Before The Coffee » Photography
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With a sad heart I’d like to share that my dear Mom passed away on February 23, 2010. She was filled with a passion for life and a curiosity and energy difficult to match. On her last day she went to the doctors for a routine checkup, had lunch with her very best friend and talked with all her children. She was in her home, tucked in her bed, watching her favorite TV shows. Sometime that evening she quietly and peacefully drifted into the night. It was a blessing that she lived a life without pain, surgeries or rehab, she never “grew old.” Mom was 79. I haven’t slept since Tuesday night, I get an hour here and there. When I wake, I walk the house and stop at a window and look out. I usually stand there for a couple minutes then I go look out another window. The first night after she died the snow fell in large flakes, there was no wind so they fell straight down and I could pick one out and watch it fall. I kept doing this and it started to feel like tears from the sky, I’ve never felt that before. The irony of posting an image with the title “Memory Lane Is Never Closed” 3 days before she died on FaceBook is going to stay with me a long time. My mom was a bit shy but she did post a comment on FaceBook and I’m so glad she did. (Her name was Rita Pezzella McCollough). If your Mom and Dad are still living, tell them often you love them.
Wow, snow is beautiful, to a point. I like 5 inches, I like 10 inches, I even like 15 inches but when the ruler sank into the snow to 28 inches I knew there would be a lot of clean-up hours. It’s interesting how neighbors began talking again, one’s I haven’t seen in years came over to chat and catch up. I think the hustle-bustle and pressure to make a living is temporarily put aside and it’s OK to pause and say HELLO. Photos: Both of these pics are HDR images tonemapped in Photomatix at the default setting. I followed with a BW conversion in PS using Image>Adjustments>Black&White. After some dodging and burning I went to my folder of textures and found some pics of a boat hull taken at the marina. I laid a pic of the boat hull over the image below and the image with the fence, I laid a pic of a painted piece of paper over the image. Splashing ink on paper and staining it with some coffee is a fun way to make textures.
Suzy McCullough-Serpico is a sweetheart and Iâm so glad she stopped by for a photo session. She is an Elite Triathlete who has earned her way into the prestigious Ironman competition in Hawaii this fall 2010. She wanted some promotional pictures for her website that will hopefully bring her sponsors. Triathlons combine three events, swimming, biking and running. Being a triathlete isnât something you do casually like joining a softball team. Itâs all about preparation and dedication. After spending a few hours with Suzy I learned what it takes to be an Elite Triathlete. She is someone who pushes through the pain, someone who sees distant goals, someone who thinks about and plans the next workout, and for protein…. Suzy loves peanut butter. All the best of luck to you this year at the Ironman competition.
A little Ironman History: In 2009 the top finishers completed the course in a little over 8 hours. There were an estimated 1770 athletes representing 48 countries and all 50 states and ranged in age from 20 to 80 years old. The race starts at 7am and competitors must finish by midnight, 17 hours later. This year we will be rooting for Suzy. GO SUZY!
Before I go to a shooting location I always have a creative plan. A creative plan is a very deliberate plan to pursue a particular subject or a “look” that fulfills a vision in my mind. My creative plan might be very simple as in shooting reflections or more complex as in shooting a model running with balloons lit with strobes (previous post). Once on location I’m very intentional, I actively pursue the creative plan I was thinking about. Sure, I still remain open minded and react to opportunities “in-the-moment” but having a creative plan keeps me looking and working toward mental visions that are not easily seen.       
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Wow…..thank you….One of the most beautiful vectors I’ve seen. Texture galore, which I love..
Nicely done. Lovely.
really good work you’ve got on the blog!keep it up! đ