Thinking

Thinking of a subject to approach here after a long hiatus. I’ve been threatening to write here for quite awhile. Things got in the way, I felt the self imposed pressure, self doubt, etc. You know the drill. I pushed aside the momentum I was gaining only to replace it with doubt. But I’ll keep a snail’s pace and write here whatever and whenever the mood strikes.

Exploring

My goal this spring and summer is to get out there and take lots of photos. Going near and far to capture anything that seems interesting to my eye. On one long trip I got to my destination and discovered I’d packed the wrong lens. On another I neglected to thoroughly clean a lens. And I’m still struggling with focus issues. But I am slowing making progress approaching strangers. It gets a little easier each time asking people to pose. I managed to get some decent photos from my missteps so I continue to trudge on. If I can manage to get enthusiastic about writing here I could maybe keep moving ahead.

Spring

I’ve been able to log a few more hours of photo walking over the last few days. I visited a small series of locations, Brush Park, Eastern Market, downtown. And was met with a variety of conditions. There were early morning, afternoon, some night shots, and some rainy. Along with some challenging scenarios that showed me areas where much improvement is needed. But I’m looking forward to catching some early growth and more city lights. One of the challenges I’m facing is approaching people for portraits. So far, most encounters have been positive.

In the Neighborhood

Nothing to blog about but now that the weather has eased up and restrictions are being lifted I’m back out in the field searching for images. I took a short walk around the neighborhood and found some images. As an exercise I am capturing everything with an 85mm.

July

Tax time will be here soon and still I haven’t filed. I’ve always dreaded tax season and have always delayed filing. For all I care they can extend the deadline indefinitely. But taxes aside, today’s current events are proving to be quite problematic. Overwhelming in the sense that there seems to be no let up in intensity.

I approach this summer with a little less enthusiasm but more encouragement from friends and family. As the journey continues confidence grows and I get comfortable. But not too comfortable. I’m all about growing. Moving forward.

These past months have been about finding ideas and execution. Taking lots of photos but only serving up a handful that are useful. I’m still finding the process somewhat intimidating. After all, I’m looking to be judged in a positive way.

These images of Lake St. Claire were taken near Port Sanilac.

Invisible

It’s been awhile. February was my last blog. Of course the world has turned upside down in unexpected ways. Being solitary is nothing new but this forced isolation has taken on a new meaning. I had plans to do some travels. Take a lot of photos. Be creative in growth. I’ve added content in the meantime but sometimes feel my growth is stifled. Not that the effort is lost on me but rather the uncertainty of the times is unsettling.

Don’t want to sound all maudlin but my journey must continue. I just have to maybe rethink it. Although there wasn’t ever a plan I do have a course to follow. A desire for accomplishment on a creative level. Learn as much as I can and apply the teachings. For the most part I’ve completed my photography classes and continue to gather knowledge. Accepting guidance where I can find it. But that really isn’t what is driving this particular entry on the blog.

Been feeling disconnected lately for whatever reason and it has left me unwilling to keep up the blog or even be optimistic. And I never want to use these pages as therapy. But, yeah but. I’ll go quietly about the business of taking pictures and see where it leads me.

Momentum

My brief winter hiatus is currently behind me. And these brief short blog entries are proving to be more of a therapy session than inspirational. But I’m confident I can keep momentum while accepting occasional lapses along the way. Sometimes I cannot see myself as creative. Possibly more impulsive than instinctive and maybe too contemplative. The good news is I find peace in the action. I have a plan for moving forward that will keep me in action for quite some time. And I’ll be combining my other motivator: bike riding with travels to state parks around the state. Travelling the trails should provide unlimited opportunities.

I saw this starburst at the Salvation Army store and immediately set it up and took images without removing the price tag. It ignited something. For some reason I see lots of images coming out of this. I even posted a pic on social media before realizing the price tag was still on it.

This has been a busy week with trips to Belle Isle, Chandler Park, Palmer Park, downtown Detroit, the DIA. Each location full of images to be had. Luckily the weather hasn’t been too adverse but getting out in winter is still a challenge for me. Coming up I’ll be hitting Rouge Park, Cranbrook, and Metro Park.

Moving On

Two classes for this semester. One is establishing a body of work for creating a possible marketing technique/portfolio. I get to choose the project I want to concentrate my efforts on. Every assignment I turn in for the semester should have the central theme featured. My themes will feature nature and landscapes. This should help to find a footing and pave a way to my own personal style. I’m not totally sold on working just with landscape and nature. i would prefer to do city spaces, architecture, or a combination of any number of themes. But I understand for growth the importance of a singularity. I can become much more effective learning how to focus.

The other class is creating in the studio. Learning about lighting and working with subject matter. This will be more of a challenge because I’ll need to work with live willing subjects. Not that I’m not a people person or anti-social but I’m a bit reserved. There is a skill to directing people whether they’re subjects or aids. So while I develop that technique I’ll keep the open mind and learning shoes on.

This image was taken at F5.6, 1/160, ISO400, no flash. The light source is an array light scheme normally used for an aquarium.

The other image taken at Chandler Park was shot at F11, 1/40, ISO200.

Rinse and repeat...

---

I haven’t yet started to stage any of the images I’ve captured. A car will dash through a scene. Someone’s face gets blocked. Limbs get cut off. A scene looks lopsided. My ‘eye’ sees something and I just start shooting. Not much room there for planning. At least not yet.

Because I’m still learning I tend to see potential and try to grab it as soon as I can. Even when I notice a small irregularity I want to capture it and figure I can do some editing later. My biggest worries remain have I the correct exposure and is my subject in focus. I haven’t yet worked in a studio setting directing subjects nor am I comfortable enough with my people skills to approach strangers for informal portraits.

I’m hoping the discipline required will come soon enough. But I’m content to allow time to work it’s magic on me. In the above image at the DIA I wanted to shout up to the two gentlemen “hold it right there, please”. I wanted the shot to be candid. I captured them as casual as I could wish but I didn’t have the time to compose it like I would have liked.

At the Michigan Science Center I was able to capture the image below. It wasn’t what I wanted either. There were a group of people I wanted to include in the shot. I asked permission to photograph them but they declined and I respected their wish. So I shot off a quickie.

I’ll be going back to both places some time later. I’m sure I’ll be able to capture something great.

one step at a time

There is no shortage of images to be found on the web. Thousands of amazing images that can leave a person overwhelmed. So many sites available for instructions, critiques, etc. if one were to choose to compare progress with achievement. I am in awe of what I find on the web. ..

… that was the start of the thought thread but I no longer remember where I wanted to go with it. I think I was trying to determine where I fit in with this new venture. I don’t know where this adventure will lead me. But when I look at the images on the various web sites I find myself wanting to be a part of it all. It is exciting to take a photo, analyse it, edit and then post it. I get to tell a story, my story and share it. As the story gets told I can look back and feel some sort of accomplishment. This seems to become important growing older. The photos help when having trouble finding the words.

Stuff...

I’ve acquired so much stuff over the years that it makes my head spin. I’ve collected things I wouldn’t dream of parting with - my albums and my books. I hang on to things I should have parted with long ago - paper receipts, school reports, tattered pieces of clothing. Even old shoes that come apart at the soles. Some of the possessions I’ve found here I can’t even recall how they came to be here. No doubt I’ve hung onto to things in a effort to maintain a connection to a distant memory. But with trying to always live in the moment I don’t see the advantage.

I have found a use for things. At the same time I get to make use of things and practice getting use to the camera.

Keep your self respect, your manly pride
Get yourself in gear
Keep your stride
Never mind your fears
Brighter days will soon be here
-Donny Hathaway

My First Like

My memory isn’t as sharp as it was twenty years ago. I’ll remind myself what I recall may not be totally accurate. There was a time when I was given a task to learn it normally took no more than one or two explanations for me to grasp a concept. These day’s I’m not so quick on my feet. It seems I have to drag my head into comprehension even if I am enthusiastic about learning a task. With learning the ends and outs of manipulating my camera settings to get a favorable result I’m constantly taking one step forward then two back then doing a double take to make sure I’m getting it. This is causing a bit of doubt concerning my abilities. But I’m not reluctant to press on.

This is my first photo to receive a like on Flickr. Unsolicited and from a stranger out there somewhere this was viewed and appreciated. I like the image but I missed noticing an important element (there’s a car in the shot that is distracting) because I was not totally confident in my knowledge. I am encouraged to move forward though. I have additional likes on even more photos and that helps to stay focused on continuing to learn and improve.

Rushing To

When I learn things, I get to know things. When the knowledge sinks in I should take a step back to take a second look and I can realize the previous paths I’d taken did not somehow convey the desired intent. I’ve committed to one result. But taking the time to consider alternatives can enlighten then a better one has been revealed. I couldn’t correct the altered photo on the left. The clouds were beautiful this day but I managed to wash them out in editing. Everything else came together in a way that was acceptable but I wasn’t satisfied.

After taking a second look I discovered a method to get closer to my intent. I used it to manipulate a similar photo. The result is closer to intent when I take time to examine then understand possibilities.

Waiting To Start

I haven’t yet reached a point where my confidence in what I attempt to convey actually translates to what I capture. So instead of trashing the image or relying on the auto exposure I decided to manipulate it. On the left is my setting (f/8.0, 1/50 sec, ISO 200), on the right is the camera’s auto setting (f/10, 1/200 sec, ISO 100). In the middle is my compromise.

I’m not there yet but if I delay or compare where I am to what I aspire to I’ll never get started. Something is almost always better than nothing. Or at least is is definitely different. I can live with that.

Beauty All Around

---

From early spring to early fall the Fuji Tread and I frequent Belle Isle quite often. It has always been one of my go to places here in Detroit. One of my favorite routes is heading eastbound on Warren then south on East Grand Boulevard.. Approaching East Jefferson I’m always struck with a bit of nostalgia. There was a custom for vehicles crossing Jefferson onto the bridge to sound their horns. Back then you crossed under Jefferson to meet the bridge.

But this early fall day I’m driving the Ford Taurus across but not before stopping at Gabriel Richard park. I’m on a mission to capture some amazing fall colors. Nature’s not quite ready to cooperate though. The colors are just starting to peak in this region. The geese are gathering and this lady squirrel was out gathering food.

I normally don’t take the time to bask in the park’s attractions when riding the bicycle (afraid to disrupt my momentum) but on this and earlier occasions I’ve discovered so much of what Belle isle has to offer. I’ve posted images from the conservatory and the surrounding landscape from earlier visits.

The bridge image above was taken F/7.1, 1/200 sec, ISO 200. Lady squirrel at F/8.0, 1/160 sec, and ISO 400. More images coming soon.

American Riad

I read about this project in a Deadline Detroit September 23 article by Alan Stamm. Two workers were making adjustments here. Around the corner one worker was seen on the roof of the Nazarene Baptist Church. While it doesn’t get as much press as say Midtown, this area is seeing a lot of development. The two images were shot in auto mode f/9.0 and f/10 1/200 sec ISO 100.

The riad is the first phase of development. Eventually the buildings surrounding the riad will be rehabbed and transformed into gardens and space for businesses and housing. More pics are on the urban section

from Woodbridge to Cass Corridor

I want to build a black and white gallery so I’ve been going out to close by neighborhoods to see what I can capture. On Grand River & Rosa Parks Bl. is the #WorldPeace mural (www.WorldPeaceMuralTour.com). That would be my starting point. So the route i took riding my Fuji Tread lead me through the Woodbridge neighborhood. Woodbridge has so much architectural richness I decided to start there. I set the Nikon D3500 to auto to photograph everything. I wanted to relax on this day and not struggle with as I am currently, finding the correct settings to shoot images. This was just a temporary departure because I am becoming more confident each day. I’ll post other images in the Urban and they’ll be in color. I’ll go back and revisit them searching for images to convert to b&w.

Work Today

Today is all about working. The site is active now so in these early stages I am adding content.

okay. That post above was supposed to published yesterday. I was to edit and add more content and some images but you’ve noticed that didn’t happen. Today was to be my time to catch the sunrise and capture some images. That didn’t happen either. So, what’s on track to do this morning or noon is get out there and take some pictures and work on editing and uploading.

at the Eastern Market - managed a few usable shots

Get Going

How to start… I don’t like starting out with questions. It’s always best to jump right in to begin. This adventure, this task - the journey has been underway for some time and I seem to fight every step of the way. If I can I’ll stay clear of analyzing type writings and concentrate on communicating the process. Documenting the journey.