Anticipation

Week 32

  
Anticipation

August 13, 2010

Waiting. We don't all do it well. Sometimes it's because we feel that something should have happened sooner. Sometimes it's because we're preoccupied with the next thing we feel we have to do. Sometimes, however, it's a barely suppressed excitement for something worth waiting for, an anticipation of the event itself. Christmas eve and birthdays as a child come to mind. As adults, weddings seem to be the best example of this anticipation.

I captured the image above as the groom was preparing for our pictures, and to see his bride for the first time on their wedding day. I liked the lighting, the mood it created, and the moment (albeit brief) of calm in the whirlwind of a day all weddings become.






image captured on Canon 5D MII, 16-35 2.8L lens, 1/60 sec @ f2.8, ISO 1000

Fences

Week 31

Fences

August 7, 2010

So last week I was feeling a little under the weather. But I was also a little stir crazy and needing to get out, so I decided to go walk the trails I usually run behind my home in San Jose, and bring the camera along to see what I could capture. Above is one of those images, and I enjoyed the sunset lighting and contrast of crooked metal fence-posts and meandering barbed-wire against the long, dried grasses on the hillside. Even the powerlines running behind the scene I think adds commentary to the image.

As I scanned through the photographs from the shoot, this image brought to mind the idea of fences that we put up in our lives. Now fences can be a good thing. They can keep out predators, make property lines clear for a mutual understanding between neighbors, or provide an area of safety for pets and children. However, I believe when fences are put up in our hearts and minds, and consequently in our lives and societies, the benefit of those fences can start to decay, and sometimes even disappear. 

Some examples of this idea that come to mind are represented below. I think the initial thoughts behind the fences can be justified, well intentioned, and even good. I also think they can deteriorate quickly and transform unnoticed into harmful things that actually work against their original purpose. 

A fence of patriotism can become nationalism, fear, judgement & hatred toward other cultures.

A fence of protection of our children can become sheltering, deprivation of experience, ill-equipping and mis-informing.

A fence of morality can generate fear, judgement, gross misunderstanding and division amongst and towards those we are put here to love.

What fences do you have in your life? Are they in good repair? Are they support systems for a way to love other people or tools for sychophantic behavior?

We all have fences, and I think positive things like personal barriers and accountability, protection for our children or appreciation of culture can be benefited by these fences. I'd encourage you to think about the fences in your life and ask... "Do they serve their purpose, or have they been put up too hastily? Do they need to be re-planted or re-purposed?"

 

image taken with Canon 5D MII, 24-105 4L lens, 1/125 @ f11, ISO 400

Behind the Blinds

Week 30

Behind the Blinds
July 26, 2010

So for week 30 I've decided to make you uncomfortable. The photo above is from a shoot last week having nothing to do with this installment of the 52Photos blog, but I liked the imagery of a window, blinds partly open, leaving us to think... well, nothing. Nothing because we walk by it every day. Nothing because we don't necessarily want it to mean anything. Nothing because we have our own lives going on that prevent us from thinking there may be anything wrong at all. But what if something horrible was going on behind those blinds? Something atrocious and difficult to hear about, much less imagine. Well, we live in a world of many atrocities and horrors, most of which the majority of us in the U.S. very seldom have to face or think about because we have the convenience of "blinds" like jobs, like a culture that values human life, like food and shelter and protection from those that would exploit us. Now we are in no utopia, don't get me wrong, but we have so much, so many resources available to us that we forget or even find it hard to believe that behind these "blinds", horrible, unspeakable things are happening. We're told about them... even see things on the news, but our reaction is almost to treat this information as rumor. If not rumor, then something we are separate from and have no obligation to respond to. We use excuses like "I can't send money because times are tough", or "What can I possibly do from thousands of miles away", or "nothing I do will make a difference".  Some of us even chalk up the horror to "cultural diffences".

One such atrocity is that of human trafficking. Yep, slavery. Thankfully, there seems to be a bit more awareness and coverage of the issue than there was even 10 years ago, but most of us here in the U.S. rarely if ever think about it. The truth is, estimates are that:

27 million adults and children are in forced labor, bonded labor, and forced prostitution around the world; 56 percent of these victims are women and girls 

$32 billion annual trade for the traffickers 

Prevalence of trafficking victims in the world: 1.8 per 1,000 inhabitants (in Asia and the Pacific: 3 per 1,000)

Countries that have yet to convict a trafficker under laws in compliance with the Palermo Protocol (from the year 2000): 62 

Countries currently (2010) without laws, policies, or regulations to prevent victims’ deportation: 104

Up to and possibly more than 17,000 persons trafficked TO THE UNITED STATES annually, mostly women and children 
  
-the above statistics compiled from multiple sources, including the US Dept of State Trafficking in Persons Report

Now there are many more facts and figures, most of which are just as shocking and disturbing as those above. You can find more information on this issue through many organizations. Several websites are listed below to help you become more informed, and get involved. I hope you take a few minutes from your day to follow one or some of these and learn more.

http://www.ijm.org/

http://love146.org/

http://www.slavefree.com/

http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/

http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2010/


Getting involved could be as easy as sharing this blogpost with someone, giving a small or moderate donation, hosting an awareness party, or if you feel compelled, partnering with one of the organizations above in a larger commitment of service and action.

image above taken with Canon 5D Mark II, 24-105 4L lens, 1/160 @ f11, ISO 400

Collaboration

Week 29

 

Collaboration

July 24, 2010

The image above is from a collaboration with friend and fellow photographer, Steven Sysum of More Than Sight Photography. Steven asked me to come and help out on an engagement shoot he had scheduled, and I was more than happy to oblige! The shoot took place on the beaches around the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, as well as at the lighthouse itself, right off of scenic Route 1 on the Pacific Coast. It was a beautiful day with a fun couple, and I had a great time helping with the shoot and getting a few shots in myself. Steven put on his creative hat for the shoot, bringing a mirror and paints for the couple to interact with during the session, and it turned out to be a fantastic idea! The couple had fun, and we were able to get Steven some great shots for his clients. 

Some photographers are leary of working with other professionals, thinking they are somehow hurting their own business by helping another's. Now I'm all about healthy competition, but I think there are some that take the idea to an unhealthy place. As professionals, I believe that we should work with each other, let ideas rub off on each other, and support each others' business as often as we can. It not only fosters good will, and encourages professional growth, but is a source of referral business and networking, and helps the industry as a whole by providing positive experiences and better service for our clients. 

To me, competition shouldn't be about winners and losers. Now there will undoubtedly be those that are more successful, and those that are less successful... that's a given in our economy, and I think that is a healthy, good thing. Rather, I think competition should be about two or more professionals in the same field both pursuing excellence. I believe there is room for celebration of each others' victories, as well as for reaching out when needed to lend a hand. 

image taken with Canon 5D MII, 24-105 f/4L lens, 1/250 @ f22, ISO 400

Inter Coastal

Week 28

Inter Coastal
July 13, 2010

I spent all of last week in North Carolina. I have relatives, very good friends, and for this trip - a wedding to shoot in the Tar-Heel state. I traveled throughout Carolina, from Charlotte to Wilmington to Raleigh and the Outer Banks. It's a beautiful state with a lot to see and do, and I certainly only scratched the surface of things to experience there. For instance, there is a wealth of mountain wilderness, from the Blue Ridge to the Smokies that I didn't even come near this trip. Next time....

I did, however get the chance to spend some time around coastal Carolina. The above image was taken in the inter coastal lands of Wrightsville Beach near Wilmington. As I rode along with my close friend that lives in the area and was showing me around a bit, I noticed the expanse of green grasses, waterways and sandy trails that lined the road we traveled. I knew I'd want to come back and shoot, and so when the opportunity presented itself, I headed over to see if I could capture some of the beauty there. Its hard to do the area justice, but I think I was able to capture some of the lands' essence.

image taken with Canon 5D MII, 16-35 2.8L lens, 1/250 @ f18, ISO 400

Kiddos

Week 27

Kiddos
July 9, 2010

Small children are funny. Especially in those pre-2yr old months. They are capable of unbridled joy and laughter one moment and loud, wailing despair the next, infused with insatiable curiosity and possessing of an inherent trust in other people. These little ones are a fascinating look at us as people and at the basic building blocks of our personalities. They seem to display the roots of that which will become much broader and more complex, but growing from the same elements of our spirit and pysche that are with us throughout our lives.

On a shooting trip in North Carolina, I've had the opportunity to shoot with a couple pre-two's this last week, with the above image the result of one of those shoots. A very curious and very active little girl, Sara Kate was hard to keep up with, not wanting to sit still even for a few seconds, and clearly not interested in me or my camera. She was way to busy using the new found freedom of walking legs to run about, checking out every nook and crany of the country club where were were shooting. Stopping for half a second in front of this beautiful floor-to-ceiling window, I captured the above image before she took off running again to the next corner of the room to discover.

I don't have any children, so this is of course is an outside-looking-in perspective, but I look at these kiddos and so many others like them and can't help but wonder at the simple, elemental and beautiful personalities they display. Sensitive and responsive roots of personalities that will grow when watered and fed, for right or wrong. I wonder what roots I will water for my child should I have them? What roots will you water?

My hope for you and I both is that we will encourage joy and put fear in proper perspective. That we will feed the curious mind with new experiences as often as we can. That we will protect when necessary but help the child understand not everything that doesn't feel good is bad. Above everything my hope is that we will teach them that an ounce of love will beat out a gallon of anger, fear and hatred any day.


image above taken with Canon 5D Mark II, 24-105L lens, 1/125 @ f4.0, 400 ISO

What do you Sea?

Week 26

What do you Sea?

July 1, 2010

Half way through 2010. Week 26. It doesn't seem like the days are going that quickly, but here we are, well into the summer and heading towards 2011. What do you want to have 2010 be remembered for? I think I want 2010 to be remembered for the time I spent pursuing a passion. The image above reminds me of this because the person you see (I hope you've seen the person by now:)), is me standing over a retreating collection of sea-foam that has just run up Sculptured Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore on a recent photo-shooting trip. Maybe for you what makes 2010 memorable is that it's the year you started a family, or the year you reprioritized your life to match your values. Maybe it's the year you got lost so that you could discover. Maybe it's the year you set and hit some personal goals, or healed some relationships that were broken.

Recently I was at a BBQ at a friend's home and we were playing a game of sorts, conversation starters really that asked a question for the group to respond to. Some questions were silly or petty and got a collective "boo" from the group, but most were interesting, thought provoking questions that forced you to think about what is important to you. It was a light-hearted mood, and fun to banter about with answers and explanations, but time and time again the idea that friends and family, the relationships that we have been given are the things that are most valued. More so than money, or things... relationships are what we must have and will do most anything for. As you walk through your day tomorrow and the week and months ahead, think about how you can foster the relationships you have.

There are so many ways to make daily choices that will play a large part in the course your life is taken. Don't let 2010, or any year that follows it slip by with your life on auto-pilot. Make it memorable, make it one you remember, and make daily decisions to that end! Until next week....

image taken with Canon 5D Mark II, 24-105L lens, 1/500 @ f4.0, 400 ISO