Category: Self Expression

The great lake Michigan and sculptural gates

“Adopt the pace of Nature; her secret is patience.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

(click images for larger view)

A week or so ago I had the opportunity to return to a subject I’d photographed last spring. This gate, created by Dan Nauman, fits so well into its environment that photographing it becomes very difficult during daylight. The natural surroundings seem to absorb the organic forms of the metal. We created these night photographs in an effort to separate the organic metal forms from their natural environment (for an upcoming magazine article). If you open and drive through this driveway gate you will arrive at the residence, above the great lake Michigan seen in the black and white photographs above.

Lasting impressions

What does it take to leave a lasting impression in this noisy world of excessive and often false hype? Some few man made objects possess qualities which cause the objects to remain useful and/or admired for their aesthetic appeal. I have 60 year old cameras which still produce stunning images. The camera manufacturers designed and built them to last, and work, for generations. The materials chosen; the machining of the parts; the ergonomics in use; all reached a state-of-the-art point. We can find similarly useful and beautiful objects in numerous fields of products. It seems appropriate to suggest that our own products: the words we share; the food we prepare; the work we produce; even our thoughts; would benefit from giving such close attention to aesthetics and usefulness; especially if we’re concerned with leaving a positive, lasting impression. I found these, last week, along the road, less travelled (click on image for larger view):

Poetry, Pictures ‘n Politics

Headline about sums up my life. Forty (or so) years ago poet Philip Whalen wrote:

Our main difficulty: fear and distrust of freedom

In America we’ve been fighting each other 100 years
We pretend we’re unimaginably rich
But we’re poor and afraid of the poor who must become
The Army to defend us against right and wrong

The real shame of America is the lack of an anti-clerical
Movement or party. All parties try to compound
With invisible State Protestant Church that theoretically
Doesn’t exist. Rubes who think of themselves as
Members in good standing are bilked and robbed

When did the dumb-bunny bomb first hit U.S.A?
How come everybody appreciated it so much?
Almost all Americans aged 4 to 100
Have the spiritual natures of Chicago policemen

Singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins performed at the historic Pabst Theatre Sunday, 9/21/08 (with Dar Williams headlining). Shawn reinforced my belief in the power of a talented story teller with a deep heart and a guitar. His character sketches bring to mind the people we’ve all met along life’s highway.

Selected “photographic” lyrics from Another Look by Shawn Mullins

Another look into her might just free me now.
I feel the drowning pounding of her pain
and her dreams like eyes,
as she looks into my sin.
So knowing where and why she’s looking through my window.
The cameraman wants to take her picture.
Now words spill out of hearts onto the stone,
and her image ties the knot of never knowing
the whole truth from lies.
Feels like I’m just now showing pictures to the man
whose dreams are realized.
He’s older now but he’s got newborn eyes.
Another look into her might just set me free.
I took her like a shot into my arm

Out and about with Bert and camera

“Photography is not about cameras, gadgets and gismos. Photography is about photographers. A camera didn’t make a great picture any more than a typewriter wrote a great novel.” — Peter Adams

(click photos for larger view)

yesterday afternoon, lunch with Bert Stitt

then a walk about
the “east side” looking

and a drive to see Sophia

Nathaniel Reinartz’a new metal work

“It is discomforting to know that if only Beauty could be found then Beauty would cease to exist.” — Dominic Rouse

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever; its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.” — John Keats

Yesterday provided an opportunity to photograph and add to the portfolio of Nathaniel Reinartz. Nathaniel continues to demonstrate his remarkable attention to nature’s details; as well as mastery of his craft. The detail of the candle holder on this sconce also attests to his exploration of new forms.

Brett Favre fusion jerseys

“Let the subject generate its own photographs. Become a camera.” — Minor White

You’ve probably heard that Brett Favre (4) has moved from our Green Bay Packers to the (green) Jets. At our Sunday brunch this noon, as the Packers played, and ultimately tamed the Lions 48 -25, we were treated to a Favre fan who wore a “fusion” jersey.

l1003784.jpg

l1003783.jpg

l1003782.jpg