Paw Print

I have gotten a number of messages today and yesterday: where are your snow pics... Well, first an admission of my skills and tastes -- I am not very good with the subtleties of white-on-white photography and I don't really like a lot of snow pics. I love ice pics (see my Christmas day pics on Facebook) but the idea that I can capture snow in an interesting way is harder for me. I like the contrasts and I prefer bright colors and warm (not hot) air, which supports my general disposition against wintertime.

But this afternoon, when I got home from Wilmington, it was nice to see the tracks in the snow from the last 24 hours. When I left, I decided to leave my condo unlocked in case a friend or family member lost power and needed a warm place to stay. So I could tell today whether or not anyone had been to my door when I got back. The only tracks were from a cat that must have decided that reading my newspaper would make its day complete.

D90 85mm f/1.4 1/120 ISO 400

Snowy Porch

This morning, I awoke to a snowy porch, and a snowy world. The very rare occasion of the weather folks getting a winter storm forecast right, with the better part of four inches here in Morrisville. While I saw a number of sights that were worthy of a pic (see my drive pic from Saturday on my way to Wilmington from Facebook), this one epitomized the scene: A covered porch, with snow blown in and dusting every horizontal surface in a way that makes you love its cleansing effect.

D90 85mm f/8 1/500 ISO 400

Kelley, I agree...

My friend (and former co-worker) Kelley Smith Belcher asked me to look over something she had written for her excellent blog. This entry was about her views on photography. I was honored to be asked because I find her writing to be as good as anything I read with regularity.

So please enjoy this other artist's work:

http://ckelleyread.blogspot.com/2010/01/photographic-preservation.html

Dunes

Abstract images are beginning to hold great interest for me. Yesterday, when I stopped to take photos of the icicle teeth, the Toe River was roaring to my right. It was full of water, from rains and snow, and I could not avoid taking a few shots of the water.

As I slowed the shutter speed, the blur of the water was very nice and I liked it, but not enough to really consider it the pic of the day. But I shared it and got some very interesting feedback, and I viewed it from a different perspective. So now I share it.

I see dunes, blown by wind, or water, rushing along rocks, but I feel the movement of nature and I cannot escape it.

D90 85mm f/8 1/5 ISO 400

Sunrise

A long day that started at my parents' house and ended in my condo, with Charlotte, Yanceyville, Hillsborough and Durham in between. 1,200 miles in a short three days, but one filled with refreshed friendships and newly discovered family members (met my cousin who is running the Banner House Museum last night... pretty cool young woman).

This morning, as I was coming down NC 181 (the second best curvy road in North Carolina -- and is nearly straight at night), I looked over and caught the sky as the sun was rising. Stopped nearly in the middle of the road and pulled off to capture it. A nice moment to stop and ponder, to breathe and ponder the miracle of that cool air and amazing colors. The best way to start my day.

D90 24mm f/5.6 1/60 ISO 400

Icicle Teeth

Today, driving from Spruce Pine to Banner Elk, along the Toe River, I was exhausted. On my feet for five hours, and driving toward my parents' house, I was nearly ignorant of my surroundings. Then I turned a corner, and noticed two guys fishing in the swelled waters and smiled. And as if to shock me, I looked to my left, and there, along a dark rocky bank, I noticed the hill monster bearing its icicle teeth at me... and I was lost for just a moment. Turned around, went back and captured the incisors and its craggy face.

D90 85mm f/4 1/60 ISO 400

Evening in Asheville

Today was a long day -- up early, trip to Greensboro for early meeting with a potential vendor and a stop by the Apple Store to replace a charger. A nice, but short catch-up call while driving and then a long melancholy drive to Hickory. Finally the work day ended in Hendersonville with a good buddy, Jim Rasmussen about future business.

Had dinner with a long-lost friend from ACHS, which was both fabulous for the food (Savoy) and the conversation. It's amazing how much Facebook has allowed me to reconnect with people that I long adored but feared I'd lost.

After dinner, downtown Asheville called and found the Moon, near full, and the empty canopy of a neighboring tree, we found this night scene of one of Asheville's skyscrapers worth capturing... and sharing.

D90 12mm f/4 .04 sec ISO 400

The Moon, Telescoped...

Tonight was the first clear night where it wasn't so cold that I could get Drew's (yeah, right) telescope out to take pictures of the Moon.

I don't have the focusing thing down yet, but I did get the camera attached and was able to get some pretty cool pics. I love how the details of the craters, a quarter of a million miles away, coming out is so amazing.

A warning -- this will not be the only pics I post today -- but this one, taken early in the morning, could not be held out til later.

D90 Meade 900 telescope f/11 1/200 ISO 400

A Housekeeper I am not...

Today, I've worked from home. I used to think that was an impossible task, but what I have found is that I get so much done, that I nearly forget that I am at home. The only advantage I have is that I didn't have to drive somewhere and I didn't have to change out of pajamas or t-shirt.

But as I was sitting here, contemplating what photograph I would take today, I looked over and saw my jeans -- the ones I took off last night when I got home to get ready for bed, and realized that really epitomizes my housekeeping skills. Yes, I can keep the place clean, but if no one is going to be here, what does it matter, right?

So my pants lay on the floor, with a t-shirt in the background, and now I feel guilty enough to go pick them up. I hope this passes soon.

D90 300mm f/5.6 1/30 ISO 400

oh, and for the record, the "pants on the ground" American Idol thing didn't hit me until just now. No relation, I promise -- I haven't even seen it yet.

Half-full Moon

So I took this tonight before dinner with my new 70-300mm Nikon VR zoom lens, mainly to compare how it shoots vs. my old 300mm fixed telephoto lens. I really liked how this turned out, with clear craters and a nice bright face. By the time I got home, the clouds had obscured her face and never would have gotten this picture.

A long day, one filled with so many mixed emotions. As I just noted on FB, I am happy, sad, confused, busy, tired, empty, excited, uncertain, alive. All in all, it's not as bad as it could be.

D90 300mm VR f/5.6 1/400 ISO 400

Cookie Blackjack

This afternoon, the weather had changed so dramatically that it was very comfortable outside and the kids decided it was a great chance to go out and play. Of course, that didn't mean playing or climbing trees -- we're too old for that and I don't have the trampoline or swing set. So they sat on the porch and played blackjack. Yes, blackjack. The stakes: what really matters -- cookies. I never did get the monetary equivalents, but I think that double-stuff oreos were worth more than butter cookies, and the ginger cats were the smallest denomination. And they did very well... it was only about five minutes before they started arguing. Sibling love at its finest.

D90 85mm f/4 1/400 ISO 400

Busy Day

Today was a busy day. Drew's birthday was being celebrated by our respective families and my parents came down to take us to lunch... It was a lot of fun, and needless to say there were lots of opportunities for photographs. The first one in this collection is of my mom, Bonita, as she was speaking with Drew about his sleepover birthday party. I loved the whole series of her, but particularly liked this one.

D90 85mm f/5.6 1/160 ISO 400

This picture is of the members of my family - my incredible children, my parents and my niece Kaylee. But I learned so much from taking this picture (and its eight cousins). It's so important to communicate to your subjects, to get them to have a good look on their faces and to be patient in taking each photo. I struggled with getting my mom to smile, and Mary Kathryn's eyes to stay open and Drew to sit still. However daddy and Kaylee did good - they stayed in the exact pose the entire time. Of course, it was cold, and they were sitting on concrete. But my favorite moment was when someone asked me if I wanted to be in the picture too. Two thoughts ran through my mind: I don't like to be in pictures any more (that's why I hide behind the camera) and no, I'm not going to put $2,500 worth of camera equipment in your hands. What the hell has happened to me?

D90 85mm f/8 1/200 ISO 400

At lunch, Drew wanted to play games and he sat there for a long time... As maddening as I am sure it was for my parents (who wanted to spend the time with him), he was as happy as a boy should be on the day celebrating his birthday. His intensity and attention always strikes me... plus he was my biggest fan while I was playing Galaga.

D90 85mm f/1.8 1/40 ISO 400

I started my day at Duke, where I went over to do some judging for the Blue Devil Classic, a statewide debate competition. I did it back in November and found that it was a nice way to spend a Saturday, watching bright young minds and mouths develop their skills.

As I was trying to find my way (because I really have never tried to learn the campus of the others), I had the camera and had to take some pictures. While I hate Duke (and I truly do), the architecture of the chapel has always struck me as an impressive edifice built in 20's. It stands out in a magnificent way, but truly glorifying it is the Carolina Blue sky behind it. Plus I wanted to take it for my friend (and former associate) Stephanie, who is probably one of the few Duke graduates I actually like.

D90 85mm f/5.6 1/2500 ISO 400

Shoe and a Step

As MK was walking down the stairs at her mom's house tonight, I stopped and took this picture, and I loved this shot. It just seemed to capture her character so well... I just couldn't miss it. Later Friday night, I noticed that of her two socklets, the one on her right foot was peach and the other was white. She and I are such kindred spirits... I swear, if we could get away with no shoes every day, we would.

D90 85mm f/1.4 1/100 ISO 400

Tired shirt and tie

This morning, as I was getting ready to get going, I looked over and saw the shirt and tie I wore yesterday... and knew this was it. I can still see the "new shirt" lines in it, but it's also wrinkled from being worn, and looks about as tired as I feel. Being on the road is good, but man, I am beat. So tonight, I'm home. Listening to kids avoid homework and cut up Coke cans for reasons unknown. That background noise makes me very happy.

D90 85mm f/1.4 1/125 ISO 400

A tough choice...

So today we have a choice. A very long day in Greensboro, for a number of reasons: had to go buy a shirt, got confusing messages about meeting, and then was fortunate to be in a room with a number of folks today that I respect to talk about what I do... I love those opportunities.

On the drive to Huntersville (where I am wisely spending the night), these two photos presented themselves. No, for the record, North Carolina does not prohibit driving and taking pictures. The top one was near the Salisbury exit and the sun, breaking through the clouds was a nice reminder of both the amazing nature of the world and how the sun can just do surprising things. I know that there is a scientific explanation for the light beams showing up the way they do (pretty certain it has something to do with water vapor in the air), but it is always lovely.

D90 85mm f/1.4 1/3200 ISO 400

As to the second photo, I drove by a truck loaded with chickens and thought it was too cool to miss. But a warning -- you cannot always take good pictures when you use a manual focus lens. But I loved how that one little fella was sticking his head out and thought I'd honor him before he became dinner somewhere for someone. Little chicken dude, you will be memorialized here!

D90 85mm f/1.4 1/80 ISO 400

Onyx Cufflinks

I was getting ready this morning and decided to dress up a little. In part for a client meeting (we rarely wear suits any more -- I usually feel uncomfortable because everyone is wearing golf shirts) and in part because I thought I might have lunch with a friend. The client meeting went very well and overall I had a good day but putting these cufflinks on made me think about person who gave them to me and reflect on what their friendship and that relationship has meant to me and shaped me into who I am today. It's been a long time since those things occurred but they do still echo in my actions and inactions, my fears and the foundation for love that I got from her.

So today, I am thankful for friends and for the opportunity to get moving out into the bright world on this January day.

D90 50mm f/4 1/20 ISO 400

Dark morning sky in Wilmington

Woke up and walked out to my car to leave Wilmington this morning. The first thing I noticed was the slight salt smell in the air -- completely unexpected but oddly rejuvenating. Made me think it was summer, even though it clearly was not. And then to look to the southeastern sky and see the first hints of color made me perk even more up. Yes, it was a gray sky, but you can see how the sun was starting to really burn through and to add color to the bland.

I hate winters -- the lack of light, the cool temperatures, lingering bouts of depression that seem to always come this time of year -- but even though the month is half over, the better days of spring are coming to change the world back into its colors: green, Carolina blue, and the various shades of happiness that people wear with warmer weather.

D90 85mm f/1.4 1/6 sec ISO 400

A Missed Day

So today, I really did not take a single picture today so I wonder what the punishment ought to be? A personal story? Some observation? I will take suggestions...

But Sunday was a good day, at least by the end of the day. I started it off not feeling well, still a bit tired from Friday night/Saturday morning's long conversation. Sunday afternoon/evening, watching football (and against the Cowboys), drinking beer and talking about relationships and life... It was the kind of Sunday that we all need. There are always unexpected aspects to every moment and we need to always be open to them.

1926 Glengate

I am always struck by how street numbers on residences are done. This one is outside my condo in Morrisville and I've actually always liked the painted offset numbers and its fit between the boards. I was waiting for a friend to show up and caught this little memento of the outside of my place (from which I plan to move very soon) and thought: Yep, that's today's photograph...

D90, 85mm f/4 1/25 ISO 400

Orion

Orion is one of the constellations that you hear about and as a child you wonder why and how they came to be. But I can honestly say that until I put a camera in my hands and started looking up, I never noticed the arrangement of the stars. Orion has been so clear for the last two months -- the belt shining so brightly. And if you think about it, these stars are seen as they are by simply our perspective. In another part of the galaxy, there would be no line, no picture for Orion.

This was a tough picture to get because of the "urban glow" and the need to get the shutter speed right. The slight clouds were catching some of the glow so I played and played until I got it right.

D90 85mm f/1.4 1/1.6 sec exposure ISO 400

Desk Accouterments

Little things on your desk seem to tell funny stories. I was shooting around last night and realized this was my pic. I have almost always had a NC flag on my desk since the early 1990's. I think I bought this one in Union Station in Washington when Peter Hans and I went in the summer of 1990. Behind it is a hilarious cartoon from the New Yorker and the cup'o'pens beside the flag (with a switchblade beside the wild collection of writing utensils.

D90 85mm f/1.4 1/15 ISO 400

Disdain

Three pre-teen girls, who clearly are too cool for a choral concert or any of the other human beings who happen to be there, prepare to sing before their proud parents, family members and associated people. Do they really matter? Seriously Dad, that is a stupid question.

D40x Sigma 70-300mm telephoto lens at 300mm 1/20 f/5.6 ISO 400

Winter Morning

I came out at 7 am and was getting ready to drive from Morrisville to Mooresville. It was cold -- around 20 degrees, and the sun had not yet crossed the horizon. The leafless trees, the ominous clouds, the bleak moment was how I felt as I got in my car for that drive.

D90 85mm f/1.4 1/30 ISO 400

U Up Close But Y

Got a new lens, a 55mm f/2.8 Micro, which I was playing around with and took this photo of the keyboard on my MacBook Pro. I use a computer the way carpenters use a saw -- all the time. And to see the grim, the use and dirt accumulated from nearly 18 months of this machine's existence was surprising.

Nikon D90 55mm f/2.8 1/50 ISO 400

Multitasking on a Sunday afternoon

After church, I stopped and got a couple pieces of pizza and sat down to watch football and to continue my mission to watch all of the Lost episodes before February 2, 2010. The beer was cold, but not yet open, my afternoon was about to start and I thought: here's a moment I want to capture.

D90 85mm f/1.4 1/15 ISO 400

Sick Boy

Drew had a bad night and had gotten up and come into my bed to finish his sleep. I knew he was sick not only by the heat radiating off his body, but also by the absolute stillness of his sleep. There was no random kicking, no flailing around in the middle of the night. But he wanted to be near me because it made him feel safe. That's what being a daddy is all about.

D90 85mm f/1.4 1/15 ISO 400

Mary Kathryn

What the hell am I going to do? I see her, dressed like this, in an amazing dress, and I cannot believe that she is nearly thirteen years old. I hear the words from her mouth, I see how easily she poses for this picture and I know that I have some tough years ahead of me.

D90 85mm f/1.4 1/25 ISO 400

Driving West on I-40

This scene is repeated so often in my life that it seems almost comical that people might react with "why were you taking a picture while you were driving." I could (and have) drive from Hickory to Morrisville in my sleep and never miss a turn because of muscle memory.

D90 85mm f/1.4 ISO 400 1/640

Self portrait

Took this photo in my bathroom mirror just to play and caught this. I think the intensity on my face, the focus on the work and the existence of the phone headset on my ear is probably the best capture of my existence.

D90 85mm 1.4 1/250 ISO 400

Studious

My friend Jim at a class on Wellness I taught in Hickory. A tough picture because it was dark in there and trying to get the shutter speed slow enough get it bright but not motion. Thank God for my new awesome 85mm f/1.4 lens.

Nikon D90 85mm f/1/4 1/60 ISO 400

Yellow Glider

This glider has been lovingly cared for and is something that always strikes me when I go to see Dr. Price. I love how well it fits on the porch. This had been a tough day, with lots of thoughts, fears, considerations and tears and the light, the melancholy of the moment was here in this moment.

D90, Kiron 105mm Macro, f/4, 1/10, ISO 400

Christmas Lights become decorations

I love the blue Christmas lights and like out of focus pictures like this even better. These lights are around my "french" doors and keep a nice glow in my living room.

Nikon D90, Kiron 105mm Macro, f/4, 1/125 ISO 400

Wispy Weeds, Richmond, VA

When in Richmond, I stayed at the Sheraton West Richmond. Coming out to my car, the cold and the blue of the day were best reflected by these wispy weeds that were growing beside my car.

D90, Kiron 105mm Macro, 1/1250, ISO 400

Neon Jewelry, Richmond, VA

Took this photo late in the evening on January 1, 2010. I love neon signs and it only took me about four attempts to get the light right and to catch the blinking blue diamonds. Thanks to my friend Angela for giving me the nickel tour of this incredible town! I really need to spend a weekend here in 2010 to learn more and explore all that it has to offer.

Nikon D90 with Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens, 1/60, ISO 1600