Essay #69:

Today was the Downtown Festival of the Arts, a street fair for local artisans to sell their crafts.

I was hoping to find a painting to liven the barren walls of my living room, but didn't find any that both appealed to me and matched my furniture. Ah well, the quest continues!

I love seeing the sheer variety of creative talent represented in any art fair. To see others' passion, skill and unique vision expressed in all sorts of media is both humbling and inspiring. Art can be a communication between the artist and the viewer, although a piece rarely says the same thing to both parties. That's part of why I enjoy comments on my own photos, as well. It's always a bit surprising to look at my own work through someone else's eyes.

Essay #68: Make way for ducklings!

The end of July is a bit late for hatchlings, but it seems nobody told the ducks. 

These were actually taken last summer. I was going through some files looking for a concert I shot, and found these. Another case of the forgotten files. It makes me wonder how many of my current photos I dismiss now but will discover later with new appreciation? Sometimes fresh perspective isn't only found through the viewfinder.

Essay #56: Tulips

Spring has truly overcome winter when the drab, gray ground suddenly bursts into riotous color of all shades and sizes: Tulips!

I think that tulips may be one of my photographic muses. A patch of big, tall ones--like these red and yellow beauties--simply demands to be explored. Each new perspective unveils new beauty. Photographing tulips is truly a study in color, light and shape. They inspire me to explore other scenes and subjects from new perspectives as well. A tilt of the camera, an upward angle, direct lighting versus side lighting...so many possibilities!

Essay #48: Concert perspective

Okay, so I've taken a lot of photos of the downhere guys over the years. A lot of photos. So last weekend my goal was to capture new perspectives.

Essay #17: Red

I've said before that photography is an exercise in perspective. It's seeing a whole world of patterns and reflections, a crystal cavern, an underground city, or a ruby palace in one sunlit tail light.

45mm 1/320 f/5.6 ISO 100

Freestyle: Corn

I know, I know: week two and I'm already breaking with schedule. I promise that tomorrow I'll do the "action" post I'd planned for today.

Perspective can reveal new facets of a familiar sight. From below, rows of corn look like an inviting path.

Specs: 22mm 1/80 f/8.0 ISO 200

Essay #1: Circles

What better starting point than basic geometry? So this week, I'm doing a study in shapes.

Photography is not just about playing with light, shapes and color--although that's where the bulk of the fun comes from. To me, photography is about perspective: seeing the world in new and beautiful ways. It's looking twice at that old plastic Slinky (everyone's favorite toy!) and imagining the possibilities.

Specs: 26mm 1/60 f/11 ISO 100