“Ideas are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waves, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny.” Carl Schurz
Reaching Our Destiny
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Frosty Morning -
Box of Crayons
Crayon Box “Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten. Then when you hit puberty they take the crayons away and replace them with dry, uninspiring books on algebra, history, etc. Being suddenly hit years later with the ‘creative bug’ is just a wee voice telling you, ‘I’d like my crayons back, please.”
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Traveling
Passing Storm “Life is about turning up. The more you get yourself out there, whether you wake up at 5:00 a.m. to pouring rain or not, the more you’re likely to experience the wonderful happenings that are going on all around you. Sometimes the most interesting visual phenomena occur when you least expect it. Other times, you think you’re getting something amazing and the photographs turn out to be boring and predictable. So I think that’s why, a long time ago, I consciously tried to let go of artist’s angst, and instead just hope for the best and enjoy it. I love the journey as much as the destination. If I wasn’t a photographer, I’d still be a traveler.” – Michael Kenna
I took this along US 285 while traveling on my 11-day trip back in September (just before they shut down the parks). Later on that afternoon I camped at the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The sun was intermittent then more clouds rolled in and a heavy rain fell through most of the night. My rainfly was soaked but my tent, sleeping bag and shoes were dry. Traveling.
Start another trip this morning then heading down to Phoenix and celebrate mom’s 81st birthday. Taco Bell here we come.
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Okay, I pulled the trigger …
Fujifilm X-E1 with 18-55m f2.8-4.0 – Cropped … and bought the Fijifilm X-E1 and the kit lens, the 18-55m f2.8-4.0. Yes I know they just came out with an updated version appropriately called the X-E2. However, because of the new camera the price dropped significantly for me to purchase the X-E1. I also had a gift certificate which helped. I’ve lusted for this camera every since it came out almost a year ago.
All 5 of these images were shot in “Professional Mode”, fine jpeg format and straight out the camera (except where noted). No sharpening, no tone adjustments. Nothing. I framed the image and pressed the shutter button. My intent was to see what the camera was capable of doing. First impressions are positive. It is built solid and weighs more than I expected with that zoom lens. Love the tightness of the zoom ring and the soft click of the aperture ring. Since it is a rangefinder style camera, and the first one I’ve ever owned, I feel awkward but don’t expect that to last very long.
Fujifilm X-E1 with 18-55m f2.8-4.0 – Cropped a window on the left side and adjusted contrast After deciding to order the camera, I downloaded the manual and started reading. It’s a simple manual as is the camera. I like the menus and the Q button is helpful. The different viewfinder and display options were a bit of struggle. Found myself changing them unexpectedly, figuring out what I did and then how to prevent it. I’m a bit of slow learner, but Icano learn.
Fujifilm X-E1 with 18-55m f2.8-4.0 So these images are from a stroll in Old Town about 9:30 to 10:30 in the morning. I will try some of the film settings later, take it our of auto mode and give some feedback on those experiences.
Fujifilm X-E1 with 18-55m f2.8-4.0 Love the red on this bicycle seat. Just after I took this image I noticed a man walking towards smiling. He quizzically asked me if I was taking a photo of the bicycle. I told him yes and anything else that would catch my eye. He has no concept of my illness when a camera is in my hands. Especially a new camera.
Fujifilm X-E1 with 18-55m f2.8-4.0 – Cropped left side to remove a drain spout My first guess is the camera will make me a better photographer and will promote my career as a hobbyist. 🙂 On the serious side, it’s another tool in my bag in which I hope to use in my photography. It will work for me on the streets as well as landscapes and portraits. More to come.
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What’s Left Behind
Small Bass Pond “Parks and gardens are the quintessential intimate landscapes. People use them all the time, leaving their energy and memories behind. It’s what’s left behind that I like to photograph”.
Michael KennaWhile on a walk in the Arapahoe Bend Nature Area I encountered an elderly gentleman on the trail. He had a walking stick in each hand and a small Canon around his neck. As he walked in front of me he would stop every once in a while, look around, taking it all in. He would raise the camera to his eye, frame a shot and press the shutter and methodically move on. No chimping. The walking paths in this area are level and easy to walk so for us elderly folk it is a great place to touch base with nature. I caught up with and enjoyed some time walking and talking with him. We both agreed we enjoy our nature areas. Just a few days before, this scene was covered in snow.
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The more you read …..
Study Time “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ― Dr. Seuss
Living near a college campus allows me to see many students sitting at a coffee shop with a cup of coffee or tea and an open book before them. We call it study time. We are all students whether working on that college degree, studying for a real estate license, self improvement, learning a second language, studying the bible or our drivers test. With a notebook and pencil we work on notes for a term paper, or highlight some paragraph or verse that’s important. On my first glance I was taken with this woman’s hands. As a photographer I wanted a photo of her beautiful hands. With her permission I took couple of photos to show off those hands and tell of someone who is reading and learning. Who knows where it will take us.
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You have to feel …..
St Francis “Seeing is not enough; you have to feel what you photograph.”
Andre KerteszKertesz is not not talking about reaching out and physically getting our hands on a subject but talking about the feelings and emotions within us, that part of us that is human. If he was talking about physically feeling with our hands then many of us would probably be photographing for Playboy. 🙂 The feelings he suggests are those emotions that move our soul, something deep within us.
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Play Time
October Sunset “If you’re not feeling the full joy of life, it could be that your creative urge is not getting enough play.” Thomas Moore
I intended to shoot some images of the rising moon last night, which I did, but they were nothing compared to the sunset in the west. This was my play time last night. It was a tad bit cold but what a joy to experience.
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Life in Colorado
Games Been Cancelled Yesterday morning I drove through Rowland Moore Park and found they’d cancelled the volleyball game. Something about snow and 32 degree temperature. So I headed over to Cafe Ole and indulged in a coffee and slab of freshly backed carrot bread. By 9:00 we had blue skies and sushine. By 2:00 pm it was 45 degrees and the snow was melted. Such is the life in Colorado.
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Seeing Life
Aspens of Utah “Technical perfection is not the goal of photography: seeing life is.” – Ellis Vener
Thought the quote was right on. I feel my aging and joy of photography have brought seeing life into my world.
