Our parents’ ashes
rest in that great chalice, Lake
Michigan, reflected
now in my dear sister’s Shades
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M8, 50 mm Summilux Asph
Jean-Luc Godard said, “When you photograph a face, you photograph the soul behind it.” Can this be true? Some times; perhaps.
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.
sun warms lover’s limbs
seeing — makes a memory
devise memento
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Leica M8, 135mm Elmar on Visoflex III (with right angle viewer)
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
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
Ann and I have a tradition of not working on our birthday. The BD person chooses where and how we will spend the day. Ann chose Mauthe Lake as one of several destinations for her birthday. Knowing we’d have a few hours of leisure I packed up rarely used M gear including: the Visoflex with both eye level prism and right angle view hood, and the 135 Elmar (for the M8 of course). Lying on the beach using the right angle viewfinder provided a perfect contemplative photographic afternoon; as well as a very refreshing point of view. And the exercise reminded me how very discreet this combination can seem as we don’t appear to be looking “directly at” the subject.
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For contrast we see (below) similar subjects with a (for today) less interesting point of view.
Rick Benoit took over responsibilities from Donna Barth as Wisconsin Coordinator for Vets Journey Home. Rick and I had a delightful photo session at my studio last month. Today I installed their pick from the session proofs, along with Rick’s bio, at the Vets’ who we are page; which I designed and launched last year. Kudos! to Rick and all those at Vets Journey Home who give so much to nurture the hearts, minds and bodies of our returning vets and their families. If you know a vet please let them know about this exceptional group of people who’d love to hear from them. The weekend program is offered at no charge to the veterans.
Last Saturday Sophia celebrated completion of her fifth year of life with a friends and family.
A few additional images can be seen in the slide show.
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M8, 50 mm Summilux Asph
Twenty five plus years ago I spent a day on Beale Street, the “home of the blues and birthplace of rock’n’roll.” At 39 it felt real. Musicians were on the street and in the clubs. Earlier this month, while attending the ABANA Conference in Memphis, Seth and I spent an evening on the street and it felt a lot more like a bizarre carnival. Every establishment had a hawker yelling out the reasons to enter their establishment. The musicians on every other corner were gone. There was a new little park with a stage where one could “do your thing” and it was surrounded by junk tents. Hustlers were selling Elvis’ drivers license for $45, laminated and appearing never used. Some decent blues could still be heard in a couple clubs; but the street ambiance of 25 years ago has disappeared; or so it seemed to my now 64 year old memory bank. View a slide show of additional Beale Street images.
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M8, 35mm Summilux Asph
June 2nd, after the first day of photographing the 2010 ABANA Conference Gallery items, we strolled through the demonstrator’s tents; where metal met fire to become functional and decorative objects. Additional images from this stroll can be seen in a short slide show here.
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Leica M8, 50mm Summilux Asph