An online journal sharing my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, spirituality and asking deep questions.
Awoke to a cloudy and overcast sky with light rain. I made my way to one of the local coffee shops and ordered my mocha latte to help start the day. I ran into a friend, Melissa, at the coffee shop and visited for a while. I’ve been sluggish in getting my day started although laundry is done and groceries have been bought. I’m posting this blog late to go along with my disposition. This image was taken along the Colorado Front Range.
When people see a photographer carrying a bag over their shoulder and a $1500 camera hanging from their neck with a $700-2000 lens attached to it they will ask if you’re a professional photographer. How do I answer that? How do you? At this time in my life I tell them I’m a photographer “wanna-be.” I’m one of those “wannabes” who has made some money with my camera shooting portraits and weddings and even sold a few prints. However, photography is not my sole income. It may someday but at this point in my life, I work as a flight attendant and enjoy it. It helps pay my bills, provides medical insurance and travel perks to places I may not have felt inclined to visit. And, one of the better perks about my job is the views I get to see. This image was taken on an early morning flight out of Bangor, Maine while passengers were sleeping and cabin lights were off. Sunrise at 30,000 feet will knock your socks off!
Have you ever been walking in a store gazing at all the stuff to buy when you come around a corner and run into someone who is also gazing at stuff? “Whoops, pardon me!” You’re both embarrassed and hope no one saw the close encounter. Well, I’ve done something similar when out with my camera. For instance, I had taken an early morning walk around this 2 mile loop in Blendon Woods Park. Beautiful area! Autumn colors are out. The air is crisp and the high humidity makes it feel cooler than it really is. The sun is just starting to come up. I have just finished taking a few shots of dew drops and am thoroughly enjoying myself in spite of the fact that my pants are now wet from the knees down. I get back on the trail and gazing as usual when I came around a curve in the trail and this orange and red tree is glowing with morning sunlight. The darker trees in the background made for great contrast against the tree. I gasped! “Oh, my gosh!” Tripod goes up and I’m bracketing away as I don’t want to miss this opportunity. After firing away I stop and take it all in. Life is good! I’ve decided to keep gazing and enjoy the surprises around the corner.
I’m completely alone in my apartment and roaring with laughter. Tears are rolling down my cheeks and my stomach is hurting (more sit-ups would help that). My neighbors probably think I’ve gone off the deep end again and are looking up the hospital phone number. So what’s got me rolling in stitches? A book. That’s right, every once in a while we find a book that will bring uncontrollable laughter to us. The book I’m talking about is called The Moment It Clicks by Joe McNally.
I’ve never written a commentary on a book before but this is one I feel compelled to suggest. Joe McNally is a well known photographer and teacher. I’m also finding out he is also a pretty good writer, check out his blog. As Scott Kelby says in the forward to the book, “He has a wonderful gift of talking to the reader just like he’s talking to a friend.” Putting aside his humor I must say his book is full of information that can help each of us imporve our photography. He presents photographic situations he has had and then shares the solution used to get the shot or how it all fell into place. He really focuses on light and how we can use it or add to it. He does this with humor which has my neighbors thinking about moving. It’s been a good read for me and helped me in understanding light and how we can use it better. I highly commend it. Now for some sit-ups.
While on a bus ride there was a couple sitting across from us who were holding hands. I really liked how they were holding hands or should I say touching. There was no tight grip nor were their hands intertwined but had a relaxed and comfortable touch. Their touch is what made it special. I felt they were sharing intimate feelings and words with each other.
My equipment has changed over the years but not as fast as it has the last 5-6 years. Just as the computer industry has upgraded their computers and software so has the camera industry upgraded their cameras and software. I purchased my first DSLR (Nikon D100) back in 2003 but did not upgrade until the Nikon D300 came out. With all the travel I do I have sold the larger lenses and gone to a more compact and versatile lenses. As for camera bags this could go on forever as I’m one of those people who seems to never find a bag to settle on and that’s because there is no perfect bag. So I have several of them for different circumstances. I primarily use two and the present time and are listed in my equipment page. Of course I have a dream list of more equipment to buy but those will come in due time.
Here is what I now use as of May 2013:
Cameras:
Lenses:
Computer and Software:
I moved from Colorado to Columbus, Ohio this past June because of a job transfer. Living most of my life along the Rocky Mountain Front Range the wooded and flat landscape of the Columbus area has taken some getting use to and I am. One thing that has helped me is finding the Metro Park system. The Metro Parks system includes over 23,000 acres of land and water and, contrary to the official name, extends over seven counties in Central Ohio and the Hocking Hills area. Facilities and programs include trails, shelters, lodges, nature centers, educational facilities and programs, natural resources management, stormwater management, picnicking, boating, and other recreational activities. I am fortunate to live next to Blendon Woods Park and enjoy walking through the area. This image is taken just inside the park and shows a bit of the fall colors now seen throughout the area.