Wandering and Shooting - Again

Trying to jump start my photographic flow again and usually the best starting point is to just pick up the camera and play.  I sat in the house for a few days tinkering with menus on the  camera choices before finally heading out the door.  Fog provided the mental motivation.  I was responsible for getting my body in motion.

This group of trees at the Pennsylvania Military Museum has provided endless visual fascination.  After dozens of attempts at capturing the energy I feel I've yet to succeed. So I find myself standing among the trees over and over again.

I've realized I don't need to go far to make a photograph.  This one of Junior and Kim in her studio required little more than a camera and a faint measure of energy to raise the camera and press the shutter button.

Lily and her protector Junior.  I realized some time ago that he looks out for her.  She on the other hand, just pesters Junior to play.  An odd relationship.

Experimenting with the high ISO (25600) during a 3am walk through the neighborhood with Kim.  Not sure which is stranger -- experimenting with such an odd setting on the camera or going for a walk at 3am.

The challenge from here; keep picking up the camera.  Whatever my mind tells me, especially related to photography, is likely a lie...

Feb. 21

Starting at home. No expectations, just trying to see what's right in front of me.

Feb. 15

A walk in the park (F.D.R. State Park, Yorktown Heights, NY).

The Magnetism of Fog

 Perhaps I want reality to change.  That may explain my attraction to fog and mist; its ability to transform the world into a new place.  Mysterious.  A place where new things are possible.

I took a little drive through the valley to just look at the landscape of which I'm so familiar.  And how different it looks at this moment.  The camera helps mark those differences -- real, imagined and otherwise.

On top of the fog and mist was a light rain.  The Fuji XPro-1 has little in the way of weather protection which meant I had to make quick exposures followed by a toweling off of moisture in the car.  So far I've noticed no ill effects.

Keep Shooting, Keep Working

Another day in the world with the camera.  No plans.  No direction.  Just bringing the camera along to record what I see.  Working with no expectations other than to depress the shutter button on the camera a few times. 

State College, Pennsylvania is cold and gloomy.  The older I get, the more dramatic the effect of little sunlight and cold temperatures plays on body and mind.

Everything appears dingy to me.  At least when I look at the photographs.  In my mind that's not the case. I imagine things a bit brighter.  Hope springs eternal.

Uncertain the reasons, but alley ways hold a special attraction.  Perhaps because I'm more likely to find the unvarnished effects of human activity there.  Secrets and bad behavior.

The sun is setting farther south on the horizon.  That, along with the ever lengthening days, has begun to lessen the adverse effects of winter.  The camera helps identify those changes.  I would not have noticed the change in position of the sun.

Abigail at the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania.  I've photographed this tank dozens of times.  Each visit it feels a little different.

I'll keep working.  Not try.  I will pick up the camera and make exposures.  Time to wake up.

Forced Shooting

I always forget that waiting for inspiration is a doomed approach to photography.  While inspiration has visited me from time to time, the more reliable path has been to just pick up the camera and work.  Make photographs without worrying about whether they're any good, relevant or important.  Just work.  Good things emerge when I just engage the process.

Keeping things simple.  One camera, the Fuji X-Pro1, and two lenses in a small canvas case.  It's all I need.  Wonder why I keep thinking I need more to be productive.

Wandering around the house.  It's nice having mirrors to transform the space.

 Kim's artwork is everywhere.  Mine is hidden away upstairs.

Lily stays near in hopes I'll take her for a ride in the car followed my a walk through squirrel and rabbit country -- the Penn State University Park campus.

Junior is smiling because he went for a ride and had a walk through town.  He even paid a visit to a local cafe and bookstore.

 Stuff around the house.  Never know what you'll find artists collecting.

Late in the evening.  Reading a book.  Postponing sleep.  Still using the camera.

Feb. 8

tracks

shower

dog

lunch

self portrait