Category: People

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

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

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])

Beauty and its beholders

Heading north on Lake Dr., approaching Capital Dr., I notice, for the second time, a newly installed sculpture in Atwater Park. This time I stop to have a closer look. Approaching the transparent human form, by internationally known artist Jaume Plensa, I’m immediately hooked into the visual elements of both the metal and its surroundings. The Leica moves to my eye.

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A young mother, with two children, also appeared, drawn to this installation. They speak quietly about what they see. The little girl attempts to find the letters of her name within the figure.

A truly beautiful, warm, fall day
to experience the powerful presence of this great lake;
these metal sans serif letters loosely describing a contemplative human figure;
and this lovely mother with her children.

Did the camera capture these simple, peaceful thoughts along with my nonverbal feelings? Later, looking at the images on the computer, I think, “maybe.”

So I began writing this post by googling to find the name of the sculptor; only to find this depressingly, negative review of the Atwater installation; complete with absolutely horrible photographs. I agree with the critic, Mary Louise Schumacher, about the frumpy poured concrete base; the rest of her critique – not at all. It seems neither she nor her photographer could see or properly feel this particular intersection of art, lake-scape and humanity. Yet, thankfully, this work, titled Spillover II now exists there for we who care to experience and enjoy it.

Leica M8, 75 mm Summilux and 28 mm Summicron

Awakened by the light

Grinding coffee beans, barely awake;
I turn my head slightly left to look out the window,
and see one ivy leaf glowing; backlit by the morning sun.

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Always checking to see what the world may look like in black and white.

I’m often startled; especially when I discover my self in the mirror of my subjects.

M8, 65 Elmar on Visoflex

Tears of joy

Every fall around this time Alverno College hosts the two day Global Union concerts. Yesterday, in Humboldt Park, under deep blue skies, in bright sunlight, I had tears of joy running down my cheeks and hair standing up on my arms, as I photographed Delhi 2 Dublin. These young Canadian men and woman take possession of the stage and drive their brand of world music into your very soul. Celtic, Reggae, Bhangra, Hip Hop, and more, fused seamlessly together with remarkable lyrics in numerous languages. They even have a Study Guide; bless their young hears. Do not pass up the opportunity to experience Delhi 2 Dublin.

Additional photographs from Global Union 2010 can be viewed here.

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Leica M8, 50 mm Summilux