• Art,  Black and White,  Candid Portraits,  coffee shops,  Creativity,  Fujifilm X-T10,  lifestyles,  musings,  writing/reading

    It takes courage to be…

    October 1, 2019
    A young man sketching at the coffee shop

    “Nature is an art which can’t be described or explained in words. This should be felt in your heart.”

    Discovered this young man pencil sketching at a local coffee shop and had to ask if I could take a few images while he drew. After he said yes I had him put his earbuds back in and continue with his craft. There is a slight blur in his hand that adds to the image for me and I thought the photo worked well when converted to black and white.

    As I walked away I thanked him and realized the courage it takes for me to ask strangers if I can take their photo. Somewhere within me is a false voice telling me they will say no. The truth is I seldom am told no. There are those who will say no and probably due to some history in their lives and that’s okay. But, nowadays many people are comfortable having a camera pointed in their direction. Just look at all the selfies.

    Later, after I loaded this photo onto my computer I had an awareness of the courage it takes to be an artist. But as I reflected on that thought it became obvious that it takes courage to believe in and use our artistic abilities, gifts, practice, hone them and then offer them to the world. He and I both practice our craft with courage no matter what those around us thought of us. And, this young man is a good artist! So much for my morning rambling. Have a super Awesome day!

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  • Candid Portraits,  Documentary/Street,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits,  quotes

    You never know….

    September 17, 2019
    Approaching Pitkin and Meridian bus stop

    Jay Maisel always says to bring your camera, ‘cause it’s tough to take a picture without it. Pursuant to the above aforementioned piece of the rule book, subset three, clause A, paragraph four would be…use the camera. Put it to your eye. You never know. There are lots of reasons, some of them even good, to just leave it on your shoulder or in your bag. Wrong lens. Wrong light. Aaahhh, it’s not that great, what am I gonna do with it anyway? I’ll have to put my coffee down. I’ll just delete it later, why bother? Lots of reasons not to take the dive into the eyepiece and once again try to sort out the world into an effective rectangle. It’s almost always worth it to take a look. – Joe McNally 

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  • Candid Portraits,  Documentary/Street,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits

    Coffee Break

    September 8, 2019
    Coffee break on campus

    Discovered this young lady on break outside the Behavioral Sciences building on campus. I shot this from my hip while walking. Not bad actually. Everything is still green out here but we sure are feeling the heat and noticing some leaves are changing colors.

    I attended our first annual Loveland High School class of 1968 picnic yesterday. We had our 50th last fall so instead of having a big shindig every 5 or 10 years we will try to have these picnics on an annual basis.  I’ve been to all my class reunions and find it good to connect with classmates, catch up on our lives, eat, and play a few old folks games. I was one of the quiet ones in school due to my insecurity. The passing of time and a better knowledge of who I am has changed that. Also, when we take the time to talk to classmates we were not close too, we can find out how insecure they were also, the tragic lives some lived but few knew about. I highly recommend going to them.

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  • Black and White,  Candid Portraits,  People/Portraits

    Crazy Thought

    September 5, 2019
    One of the characters from the Renaissance Festival back in 2006

    There are days I feel fat but today I feel real fat. I have put on some weight and that is not good for someone who just had heart surgery less than a year ago. I need to lose some of it. Along with my walking for exercise I’ve gotten back on the bicycle the past couple of weeks and actually like it. The first couple days my legs were rubbery when I got off it and that has gone away.

    I had this crazy thought run through my head telling me how I’d ride more if I had a new bicycle. I looked in my records and the present hybrid bicycle I have was bought new back in July of 2002. So, I have been riding a few bikes, pursuing the perfect bike. Yet, well aware there really is no perfect bike. I’m also finding the imperfect bicycle is not cheap. Maybe I should get rid of my car and just go with the bicycle and the city bus for transportation. I’m rambling now so time to post this and go about my day.

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  • Candid Portraits,  People/Portraits

    Reflection

    August 24, 2019

    Almost bought myself a fedora this past week. While trying on the hat I could see this young lady’s reflection in the mirror. I like her expression as she thinks I’m taking a photo of myself, not knowing I’m taking her photo. She liked the image when I showed it to her afterwards. Enjoy your weekend! And, the hat looked dang good on me!

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