Some Days You Just Miss Old Friends and Photography Helps

This was Snickers, my loyal companion on many hikes, trips and Adventures. I miss her. She was extremely loyal and protective and had a sense of when she was most needed. I can't tell you the number of times Snick was just the cure for the problem situation I would find myself in. Losing her to old age has kept me from finding another pet. Her lose is still with me.

 

The brown coat in the foreground was a suede jacket that I always wore during cold months when Snick and I headed out. The combination is a powerful emotional trigger. But that’s what I love about photography. Despite my heart ache, I have joy in remembering.

I'm Into B&W Like Never Before

It’s not that I have rediscovered B&W.  It’s I’ve discovered a better way to convert digital color to B&W.  I now use the colors to produce varying degrees of variation in the gray scale independent of Brightness and Contrast.  I’m in love all over again.  The tools that do this are common now.  Photoshop and Light Room have it as well as ACDSEE.  There are even stand alone programs available.  And for you mobile device photographers, the apps that do this are pronominal.

The Power of a Picture to Evoke Memories

This photo is one I found (that is to say I didn’t take it) and can't remember where I found it.  It has always been a favorite of mine.  Most of you will say, "Well Duh, Chet it a girly pic.  Of course YOU would like it."  Really, people, do you think that's all I have on my mind!?    Well, OK.  I've given you plenty of reason to jump to that conclusion. . . but!  

I am drawn to this photo because it brings back memories.  Even thought I don't know these ladies nor this place, there are many aspects of it that spark old memories for me.  There was a time in my life when time was plentiful and money scarce.  Relying on our wits and youthful lack of fear for adventure would lead I and my friends to do things without much material support and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

In this pictures I can recall many lazy days spent on a river bank or in a meadow with friends soaking up the sun on blankets, playing silly flirtatious games, digging into the picnic basket, talking or just snoozing comfortable with the company we kept.  Yes so comfortable the girls would undo the straps of their tops and even ask a guy to rub lotion on their back without fear of being molested.  They were pretty and we were strong (and goofy).  I can feel the warm sun on my back in this shot and I can hear the rustling of the grasses and leaves in the trees as a cool breeze flows over me.  Just great times.

All that comes to mind when I see this picture.  Amazing isn’t it.

Distressed Keeps Calling Back to Me

We all find something in old distressed structures that appeal to us. But for me, it has as much to do with the surroundings as it does the structure itself.

 

I’ve done my share of distressed building photos and my interest comes and goes.  Why they appeal then fall out of favor with me has become clear after a personal soul searching analysis.  There are times when I am in need of grounding.  That is to say, I need to feel I have a place.  I am an Army Brat and have never felt an attachment to a place such that I couldn’t leave if necessary.  As I get older, however, that need has come in small moments.  I have less life left than I have expended.  That and the other aging factors has made reflection on  having roots a more reoccurring issue.  I’m not there 100% yet but when I look for the old barns and distressed Structures, I am feeling the need to live where my grave will be dug. 

 

Photography is such a good tool in so many ways.

 

 

A winter's drive

 

I’m a late comer to mobile phone photography.  In fact I wouldn’t even be involved unless a friend of mine had not opened my eyes to the potential.  For that I will be forever thankful.  I can be kind of a stick in the mud sometimes.   

 

What has become all to evident to me is that the small screen views photos very differently than the large screen.  This is something to note when you pick what outlet you want to display your work on.

Black Water

Played with eliminating color. This is kind of picture has now become common so if you use this technique remember that your expressing something and this would be an emphasis tool. Hear your voice!

Old Glory

There is a lot to love about this country!

Iowa Oil Co.

Old buildings have always caught my attention.  Not sure if it's sadness for lost history or a deep rooted desire to fix\repair like other things in life.

Elevator Shaft

Looking up what will one day be an elevator shaft for a military hospital.  I like extremes in photography.