Art Durand Photography On the Road

Snow Sun and Pine

2012-02-11T09:02:00.000-08:00

This being the first time I've spent the fourth season, winter, in a place that actually experiences such a season. Snow is unfamiliar to me and I've been excited about being in it the past couple of months. Of course it's snowed only twice, this morning I woke to the third while last winter was nearly all white all the time. So when it snowed in the night with morning breaking open golden orange sun on the horizon, glistening reflections everywhere, I jumped outside with the iPhone camera and took it in.

An image from that morning caught Kimberlee's eye when I posted it on Facebook and she told me she had to have it. Great reason to create a long long overdue blogpost.

Snow Sun and Pine

The snow that morning was light and dry, I licked tongue fulls off different surfaces, it felt like cold wet air. This mornings snow is wet with freezing temps approaching. All this is new to me and very exciting. Feel like a kid. Had the thought this morning it would be great to get a couple feet of dry snow and make a snowman, another thing I've never done. I'll definitely take a pic if it happens.

Snow Morning Bloom

So many ways to interpret and share experiences and the iPhone with all it's camera and development apps gives my imagination free reign.

Onward!

For my Aunt Lea

2011-10-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

This very moment my Aunt Lea

Is walking down the path

Heading towards that next place

Held in the love of those she's touched

The youngest of three sisters and a brother

Lou, Jean and Pam

Lots of family, many gathered around now

Others on the way

I'm here, across the country

Yet all I need do is remember her

Feel her in my heart

And I'm right beside her

Our toes on the edge

Wriggling in the sand

Looking in her eyes

With everyone else

A smile and squeeze of the hand

I'll sit between worlds with her

Knowing she's not going far

When she takes that final step over

Good journey Aunt Lea

Good journey

I love you

Your nephew Art

Through, not around

2011-09-10T15:56:00.001-07:00

There are those things we go around we're aware of and those we aren't. No right or wrong, too early or too late unless you think it that way.

J.C. and Not Spot

2011-08-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

I was heading out for a morning walk and there in Kitty's water bowl were Jiminy and a pal, doing what looked like laps. Thing was they were going nowhere really quickly. Thought for a moment, it's in the act not how much is being accomplished, I watched a little longer. Began to imagine if I made them some little swim fins they could really cover some distance with those big powerful legs. The judgement of the futility got the better of me and I scooped them out. Well Jiminy it turns out was actually kicking just to stay above water, pretty badly shaken, and grabbed hold of my finger with an anti-death grip and wasn't going anywhere except where my dry finger was going so I headed down the road with J. Cricket leading the way on my finger. It's different holding one arm stationary, bent elbowed, out in front of you and swinging the other while walking but I soon got use to it.

The gravel road we were on cuts through a hay field absolutely hopping with his people, he wasn't wanting to play. Anytime I wriggled my finger his little grippers would cinch up, we were going for a walk, me and Jiminy. I sang to him happy little ditties I made up, something about 'everythings perfect and ain't nowhere to be but with your friends', I of course make up he liked it and would have added the instrumental part if not for the threat tumbling off his ride.

About 3/4 miles into our journey Jim began to relax, I continued singing soothing happy tunes. He sat up, looked around and was ready to pull the disembark cord.

I went whistling my way and he his. I did appreciate his willingness to leap, 100 times his body length without even looking.

The story continues for as I'm sure you noticed, "Not Spot" has yet to be been mentioned.

Arriving where I usually turn around, I checked in with my body and heard a rousing chorus of 'onward', so I did.

Fields were wet with last nights rain. As the sky opened up letting sunlight streak down, mists swirled their way skyward. The poetry of landscape began showing itself now, barns on last legs still sheltering from the storm as they did in their youths.

And then from watery eyes of appreciation to . . .

laughter, tickled to my souls soles, my very own road, place, um, dirt road!

Continuing on there as an old shack just off the road. Something I've been appreciating out here in the east, the unlocked doors just off the roadway. Could imagine taking refuge, waiting out a heavy cloudburst inside then wandering on my way.

Then I heard something clamoring for my attention, it was my feet letting me know it was time to turn around.

The funny thing about turning around is, in a way, nothing looks the same. I find things, scenes, new beauty I'd passed without noticing. I imagine them stifling a laugh, taking bets with each other as to which of them wouldn't be noticed, or just getting a kick out of the guy who walks right by without a clue. The great thing about it is seeing a new world on the way back home.

As I approached the 'hop off' point for Jiminy I notice a round dark little something in the road ahead, which seemed to move a bit. Shaking my head I looked again, yes, it moved. AHHHH! WOW!!!! A turtle.

Now for some this may be a regular occurrence, for this guy it was a first, my first out in the world turtle and just the day after I talked to the earth of caring more deeply for her. This was a gravel roadway she's crossing and maybe she'd make it to the other side without becoming a spot with tread marks, (unlike the infamous chicken). Looking to the direction of travel I'd say she wasn't heading anywhere too exciting, at least as far as the eye could see, and I knew of a place where there would be good food, year round swimming, places to hide, warm sun when needed, in short, turtle heaven.

She wasn't much more than two and half times bigger than J.C., a very easy traveling companion. She wasn't very happy being carried so I picked up the pace.

We arrived at the pond a few minutes later and after an initial look around and probably saying to herself, "Wow, dig this, my own pond", she headed off on her first explore.

Not once looking back, as it should be, forever being Not Spot, the turtle who made it heaven on earth.

That ends the adventure of Art, Jiminy (J.C.) Cricket, and Not Spot the turtle.

No animals were harmed during this adventure, only benefitted.

All original images captured with an iPhone 3Gs.

My feet were happy to be back.

They aren't just Things

2011-08-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

I was out walking the other day, walking and sweating profusely really. The heat and humidity combination makes it so one could track me by the trail of sweat I was leaving, but I digress. I saw a new field of hay bales, new to me that is, through an open gate. Walking into this place felt different, could have been the number of bales or the old house on the hill, I don't know for sure and yet the place felt very alive. As you could imagine I was quite excited seeing and sensing all these 'Beings'. Each one was different and as I gazed across the field I was seeing more of a herd, a herd that just moved slower than my eye would perceive.

I imagined by sitting and watching long enough they'd get use to me and go back to their business of rolling around, much like the Far Side cartoon with the cows

This cartoon has always gotten a chuckle out of me. Anyway, so I was imagining one of those bales had let the others know I was coming and they all stopped.

Wandering around with a beautiful sky and all these bales had me seeing them differently, not just as things. I began to feel their relationship to the ground under them, to the breezes sliding over and around them.
As I wandered to this one below I thought of the wild stallion watching over his herd as they grazed peacefully knowing they were being cared for.

I was joining in a journey over the mountain with this group, following the trail of those who've already gone. No rush, no hurry just a trek to see what's on the other side.

It's been a couple days and these bale beings came to mind this morning in meditation, beyond the herd playing still. They are alive. They are friends I could sit in the shade of with my back against theirs. One day they'll be little cows or goats or horses just as I will be.

Opening to this way of imagining changes everything in seeing the world for me. The 'sameness' falls away. Relationships develop between myself and them and I see more clearly, more deeply the relationships of everything to everything all around me, including me. When I touch these places the world changes right before my eyes. The life and connection of all wakes up in me again and again. Of course I fall asleep and that just makes waking up the next time all that more exciting.

I'd love to hear what you see or how you see life around you. What wakes you up to the magic of the moment.

Don't forget to look up Art

2011-07-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

I was tickled, there they were, just rolled, just off the entrance road to the place I'm staying. Massive rolls of hay. Alfredo, the neighbor, explained how it all works, he was excited as I was. Told me how when I first saw it happening he pulled over, got out of his truck and just watched. He said after the guy was done he yelled up and said, 'any questions?'. How cool is that.

Anyway, I'm driving out to town and their they were. Grabbed my iPhone and headed out to the fields. Light was changing quickly which made it even more fun.

I had an image of a giant child leaving his toys out after rolling them around in this big bowl. Was wondering how to show that. I moved lower and closer . . .

The temperature was about 105 with some stickiness added in for effect. Began to feel the top of my head getting cooked, I'd forgotten my hat in my excitement. Time to get out of the bowl so I headed up. Of course, there it was, another image I imagined would be great to see years from now and I started shooting frames. Just as above, always tough for me to choose the one to represent a set of frames and here is that 'one'.

Something was wafting across my senses about now, sniff sniff, hmmm. Ahhhh, the top of my head, of course. iPhone in the holster and heading to the A/C. Then a shadow and a sense of 'glow' began moving over the landscape. Looking up and over my left shoulder, WOW, the light, streaking, streaming casting shadows from clouds onto clouds, edges glowing. No thought of anything but 'this', this moment changing and evolving with each breath. More images, how do I convey the majesty, the brilliance, the seemingly simple convergence of light, on floating water, casting shadow and illuminating curves through the contrast.

With a maniacs grin spread across my face I kept shooting, giving my thanks, until a massive cloud drew the curtains on another awesome show of Life and Beauty.

Sometimes I forget to look up, my God, there is always so much happening. Recalling the great line in the movie version of "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" where Socrates played by Nick Nolte says to the kid, "There's never 'nothing going on' ".

Special shout out to Billy Swizzle for the multiple image story way of sharing on a blog.

Primitive Camp

2011-07-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

Arrived just before dark, mud launch for little boats, a flat place to park. Seems I'd passed the first unmarked, rocky road leading to the lake itself. This I found out later was another way to boat into Rocky Lake, it was the northern inlet. Jockeyed the truck around as level as I could, jumped out with camera in hand and began to shoot a few frames in the failing light.

Now it looked like mosquito country (like most of northern Maine is this time of year), yet I had no idea what was in store. The third shot I could see them as dark blotches in front of the lens. Waved them away, shot a few more frames and darted back to the camper.

Opened the roof vent and windows and began setting up for a quite nights rest. Unrolling my sleeping pad I heard rain beginning. As I've soaked myself once by leaving the vent open while asleep I reached up to close it and saw them. Dive bombers hurling themselves, bouncing off the screen over and over, what looked like hundreds of them, yep, mosquitoes. Both side windows and the vent were being pummeled by their little bodies. I appreciated how fierce they were until I saw some flying around my arms. Whoa! Of course, a few had followed me in I thought, just have to send them off to mosquito Valhalla. For everyone I sent more showed up to take it's place, like Agent Smith in the last Matrix movie. Uh Oh, they're getting in somewhere I realized (sounded like Homer Simpson in my head, DOH!). Stuffing wet paper towel pieces into the little spaces around the side window turn handles didn't do it, closed the window between the cab and camper, nope. Are they little Houdini's or Yogini Skeeters contorting their way through the screens I wondered. I broke out the Repel lotion and tried wiping a thin layer on the screens. They only stepped back for awhile, pulling straws they slurped, heckling me. I was in trouble.

In a moment of wonder I pulled on the door handle, yep, it was a little loose, the catch latch had moved and left the smallest gap around the jam. I could imagine my blood scent wafting through the crack like a beacon for the marauders, like the current in the Atlantic where turtles just ride it for miles (yep, Nemo, movies with kids are true learning experiences :). There was no way of opening the door to spend 5 minutes tightening it, I'd be a bloodless corpse before I was through.

Ding! Went off in my head, Exercise band! Tied one end to the door handle and the other to the closet handle and no more entrance, they were locked out and I of course was locked in. Problem was, there was a gang that made it in. They'd send out scouts looking for a safe meal. I got many, others got away. It was getting late now. A quite nights sleep was off the table. Too many places in here for them to hide.

I tried all the tricks the famous Mosquito Killer taught me. Wait without moving, one light on, just wait, they think it's safe and then I can surprise them with a slap. Also looking under things, that turned up a few but I missed half with my big paws. Weighing out the options, how much blood loss to how much sleep loss, I decided to call it a night. Tuck pants into socks, check, roll down sleeves, check, turn up collar, check, put on hiking hat, check, smear Repel onto exposed parts, hat, collar and sleeves, check, turn on ambient iPhone app "gurgling water" so I can't hear them flying, check. Far too warm and muggy to bury myself in a sleeping bag.

Gotta say, it was a fun time all in all. I did appreciate how tenacious they were for what they wanted. When I woke in the morning there were still dozens just holding onto the screens drooling, their little eyes all bugged out with desire.

I woke to a very beautiful place, more images to come from the brief morning shoot before I let them drive me off. Leaving, my blood dripping from their little snoots, I could hear them laughing, giving high-fives, or ones, over the sound of tires crunching rocks heading back to the highway.

Celebrating a Friend, Marty Weiner

2011-04-18T10:45:00.000-07:00

Marty chose to move on. I experienced many gifts, insights, love, laughter, tears and openings to ways of 'seeing' or being with the world which impacted who I am greatly.

This is my celebration of him . . .

Turning the bend to Now

2011-02-05T21:53:00.000-08:00

Fuel station somewhere in Oregon

iPhone image

Climbing out of the canyon I was still looking

looking for the place to play with

days last light

I let go, sat back in my seat

rounded the corner to possibility

Up, down

what's around the bend

and where did I come from

Now I heard, Now

Mobile no longer

2011-01-30T21:45:00.000-08:00

An old 'mobile home' abandoned in a field

north of Bend, Oregon

I passed it by

thought I'd see something like this again

then heard a voice that said,

'nothing is ever the same thing'

Driving back with a smile

I left the heater on for when I returned

from my play-date with

the moment.

Gift of a White Mountain

2011-01-24T13:52:00.000-08:00

Mt. Shasta sunset on my way to dinner

Editing a shoot I wondered about sunset

when it was

what it might look like

where would I shoot it without houses all about

I continued to work, dinner was at 5

The sky was pregnant with potential

passing a road I something said

'go up there',

turning around

it began

Giddy with awe and delight

dancing about the field, tripod my partner

light shifting world, my music

Every thing falling away

but

Now

Hayden in Flight

2010-10-08T21:13:00.000-07:00

My nephew Hayden flippin' on the trampoline

Tireless, unstoppable, energy

exploring new challenges with gusto

sharing successes and setbacks

So many ways each shows up

manifest with the potential to explore

the ten thousand things

Enjoying the effort of learning

as much as the finale

of success or failure

Then an egg taco with cheese

from mom with love

shared with stories of whats next

One who knows

2010-09-21T16:44:00.000-07:00

Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz Ca

There is always one who watches
one who knows
the beacon of truth beating
in each of us regardless

Dancing, surfing, walking, sitting
pretending, trying
Firmly in our center
there is the One

Astonished

2010-09-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

sun through the mist above the sanctuary

Life happens quickly

Something astonishing

says hello while walking out the door

still chewing your muffin.

What a beautiful world.

Speechless

2010-09-11T10:31:00.000-07:00


Sunrise through the valley fog

There are times

When the world shows her Beauty

So dramatically I'm left . . .

speechless

What She and I Created this Morning

2010-08-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

Once again I woke to 'It' happening

Then I realized as I closed my eyes

'It' all went away.

So I opened and said 'Yes!'

and

YES

and

YES

and we began to play 'tug-o-war'

with Sun and Clouds

Laughing and Shouting

dragging each other through

the Yum of Life

we created this fine morning

together.

Confuscious Say

2010-08-06T15:48:00.000-07:00

When Kitty spends time under bed, bird has become supper.

Mans Shangri-La

2010-04-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

So much possibility
Every moment a creation in itself
a participant whether one knows it
or not
We are each a living breathing sculpture
Everyone and everything Beauty
when viewed through eyes that See
Limited only by ourselves to
Love the One that is Us

End Of 2009

2010-01-01T21:33:00.000-08:00

Holy Cross Cemetery New Years Eve 2009, Santa Cruz

Saying good bye to 2009
a good year of learning
of growing
of love

Truth
Willingness
Chemistry
Context

New experiences of each
holding them all looser than before
breathing room from right and wrong
this or that
here or there.

Preferences within frameworks
the essence of what is meant
more important than
driving the nail home

If you're reading this in your email folder please read:

A note for those of you that receive this blog post directly. If you would like to continue getting this in your email send a response to this letting me know, if you don't respond I'll assume you don't and will remove your email from the mailing list. If you change your mind in the future you can follow it by signing up at the link below.

May each of you create the perfect year . . . as if anything you create wouldn't be so ;)

Meeting

2009-12-26T12:34:00.001-08:00

Seabright Beach Christmas Day

Meeting at times brings up differences
They always smooth out one way or another
There will always be another wave
To ask us what we want

Every Year

2009-12-05T10:25:00.001-08:00

Calla Lillies, Rodeo Gulch Road

I've seen them every year
making their way up and through
Seemingly endless in their abundance
as if they'd last forever

As the season turns
they fade as all else
Life reminding me yet again
Breath in the moment
and share it.

Never Crashing the Same

2009-12-03T22:25:00.001-08:00

Wave about to crash on Crow's Nest Beach

They never crash the same, wave after wave
I feel this in myself, pounding the shore
uniquely each time
gently, fiercely, easefully, clumsily,
powerfully, at times breaking apart
what once stood for generations
other times turned away by a young ones
sand wall built with a plastic shovel
Regardless I am still the Ocean
Regardless I am still the Shore
I play this game with myself
over and over
until I am
sand and water and air
again

Not Trying

2009-11-02T22:20:00.001-08:00

I was out learning about light today. Went to the Felton Covered Bridge as the sun was setting. There were a number of young people there and as I began setting up my gear they started talking about being photographed, by the time I was set up they were all leaving. I shot the inside of the bridge until this young man came along. Originally in a huge hoodie carrying a pack. I shot a couple of him and showed them, he went wild, loved it. Took off his hoodie then his shirt. Telling me stories of wrestling, of growing up here in the valley, of girls all the while talking a very tough game but still open to listening. Talked of not trying, of letting it all go.

What I appreciate about this image is he finally let it all go for the most part. Soon after this shot he told me of his best friend dying in a car crash a couple of days ago. He said, "you know when you meet someone and you can feel that their is something special abou them, that they have something to share with the world, this guy was one of them and now he's gone." He began tearing up. I smiled and laughed with him through his tears. He's got a great heart.

Leading

2009-09-30T23:33:00.001-07:00

We never know where it all leads
even when we 'think' we know

Some would say we're following old paths
I say each time a path is followed
a new route is created
a unique destination attained,
for a moment.

Look around
smell the air
take in the view
enjoy Being

Down the track again
creating the next amazing
yet to be imagined
destination.

You can walk down the Trail

2009-09-29T22:45:00.001-07:00

I'm remembering the beauty of my world,
I'm remembering I'm creating and destroying,
I'm remembering again and again it's my choice
What I leave behind for the next generations.

When I forget I leave all of 'it' to others
Make up that it's all perfect (and it is)
And I make a difference with my choices
my actions, my words.

The trail is getting brighter
I love this planet of mine
that's the story I'm making up
this very moment.

What makes a place home

2009-09-27T23:46:00.000-07:00

Knowing a tree, how it reaches out to say hello, to shelter from a storm, to afford a place to sit in comfort. Watching over the years as it seems to sit still until suddenly a limb breaks changing the the countenance completely. To walk upon a trail knowing an old friend is just around the corner with open boughs, happy or not to see you, to feel you. These things make a place a home.

Special thanks to Deborah for catching the spelling mistake, seemed like the tree may have needed a pair of depends :)

Railroad Trestle

2009-09-26T22:12:00.000-07:00

I went up Henry Cowell State Park two days ago to photograph the railroad trestle. Hadn't been there in over 13 years even though it's just up the road and a 30 minute hike from the park entrance to get to. I loaded up lots of photo equipment into a photo backpack and had a great time.

I love trestles, bridges and the like. The idea of creating something to get a train over a river out of concrete and steel piques my masculine builder mind. I also appreciate the slow but steady decay that is happening to this trestle built in 1909. The rivets, rust and spikes are all beautiful to me.

As the light faded I set up my speedlights and clamped them onto the struts and shot a self portrait. What fun!

Here's a link to see more images from that day, click here. You can also click on either image.

Spider for Boomer

2009-09-26T22:02:00.000-07:00

Just saw your spider pics and smiled. I've been photographing these Orb Spiders every once in a while and just did so a couple of nights back. This girl is wrapping up a 'mosquito eater' and then she goes back to finishing her moth appetizer.

Voracious.

Hearst Castle in Fog

2009-09-22T12:07:00.000-07:00

An amazing evening spent with best friends at the Hearst Castle after
the Best Buddies Ride. Still attempting to grok what it took in time,
resources, strategy and money to create such a place.

Santa Cruz Lighthouse

2009-09-09T23:15:00.000-07:00

I've been drawn to photograph lighthouses for years, something about the anchor they are for those plying the seas, a safe beacon home in all weather, at all times.

Always a Choice

2009-09-07T15:19:00.000-07:00

Left, right or straight thru
Seems the given choices
Aren't the only choices

What happens when one walks
Where nobody has pointed before
I'm going to find out

Heading Home

2009-08-26T19:54:00.000-07:00

The safe harbor is always where you're heart leads you, home right
around the corner from that last thought. The wind will blow you there
and I can choose where 'there' is.

Almost laughed my ass off

2009-08-14T23:38:00.000-07:00

Walking into our late night organic food store tonight I saw this on
the door and, well you can guess, I nearly laughed my . . .

Obama Paint Job

2009-07-28T17:43:00.000-07:00

Only in Santa Cruz and on a Volvo. Love it.

Hens ready to race

2009-07-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

Here at the Santa Cruz Wharf to Wharf ready to race!

On your marks get set. Walk!

Wife

2009-06-28T16:24:00.001-07:00

I never tire of photographing my wife. She always has a new energy to play with, a look, a request and she challenges me to be present with her as no other. This last is the greatest gift. To handle exposure, lights, angles, framing, if a flash is firing or not, various camera settings, and all the rest may seem like plenty but the real work (or play) of it all is the connection being made between the photographer and the subject. Corinna has a sense of connection like no other, she knows if I'm off in my head figuring out an exposure setting or with her energetically and she lets me know about it. She demands my energy be present with her, to dance with her to create something beyond simply an image . . . to create a remembrance of a dance between her and I where both are present and in life fully in the moment. Thank you Corinna.

Different Perspective

2009-05-02T17:42:00.000-07:00

To me, nothing but a cloudy sky
Kitty looks as if something special
was about to happen.
Remembering "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" movie, Nick Nolte playing
Socrates says to the kid, "there's also SOMETHING happening".
Back to potting vegetable plants.

Uke

2009-04-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

This woman was playing Somewhere Over the Rainbow, she was learning it
and I thought how wonderful it was to be here waiting to have my blood
drawn being seranaded.

Just as I took the picture an angry, gruff man walked in and said to
the woman at the counter, "is that allowed!?". She was asked to
stop. Angry Man made a couple of snide comments, I and a couple of
others expressed our appreciation.

Angry Man still sits in the corner stewing, no music fills the air and
I'm wondering about rules.

I think I'll ask her if she will play outside so I can listen.

Community Gardening

2009-04-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

Turning soil, easy conversation
Breath moving in and out
As if breathing ones own life force
Into the soil
At the same time taking in the same
From the Earth

What's wrong with this picture

2009-04-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

Shopping at our local Safeway for latex gloves I found this
contradiction at the checkout line.

Breakfast of skinny chicks and Oprah apparently.

Funny world, very funny world.

My Pal

2009-04-23T14:57:00.001-07:00

Wrestle, play, nibble, lick
Roll, chase, hold, scratch
Watching me clip vines,
Hiding behind branches
Then "poof", gone
Without a goodbye
Leaving hair, light scratches
And a smile behind
Until the next time. . .

Oh look! She's back
For more

Up Into Spring

2009-04-21T14:09:00.000-07:00

Rising up through the snow
Knowing this is temporary
This cold, this hindrance
Of my soul
Soon to be upright
Dancing and singing thanks
for this body of mine
for this spirit of mine
for these friends of mine
for the loves of my life

Swani vs. Dino

2009-04-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

Lawn deco at it's finest here in Boulder.

Waiting the Storm

2009-04-18T16:30:00.000-07:00

Last bag riding home
Spring storm clearing outside
Left the seventies in the south
Arrived to frozen breath on the jetway

A lone woman
Looks at the expanse
I have no idea
What she's thinking

That's some freedom

Missing Aligatorex Picture

2009-04-16T14:28:00.000-07:00

Sent the last post and forgot the image.

Alligatusrex

2009-04-16T13:19:00.000-07:00

Imagined a sign chiseled in stone, petroglyphs probably, at the head
of a valley which translated as,"don't be a dumb ass, T-Rex will chew
you for fun". Or something like that.

Art

Sent from my iPhone

Up Close

2009-04-08T01:08:00.000-07:00

Through what lens, what angle of view

what focus of light, to add or subtract
bringing a closer eye to Gods perfection
made more perfect by simple appreciation

Exploring what lies hidden
from a casual glance
life always beckons
with nonchalance

Bouncing from detail to patterns
revealing with a twist,
a push of the lens,
a view seen only by those
who are willing to look

Or happen to stumble
fall upon the earth
leaving eyes wide open
taking in the view from an apparent fall

Such beauty in a simple curve
flashing light into shadows
revealing a world of perfect forms
of life affirming grace

What a sensuous world we live in
Colors, angles, curves, forms,
textures, layers, invitations
gyrations and motivations

All in service of life
expanding itself
over and over
again

Nikon D90, LensBaby w/ teleconverter and macro extension lens.
click on an image to see it larger

I Remember

2009-04-02T00:29:00.001-07:00

I remember the excitement
the sheer exuberance
of feeling my body
slicing through the air
my legs propelling me
arms and legs pumping
as if I was nearly flying

Closing my eyes this moment
I remember the wind in my face
lungs gobbling air
my feet touching for a moment
on the way to the next step

As I watched these young athletes
I felt the joy of being alive
the simple pleasure of running
running as fast as legs can move

Most are still finding their legs
pathways being drawn from
thought to action,
imagination to realization

I'm still smiling as I look at these images,
seeing my young self anew
remembering again and again
it's all just a thought away

click on an image to see it larger
If you get this post in your email,
click on the link below to see the images larger

Two lighthouses

2009-03-21T02:32:00.000-07:00

What guides a person home
a horn bellowing through the fog
Flashing streaks of hope
glowing dimly in the mist
or the repeating echo
of ones own voice
'I am loved, I am loved'.

Big Dipper

2009-03-18T21:03:00.001-07:00

The magic of a ride, arms in the air, anticipation, slowly clickity clacking up the tracks, plunging down and around.

One more time before the lights go out, just one more time, please.

Full Moon Again

2009-03-12T02:13:00.000-07:00

I knew the moon would be coming up 'over there' across the bay and was pleasantly surprised as it rose near the historic Cement Ship in Aptos.

I love how the world impacts people. All around me as the moon was rising people were stopped in their tracks, sounds of awe falling from their lips, big smiles at the beauty right before them, right before me.

Capitola Full Moon

2009-03-11T17:19:00.001-07:00

Roughly 12 times a year, the moon rises as the sun sets, light bouncing off the lid of the sky, off the face of that giant rock pushing and pulling fluids in seas, lakes and craniums.

Hayden Breakin'

2009-03-10T18:21:00.001-07:00

He constantly reminds me of how many things in life are so much fun and require very little but doing them.

Hayden on Guitar

2009-02-25T23:10:00.000-08:00

This is my nephew Hayden. He is a whole lot of fun.
Here's to going all the way. Click on the image to see it larger.

George's Last Sunset

2009-01-19T23:03:00.000-08:00

Running through the Dunes
West into our setting Sun
Hearing new times ahead
In the endless Oceans Roar

Many have come before
Many will come after
I am here now
On this final sunset

This last dark night of W approaches
His final sunset dancing on the horizon
Earth turns a new tide
Good night George, good night

Twilight waves scouring old stones
Everything falls to be renewed
Beauty will always Be
Yet tomorrow seems to be brighter
To Me

click on an image to see it larger

Beyond Winters Dying

2008-12-28T13:01:00.000-08:00

Leaves fall home
Becoming root and branch again
Springs blooming wonderlust
Around the next timeless bend

Old ways of being
Gathering shoots of renewal
Comfort of what was
The sirens seductive beacon

Old structures still stand
Sculptures to what was
Feeding with their passing
The magic blossoming
This moment

Mary in the Woods

2008-12-21T11:52:00.000-08:00

Walking new territory
New Trails
New rain gathering
In the limbs above

Mary stands
Having given her heart
In a grove of Oaks
Over and over again

Evening of Light

2008-12-21T00:48:00.001-08:00

Light, Life, a sense of being here, of being part of the wholeness and at the same time pushing and pulling light to convey a sense of what I am feeling, seeing, sensing all around me at the time.

These images were all captured earlier this evening on or close to the jetty here in Santa Cruz. I love watching the world tease me into remembering that everything is all ways changing.

Click on an image to see it larger.

Happy Solstice

Giving Thanks

2008-11-27T10:31:00.001-08:00

Click on an image to see it larger

The Sun rose again this morning
I give thanks

Patterns
Colors
Shapes
Lines
Dark
Hidden then
Revealed

Humbled by the immensity
Feeling the ritual of
Rising
and
Falling

All this Beauty
in a single morning
and I remembered

This never stops
God continues to paint the skies
She dances ecstatically
Witnessed or not

Creation unfolds relentlessly
Tickling me to
Look
Feel
Smell
Connect
To know myself anew
Whole

I give thanks this day
for

Life
Sun
Water
Earth
Air

I give thanks this day
with tears of gratitude
smiles of joy
For his remarkable thing called
Life

Namasté

Art

This mornings glory

2008-11-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

Someone knocked

I began to say
'Not now'

"YES NOW,
there is a gift awaiting you"

'OK'

Opening my eyes
My heart sang
Bathed in this very mornings
Celebration of life
Unwrapping Herself just for
Me

What light do I walk in

2008-11-24T16:55:00.000-08:00

Soon he sets
To shine 'over there'
Leaving bulbs in the sky
To light my way

I wonder how much
More I would See
During days illuminance
Looking with eyes of the Sun

Who's light is it anyway

2008-11-20T11:08:00.000-08:00

Walking through the mall this image caught my eye. We're bombared with
imagery everywhere we go and this one struck me as strange. I
continued walking and then realized,"they're lighting the picture!". A
photographer set up the light to create this image and the store then
lights it again. I had a feeling of offense at first and then thought
this is what we're doing all the time. Focusing our attention on that
we are drawn to or want others to see.

Waiting for the camera to come up on my iPhone a young man comes
racing up telling me he can't let me take a picture. Well, I did and I
appreciate the scale he brought as well as the energy.

Last Leaves

2008-11-16T11:50:00.000-08:00

Last leaves of fall
Remnants of a years rich harvest
Gratitude for these lingering reminders
Of how quickly timelessness
Moves on

Feeling my own branches
Loosening their hold
Readying to dream myself anew
Ahh, I feel springs new growth
Just a few moons away

All held in this perfect moment
No reason to rush
And nothing to wait for
Now is always the perfect time
To jump

Feline Yogini Meditation

2008-11-15T20:36:00.000-08:00

Sit
Breath
Twist
Relax
Talk to God

Simple

Spreading Seed

2008-11-11T22:34:00.001-08:00

Seeds spreading, winds blowing, grass waving, little parachutes of life taking wing to land someplace new. Settling into the winters soil, dreaming of bright yellow smiles waving to passers by. Do they say goodbye, see you soon, I've never left or I'm going home as they let go of their spiral of connection.

Giggles just imagining the dandelion flight deck.

The Sun Rose, HDRi

2008-11-11T09:58:00.001-08:00

Having just downloaded the sunrise images, actually before sunrise, and put my camera away I looked out and saw light streaming through the trees.

I love the light streaking through the trees, the trees casting shadows into the valley and everything echoing the perfection of a new day.

Sunrise on the Mountain, HDRi Panorama

2008-11-11T09:46:00.000-08:00

Waking before sunrise this morning I could see the potential for a beautiful sunrise. Grabbing my camera and tripod, and bundling up a bit, I walked out my door and onto the roof of the workshop with a view from the valley to the summit.

I love Seeing our World unfolding and with these photographic tools I feel as if I can open even deeper into the folds of my World.

Sunset Panorama

2008-11-10T23:45:00.000-08:00

The sun set and I pulled out my iPhone to grab a few shots to stitch
together in Panolab, an iPhone app. You can we the lines and it's
amazing want can be done on an iPhone.

Moonset on the Ridge

2008-11-05T23:55:00.000-08:00

Layers of light illuminating layers of life.
Moon setting behind trees and ridge.

From the Chrysalis

2008-10-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

An outstretched invitation
Unattached to the outcome
Made space for a gift
Not often received

Lain Bare

2008-10-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

This is how we are lain bare, through sun and wind and rain and time.
Eventually each of us will show our heart and bones to the world. It's
our choice to when and where, until it isn't.

Signposts

2008-10-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

"Treading troden trails for a long long time", is a line from a Dave
Mathews song I was listening to as I passed this signpost.

Ultimately it's always up to the self as to which direction your trail
is and as those old Indian dudes bathing themselves in the Ganges say
(in a myraid of ways) all trails ultimately lead to the One. Or, you
can always get there from here and no here can ever be the wrong place
to begin.

Then of course the next old man says, "and if you think you are just
beginning you have forgotten you started before you could remember but
you must realize you can never truly forget for in the song of a
babies cry, the footsteps of a stranger, the breaking of an ocean wave
you will hear the beginning of all things which gave birth to you and
bore you simultaneously". Then he urinates in the water and walks off
with smile.

The Stupid Truth

2008-10-16T00:53:00.001-07:00

This on the cash register of a local coffee shop. Something like this
should have been on the ballot in 2000 with W's face and the words,
"Vote for me, I'll do stupid things faster than bunnys hump". Bless
his silly soul.

Harbors of Safety

2008-10-14T13:24:00.000-07:00

Flashing lights, sounding horns with jacks of concrete piled just high
enough to hold back the known.

Laying outside the harbor can be seen as a reckless move and it can
also be wreckless if open to the unknown places of your soul in a
sacred trust that the whole of Creation is for you.

Timing is everything and now is often a beautiful place to Be.

Officially Fall

2008-10-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

Leaves and snowflakes, each one unique and I enjoy appreciating the
uniqueness of leaves with my naked eyes.

Halloween in Santa Cruz

2008-09-28T11:33:00.000-07:00

Out walking with thoughts on Halloween. How much more friendly to meet
children at my door dressed to brighten faces as opposed to trying to
make them pee their pants in fear. Imagining my friend Diana may have
something different to say, with a smile.

Dolphins

2008-09-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

Everyone stops to look and appreciate them, marvel at them and
everyone has a smile on their face after seeing them. Yes, I shot this
with my iPhone through my binocular lens.

Seabright, Peace & Dolphins

2008-09-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

I came to walk on the oceans edge. Upon arrival I was greeted by a
huge peace sign and a pod of dolphins swimming just past the break in
the direction of the wharf.

Going to walk on the edge with them now. Ahhhhh Santa Cruz.

Moving

2008-09-25T13:34:00.000-07:00

I'm on a walk in Fall Creek State Park sweating, feeling my joints
lubricating themselves and appreciating how the human body actually
runs better with exercise/use. Most everything else wears out when used.

Then I saw, in my minds eye, the words my wife Corinna wrote one
day,"Nothing gets me moving like moving". A simple and profound
statement with lots of humor.

How my body loves to move!

The Shrinking Cart

2008-09-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

Filling a large cart at an organic food store would cost a couple of
tanks of gas. These mini-carts give the satisfaction of a fillup for
half the price.

Ojai, Primavera Gallery HDRi

2008-09-10T23:11:00.000-07:00

Primavera Gallery is a spectacular gallery in Ojai, California. Wonderful people, outstanding pieces and tremendous ease makes for a wonderful experience just being there. As a matter of fact one of the artisans there created my wife's wedding ring and it is beautiful.

I was parked on the other side of the street from the gallery shooting as the night moved in. I walked across the street to see what I could see with all the light and wonderful pieces in the window as well as the beautiful shapes of the arcade. This one is pretty extreme and something about it fits the moment. Strong colors, radical contrasts all seem to blend to the moment.

9 exposures taken, 7 brought into Photomatrix Pro, tone-mapped, then into photoshop for some final tweaking.

If you are ever in Ojai you must take a look inside this gallery.

Tree Fern Unfolding

2008-09-08T19:07:00.000-07:00

As I began to compose this shot I noticed the background was falling off too quickly. Taking the right flash off the bracket I hand held it up and back of the foreground thereby illuminating the fern blades in the background. The first couple of times I wasn't in alignment with the lens polarizing filter and the blades were hot (reflective glare from the flash, almost white), tilting it back and forth then checking the LCD I was able to keep the glare off.

I've always loved tree ferns, well, ferns in general. Their gentleness and the way the uncurl themselves into life have always warmed my heart. Then there's the story of the dark haired girl and the five fingered fern in 5th grade, I'll save that one for later.

Cross Polarized Macro Set-Up

2008-09-08T18:59:00.000-07:00

Here's my set-up for the cross polarized images. You may not be able to see the geared macro slide the camera and flash bracket are mounted on. It enables me to move the camera forward and back as well as side to side for fine tuning the image. Notice the polarized filters over the lens, flashes and the on camera flash. Also using a three handled Bogen tripod head. I find it to be much safer than using a ball head.

The next post will have an image from this very tree fern from my backyard.

Above Shelf Road in Ojai, HDRi

2008-09-07T01:19:00.001-07:00

Before I learned of Photomatix Pro I was gathering bracketed exposures to layer into a final image. I could see in my minds eye what the possibilities were and getting to that image was often quite the dog and pony show, doing it the "hard way" with layers, adjustment layers, masks and various other tips and tricks in Photoshop. What would take me hours now takes much less using the new tools and techniques I've been learning. I feel so happy see these images blossom upon my screen into what I saw and imagined out in the field.

Hibiscus Cross Polarized

2008-09-07T00:36:00.000-07:00

Remembering years ago a technique for macro photography called cross polarization I went to the garage and made some custom polarizer gels for my SB-800 flashes. By the time I was done it was dark but that didn't matter, I was bringing my own light.

The advantage of cross polarizing (which is having polarizing gels in front of the strobes and a polarizing filter on the camera lens. You then get in front of a large mirror so you can see the strobes through the viewfinder, then turning the polarizing filter on the lens until the gels and the filter look black) is you eliminate reflected light from the strobes. Instead of getting washed out highlights I get deeply saturated colors. I'll post an image from my iPhone when I set the system up again.

Capitola Wharf HDRi to LDR

2008-09-05T21:43:00.001-07:00

Capitola Wharf in the late afternooon, foreground in the shade, wharf in direct sun, 6 images combined in Photomatix Pro. I layered in the foreground water from the best image.

iPhone Art

2008-09-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

Cresting a small hill I looked up and was struck by how divergent the color temperatures were of the trees in the foreground to the ones in the background. The background being lit from the open sky and the foreground being illuminated from light reflecting off the foilage in front of it with some direct backlighting sprinkled in for some subtle added contrast.

The first image I shot with my iPhone was sharp as could be expected but didn't convey what I was seeing. Be tilting my phone slowly as I pressed the shutter button I could leave out the distracting details while leaving in full view the essence of what caught my eye.

Fall Creek Stones

2008-09-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

I've been coming here for 30 Yrs and have captured images for 20 of
those. This scene has evolved little by little with the stone on the
left having been split and broken from who knows what. The 5 fingered
ferns look healthier and larger than ever.

Coming here is a striking reminder of timelessness and my mortality
all rolled up into this flowing moment.

Sailing with Capt. Matt

2008-08-31T21:15:00.001-07:00

Friendship afloat on the Monterey Bay.

North of Pescadero

2008-08-29T19:45:00.000-07:00

Thick fog at the end of day. More experimenting with what can be scene
beyond the obvious. I love the coast sounds, smells and the many way she opens and closes herself to be seen.

Makings of an HDRi

2008-08-29T17:38:00.000-07:00

I'm up on Swanton Rd. Awaiting the sun to drop a bit more. Fog is just
on the other side of the mountain with beautiful rays of light
streaming through the trees. I'll post my results later.
Image taken with my iPhone.

Here's an image from this shoot.

HDRi Image, Macy in Capitila

2008-08-27T01:07:00.000-07:00

I shot 9 images 1 stop apart in auto bracket with a Nikon D200. Selecting 5 images from the set I used Photomatix Pro to create an HDR image then Tone-Mapped it with the same application. Macy had moved just a bit so I brought in an image of her face from the set and masked it in. Also used Photoshop CS3 to ramp up the tone and saturation, used the healing brush to remove some lens flare.

What I'm coming to love about HDR imagery is being able to get so much more visual information into the image. I feel myself looking at scenes differently, imagining what can be conveyed and shown to share a feeling or thought.

Macy Bleu

2008-08-19T00:50:00.000-07:00

The first time I photographed Macy Bleu was 2 years ago, she is my friends daughter. I had the thought to photograph her every year until I can no longer see which means when I'm 80 she'll be 48 and we'll have created an amazing set of images together.

We started in the studio and then went out to Capitola to explore. Here is an image from the shoot processed through an HDRi workflow. More on all of this in another post.

Light Stream

2008-08-10T07:52:00.000-07:00

The dry grass, pointing in every direction, God's tears of joy.

Beauty has no favorites

2008-08-05T20:27:00.000-07:00

Vivid colors blending to shades of swirling blue grey, Beauty casts
Herself upon the rows of commerce with no less grace or magnificence
than a mountaintop or tree lined meadow.

Buddah and Dog

2008-08-03T09:10:00.001-07:00

Very often when I walk by these two in my hallway I imagine how God
shows Herself in every manner possible, and I smile.

200 wild fires from lightening

2008-06-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

Heard on the news yesterday that the lightning from Sunday sparked over 200 wildfires in California. Sometimes I do miss being a firefighter.

Thunder and Lightning in Santa Cruz

2008-06-21T13:09:00.001-07:00

Wild weather for Santa Cruz in June. I was at my niece Delaney's Art show she does with her Grammy (my mom) as a benefit for Children's Hospice and this was going on outside. Thunder and lightning, wild clouds as if this were the midwest.

Hayden Fishing

2008-06-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

Even without a hook he's having a great time. Metaphor anyone?

Gopher v Dog

2008-06-10T16:10:00.001-07:00

Curiosity Lives