“Adventure is not only measured in kilometers. Strong emotions are not only found in front of the Parthenon. Emotion, if you are worthy of it, will be felt before the smile of a child returning home with his school books, a tulip in a vase touched by a ray of sunlight, or the face of a beloved woman.” — Willie Ronis
(click here to view additional photographs of Sophia’s first Christmas program performance)
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“Like doctors, photographers work with what is present. I suspect our chief emotions are anticipation, frustration, and patience, balanced by a marvelous sense of elation when things go right — when we think we’ve captured within a photograph some missing feeling, some sense of beauty, or bit of mystery in the fabric of life.” — John Loengard
Sunday brunch at the Centennial. Watching Ann’s son and his partner as they listen to Ann speak (don’t remember what about, because now I look rather than listen). Not famous people. They probably won’t even like the photograph. No amazing action. Yet, they’re young and lovely in this window light. A 28mm Summicron on the M8. I slice one forty fifth of a second and a small span of five feet out of the infinite possibilities of space and time. Seemingly mundane. Then, examining the photograph on a computer screen, it seems that the parts equal more than their sum. That the individuals behind the eyes have nothing to do with one another. They seem to have more power, and beauty, when isolated. A closer look. Always looking. Closer.
“A good photograph can penetrate the subconscious – but only if it is allowed to speak for however much time it needs to get there.” — Ralph Gibson
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The first moment after MSNBC declared the first Irish-African-American winner of the 2008 presidential election.
first snow fell last night
this morning, cold, lovely and
new visions to catch
“In our society, most of us wear protective masks of various kinds and for various reasons. Very often the end result is that the masks grow to us, displacing our original characters with our assumed characters.” – Clarence John Laughlin
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Click this link for a slide show of additional photographs from Trick or Treat O8
some days
people flock to the edge
where water meets sand
they sculpt, toss things back and forth,
and mingle with birds
A dad, sculpting sand on the beach
with his daughter, Mia, said to me,
“It’s all about the kids.”
I think, perhaps, it’s all about returning
to childhood for a brief,
careless time.
Recently I’ve begun to work with Nathaniel Reinartz. We’re upgrading his presentation portfolio and discussing possibilities and usefulness of web sites for blacksmiths. This young man’s work certainly demonstrates attention to detail, impeccable craftsmanship and a fine aesthetic sensibility.
“Oh my son’s my son till he gets him a wife, but my daughter’s my daughter all her life.” — Dinah Maria Mulock Craik.
Ann and Erin at Irish Fest, on Ann’s birthday, August 17, 2008.
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéy
A dozen years ago I experienced the pleasure of watching Matt Maher play high school football (and grow up) along with Ann’s son, Tyler. Last Saturday afternoon I experienced the pleasure of discussing Matt’s new career as a furniture designer; and meeting Mo Maher at Tyler’s (new) house warming, and Noah’s seventh birthday, celebration.
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Last Friday Ann and I packed a few things in the car and drove west by northwest on Hwy 60. We stopped in North Leeds for a bite to eat. The restaurant had what seemed like a romantic little room for two; it also had very little and very red light and quickly began to feel claustrophobic with too much funky decor.
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At Sauk City the highway does it’s best to follow the Wisconsin River. I love to drive the blue highways that follow the rivers; the paths of the animals and birds. At Gotham we headed north by northwest on Hwy 14 towards Viroqua to visit Ann’s niece, Jessica, and her husband Matt. They provided us with wonderful hospitality; including a bed for the night. Saturday morning’s coffee and conversation on their new deck — built by Matt — simply delightful.
Back on the road at 9:30 am — Hwy 14/61 to St. Paul, MN — now following the mighty, muddy Mississippi. Spectacular views with no time to stop; except for fuel, juice and muffins.
Arriving just a tad late due to one wrong turn.
Seeing as a guest and not “the wedding photographer” freed me to photograph “whatever” and take note of things I’d have done differently than the fellow and his crew. Slide show of additional wedding observations here. And a few from the “film” camera here.
Sunday morning, at the Best Western, provided pool time for Sophia and social time for family and friends of the iHusband and iWife (Sean is slowly Macifying Ellie):
Strolling, shopping, photographing with a late Mexican lunch in St. Paul before heading south along the mighty Miss.
A chocolate malt while driving through the night. Then south on Hwy 35 (hugging the river on the Wisconsin side); crossing back over to McGregor, IA at Prairie Du Chien. The Holiday Shores Motel provided us with a terrace seat and cooling summer breeze which made it difficult to “go to sleep.” We watched a huge row of barges navigate the water-way in the dark. Monday morning provided a gorgeous view of Wisconsin’s river shore.
Monday passed too quickly — simply enjoying the river, the light, the barge traffic and McGregor (at one time allegedly larger than Chicago because of it’s ferry crossing). Slide show of additional river and McGregor photographs.
“I have to be as much a diplomat as a photographer.” — Alfred Eisenstadt
Ann’s sister, Teri, visits from Florida and the family gathers together at Menomonee Park, the 297 acre site of a water filled Lannon Stone quarry. Additional slide show of images.
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“Some of us cynics say that ‘the quickest way to make a million dollars in photography, is to start with two million dollars.'” — Anonymous
Saturday afternoon we found ourselves at Al Simon’s 70th birthday celebration at Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue. I managed to see and document two moments of fine light before being told that I cannot do this “work” in the temple during Shabbat. I did not understand this rebuke. Pushing a tiny button in response to beautiful light is “work?” I think not. After-the-fact research and dialogue brought understanding. A kind, Jewish acquaintance offered, “One should not try to view any of this from a rational perspective. It is a discipline.” A web site added this insight, “Working on Shabbos… means doing creative acts that manipulate nature… When G-d rested on the seventh day… He rested in the sense that He ceased creating. We must do the same.” Aha! Not a silly “rule;” rather, a discipline to help one connect with the divine. I get it. Respect and honor discipline (including the discipline to continuously learn from and about others).
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Later: While walking with Sophia on her Radio Flyer.
And still later: Popcorn and video.
