Category: Daily thoughts

Just thinking, contemplating, considering

Moonrise over fish fry

Friday: Drive to Sendik’s for the traditional fried fish. Full moon peeks over trees; rooftops; disappears; reappears. Turn right on Port Washington Road. There behind Culver’s it all comes together. Don’t stop. Drive on for the fish as I may see an even better view. Nope. That was the photograph. Buy the fish and seven layer salad. Drive back through the parking lots. Perfect (except for the lack of a tripod). Stand. Still — as the smell of hot cod and tilapia blends with mirages of Adams and Hopper.

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Leica M8, 28mm Summicron Asph

Dancing through time — Friday — flower appears.

ever fewer

ever smaller blooms,
now surrounded by fallen
leaves, dancing in the breeze

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As I look through the view finder I slowly fall in love with this tiny blossom, resting on the weathered cedar, in the shade of the porch; even though the light lacks quality. The afternoon sun requires redirecting. The closest useful tool sits six feet away; in the kitchen drawer. A sheet of aluminum foil allows me to bring the sunlight back into the scene. As I search for the composition the slight fall breeze continually moves the near weightless leaves around the subject — a delicate dance. New leaves appear on this dance floor. Others depart. The breeze on the foil also causes the light to dance about in endless variations. So too does the camera move; closer; further; lower; higher; searching for the rhythms. So which of these best captured my affection for the subject and the light? I still can’t decide.

Leica R8/DMR, 100 mm Apo-Macro-Elmarit

Weird Wednesday. Will it become a tradition?

One’s perception of weird, like beauty, will depend a great deal on the beholder’s point of view. Having not been raised Catholic I’ll admit that I found a recent visit to Holy Hill slightly weird. Raised in a family with membership in a strict Lutheran synod it was not the icons themselves that had this effect on me; it was rather the contexts and signage which surrounded the icons that struck my eye as visually weird. Things like plastic bottles, and spigots coming out of rocks, with the words “Holy Water” on them – and apparently for sale – right along side the Coca Cola, etc.

I certainly believe the Carmelite Friars when they inform me that their video cameras watch me. However I rather doubt their claim that “GOD” has an interest in watching my strolling about; whether at Holy Hill or elsewhere.

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Below is a detail from the lower right corner of the above photograph.

M8, 28 mm Summicron

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

Weird Wednesday

Some many years ago Sonny Carter began the Friday Flowers tradition over on the LUG (Leica User Group) email list. Yesterday Lawrence Zeitlin began what may become a new new tradition: Weird Wednesday with this deer triptych. This past Sunday Ann wanted to drive out into the country to see the fall color. We decided to drive West and a bit North toward Holy Hill. We could expect to find, hills, winding 2 lane roads through forested land and, ultimately, a fine view from the highest point near us. Along the way we found these fellows, who apparently had the same idea, on the road to holy hill:

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Leica M8, 28 mm Summicron

Dan Nauman’s bronze railing at Lynden Sculpture Garden

On September 7th Dan Nauman installed the final terminus section of his bronze railing at Lynden Sculpture Garden. However we had to wait for the patina to even out across all the sections before attempting to photograph the completed railing. Last week I gave the afternoon light an opportunity to charm the railing; and this week I gave the morning light an equal opportunity. These bronze forms stretch the the photographic limits in terms controlling highlights, contrast and complex color. To capture the movement, rhythms, forms and details of this intriguing metal work I used 15, 35, 50, 80, 100 and 180 mm lenses; lay on the ground; and climbed a ladder to find where the background, the piece and th light made the most visual sense together. To more fully comprehend the intricacies of the railing, the rather difficult environment surrounding it, along with the ever changing light — you can view the slide show of additional views and details.

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Leica R8/DMR, (numerous lenses were used)

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])