Monday, October 18, 2010

The Department of youth...


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I find it easy in this day and age to point out the differences in my generation and the younger generations that will someday inherit this world. I have to admit sometimes I feel a little cynical and wonder if they will be up to the challenges that they will soon have to face. However after spending a morning with my friend Misty's daughter Mina I began to worry a little less. This young lady has more answers then questions and the world is a much better place because she is in it. I bet all of you have someone like that in you world so please take the time to acknowledge and encourage them. Saturday morning Mina encouraged me by modeling for me in the woods across the lake.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Gratitude Walks...


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It has been a very industrious year for me so far with lots of commercial work and traveling. When I'm really busy picking up my camera and shooting just for fun or art becomes more difficult. However I've learned over the years that it is crucial in maintaining a balance with my creativity. Recently I slipped in the woods with my friend and dancer Jessica for a morning of light chasing...

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Minor White


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Many years back I had a professor share a Minor White quote with me and it has stuck with me all these years. " The camera is always pointed with in..." As I pour over thousands and thousands of images there is always a common thread in every picture - me... Recently I turned my camera towards my family something I do not do very often.

Monday, August 23, 2010

LIfe moves pretty fast...


If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
I heard this great quote from "Ferris Bueller's Day off" recently and it reminded me how lucky I am to do what I do for a living. Being a photographer has turned me into a curious person that not only wants to look around but also capture it for all the world to see. Never underestimate the revealing power of a fast shutter speed.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Bresson's Patience


I was talking to a friend the other day that had just visited the Bresson exhibit in Chicago.
http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/exhibitions/Cartier-Bresson/

Bresson's work taught me a lot and so many things I admired about his work still motivate my shooting today. More than anything he taught me how to wait. How to slow down and wait for a picture to unfold into a definitive moment. This any many ways is like chasing a white whale and it's the failures that keep me coming back again and again. Sometimes I get close...

Thursday, August 19, 2010

He looked up...


I remember one time shooting some interior architecture with a friend as students. I questioned her composition and asked why she had choose to place the camera where she had placed it. Her reply " it just looks right to me"... I took her around to the front of the camera and showed her that she had placed the lens at exactly her eye line. We all see the world from one view and it's important to remember that all our views are different. I learned the hard way that I could never make a living by shooting up people's noses - hurray for short models and step ladders. Maybe this is why I like to work with kids so much. Good pictures hide all over the place you just got to move the camera and look for them. I found this shot recently while walking a trail alone in a quiet Maine forest.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Just around the corner...


I was really lucky and got to live several years in Europe as a young man. The whole time I was there I constantly felt that just around every corner there was something new to discover. I'm happy to say that upon my return this year I still felt the same way. I was so lucky to have a great group of friends that shared my same enthusiasm -remember ladies and gentlemen pick your travel buddies well. So today's shot has a little bit of everything I've been discussing lately windows, art, street, and reflections.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Beat the Street...


I was really lucky and got a few days to shoot in Amsterdam at the conclusion of a commercial gig which rarely happens. Amsterdam is a great town full of art and culture and a damn fine place to just wonder around with a camera. Given the chance to visit again I will not hesitate...

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Who decides it is art?


I am fascinated at the concept of deciding something is or is not art. More importantly who makes those decisions for us. I tend to feel like art critiques are like meteorologists that try to control the weather. So when someone displays art in a public place it always makes me stop and look. I love when art is put in windows for sale or to entice someone into coming in for a closer look. Sometimes I like to think of the art in the windows as trapped and only my camera can set it free. I also like reflections. Reflections remind me that there is always another dimension to something and it takes effort to see it for what it is and what it can tell us about something. Understanding that there are many dimensions to everything is a good way to train you eye to see what you may call art.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Street Photography


Well I have been away for a while and for that I apologize. I wasn't really sure how I wanted to use the old "Theory Ranch" but the absence has brought me some clarity. I'd like to discuss why I like photography so much and how it constantly amazes and enlightens me every time I pick up the camera. So from now on I'm going to share pictures that I like and why. So for this blog lets talk about street photography. I love street photography because of one simple reason. Just like in life you are not in control of anything. This is very contrary to commercial work that I do where we try to control every aspect of the picture. So I guess in some way it's a creative outlet for me. I love nothing better than to be in a strange place with just a camera. It's as if you are hunting for a portion of time where certain elements align and then disappear. Here is a moment I found walking the streets of Amsterdam recently.