I'm back.

I can't believe that it has been so long since I last posted here... three years!?!?!? I suppose it is not a coincidence that I assumed my current role at work - you guessed it - three years ago. It has not left me a lot of time to do much photography, at least certainly not at the level that I would like to do it. Additionally, there was a good stretch of time where I was not super inspired. As I learned more, I was getting more (too?) caught up in and frustrated by the technicals for a photo rather than thinking about composition and shooting for fun. Rather than enjoying the process, I have wanted every photo I take to be great, and became discouraged when they weren't great, the composition was blah, and I wasn't having a great time doing it.

The pendulum began to swing back toward fun over the last few months. I went to some workshops where I learned some new techniques, was reminded of others, and witnessed the processes of other photographers. That was liberating in a way because it showed me (again) that getting a really good photo often takes a lot of work, and that the first one you take might not be a winner. In fact, it might be really bad. By itself, that doesn't sound inspirational. But... you adjust and fix what is wrong and eventually end up with a photograph that you can be satisfied with. It reminded me that photographers show you their best work - the images that show what they envisioned; they don't show you all the crappy shots they took. My frustration stemmed from the fact that I was only taking the first few shots and not working through the problems. I just figured I could fix things in post-production on the computer. While you can do some pretty miraculous things on the computer, you can't fix everything. Anyway, now that I have been reminded that you can't squeeze magic out of muck, I am more excited about taking photos again.

So, I entered photos into the Utica Public Library photography show earlier this month, and the Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute (MWPAI) sidewalk show. Below is the entry to MWPAI.
I went to the show this evening, and I was surprised, delighted and honored to see that my photo had a "SOLD" sticker on the tag!! This is becoming fun again, and other people like the results enough to give up their hard-earned money for it. I am humbled.

More shroom zoom

Here is another shot of the mushrooms.  I like the tones and textures of this one, and the details are pretty sharp through most of the photo. As always, feel free to let me know what you think.

And in case you are wondering, these are oyster mushrooms grown from a kit I bought at a home improvement store.

Variations and Repetitions

Transitions

It has certainly been a while since I have posted anything, and truthfully, for a variety of reasons (super busy, not super inspired, and seemingly unable to take a decent photo when I did try) I haven't been doing much photography recently.  That's the way it goes sometimes I guess.  But I like this one and wanted to share.  I think that it makes a pretty cool abstract.  I like how the lines come in together in parallel, get a little turbulent for a bit, and then fan out very symmetrically.

I hope you like it.

Transitions

Way too long!

OK, so it has been many, many months since I posted anything.  Not good!  So I will now begin to rectify this situation.  Here is a photo.  More will follow in the coming days...

So, the mastodon walked into the church...

Another one to file this under the 'questions it never occurred to me that I might ask' category. "A mastodon skeleton?... in an old church?"

The answer: artists. It’s always the stinking artists! It is a sculpture of a mastodon skeleton, and the old church is now ‘converted’ (hmm.. sorry) into the Remsen Arts Center. But still, the juxtaposition is rather striking. If you need something to do this weekend, check out the Remsen Family Weekend and go to the Arts Center. And while you are there, look for my photos in the art show. Enjoy.

The Sea Hag took my stuff!

A few years ago, when I started to enter some photos in shows and exhibits, my aunt Mary suggested that I take some of my photos to a shop in Brackney PA.  The shop - Sea Hag Soaps& Art Mercantile.  I thought I would give it a try and so I sent the owner, Colleen Kane, an email with a few sample pictures attached.  She liked the photos, and was willing to try to sell some, but indicated that for whatever reason she had a difficult time selling photography in her shop.  She asked that I get back to her in couple of weeks after some big event they were getting ready for.  I thanked her, got involved in other things, and never followed up.

Until this July.  I emailed Colleen again and asked if she again would be willing to take a look at some photos and/or the greeting cards that I have been making from the photos.  She would look at them, and indicated that they do quite well with greeting cards.  So on the 4^th of July I left some sample cards with aunt Mary to show Colleen.  Mary left them with Colleen to look at when she had a chance.  I went to Binghamton within a week of the drop-off, and a number of the cards had already sold!  Colleen was very gracious during visit, took more cards that I brought with me, and had ordered some more!  Hurray for the Sea Hag!  So if you have a chance, visit the store, or visit them online.  And look for my cards.

More highlights (part 2 - cool cats and clouds)

Welcome to part 2 of the April - June highlights.

First, I certainly need to mention the forthcoming book by my friend and colleague Gary Leising.  Of course I will plug it here!  But in addition to being a publication worthy of attention on its own, he asked me if I would take his 'author photograph' to appear in the book as well as something for the cover art!  So, here is what the cover will like.  Excellent!

And here is Gary looking poetic.

Still

In other news, the photograph "Still" has selected as a first place winner for the year-end competition of the Utica Camera Club in the category of color photos.  I have shown this before on this site and in my exhibition at the Stanley earlier this year.

Additionally, this photo, along with the ever-popular "Grass Tree Cloud Sky," will be on display at the upcoming Roberson Museum Regional Art Show from July 14 - October 27.  So if you are in the Binghamton area, please check them out!