Words

I love words

Little pictures that translate meaning from me to you. 

In English we all know what sound the "B" makes.

But the photographs speak a new language. 

Shape, light, color, mood.  Rich, cool, hot, spicy

Sophisticated superficially

How best to interpret the thoughts of the maker?

 The practice and art of photography is a constant exercise in learning, changing, seeing light in new ways.  Each day presents opportunity, even if we do not take advantage of it.  Some complain it is too bright.  Others complain that there is not enough light.  Wrong color, something is always wrong.  However, there are a few brave souls who take chances with the available light or make use of substitute lighting and create magic.  That is my goal - use the light, the scene, the people, objects and create a moment of magic.

Sometimes you have to just keep on learning.  You don't know what you don't know until you know it.  You can't know about all the different colors and moods of light if you have not seen it.  I can talk to you about it all day long, but until you have really looked at light and how it shapes and is reflected at sunset, you don't know it.  If you have not seen the brilliant light reflected from snow pack, I can tell you about it but it will likely not begin to approach the magnificence of the light you eventually experience.

7000 Words

Ennui

The social and political climate these days here in the USA are maddening. I wake up to people ranting about little things. I hear recounting the sins and mistakes of others as proof of their own righteousness. I find myself wanting to avoid conversations with others. I do not mind the thoughtful expression of another's opinion. I do not mind the willingness to share a perspective. What I find displeasing is the wanton disregard for another person, his or her beliefs and the constant bashing of all that is done. Somewhere in our national adolescence we have amassed the capacity to think only of ourselves and our little clan. Our politics and thus our expectations have become simply juvenile and asinine. It isn't just politics - it is religion and tolerance for the other. It seems that we are no longer interested in being the epitome of our saying, E pluribus unum. We are now making drones from the one (who) and hoping that we can all get into our Stepford step. We are the Borg Nation and it appears that resistance is really futile. As we become the canon fodder for the uber non-nationals, we will continue to lose what tiny part of our identity we have left. Even if resistance is futile, I encourage you all to go down swinging. Maybe someone will notice that the Americans speak for themselves with loud and clear voices.

It has really been a difficult year.

1. Wife recovered from double mastectomy
2. Daughter went to CD treatment
3. Wife and I separated.
4. Daughter started using almost immediately after leaving treatment.
5. Mother died just before Mothers' Day
6. Daughter moved out of the house and lived on the streets.
7. Work kept getting intense - but in a really not good way.
8. Goddaughter moved out of the house.
9. Daughter dropped out of HS.
10. Goddaughter broke up with boyfriend.
11. Goddaughter moved back to her bio-mom's home.
12. Co-workers abandoning ship - gets worse yet.
13. Wife declares she is happier without me in her life, but is not ready to get a divorce at this point.
14. Miss the dog.

There were some great things that happened in the midst of all this.  

Learned to be by myself again.

Spent some time walking and getting comfortable in the city again.

Rescue/Adopt another dog.

Started telling people what I can/can't do. 

Spent more time reading and becoming a better photographer.

Started thinking about my own future - retirement living, etc.

Began letting go of those people/things who can't/won't support me. 

Beauty Shot

JDo
Originally uploaded by lucienphoto

Sometimes you get a chance to photograph a truly beautiful woman. This was just such an opportunity. Jamies is talented. Her face is expressive and she has great rapport with the photographer. If you are in the Twin Cities to Red Wing area, take advantage of the opportunity to work with her. You will be surprised, but pleased.

Shot in Minneapolis, the day before Mothers'
Day. The background is a corrugated steel wall, with ample rust. I used an AB400 with 40" white reflective umbrella. She posed under a diffuser as this was shot mid-day.

deck chairs

deck chairs
Originally uploaded by lucienphoto