LightSmith Photography Photo of the Day

A new site

2009-11-14T21:43:00.002-06:00

Greetings to my followers. I've decided to host my own blog so that I can use a template that is more appropriate for a photo blog. You can now find me at: http://potd.lightsmithphoto.com/

I have an RSS feed that you can follow. It is: http://www.lightsmithphoto.com/pixelpost/index.php?x=rss

Just a note...if you are accustomed to reading the text to go with my photos, it is now found under the menu link "details". There is also a menu link to leave comments.

Day 106: The Palms

2009-11-14T00:01:00.002-06:00

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A newer establishment near NW Highway and N Council.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 85mm. 1/160 sec at f/3.2. ISO 400.

Day 105: Artifacts

2009-11-13T00:01:00.002-06:00

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artifact
Pronunciation: \ˈär-ti-ˌfakt\
Function: noun
something created by humans usually for a practical purpose; especially : an object remaining from a particular period

camera info: 90mm macro lens. 1/200 sec at f/2.8. ISO 800. Ring flash fired.

Day 104: Families are Fun

2009-11-12T00:01:00.001-06:00

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I've had so much fun in the last week shooting 4 different families. What's made it all the more enjoyable is that they are all friends of ours. Today I present the Flemmons family, Frank, Beth, Maddie & Gibson. This is a family that for many years I said hi to when passing in the halls of our church or when our daughters went to each others birthday parties. But this last year we got to know them better and again I'm am so thankful for a new friendship that has developed.

Frank & Beth are two of the most down-to-earth people I've ever met. And in the short time I've known them I've been amazed at how they've handled a variety of ups and downs. They are a model of grace and I hope that I have learned from them.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 115mm. 1/60 sec at f/4.0. ISO 400.

Day 103: November

2009-11-11T00:01:00.001-06:00

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I've always loved this pecan orchard on the north side of Lake Overholser. It reminds me of a trip I once took with my dad to a plot of land his father had given him. As a teenager, he had planted pine trees on it with the intent of selling them as Christmas trees. He soon joined the Air Force and never returned to harvest those trees. Instead he took me there near the end of his life and we walked among these perfect rows of towering trees. Today on the way to work as I was driving thru the fog I thought of him and I thought about this orchard.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 25mm. 1/40 sec at f/8.0. ISO 100.

Day 102: Lessons learned

2009-11-10T00:01:00.002-06:00

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Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop. – Ansel Adams

After 100 days I decided to make a few notes of what I've learned in this project thus far:

1. Accountability can foster creativity. The fact that I committed to this project and I know that at least a few people are going to show up each day has forced me to keep going. As a result, I've found that I have this stressful edge that keeps pushing me to try new things.

2. Great photos are much more rare than I thought. The Ansel Adams quote above is very true. Before this project I would look at galleries of photos and think that the photographer only took great photos...every time. I've learned that the less than great photos are like steps along a path that you can't avoid to get to those rare photos that you love.

3. Technically perfect photos can be really boring. Mastering the settings on your camera is important, but just because a shot was perfectly exposed and composited doesn't mean that anyone wants to see it.

4. I'm lazy. While this exercise has forced me to do and to go, I have found that I often opt for the easiest way of obtaining something over the best way of obtaining it. There are a few examples where I have transcended this condition, but for the most part I know that I should be working harder.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 70mm. 1/2500 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100.

Day 101: Tried and True

2009-11-09T00:01:00.002-06:00

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Well this has been a great week for taking photos outdoors and today I got to take some family photos for Rick & Susan Martin, some of my favorite people in the world. Yesterday I posted on Facebook that I was thankful for new friends and today I posted I was thankful for old friends. Tomorrow, I'll be posting that I'm thankful for tried and true friends. At the top of that list are Rick & Susan.

Tried and true friends are those who you can be most like yourself around. They are friends who know you at your best and your worst and yet love you anyway. These are friends who are never too tired or too busy to help you when you need it most and who are the first ones there to comfort you in bad times or celebrate with you in the good. For over thirty years now this is what the Martins have been to me.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 80mm. 1/40 sec at f/4.0. ISO 100. A tricky part about this shoot was the fact that the subjects were wearing mostly black clothing. The camera's metering sees a dark scene because of the black and will tend to overexpose the image. The whole time I was shooting I was adjusting the Exposure Compensation and for this shot I dialed it down a full stop.

Day 100: I am thankful for...

2009-11-08T00:01:00.002-06:00

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On day 100 of my 365 day project, I'm pleased to present the Spear family. We became acquainted with this family when they moved to Oklahoma and their daughter Savanna and our daughter Jenna were in the first grade together. Since then our daughters have become very close and in the last year that friendship has expanded to include the whole families.

I have tremendous admiration for this family. While I know many families of great faith, Jay & Alisa's faith is embodied in everything they do. I don't think I've ever been around another family who enjoy such simple pleasures and the company of one another as much as they do. I can honestly say that being around them has inspired me to try and be a better husband and father.

If you are a friend of mine on Facebook you have probably noticed my challenge to post something you are thankful for in your status line every day leading up to Thanksgiving. I must confess here that I stole this idea from Alisa and her blog. Starting November 1st, Alisa has been posting a blessing of the day. I love this idea and I think it's a great discipline that when practiced has to improve your outlook on the world. Today I posted that I am thankful for NEW FRIENDS...and that means I am thankful for the Spears.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 160mm. 1/250 sec at f/4.5. ISO 100.

Day 99: Jonathan & friends

2009-11-07T00:01:00.001-06:00

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When you come to the edge of all the light you have known,
and are about to step out into darkness, Faith is knowing one of two things will happen -- there will be something to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.
--from Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

Camera info: Taken at Lake Overholser. 70-200mm lens at 155mm. 1/2500 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100.

Day 98: Funeral home calendars

2009-11-06T00:01:00.002-06:00

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The church my family went to when we lived in Pennsylvania was also attended by Burt Vondell, the city's funeral home owner. I remember that each Christmas he would hand out calendars as an advertisement for the funeral home. It was a nice gesture although in a town with only one funeral home it was entirely unnecessary. Anyway, it was inevitable that when turning to the September page on the calendar there would be a photo of a New England church steeple framed by trees boasting firey reds, oranges and yellows. Today's photo is in homage to those great calendars.

I came upon this scene when checking out a future photo op. A friend recommended going to Westminster Presyterian Church at night to take a photo of this bell tower lit up and jutting into the night sky. I will undoubtedly return for that photo, but with the beautiful fall colors we are experiencing in Oklahoma this year I couldn't pass up a daytime shot as well.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 70mm. 1/250 sec at f/9.0. ISO 100.

Day 97: 3rd time's a charm

2009-11-05T00:01:00.002-06:00

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After 2 previous attempts to get together for family photos, the 3rd time all the elements came together and I had the privilege of photographing the Escoe family. In the spirit of the month in which we celebrate Thanksgiving, I consider it one of the greatest blessings of this year for our family to have become better friends with the Escoes.

If you visit Kristie's Blog you discover the story of a family that has endured much but has persevered and thrived in the midst of adverse circumstances. I really like what was captured in today's photo because to me it tells a bit of the story of this remarkable family. They've traveled a road with an uncertain destination but through faith, love and humor their bond has remained strong.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 120mm. 1/30 sec at f/4.0. ISO 100.

Day 96: A Terrrrrrrrrrific Day!

2009-11-04T00:01:00.003-06:00

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Ever since my daughter was about 2, we have enjoyed many trips to the wonderful Oklahoma City Zoo. My favorite animal has always been the tiger and I always insist that we go to see that exhibit whenever we go to the zoo. Unfortunately our zoo has just one tiger and his favorite daytime activity is sleeping. So in all the times I've been there with my camera, I have only had one other opportunity to photograph this guy actually up and walking around. The other time, I didn't have my camera set up right and I got nothing usable. Yesterday, I went to the zoo on my lunch hour and this time I was ready.

One of the features of our zoo that makes it tough on us photographers is that the enclosures around all the cat exhibits have wire mesh between the public and the animals. Now there are some exceptions where they have glass viewing areas, but the glass is so thick that it too creates distortion in photographs. I most often opt to shoot thru the mesh and to do so you have to use a long lens and you also have to have the areas of the subject that you want to be sharpest peeking thru one of the holes in the mesh.

If you look at today's photo, you'll notice a lighter and less sharp part of the photo across the left shoulder of the tiger. This was caused by the mesh. In many of the photos I took, it was directly across the face. Here's an example. You'll also notice that the mesh gives it blue tint in the areas affected.

Anyway, it was a great day. The weather was perfect. The tiger was up and moving. And I was by myself so I could be patient and wait for the tiger to strike a good pose.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 180mm. 1/80 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100.

Day 95: Fall Faces

2009-11-03T00:01:00.002-06:00

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I suspect that there are many more scarecrows in the U.S. created for decorative purposes than there are ones fashioned to actually scare away crows. If you are really, really, really bored, here's a link where you can read about the efficacy of scarecrows. If you happen to be one of my students, you can earn 10 extra credit points by turning in a one-page critique of the study's data analysis. If your not one of my students, you can earn a place in the dweeb hall of fame by doing the same.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 150mm. 1/200 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100.

Day 94: Where'd my light go?

2009-11-02T00:01:00.002-06:00

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After several days of the weather not cooperating, we finally got a beautiful day to take photos of our friends the Escoe family. Sunday at 5:30 was going to be the perfect time with the perfect weather. Unfortunately, we forgot about the end of daylight savings time and the fact that the perfect light would be gone by 5:30. Anyway, with the few minutes of good light I had left I snapped a few of their oldest, Brayden. Let's hope for good weather Wednesday and perhaps we'll see the whole family on here.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 150mm. 1/200 sec at f/3.2. ISO 400.

Day 93: What the alien sees

2009-11-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

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I'm very fond of infrared photography. And while I lack the equipment to do infrared, similar effects can be generated in the digital darkroom. Today's photo was taken on the campus of SNU. I used some black and white and then color tinting treatments in Lightroom.

Camera info: 17-35mm lens at 17mm. 1/250 sec at f/6.3. ISO 100.

Day 92: The Legend of Carey Place

2009-10-31T00:01:00.015-05:00

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If you search the archives of The Daily Oklahoman you’ll find no mention of the evil that transpired in that house on Carey Place late one Halloween night in 1968. Nor will you find record of the dozen or more children who subsequently disappeared in the years to come from this cozy little neighborhood. No, this is a story that a city dare not tell in open forum. This is a story passed on in whispers and fleeting glances as the cynics proclaim it only lore.

The Legend of Carey Place

James and Catherine loved living on this little 3-block stretch in the stylish Gatewood neighborhood of Oklahoma City. It was tranquil to say the least and its exclusive nature made neighbors caretakers of one another. Most Saturday nights they’d walk a few blocks south to catch a movie at the Plaza Theatre and the next morning go to mass at St. Francis. James was an associate at Crowe & Dunlevy and Catherine enjoyed the modest lifestyle his position afforded. When their first child arrived the name was an easy decision. It would be Carey for a boy or Carrie for a girl…after the name of their beloved street, Carey Place. Carrie it was.

To see Carrie grow up was the neighborhood obsession. She was not only their namesake, she was a force of good whose bright red hair, freckled face and infectious smile brought instant joy each time they saw her. She was the only child that every neighbor knew by name. And Carrie seemed to only grow brighter with the attention she constantly received.

Shortly after her tenth birthday, Carrie became ill and her symptoms did not abate. Her normally pale skin turned ashen and her cough was deep and raspy and told of unknown malady. The doctor offered little solace and was dismissive of it being anything serious. But for week after week Carrie lay sick…never getting worse and not getting better.

Catherine was a dutiful mother who never left Carrie’s side. She managed to take care of Carrie’s younger brothers and complete the daily chores, but there were no diversions and no escapes from caring for her sick little girl. James would try to give her some time to recover away but Catherine knew she could not find respite away from her daughter’s side. It wasn’t until Halloween night that she finally found courage to leave the house without the little girl.

James’ attendance was required at the firm’s masquerade party and he felt it important that Catherine be at his side. The neighbors a few doors down in the house with the green shutters with clover leaf cutouts, had asked Todd and Micah, Carrie’s younger brothers, to go trick-or-treating with their boys over in Mesta Park. James had already secured a sitter to stay with Carrie. Reluctantly, Catherine donned her rented witch costume which caused many male party goers that evening to comment how she looked just like the actress Elizabeth Montgomery.

Catherine was nervous leaving Carrie with Ezra, the neighbor from across the street. The truth was that Catherine had always been uneasy around the widow who had such a strange name and eccentric tastes. Ezra’s was the only house that didn’t seem to fit on Carey Place and neighbors always noticed strange smells when they walked by it. It had large shutters around each window with axe cutouts that looked like they belonged on a medieval fortress instead of in this cozy neighborhood. But the thing that disturbed Catherine the most was Ezra's dog. It was small in stature, but it had piercing eyes that she had never seen on another animal. She never once heard it bark, but it would stand at attention for what seemed like hours like it was guarding some ancient treasure.

James reminded Catherine that Ezra had always looked after Carrie as she walked up and down the street and back and forth from the Rosary School. In fact, it was Ezra who had brought a special tea for Carrie when she heard she was ill. Catherine remembered that despite the odd grey color and moldy smell of the tea, it had in fact helped Carrie feel better if only for a few hours. So reluctantly, Catherine welcomed Ezra into her house as she went over at least three times how they could be contacted at the Skirvin ballroom. She and James then shuffled the boys up the street and loaded into the car waiting to take them out for a much deserved evening of play.

------------------------------------------

As the driver turned onto Carey Place, Catherine raised her head from James’ shoulder and gathered herself. She hadn’t realized just how much she needed a break until she felt the urgency of the return home. As they neared their house, James noticed a figure hanging upside down in the large oak tree to the side of Ezra’s house. It was swinging rather wildly in the wind and while he couldn’t make out the body, the inverted head was a Jack-O-Lantern. He hadn’t noticed it before they left and he wondered why it was just now appearing among the Halloween décor.

The driver let them out in front of their house and Catherine headed up the street to collect the boys. James decided to take a closer look at the figure hanging from the tree across the street. As he approached the swinging line he noticed a putrid smell and arriving he gasped to see a gutted dog hanging by its hind foot with its head impaling the pumpkin. He pulled hard on the rope and felt the tree branch give way. He tossed the animal out of sight making note to return in the morning and properly dispose of the carcass. He dreaded having to tell Ezra the fate of her companion.

While Catherine was waiting for the boys to bag up their candy before returning home, James made his way up the stairs to Carrie’s room. He hoped to shuffle Ezra out the door before Catherine arrived. He opened the bedroom door expecting to see Carrie asleep in bed and Ezra sitting in the easy chair that for the last several weeks had become Catherine’s place of slumber. Instead, the room was empty and immediately there started in him an internal battle between the dread of what might be and the possibility of something simple and inane.

As the adrenaline surged James ran down hallways tossing his head wildly back and forth as he searched. He cleared the stairs to the lower level in a mere two strides. Through the parlor and out to the kitchen…nothing. He ran to the front door and burst out the door his eyes fixed on the odd house across the street. As his foot hit the sidewalk his eyes darted up the street to see Catherine coming toward him. She had one son bundled in her arms asleep and the other dragging behind her.

Catherine saw James fly out of their house but it wasn’t until she saw the terror in his eyes that she knew her life was forever changed. There was no spark of hope for a pleasant outcome. She knew as a mother knows that the debt for leaving her daughter’s side for just that one evening was now come due. She dropped to her knees; still cradling her youngest as Micah caught up to her and leaned hard against her shoulder. When the air finally returned to her lungs she expelled a gasp followed by a long haunting, “Nooooooo”.

Ned and Maggie, the couple who had watched the boys that evening, waited on their porch as Catherine headed home. They were just turning to go inside when they heard Catherine’s sounds of horror. As they glanced back the scene spoke of their need to intervene. Maggie raced in front of Ned to Catherine’s side and Ned quickly passed her, intent to meet James at Ezra’s front door. Instead, he watched as James’ foot hit the porch of Ezra’s house and immediately gave way across a pool of something dark covering half of the concrete slab.

James’ head was the first part of his body to make contact with the hard stone walkway leading up to Ezra’s porch. It was perhaps mercy that he would remain unconscious for the next hour…the hour when horror was revealed. Ned, however, remained head in this world and standing at James’ side froze as he gazed through the open door of Ezra’s house. On the large white wall on the opposite side of the great room were foot tall letters written in blood spelling out the words, “RURAL WINTER RELIC”.

Carrie nor Ezra were ever found. A search of Ezra’s house by investigators found blood…only blood. Ezra’s tastes were indeed odd and bottles of various herbs and unidentified contents along with a collection of crosses and dolls led many to believe her a witch. In a day before DNA testing, the blood remained unidentified. After months the house was turned over to Ezra’s only surviving relative, a nephew, who some say lives in the house to this day.

The whereabouts of James and Catherine are today unknown. Soon after the incident there were accusations that James himself was involved in the disappearances. Indeed Catherine left him due to her own nagging doubts and her inability to account for him during much of the masquerade party. Some say that Catherine’s obsession over caring for the sick Carrie drove James to kill the little girl in a jealous rage.

Come Halloween each year there have been reports of a girls voice echoing up and down the street, “Why daddy?...Why?” and the ghostly trio of a woman, child and small dog walking between houses. Swing sets are reported to move on windless days while singing children are heard just beyond.

The blood on Ezra’s porch could never be washed away. The new owner ended up painting the whole porch a color resembling that of dried blood to cover it up. Many neighbors sold their houses and to this day the residents of Carey Place rarely last more than a year or two before selling and moving on. Although not all on Carey Place, there have been statistically more missing children from this area than almost any other place in the United States. A famed retired FBI agent has badgered many an Oklahoma City police officer looking for clues and demanding answers…answers that so far have not come.

It was a student from a nearby college who chilled by the telling of this story took on the words that were written on Ezra's wall. "Rural Winter Relic", he discovered after many sleepless nights, is an anagram for CARRIE WILL RETURN.

The current residents of Carey Place have for the most part embraced this story. They put out RIP Carrie headstones and decorate a bit more than the average neighborhood. I suppose they discourage the curious by making light of what happened. But if you venture there some Halloween night, don’t be fooled and please...don’t lose sight of your children.

DISCLAIMER: The story above is just that…a story. It contains elements of the various versions of the Carey Place story that friends have shared with me. It also contains extreme embellishment on my part. So what of the story is true? The official answer is that none of it is true. But unofficially I must say that my own belief is that every legend starts from fragments of truth.

Camera Info: 70-200mm lens at 153mm. 1/500 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100.

Day 91: At the end of the street

2009-10-30T00:01:00.011-05:00

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Another trip down Carey Place. I'm sure by now the permanent residents of the street have made note of a silver van that has passed by too many times.

It's closer to Halloween now. It's closer to the anniversary of the day that made this place the subject of twilight tale. The air's a bit cooler tonight. A lot of the leaves that were clinging to the trees earlier in the week are now blowing down empty lanes. Children sit and finish homework but think about the weekend to come when churches have ghost-free Fall-fests and next night going door-to-door pillaging piles of perfection into plastic pumpkin pales.

With my window open I rest the camera lens on my lap. Fluttering sounds as a bird lands on a power line above me...more fluttering...louder and louder as more and more birds descend on Carey Place. They must know...I think...of what happened here. It's where they must be tonight. For tomorrow Carrie comes home.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 70mm. 1/1000 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100.

Day 90: Hellhound

2009-10-29T00:01:00.008-05:00

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Another trek down Carey Place and I noticed something odd. The street has these wonderful lamps that jutt high above the ground and at night cast a cozy glow the length of three blocks. For Halloween, the lamps have been covered with plastic orange sheaths that make the lamps look like glowing Jack-O-Lanterns. But these pumpkin faces are all upside down. Why upside down???

Today's photo is of another unnatural sight my daughter and I encountered on Carey Place. As we drove down the street we both noticed this dog and how it remained perfectly still. Only its eyes moved as we creeped by. I grabbed my camera as we stopped in front of the house it appeared to guard...a house with shutters boasting cut-outs of axes and porch painted red. I had to take this photo because the dog looked so strange. It was so small and yet it had the features of a much larger animal. I turned and looked in the back seat at Jenna. She slowly turned her head from the dog to me. Without saying a word we agreed it was time to go home. I don't think Jenna will be returning to Carey Place soon.

This is what wikipedia has to say about the hellhound: They are often assigned to guard the entrances to the world of the dead, such as graveyards and Indian burial grounds, or undertake other duties related to the afterlife or the supernatural, such as hunting down lost souls or guarding a supernatural treasure. As legend goes, if one happened to see the hellhound three times directly in the eyes, he or she will die an abrupt and unseen death. Be careful not to look at this photo too many times.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 145mm. 1/125 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100.

Day 89: just a coincidence???

2009-10-28T00:01:00.006-05:00

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When you arrive at Carey Place you'll find one of the most charming little streets in all of Oklahoma City. Each cottage is unique and yet fitting with its neighbor. It's a place on first notice that evokes peace and tranquility. Gentle vines cover stucco facades. Large trees shade the multi-story abodes. Arched alcoves seem to welcome visitors to closed-in courtyards. But from the midst of all the signs saying you are indeed welcome, you begin to notice that something isn't quite right about Carey Place.

Today's photo reveals a bit of the enticing magic of this street. Do you care to venture on?

Now if you do want to visit Carey Place this Halloween you might want to go to Google maps to plot your course. I did just that thing this morning and when I pulled up the map on my computer I almost dropped my coffee cup in my lap. You see the tiny little street that is Carey Place makes a perfect upside down cross. Just a coincidence???

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 148mm. 1/800 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100.

Day 88: Stories that chill

2009-10-27T07:48:00.009-05:00

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I've always been a sucker for a good story of ghost or ghoul but there was a time in college that I was particularly spooked. I had a good friend who gathered up some of us close friends to take us to this neighborhood in Oklahoma City where true evil had transpired. I remember getting more and more nervous as he told us the story and we approached this little street. But in a day before Google maps and GPS, we were never able to find it. Just a few weeks ago I was on one of my photo jaunts and I ran across this eerie sign. In a flash the story came back to life and I was transported back in time to Carey Place.

Stay tuned for the next few days leading up to Halloween as I share in photos the story of this 3-block little street. Then come Saturday you can visit it yourself...if you dare.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 200mm. 1/250 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100.

Day 87: Incredible Roots

2009-10-26T00:01:00.002-05:00

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Today my church celebrated its 100th anniversary. We had a wonderful service that showcased the great talent in our church. New members (including my daughter) were welcomed, dignitaries were acknowledged, a Jubilee offering was taken, and time was spent lauding the great accomplishments of a church that spawned the community of Bethany, Oklahoma. Blown up photos from the past lined all the hallways and letters from Governor Henry and President Obama were on display. It was one of those very special days that will long be remembered.

I think what made the biggest impression on me was the message delivered by our pastor and especially a quote that he used by the great English missionary, C. T. Studd. The quote was, "Some wish to live within the sound of Church or Chapel bell; I want to run a Rescue Shop within a yard of hell."

We live in a time in which the focus of church and everything else is on taking care of ourselves and protecting what we have. Our pastor reminded us that the message of Christ was one of going out to the poor and disadvantaged and making them the priority over ourselves. Our church was founded from an orphanage, a home for unwed mothers and a college preparing young people for service. These are the roots and the principles, the pastor reminded us, that should guide us as we go forward.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 70mm. 1/100 sec at f/4.0. ISO 1600.

Day 86: Youth not wasted

2009-10-25T00:01:00.002-05:00

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High School Seniors are my favorites to photograph. There is something about this time in a person's life that just sparkles with possiblity, vitality, attitude....life. Today I was honored with photographing a young lady from my church, Lacie Gassett. I have to tell you, despite having photographed many, many seniors, this was the most intimidating. You see, Lacie is herself an incredible photographer. And being asked to photograph a photographer is....well, it's scary. Just ask my wife who had to try and calm my nerves as I was getting ready this afternoon.

Lacie, thanks for letting me capture this time in your life. You have an amazing future and I can't wait to see what develops.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 195mm. 1/40 sec at f/4.0. ISO 100. Here's another from our shoot.

Day 85: Country roads

2009-10-24T00:01:00.002-05:00

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On my way home this evening, I went a bit off the beaten path hoping to find some more evidence of this glorious Fall we are having. Somewhere between OKC, Piedmont and Yukon I found this scene. I think it reminded me that Fall is quickly followed by Winter. And while I'm no meteorologist, something tells me this one is going to be harsh. Maybe it's time to buy a few more sweatshirts.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 70mm. 1/250 sec at f/8.0. ISO 100. Numerous Photoshop filters applied.

Day 84: ...if you dare

2009-10-23T00:01:00.001-05:00

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There are some who believe that the camera with either film or electronic sensor can capture things from the metaphysical world that remain hidden to the human eye. I took this photo just because I love Halloween decor. However, when I returned to my digital lab, something that I didn't originally see with my eyes made an appearance and I became chilled. I suspect we will avoid this house should we go trick-or-treating this year.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 70mm. 1/15 sec at f/2.8. ISO 800.

Day 83: Some day...

2009-10-22T00:01:00.001-05:00

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I'm really coming to love the part of town around where my daughter has drama class each week. As she attends class I've been able to explore the area and it is filled with these wonderful excentricities that seem to merge the past and post-modern worlds. I think I love it so much because it's a metaphor for how I see myself as well.

Camera info: Tripod mounted camera with 24-70mm lens at 70mm. 8.0 second exposure (remote shutter release) at f/11. ISO 100.

Day 82: A good dam day

2009-10-21T00:01:00.001-05:00

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I love going to lunch with my friends but some days I prefer a little solitude. Today I grabbed a sandwich at City Bites and headed to the dam at Lake Overholser. As I arrived in the parking lot, Bob Stoops was starting his weekly press conference on the radio and with the windows cracked it was really quite pleasant. It was just what I needed for a few minutes.

Camera info: 17-35mm lens at 30mm. 1/200 sec at f/13. ISO 100.

Day 81: Breezy

2009-10-20T00:01:00.006-05:00

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It was a windy day today. I'm surprised these didn't blow up into Kansas.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 185mm. 1/500 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100

Day 80: ...the one that's with you

2009-10-19T00:01:00.003-05:00

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I finally got around to downloading a new iPhone app called Best Camera. The app is the brainchild of Chase Jarvis who at this moment I'm pretty sure is swimming in cash. Jarvis is a professional photographer who developed a book of photos that he took with his iPhone. The idea was to promote the notion that "the best camera is the one that's with you". So at the same time he released his book, he also released an iPhone app that allows you to add some stylistic effects to your phone photos and then share them through the major social networking outlets.

Today's photo was taken with my iPhone and stylized using the Best Camera app. I have the first generation iPhone and I must say that the camera is pretty limited (fixed focus, aperture and shutter speed). The new 3Gs iPhone is much more capable. But as Jarvis suggests, you can take interesting photos with the most basic of cameras. Be sure to check out his video on the link I provided. It gives a great overview of the app.

Day 79: An orange day

2009-10-18T00:01:00.001-05:00

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On a day that I would have preferred to see more crimson and cream, orange ruled the day. Pumpkins and flowers at NW Highway and MacArthur.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 70mm. 1/3200 sec at f/3.2. ISO 800.

Day 78: Magic

2009-10-17T00:01:00.001-05:00

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We spent a wonderful evening with our friends the Spears. Today's subject is their youngest, Tucker. At the moment of this shot, Tucker was performing a magic trick in which he made a pack of candy disappear. But I think the real magic of this moment was that of a child in the act of discovery. Wouldn't it be great if we adults could approach the world around us with an understanding that there's more to be discovered than is already known.

Camera info: 35mm lens. 1/40 sec at f/1.8. ISO 800. Available light.

Day 77: Our disposable lives

2009-10-16T00:01:00.003-05:00

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By request, today's photo shows the beginning of the demolition of Garey Hall on the campus of Southern Nazarene University. Here is a short video I shot as well. At the rate they proceded today, I expect it to be leveled by Monday. Garey was a women's dormitory that was built in the 1960s. My sister was once a resident there as were many of my friends from college.

A few days ago I featured a photo of the Catholic Cathedral for the Oklahoma City Archdiosese. That building was built in 1921 and is still functioning as it was when it was dedicated. I think of the many structures that inhabit our country and to a much greater extent the world and I can't help but be a little saddened that the world to which I identify is much more disposable. I understand that economics dictate the wisdom of tearing down and rebuilding. But the romantic in me longs for something that remains...that marks the footsteps of those who came before me and for those who will come after.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 54mm. 1/1600 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100. Several grunge style filters applied in Photoshop.

Day 76: Does anybody really know what time it is?

2009-10-15T00:01:00.001-05:00

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When I was 15, I worked at the J.B. Nimbles Ice Cream Parlor here in Oklahoma City. It wasn't my favorite job ever, but it was the first time I ever got an actual paycheck. Now I have always been a technology buff and in 1977 one of the trendiest techno-gadgets was an LED watch. The first time I saw one, I knew I had to have it. So one of my first purchases from my new bus-boy windfall was a watch much like the one in today's photo.

I remember my mom driving me to Target whose Sunday ad had several models featured. I could only afford the cheapest model which was $40 on sale. I think my mom even had to spring for the sales tax. Within the first 2 weeks of ownership, I had worn out a battery by showing everyone within 10 miles of my house this new marvel. Within a month, several of the LED lights had burnt out and I shipped it off to Boston for warranty service. It took about 6 weeks to get it back...6 of the longest weeks of my life.

Several weeks ago, I was in a movie theatre and wanted to know the time. I held my watch at various angles trying to get enough light bouncing off the movie screen to illuminate my dial. At that moment, I thought back to my LED watch and wished I had such convenience. Well when I got home I went on Ebay to see what was available in LED timepiece technology today. And after looking at about 100,000 options I found this baby available for $7.99 with free shipping. And by-the-way, it's made much better than my Texas Instruments model I purchased 32 years ago.

I've discovered that if you're willing to wait a few weeks, you can get some incredible Ebay deals from Hong Kong merchants. I've purchased a/v cables, phone chargers, Ipod cases, camera equipment, LED Christmas lights, and now watches for pennies on the dollar and I've yet to have a bad experience. But this watch is probably my favorite. In fact I like it so much I just purchased more to hand out as gifts. To my surprise, when I returned to the listing the price had gone down to $4.99. So if you need a cool retro watch, you can purchase your own here.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 70mm. 1/13 second at f/3.2. ISO 800.

Day 75: Strength

2009-10-14T00:01:00.001-05:00

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I like photographing people more than anything else. Today I was asked again to provide a headshot for a colleague and former pastor, Rev. Mike Meeks. After we took some shots of what he needed, he consented to let me capture a few for my own tastes. My goal was simple...to capture something that spoke to strength of this man. Pastor Mike is man of great character and strong conviction. And his leadership was especially important to me at a rather dark moment in my life.

There's a lot of discussion among professional photographers about shooting for the client vs. shooting for the photographer. I think I'm coming to an understanding that it is the artist who can accomplish both tasks with the same photo. I've also come to understand that I am not an artist. But, I've really enjoyed the aspect of this project that has allowed me more opportunity to shoot for me, the photographer...and discovering what that really means.

Camera info: Off-camera flash directly to the right of the subject. 70-200mm lens at 85mm. 1/30 sec at f/7.1. ISO 100.

Day 74: Gord-geous

2009-10-13T00:01:00.001-05:00

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My friend Kristie told me about this pumpkin stand at NW 23rd and Council in Oklahoma City called "Ruby's". She recommended it because she saw it as the sun was setting and said the light against the pumpkins was beautiful. Unfortunately, the sun has not made an appearance since the recommendation nor has the weatherman offered any hope of it happening before Ruby's sells out. So I went there today undeterred by the thick cloud cover. It certainly lacked that "golden hour" charm, but it was still a great place to be and take photos.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 40mm. 1/640 sec at f/3.2. ISO 800.

Day 73: Fancy Fence

2009-10-12T00:01:00.001-05:00

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I saw this fence and it really captured my mood. I'm really in need of some sunshine.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 58mm. 1/1250 sec at f/3.5. ISO 100.

Day 72: Fall Flower

2009-10-11T00:01:00.001-05:00

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Oklahoma seems to actually be having a Fall this year. I love the colors of this time of year.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 185mm. 1/500 sec at f/4.0. ISO 100.

Day 71: Pretty as one

2009-10-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

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Here is one of the residents of the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 145mm. 1/400 second at f/4.0. ISO 800.

Day 70: Peace, Love & Mickey Mouse

2009-10-09T00:01:00.002-05:00

Today, Jenna & I sent Lori on a well deserved break to Disney World with her best friend. Lori is an incredible wife & mother who works very hard so that Jenna & I don't have to. So as a small token of appreciation we sent her to her favorite place on Earth...the happiest place on Earth.

Today's photos are messages to mom written in the air. Jenna & I took turns drawing in the air with little LED lights. I used a long-exposure in a dark room.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 65mm. 20 seconds at f/16. ISO 100.

Day 69: Built to last

2009-10-08T00:01:00.002-05:00

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I love churches - not the cookie-cutter, made-from-tin variety that seem to appear like weeds in the metro areas across our country. No I love the solid, interestingly designed, built on the sacrifice of many variety. And today I present one that I discovered on that trip down Western I mentioned in yesterday's post. I've lived in Oklahoma city for 31 of the last 33 years and it was just a few weeks ago that I discovered The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This morning on the way to work I returned there to take today's photo.

As I researched this mighty structure I also discovered that it is one of only 3 Catholic Cathedrals in the state of Oklahoma. Cathedral status is reserved for special churches and designated by the Pope. This cathedral was built in 1923 and designated the Cathedral of the Diocese in 1931. The parish is also the home to the Bishop John Carroll School and at one point housed a convent.

One thing I found interesting is that on all the red-painted curbs around the church, in addition to the English words "NO PARKING", there is also words that looked to me to be Latin. I wrote them down and Googled them when back at home. I discovered that the language is actually Vietnamese. And while researching the cathedral I learned that in the 70's during the flight of Vietnamese refugees, this cathedral opened its arms to the refugees and remains committed to this community today. In fact they have both English and Vietnamese language masses each Sunday.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 24mm. 1/160 second at f/8.0. ISO 100.

Day 68: I'm still a happy Buddah

2009-10-07T00:01:00.004-05:00

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One of the great rewards of doing this blog has been the discovery of things very close to me that I never knew existed. Since August I have found myself on many occasions taking right turns when normally I would have gone left...or driving straight on an extra mile or two to see what's just ahead. When I finish this project, I may have to end up writing a travel guide for Oklahoma City. I'm finding that my town is filled with plenty of wonder that I previously believed could only be experienced by traveling afar.

Today's photo comes from just such a discovery. One day I had business at I-44 and Western and when I finished, instead of getting back on the highway and proceding home, I decided to go South on Western and see what I found. I have to tell you that a short 15-minute excursion resulted in numerous finds that I'm sure will grace this blog in the coming year. One of these I returned to yesterday to get a closer look. Super Cao Nguyen Market is a Vietnamese mall of sorts located at NW 26th and Western. It includes a "super" store of Asian food and merchandise, as well as, a wing of retail space that has yet to be fully occupied.

One could easily spend a morning just going through the main store of this complex. It is a feast for the senses and I look forward to taking my daughter there for a cross-cultural experience. I love the smell of incense and the mixture of sandlewood and fresh seafood is truly...well different. And the colors and packaging of far east products in aisle after aisle of retail space feels like what I imagine a taste of Hong Kong must evoke.

As I entered the store I began snapping shots like a tourist in a foreign land. But apparently Cao Nguyen wants the store to be experienced first-hand and not through photographs. Almost immediately, I was met by one of Oklahoma City's finest and escorted from the building. No photos allowed. I must say that the police officer was very polite and did not hassle me at all. He was just doing his job and he did it well.

As you can see, I smuggled out some digital files and I was quite pleased that the very first thing I shot was this Buddah. I love Buddah figures. I mean there is something great about a religion that has diefied a happy, fat man.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 57mm. 1/60 second at f/3.2. ISO 400.

Day 67: Hey there Delilah

2009-10-06T00:01:00.003-05:00

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When I think back to my college experience, what I remember the most is the interaction I enjoyed with a faculty that truly cared about the lives of the students they mentored. Indeed the modeling I saw by these wise and gifted men and women is what led me to become a teacher. And while not unique to just my school, I do believe that the nature of small liberal arts institutions is one of being centered around the lives of students and developing the whole person.

I'm happy to say that while the faces have certainly changed, the sense of mission is still just as strong among our faculty. And today I had the pleasure of photographing one our very best. Dr. Delilah Joiner teaches in both our traditional and adult programs and she is treasured by her students. She has this amazing gift of being able to pour out endless empathy for her students while at the same demanding the very most of which they are capable. She takes them as they are and points them to heights they never imagined they could obtain. In a school that emphasizes Christian values, she is Christ to her students.

Delilah needed a head-shot for professional uses and while I had her captive in my studio I shot this profile shot. It was done with a single light shining thru a soft box. The wall behind the subject was a green-blue color and the room was fully lit. But by shooting at a higher shutter speed, the background was rendered black. 70-200mm lens at 153mm. 1/200 sec at f/4.0. ISO 100.

Day 66: Fuel rods

2009-10-05T00:01:00.001-05:00

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I was playing around with light inside of a vase and this is what I came up with. The green glow reminds me of fuel rods inside a nuclear reactor.

Camera info: Off-camera flash inside a vase with green gel. 70-200mm lens at 195mm. 1/200 sec at f/5.6. ISO 400.

Day 65: I love my town

2009-10-04T00:01:00.001-05:00

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Tonight we picked up my daughter from play practice along with our friends Rick & Susan who were also picking up their daughter Mady. Afterward we stayed around for a bit to experience the Plaza District Festival. We got to experience our first Big Truck Tacos cuisine, see some improv, check out arts & crafts and see lots of local color. It was a really nice little affair that brought out folks from the area of various cultural and economic backgrounds. I love these little microcosms that capture the true diversity of our city. Today's photo captures some of what I love about living in Oklahoma City.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 125mm. 1/200 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100.

Day 64: Meet Molly's Mayhem

2009-10-03T00:01:00.005-05:00

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If you lived in Oklahoma City in the 70s or 80s, you were undoubtedly aware of a true treasure in the form of Molly Murphy's House of Fine Repute. The salad bar built into a beautiful Jaguar convertible, the unique decor, the really quite wonderful food and of course the characters made this a favorite place to launch a special evening. What I've discovered recently, however, is that for a number of employees of this landmark resturaunt, Molly's was more than a job and it still remains an important part of their identity.

Today I introduce a small group of a much larger cast. My friend Darren flew to OKC yesterday to meet up with a merry band of Molly alumni who this morning embarked on a journey to the Honobia Bigfoot Festival in SE Oklahoma. Darren suggested that they pause before they took off this morning for a group photo and asked me to do the honors. His idea was to do something with a little style and suggested something like a album cover photo of a rock band. I took his lead and set up this pose. Then back at the color lab I used some grunge filters to give it a weathered look.

What a great group of people to photograph. In the very few moments I worked with them, I instantly knew why they remained buds and why Darren would fly across the country to hang out at a Bigfoot Festival with them. From left to right, meet Susie, Greg, Chip, Darren, Dottie & Mimi.

I also want to put in a plug for Darren's book, Who are you supposed to be? I'm about half way through it and if you have fond memories of Molly's you will love this memoir. It is filled with great humor, photos, art work and best of all a very candid, behind-the-scenes look of Molly's hay day.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 42mm. 1/5000 sec at f/10. ISO 1600 (I thought we were going to be in shade and forgot to dial the ISO down for full sun).

Day 63: New old friends

2009-10-01T23:47:00.006-05:00

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I had dinner with Darren and Shelley this evening. Darren lives in Maine and Shelley lives about 3 miles from me. As we talked we came to realize that I had not seen either of them in 26 years. I truly hope it's not so long before we see each other again. I know for many of those years I probably wouldn't have had the nerve to meet up with them. I'm continually amazed at how my insecurities kept me from experiencing all the friendships available all around me. Perhaps that's one of the gifts of getting older....we start to realize that life is too short to not experience more of it.

I was thrilled that these two would let me photograph them for my blog. I had intended to do an outdoor shot, but the wind made it impossible. Instead we did this in our family room with off-camera lighting.

Camera info: 85mm lens. 1/200 sec at f/2.0. ISO 100.

Day 62: The joys of social networking

2009-10-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

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I seem to find myself in many conversations these days that debate the merits and pitfalls of social networking sites like Facebook, myspace and twitter. And while I can testify to many drive-me-crazy moments while viewing my Facebook home page, I must say that I have felt my social interactions to be enhanced and broadened beyond anything I anticipated.

I remember about 3 years ago sitting in a faculty meeting and the presenter showing us Facebook and basically saying, "If you're not already doing this, you need to get started right away." Now when it comes to diffusion of innovation, I am almost always an early adopter. But when I saw Facebook demo'd, I just didn't get it. So I waited about a year to finally decide I should check it out. I was instantly amazed. In the first 24 hours I communicated with people who not only had I not talked with, but in many cases I hadn't even thought of in years.

I'm ashamed to say that today's subjects were a part of my non-communicato status. You may remember Jana from one of my earlier postings and with her today is her husband Phil. We had lunch today...something that never would have happened were it not for Facebook. Tomorrow, I'm having dinner with two other Facebook friends whom I haven't seen for over 20 years. And again, it's a because-of-Facebook phenomenon. Look for their photo here on Friday.

Camera info: A quick, semi-candid shot. 35mm lens. 1/40 sec at f/2.0. ISO 320.

Day 61: Instant Abstracts

2009-09-30T00:01:00.001-05:00

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This morning I visited a site that was posted by @petapixel on Twitter. The site showed off examples of a photographic technique that I had never heard of...camera tossing. The basic idea is to set your camera for a longer exposure and toss the camera in the air as you release the shutter. The key to success is to make sure that when you toss the camera you also catch it before it crashes to the earth.

I shot about 20 of these before leaving for work and this was my favorite. I pointed the camera at a shelf full of Pez dispensers and did my toss. The rich colors really popped when exposed this way. Here's another from pointing at our sliding glass door. Anyway, if you like abstract art and you don't have time to paint...toss that camera.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 70mm. 0.8 sec at f/3.5. ISO 100.

Day 60: A long way to Tulsa

2009-09-29T00:01:00.005-05:00

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Monday's are hard to fit anything into my schedule...like taking a photo. Anyway, I taught class tonight in Del City and on my way home I left the interstate for a quick tour of Bricktown. I've always loved the building Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse resides in and decided to do a long-exposure to capture some car light trails. The only problem is that at 10:00 on a Monday night, there isn't much traffic and so I had to wait around for a few cars to actually pass by.

While I was waiting, I got to have a nice conversation with a homeless gentleman whose 95 year-old father passed away this morning up in Tulsa. Apparently he chose to grieve by tossing a few back as he was quite lit by the time he made it to me. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this photo. It cost me $20 for a bus ticket to Tulsa...or perhaps more grieving if he didn't actually make it to the bus station. God bless his soul.

Camera info: Tripod mounted camera. 24-70mm lens at 34mm. 3.2 seconds at f/10. ISO 100.

Day 59: Busy

2009-09-28T00:01:00.001-05:00

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We have this plant in our back yard that flowers once a year for about 1 week. During that time its tiniest of flowers is a busy spot for local bees and other nectar hunting insects. This guy was kind enough to remain still for about 1 second...just enough time for this capture. 90mm macro lens with a ring flash. 1/60 sec at f/16. ISO 100

Day 58: What the ant sees

2009-09-27T00:01:00.001-05:00

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Our neighborhood has had an abundance of mushrooms for the last week. I found this one in the yard today as I was cutting the grass and since the underside of a mushroom is much more interesting (to me anyway), I decided for a low angle shot.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens at 70mm. Off-camera flash below the subject. 1/200 sec at f/4.5. ISO 100.

Day 57: Rock-n-Roll Dreams

2009-09-26T00:01:00.005-05:00

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My daughter's friend Brayden was at our house this evening and any time someone walks thru our front door these days they have to agree to pose for my blog. Brayden was wearing a shirt that says "Bethany Rocks" and I immediately had the idea to make her a rock star. And because this is the night of Bethany's homecoming, it had to be purple.

Camera info: I put an off-camera flash with purple gel on a light stand and put it slightly behind and high above the subject. I took the shot from the floor hoping to get a "front row at a blues club" look. 24-70mm lens at 45mm. 1/200 sec at f/4.5. ISO 100. I used a couple of different smoke brushes in Photoshop to paint in the smoke effect.

Day 56: A future so bright

2009-09-25T00:01:00.002-05:00

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Today's photo is a shameless plug for my real job. I work as a professor in the Professional Studies Department at Southern Nazarene University. Our business is about providing adult learners the opportunity to finish a bachelors degree by attending class at night and by providing a means to go to school while maintaining the responsibilities of work and family life.

Our students are typically with us less than 2 years. But during that time they have all their classes with the same group of people and they become really close to each other and form friendships that last beyond their days at SNU. About a month ago, I was contacted and asked to meet this evening to photograph Group 53 of our Family Studies & Gerontology program. Aimee, today's subject, is the group leader and she was a joy to work with.

As we were waiting for other students to arrive, I really enjoyed seeing the ones who had already gathered interact with each other as not just classmates but true friends. And since I had a camera in my hand, I took the opportunity to snap a few candids. Today's photo was one of these and to me it captures one of the greatest things about my job...getting to experience the contagious optimism of our students as they near the completion of a long time goal.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 110mm. 1/500 sec at f/3.5. ISO 100.

Day 55: This old horse

2009-09-24T00:01:00.002-05:00

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I was on my way tonight to photograph some fresh bales of hay I'd seen earlier in the day when I saw a field of horses that were really majestic looking as the setting sun cast them with long shadows. As I approached the fence to take some photos, about six young looking equine came trotting my way. I assume they were expecting a treat of some sort. As I patted their foreheads and measured the sunlight, I noticed today's subject standing alone and at a distance. He/she moved much slower than the others and didn't seem to notice my presence. That's the horse I want to focus my camera on. I must be honest, despite having cared for horses in my youth, I really know nothing about them. I'm assuming this is an older horse and I apologize to the horse gods if I'm wrong in my assumption. But these days, it's the old horse I can relate to.

I think you can learn a lot from an old horse. Move slow and don't feel like every new thing that comes along requires your attention. Always have your friends near by, but never underestimate the value of a quiet moment alone. There's plenty of what you need to go around so share your pasture and don't feel like you have to fight for what's yours. And don't miss a good sunset by being stuck in the barn.

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 200mm. 1/400 sec at f/2.8. Exposure compensation dialed down 1 1/3 stops. Saturation boosted in post.

Day 54: Going wide

2009-09-23T00:01:00.001-05:00

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I spent my lunch hour at the Lake admiring the sky as it changed from gray to blue. I had my widest lens with me which I rarely use. But recently I've been challenged to go wide (thanks Darren) and this was the perfect day for it.

Camera info: 17-35mm lens at 17mm. 1/640 sec at f/9. ISO 100

Day 53: Skyline Pigeons

2009-09-22T00:01:00.005-05:00

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Skyline Pigeon - Lyric by Bernie Taupin

Turn me loose from your hands
Let me fly to distant lands
Over green fields, trees and mountains
Flowers and forest fountains
Home along the lanes of the skyway

For this dark and lonely room
Projects a shadow cast in gloom
And my eyes are mirrors
Of the world outside
Thinking of the way
That the wind can turn the tide
And these shadows turn
From purple into grey

For just a Skyline Pigeon
Dreaming of the open
Waiting for the day
He can spread his wings
And fly away again
Fly away skyline pigeon fly
Towards the dreams
You've left so very far behind

Just let me wake up in the morning
To the smell of new mown hay
To laugh and cry, to live and die
In the brightness of my day
I want to hear the pealing bells
Of distant churches sing
But most of all please free me
From this aching metal ring
And open out this cage towards the sun

Camera info: 70-200mm lens at 145mm. 1/160 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100.

Day 52: Too fast

2009-09-21T00:01:00.002-05:00

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I called my nephew Josh on Sunday afternoon to ask him if he'd pose for my blog. We set up a time for me to pick him up and when I arrived, I asked his sister Katie to come and assist. Katie was a great help because it was windier than I had thought. Anyway, we took about 15 minutes to set up...shot for 10 minutes...and packed up in about 5. It was a quick shot that stretched my skills but didn't require a lot of modifications.

But then I got home and started looking thru my shots. They made me feel awful. Not because I didn't capture what I set out to...but because I'm looking at my 16-year old nephew and realizing how fast time is moving and how I can't do anything about it.

Josh is an amazing young man. He's smart, funny, loves life and has truly great character. He takes everything in stride and he causes no one any grief. I'm really proud to have him as a nephew and I'm looking forward to seeing all he becomes. But man...just slow down already. It was just yesterday that he was two and I took him to the toy store to get his first Hot Wheels set. I remember chasing him all over that store...back when I could actually chase down a 2-year old.

Here's a photo of the setup. And here's another from the shoot.

Day 51: SUN flowers

2009-09-20T00:01:00.001-05:00

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After starting to think that I might need to call my insurance agent to add flood insurance to our policy, we finally got a bit of sun on Saturday. I was actually on my way to capture some mushrooms that had invaded a neighborhood lawn when I happened to see the setting sun lighting up this patch of wild sunflowers. It was as cheery as the sun itself.

Camera info: 35mm lens. 1/1000 sec at f/1.8. ISO 100.

Day 50: Friday Night Lights

2009-09-19T00:01:00.008-05:00

Day 50 and picking just one was too hard. So here's a series of 5. High School Football...a Friday night fall ritual...a chance for heros to be born. The first was shot with a 35mm lens. The rest were shot with a 70-200mm. ISO 3200, f/3.2, shutter speeds between 1/160 and 1/640.

Day 49: Deliciously Refreshing Part 2

2009-09-18T00:01:00.001-05:00

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As I indicated in my Day 2 post, we have no shortage of Coke bottles in our house. So I decided to try my original idea and take it up a notch. Rather than explain the setup I decided a picture is worth...oh maybe about 600 words.

Day 48: I saw her standing there

2009-09-17T00:01:00.001-05:00

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The cover of The Beatles debut American album Meet The Beatles has one of the most iconic photos of the fab four. Today's photo is my attempt to copy the technique. I simply used an off-camera flash with no modifier mounted on a light stand to the left and slightly behind the subject. The room was not dark nor was it brightly lit. But by using a high shutter speed, half her face and the background were rendered dark.

Camera info: 85mm lens. 1/200 sec at f/13. ISO 100

Day 47: Creepy Crawlies

2009-09-16T00:01:00.001-05:00

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Well I've already seen that the Halloween stores are open and the haunted house signs are up...so why not start the season off early.

Now you may recall that I posted a grasshopper photo in which I stated that the subject was not harmed in the making of the photo. Well with this particular creature I can only say that he received a 1-day repreive from instant death. You see, last night my wife and I were talking in our family room when she jumped up and shouted "Oh my goodness" (or something close to that anyway). Crawling right under my feet was today's subject. Now Lori prepared to instantly pounce and snuff the life of this poor arachnid. But I think much to her suprise I shouted back at her, "No...don't kill it".

It was then that I realized how this blog has warped my mind. Instead of the sane response my wife displayed, I thought of nothing but making this my next model. Well trooper that my wife is, she grabbed a piece of paper and collected the specimen and then went and got a glass so that I could capture it. I then waited til today in hopes that it would tire enough to stay still when I removed the glass to snap its picture.

In the meantime I decided to do a little research on this poor fellow. We were both surprised by him (and research confirms it's a he) and his large hairy nature. Also, it seemed to me that he was sporting too many legs. In fact it was by Googling 10-legged spider that I was able to identify him. Meet the brown trapdoor spider. It's a close relative to the turantula and can live to be 20 years old. And what appears like 2 extra limbs up front are actually just additional appendages for pulling food into its mouth. One other tidbit (a rather important one) is that the trapdoor spider is not venomous.

Camera info: Tripod mounted. 90mm lens with lens mounted ring flash. 1/60th sec at f/16. ISO 100.

Day 46: Tribute

2009-09-15T00:01:00.002-05:00

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I can't say that I am a Patrick Swayze fan. I saw most of his movies. I was entertained by most of them. I liked many of the characters he played. But I never felt any great connection to him. Still, he's another in a list (that seems to be growing at a fast pace) of iconic figures who pass before their time.

My favorite Swayze film was a lesser known cold-war story called Red Dawn. I think I liked it because it stirred in me certain survivalist urges. Patrick's performance was typical. He always played his characters just a little over-the-top that hurt just a little bit the suspense of disbelief. But you couldn't help rooting for him. He was kinda like that guy you always hung out with that took things a little too seriously but that would never let you down in a tough spot.

Today's photo is inspired by the movie Ghost. Every time I see this movie I cringe a bit at the less than skillful acting, directing and storyline. Still, I can't take my eyes off the screen. I wonder how many people would count it among their guiltiest of pleasures.

My dear wife who has refused to pose for any of my blog photos, consented to be my ghost for this shot. It's a very simple setup. I put the camera on a tripod and set it up for a 2.5 sec exposure at f/11. As I released the shutter, I had her stand up and walk out of the frame. The long-exposure rendered everything else still while making her appear ghostly. I used a Photoshop filter to give it a bit of an aged photo look.

Day 45: A good day to be a duck

2009-09-14T00:01:00.003-05:00

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Camera info: Near 100% crop. Handheld 70-200mm lens at 170mm. 1/30 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100.

Day 44: The Line Between Good & Evil

2009-09-13T00:01:00.006-05:00

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Another lesson I learned much too late in life is that nobody is as good as you think them to be and nobody is as bad.

I once wrote a letter to a hero of mine, Tony Campolo. I was applauding him for standing by a recently disgraced friend for whom he was offering spiritual guidance. To my surprise I received a letter back from him and one of the lines of his letter that has stuck with me was, "Remember Jim, the line between good and evil runs through the middle of every person." Thinking about that line tonight inspired me to write something.

The Line Between Good & Evil

On pedestal high we place our saints
and know of them only good.
We polish their halos and dust their crowns
carefully ignoring the cracks as we should.

We hang on every word, each deed
and follow them without question.
We sing their songs and raise their flag
while faithfully defending the bastion.

In places low and with legion looming
we see our enemies emerge.
With fist-clenched canon and sharpened tongue
we seek their thoughts be purged.

We guard our children, we build our walls
and keep them at a distance.
We're sure that heaven's true reward
is saved for the resistance.

But what we fail to notice,
but see I think we must.
Is that the line between good and evil
runs through the middle of each of us.

Camera info: Subjects were lined up on a piece of glass atop a black piece of mat board. They were lit with a table lamp. 85mm lens on tripod mounted camera. 1/80 sec at f/1.4. ISO 100.

Day 43: ...for your thoughts

2009-09-12T00:01:00.005-05:00

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In my top 5 favorite movies of all time is the classic Casablanca. The movie has more quotable lines than any other I know of. One of those lines comes when Ilsa says to Rick, "A franc for your thoughts." Rick replies, "In America they'd bring only a penny, and, huh, I guess that's about all they're worth."

It saddens me to think that the thoughts that seem to carry the most weight these days are those that are spoken the loudest and with a spirit that undermines true dialogue. I wonder what would happen if all thought was truly valued, and weighed, and given a chance to really be understood. I think a lesson I learned way too late in life is that being right is over-rated. Opening yourself to opposing viewpoints is much more valueable in the long run. And that's my 2 cents for the day...oops...I guess I still owe you one.

Camera info: 90mm macro lens, lens mounted ring flash, 1/60 sec, f/16.

Day 42: My favorite lens

2009-09-11T00:01:00.002-05:00

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In photography circles there are huge debates regarding the importance of equipment vs. skill of the photographer. Those on the photographer skill side argue that some of the greatest photographs in history were taken with some of the most rudimentary equipment. Those on the equipment side argue that while that may be true, those same photographers used the best equipment available to them at the time. I believe that I lean more to the photographer skill side, but my father, a very poor man, always taught me that you should own the best tools you can afford.

Well the best piece of photography equipment I own is in the form of a lens. It's the Canon EF 85mm f1.2L lens. For my Canon brothers and sisters, there are actually 2 models of this lens: the original and a Mark II version. They are both considered equally good in terms of image quality, but the Mark II version was released to correct the slow focusing of the original model. When the Mark II was released, the original version started showing up at almost half its original price...which is how I came to be able to afford one.

What I find amazing about this lens is that even at f1.2 it's incredibly sharp. An example of this is my Day 35 photo. It also provides silky smooth bokeh, great contrast and rich colors. Be sure to click on the photo above for the full-size version.

Goofy is my subject today. He's our loveable Shi-tzu who has been a part of our family for a little over 2 years. I shot using an off camera flash thru an umbrella. 1/60 sec at f/2.5. ISO 100. I shot at f/2.5 to try and keep both his nose and eyes in focus.

Day 41: Writing with Light

2009-09-10T00:01:00.002-05:00

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Today's photo was about having fun and learning something new. When I was in high school, I worked at the Warr Acres Library and I remember looking through photography books and finding this photographer (I apologize that I don't know his name) who made these incredible light paintings by keeping the shutter open on the camera and basically drawing in the air with a light source. As I recall, he used fire. Anyway, that was back in the days when they used this thing called film and when you took a photo you had to wait until it was developed to see how it turned out. Because of this limitation I was never daring enough to try this techinique.

Well tonight when I was seeking inspiration, I remembered this and decided I should try it. I setup the camera on a tripod and manually focused to a spot where I would be standing. I then set the camera to f/16 and used a shutter speed of 15 seconds. I turned off all the lights and used an LED flashlight as my light source. I then clicked the shutter and quickly went to the other end of the room, pointed the flashlight back at the camera and wrote in the air. After several attempts trying to spellout LightSmith, I decided I neither had enough time or room and opted to just spell out light. Now I must admit that I'm not skilled enough to write backwards. So I wrote as I normally would and flipped the image in Photoshop.

If you have a camera where you can manually adjust the shutter speed, I recommend giving this a try. It is great fun and I'm looking forward to creating more diverse "Light Paintings" in the future. Here's a link I found regarding the technique.

Day 40: Excuse me while I kiss the sky

2009-09-09T00:01:00.001-05:00

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As I was going back to work from lunch yesterday, I noticed the sky was full of clouds of both the fluffy white, and ominous dark varieties. It's funny, but prior to starting this project, I probably wouldn't have given it much thought. I happened to be near Wiley Post Airport and knew that from the west side, I would have an unobstructed view of the sky. I only had my 35mm lens with me which really wasn't as wide as I would have liked, but I still liked the result.

Camera info: Polarizer filter used. 35mm lens, 1/500 sec at f/11. ISO 100.

Day 39: It's her day

2009-09-08T00:01:00.002-05:00

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Twelve years ago today my life drastically changed. I became a father. And even though I was 35 years old, I wasn't ready. I thought I knew what to expect. I thought it was just the next stage in life and everything would go on as it had before...only with an extra passenger in the car and a few more groceries to purchase. And it was at this moment in time that I came to realize why the women in my life often look at me like I'm the dumbest creature to ever roam the planet.

It took me about a year to figure out that being a father was the greatest calling of my life. My wife would tell you that I was nothing short of a selfish little boy before I finally woke up to realize that every sacrifice made for my child pays off beyond measure. Every bit of effort is rewarded many times over.

Now I must be honest and admit that my wife bares much more than her share of the parenting task. She is the best mother I know and I will never be able to balance the scale of doing for our daughter. And more than me she understands that choosing child over self is the right and only thing to do.

I love being a dad. And I love the young lady my daughter is becoming. I'm trying hard at this point in this post to pull back from the superlatives that grace the pages of most mommy and daddy blogs. I mean how many of those have you read where they go on and on about how great their children are and how no one has ever had a child as wonderful as theirs. I hate those blogs...I hate them because they make it impossible for me, the father of the best child ever, to state so in my blog. So, I'm not going to do that. I'm simply going to wrap this up and say Happy Birthday dear Jenna...I love you more than you will ever know.

Camera info: Taken outdoors with remote flash shot thru umbrella high and to the subject left. The sun was behind the subject. Flash was used to compensate for backlighting. You can see that when used this way, it can mimic natural light. 85mm lens shot at 1/60 sec at f/4.5, ISO 100. I used a Photoshop filter to create selective focus in my post work.

Day 38: The fruits of her labor

2009-09-07T00:01:00.003-05:00

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Happy Labor Day! Hopefully you have as exciting plans as we do for the day. We're having six 12-year old girls at our house...all day!!!! Jenna is turning 12 tomorrow and so she's hosting her birthday party today.

Today's photo consists of the fruits of Jenna's labor in preparing for her party. For some reason, Jenna doesn't like cake. So cookies became her dessert of choice for today's festivities. She and her mother decided that they should start this project at 10pm and they finished around 1am. Anyway, the cookies taste as good as they look.

Camera info: I used a 50mm lens with the camera mounted on a tripod. I learned recently that food looks best when lit from behind. I actually had my off-camera flash set up behind and to the left of the cookies. I set up a reflector directly opposite the flash to provide some fill and reduce the harshness of the shadows. 1/200 sec, f/11, ISO 800.

Day 37: Where did the magic go?

2009-09-06T00:01:00.001-05:00

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Sooner Magic...the stuff of legends and unfortunately the stuff of history. Do you remember...all those 4th quarter miracles that the faithful understood as God himself smiling on the boys in crimson and cream? The end arounds, the impossible interceptions, the punt returns, the kicks that were just long enough...we just expected it to happen again and again. Maybe we started to take the magic for granted. And maybe like Job our faith is being tested.

Keep the faith my brothers and sisters. There is still nothing better than Saturday. So who's buying next week's pay-per-view? I'll bring the pizza and wings.

Day 36: Proof of Life

2009-09-05T00:01:00.001-05:00

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Today was a day without inspiration. So I settled for another macro shot. I took this with no artificial light. It's a 25 second exposure at f/16...obviously tripod mounted. I originally shot it with artificial lighting, but it rendered very flat. I needed shadows for this one.

Day 35: Sartorial Eloquence

2009-09-04T00:01:00.003-05:00

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I had intended today's photo to end the collection of Elton John songs. It was going to be the one that nobody got but me. But as I was in no condition to leave the house last week, I had to wait until last night to take this photo.

This is my friend Jana. I knew from the beginning of this project that I wanted her to model for me and my hope is that she will consent to do so again in this coming year. I knew she would be great for this because she knows how to communicate so well both with words and without.

I met Jana when we were in a play together and later I had the pleasure of working with her for a few years at SNU. But for several years we lost touch and it wasn't until last Summer that we reconnected online. Her friendship has been one of the best things about my whole Facebook experience. I think of her and her husband Phil as being examples of the very best of what generation-x has to offer. I told a mutual friend this morning that when I grow up I want to be like Jana.

Photo setup: This was obviously taken at night and if you're familiar with Bethany, the location is on the sidewalk in front of Clark's Bakery. I setup a flash on a light stand and shot it into a shoot-thru umbrella high and to the left of the subject. I clamped another flash with a red gel on a chair to the right and behind the subject. The camera was set to shutter priority and I used an 85mm f1.2 lens at f1.2, 1/200 sec, ISO 100. Here's a full-length version of the photo.

Day 34: Your Ultimate Drink Stop

2009-09-03T00:01:00.004-05:00

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Anybody want a cherry limeade? What's your favorite Sonic drink? Mine is a strawberry-vanilla-Diet Coke...yummy. My wife's friend Lynda taught me that one.

"It's about reacting to what you see, hopefully without preconception. You can find pictures anywhere. It's simply a matter of noticing things and organizing them. You just have to care about what's around you and have a concern with humanity and the human comedy."

--Elliott Erwitt, American photographer

Camera info: handheld 70-200mm lens with IS, 1/40 sec at f/3.2, ISO 100

Day 33: Hidden Oklahoma Series Part 1

2009-09-02T00:01:00.002-05:00

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Last week I was back in the Plaza District to pick up my daughter from practice and came upon a store I knew I would have to visit. So last night, I planned on arriving early to the theatre so I could check it out. Introducing Bad Granny's Bazaar, a wonderful collection of "vintage, retro, modern hip, indie arts and crafts, and other curious goods..."

As if the art surrounding the portal wasn't enough, the moment I entered Bad Granny's I was hooked. If you've ever been to our house, you know of our love for retro styling and collectables. Granny's has plenty of both. The hardest part was walking around the store with a heavy camera in my hand. How am I supposed to fondle the merchandise with my hands full? I spoke with the proprietor, Diana Harris and it sounds like her vision is of an ever changing world of fun. I'm looking forward to going back and seeing how it evolves.

If you love this kind of place as much as I, make your way to 1759 NW 16th in Oklahoma City. Granny's is open 11-7, Tuesday thru Saturday. They also feature live music at times in the back room and they have a great collection of local art throughout the store.

Camera info: Handheld 24-70mm lens, 1/40 sec at f/4.5, ISO 100.

Day 32: Contrast

2009-09-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

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Today's photo represents contrast. There is the contrast I created by desaturating the background to make the foreground stand out. But there is also the contrast of the subject matter...the proud warrior against the seedy storefront. Contrast guides the eye.

"...light cannot be known in the absence of darkness."

from Lessons I Didn’t Learn In Photo School

Day 31: ...only a mother...

2009-08-31T00:01:00.001-05:00

Be sure to click the larger version for this one.

Disclaimer: No grasshoppers were physically harmed in the making of today's photo. Psychological damage is unknown.

A face that only a mother could love, certainly describes this fellow. I found him in the back yard while watering the flowers and decided he was ready for a close-up. This is basically the same setup as the flower 2 days ago except I used f/16 to try and get even more depth of field. You can see that even at f/16 it's very shallow when positioning the lens so close. When I caught this guy, I kept him in a clear glass that I could focus thru. By the way...manual focus is a must with this setup. When I got the focus I wanted, I slowly lifted the glass and quickly took the photo then covered him back up with the glass. Another thing I do is use a remote shutter release to eliminate all vibration. Here's a link that shows the setup (please note that the grasshopper had already been released unharmed).

Day 30: A quick getaway

2009-08-30T00:01:00.002-05:00

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Lori and I have had a stressful start to the school year and so we decided to do a quick getaway to Florida for the weekend. Here's the sunset we enjoyed last night. Jealous?!?!?

Seriously...we love Florida...we would go there for almost any reason...and we have seen some great sunsets there...but c'mon...we require a full year's planning for any trip, as well as a full year of saving our pennies.

No folks...this is beautiful Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City. Thanks to T.R. Ryan for reminding me of how great Oklahoma sunsets are. And last night we had a great one. The clouds were painted perfectly in the sky and the climate matched the scenery. What's up with that? I didn't even break a sweat and it's August...in Oklahoma?!?!?

For my photo buddies, you'll notice the sun is still above the horizon. If you leave the camera on auto, you're going to get a lovely sky full of shades of bright white. For today's shot, I used aperture priority with the aperture set on f/8.0. I then used the exposure compensation and dialed it down a full stop. Other info: handheld 24-70mm lens at 63mm, ISO 100, 1/400 sec shutter speed.

Day 29: It's in the details

2009-08-29T00:01:00.002-05:00

Be sure to click the larger version for this one.

Today's photo is an example of a photo genre known as macro-photography. It's really strange to me to call it macro because it really looks more like viewing something under a microscope. Anyway, today it's all about the camera setup. I used a 90mm macro lens and was able to manually focus the subject with the lens just 4 inches away. I employed two off-camera flashes on either side of the subject and had the camera mounted on a tripod. I set the camera for manual and used a 1/125 sec shutter speed with an aperture of f/11. You have to use a small aperture with macro photography due to minimal depth of field caused by being so close to the subject. Here's a link that shows the setup as well as how tiny the flower was that I shot.

Day 28: Riding into the sunset

2009-08-28T00:01:00.002-05:00

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Today ends 6 days of Elton John song photos. Again, if you are the first to post a comment with the song title and original album it appeared on, you win a free t-shirt. Please remember that if you've already won you are not eligible to win again.

As I began writing this post I realized that day 28, the 28th of August is a special day for me. It's my dad's birthday. If he were still with us, he would be 75 today. Although accidental, there is something very fitting about today's photo as a tribute to my dad. I had intended to do something else for the last day of the Elton photos, but as I'm still not feeling all that great, I went for something simple. But now I'm glad I did.

My dad was a huge fan of the western. He had all of Zane Grey's books and I can't tell you how many hours of John Wayne movies he and I watched together. It was one of the few things that we did together. Dad was never into sports, so we never went to a game together. We had polar opposite tastes on most things not the least of which was Elton John. I still remember him shaking his head when I showed him my new Elton John black-light poster.

But we never missed the opportunity to watch a good western on TV. I think "The Cowboys" was our favorite. We both avoided eye contact at the end when our hero dies. So this one's for dad and for all "the roundups and rustlers and home on the range".

Now that this one's been won I wanted to post this great Taupin lyric:

Roy Rogers

Sometimes you dream, sometimes it seems

There's nothing there at all

You just seem older than yesterday

And you're waiting for tomorrow to call
You draw to the curtain and one thing's for certain

You're cozy in your little room

The carpet's all paid for, God bless the TV

Let's go shoot a hole in the moon

And Roy Rogers is riding tonight

Returning to our silver screens

Comic book characters never grow old

Evergreen heroes whose stories were told

Oh the great sequin cowboy who sings of the plains

Of roundups and rustlers and home on the range

Turn on the T.V., shut out the lights

Roy Rogers is riding tonight

Nine o'clock mornings, five o'clock evenings

I'd liven the pace if I could

Oh I'd rather have ham in my sandwich than cheese

But complaining wouldn't do any good

Lay back in my armchair, close eyes and think clear

I can hear hoofbeats ahead

Roy and Trigger have just hit the hilltop

While the wife and the kids are in bed

And Roy Rogers is riding tonight
Returning to our silver screens
Comic book characters never grow old
Evergreen heroes whose stories were told
Oh the great sequin cowboy who sings of the plains
Of roundups and rustlers and home on the range
Turn on the T.V., shut out the lights
Roy Rogers is riding tonight

Day 27: Jenna gets the assist

2009-08-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

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I seriously considered not doing a photo today. I am lay in the bed and do nothing sick. But my daughter was wonderful and when I told her my vision for the shot, she pulled everything together so that all I had to do was turn on the camera, press the shutter and then post it to here. Thank you wonderful daughter of mine.

Camera info: off-camera flash at 45 degrees left of subject. 24-70mm lens, 1/250 sec at f/3.2. ISO 100.

Day 26: The iPod killed a part of my soul

2009-08-26T00:01:00.006-05:00

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Today continues 6 days of Elton John song photos. Again, if you are the first to post a comment with the song title and original album it appeared on, you win a free t-shirt. Please remember that if you've already won you are not eligible to win again.

As I've looked thru the Elton John catalog this week, looking for photo ideas, I've been struck with nostalgic thoughts as I remembered different albums and the events of my life for which these albums were the soundtrack. It also dawned on me that I don't listen to music the way I did in the past. Today, I create playlists of mp3s that serve as background noise and little more. But in the past, I listened to whole albums and experienced them as living works of art.

I remember the early days of my music collecting when I was incredibly discriminating based on the lack of coin in my pocket. New Elton John albums were automatic buys, but anyone else had to really push my buttons to get me to fork over my hard earned cash. Later I was able to be more free in my selections. But still, I rarely purchased more than one album at a time.

When I did finally decide that a recording was worth the investment, I would devour it. It would be the only thing on my turntable, 8-track player or cd player. (I never bought cassettes...they sounded horrible) I would listen to it over and over with lyric sheets in hand. I'd look at who wrote the song and who played lead guitar. I'd have imaginary fights with the record promoter who blew it with his selection of songs to release as singles. I'd try to imagine what events caused the lyricist to pen the words and I'd try to feel what every note was intended to evoke. Those albums were important and remain an important part of who I am.

I wonder if those college students moving into the dorm across the street from where I'm writing this have anything like that relationship with the music they purchase online. Do they ever buy whole albums? Do they ever find a gem that was never played on the radio but still had the power to affirm all those strange feelings they have every day? Do they ever notice a thread that connects one song to the next or appreciate how the artist picked the perfect order for the songs to be played back? And how must those same artists feel knowing that Apple gave these fresh from the mall, oily-faced lemmings the option to randomly shuffle those songs with the press of a single button?

I know my relationship to new music has certainly changed. I still have a great appreciation for rare talent, but I rarely get past the few songs that get picked for general release. I don't care anymore about who's in a band or who wrote the songs. When I hear a song I like, I download that one tune and make it a part of my "current faves" playlist. Even when I get the latest Elton album, I quickly decide my favorite tracks and discard the others to digital purgatory.

Change is the essence of progress...but I think it reeks of sacrifice as well.

Camera info: off-camera flash directly above subject. 24-70mm lens, 1/125 sec at f/5.6, ISO 100.

Day 25: Elton John Part 3

2009-08-25T00:01:00.002-05:00

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Today you have another chance to win a t-shirt. The first person to comment to this posting with the correct Elton John song represented by today's photo along with the original album in which it appeared wins.

The song represented by this photo was performed in the first Elton John concert I attended. I believe it was the last tour that Dee Murray, Elton's bass player, performed in. Davey Johnstone was not on this tour, but Nigel was on drums, Richie Zito was the lead guitarist and in addition to Elton, James Newton-Howard played keyboards. It was a tight band to say the least. What I remember about this song is that they sang the chorus acapella and it was amazing.

Camera info: I used a single off-camera flash high and to the right of the subject with no light modifiers. Camera was on a tripod using a 135mm lens, 1/125 sec at f/2.0, ISO 100. I used a string of LED Christmas lights in the background.

Day 24: Elton John part 2

2009-08-24T00:01:00.003-05:00

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Today I decided to continue on with the theme of the songs of Elton John. Today, however, I'm making it a contest. The first person to comment on this posting with the correct Elton John song represented by today's photo, along with the original album title it appeared on, wins a free t-shirt (photo). In fact, I have a few more songs/photos in mind, so I'm probably going to continue this for the next few days. So come back for another chance to win. You might want to leave your e-mail in your response so I can contact you if you win. Also, you are only eligible to win one time.

The song represented by today's photo actually brings back a rather bad memory for me. Because my father was in the Air Force and we moved almost every year, we only got to see my grandparents about once a year. I always loved these week long trips, but there was one year that didn't go so well. My mom and dad got in a big fight with my grandmother and as a result we ended up packing up to go home a day early. As we packed the car I vividly remember my sister singing this song. I remember telling her to shut up, but only because the song fit so well with what we were all feeling.

Camera info: 24-70mm lens, 1/25 sec at f/2.8, ISO 800, lit with an led book light.

Day 23: "...the sound of a switchblade..."

2009-08-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

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I became an Elton John fan by accident. I remember the summer in between my 8th and 9th grade years when I was on my way to church camp and riding with one of the high school guys from my church. His name was Billy Nichols and at the time, I thought he was the coolest person on the planet. I still remember him popping in an 8-track and turning up the speakers as he sang along to this chorus, "Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday night's alright...." He emphatically beat on the steering wheel in perfect time and because I wanted to be a sophisticated man of the world I asked him, "who's that?" "It's Elton John, silly". Well I immediately realized that I must have been living in the dark ages and despite not having a clue I said, "Oh yeah!!"

Well less than a week after the next school year started, I was walking down the hall with Tim Henry, the bad boy of our 9th grade class. Tim dated the most beautiful girl at our school, Sandy Davis. Now I was never a ladies man, but I knew if you wanted to hang out with the girl, you better be friends with her boyfriend. So my mission was to make Tim my friend. And as we walked down the hall that day, the friendship was sealed. You see Tim asked me who my favorite rock star was. Well the only name that came to mind was the one I learned that summer and so I blurted out, "Elton John". "Cooooool" was all Tim had to say and all he needed to say. I was instantly accepted. And instantly I became an Elton John fan. That afternoon I went home and cashed out my allowance and bought my first "Elton John" album, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road".

Over the years I've bought every 8-track/Album/CD released by Elton at least once. I've seen him in concert 4 times and if we had had a son and my wife would have let me, he would have been named Elton Hercules Smith.

Today's photo is one I did specifically for a collection that my good friend Darren (who really is the coolest guy on the planet) has on his facebook. Darren started this great idea a few months back where he posts a theme and has his friends send in photos representing that theme. He asked me to help him get the latest theme started, "Elton John Songs".

The song represented in this photo is "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting". It was my first EJ song and remains one of my favorites.

Camera info: 85mm lens shot at 1/200 sec at f2.0, ISO 100.

Day 22: Magic in the Mundane

2009-08-22T00:01:00.001-05:00

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Friday night, my daughter (who hates shopping) and I sat in the car waiting for mommy as she checked out J.C. Penny's. We were coming back from seeing Disney's Christmas Carol Train down in Bricktown. So of course I had my camera. As we sat waiting in the parking lot of the mall and bored to tears, inspiration arrived in the form of today's photo.

By the way...if you have kids, the train attraction runs thru Saturday and is really pretty cool. At the end they actually have a little theatre set up and are showing a few select scenes from the movie in 3D. It looks amazing. The attraction is free, but you'll probably have to pay for parking.

Camera info: 50mm lens, 1/125th sec at f/2.0, ISO 100.

Day 21: Flower

2009-08-21T00:01:00.003-05:00

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It's a flower. It's pink. I think it's pretty.

Camera info: Another off-camera flash shot. Flash set to auto and shot into reflective umbrella at left of subject. I used a clip to attach the flower stem to the end of the umbrella. 70-200mm lens at 120mm. 1/200 sec (to darken background), f/11 (to increase depth of field). ISO 100.

Day 20: Exposed

2009-08-20T00:01:00.004-05:00

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"The exotic is easy. The common is hard.Many photographers travel great distances to better their craft. Upon returning home, their peers marvel at the spoils of the adventure: distinctive portraits, dramatic landscapes, and shots of intriguing food, flora and fauna. The moment you point your lens at an exotic subject, the journey to creating an interesting photograph is half-finished. The second-half is often completed by technology rather than intention. If you really want to hone yourself as a photographer, then point your lens at the people, places and things around you everyday. When you can routinely craft an image that captures a new way of seeing the common, then you are truly growing as a photographer."

Source: Lessons I Didn’t Learn In Photo School

camera info: off camera flash shot into collapsed umbrella at left of subject. 50mm lens, 1/200 sec at f/5.6, ISO 100.

Day 19: I wish I was as calm as she

2009-08-19T00:01:00.001-05:00

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My 11 year old daughter starts the 7th grade tomorrow and I'm...well...terrified. It's not because I remember my 7th grade year, but because I can't remember. I do remember that the year before 7th grade was great and I remember 8th grade was pretty okay. But whatever happened that year at Lincoln Jr. High in Abilene, Texas just puts my stomach in knots to this day. I kinda remember the building and I remember Crystal Vanmeter, this blonde beauty that was my steady for a whole week. But other than that, the only thing that comes to mind is constantly being in a state of fear and dread.

Okay...so before you call DHS and turn me in for traumatizing my daughter before she walks in the school doors Thursday, I must tell you I am much more optimistic for the year ahead for dear Jenna. She's been at the same school since 1st grade and she has a close group of friends to help her thru the times to come. But I'm still nervous. She's still so young. Can she really handle all the new pressures that come at this time in life? Or probably...yep, this is it...I'm afraid that pretty soon here she's not going to find me as indespensible as she does today.

I hate getting old.

camera info: off-camera flash shot into reflective umbrella at subject left. Flash set to ttl mode (automatic). 24-70mm lens, 1/80th sec at f/4.0. ISO 100.

Day 18: Playing with the Light

2009-08-18T00:01:00.001-05:00

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Today's photo is an example of when you have something in your mind and the finished product turns out better than your vision. In my mind, I saw this as the vase in sillouette with just red around the edge. But the light actually wrapped around it and made it almost glow. The vase is actually opaque with shards of mother of pearl in a mosaic pattern. I took this in a mostly dark room with the flash set up directly behind the vase. So I'm guessing that the light bounced off the mother of pearl tiles and bounce all over the room resulting in the front side being lit as well.

If you happen to be reading this blog and want to expand your own creativity, I want to recommend a purchase for you. Assuming you have an external flash for your DSLR camera, do your self a favor and get the flash off the camera. Light coming from the same angle as your lens is rarely flattering. And while you can sometimes bounce the light and get better results, an off-camera flash gives you dozens of more options. Included in this is the ability to use the flash outdoors to counter the effects of backlighting. I purchased a $25 triggering set off Ebay that allows you to put your flash anywhere and trigger it from the camera. Just let me know if you need more info on this.

For this shot, I put the vase on the table and used a black jacket pinned up behind the table as the backdrop. The flash (with red gel) was put between the coat and the vase pointed at the vase. 85mm lens, 1/200 sec at f/3.5, ISO 100.

Day 17: It must be Sunday

2009-08-17T00:01:00.001-05:00

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To say I have a major man-crush on Tiger Woods is kinda like saying I might need to lose some weight and exercise. There's probably nothing I enjoy more on a Sunday afternoon than watching Tiger compete in (and usually win) another golf tournament. Well this Sunday I fear I may have jinxed my hero when I decided to somehow feature him as my photo of the day. At the time I took today's photo, he was leading. About 30 seconds after clicking the shutter, Y. E. Chang holed a 40 footer from off the green to take the lead. It was the first time ever in a major that Tiger relinquished a lead on the final day of the tournament. Sorry TW, but congratulations to Y.E. Chang who became the first Asian to ever win a major golf event.

This was a tricky photo to take. To properly expose the hat would cause the TV to be blown out. I set up a flash on a light stand and put it about 4 feet to the left of the hat. I set the tripod mounted camera on manual and used a shutter speed of 1/10 a second and an aperture of 5.0. I actually clamped down the aperture because I wanted the image on the TV to still be recognizable. ISO 100 and the flash was set to manual and shot at 1/128th power.

Day 16: Another Saturday Night...

2009-08-16T00:01:00.002-05:00

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Another Saturday Night - Cat Stevens

Another Saturday night and I ain't got nobody

I've got some money 'cause I just got paid

Now, how I wish I had someone to talk to

I'm in an awful way

I got in town a month ago

I seen a lot of girls since then

If I could meet 'em I could get 'em

But as yet I haven't met 'em

That's how I'm in the state I'm in

Oh,Another Saturday night and I ain't got nobody

I've got some money 'cause I just got paid

Now, how I wish I had someone to talk to

I'm in an awful way

Another fella told me

He had a sister who looked just fine

Instead of bein' my deliv'rance

She had a strange resemblance

To a cat named Frankenstein

Ooh, la, Another Saturday night and I ain't got nobody

I've got some money 'cause I just got paid

Now, how I wish I had someone to talk to

I'm in an awful way

It's hard on a fella

When he don't know his way around

If I don't find me a honey

To help me spend my money

I'm gonna have to blow this town

Oh, no Another Saturday night and I ain't got nobody

I've got some money 'cause I just got paid

Now, how I wish I had someone to talk to

I'm in an awful way

camera info: Off camera flash at subject left with purple gel. 24-70mm lens at 63mm. Manual mode 1/125 sec at f3.5. ISO 100. I used an aged-photo preset in Lightroom to give this a less saturated look.

Day 15: Homecoming

2009-08-15T00:01:00.001-05:00

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Today's photo reflects just a small part of what my wife discovered on one of her evening jogs this week. In our neighborhood there is a block long cul-de-sac in which you will find the scene in this photo. But what you don't see is that every house on that block has flags, balloons and signs welcoming home a local hero. It is a story that I suppose is being repeated across our country and it is indeed a welcome sight. It is another reminder for me personally that all around me people are experiencing things that I'm typically oblivious too.

I speak from personal experience when I say that I'm glad that we are welcoming home our veterans and honoring the sacrifice that they and their families make so that they may serve. My father had no such homecoming 41 years ago upon returning from Viet Nam. I remember as a 5 year old being woke up in the middle of the night by my mother, telling me that we had to go to the airport to pick up my dad who I hadn't seen for an entire year. My dad was told 40 hours earlier that he was on his way home and when he arrived in Savannah, Georgia, there wasn't even a car to pick him up.

I never heard my dad complain about not being recognized for his sacrifice. I really don't think it ever crossed his mind. But I know if he was still here today, he'd go out of his way to welcome home his fellow veterans. Regardless of your ideology, it's just the right thing to do.

Photo info: Shot with camera in AV mode at f5.6. Duplicated layer in Photoshop. Converted duplicate to BW and tweaked levels. Used a layer mask to reveal selective color.

Day 14: Pointing to the heavens

2009-08-14T00:01:00.002-05:00

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It's been over 20 years since I played a round of golf at Cedar Valley in Guthrie, Oklahoma. But for 2 summers, my friends who actually could play the game would let me tag along every Sunday afternoon as I tried in vane to find my swing. I loved trying to play golf, but probably more than the game, I enjoyed the 45 minute car ride each way on route to the golf course. It was filled with a lot of laughter, sharing great music and just enjoying the fact that most stressful thing I'd have to do that day is hit an approach across a lake on the 1st hole of the Augusta course.

On that drive each week, we passed this church that was so unusual in design that the Art Vandelay in me would gaze in awe as we passed by. My friends called it the teepee church, but I always had the thought that I could never worship in a place that constantly reminded me of one of Madonna's C-cups. But still I always wondered what it looked like on the inside and what was the story behind its construction.

Yesterday as I was thinking about what to shoot, I noticed the sky was once again a nice shade of blue with great cloud formations. I knew I wanted to shoot something with a skyline and for some reason this church came to mind. I drove up Macarthur to NW 178th to revisit the teepee church. When I arrived I was a bit disappointed. First the name of the church was different. It's now the home to the Church at Edmond. Seriously...it's not Church of Edmond or Church in Edmond, it is really called Church at Edmond. Secondly, I noticed the disrepair of this eclectic structure. Wow...another great landmark sitting in decay. There's still a church right there, but it's in a steel siding building with a tin roof. I wonder how the parishoners must feel to come there each week and see the church building that was.

Well back at home I began researching and discovered that this was built by the Hopewell Baptist Church, a congregation that still exists in Edmond. The architect was Bruce Goff and the church was built in the 1940s for $20,000. It has not been occupied since 1989...the year after I last passed it on the way to Guthrie. The building itself has been recently added to the National Register of Historic Places and in 2003 an effort (the Hopewell Heritage Foundation) was begun to raise money to restore it at an estimated cost of $2 million. If you're ever headed to Guthrie, skip I-35 and take the time to see one of Oklahoma's most unique structures.

Photo info: I shot this with a 24-70mm lens with a polarizer filter to darken the blues in the sky. 1/320th sec at F8.0.

Day 13: Blue Moves

2009-08-13T00:01:00.002-05:00

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This one's for Mighty Mouse.

What do you do when you need a subject for your next photo idea? You enlist the help of your daughter's friend who happens to be playing at your house today. Meet Katie, one of the easiest to direct models I've ever photographed. By the way, if you or a friend would like to be immortalized on these pages, just drop me an e-mail and we'll make it happen.

Camera info: Set to manual. ISO 100, 1/200 sec, f4.0. off-camera flash 1/16 power behind and to the right of subject with a blue gel taped over the front (I used a cut piece of a report cover for this). off-camera flash 1/8 power to subject left shot into collapsed reflective umbrella.

Day 12: City Dwellers

2009-08-12T00:01:00.002-05:00

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I've already mentioned how I've discovered with this project that I am lacking when it comes to the doing. Just 12 days in and I'm discovering the beauty that exists all around...that has always existed all around, and that I have just been too lazy to get out and enjoy. In the first 12 days, I've seen 3 sunsets, rediscovered Lake Hefner, found a wonderful coffee shop, discovered 2 OKC neighborhoods I didn't know existed and discovered that people close to me are experiencing life in ways, good and bad, I never dreamed of.

Today's photo has a lot of problems from a technical point of view. But for me it represents doing. This is part of a herd of deer that can be seen every evening as the sun is setting, between Macarthur and Portland on Hefner blvd. I've passed them a hundred times and always said to myself, "I should really stop someday and take a closer look." Last night I went on top of the Hefner dam and just watched them for a half hour. It cost me nothing and required very little effort and yet it made all the things that caused me stress during a busy day just a little less important.

Photo info: 300mm lens, 1/25th of a second at f/18, ISO 800. Handheld with IS.

Day 11: One light, one special daughter

2009-08-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

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I've been watching a DVD lately put out by Zack Arias, an Atlanta photogapher who has made a career out of producing fantastic photos using a single source of artificial light...the one light technique. I decided last night to try out some of what I've been learning. And fortunately for me, my daughter was having fun playing dress up with a bunch of hats that were headed for the thrift store from Stephanie Steen.

Here are the settings: 135mm lens at f5.6 and 1/30 sec shutter speed, ISO 800 (totally unnecessary...I forgot to lower it before shooting). I set up an off camera flash on a light stand at 3 o'clock from the subject slightly above eye level and shot into a reflective umbrella. By setting the light source at a right angle from the subject, I was able to light the subject and leave the background mostly dark.

Day 10: HB to HB

2009-08-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

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Yesterday we had dinner with my wife's family to celebrate the 10th birthday of my neice Halee Beth (HB). I asked her mother to write up the wonderful story of Halee's coming into this world.

Halee’s Story

by Melissa Morgan

Ten years ago this week on August 12th, 1999 Halee Beth was born. She was 5lbs 5oz and we were told that she most likely would not survive the night. We were devastated, Halee was our third child we had been through this before but it was nothing like this! Three days before she was born I had started to feel really tired, very drained. I had been getting our other two children ready to go back to school, shopping etc; I just thought I was really tired from being on the go & the horrible heat in August. The kids started school that morning and after I dropped them off I felt just horrible, I went home and went back to bed the rest of the morning. I started feeling flushed and my stomach felt like dead weight very heavy. If I had not had two children before I might not have realized this was not right. I called the doctor and he said to come in, so I picked up the kids from school and just took Katie & Josh with me. I figured no big deal they would just hook me up to the monitor check her heart rate and send me home, just another worried expectant mother, but that was not the case! They hooked me up to the monitor and she would not move for them either, they then checked her heart rate. It was slow and not improving as they monitored it was even going down. My doctor was out of town and the doctor on call sent me over to check into the hospital. So there I was with two children & Dean was working on the other side of town at least 45 minutes away, & my parents were by chance on vacation in Colorado. Halee was not due for another 6 weeks.

We checked into the hospital and immediately they hooked me up to every machine possible and started an IV. There was no change and her heart rate continued to drop. Dean finally got to the hospital and the doctor talked to both of us. They wanted to take the baby right away by emergency c-section, and there was no time to waste. They had checked me into the hospital around 5:30pm and by 9:00pm Halee was born. They said if I had not come in when I did she would have been dead by morning. She was not crying when they pulled her out she was completely grey and not making much movement at all. They took her and began working on her right away in the room; before they wheeled her off she was making some crying sounds. It all seems like such a blur now. Everything was happening very fast. Luckily our doctor only worked out of Presbyterian and they had a wonderful NICU. There were two nurses that we already knew from college, sisters of one of my dear friends. Kay was on the floor that night and she would come and give me up dates and would check on us, but no one would tell me what exactly was going on with Halee. Finally the doctor came in to talk to us; he said that things were very serious the baby had lost a lot of blood through the umbilical cord and her hemoglobin count was a 5. I did not even know what a normal count was but later we learned that they had NEVER delivered a baby alive with that low of a count EVER!!!! We asked the doctor when we could see her; he looked puzzled and said we are not even sure she will make it through the night. I was not able to walk or sit up yet from the c-section, but they let Dean into to see Halee. She had wires hooked up all over her and an IV coming from her head. The nurses took a picture of her for him to bring me so I could see her. It was all very unreal like it was happening to someone else and I was watching this story unfold on a movie screen. The next morning I woke up in the room and I was alone, (Dean had gone to breakfast while I was sleeping) I heard a baby crying from the next room, and it hit me that we might go home without our little girl. I remember praying right then Lord do not give me more than I can handle.

God was so faithful to us and answered my prayer. Every day the doctor would give us very little hope, “she is a very sick girl” he would say. They had to do two complete blood transfusions that first night. The other thing was I have AB negative blood & Halee is the only one of my children to have the same blood type AB negative. If her blood had not been negative then when her blood was mixing with my blood as it was hemorrhaging out it could have killed both of us. There were many blessings along the way thought the whole ordeal. Halee had a very special nurse Ann who was working the night Halee was born. They had warned the NICU that a very sick baby was coming that night and Ann began to pray for Halee even before she was born.

Each day the doctor would tell us we just don’t know she is very sick, and then she would surprise them all by making giant strides that day. Everyday Halee would get stronger; I finally got to hold her when she was 5 days old, and when she was 9 days old I finally got to feed her. She was so weak that it took too much energy for her to eat on her own so they were feeding her through a tube, but she finally got off the breathing machine, then the feeding tube was taken out and she got to have a bottle. It was all very exciting each day a new and wonderful step closer to getting to go home. Halee was 14 days old when we finally got to take her home. She was 4 lbs 12 oz, but she was such a fighter. They called her a little spit fire in the nursery; she had such a strong will to live. That strong will still serves her well in life…though at times it does drive us a little crazy.

Halee’s story is still told by the nurses at the NICU. Two of the nurses are now teachers at a Nursing School and I ran into one of them the other day. She told me that she tells Halee’s story every year to new nurses, and they still use Halee’s fetal monitor strip to train new nurses in the NICU unit on the worst case scenario. One other blessing is that we didn’t have to pay a penny for the hospital stay. What our insurance didn’t cover the hospital wrote off. It was a teaching hospital and they considered Halee’s case a learning opportunity.

This week Halee Beth turns 10, I can hardly believe it! I cannot imagine my life without her, she has been such a blessing to our family. She is a completely healthy and happy 10 year old with no effects of her birth…except her exceptionally strong will!

Day 9: My best friend

2009-08-09T00:01:00.004-05:00

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When I was 14 years old, my family moved to Oklahoma. Now moving was nothing new to me. I can in fact say that Oklahoma is the 14th state to which I've called home. But when you're 14 you have enough insecurities to cope with without being thrust into a new school, church and community at large. And arriving in Oklahoma, my parents enrolled me at Putnam City High School...a school with over 3000 students in grades 10-12. This followed my freshman year at a school in Pennsylvania that had 500 students in grades K-12.

As was our custom when we arrived at a new locale, we also found a Nazarene church to attend and just the teen group was roughly the size of the largest Nazarene church we had attended previously. But the teens at the church were welcoming and I felt like at least at church I might be okay.

Well soon after we arrived, Putnam City had orientation day for sophomores. My parents dropped me off at the door and I felt like I was entering a building roughly the size of the Atlanta airport and soon found it was just that hard to navigate. After what seemed like hours I found myself perched on the sidewalk outside the school in the hot summer sun looking at my schedule, with my mouth hanging open and just shaking my head from side to side. I was surrounded by a sea of people and yet I felt totally alone.

"Hey, aren't you Jim the guy I met at church last week?" I looked up with probably a dazed look on my face and in front of me was someone I knew...Rick Martin. And from that moment on I knew it was going to be okay.

My friendship with Rick continues to be one of the greatest blessings of my life. It started when I needed it most and it has continued thru all of life's experiences that made us who we are today. I've come to believe that the best thing you can say about a friend is that he knows everything about you and likes you anyway. That has characterized my friendship with Rick since the earliest days of our relationship.

Last night, a large group of friends met to thank Rick for his service as our Sunday School teacher for the last 15 years. Rick has decided to take a break from teaching and so we honored him for his compassion, his humility, his wisdom and his acceptance of us in spite of our weaknesses. I know every person who was there feels a special bond to Rick. But to me...well...he's my best friend.

Day 8: To not think

2009-08-08T00:01:00.004-05:00

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"One does not think during creative work, any more than one thinks when driving a car. But one has a background of years - learning, unlearning, success, failure, dreaming, thinking, experience, all this - then the moment of creation, the focusing of all into the moment."
EDWARD WESTON[1886 – 1958]
American artist photographer