Category: Self Expression

Weird Wednesday already?

Almost forgot about this new LUG tradition. Though Wayne Torry reminded me with his wonderful contribution.

I always find it a bit weird when multiple media events vie for my attention.
The more disharmonious — the more weird it seems.

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Leica M8, 28 mm Summicron Asph

A conversation with forms of disintegration

Billions of leaves now lie on my little parcel of the planet. Each whispers a different message about color, form, texture, pattern, volume, shape, and line. Each changes by the hour as they disintegrate; no longer able to fulfill their role in photosynthesis. How do I choose just one leaf to visually converse with? Does it matter which one? Probably not.

Sunday: I pick up three leaves. As I tilt and twist each one and observe the light shifting through the Visoflex (with the 65 mm  Elmar at full extension, plus two tubes) it becomes clear that one leaf has much more to say than the other two. So it does matter. I set up a minimal, miniature studio at “my place” on the kitchen table (just the little SD24 flash on a Nikon off-camera cable, and a white reflector). For the next couple hours that leaf and I enjoy a lovely visual conversation. Two thirds into this conversation Ann asks, “all that!? for one leaf?” I chuckle — and think to myself, “oh yes. This one seems to have a lot to say.” How do I explain these fascinating visual conversations to someone who has not experienced this process? Perhaps by quoting visual excerpts from our dialogue. Before continuing its journey toward becoming fertile dirt the leaf had this to say…

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Leica M8, Visoflex with 65 mm Elmar at full extension, plus two extension tubes

Friday’s Flower: a late bloomer

Step out on this brisk, chilly morning. Bare feet. Coffee in hand. The flower beds appear dry, wilted, gone to seed for next year’s birth. Scan the distant yard for any sign of wild flower color. See only the color of autumn leaves. Turn around to to head in and check the archives on the computer — then, right there climbing the porch, lo and behold the vine that refused to blossom all summer decided to bloom on this late date.

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P.S. I just want to say this about that.

M8, 65 mm Elmar on Visoflex III

Justice discovered when picking Sophia up from school

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Once back at Sophia’s house we shot a few hoops before moving on to WII gaming inside. I must say that I prefer real balls, racquets, frisbees and bowling pins to their electronic facsimiles.

Leica M8, 28 mm Summicron

John Stropes brought George Winston’s vast guitar knowledge to Milwaukee

Last Friday John Stropes introduced George Winston to a small group of his guitar students and friends. John has been educating Wisconsin in the various forms of finger style guitar techniques for several decades; both through courses at UWM and his many other venues. In that generous spirit John ensured the lessons were well documented for the educational use of future generations.

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George Winston, most widely known as a pianist, has obviously studied slack key guitar with near equal vigor and depth. He’s filmed and recorded the key players in Hawaii; and generously shares his research and expertise at Dancing Cat Records where you can download his books on the subject. Anyone who knows where to find every note and chord on a stringed instrument, in any of  a couple dozen different tunings, leaves a hell of an impression on me. When you add the many different ways to pluck a string or four; and achieve harmonic effects up and down the neck. Well suffice it to say Mr. Winston’s scholarship and musicianship left me awestruck; and wanting to hear him play guitar in concert (or in recording).

(Leica M8, 28 mm Summicron [above], 75 mm Summilux [below])