Time well wasted

Monday, March 28, 2011
The Picture Show
Ever since I was a kid I've always enjoyed taking pictures. I remember getting my first camera (a Polaroid advantix that could take 3 different sizes of pictures!) for a school trip to D.C. From there I moved up(?) to digital, playing around with my dad's 0.3 megapixel Sony Mavica. It finally become an actual hobby in grad school as a means of decorating the bare walls of my home and office. I never planned on, or ever wanted to, become a professional photographer. I've spoken to far too many who no longer even take pictures for fun - only for the job. Every shot I've taken has been a scene I wanted to capture for one reason or another, but never considering selling it in those reasons. I enjoy photography, and I hope to keep it that way.

I still have no desire to be a professional photographer, and I still only take pictures for my own enjoyment. However, for the first time my photographs are on display and available to purchase. Honestly I don't care much about selling them (although selling a few to break even on the cost of the frames might be nice) I really just thought it would be pretty cool to have my pictures up somewhere. So today's shot is a little different in that it's not just one of my pictures - it's a picture of my pictures.

Common Grounds
posted by Brian @ 11:17 PM   8 comments
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Break Open the Sky
It's not often that I post about my faith (or really anything personal) since this blog is mainly about pictures, but today it directly relates to the picture.

If you've been a regular reader for really any length of time you know that I'm a huge fan of sunrises and sunsets. Mainly because they create a scene you've seen before, but with a new twist that you can't control, predict or ever see again. My personal belief is that God created everything and that includes crafting sunrises and sunsets. Sure, you can reduce a sunset to the science of weather and light reflection, but what's the fun in that?

I like taking pictures not only because I like photography, but because it gives me an excuse to get away from everything and just enjoy God's creation. I set up my camera, grab my remote trigger, and from then on the photography requires very little thought, so I'm left with plenty of time to listen to music and pray. On this particular day I was listening to Tenth Avenue North and as I was watching this scene unfold, I started thinking about how it looked like the sun was trying to break through the clouds. At first there were just a few rays of light that escaped, but as the sun rose higher it just shattered through clouds shining sun rays everywhere. You can't tell from the picture, but the center where the sun is was so bright it was hard to look at.

I began to think that this is what my relationship with God is like, him always trying to break through to me and me doing my best to block the light. As I started to leave the song Strong Enough to Save came on, which I've heard before, but never really listened to the lyrics until this day. Here's the chorus:

And He'll break
open the skies to save
those who cry out his name
throwing the wind and waves at bay
He's strong enough to save you

I suppose it could have been a coincidence, but I just don't think so.

Break Open the Sky
posted by Brian @ 10:29 AM   2 comments
Monday, March 7, 2011
Closing in
I often complain about sunrise shots - and today is no different. Not only because I woke up early over the weekend to try for a good shot and came up with nothing, but because the day the shot below was taken was the worst of them all.

I woke up before 5am for the first time in likely a decade or more, then drove 45 minutes and hiked 45 minutes to this spot - all before the sky even started to light up. I hadn't really thought through how freggin scary it is hiking miles from civilization by yourself when it's pitch black outside. I'm pretty sure some animal growled at me (which I pretended didn't happen) and then I came within about 10 feet of a deer which spooked both him and I when I heard a crunch, looked up, and blinded him with my headlamp.

Once I finally made it to this spot, I set up my camera and relaxed for a bit. I waited and waited as the sky started to light up, hoping the clouds would light up with color - no such luck. Then, as my luck continued, it started to rain. There was only a 10% chance, but I suppose it wasn't 0%. I covered my camera and myself and waited for it to let up, took a few more shots, and then it started raining again and I called it a day.

All in all, out of the 2.5 hours I spent out there (including the hiking) there was only one short redeeming part. The shot below was taken right before the rain started, and the fog - which had covered the entire valley - had started to slip away. It wasn't anything like what I was hoping for, but I suppose its better than nothing.

Closing In
posted by Brian @ 10:05 PM   1 comments
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