Before 2015 closes out, and I have left my orphan child alone, I want to return and post something here,

where images and writing began to come together.

The Camera and the Mind's Eye

There is a definite disconnect between the eye and the camera. It is no new revelation. The camera just cannot see in the same way as the eye, the eye wins every time. Add to this visual frustration the mind's eye of what the photographer wants to see, what is in on on his or her mind.
I came upon these scenes, a crowded entrance on a cold, cold day. In my mind's eye it was the Enter, the waiting, the crowd. Never seen the entrance so crowded. The problem, my mind's eye saw this, the human eye could see this, the camera sees a series of problems. Reflections, extremes of light, are you nuts!
In the good old days this would be a challenge to be met with perhaps, a
lot of darkroom work, split contrast
dodging, burning, ferrocyanide, what
ever it took. But in any case it was the

commitment to uncover what the mind's
eye saw, and that was OK.
Today, digital with all it's marvelous
promises, still faces the same disconnect of camera and eye, with a new set of tools that with persistence can uncover the image the mid's eye sees.

Pursuit of The Whit Tiger Hat

  I admit it, things catch my eye and I pursue. It's not meant in any harmful way, I'm just fascinated and frankly sometimes a challenge presents itself. Down to my right, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a lady in a white tiger hat, a long shot, but just as I looked and twisted to take a shot, she looked down in my direction, I took the shot, maybe. The platform was very crowded , I made my way down towards her, hoping for a better picture. As it turned out we ended up jammed into the same car. Maybe it's a bit OCD, but I really liked the hat.

The Camera that is with you is the best camera

It had been on my mind that I really wanted to get a photograph of leaves blowing in the wind as a Fall picture. It had complete eluded me. I'd be at home, indoors, and look out to see the wind blowing,  the leaves swirling, but no camera at hand. Run, get a camera, wind stops. Or not the right light, angle, time of day, the usual suspects, mostly though, no camera when it's happening. So today, I am driving in, my G15 commuter camera with me, when at a stop light, this leaf lands on my windshield. Hmm, wait!!!, grab, shoot , light changes , but I have my leaf, what a blessing, thanks.

Emerging Black and White

Recently, with the purchase of a Canon G15 to replace my G5 (of blessed memory) I have found myself converting some images to black and white and really liking the results. In my mind I struggle with this, the "purist" says "No,no, this is the hallowed realm of film, of the Tri-X, the D-76, the HC110-B, of 68 degrees plus or mins 1/2 degree.." Yet there is something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear. Am I unfaithful, deluded, or should I ride with the tide and go with the flow. I like what I see, and I am impressed by a small unobtrusive, silent friend, with a 1.8 lens with wonderful ISO 1600 files.

Self Examination

Passing Stranger

In my previous post on disappointment, the example shows that I tend to shy away from centering and pull to the right of the picture, today was no exception, after reviewing some earlier attempts (also known as "chimping") I made an effort to pivot to the left with a better result. Self awareness and self examination and practice never go away. "A man's got to know his limitations."-Dirty Harry/ Magnum Force 1973

"Get Used To Disappointment." - The Dread Pirate Roberts

"Oh yes,I've learned from my mistakes and I'm sure I could repeat them , exactly." - Sir Arthur Streeb-Greebling

You see, you position, if the opportunity presents itself , you explore, and then you find you're not necessarily the master you thought you were.

Photo Aikido

Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying (with) life energy." The more I try to pursue the type of candid/street photography as a therapy/alternative to the studio the more I find myself thinking in terms of Aikido. Now I am sure that purists in that art will take issue with my appropriation of the term, so forgive me. To try to take this kind of photo I have tried to come to an understanding of the position of the camera, it's field of view, and the necessary settings to be engaged within a particular situation. The Aikido Photo is taken without raising the camera to the eye, but rather with the awareness of position and field, the body moves to frame the subject without intrusion. It must be said that modern auto focus and auto exposure do play a part (the latter,auto exposure needs to be used with care). In the interest of full disclosure some images demand raising the camera.

The preferred type of camera for me is either a digital rangefinder or similar camera that does not produce a shutter sound. Currently I am using a borrowed Canon G9, upon the demise of my trusted G5. Those familiar with these cameras are no doubt appalled due to the the technical limitations of these cameras, but hey, that's part of the challenge until I can afford an upgrade. Below is a typical Kata, a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements. In this case a possible picture, haw accurately can I turn and frame. I do these on a regular basis and sometimes get an interesting photo as well. Well enough philosophy it's application that counts, taking pictures.

Canon Powershot G5, Parting Shots

I know it's just a "thing", a camera, and a "point and shoot" camera at that, but I am going to miss my G5. It was a fickle mistress, slow to focus, grainy, noisy, and not up to speed with the newer generations of digital cameras. It had a dangerous habit of activating the flash mode, just when I wanted to be discreet and shutting down at the "decisive moment". Let's not talk too much about battery life, one minute, a full indicator, then a flashing symbol, then "recharge battery". On the other hand, it was small, it had a wonderful small flip out screen and a simple optical viewfinder, "accurate", nah, but close enough, and a fast lens f2.0~3.0 not one of those 16-300 f4.5~9.  A civil viewfinder focal length sort of the same as a Leica with 35, 50, 90mm. I worked it hard carrying it's ISO 200 (ISO 400 was too awful) into the darkest reaches of everyday commuting, and it delivered. It was therapy from the studio, and discretion on the street, goodbye old friend.

cI saw the motorcycle at the crossing gate as we pulled into the station I knew I would have to run to get this, I just made it.