• consumer,  grass,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  shadows,  trees

    Isolation

    Grove of trees in Red Fox Meadows

    Sure dealing with too much isolation over the past few days. Last week when I paid for my mocha at the Human Bean drive through, I actually touched the hands with the barista. Surprised me because it was probably my first physical touch with another human in 5 weeks. Things are not right.

    Way to much consumer shopping on the internet in an attempt  to fix me, and we know that doesn’t work.

    Snacking too much and looking for someone to blame for buying the snacks. Haven’t found him.

    Been walking everyday which helps me stay out of my head, which is a dangerous neighborhood at times. 

    Looking at upgrading my camera since Fujifilm has some sales going on. That won’t make me a better photographer, either.

  • Cityscapes/Urban,  consumer,  Documentary/Street

    Yes, Size Matters

    An Empty Alley

    Paul had an interesting post asking the question “does size matter.”  I admit to being one of those consumers who is always looking at the latest camera, lens, camera bag or software update. I also confess to having too many camera bags and maybe too many camera lenses. In response to Paul’s post, for me size does matter but not in the pixel count. The physical size is what matters to me. As I’m one of those nuts who always carries a camera with them the weight and ease of access is important to me. I almost always have my DX size DSLR camera with me and and find at times a smaller camera would be easier to carry. A year and a half ago I purchased the Canon G12 and have been pleased with the quality the images and its ease of use. As I watch the market of mirror-less cameras improve my desire to add one of those cameras to my bag has increased. Seeing the results and reading the reviews on the Olympus OMD and the Fujifilm X-Pro1 and it’s little sibling the X-e1 (Sigh) has pushed my “consumer lust button.” And, these cameras have a larger pixel count than my present DSLR. Of course then I’d have to search for another camera bag for the new kit, buy SD cards instead of CF cards, a new flash, read another camera manual then take a trip to some city for a couple days of photography.

  • consumer,  quotes,  sunsets

    I Also Apologize

    Sunset at Riverbend Ponds

    “The earth is our mother. She should not be disturbed by hoe or plough. We want only to subsist on what she freely gives us. Our fathers gave us many laws, which they had learned from their fathers. These laws were good. I have carried a heavy load on my back ever since I was a boy. I realized then that we could not hold our own with the white men. We were like deer. They were like grizzly bears. We had small country. Their country was large. We were contented to let things remain as the Great Spirit Chief made them. They were not, and would change the rivers and mountains if they did not suit them.” 

    Chief Joseph 

    Mark Graf led me to read an interesting and moving letter written to Mother Earth by photographer Youssef Ismail. If anyone is inclined here is a link to the letter. Youssef puts into words what I feel.

    There is a voice inside of me that has been attempting to get my attention for the last 20 or 30 years. I’ve done a pretty good job of avoiding that voice by keeping myself busy with the externals of life: making money with the hope it will bring me happiness, or that a party life would take away loneliness and insecurity. In a way I’m like the little puppy chasing it’s tail. With my focus on the externals I’ve avoided looking at our natural world or taking any responsibility for the damages I am doing. And, worse yet, what am doing to help bring an awareness to it? My upbringing did not direct me to look at the consequences of our advancing technologies and consumerism. In fact my culture wanted me to focus more on the consumerism, placing my wants as a more important aspect than caring for this earth. So, I also apologize for my role in harming Mother Earth.

  • coffee shops,  consumer

    Eggnog Latte

    Tis the Season

    … topped with nutmeg. Mmmmmm! Tis the season, ya know. 🙂

    And, since it is also the season for consumerism, I thought I’d help Ken out and pass along a link to his Christmas list. I’m going to watch and see how it goes for him then possibly make my own next year or borrow some of his new stuff. Have a good weekend.