Category: Daily thoughts

Just thinking, contemplating, considering

Lovers at the edge

how differently
we each perceive moments which
modify our lives

9/11

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Leica M8, 65 mm Elmar, Visoflex III with Right Angle Finder

Right angle viewfinders, on both the Visoflex and R8, present me with both a fresh point of view and an unobtrusive, candid approach. And we all need fresh points of view.

When the light, lines, forms and tones beckon

When a photographer sits down with a cup of coffee, and sees light, lines, forms and tones come together in harmony with the focal length of the lens on the camera, and distance from the subject, it’s awfully difficult not to raise the courage and the camera to capture the image.

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Even when caught by the stranger’s eyes; I attempt, with my own expression, to communicate, “Oh well. I simply had to because I knew the scene would look so very beautiful as a photograph. Trust me.”

Leica M8, 50 mm Summilux asph

Visitor at the front door

We couldn’t hear his knock. The crane fly simply clung to the window waiting for me to notice that he had interest in a portrait session. After a few shots I took the SD card to the computer to review the proofs. When I returned (for possible reshoots) the visitor had vanished; leaving no forwarding contact information. Wikipedia says, “…most crane fly species exist as adults only to mate and die.” Perhaps this one wanted to be remembered.

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Leica R8/DMR, 100 Apo Macro Elmarit

Cropping for the story: Last day before school starts

Generally I feel fairly confident about if, when and how to crop my photographs. School begins today for many students in the greater Milwaukee area, including my own city of Mequon. I took Sophia to our favorite park for our last “Grandpa day” before she begins her full days in school; and was surprised at how many kids, parents and grandparents did the same. This photograph struck me as particularly on for this topic. But for the first time in a long time I truly can’t decide which crop would work best to accompany such a story.

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Leica M8, 135 Elmar on Visoflex with right angle finder

Riding blind and loving it

This morning my friend, Kevin Meyers, competed in the Double Bong 40k, ABR Wisconsin State Time Trial Championship, Kansasville, WI. Kevin lost his sight in 1987 when his racing boat hit a wake at 60 mph, threw him into the water, where he was hit by another boat. Lucky to be alive; and living to the max; he now races bicycles (with a tandem pilot). A couple weeks ago, at the Wisconsin State Track Championship, he and his pilot, Bob Springer, took the Gold Medal in Kilo and Pursuit, in the Tandem category. Kevin said, “My bike, Chariot of Fire, almost literally caught fire!” This morning he worked on his record times to qualify and participate in the 2012 Paralympics. Over the years I’ve worked with Kevin on a promotional video and designed the logo for his web site, stationery and motivational speaking work. Kevin’s simply an amazing human being. His web site is well worth taking a look at to discover just how amazing.

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Kevin’s “warm up”

Setting up the “Chariot of Fire”

At the line.

And they’re off to the races.

Coming around the fourth turn, completing the first of two laps.

Leica M8, 50 and 35 mm Summilux asph