Week #35

Side by Side

"Photography is the power of observation not the application of technology."

Ken Rockwell

In a few weeks I will be in Paris taking a week long street photography course with Valerie Jardin. In preparation, I thought I would take my camera with me yesterday as I went out to our local library. One of the concepts that I am working with is what makes an interesting image. There are always people out in the streets, but how do you capture a moment that really expresses the human condition? 

Week #34

The Mar Ray Motel

"No matter how slow the film, spirit always stands still long enough for the photographer it has chosen."

Minor White

I was driving to work one day and as I made my way down Railroad Avenue in the slow school traffic I looked up and saw this shot. I was stopped at a red light so I pulled out my camera and took the picture through the windshield. There is something about the sign for the Mar Ray Motel that always catches my eye.

Week #33

Tea Cup

"It doesn't matter as much where you point your camera as where you point your heart."

Douglas Beasley

Last year I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a day with Doug Beasley learning about his philosophy on photography and practicing my camera skills as we explored the Twin Cities together.  We started the day in his home in St. Paul where he showed me his studio and talked about the basics of photography. After lunch, in one of his favorite local hangouts, we took off to practice what we had spent the morning discussing. Doug is a gentle and wise teacher. I will always cherish the time we spent together.

Doug's book - Zen and the Art of Photography: A Guide to Mindfulness in Creativity has just been updated and rereleased. This gem of a book is filled with the basics of Zen, mindfulness, and creativity and how we can use these practices to guide our photography. You can order the book directly from his site.

Week #32

The Old Railroad Man

This picture was taken inside the Sacramento Railroad Museum. Many "old timers" volunteer at the museum and dedicate themselves to keeping the history of the railroad alive for a new generation. This gentleman is a true living historian.