• Ansel Adams,  Art,  Candid Portraits,  coffee shops,  Creativity,  lifestyles,  quotes

    Practicing the practice

    October 5, 2019
    Practicing her pencil drawings

    I know the importance of highly trained awareness of the “moment” and the immediate and intuitive response of the photographer. It should be obvious to all that photographers whose images possess character and quality have attained them only by continued practice and total dedication to the medium. – 

    Ansel Adams

    Last week I posted an image of a young artist practicing his craft at a local coffee shop. Yesterday afternoon I  took this image of a young lady practicing her craft at the same coffee shop. What is interesting about this young lady is she is drawing from a book that I assume to be a textbook. While the young man was creating the character from the muse within him. So, I practiced more courage and my photography by asking the young lady if I could take a photo of her practicing her practice. She agreed.

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  • 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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  • architecture,  Cityscapes/Urban

    Dragons on Campus

    February 19, 2018

    Dragons at the Behavioral Science Building
    Dragons at the Behavioral Science Building

    “Within the stillness of meditation we see the unreality of thought.” Jack Kornfield

    It’s 10 degrees right now with about an inch of powdery snow and more to come. I took this image last week on campus. I’m a supporter of graffiti that can easily be removed. 

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  • Candid Portraits,  coffee shops,  People/Portraits

    The Artists Hands

    August 27, 2015

    The Artists Hands
    The Artists Hands

    This past weekend a woman sat across from me at one of the local coffeehouses I patronize. After sitting down I noticed she pulled out a small sketch book from here purse and began to draw. Her hands and the task of sketching immediately perked my attention. After interrupting her she agreed to allow me to photograph her hands as she sketched. This then led to a short conversation and a chance to share something about one another.  A camera has the potential to allow for new encounters. Thank you, Betty!

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