuan Weijing, beside him before making remarks to the media. (Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)


Through a translator, blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng makes remarks to the media, while standing beside NYU professor Jemore Cohen. (Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)


The injured foot of Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng stands next to a group of recorders while Chen makes remarks to the media. (Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)


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While being taken away Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng yells back at a women screaming at him after Chen made remarks to the media upon arriving on the campus of New York University. (Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)


Media and escorts of Chen Guangcheng surrounds him while being taken away as he yells back at a women screaming at him after making remarks to the media upon arriving on the campus of New York University. (Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)


A father and daughter walk through the area of New York University where Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng made remarks to the media upon arriving in the United States. (Andy Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Rangel, Candidates Running for Office in New York's New 13th Congressional District

Clyde Williams, former National Political Director of the Democratic National Committee, catches up on e-mails in his newly-opened campaign headquarters in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York, New York. Williams is running for the New York's new 13th Congressional District, formally the 15th district, against Adriano Espaillat and incumbent Charlie Rangel. Residents in the district will vote for their representative in the democratic primary on June 26, 2012. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)


New York State Senator Adriano Espaillat campaigns on the corner of 110th street and Lexington Avenue in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York, New York. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)


Representative Charlie Rangel (center) makes comments during a press conference Rangel held at Frederick Douglass Circle in New York, New York. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)


A supporter of representative Charlie Rangel stands among a crowd while Rangel holds a press conference at Frederick Douglass Circle in New York, New York.  (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)


Clyde Williams, former National Political Director of the Democratic National Committee, speaks with canvassers in his newly-opened campaign headquarters in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York, New York. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)


New York State Senator Adriano Espaillat campaigns on the corner of 110th street and Lexington Avenue in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York, New York. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)

Representative Charlie Rangel reacts after comments from a campaign aide while Rangel holds a press conference at Frederick Douglass Circle in New York, New York. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)

New York State Senator Adriano Espaillat speaks to a prospective supporter while campaigning on the corner of 110th street and Lexington Avenue in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York, New York. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)

Clyde Williams, former National Political Director of the Democratic National Committee, speaks to supporters, prospective supporters and campaign staff while making comments during a house party held for the candidate in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York, New York. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)

A pedestrian passes a flyer of New York State Senator Adriano Espaillat sticking to a phone booth while Espaillat campaigns nearby on the corner of 110th street and Lexington Avenue in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York, New York. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)

Clyde Williams, former National Political Director of the Democratic National Committee, speaks to supporters, prospective supporters and campaign staff while making comments during a house party held for the candidate in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York, New York. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)

Representative Charlie Rangel waves to supporters after holding a press conference at Frederick Douglass Circle in New York, New York. Rangel was elected to the 15th district in 1970. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)

American Airlines Laborers Picket in Manhattan

A picketer prays during a demonstration by members of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and the Transportation Workers Union outside of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District in New York City on April 23, 2012. American Airline workers of both organizations were picketing due to American Airlines' management decision to review its collective bargaining agreement at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)


An observer takes a photo of picketers during a demonstration by members of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and the Transportation Workers Union outside of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District in New York City on April 23, 2012. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)


Picketers shout during a demonstration by members of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and the Transportation Workers Union outside of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District in New York City on April 23, 2012. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)

Rory Mercurio's Story of Giving

For years Mr. Mercurio has been donating tips earned while driving a guest bus to and from a LaGuardia Airport hotel in New York City to the mission Food For The Poor. Food For The Poor provides emergency international relief to Latin America and the Caribbean, and takes swift action whenever and wherever people need help. Photo editors at the organization asked that I commission portraits for their publication 'Inspiration From The Poor,' which was published in fall 2012. What I consider a 'photo book' - please have a look at the beautiful and moving imagery, and powerful stories here. 


This is a short selection of images I found to be successful. Also included how the designers ran the image of Mr. Mercurio. 

USA Yoga National Championship

This is a collection of images I made for Getty Images from the USA Yoga National ASANA Championship at the Hudson Theatre in Manhattan on March 4, 2012.

New Hampshire Primary trail with Romney and Paul - Friday, January 6

Selection of images from two separate stops with Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Ron Paul ahead of the New Hampshire Primary. 

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, a congressman from Texas, speaks to a crowd during a campaign stop at the Nashua Airport in Nashua, New Hampshire on January 6, 2012. Paul stopped in Nashua ahead of the New Hampshire Primary set for January 10, 2012. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, while joined by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, speaks to a crowd during a spaghetti dinner-style campaign stop at the Tilton School in Tilton, New Hampshire on January 6, 2012. Romney stopped in Tilton ahead of the New Hampshire Primary on January 10, 2012. (Andy Jacobsohn/MCT)

I may have ended the day coining the political campaign phrase "spaghetti dinner-style campaign stop."