Secret Path

The "secret" path on the walk from HJ's school to the library. I got to join the preschoolers for a field trip today. It was pretty darn cute. I was reading to a couple of kids at one point and when I looked up almost the entire class was standing in a semi-circle around me listening to my story. I'm such a softie, I almost, ALMOST, welled up.

Still Shooting, But Far Behind In Posting

So, I've been shooting still. But feeling a bit uninspired. I still love it, but need to make sure to keep my priorities in order. The kids and Mon have to come first. It has to be OK to make images that are just OK. Sometimes, especially with this project I put to much pressure on myself to create incredible art, when I really just need to play more with the camera, my style, and my artistic voice. All while making sure that laundry is done, meals are prepared, homework is done, house is kept clean, mulch is moved, -- I think you can see where this is going, but most importantly, that the kids and Monica feel loved and appreciated. Anyway, I've got some blog post catching up to do. Here's todays shot:

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Tonight, we're busting out the good stuff!

As previously posted elsewhere, I am unbelievably blessed to have been married to one of the most beautiful, kind and compassionate creatures in the world for the past fifteen years! Happy Anniversary, my love!

Texture and Line

Crummy weather and light this week. Tough to get out to shoot. Tough to want to get out to shoot.

He shoots...he scores!

The boy is on fire with the lacrosse lately. Scored three goals today, a fourth was called back because of a rule requiring one mandatory pass before shooting. Kind of lame, but I get the reason the rule is there at this point in the kids' "careers". Anyway, he looks really good out there if I do say so myself. Definitely starting to understand and read the play better. Yeah, I'm proud of him!

He shoots...

...he scores! (Look for the ball in lower corner of the goal.)

Thursday's Image

Light Painting experiment. Not a bad start. Again, tough to get young models to sit still for 30-second exposures. Maybe I should get a stronger flash light and then could do the painting in a shoot time while still exposing the background for 30+ seconds. Again, not a bad start and the kids had fun with it.

Variation on a Theme

Borrow (Liberally) From Others

While I've never met him personally, I consider Chase Jarvis to be a bit of a photography mentor to me. He does an amazing job providing a ton of free instruction, resources, and advice to aspiring photographers. In his blog entry How to Steal Ideas Like an Artist, Jarvis reminds his readers:

The history of the world is one of shared spaces, shared food, shared water, shared DNA, shared lives. The history of art is the same. It is a history of an evolution of ideas, of appropriation and application. Therefore, if you’re looking for inspiration, look no further than 1. inside you; and then 2. to other art work that fuels your soul. Apply your own story to what you see. Make it relevant, make it yours. Remix it all and you’re underway.

He then backs up this position quoting filmmaker Jim Jarmusch:

“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is nonexistent.”

It was armed with this advice that I shot the following, as inspired (again) by Ryan Bush:

My girls

Got over-ambitious today. Kids had a half-day from school today. Took them and the dog and two trainer kites to the beach hoping to get some amazing "lifestyle" shots in the brief window of sunshine we got today. Of course, by the time I got HJ set up digging in the sand, got the older two rigged up with the kite and tried to keep the dog from running off with every other dog there, HJ -- who just FINALLY decided to try potty-training -- announces that she needed to go "potty". I begged the girls to sit together for a few quick portraits. The result is actually a sweet moment between the girls. Would I prefer it better lit? Yes. Would I have loved to play with wireless flash? Absolutely. But in my current position, sometimes, I have to take what I can get. Peace.

Sunset (again)

Sometimes, the sunset over the lake just beyond our backyard is like shooting fish in a barrel, but somedays, even though I'm thinking of images all day, I just can't find the time or timing to get the shots. Enjoy!

Our Sad Dog

I've been shooting, but haven't taken the time to post these last couple days. For Monday's image, I captured an image of our dog looking even more sad than usual. Poor girl is a little neurotic and anxious, perhaps it's a touch of depression.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day is on a Sunday this year, and that means Lacrosse. Therefore, a couple of shots from today's match against Wellesley.

A mother's pride

Man of the Match (unofficially)

SJ on defense

Saturday's Pic: bee

Spent most of Saturday doing yard work. About 3 pm, while raking out one of our garden beds, I heard these bumblebees buzzing in these very fragrant flowers (anyone know what they are?). I realized I hadn't shot anything yet that day and ran inside to grab the camera. The bees were kind enought to stick around for about 4 frames and then took off. I wish I could have gotten more and played with shutterspeed, motion blur, stop action, etc. Not every day can be a masterpiece. A year and 4 days is a long time.

inspired

Bird Walking on Calligraph

A

Penguin's Forest Walk

thursday's image: light and line

recently stumbled across the work of abstract fine art photographer ryan bush. inspired by his work, i have been experimenting a little with creating some more abstract images.

we took the kids out for dinner last night, and didn't get home 'til kinda late, so I'm posting yesterday's image now. look for today's image later! enjoy!

...of the past or of the future?

tools of the trade

feeling a little rusty

blazing a new trail

this little guy spoke to me today. no, not literally. i am not hearing voices. but this little guy and many of his friends strike out every 12 hours or so on a new endeavor with little fear of how it will end up. They just keep doing their best, just moving, and they never give up. Good model for all of us.