Where has the magic gone?

While I was taking the History of Photography class offered at UW-Eau Claire my professor had mentioned that even though she has a masters in photography she still allows her daughter to get those crappy school photos. She said that she allows this because its something special for her daughter. Last week I went to school, which has not started yet, just to see if I could talk to her about my choice to move from digital photography to large format film photography. Luckily she was there at the time of my visit. I had told her, "I'm not sure that I want to continue with the direction of digital photography", to which she inquired, "Why is that?" "There's no magic left in it. When I can go to a location and shoot off 1000 photo's and pick 2 that might work, then alter them in photoshop . . . its just lost that appeal for me", I said. I was surprised to hear that she completely agreed with my decision. Now, a week later, I remembered her telling the class about those crappy school photos and it finally clicked. Even though those crappy photos were taken by, I assume, a digital camera its the, the anticipation as the "photo" day approaches, the process of choosing just the right clothes, the posing, the waiting during the count down before snap, not knowing how you'll look until finally that day comes when the photos are delivered to your hand and then the reveal. That's the magic, for the consumer, but what about the photographer? With digital that magic has gone to speed of process! By slowing it down I plan on finding that lost magic, that wonderment. I want the magic back!

Brayden's 6th Birthday

On Saturday, 3 Sept 2011, my son will turn six years old. Being a man of the tender age of 30 but also a college student, still at the age of 30, I feel strangely confused by this event. Keep in mind that my son will also be attending his first day of kindergarten on the same day that I will again be starting my first day of classes for the fall semester 2011. Basically what I'm saying is that I feel old and that prospect scares me a little. O.k. you got me . . . it scares the hell out of me! No longer can I go into a McDonald's sit down to an order of four double quarter pounders and not worry about not leaving that seat at McDonald's. At this age I get a head cold every time I go into a McDonald's, not a joke! "So what, I'm getting old", I say. More to continue as I am off to follow so many who have come before me and register my son at his school. Till then, take care!

First crack at Oil Pastels

Well friends the title say it all. This was my first attempt at oil pastels. The scene is of one of the fake trees that we have on our walkway. The original color of them were dark green but to be more festive during the fall season I decided a healthy coat of auburn colors were needed.