Autumn

Is it that time of year all ready?  The leaves in michigan would certainly say so.
This is going to involve a lot of raking and bagging. But first some colorful pictures. I have often wondered if the trees feel naked after their leaves fall off? hmmm

A Very Vintage Baby

How do you turn an absolutely adorable baby picture into a timeless keep-sake?
Very easily my friends, you just do a sepia (brown) toning and add a vintage frame.

When in Rome.. be generous

A lesson in generosity.

While walking back from the market I happened to notice this little old man sitting in an alley way. I was particularly fond of photographing pigeons that week, so I considered my self very lucky to find someone feeding them. I saw his bags and thought how sweet he went to the market and bought some extra bread just to feed the birds. Upon closer inspection I noticed that all his worldly belongings were actually stuffed into the bags.
 How is it that this poor man who had no place to call home could share his meager lunch with these birds? Easily, they ate and slept in the same placed, he knew their hardships, they were neighbors.
A lesson in generosity: even when you feel you have nothing to give, there is always someone with less then you.

Removing the "Not"

Let us not be bound by our memories, by things that didn't go our way. Because today (and everyday after this) anything is possible.
 We create the future through small steps that we take each day. Don't let yesterdays path deter you from trying again or trying something new. There really is no such thing as a failed attempt. Every attempt is just an experience, practice or lesson learned for the next time.
The words "I can't" are quite possibly the biggest killer of the human spirit.
We create barriers for ourselves by saying "I can't" or worrying about what others would think of our decisions or failures.
From our infancy to teenage years we have this invincible attitude that we can do anything we want to. Then, somewhere in adult hood we get gridlocked into this role of complacency. We feel trapped in our roles of who we have become (all those small choices adding up over the years).
What if we aren't really 'stuck' with our lives?
What if we went after our dreams?
Starting tomorrow Turn an I can't into I can.
 After all tomorrow is a new day and anything is possible, if you believe that it is.

The Beach

The best time to shoot at the beach is early morning or late evening/ sunset, that's when you get the sweet light.
 But sometimes your schedule works out differently and you can't go until mid-day. If you want the photo to truly speak of the landscape it's self, then you have the option of cloning out any beach-goers.
Which is exactly what I did in this photo, removing 6 out of 7 people. So who is the person standing in the surf? Another photographer. I just couldn't bring myself to clone him out, after all he was there doing the same thing I was.

Photo tip- Sand is a camera's mortal enemy. It can cause all sorts of havoc. So opt for a disposable water camera from the drug store. If your really have your heart set on taking your camera, place it in a clear ziplock baggy and rubber band the body and lens of the camera so the bag is tightly against it. Then, go ahead and get your feet wet.

Examples of Architecture

 What is the first thing that comes to mind when I say Architectural photography? 

If BORING...zzzzzz, was the first thing that popped into your head then wake up because I'm here to tell you it is actually fun. My eyes glazed over the first time my instructor gave me an architecture assignment.

 I have never been drawn to squares or rectangles, they are just to tidy and fixed. If I could, I would round every corner in my room into a gentle curve. 

Contrary to my previously held bias against squares, what I found was that I could concentrate on architectural details and place them in juxtaposition to organic, details (such as the clouds). In doing this I found a way to balance the strong geometrical lines with soft natural lines. 

I won't be calling my self a square lover any time in the near future but I'm glad to say I have found a way to enjoy architectural photography, so I hope you will give it a try too. Sometimes when we try something we think we wouldn't like, we are pleasantly surprised to find the contrary. Never be afraid to try new things, you just may surprise yourself.