Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Updates & Stuff
~ I will be attending TEDxCMU this Sunday ! Watch it live on April 3 at http://bit.ly/c9IXPS #tedxcmu. If you want to meet up for lunch please e-mail me.
~ A new workshop in May will be held at WYEP Community Broadcast Center. Register info coming soon.
~ In July I will giving a talk at Upper St Clair Health fair on “Faith & Creativity.
~ Be sure to check out my “Workshop” page for class that had to be reschedule.
~ Jimmy Fallon is funny!
~ A new workshop in May will be held at WYEP Community Broadcast Center. Register info coming soon.
~ In July I will giving a talk at Upper St Clair Health fair on “Faith & Creativity.
~ Be sure to check out my “Workshop” page for class that had to be reschedule.
~ Jimmy Fallon is funny!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Lessons from Suffering
My life was forever changed at the time of the birth of my daughter. I became a Father and I became a man who would keep a secret.
The reason I started this blog was for my daughter, who was born 5 yrs ago. I wanted to leave her a body of archival (searchable) work that she could look back upon if she wished. I wanted this body of work to represent to her who her Father is and to understand the “how” and the “why” of me.
I was diagnosed with a disease and handed a newborn baby within days of each other.
Confession: I am a healthy person who suffers with long bouts of illness. In between periods of health where I am clear minded, clean bodied and full of energy, I suffer for months, in truth a season, of illness. Seasons that start off at Thanksgiving and does not end until Easter. This is not about holiday depression, it just happens to be the season of my illness. I have an autoimmune disease. It starts off with fatigue, then a cold, then flu, next an infection leading to long periods of being in bed resigned to repeat this process over and over.
This blog is a love letter to my daughter that I titled “Working Portfolio”. In keeping this journal I have kept my illness a secret. I did not want to share with her that Dad is not Superman. I wanted to share with her the significance of showing up daily to life. A life I lead with purpose, effort, love and humor.
This illness is suffering (at times) in which it affects my entire household, not just me. It affects my extended family. It affects my community of friends. It affects the entire whole of my being.
I want to share some of the things that I have learned living with an autoimmune disease. Future writings will most likely not be about life with an illness. But at this time I wanted to be truthful to who I am and to my daughter and I wanted to write down my life lessons learned.
Lessons I learned from suffering:
Suffering is just that, suffering, nothing more.
Suffering is mindfulness; it gives you the ability to experience a singular moment.
Suffering is a journey through your interiors, it show you the tiniest details of yourself.
Suffering is perspective, it gives you the vision of foresight to see the next fifty years of your life.
Suffering is a balancing act of every moment of wakefulness.
Suffering is not art, it is not fuel for creativity, it is not divine, and it is pain.
Suffering is awareness
Suffering awakens you to your place in this world…and that is good information to know.
I am not a preacher, just a photographer who suffers at times with bouts of illness. For the bulk of this illness I am a functioning addict of wellness. I get up, shower, drink coffee, do yoga, sit on a meditation mat and go about life creating lots of photos.
Not allowing the shadow of this illness be any more than that; a second shadow that I carry with me. At times the darkness of that second shadow overcomes me, becoming strong and overtaking me. Then I suffer.
Then I get up, again, as I promise to you that I will always do.
The reason I started this blog was for my daughter, who was born 5 yrs ago. I wanted to leave her a body of archival (searchable) work that she could look back upon if she wished. I wanted this body of work to represent to her who her Father is and to understand the “how” and the “why” of me.
I was diagnosed with a disease and handed a newborn baby within days of each other.
Confession: I am a healthy person who suffers with long bouts of illness. In between periods of health where I am clear minded, clean bodied and full of energy, I suffer for months, in truth a season, of illness. Seasons that start off at Thanksgiving and does not end until Easter. This is not about holiday depression, it just happens to be the season of my illness. I have an autoimmune disease. It starts off with fatigue, then a cold, then flu, next an infection leading to long periods of being in bed resigned to repeat this process over and over.
This blog is a love letter to my daughter that I titled “Working Portfolio”. In keeping this journal I have kept my illness a secret. I did not want to share with her that Dad is not Superman. I wanted to share with her the significance of showing up daily to life. A life I lead with purpose, effort, love and humor.
This illness is suffering (at times) in which it affects my entire household, not just me. It affects my extended family. It affects my community of friends. It affects the entire whole of my being.
I want to share some of the things that I have learned living with an autoimmune disease. Future writings will most likely not be about life with an illness. But at this time I wanted to be truthful to who I am and to my daughter and I wanted to write down my life lessons learned.
Lessons I learned from suffering:
Suffering is just that, suffering, nothing more.
Suffering is mindfulness; it gives you the ability to experience a singular moment.
Suffering is a journey through your interiors, it show you the tiniest details of yourself.
Suffering is perspective, it gives you the vision of foresight to see the next fifty years of your life.
Suffering is a balancing act of every moment of wakefulness.
Suffering is not art, it is not fuel for creativity, it is not divine, and it is pain.
Suffering is awareness
Suffering awakens you to your place in this world…and that is good information to know.
I am not a preacher, just a photographer who suffers at times with bouts of illness. For the bulk of this illness I am a functioning addict of wellness. I get up, shower, drink coffee, do yoga, sit on a meditation mat and go about life creating lots of photos.
Not allowing the shadow of this illness be any more than that; a second shadow that I carry with me. At times the darkness of that second shadow overcomes me, becoming strong and overtaking me. Then I suffer.
Then I get up, again, as I promise to you that I will always do.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Be Not Afraid
It’s been awhile since I last wrote something on this blog. I should have something profound to say at this point, but I do not. Been fighting a handful of infections, toss in a virus or two and I become a very boring dinner companion.
Time off was going to be a time of long walks (I did get of few in), studying yoga with a teacher and writing about “Faith & Creativity” while sitting in random coffeehouses around Pittsburgh.
The good news is that I was asked to speak at a Health Fair this July on the topic of “ Faith & Creativity”. How ironic that the offer came at my most un-healthiest? Must be a message in there somewhere. Did I use ironic correctly? While on grammar I use the words “ have been” too much in my writing. I need a better phrase of words. If you have suggestions e-mail me.
The one thing that I do wish to leave you with is the quote: “Be not afraid”. Pope John Paul II wrote a book on this topic: “Crossing the Threshold of Hope” where throughout the book his one running theme is “Be not afraid”. It was one of the those books that spoke to me. It gave me ideas and dreams that I still carry. The book is written in a universal-Catholic (as meant by the Greek phrase to mean “whole”), simply meaning if you are not Catholic this book is still for you.
The reason I bring this book up is because fear is too often a main theme in conversations with people. My workshops are coming to a close this month but they will restart in the Fall. I have had the opportunity to speak to well over 1,000 people on the topic of creating a photograph. The one constant word is “fear”... fear of not being good enough.
My advice to all has been fail, fail often, enjoy the failure, and fail forward. Failure is the creative process.
Be not afraid. Life has purpose.
Maybe I did have something profound to say? You decide.
Time off was going to be a time of long walks (I did get of few in), studying yoga with a teacher and writing about “Faith & Creativity” while sitting in random coffeehouses around Pittsburgh.
The good news is that I was asked to speak at a Health Fair this July on the topic of “ Faith & Creativity”. How ironic that the offer came at my most un-healthiest? Must be a message in there somewhere. Did I use ironic correctly? While on grammar I use the words “ have been” too much in my writing. I need a better phrase of words. If you have suggestions e-mail me.
The one thing that I do wish to leave you with is the quote: “Be not afraid”. Pope John Paul II wrote a book on this topic: “Crossing the Threshold of Hope” where throughout the book his one running theme is “Be not afraid”. It was one of the those books that spoke to me. It gave me ideas and dreams that I still carry. The book is written in a universal-Catholic (as meant by the Greek phrase to mean “whole”), simply meaning if you are not Catholic this book is still for you.
The reason I bring this book up is because fear is too often a main theme in conversations with people. My workshops are coming to a close this month but they will restart in the Fall. I have had the opportunity to speak to well over 1,000 people on the topic of creating a photograph. The one constant word is “fear”... fear of not being good enough.
My advice to all has been fail, fail often, enjoy the failure, and fail forward. Failure is the creative process.
Be not afraid. Life has purpose.
Maybe I did have something profound to say? You decide.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Annie O'Neill: Work in Progress Photography Exhibition
Very excited to pass on a recommendation. Our good friend, Annie O'Neill, will be having a photography exhibition at the Filmmakers Galleries in Oakland. The showing will runs from March 21 thru April 17, but an opening reception will be held on Friday, March 26 from 6 - 8 pm. Very interesting, very talented work. Definitely worth the night out.
See you there.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Indian Weddings by Craig Photography Website Launch
Elizabeth & I would like to announce our official launch of our Indian Weddings by Craig Photography website. We'll be focusing more of our attention on this niche of wedding photography as both of us enjoy the pace...which is FAST.
So if you get the chance be sure and drop by and take a peek.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Moment ~ Expanded Edition
Current Reading: Rework by 37 Signals (2nd time), Poke the Box by Seth Godin, 12th Insight by James Redfield, The Next Decade by George Friedman, World Wide Mind by Michael Chorost
Current Music: Unforgettable by Joe Pass, “Friday Night in San Francisco” by McLaughlin, Di Meola, De Lucia, “Passion, Grace & Fire” by Al Di Meola, De Lucia, McLaughlin.
Current Watching: U2 360 at the Rose Bowl (DVD)
Mood: Awaken to the light
Smells: Grapes
Sounds: Little girl talking & the sounds of water.
Temperature: 34 degrees
Thoughts: Digital hiatus is over: Japan disaster is the first thing I read about in the media. Going back to bed or should I go to church?
Current Music: Unforgettable by Joe Pass, “Friday Night in San Francisco” by McLaughlin, Di Meola, De Lucia, “Passion, Grace & Fire” by Al Di Meola, De Lucia, McLaughlin.
Current Watching: U2 360 at the Rose Bowl (DVD)
Mood: Awaken to the light
Smells: Grapes
Sounds: Little girl talking & the sounds of water.
Temperature: 34 degrees
Thoughts: Digital hiatus is over: Japan disaster is the first thing I read about in the media. Going back to bed or should I go to church?
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Life ~ Again
My self-imposed digital hiatus is slowly coming to an end. What did I do? I thought about my future, my health and my general place in this world. I traveled, read books, took a few photos and sampled moonshine. I took long walks, wished the weather was better so I could have taken a few more. I said my prayers, ate my vegetables and wrote in my journal. Life is slow, good and with purpose.
I will return to regular digital life soon, in a few days or so.
I will return to regular digital life soon, in a few days or so.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Madness That is Bliss
The paragraph below is what I wrote after reading the responses to the “Faith & Creativity” stories that I asked you to share with me. Please keep them coming. What follows is a stream of conscious writing: My apologies to whomever reads this. Sometimes you just have to.....
When I am happy I do not create. When I am blue, spirits haunt me. I need a tank of fuel to create. Fueled by spirits of the bottle, madness of the psyche, motivation of my heartbeat. I sit next to the crazy girl in the bar just to listen to her talk, “Set fire to the world, envelope please, another scotch & soda barkeep” she says. I love every breath she takes. Just listen to her. It's like jazz. I steal every idea she spews. She looks at me and says “I hate people." Next she asks me the same damn thing, “Do you hate people?” No, I just like like it when they don’t ask too much of me. I am not a joiner or a loner, just a seeker of the divine. Maybe I am the divine. I think I could have been a prophet if I would have just listened more to the voices, but I didn't. The voices, the ones that speak between levels of consciousness. I drift awake, drift asleep, they speak, they whisper, they thank me for my hospitality. We need the room, you provided the space. They thank me for the fuel that I provide. They ask for another, I pour a drink, down it, then another.
Recognizing those crazy moments of madness, that is bliss. That is what pure consciousness must feel like.
When I am happy I do not create. When I am blue, spirits haunt me. I need a tank of fuel to create. Fueled by spirits of the bottle, madness of the psyche, motivation of my heartbeat. I sit next to the crazy girl in the bar just to listen to her talk, “Set fire to the world, envelope please, another scotch & soda barkeep” she says. I love every breath she takes. Just listen to her. It's like jazz. I steal every idea she spews. She looks at me and says “I hate people." Next she asks me the same damn thing, “Do you hate people?” No, I just like like it when they don’t ask too much of me. I am not a joiner or a loner, just a seeker of the divine. Maybe I am the divine. I think I could have been a prophet if I would have just listened more to the voices, but I didn't. The voices, the ones that speak between levels of consciousness. I drift awake, drift asleep, they speak, they whisper, they thank me for my hospitality. We need the room, you provided the space. They thank me for the fuel that I provide. They ask for another, I pour a drink, down it, then another.
Recognizing those crazy moments of madness, that is bliss. That is what pure consciousness must feel like.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Faith & Creativity ~ Share Your Story
Share your story with me.
I would like to hear about how your faith has shaped, formed, moved and inspired your creative practice. Or how your creative practice has opened up the world of faith, spirit and connection with the Divine in your life.
Start off by e-mailing me at jecraig@mac.com after that we can Skype or have a phone call.
Why do I ask? Looking to find people who I can connect with, write about and hopefully photograph their stories to help others along their own journey.
Please pass this post along.
I would like to hear about how your faith has shaped, formed, moved and inspired your creative practice. Or how your creative practice has opened up the world of faith, spirit and connection with the Divine in your life.Start off by e-mailing me at jecraig@mac.com after that we can Skype or have a phone call.
Why do I ask? Looking to find people who I can connect with, write about and hopefully photograph their stories to help others along their own journey.
Please pass this post along.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
100 Straight Miles
I drove 100 straight miles today on the Ohio turnpike. 100 straight miles, no turns, no hills or no valleys in the roadway. The plains of pasture-land blended with blue skies, fluffy clouds and the graying horizon. This is what pure consciousness must feel like.
Grandeur without measure, glory beyond belief, 100 miles of straightness. The road was quiet. I barely passed a car or truck the entire trip. At times I was lost in the void of what is real. My wife and daughter both asleep. 100 straight miles of quiet. This is what pure consciousness must feel like.
I dreamed of walking 100 straight miles. Just myself, my breath, my feet and a journey without need of discovery. What would it be like to walk 100 straight miles in quiet? A walking meditation with no purpose, only to experience. This is what pure consciousness must feel like.
These thoughts, however obscure, ran throughout my head. My journey has changed in life. I needed to ask myself some questions. Those are always the hardest ones to answer. Sometimes you just don’t know. Then again sometimes you need to answer those questions.
I walk.
I am giving myself the month of March to go for walks, lots of them.
Grandeur without measure, glory beyond belief, 100 miles of straightness. The road was quiet. I barely passed a car or truck the entire trip. At times I was lost in the void of what is real. My wife and daughter both asleep. 100 straight miles of quiet. This is what pure consciousness must feel like.
I dreamed of walking 100 straight miles. Just myself, my breath, my feet and a journey without need of discovery. What would it be like to walk 100 straight miles in quiet? A walking meditation with no purpose, only to experience. This is what pure consciousness must feel like.
These thoughts, however obscure, ran throughout my head. My journey has changed in life. I needed to ask myself some questions. Those are always the hardest ones to answer. Sometimes you just don’t know. Then again sometimes you need to answer those questions.
I walk.
I am giving myself the month of March to go for walks, lots of them.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Weekend Workshops & Book Recommendations
Thank you to all for attending this past weekends workshop. Below are a list of book recommendations that can help guide you along your photography journey.
Remember photography is to be experienced with a camera in your hand. Reading books and blogs (including this one) is only a smattering of information. Go for a walk and create something new...
Book Recommendations
Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
Learning to See Creatively by Bryan Peterson
Zen of Creativity by John Daido Loori
Remember photography is to be experienced with a camera in your hand. Reading books and blogs (including this one) is only a smattering of information. Go for a walk and create something new...
Book RecommendationsUnderstanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
Learning to See Creatively by Bryan Peterson
Zen of Creativity by John Daido Loori
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Moment
Current Reading: Norwegian Wood by Haruki Marakami
Current Music: Consequence of Chaos by Al Di Meola
Mood: Needles & pins all over...
Smells: Coffee & left over spaghetti
Sounds: Humming heater & panting dog
Temperature: 7 degrees feels like -2 out there.
Thoughts: New biz-site coming soon(ish)
Current Music: Consequence of Chaos by Al Di Meola
Mood: Needles & pins all over...
Smells: Coffee & left over spaghetti
Sounds: Humming heater & panting dog
Temperature: 7 degrees feels like -2 out there.
Thoughts: New biz-site coming soon(ish)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Is The Internet Changing The Way You Think
Finished reading “Is The Internet Changing The Way You Think?” edited by John Brockman, 150 of the world's top thinkers answer this question.Brockman doesn't seem to be interested in my view on this subject but I wanted to share my thoughts with you.
At first glance the easy answer is how the Internet has changed the way I live, not how I think. I sit a lot more. I opened a business without the need of a brick and mortar storefront. I have a lot more free stuff.
I think the same as I did before the advent of the Internet.
I research, read, receive daily news, watch TV, run a business, listen to music, network, meet friends, catch up with old friends, dream, travel, and purchase useless stuff...lots of it, all before the Internet.
Still I have no idea why the Internet is a capitalized word? Is "Internet" a proper noun?
I Googled that question to discover that it is a proper noun because there is only one worldwide Internet.
When thinking about that question my answer came to me.
When I am plugged into the net I am smarter. When I am disconnected I am dumber. Simple but true, my universal knowledge has expanded but my mind has not.
The ability to act, live, take action, to discover without needing to ask the Internet-machine first, that is thinking.
I am feeling reactive today but hey, that is just my thoughts….
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Story within a Single Frame
Facing my uncomfortable zone. My one hour street photography project continued this past Friday. After having lunch with a fellow photographer and discussing my fears of street photography, I took off into the cold streets of Pittsburgh to shoot.Shoot intentional; this is the advice he gave me. It was the second time I had a conversation with him on the theme of shooting intentionally.
For an hour I walked with camera in hand feeling uncomfortable, awkward and slightly nervous. My photography career has been broken into two major styles of photography, people and non-people. Photographing people is the easy part of my career. I direct, they listen. I have control. Non-people (landscape, nature, ambient, abstract) is also easy as long as Mother Nature does her part. Find a location, set up the tripod and wait for the splendor and glory to compose herself for the shot.
Street photography is the third leg to my photography. Photographing life without interacting or being invited, without a predetermined event to cover. Last year I documented the G20 Summit that was held in Pittsburgh. After that I thought how easy street and photojournalistic photography was.
I was wrong.
Shooting an event is shooting an event, but having the ability to see a story within a single frame is a skill. A skill that I am committed to developing.
After giving up I duck into a coffeehouse to warm up. From my table I took the above photo, a happy accident.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Turntable vs. Digital Algorithm in The Sky
Thursday morning at around 3:00am I am awake , yet again not able to sleep. I grab my iPad and start browsing, trying to connect myself to something of interest. Truth be told not much but sleep interests me 3am.
I hyperlink my way on to a page about record players. Note: to anyone who may be under that age of 29 reading this: a record player (a.k.a. turntable is the proper name) is what came before mp3, cd’s, tape decks but after live musicians and sheet music. A turntable plays big black vinyl discs with grooves that produce analogue sound waves. Not the flicker of sounds produced by zeroes and one (a.k.a.) analogue single converted by a computer then compressed into a digital sound wave as to be re-dubbed as digital music.
Torn, between yesterday and today, I love the convenience of all things digital. I miss the quality and stillness of the physical item. The idea alone of not having to find a place to keep a collection of, well...anything is great. Be it records, books or better yet photo negatives, put them all on hard drives and let me pull it up through a computer search when needed.
There I sit with iPad in hand complaining to myself about quality of digital vs real. For years now I keep thinking about getting a turntable. Then the question comes up, what selections of musics are worthy enough for me to repurchase them on vinyl? In the late eighties I walked into a used record store and sold my vinyl collections of LP’s, numbering somewhere over three hundred, to be traded in for cash so I could turn around and re-buy a lot of the same music on cd’s.
First, let me select music “worthy” for re-purchase. Bach: Unaccompanied Cello Suites performed by Yo Yo Ma, definitely first choice. Next, would have to be “The Right of Strings” by Clarke, Di Meola and Ponty. There is not a week that goes by that I do not listen to those two selections of music. I do feel that I should own the entire Beatles collection on vinyl but will probably not purchase them. “Born to Run” by Springsteen, U2's “Joshua Tree”, “Hejira” by Joni Mitchell would be a definite purchase and some Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco for my wife would be a must.
The next question I ask myself, would I sit to appreciate the music? If the quality is better I should take the time to enjoy the listening experience. If it's only background music to fill up the silent space in rooms that does not deem itself to be worthy. Could I see myself sitting in a chair sipping Pinot Noir listening to the complete Cello Suites? Yes.
I need to find out who sells turntables and where I can get good quality vinyl. No problem there, type my question into the search engine box and hyperlink my way towards purchase.
While writing up this rant I am listening to Pandora (internet radio). Note: to anyone over the age 39: Pandora works like this: you select a favorite artist (currently, for me, its Elvis Costello). Then the digital algorithm in the sky goes on to play the artist of your choosing and pairs it with other similar artists, which you may like. If you like the selection you give it the thumbs up or if you wish to never hear that particular song again you give it the thumbs downs.
This is where things get maddening for me, I do not want a machine or an algorithm making decisions for me. What is the experience of music if you have no control over what is coming next? The real problem is that I love Pandora and the decisions it makes for me.
I lost the connection of falling in love with music that I felt in my youth.
Going into a record store and browsing the aisles of albums listening to what is playing on the store turntable; that is how to discover new music, while waiting for the tattoo hot chick behind the counter to come over and recommend something new for you. That is how you get into new music. Not by an algorithm in the cloud preselecting music for you.
Music is to be discovered, not stumbled upon.
Definitely getting a turntable.
Strange days indeed...
I hyperlink my way on to a page about record players. Note: to anyone who may be under that age of 29 reading this: a record player (a.k.a. turntable is the proper name) is what came before mp3, cd’s, tape decks but after live musicians and sheet music. A turntable plays big black vinyl discs with grooves that produce analogue sound waves. Not the flicker of sounds produced by zeroes and one (a.k.a.) analogue single converted by a computer then compressed into a digital sound wave as to be re-dubbed as digital music.
Torn, between yesterday and today, I love the convenience of all things digital. I miss the quality and stillness of the physical item. The idea alone of not having to find a place to keep a collection of, well...anything is great. Be it records, books or better yet photo negatives, put them all on hard drives and let me pull it up through a computer search when needed.
There I sit with iPad in hand complaining to myself about quality of digital vs real. For years now I keep thinking about getting a turntable. Then the question comes up, what selections of musics are worthy enough for me to repurchase them on vinyl? In the late eighties I walked into a used record store and sold my vinyl collections of LP’s, numbering somewhere over three hundred, to be traded in for cash so I could turn around and re-buy a lot of the same music on cd’s.
First, let me select music “worthy” for re-purchase. Bach: Unaccompanied Cello Suites performed by Yo Yo Ma, definitely first choice. Next, would have to be “The Right of Strings” by Clarke, Di Meola and Ponty. There is not a week that goes by that I do not listen to those two selections of music. I do feel that I should own the entire Beatles collection on vinyl but will probably not purchase them. “Born to Run” by Springsteen, U2's “Joshua Tree”, “Hejira” by Joni Mitchell would be a definite purchase and some Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco for my wife would be a must.
The next question I ask myself, would I sit to appreciate the music? If the quality is better I should take the time to enjoy the listening experience. If it's only background music to fill up the silent space in rooms that does not deem itself to be worthy. Could I see myself sitting in a chair sipping Pinot Noir listening to the complete Cello Suites? Yes.
I need to find out who sells turntables and where I can get good quality vinyl. No problem there, type my question into the search engine box and hyperlink my way towards purchase.
While writing up this rant I am listening to Pandora (internet radio). Note: to anyone over the age 39: Pandora works like this: you select a favorite artist (currently, for me, its Elvis Costello). Then the digital algorithm in the sky goes on to play the artist of your choosing and pairs it with other similar artists, which you may like. If you like the selection you give it the thumbs up or if you wish to never hear that particular song again you give it the thumbs downs.
This is where things get maddening for me, I do not want a machine or an algorithm making decisions for me. What is the experience of music if you have no control over what is coming next? The real problem is that I love Pandora and the decisions it makes for me.
I lost the connection of falling in love with music that I felt in my youth.
Going into a record store and browsing the aisles of albums listening to what is playing on the store turntable; that is how to discover new music, while waiting for the tattoo hot chick behind the counter to come over and recommend something new for you. That is how you get into new music. Not by an algorithm in the cloud preselecting music for you.
Music is to be discovered, not stumbled upon.
Definitely getting a turntable.
Strange days indeed...
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Go Suck at Something Else For Awhile
In photography I am more interested in my flexibility to change form than I am at mastery of a definitive style.
During a conversation with a fellow photographer I received critiquing about how to improve my seeing-photography skills. In a nutshell it was go towards what scares the hell out of you. For me, that is getting close to the unknown subject.
What I learned was that my ability to see has become boxed in. The other day I went out to shoot "street photography" and I ended up shooting landscape photography that happened to be out on the streets, rather than in the woods or atop a city skyline.
In truth the work was a failure with a lucky success. I failed because I did not shoot what I wanted to photograph, especially in my minds-eye. I would have rather came home with bad street photography, which I can grow upon, than a good set of accidental landscape portraits set in a city background.
In the summer of 1987 my parents took me to Beale Street in Memphis, TN as a graduation present from high school. I was, still am, that kid mystified by music. The memory or moment that changed me forever was when I was standing in line, waiting to get in to an R&B club, when an older couple remarked “who does that little white boy think he is wearing a Miles Davis t-shirt”. Truthfully I had no idea who Miles was. To me the shirt was pop culture. I could have easily been wearing a Che or tie dyed Bob Marley shirt.
That moment of being uncomfortable excited me to explore all avenues of music, in turn all avenues of photography.
My iPod is filled with music that interests me, not all music that I particularly enjoy. I keep going back to what I can’t understand but nonetheless intrigues me.
That is the photography lesson; being good at something boxes you in. I would venture to guess once your boxed in you are no longer as good as you once were.
I am going to go out and take a lot of bad street-photos until a get a couple of good ones . Than I’ll go suck at something else for awhile.
Thanks to Miles Davis.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
One Hour Walk Project
This past Friday afternoon I spent one hour of walking through a snow covered park in the Mexican War Streets on Pittsburgh's North Side.
Some days you just need to get out of the house and walk to see life. Too much of my time has been spent indoors lately, slightly maddening. Last year at this time I was leaving the gray skies of Pittsburgh, Florida bound to the sunshine.
The goal is to purposefully shoot B&W in camera (which I never do) and also to shoot in jpeg, also something I never do.
Taking photos of whatever struck me: people bundled up walking their dogs, random graffiti and the crazy few who enjoy bike riding in the cold weather.
The other composing idea was to frame large landscapes with small life in the bottom right hand corner. If you flip through my Flickr photos (HERE) you will see that I was not true to that self-imposed rule.
Needing to get out of the cold I slipped into Monterey Pub; an Irish pub amidst the Mexican War Streets. I like this place. I like its character. I could become a regular here, if I ever frequented a bar enough. I ordered a Guinness while Ruby Tuesday by the Stones played on the jukebox.
Good day. I warm up with a cold beer, write in my journal, flip through photos and the bartender who looks just like Jesus serves me a beer.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Moment
Current Reading: Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami
Current Music: Flesh on Flesh by Al Di Meola
Mood: Happy!
Smells: Cantaloupe
Sounds:Disney Princess
Temperature: 27 degrees light snow
Thoughts: Still image / Written page
Current Music: Flesh on Flesh by Al Di Meola
Mood: Happy!
Smells: Cantaloupe
Sounds:Disney Princess
Temperature: 27 degrees light snow
Thoughts: Still image / Written page
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Commenting on Comments
I may crucify myself for saying this later…e-mail me. Better yet, write me a letter.
I enjoy the e-mails that you have been sending me through the years. They are filled with honesty, depth and meaning.
I have decided to turn off the commenting option on this blog. It's not that I don’t want to talk, I do, but I want to move the conversation in a different direction.
Been thinking about it for awhile and the time feels right. This blog has shifted towards a working diary format. I love the comments...well, most of them. I will definitely miss the motivational advice that I been receiving from a group of you.
The RSS feed will still refresh over to Facebook & Linked-In. I rarely check in on my Linked-In page but I do moderate my Facebook page most days.
Maybe it’s the cold weather? It is that time of year in Pittsburgh when the walls start closing in. I miss walking. I miss the large sky. I miss a well-thought-out response. Take your time and write to me if you feel the need. There is much reacting, take pleasure in composing.
The hiatus on commenting could go either way, not sure. Whichever direction this leads, good conversation is what I am looking for. For those of you who e-mail me please continue to do so. I will do my best to respond.
See the “Say Hi” tab at the top of this page for my e-mail info.
If you would wish to write me a letter, e-mail for the address.
p.s.
The pen in the photo above was a gift from my Father. I think of it as an instrument rather than a pen. The longer I hold a camera in my hands the more I think of it as an instrument also; an instrument that takes a lifetime to learn how to play.
I enjoy the e-mails that you have been sending me through the years. They are filled with honesty, depth and meaning.I have decided to turn off the commenting option on this blog. It's not that I don’t want to talk, I do, but I want to move the conversation in a different direction.
Been thinking about it for awhile and the time feels right. This blog has shifted towards a working diary format. I love the comments...well, most of them. I will definitely miss the motivational advice that I been receiving from a group of you.
The RSS feed will still refresh over to Facebook & Linked-In. I rarely check in on my Linked-In page but I do moderate my Facebook page most days.
Maybe it’s the cold weather? It is that time of year in Pittsburgh when the walls start closing in. I miss walking. I miss the large sky. I miss a well-thought-out response. Take your time and write to me if you feel the need. There is much reacting, take pleasure in composing.
The hiatus on commenting could go either way, not sure. Whichever direction this leads, good conversation is what I am looking for. For those of you who e-mail me please continue to do so. I will do my best to respond.
See the “Say Hi” tab at the top of this page for my e-mail info.
If you would wish to write me a letter, e-mail for the address.
p.s.
The pen in the photo above was a gift from my Father. I think of it as an instrument rather than a pen. The longer I hold a camera in my hands the more I think of it as an instrument also; an instrument that takes a lifetime to learn how to play.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Conversations & Theft
When is it enough? When is it time to quit sharing?
It all started off as a normal day. Coffee, Internet reading, photo-editing, research...then I came across this….(so badly do I want to insert a hyperlink here).
When conversation leads to theft.
I have shared openly here on this blog and within the photo community. I have taught, consulted and had general sit-downs with others to share ideas. "Create, connect and grow" is my business philosophy. It's not just a catch phrase for attention grabbing.
The ending thought to all my workshops is:
I am not even sure if I wrote that or if I ripped it off of somebody. I have been saying it for years and it ended up as a reoccurring theme in my blog and journals. I Googled the phase and it comes up nowhere so I assume that it is mine or at least not published. If I am wrong in my thinking please let me know. I will give credit and much thanks to the author.
It is hard to be original in photography. We are all chameleons of the images that came before us.
However, honesty in business should not be that hard of a stretch to pull off.
As of late I have been rambling on about how we have all turned the digital-cultural-commerce age into re-mixes of generations past.
Maybe this is true?
Hopefully we/I spend more time creating anew than in stealing the old from yesterday.
Create something new.
Be ethical.
It all started off as a normal day. Coffee, Internet reading, photo-editing, research...then I came across this….(so badly do I want to insert a hyperlink here).
When conversation leads to theft.
I have shared openly here on this blog and within the photo community. I have taught, consulted and had general sit-downs with others to share ideas. "Create, connect and grow" is my business philosophy. It's not just a catch phrase for attention grabbing.
The ending thought to all my workshops is:
Photography is the easiest medium to master, but the hardest within to be noticed.
I am not even sure if I wrote that or if I ripped it off of somebody. I have been saying it for years and it ended up as a reoccurring theme in my blog and journals. I Googled the phase and it comes up nowhere so I assume that it is mine or at least not published. If I am wrong in my thinking please let me know. I will give credit and much thanks to the author.
It is hard to be original in photography. We are all chameleons of the images that came before us.
However, honesty in business should not be that hard of a stretch to pull off.
As of late I have been rambling on about how we have all turned the digital-cultural-commerce age into re-mixes of generations past.
Maybe this is true?
Hopefully we/I spend more time creating anew than in stealing the old from yesterday.
Create something new.
Be ethical.
Moment
Current Reading: The Cello Suites by Eric Siblin
Current Music: The Promise by Bruce Springsteen
Mood: Motivated to do good
Smells: Coffee
Sounds: Wind & garbage trucks
Temperature: 9 degrees, cold very cold.
Thoughts: Implied harmony & empty space…
Current Music: The Promise by Bruce Springsteen
Mood: Motivated to do good
Smells: Coffee
Sounds: Wind & garbage trucks
Temperature: 9 degrees, cold very cold.
Thoughts: Implied harmony & empty space…
Pittsburgh Photography Workshop 2.12.2011
In your gut you want to be a PHOTOGRAPHER. Or maybe you just want to learn how to use that expensive camera you just bought but you’re not sure who to ask. You have a great eye for composition but you just need some guidance, an advisor to help YOU fulfill your dreams. Make the jump from thinking, daydreaming and create great photographs…
Is this you?
-You take great pictures
-Everybody tells you that you take great pictures
-Your friends and family always ask you to bring your camera
-You bought an expensive new DSLR camera
-You have no idea how to use to it, except on AUTO
-The camera’s manual scares the bajesus out of you
-You love photography and want to get better
Who should take this workshop?
-If the list above is YOU
-You love taking photographs
-ISO, F/stop, shutter speed, and aperture are words that means nothing to you
-You have no idea what DSLR means
-If you want to able to tell your camera what to do
-If you want the mysteries of the photo universe revealed to you
What you will learn:
-Understanding exposure
-How to use your camera in manual mode
-How to take a photo “correctly” in camera
-Natural light techniques
-Understanding your lens
-Understanding White Balance
-Flash Techniques
TO REGISTER FOLLOW THIS: (HERE)
http://www.craig-photography.com/workshop/howtophoto/
Is this you?
-You take great pictures
-Everybody tells you that you take great pictures
-Your friends and family always ask you to bring your camera
-You bought an expensive new DSLR camera
-You have no idea how to use to it, except on AUTO
-The camera’s manual scares the bajesus out of you
-You love photography and want to get better
Who should take this workshop?
-If the list above is YOU
-You love taking photographs
-ISO, F/stop, shutter speed, and aperture are words that means nothing to you
-You have no idea what DSLR means
-If you want to able to tell your camera what to do
-If you want the mysteries of the photo universe revealed to you
What you will learn:
-Understanding exposure
-How to use your camera in manual mode
-How to take a photo “correctly” in camera
-Natural light techniques
-Understanding your lens
-Understanding White Balance
-Flash Techniques
TO REGISTER FOLLOW THIS: (HERE)
http://www.craig-photography.com/workshop/howtophoto/
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Intentionality of Vision
Looking through this distorted field of vision, raindrop starbursts by oncoming headlights, the separation of colors became only black, white or red, leaving little room for depth perception. My vision scared me. I had little control over my sight.
It was hard to see while driving home from teaching a workshop last night, it was a rainy night. It was one of those nights that the rain was not hard enough to have your wipers going constantly, but enough rain to impair vision.
When I would turn the wipers on it would blur my vision well before improving my sight. So, I would only sporadically turn the wipers on and off as needed. Driving with this pixelated windshield of small raindrops had me thinking about vision.
The word "vision" to me usually takes on a future-thought of what is to come. The word "vision" is one of my personal motivational words as in: “I need to have a vision, work with a purpose and give without expectation”. A simple phrase that I use to guide me along my journey of life.
This vision-experience of driving in the rain had me thinking about the intentionality of seeing; vision with a purpose.
A while back I came across a photo-book taken by children at a school for the blind. The book was amazing. It was about the intentionality of seeing even when sight is not an option.
I often wonder if I would still create photographs if I could not see them.
I think I would.
The idea to create something, be able to physically hold onto a moment for all to see is important. The idea that these blind school children are actually holding onto a photograph that they created...a photograph which would hold more of an image than the human eye can see because it held real life is amazing to me.
Their intentionality of what, when, where & why they perceived this moment worthy of documentation.
That is powerful.
I love the light. I hope it never fades.
If darkness approaches, I will photograph. It may/will become more of a collaborative effort but I will still photograph.
The images will be created out of the intentionality of seeing; vision with a purpose guided by sound, touch, taste and the warmth of the sun.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Pittsburgh Photography Workshop 2.12.2011
In your gut you want to be a PHOTOGRAPHER. Or maybe you just want to learn how to use that expensive camera you just bought but you’re not sure who to ask. You have a great eye for composition but you just need some guidance, an advisor to help YOU fulfill your dreams. Make the jump from thinking, daydreaming and create great photographs…
Is this you?
-You take great pictures
-Everybody tells you that you take great pictures
-Your friends and family always ask you to bring your camera
-You bought an expensive new DSLR camera
-You have no idea how to use to it, except on AUTO
-The camera’s manual scares the bajesus out of you
-You love photography and want to get better
Who should take this workshop?
-If the list above is YOU
-You love taking photographs
-ISO, F/stop, shutter speed, and aperture are words that means nothing to you
-You have no idea what DSLR means
-If you want to able to tell your camera what to do
-If you want the mysteries of the photo universe revealed to you
What you will learn:
-Understanding exposure
-How to use your camera in manual mode
-How to take a photo “correctly” in camera
-Natural light techniques
-Understanding your lens
-Understanding White Balance
-Flash Techniques
TO REGISTER FOLLOW THIS: (HERE)
http://www.craig-photography.com/workshop/howtophoto/
Is this you?
-You take great pictures
-Everybody tells you that you take great pictures
-Your friends and family always ask you to bring your camera
-You bought an expensive new DSLR camera
-You have no idea how to use to it, except on AUTO
-The camera’s manual scares the bajesus out of you
-You love photography and want to get better
Who should take this workshop?
-If the list above is YOU
-You love taking photographs
-ISO, F/stop, shutter speed, and aperture are words that means nothing to you
-You have no idea what DSLR means
-If you want to able to tell your camera what to do
-If you want the mysteries of the photo universe revealed to you
What you will learn:
-Understanding exposure
-How to use your camera in manual mode
-How to take a photo “correctly” in camera
-Natural light techniques
-Understanding your lens
-Understanding White Balance
-Flash Techniques
TO REGISTER FOLLOW THIS: (HERE)
http://www.craig-photography.com/workshop/howtophoto/
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday 4AM
4am. Can't sleep. Decide to get up out of bed and write something. Laid in bed thinking about different rants that I could write about, after getting out of bed and setting up a writing corner by the fireplace I can no longer remember what to rant about. The fleeting muse is a mystery to me. She opens herself up to you in moments of drifting consciousness and leaves in wakeful moments of clarity.
Reading “Life” by Keith Richards & James Fox. I like that Richards gives credit to his co-author of the book. Too many books are co-authored by ghostwriters. Why not give credit?
A couple of years back I used to have an e-mail relationship with a ghostwriter. She would give me tips and encourage me to write in different directions. I enjoyed that relationship, sorry that it drifted away.
Writing has always been integral to me. As I move forward in this year much more time is dedicated to long journal entries. Much of last year was also dedicated to this, for some reason I did not share much of it. My journals from last year are in no way reflected on the blog. I may try to dig up some of that stuff and share it with you. I have a nice essay on “Faith & Creativity” that I think you might enjoy.
Back to “Life” by Richards, damn he writes great about playing guitar. He hits the emotion of what it is like to be intertwined with an instrument better than anybody else I have read. What is most surprising to me is that the reason I pick up the book in the first place was because it was listed on the best of business books by Wired magazine.
Everything happens in music first. If you want to be ahead of the game on marketing, advertising, branding and most importantly creativity start by studying the music business.
I have based my entire photography career on what I have learned as a musician. There is just something about the balance between extreme commitment (wood-shedding) to your craft and the ability to go out on stage and earn your audience.
Last thing ~ If you haven’t check out my wife's blog in awhile be sure to give it a look. She has been creating some killer stuff… (HERE)
Reading “Life” by Keith Richards & James Fox. I like that Richards gives credit to his co-author of the book. Too many books are co-authored by ghostwriters. Why not give credit?
A couple of years back I used to have an e-mail relationship with a ghostwriter. She would give me tips and encourage me to write in different directions. I enjoyed that relationship, sorry that it drifted away.
Writing has always been integral to me. As I move forward in this year much more time is dedicated to long journal entries. Much of last year was also dedicated to this, for some reason I did not share much of it. My journals from last year are in no way reflected on the blog. I may try to dig up some of that stuff and share it with you. I have a nice essay on “Faith & Creativity” that I think you might enjoy.
Back to “Life” by Richards, damn he writes great about playing guitar. He hits the emotion of what it is like to be intertwined with an instrument better than anybody else I have read. What is most surprising to me is that the reason I pick up the book in the first place was because it was listed on the best of business books by Wired magazine.
Everything happens in music first. If you want to be ahead of the game on marketing, advertising, branding and most importantly creativity start by studying the music business.
I have based my entire photography career on what I have learned as a musician. There is just something about the balance between extreme commitment (wood-shedding) to your craft and the ability to go out on stage and earn your audience.
Last thing ~ If you haven’t check out my wife's blog in awhile be sure to give it a look. She has been creating some killer stuff… (HERE)
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Moment
Current Reading: Life by Keith Richards
Current Music: Small Craft on Milk Sea by Brain Eno
Mood: Good
Smells: Snow melting on my dog
Sounds: Heater kicking on
Temperature: 19 degrees light snow
Thought: Hurt less, feel more....
Current Music: Small Craft on Milk Sea by Brain Eno
Mood: Good
Smells: Snow melting on my dog
Sounds: Heater kicking on
Temperature: 19 degrees light snow
Thought: Hurt less, feel more....
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Creative Non Fiction ~ Until the next death, Big Blue
Standing outside on the sidewalk on Wallace Street. Just walked out of the big blue funeral home. Directly in front of me is the church where I attended preschool. Hated that place. Who hates preschool? I did. Mean old lady teacher, still gives me flash backs of her yelling at us.
For the life of me I cannot remember the name of the funeral home that I just walked out of. Big Blue on Wallace Street is all I can ever remember calling it.
I have walked in and out of this place well over a 100 times. That is a lot of time spent in the house of death. It’s the family funeral home. My Grandfather was one of thirteen kids. They created quite a lot of offspring, in turn lots of deaths throughout the years. Top that off with the fact that I was an altar boy for St. Michaels Church right down the road from big blue. A couple times a month I would be standing next to Father John holding the smelly smoking incense as he recited the rosary for the mourners. More often than not it was someone who was somehow related to me.
Today I was at big blue paying my respects to Mrs. Waterston. I knew Mrs. Waterston my whole life and never new her first name. It was always “Hi Mrs. Waterston” followed by a hug and kiss on the cheek. A kind lady, she will be missed.
Mrs. Waterston is Jimmy's mother, my best friend from elementary school. This was the first time I have seen Jimmy in over twenty years, at his mother funeral.
Jimmy and I did not have much to say to each other besides the general niceties about our lives. “Kids?” and “Yes, two boys and a girl.” “You?”, "One girl. She is four, five this January.” Next I would have asked how his mother was doing but that topic of conversation was no more. He asked about my parents. I said goodbye to Jimmy then proceeded to kneel at the casket and say a prayer for his mother and to thank her for all the cinnamon toast that she made us.
It's nice seeing your first best friend, even if you have nothing to talk about. Talking, that should not have been a problem for us. We never did have much to talk about even as kids. Jimmy was smart and bad at sports. Me, I was not interested in school and getting better at sports every day. No big childhood break up; one day I went to the ballfield and he went to the library and that was that.
There would be one more time that Jimmy would come into my life before the death of his mother. Right after college we were both dating sisters at the same time without either one of us knowing it. My sister was here in Pittsburgh and his sister was studying at Penn State. The sisters did not turn out well for either of us, especially me.
So here I stand on Wallace Street, outside on the sidewalk in front of the big blue funeral home across the street from my preschool after having a short and slightly awkward conversation with my childhood friend at his mother's funeral viewing.
The street is dirty, littered with garbage day. My car is parked between two pickup trucks that are filled with junk they must have collected on trash day. You know those trucks that drive around picking up broken lawn mowers and old TV’s that no longer work? Those types of trucks.
I sit in my car and think about the fact that the only time I come back to this town is to go to the big blue funeral home. Nobody ever gets married here, they only seem to die. How odd is that?
Drove past the elementary school. Still the same but with a new playground. Drove past the ballfield that I spent the majority of my childhood at. It’s a mess. The basketball backboard is torn down. Two big metal polls are left standing where backboards used to be hung. The ballfield is over grown and the batting cage has been removed. My childhood ballpark is now a ghost town and is no field of dreams.
Drove my old paper route to see what has become of the place. Houses condemned, abandoned or just not kept up. This is why people only die here, I think to myself. There is no life left.
Drove past Jimmy's house on 10th street. Big yellow house with a For Sale sign in the front lawn. All I could think to myself was 'Good luck unloading that Jimmy.'
I had one of those moments where I could see the eight year old in me playing in that yard, climbing that big tree that still stands in the backyard.
I loved the town that I grew up in. It was old world. Everyone was Italian, we were all Catholic, and even the non-Catholic seemed catholic to me. We listened to Bruce Springsteen, drank iced tea out of paper cartons. I delivered newspapers to old ladies who would give me cookies and to old men who would let me sip the wine they made in barrels in their garages.
Today I am 41, Mrs. Waterston died at 77. I never even knew her fist name, never even thought about it until I started writing this.
Until the next death, Big Blue.
For the life of me I cannot remember the name of the funeral home that I just walked out of. Big Blue on Wallace Street is all I can ever remember calling it.
I have walked in and out of this place well over a 100 times. That is a lot of time spent in the house of death. It’s the family funeral home. My Grandfather was one of thirteen kids. They created quite a lot of offspring, in turn lots of deaths throughout the years. Top that off with the fact that I was an altar boy for St. Michaels Church right down the road from big blue. A couple times a month I would be standing next to Father John holding the smelly smoking incense as he recited the rosary for the mourners. More often than not it was someone who was somehow related to me.
Today I was at big blue paying my respects to Mrs. Waterston. I knew Mrs. Waterston my whole life and never new her first name. It was always “Hi Mrs. Waterston” followed by a hug and kiss on the cheek. A kind lady, she will be missed.
Mrs. Waterston is Jimmy's mother, my best friend from elementary school. This was the first time I have seen Jimmy in over twenty years, at his mother funeral.
Jimmy and I did not have much to say to each other besides the general niceties about our lives. “Kids?” and “Yes, two boys and a girl.” “You?”, "One girl. She is four, five this January.” Next I would have asked how his mother was doing but that topic of conversation was no more. He asked about my parents. I said goodbye to Jimmy then proceeded to kneel at the casket and say a prayer for his mother and to thank her for all the cinnamon toast that she made us.
It's nice seeing your first best friend, even if you have nothing to talk about. Talking, that should not have been a problem for us. We never did have much to talk about even as kids. Jimmy was smart and bad at sports. Me, I was not interested in school and getting better at sports every day. No big childhood break up; one day I went to the ballfield and he went to the library and that was that.
There would be one more time that Jimmy would come into my life before the death of his mother. Right after college we were both dating sisters at the same time without either one of us knowing it. My sister was here in Pittsburgh and his sister was studying at Penn State. The sisters did not turn out well for either of us, especially me.
So here I stand on Wallace Street, outside on the sidewalk in front of the big blue funeral home across the street from my preschool after having a short and slightly awkward conversation with my childhood friend at his mother's funeral viewing.
The street is dirty, littered with garbage day. My car is parked between two pickup trucks that are filled with junk they must have collected on trash day. You know those trucks that drive around picking up broken lawn mowers and old TV’s that no longer work? Those types of trucks.
I sit in my car and think about the fact that the only time I come back to this town is to go to the big blue funeral home. Nobody ever gets married here, they only seem to die. How odd is that?
Drove past the elementary school. Still the same but with a new playground. Drove past the ballfield that I spent the majority of my childhood at. It’s a mess. The basketball backboard is torn down. Two big metal polls are left standing where backboards used to be hung. The ballfield is over grown and the batting cage has been removed. My childhood ballpark is now a ghost town and is no field of dreams.
Drove my old paper route to see what has become of the place. Houses condemned, abandoned or just not kept up. This is why people only die here, I think to myself. There is no life left.
Drove past Jimmy's house on 10th street. Big yellow house with a For Sale sign in the front lawn. All I could think to myself was 'Good luck unloading that Jimmy.'
I had one of those moments where I could see the eight year old in me playing in that yard, climbing that big tree that still stands in the backyard.
I loved the town that I grew up in. It was old world. Everyone was Italian, we were all Catholic, and even the non-Catholic seemed catholic to me. We listened to Bruce Springsteen, drank iced tea out of paper cartons. I delivered newspapers to old ladies who would give me cookies and to old men who would let me sip the wine they made in barrels in their garages.
Today I am 41, Mrs. Waterston died at 77. I never even knew her fist name, never even thought about it until I started writing this.
Until the next death, Big Blue.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Monday ~ Interesting Stuff
Came across some interesting links.
Evernote app (HERE), I am late to the game on discovering this app. I just downloaded it to my iPad. I keep paper journals but think this is the best note-taking tool that I have ever discovered. Not sure how much I will use it but I am interested to find out, especially like the voice recording feature.
“Facebook hype will fade” article by Douglas Rushkoff, read it (HERE). It seems that the Facebook story has been all over the news network shows this weekend. This article is a counterpoint outlook to the 50 billion dollar hype that has been surrounding Mark Zuckerberg.
Is the Internet Changing the Way You Think? A new book edited by John Brockman the founder of EDGE.org. This is a book that I am very much looking forward to reading. Wall Street Journal has a good article about this upcoming book (HERE).
It looks like my reading and studying digital culture/commerce has not come to an end in the New Year. The hive mentality of copying the digital leader is too wide spread for a new culture to arise. Can you think of music or fashion that dates the 90’s or 00’s? The 60’s, 70’s & 80’s have a sound a fashion but these last twenty years has been owned by the remix, remash and redo culture. Or as I like to call it the copy, pay & wait culture of current day.
Who am I to complain? The last ten years of my life have been very good to me. My lifestyle could not exist if it was not for the digital culture/commerce that the Internet has provided. If I had to be tied to a brick and mortar store the freedom that I have would be gone.
Create, connect & grow.
Pittsburgh Photography Workshop 2.12.2011
In your gut you want to be a PHOTOGRAPHER. Or maybe you just want to learn how to use that expensive camera you just bought but you’re not sure who to ask. You have a great eye for composition but you just need some guidance, an advisor to help YOU fulfill your dreams. Make the jump from thinking, daydreaming and create great photographs…
Is this you?
-You take great pictures
-Everybody tells you that you take great pictures
-Your friends and family always ask you to bring your camera
-You bought an expensive new DSLR camera
-You have no idea how to use to it, except on AUTO
-The camera’s manual scares the bajesus out of you
-You love photography and want to get better
Who should take this workshop?
-If the list above is YOU
-You love taking photographs
-ISO, F/stop, shutter speed, and aperture are words that means nothing to you
-You have no idea what DSLR means
-If you want to able to tell your camera what to do
-If you want the mysteries of the photo universe revealed to you
What you will learn:
-Understanding exposure
-How to use your camera in manual mode
-How to take a photo “correctly” in camera
-Natural light techniques
-Understanding your lens
-Understanding White Balance
-Flash Techniques
TO REGISTER FOLLOW THIS: (HERE)
http://www.craig-photography.com/workshop/howtophoto/
Is this you?
-You take great pictures
-Everybody tells you that you take great pictures
-Your friends and family always ask you to bring your camera
-You bought an expensive new DSLR camera
-You have no idea how to use to it, except on AUTO
-The camera’s manual scares the bajesus out of you
-You love photography and want to get better
Who should take this workshop?
-If the list above is YOU
-You love taking photographs
-ISO, F/stop, shutter speed, and aperture are words that means nothing to you
-You have no idea what DSLR means
-If you want to able to tell your camera what to do
-If you want the mysteries of the photo universe revealed to you
What you will learn:
-Understanding exposure
-How to use your camera in manual mode
-How to take a photo “correctly” in camera
-Natural light techniques
-Understanding your lens
-Understanding White Balance
-Flash Techniques
TO REGISTER FOLLOW THIS: (HERE)
http://www.craig-photography.com/workshop/howtophoto/
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Thursday
Long days, been fighting the flu.
Currently working on enhancements to the photo-workshop during the days. A great deal of the updates can be found throughout the archives of this blog. There is something greatly egotistically enjoyable about scanning through your own archives for new ideas.
Life is lived forward but understood backwards. Which philosopher said that? That is what’s great about keeping a working portfolio and journals. With reflection, perceptions and time away to see the work anew again.
As I write this post I am on a conference call with/about entrepreneurship. Is there anything more boring than listening in on a conference call that is nothing more than a blog article rehashed? (maybe reading about me complaining about it)?
On an odd side note: I went to the eye doctor today. How long will my eyes stay dilated? Eye drops were applied around 4pm and it’s now 9:30pm and I look all black eyed.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Moment
Current Reading: Just Like Someone Without Mental Illness Only More So: A Memoir by Mark Vonnegut
&
The Thieves of Manhattan by Adam Langer (both books very enjoyable)
Current Music: Antonio Ramos "Maca" (... Spanish Flamenco bassist, great stuff)
Mood: Back to life
Smells:Wine
Sounds: My dog panting..she does that a lot in her old age.
Temperature: 34 degrees
Thoughts: Life is lived forward but understood backwards.
&
The Thieves of Manhattan by Adam Langer (both books very enjoyable)
Current Music: Antonio Ramos "Maca" (... Spanish Flamenco bassist, great stuff)
Mood: Back to life
Smells:Wine
Sounds: My dog panting..she does that a lot in her old age.
Temperature: 34 degrees
Thoughts: Life is lived forward but understood backwards.
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