D123: So Close

Why isn't anyone playing basketball today? March is a special kind of awesome in southeast Idaho. It will be sunny & 60 degrees on Monday, then 30 degrees with snow flurries on Tuesday.

This is about the time that most of us start getting cabin fever. We are teased with a day or two of amazing sunny weather, making us yearn for those long summer days.

Once again I ask myself why I am not in Hawaii with my family...

Manual: Page 105 - Self-Timer Mode

Images:Karen Ard
It looks like Karen has a blast shooting for so many different types of people.


more...

D122: West Side Story

Last week I shot a 5-day series on the east side of our downtown area. Today begins a 5-day on the west side. The west side has a bit more history, and was certainly more of the iconic downtown during it's early days.

I found this mural in a parking lot this morning, painted on the side of a photog's studio. If I recall, the mural has nothing to do with the photog that occupies the building. I think it was more of a "downtown revitalization" project. I do find humor in the fact that the photog in question is decades away from embracing social media, much like the mural itself.

Manual: Page 190 - Other Accessories

Images:Markus Hartel
Markus has some really moving b&w street images of New York.


more...

D121: If Only

Today I went fishing with some great friends, I caught the ONLY fish, and we had a late lunch at a great brewery. Plenty of great photo ops, if I had only remembered the camera!

How do I, of all people, forget the camera?!

Anyways, when I decided to hit the road and head back home I saw this wonderful sunset. I took a quick snap from the side of the road, and then thought about getting out of the truck and doing it right. Tripod, better composition, remote release, etc.

As it turns out I was too tired to care and drove home.



more...

D120: Look Out Paradise, They're Coming...

Today was a very fun shoot with two friends that are preparing for an upcoming tropical getaway. We decided to shoot in the downtown area where I had just completed this week's series.

Here's a helpful tip for you togs out there: remember to ALWAYS bring an assistant when you're lugging lots of gear around with frequent stops. It will make life MUCH easier.

The shoot went very well, and as you can tell from today's image, everyone had a great time. Now begins the process of sifting through the hundreds of images. I'm hoping to have a finished project by next weekend.

Manual: I'm skipping the manual this weekend. I'm almost all the way through it, so I may just skip the manual all together on the weekends.

Images: Also skipping other togs this weekend. I know its horrible, but this weekend is crazy busy. I'll repent to Scott Bourne later.


more...

D119: Shelter

As I walked around in the rain this morning trying to find the final image for this week's series, I ended right where I began.

Today's image is actually located directly below, the stairs of Monday's image. I have walked past this spot almost every morning this week, and it always gets me thinking.

Who's belongings are these?
Do they sleep here every night?
Have they survived the winter?
How did they get to this point?

When I come across the cliche portraits of homeless people, the images don't really interest me unless they come with a story. I really like when a photographer takes the time to talk with the individual and learn something about them.

This week has been interesting, and I discovered my new favorite coffee shop downtown. I'm undecided on what next week series will be, or even what I will shoot this weekend. That's ok though, I'm on the right path to gaining a little more creativity.

Manual: Page 189 - Notes On Optional Speedlights

Images:Thomas Lowe
I looked at Thomas' flickr images and I really like some of his nature work. Can't wait for summer to come!


more...

D118: Outward Appearances

Opportunities come in all shapes & sizes. Down turn one down just because you don't like the door you have to walk through.

I had to make a very grown-up decision yesterday. I took a temporary job with a company I used to work for. I hated the job and had no intention of returning.

I start on Monday.

So why did I agree to go back? It wasn't about the money, nor was it about the job itself. I decided that if they were willing to meet ALL of my demands, perhaps I could do some networking in the process. When I talked to them yesterday, they pretty much let me write my own ticket.

One of the big reasons that I was not a fan of the job was because it was working for the federal government. I have absolutely nothing against the government, but the job completely stifles my creativity. I was not created to work in an environment of rule after rule, bureaucratic nightmares, etc. My creative freedom is paramount to my happiness and I refuse to compromise. I don't think there is a large enough sum of money in the world to get me to stay in a job that I hated.

Life is too short to be miserable.

Life was meant to be lived, not merely survived.

Manual: Page 00 - Manual at home, me at coffee shop

Images:Today I looked at a photographer that deals in restaurant photography. I will once again leave today's photog nameless, as I have my issues. The issues actually had nothing to do with the quality of the images, they looked great. However, the design of the website was absolutely horrible. If you're going to have a web presence, do it right. I didn't even finish looking through his portfolio, due to the fact that I couldn't stand navigating his site. Fail.


more...

D117: Barriers

So many of us spend so much of our lives keeping people out. How often you make the proactive choice to let them in?

Locks were created out of necessity to secure one's property. Historians believe that the first locking mechanism first appeared some 4,000 years ago. Someone, somewhere came to the conclusion that people had to be kept out, for any number of reasons. We've been erecting various types of barriers ever since.

I wholeheartedly agree that locks & barriers have their place in our world. However, I can't help but wonder what our society would be like if we eliminated some of those barriers. Frequently, when I am walking around taking pictures I get funny looks from people. Most of them dismiss me and travel on their merry way, but every now and then someone will stop and engage me. These are the people that I love talking to. The act of walking up and starting a conversation means that they have one less barrier to overcome. For me, there are few things more refreshing than having a lengthy conversation with a complete stranger.

I think this is why I'm such a fan of anthropology. People absolutely fascinate me, on almost every level. I could sit for hours and just listen to people tell me about their lives. Every now & then I'll get a chance to just sit and listen to a senior citizen tell me about their life. Let me tell you, those moments are some of the most rewarding things I have ever experienced. Our elders have a ridiculous amount of knowledge, if we're only willing to listen.

My challenge to you is to drop some of those barriers once in a while. Engage people, learn about them. Give back when you have the opportunity.

Most of all, LISTEN!

Today's image was not what I originally set out to capture. I was trying to get the composition right on a train heading under an overpass. When I was cursing the lock from allowing me to get closer, the idea just kind of popped into my head. Score 1 for new ideas!

Manual: Page 116 - Photo Information

Images:Feuza Reis
Great family lifestyle work. Its getting really close to that time of year for me, so I'm trying to soak up as much inspiration as I can.


more...

D116: Special Delivery

Mr. Hooker, I have a delivery for you. Please sign here.

signs & then opens package...

Prescription-strength reality, take with water.


Life can be looked at much the same as a mathematical equation. If things aren't adding up, you're probably overlooking a variable.

Do you give up? Hell no, you keep plugging along. You dust yourself off, pick up your camera, and keep shooting. When Thomas Edison was working on a better light bulb, he didn't just find a solution. He also found a thousand ways NOT to make a light bulb.

In much the same way that I like my "horribly bad" photos, I also like my "mistakes" in life. Everything in this life can be turned into a learning opportunity. You just have to change your way of thinking.

Did you have a photoshoot go horribly wrong? Learn from it & move on.
Have you been stricken with debt due to GAS(Gear Acquisition Syndrome)? Make your "debt" work for you.

The point is, innovation isn't born out of complaining & pessimism. When one door closes... make your OWN door! Climb out the window! Do whatever it takes to keep the forward momentum going.

Manual: Page 114 - Single Image Playback

Images:Karlin Connell
This morning I took a look at Karlin's family images. Just what I needed to brighten up the day! I have a family shoot coming up this spring with a family that is very dear to my heart, and she inspired some new ideas to really communicate the bond that this family has.


more...

D115: Getting Out Of My Comfort Zone

This mon-fri I decided to confine myself to the east side of our downtown area for my images.

The rules are simple:
1. All travel has to be done on foot
2. I can only shoot with my 50mm
3. I can only use the available light

I'm hoping this will help me overcome my "composition block" I've been experiencing. My hindsight is a perfect 20/20 when it has come to composition lately. I'll be editing in post and realize a few little tweaks I should have done. Its not just about getting-it-right in-camera, I'm also working on getting-it-right in my head.

After I was satisfied with today's image, I stopped at the coffee shop inside of our local co-op. If you read my posts, you know that I'm a huge supporter of local businesses, so stopping in was a no-brainer. I enjoyed a great cup of coffee and I'm thinking perhaps I'll do this week's posts from there?

Manual: Page 113 - More About Playback

Images:Dan Mitchell
Today I took a look at Dan's nature images. Great stuff there, reminded me that I need to start planning my summer photo weekends.


more...

D114: I Hate Sugar!

Or at least I hate the fact that I like sugar. I avoid sugar as much as humanly possible, and I generally refuse to buy anything candy related. I do well enough at avoiding it, but when I do partake I usually get sick.

Kind of a fitting punishment, don't ya think?

Well today was filled with things far more important than me taking pictures, so I decided to take a shot of "S'mores Delight". Its from a local popcorn shop here in town. They've been in business for about 7 years, and I stop in ever few months to say hi, and pick up some popcorn. Sure, I could get popcorn for way way cheaper at the grocery store, but that is not what my visits are about.

My visits are about supporting local business.

The internet has become a valuable tool in keeping many retail markets competitive. However, I feel that we are too quick to look to the internet to save a buck or two. You might have saved $2.23 on that new book you wanted, but what does it cost you in the long run? Local Mom & Pop operations are a dying breed, and that makes me a little sad. There is an intrinsic value to shopping at a store where they know your name year after year.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should NEVER buy things online. I buy things online from time to time, especially when I can't find them locally. If I can't find a substantial discount online, along with some good service, I keep my dollars here in town.

That's just me.

Manual: Page 120 - Taking A Closer Look: Playback Zoom

Images:Luis VallecilloLuis is amazing with his lighting. That is one area that I am completely lacking on the equipment side.


more...

D113: Meet Me In St. Louis

My sister's boyfriend is the drama teacher at one of our local high schools, and this weekend was his big musical production. We decided to go support him, and had a great time in the process.

I'm a huge fan of supporting local arts, its the creative in me. In fact, that's probably why I'm also drawn to other creative types. Without artists, we would have no culture in the world. Where would we be without Van Gogh, Shakespeare, Ansel Adams and countless others?

The musical was actually really good, beyond anything that I would expect from high-school students. If you don't have plans on Monday night, go see their closing show!












more...

D112: Really?!

*DISCLAIMER* If you are easily offended, you may not want to read today's post. These are strictly my opinions, and mine alone.

Tonight I sit at my desk distracted by many things, including the content of today's image. While I was driving around town I saw a home with a confederate flag hung in the front window. I quickly rolled down the window, parked, set my exposure, shot, then drove off.

Typically I would have spent more time getting the shot right, but I didn't want to chance dealing w/ the owners of the home. Being a brown man makes me annoyed when I see things like this being displayed, but I also don't want to start a conflict where I am outnumbered.

Which brings me to tonight's question. Have you ever had personal experience with racism?

I have a few friends that tote around the cliche "I don't see color" when the topic of race comes up. I think that would be a wonderful world to live in. However, that is not the world we live in. Every friend that has said that to me has been Caucasian. A white kid growing up in a small white town is going to have few problems when it comes to discrimination.

I grew up as a brown kid, born to a mixed-race couple, in a small white town. I was being subjected to discrimination & racism before I could even understand what it was. Most kids that gave me problems had no idea that I was Hawaiian, so they simply chose whatever racial slur they could think of. By no means was this an everyday occurrence, but it was something that I grew up with.

As a young child I understood that some of my friends were darker than me, but most of my friends were lighter. I didn't realize that this actually signified ANYTHING, until other neighborhood kids informed me it did. I think we need to spend more time thinking about what behaviors we are passing on to our kids.

In my adult life, one particular experience stands out. I was fishing with two good friends on a river in northern Idaho, and we decided to take a lunch break at the only cafe for miles. As my two friends(both Caucasian) walked into the cafe, they were met with smiles and passing glances. When I walked in behind them, THE WORLD STOPPED SPINNING. I kid you not, the entire place went silent. I think the grill even stopped sizzling. My friends asked me if I wanted to leave, but I assured them that this was where we were eating lunch. Other than the occasional stare, we had a great lunch and continued our fishing trip.

I don't agree with racism.
I don't agree with stereotypes.
I do realize that they still exist.
I do hope for a day that they only exist in history books.

Your thoughts?

Manual: Page 153 - Custom Setting 22: Monitor Off

Images:Carmen Stansberry
I stumbled across Carmen's site this evening, and I was really blown away by some of her work. There is an image of a little girl sitting on some steps, and it is just awesome.


more...

D111: Cursed

I partly blame Gabrielle Geiselman. The rest of the blame rests on me for not breaking the rules today.

Gabrielle has talked about the funk you sometimes get in after you produce some really great images. Well every time I look at my image from day 109, I fall even more in love with it. I can't really explain what it is. It just works for me. It works so well that I'm having it printed on canvas.

Crazy, I know.

Anyways, I'm not really having a creative block, I'm just uninspired. While traveling home from a morning meeting out of town, I pulled over at a rest stop. This particular rest stop has some massive lava bluffs, so I wanted to try and get a nice landscape shot. I initially ignored the sign that said the trails were closed during the winter and headed up the trail. Then I came to a large gate that sternly read "TRAIL CLOSED". Super easy to walk around, but this would be a little hard to explain. You can't exactly miss seeing a huge gate across the trail.

Maybe I'll head up there one morning and sneak in for a sunrise shot!

Manual: Page 198 - Troubleshooting

Images:Jeremy Cowart
I never EVER get tired of looking at Jeremy's work, he is crazy talented. I'm truly inspired by so many of his images. It doesn't hurt that he's pretty much one of the most amazing human beings, either.


more...

D110: I Promised Myself I Wouldn't

Yeah, so about that. Tonight is a filler image fo sho. I got wrapped up in some charity work I do, and the day completely got away from me.

I've had this random bag of animal hair in my closet for years. I bought it for fly-tying, the kind of thing you do when you fly-fish. I used to fly-fish a lot, but I haven't done much of it in the last 2 1/2 years. Don't get me wrong, I love to fish; however, I have a hard time doing anything outside anymore without my camera strapped to my hand. Oh well.

I'm hitting the sack early tonight, in hopes of an earrrrrrly morning at the gym!

Manual: Page 196 - Caring For Your Camera And Battery

Images:Gabrielle Geiselman
I know that I just reviewed Gabrielle a month ago, but I listed to her interview with Ron Dawson today. For some reason I totally look at another photographer's work differently when I hear the back-story behind the images. It was fitting to look at her work again due to the fact that some friends of mine are putting together a band, and they want me to do the pics.


more...

D109: Momentum

Have you ever found yourself fighting an uphill battle? I'm sure we all have at one point or another. I have fought an ongoing battle for the past 10 years with no major successes. There are times when I am just positive that I am the reincarnation of Sisyphus.

Over the past six months I have managed to create somewhat of a perfect storm to aide in this battle. The load is lighter and I even feel like there is actually a crest to this hill. Was Sisyphus cursed, or did he just lack adequate support?

Manual: Page 188 - ISO Auto

Images:I looked at the work of a photographer whom I also listened to in an interview on my ipod today. I'm withholding his name because I wasn't a fan of his interview AT ALL. He came off as a little too old school, adamantly against the digital evolution of photography. While looking through his portfolio, I also found a few images that I REALLY didn't like. Now I am the first to admit that I have a lot of "crap" that I need to purge from my image collection; however, why would you include something so plain & uninspiring in your professional portfolio?

Overall he's excellent. I'm just saying.


more...

D108: Let It Melt Away

Stress, that is. This last weekend saw the passing of my grandfather, and the birthday of my mother. Growing up in Hawai'i, one of the skills in my grandfather's wheelhouse was that of a tour guide. I'd like to think that my mom is taking a turn at the helm, showing my grandfather "the ropes".

Luckily I have amazing family & friends to get through it all. I spent a portion of the weekend with a great friend that is an endless well of understanding and humor. Sometimes vino & zombies are just what the doctor ordered.

Today I decided to get out of town for a bit, in hopes of finding some hoar frost. The weather was not conducive to my desires, so I decided to take the scenic route home through the countryside. Whenever I saw a photo op I pulled off to the side of the road. No schedule. No time frame. No to-do list.

For me, there is something therapeutic about aimlessly driving the back-roads of our great nation. Singing along to the radio, thinking about problems, unwinding the stresses that life imposes on us.

While singing along to the radio today I was inspired. Have you ever heard a song that you've heard a million times before, but its as if you're listening to it for the first time? This happened to me today. I have an idea for a series of photos that is so exciting(to me) that I'm freaking out. It could take the better part of the next year, and that's all I'm going to share about it for now.

How do you unwind?

Manual: Page 103 - FV Lock

Images:Jerry Ghionis
Jerry does great work and I love his story. Just listened to his interview with Ron Dawson today.


more...

D107: There Are No Bad Days

A wise man once said "There are no bad days, just try missing one".

I try to live by this credo.

Every day that we wake up, we have the chance to make it a good day. Something can be learned from every situation, no matter how desperate it seems at the time.

Today is my mother's birthday, she would have been 53. I am sad that she is gone, but she lives on through everything she taught me. I feel like today is the beginning to a wonderful week, and it is all thanks to her.

Happy Birthday Mom!


more...

D106: The Secret

Years ago my Hawai'ian grandfather told me the secret to a happy & successful marriage.

"Yes Dear"

He passed away this morning. He gave me this watch years ago, and I will always treasure it. I have many great memories & stories of this man, but they must wait for another day.



more...

D105: Congestion

This is officially my 2nd cold of the winter. Not a good time.

I have to wake up in early tomorrow to prepare a feast for some great friends. Sourdough pancakes, fruit salad, etc. I can't wait!

Manual: Page 120 - Taking A Closer Look: Playback Zoom

Images:Trey Ratcliff
Trey is a master of HDR photography. His work is just incredible.


more...

D104: Unexpected

Lately, I have not done very well when it comes to seizing opportunities. I'm making a concerted effort to expect the unexpected.

Sleep deprivation has prevented me from preparing any more coherent sentences at this time.


Manual: Page 119 - Using The Multi Selector

Images:Will Jacks
Cool portrait images.


more...