by Dave | 24 Feb 2014 | Blog
I have always been drawn to monochrome photography. Even when taking classes during the film era, black and white intrigued me more in the darkroom than did the color lab. While color was fun, the essence of the photograph came through for me more with black and white. I am certainly not opposed to color; I think that with certain photographs the mood is enhanced with color and it contributes to what the photograph says . At the same time, I feel there are photographs in which color detracts from the feeling captured within the photograph; nothing is lost, detracted, or distracted by color, only the essence and feeling of the photograph remains leaving the stark story the photograph tells. Craggy, leathery faces often lend themselves more to black and white than color. What does the subject of this portrait say, where has he been, what story do the eyes tell?
Taken on the Zocalo, Mexico City.
by Dave | 16 Feb 2014 | Blog
“Drifting” was taken in Halifax Harbour during a rather persistent rainstorm. Rain clouds obscured much of what was in the distance and provided a peaceful and mystic backdrop for the lone, small sail boat.
by Dave | 09 Feb 2014 | Blog
Today begins another journey on a path that began approximately 15 years ago. Pamela is a courageous fighter, a beautiful woman, and she also just happens to be my wife. Pamela’s journey began in 1999 when she was diagnosed with cancer, a very rare form. In 2006, after enduring an extensive surgery and her first round of chemo, we took a much needed long weekend to Vermont. As we wandered through the state marveling at the wonderful palette of colors and smorgasbord of sights, we found the above seen that seemed so pastoral as the time. The photographs sat for a number of years, until in 2009, her cancer reappeared and again more surgery and round of chemo. The above photograph, I felt, was not only closely attached to our life and experiences, during chemo again in 2009, it became a metaphor of her life, and perhaps that of others who endure and fight cancer. At the time, I named the photograph Pamela’s Path and it remains special to this day.
Pamela’s Path became a visual metaphor of the journey taken by so many, and by Pam. Walking along the path is never simple, never smooth; it is rocky and uneven, but, unfortunately, well traveled. Occasionally, the sun shines on the path and on the hopes of those afflicted. Although there is the glow of the sun, shadows of unknowing are ever present: the unknown and the cloud of reoccurrence always present. The path is never straight, it curves and wanders as does life. Wandering, the path becomes an abyss of deep shadows and darkness; the unknown for Pam and every person who fights cancer. The curve appears to narrow and rises with a slight incline before bending and entering the which is unknown and yet to be experienced. The hope is always for more sunshine on around the bend.
Our current journey of hope has now begun with a trip to Houston, TX and MD Anderson, the preeminent and best cancer center in the world. Pamela’s cancer has yet again recurred. We have reached the curve and deep shadows. Pam continues to fight. At the end of the week we will have a better view of the future and that which is present around the curve. Pamela’s is an inspiring story of courage and success in the middle of the maelstrom of cancer. Pamela’s Path is inspiring to us and hopefully to others. Pam has her own blog, “Pamela’s Path.” For years she has kept this private, but with the most recent recurrence and a new and unknown path along which are new physicians and a new, top rated care facility, she has decided to open her blog for others to read. Perhaps others can find courage, or be provided support through Pam’s writings and thoughts. I would love to tell her story, but that is for Pam to do…it is her life, her story; she lived it and I can not, as close as my experiences are, tell you her thoughts, feelings, and daily difficulties in the same way she can. If you choose, you may follow Pam as her journey of life continues. The link to Pamela’s Path is:
http://pamelaspath.com
Pamela
by Dave | 02 Feb 2014 | Blog
Last week, while looking over photographic work of some rather famous photographers as I often do, I found an exhibit that was going to be showing the work of Michael Kenna. Unfortunately, I missed the exhibit. As I wandered through his work on-line, I found a scene that looked quite familiar. I had been to the same location: Versailles. As I looked at the photo, it struck me that I remembered taking a photo of the same fountain. I went back to my files, and sure enough, there was the Chariot of Apollo and it looked remarkable close to the famous photo that Mr. Kenna had taken.
Date: 13 May 2009
Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 DX
ISO: 200
Exposure: 1/320 sec. at f/5.6
Focal length: 48 mm
Processed using Lightroom 5, PhotoshopCC, and Silver Efex Pro 2; Cropped to Aspect ratio 16:9
When I took the photo, I had no idea who Michael Kenna was, let alone that I had unknowingly stood in almost the same spot. I’m sure many, many people have visited Versailles and taken photographs of this same fountain. What is interesting are the changes that have occurred at this location. While I found that this photograph was taken from almost the same spot as the famous Kenna photograph, change over the years renders a difference. I examined both photographs and found that the bent tree arcing toward the small statue in the Kenna phtograph was now gone and the hedge, that in the Kenna photograph was small, is now very large. The hedge, now more prominent, obscures the fence. Kenna’s photograph was taken in 1988 (Chariot of Apollo, Study 1, Versailles, France, 1988); the water smoother, the light more filtered and misty, the photograph more ethereal. Kenna works almost entirely with monochrome film and medium format cameras for his fine art photographs.
Kenna has produced four published studies of the Chariot of Apollo, each having a different personality (1988, 2 in 1996 and 2009). Ironically, I was also at Versailles in 2009. In the 2009 study, Kenna’s photo looks back toward the Palace; I found that I had taken one from the opposite side looking down the Grand Canal. Again, the color photo is nice, but I believe it is more striking as a monochrome. The photograph I took is digital, taken in May 2009, has been buried in my archives since and not struck me until I saw the same scene in monochrome: the impact of the photograph is better in monochrome than color. Thank you Michael Kenna for providing an unknowing lesson.
Date: 13 May 2009
Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 DX
ISO: 200
Exposure: 1/640 sec. at f/8
Focal length: 55 mm
Processed using Lightroom 5, PhotoshopCC, and Silver Efex Pro 2; Cropped to Aspect ratio 16:9
Thumbnails of the original photos:
Le Bassin d’Apollo (En: The Fountain of Apollo) is a fountain at the Palace of Versailles, France. Charles Le Brun designed the centerpiece depicting the Greek god Apollo rising from the sea in a four-horse chariot. A pond was dug on the site of the fountain in 1639 called “The Pond of the Swans”. When King Louis XIV had it enlarged in 1671, the pond’s east-west orientation and the common association of the King with Apollo prompted Le Brun to suggest dedicating the site to Apollo. The dawn theme was popular at the time and appears on some painted ceilings in European palaces. The fountain was constructed between 1668 and 1671. (Ref: Wikipedia)
by Dave | 31 Jan 2014 | Blog
“A Part of America Died“
Somebody killed a policeman today,
and a part of America died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect,
will be buried with him at his side.
The suspect that shot him will stand up in court,
with counsel demanding his rights.
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids,
and spend many long, lonely nights.
The beat that he walked was a battle field too,
just as if he’d gone off to war.
Though the flag of our nation won’t fly at half mast,
to his name they will add a gold star.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today,
in your town or mine.
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors,
a cop put his life on the line.
Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street,
and he stands at each new rookie’s side.
He answered the call, of himself gave his all,
and a part of America died.
Sergeant Cory Wride did not return home from duty yesterday to his wife and five children. He was ambushed and never left his patrol vehicle.
End of Watch: 30 Jan 2014 @ approx. 1300hrs.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=28549367#EEJ0uPghZp3VFh4w.01
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