My name is Michael Conti and I am a photojournalism student at the Rochester Institute of Technology. “breathe through yr eyes” is a reference to my first understanding of using meditation to achieve focus. This was related to me by former A’s pitcher Barry Zito via the boob tube. Breathing through one’s eyes could also mean an increasing visual awareness of the world, powered by photography. Or it could be a serious problem with the respiratory system. I’d like this blog to be a lot of things, but for now you’re going to see my photographs, and musings about anything. Make a comment by clicking on the infinity symbol. See the whole blog by clicking on the header. Find me on the Internet: www.michaelconti.infoflickrtwitterreporterfacebooklast.fmTumblr (3.0; @breathethroughyreyes)http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/<img src="http://4.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kv9sdupwfk1qz72ywo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://blog.jayparkinsonmd.com/post/301467607/its-something-thats-human-and-you-cant-stay" target="_blank">jayparkinsonmd</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>“It’s something that’s human…and you can’t stay away from it.”</p> <p>-David Lynch, on his <a href="http://interviewproject.davidlynch.com/www/#/all-episodes" target="_blank">Interview Project</a>.</p> </blockquote> <p>I think the people in my Photography as a Narrative Class, particularly Mo, would be interested in these. Heck, people who <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE-mxVxFXLg">like David Lynch </a>too. I think this is related to my <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Stories_(film)">favorite movie</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4rmpqjE550">True Stories</a>.</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/302316524http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/302316524Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:06:00 -0500<img src="http://21.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kvar5ix5b21qztjo9o1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p> <p>“If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not using a cell phone camera to clandestinely photograph your Aunt.” I hope she doesn’t see this.</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/302302158http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/302302158Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:56:00 -0500<img src="http://19.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kv8n6dwHSb1qztjo9o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/66717489/a-day-a-photo-happy-birthday-jesus">Happy Birthday</a> Jesus.</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/300623676http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/300623676Fri, 25 Dec 2009 21:35:01 -0500<img src="http://15.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kv6f2inRP21qztjo9o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p> <p>My cousin Thomas volunteers at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.animalhavenshelter.org/">Animal Haven</a>.</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/299009021http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/299009021Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:44:42 -0500<img src="http://6.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kv5holILFR1qztjo9o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.myspace.com/boomboxers">Scribe the Verbalist</a> offers mixtape. Awkward glances are exchanged. <a target="_blank" href="http://animatedgifs.tumblr.com/post/293014920/me-and-mohamed-freshmen-year">Mohamed</a> Sadek offers <a target="_blank" href="http://people.umass.edu/amyrose/recording.jpg">Marantz</a> audio kit. Beat is made. Verses are spit. Attractive ladies are complimented. Photographs are made. CD is sold.</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/298293985http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/298293985Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:43:00 -0500<img src="http://2.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kv38xmS9oU1qztjo9o1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p> <p>I look for symbols. I found this in an area of the house my cousin calls the “vestibule”. This was my 356th day of blogging, and my 223rd daily photo, give or take a few. Honestly, I don’t know how <a>Will Yurman</a> does it.</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/296207965http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/296207965Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:39:00 -0500In blog posts, most annoyingly here, here and here, I have been unconsciously referring to...http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/294246835http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/294246835Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:00:00 -0500<img src="http://21.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kv0ycqrn071qz849zo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://blog.jayparkinsonmd.com/post/294036880/the-american-paradox-in-a-survey-of-attitudes" target="_blank">jayparkinsonmd</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.unitedstatesartists.org/Public2/About/AnAmericanParadox/index.cfm" target="_blank">The American Paradox</a></p> <p>In a survey of attitudes toward artists in the U.S. a vast majority  of Americans, 96%, said they were greatly inspired by various kinds of art  and highly value art in their lives and communities. But the data suggests  a strange paradox.</p> <p>While Americans value art, the end product, they do not value what artists do. Only 27% of respondents believe that artists contribute “a lot” to the good of society.</p> <p>Further interview data from the study reflects a strong sentiment in the cultural community that society does not value art making as legitimate work worthy of compensation. Many perceive the making of art as a frivolous or recreational pursuit.</p> <p>Other insights further illuminate the depth of the paradox:</p> <p>• A majority of parents think that teaching the arts is as important as reading, math, science, history, and geography.</p> <p>• 95% believe that the arts are important in preparing children for the future.</p> <p>• In the face of a changing global economy, economists increasingly emphasize that the United States will have to rely on innovation, ingenuity, creativity, and analysis for its competitive edge—the very skills that can be enhanced by engagement with the arts.</p> </blockquote> <p>Oh, capitalism. Having us value your ends and not your means.</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/294152104http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/294152104Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:53:06 -0500““Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no...http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/292764704http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/292764704Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:07:00 -0500<img src="http://8.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kuyj1nAfWh1qztjo9o1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://17.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kuyj1nAfWh1qztjo9o2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://2.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kuyj1nAfWh1qztjo9o3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://22.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kuyj1nAfWh1qztjo9o5_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p> <p>Staying in New York State for the break. Tumblr family shout-outs.</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/291835272http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/291835272Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:29:00 -0500<img src="http://19.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kuvje3w6en1qztjo9o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p> <p>If you can’t tell, I haven’t had time for much reflection. Or including fingers. I’m getting super psyched for a WHOLE YEARS WORTH OF BLOGGING»»check back with me on the 22nd!</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/289555936http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/289555936Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:44:26 -0500<img src="http://7.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kuvj15zLkl1qztjo9o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.williamsnyderphotography.com/">Snyder</a> took this with my camera. I’m on the right. Best crit ever.</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/289547486http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/289547486Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:36:00 -0500<img src="http://22.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kuviwi8eOP1qztjo9o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p> <p>Thinking should be done beforehand and afterwards, never while actually taking the photograph.</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/289544374http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/289544374Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:33:00 -0500<img src="http://3.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kuq9yu0uTf1qztjo9o1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbqUXJuRrH0">Word up.</a></p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/285648246http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/285648246Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:32:00 -0500<img src="http://5.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kuohwyprAF1qztjo9o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p> <p>MONDAY!</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/284254613http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/284254613Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:29:00 -0500<img src="http://21.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kulrplmsqK1qztjo9o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/281909408http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/281909408Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:08:00 -0500<img src="http://5.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kulrar4zYK1qztjo9o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elwillo120/">Will Green</a>!</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/281899193http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/281899193Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:59:15 -0500<img src="http://20.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kulr10ODSl1qztjo9o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p> <p>A <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fantasyraceways.com/">Fantasy</a>.</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/281892618http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/281892618Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:53:00 -0500Read a Story: Hey, I can use this tumblr thing for something besides my photos! Over break, I wrote...http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/280487375http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/280487375Sat, 12 Dec 2009 13:09:42 -0500<img src="http://16.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kuivimuqqY1qztjo9o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A Day, A Photo</p> <p>“I do not believe that we will have the will, or the staying power, to complete this work without something more - and that is the continued expansion of our moral imagination; an insistence that there is something irreducible that we all share.”</p> <p>-Barack Obama</p>http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/279821266http://breathethroughyreyes.tumblr.com/post/279821266Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:37:33 -0500