• Art/Design,  journal,  lifestyles,  musings,  Photography,  writing/reading

    My Life and more….

    December 30, 2016
    My Essentials
    My life: a hat, journal, fountain pen, books, laptop, desk and camera

    My role as an observer of an image is much different as I practice and mature with photography. I am grateful I’ve come to see the world with new eyes when I look through the viewfinder of my camera. I contribute this with time, practice and learning to be present to life. Likewise, my role as an observer of another person’s image has changed. There has always been the draw of colors, patterns and especially the light and shadows. But, the story an image expresses is becoming a greater interest within me.

    I’m posting this image because it says something about me at this time in my life. It tells a story: it tells you I wear a favorite hat on an almost daily basis, it tells you I have established a routine of writing almost daily basis for many years using a small collection of fountain pens, it tells you I allow the words from sacred texts of many faiths, poets, mystics, and creatives transforms me as a person. And, since I’ve taken the image myself it tells how a camera is always with me and used as a creative tool and inspiration in my life. It says something about my life and more.

    Read More
  • Photography,  quotes

    The Troublemaker

    August 6, 2015

    Dew Covered Spiderweb - Cades Cove Great Smoky Mountains
    Dew Covered Spiderweb – Cades Cove Great Smoky Mountains

    I’ve never considered myself a troublemaker. Yet, throughout my life I’ve found myself in trouble. The words I’ve said, or not said, the actions I’ve made, or not made, all have presented troublesome times in life for myself and others. Age has helped me learn to be a better student in life and see when I can be the troublemaker.

    Life is always offering us situations where decisions we need to be make could cause trouble. I use the following scenario as a simple example. Lets say that while shooting some photographs of a dew covered spider web in wetlands we make the decision to step to the right for a different perspective. We are in trouble as soon the water and mud flow over the tops of our boots. We probably should not have done that. The fault was not the water, the mud, the dew covered spiderweb, the spider who made the web or the boot. That experience offers a lesson that hopefully will not be repeated. 🙂

    Unfortunately, there is a tendency to look at others or life events as troublemakers but seldom ourselves. An honest look at broken relationships will show us the words or actions we are responsible for that became troublemakers. When such an approach is made healing can be made in that relationship. Working to make ourselves as peacemakers rather than troublemakers would slowly change much of the world around us and eventually all of the world.

    I personally feel if we all looked at the choices we make from life’s experiences we will become more aware of who really caused the trouble. If not, then I promise you, we will step in the muddy water, again.

    “The real troublemaker is within us. Our true enemies are our destructive tendencies.” Dali Lama

    Read More
  • Camera Equipment,  Fujifilm X-T10,  Photography

    Film Simulation

    July 29, 2015

    Cone Flowers
    Cone Flowers

    I have been shooting almost exclusively in jpeg format for over a year now after buying the Fujifilm X-E1. I find the quality of the jpeg files to be all that I needed and my post processing time go way down. However, if I come upon a situation where I want a raw file I simple press a function button and changed it to capture images in raw plus jpeg.

    I recently upgraded to the Fuji X-T10 for the improved focus system and because the dang thing was “cool” looking. And, as we all know, cool makes you a better photographer. I am shooting in jpeg with this camera also. It is easy  to setup the X-T10 to use one of the 7 function buttons to allow me to quickly change to raw and jpeg. I was able to do the same with the X-E1 but with only one function button. More bells on this model. I can also do this with the Q menu.

    Anyway the focus of this post is about the film simulation of jpeg files. Since I’m primarily working with jpeg files I’ve set BKT 2 on my Drive Dial for film simulation.  When bracketing in film simulation, one exposure is made then 3 files are output each with the film simulation I choose from the available eleven. I currently have it set for Provia, Velvia and Astia. So when I come across a situation I’m not sure about, or just for the fun of it, I switch to BKT2. As long as I’ve exposed properly, I will have three images to choose from.

    Read More
  • Art/Design,  Humor,  Vision

    Within 15 Feet

    July 10, 2015
    Shirts: Gotta Look Dapper
    Shirts: Gotta Look Dapper

    I read somewhere about an exercise where we needed to focus on seeing subjects within 15 feet of our bed. So on a rainy day it seemed as good a day as any and we had nice diffused light. There was more to see but three images is enough to bore you.

    Dresser Drawer Handles
    Dresser Drawer Handles

    This exercise could also be an ongoing project. Just thinking, yes I know that’s dangerous, that maybe setting aside one day a month or a week and look around my room to see what presents itself.

    Stuffed Animals: Gifts from special people
    Stuffed Animals: Gifts from special people
    Read More
  • grass,  leaves,  Photography,  Plants,  writing/reading

    The Changes Within

    June 11, 2015

    Art in Hidden Nature
    Art in Hidden Nature

    Life was a struggle for me in 1991. Little things like a divorce, a job loss, poor financial choices, let me know how little control I had over my life. At this time in my life I earnestly began to search for some answer to how I felt. I looked into different religious faiths, attended retreats, joined help groups, read the books, practiced their exercises and principles, with no relief or answers.

    Over time the needed change found me. I stumbled upon a solution that introduced me to a new way of seeing who I really was and the world around me. I needed new ways of dealing with life’s challenges. I found a resource in quiet times of prayer, meditation and contemplation. I enjoy this inward journey as it helps me to see within and to use the eyes of something deeper to see outward. Learning to see a “true self” rather than a “false self” allows us to be a more interesting person. I’ve heard it said, to create more interesting images make ourselves more interesting. For me, the changes within me have changed my photography.

    Read More
  • architecture,  Photography,  writing/reading

    Photography Has Changed Me

    June 9, 2015

    Old Town Alley
    Old Town Alley

    The dream to be a professional photographer faded many years ago. I find it interesting that when I eliminated the word professional I began to really be a photographer. Photography began to be a part of me, something I needed to partake of on a regular basis. It began to change something within me, opening my eyes and really see the world around me, whether that’s photographing a sunset or a walk through an alley in my neighborhood. I continuously look for “the more” and find it to be a wonderful process and journey. Yes, photography has changed me.

    Read More