running after light to fend off the mosquitoes

Over the weekend, I found myself able to head out with my camera at dusk. Since my big fancy camera is in the shop, I ended up walking around with just my x100s point and shoot and an extra battery in my pocket. After about 20 feet into the woods I realized I should have brought one other piece of gear...bug spray. I ended up chasing the light as I was running from the mosquitoes. About an hour later, I realized I forgot another piece of gear...a compass. I was glad I did think to bring a flashlight though.

great light, darn mosquitoes, and film

Over the weekend I was able to connect with an old fried as we walked the Arboretum and talked photography. But I was torn, I wanted to keep shooting (I don't get out much these days) but I also wanted to run back to the car, I was getting eaten alive. There has to be a reason that God created mosquitoes...other than to test my patience. I understand the existence of ants, spiders, and snakes...but not of mosquitoes. I must be more susceptible to them because John wasn't as bothered. 

These last 2 images have me excited. Not because of these images but because of the FILM images that I took along side them. I am borrowing a friends medium format film camera and I just fired off 2 frames. It totally changes your perspective and I think about my shots more with film. Not just because I only have 15 frames in a roll or I can't see the image to know I got it, but because it actually costs money every time the shutter fires. Though, is a different way, it is a lot more satisfying. Looking forward to the results.

 

Time on Fathers Day

This last Fathers Day, I was awoken by my wife...early. Not because she was awake with a child and wanted company, but because the light was amazing and we had a great layer of fog. (Can I brag for a sec? I love that my wife has learned to recognize great photography light!) Anyway, I texted a friend and we set out to see what we could find. I hesitate to call it a photo walk...but we walked, talked, and took a couple photos.

  

I learned long ago that great light makes a huge difference in image making. And I was reminded again of that...and moody light is even more fun. But, an unexpected lesson was that it takes time to make photos. Something I have not had a lot of lately. Thank you Sarah, for giving me the time to make photos this Fathers Day.

one last hurrah - walk and lightpainting

My wife and I are expecting our second child this week, so I was allowed to head out on one last hurrah the other night. Steve, Adam and I walked around waiting for the sun to set, then we attempted to do a little light painting. Every time I try this, I think I need to do it more.

 

just returned from honduras

more to come, but here is some of me, and then the photos I took at the same time...

stretching myself simpler

Over the weekend, I headed out to a familiar wooded area to stretch myself.  I took a lens that I usually love to hate, and decided on pushing myself into a creative corner of simpler compositions.  I walked into the woods at a very slow and contemplative pace for 45 minutes, but when I ran out it only took 3. It was an interesting exercise that surprised me in the results.

Bosnia - taste of the place

It has been 10 years since I was in Bosnia and Herzegovina last. This country holds a very significant placeholder in the narrative that has become my life.  This is the place where I was first faced with the reality of a global God, and not just the idea of it. This was the place where I realized I wanted to do something for the Kingdom. This was the place where photography became more than just snapshots, but a way of expressing myself. And this was the place where I decided that when I get home I want to get to know one of the girls on the team, a girl that is now my wife.

I was able to finally revisit Bosnia for a video project (well 4 actually videos) a couple weeks ago, where I learned more about myself, my craft, and this place.

More images and stories to come, but these are the images I set out to capture that reminds me of the feel of the place. Bosnia is rich in history, religious identity, beauty, juxtaposition...and coffee.