Monthly Archives: February 2012

Ready for Action

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ISO 1600 50mm f/4 1/250sec

I really enjoyed coming across this shot! There was just so much to the scene that I absolutely loved! The worn yellow paint on the steps adding to the story of time that takes place within the frame. Of course I loved the crumbled loose bricks adding the extra level of grunge and a sort of mysteriousness as we are peaking around this corner, I am almost tempted to continue moving my body to see what more there is to offer around the rest of this wall. And of course the protagonist of the story the bold eagerly awaiting fire extinguisher.

Its as if the fire extinguisher is just peering out of the window ready for its chance to be the Hero. As red as the color of Supermans cape… or underwear (but thats just weird), this guardian is keeping watch over the streets of his town, awaiting for the day he will come to rescue and bare his mighty ability, to distinguish a tall flame with a single blow.

Im not sure when his day will come, but I feel more at ease knowing he is watching over the streets of Downtown. Thank you bold hero… Thank you.. .. .. *tear*.. *bow*… *curtain*.. Nailed it

Depreciation

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ISO100 34mm f/22 1/8/sec

This is an idea thats been sitting in my head for some time now. I gained my inspiration from a talk I used to give my Reps back in my District Management days. In talking about how some things only hold value to people if presented in a certain package, and how most products can only depreciate in value over extended amounts of time. To prove my point I would hold up a bottle of top name water and ask “who would pay 3 dollars for this bottle of water”, and at least half the hands would go up. I would then hold up a styrofoam cup full of water and ask again “who would pay 3 dollars for this cup of water”, and not only did no hands go up, but the room would start to fill with subtle chuckles as the reps started to think their manager was going crazy. I would then take another styrofoam cup and ask “How many of you realized all I did was this…” as I poured the water from the bottle into the cup. It was at this point that they realized they were paying for the bottle rather than the water.  Continue reading →

Photographic Inspiration: Michael Levin

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When it comes to fine art, my taste resides in “the simpler the better”, with a few exceptions. Michael Levin’s portfolio is the definition of simplistic expression when it comes to black and white fine art! His ability to narrow in and capture a scenes most simple elements is a true inspiration.

His images are so well balanced you cant help but to enjoy the process of being drawn in. The composition is executed in such a brilliant way, that even with a photographic eye I immediately focus on the scene itself rather than scanning for the  building block of the image, which I think as photographic creatives we do to often. With a wide variety of subjects across his portfolio, its truly a joy strolling through each photo. Continue reading →

Welcome to the Family

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ISO100 50mm f/11 1/15sec

Like I’ve mentioned in recent posts I have been more and more intrigued by the film medium (Although I shoot mainly digital, which most likely will not change), and have been shooting with my Minolta SRT 202 off and on. Yesterday even, I announcement on facebook my new minolta 55mm 1.7 lens I picked up for cheap. Well, last week I won an online auction for an iconic Canon AE-1 with a 50mm 1.8 lens included. I was excited to see it arrive in the mail today and immediately loaded er’ up with film and set out to shoot downtown with my new… old… camera. I had both my DSLR and new AE-1 by my side, but with my excitement for my new toy, I was shooting more with the AE-1 throughout the day. In doing so my “good pictures” were captured onto the film rather than my card, which caused a bit of a problem when I found out the local 1-hour photo was out of service for the next few days with the others in town already closed for the day, which makes getting my daily photo out a wee bit difficult to say the least. Continue reading →

Beauty in Destruction

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ISO 1600 50mm f/5 1/640 sec

Im sitting at my desk consumed by the work at hand, when suddenly I jump as the high pitched alarm starts buzzing from my phone… “Its time” I think to my self as a warm smile starts to devour my face. I start to make my rounds in gathering all the bits I will need to venture into my days exploration. I double check batteries, cards, and the choice of lenses for the day, and Im off… only to hit the front door before I turn back realizing I’ve left my phone. I make the trip downtown with eyes wide open scanning every which way to make sure I don’t miss any opportunities. I force myself to take a different path then usual to add new surroundings to todays adventure. Coming into the heart of downtown I find a meter and do my best to parallel park between the outrageously close vehicles both in front and behind. As I exit the car I immediately arm myself with my bag to my left and camera to my right. I double check to make sure my settings are proper as to not miss “The” shot, and take the beginning steps of the days city travels. Continue reading →

Silly Walk

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ISO 100 50mm f/5.6 1/1250sec

One of the things I love about downtown is the various graffiti its acquired over the years. Although I dont think I would ever “tag” anything myself, I love the idea of leaving your mark on the world. Its like claiming a piece of the town as your own, however unethical it may be. I have a few books in my library specifically on the subject of Graffiti around the world and have always been fascinated by the talent in some of these brilliant artists. Now obviously this is no Bansky masterpiece by any means, but I still enjoy it, especially with it being a Monte Python piece! I cant help but to think of the outrageously humorous Silly Walk in the various Python skits (Here), and wonder how many have been inspired by this tag to silly walk across the street. Its a brief reminder to not take life to seriously. I will be forever intrigued and inspired by those who are bold enough to leave their marks on society.

Are you leaving your mark?

Night Shift

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ISO 200 24mm f/6.3 4sec

Despite the misty weather, and running the risk of exposing the camera to some serious moisture I made the trip downtown to shoot it in a different light, or lack there of, than I normally shoot. The city wasn’t as alive as I had hoped for on a wednesday evening. Never the less I made a quick trip around the outskirts to observe the scenery in its misty haze. I decided I would shoot for some HDR shots to really bring everything to life, and with the repeatedly long shutters per bracket it only allotted for couple of scenes to be captured, most of which were ruined by the massive amounts of water that would accumulate on the lens. Lucky enough this was one of the shots that actually turned out. Continue reading →

Guest Post: Betsy Crouch

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Have you ever thought of your “unique set of gifts, talents, and perspective,” as “creativity?”

You are creativity.  You are a magical and unique expression.

Creative expression is “life blood,” and fuels all areas of our lives.  However, our deep cultural belief in practicality squeezes creative expression out of our lives.

Creating space in your life to express your unique set of gifts, talents, and perspective, could be the most practical choice you ever make.

Creatively expressing myself has lead to a deep sense of well-being which has positively effected every aspect of my life.

Growing up I loved music, drawing, dancing and singing.  As a child I never pursued any of these things much beyond required classes and some years of private cello lessons.  I also loved sports, and I spent many hours playing and practicing, plus I was “good at sports.”  When I went to college, I really wanted to take art classes and I never registered for a class because it wasn’t “practical.”  I took an adult education drawing class two years out of college and since then I have taken classes on or created space for:  stand up comedy, improv, improvisational singing, drawing, portraits/self-portraits, photography, and writing.

Scuffing on the Wall

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ISO 1600 50mm f/11 1/125sec

With yesterday being Valentines day I had set out on a mission to create a Valentines inspired image different from anything I had seen. I fabricated a brilliant idea and went to town to create it! I went out and spent $35+ on supplies and hurried home to set it all up. I spent 20 plus minutes in working on the super simple setup and shot for an hour and a half running back and forth to the computer to verify results. I would get about 10-15 min into editing an image before realizing that I needed to shoot at a different angle. So I would hurry back over to the setup and shoot again. I put a great deal of effort into these shots, and then came to the realization that it just wasn’t happening the way I wanted haha. I don’t share this to get pity, I just feel at times we should share the humor of our failures. Keeps us humble :)  I haven’t done away with the idea just yet, I just think its going to work better in a different setting and have plans to create it soon ;) Continue reading →

Tomorrows Guest Blogger!

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First of all Happy Valentines Day to you all!! I hope your spending some wonderfully meaningful time with your loved ones!!

Now onto business because I am very excited to share tomorrows Guest Blogger with you!

Betsy Crouch is a perfect example of  balance between professional work life and personal creative expression, and often find ways to blend to two together creating extraordinary results! Betsy is the CEO and Founder of Sizzle Consulting where she is passionate at helping people find what makes them come to life. I have had the amazing privilege of having coaching calls with Betsy over the last couple months, and I must say I look forward to the call each week. They not only push me personally and professionally but also creatively, and finding a intertwined balance between each area in order to perform at my best. I find that Betsy and I share some common beliefs on the power of bringing personal creativity into your life, which happens to be the subject of her post tomorrow.

Betsy has enjoyed a life of much success with various different career achievements, including top producing management positions and a Vice Presidency with an extraordinary Financial Consulting firm, and now with founding Sizzle Consulting. Betsy is an entrepreneur, coach, artist, speaker, writer, improv actor, and a storyteller.  She has conducted over 4,000 coaching sessions helping individuals and organizations to thrive. To say she is qualified to share thoughts on the power of creative thinking would be an understatement!

Be on the lookout for the post tomorrow, and come ready to be inspired as Betsy shares thoughts on the meaning of creativity and how to openly express it in order to thrive.

You can check out more on Betsy at her various sites.

www.CoachSizzle.com

www.lovefetti.com

Historic Bridge

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ISO100 30mm f/11 1/50sec

I had a very limited amount of time to shoot today, but had the shot I wanted in mind when heading downtown. I haven’t been to this old historic bridge since middle of last summer and have never had the pleasure of shooting it. I love this part of downtown because the roads have stayed true to their brick paved origins. Although its repaved with new bricks you still feel the history beneath your feet as you take your strides across the street. Continue reading →