Photographic Impressionistic Illusionistic
Photography Without Rules
When the sun goes down
There is an afterlight
Within the context of the artist
It is something to be pursued
We chase
After light
Not be confused
With afterlight
A relatively young word
At 215 years
Unused for some time
It registers misspelled
In autocorrect
Wait….
Autocorrect registers misspelled
In autocorrect
oils on canvas 16″x20″ “Twilight”
To anyone who reads this, Happy New Year!
An interesting sentiment….very human. We like to take note of any occasion, and if we get to greet one another with positive vibes, that’s even better.
Every year is dotted with a mix of trials and overcoming trials. Things accomplished, things left undone. Victory(s) and failure(s). We look in retrospect and decide to make or remake goals.
In November 2018, I decided to gather all of my physical work together. The goal was to finish them and get rid of them. A “cleaning house” move. I completely failed for many reasons. Most notably, I became distracted in paths that require too much time. Video creation. Yup, I love making videos and to do it correctly, it sucks up time. Watch movie credits at the end of a simple presentation (without CGI or special effects) and the list is very long.
My distractions were so strong that I uploaded very little new work to my print site!
https://bluemarblephotography.smugmug.com/
I’ve realized over the years, failure is not a negative experience unless nothing is learned from it. So what did I learn? As much as I love making videos, I must continue in a much more disciplined pattern. Return to the plan. Finish my works, sell them, give them away, and move forward.
Because we have seasons, we know something is happening. We can look at the stars and the moon and know changes are occurring. If this was not the case, then when would we decide to be resolute about something?
Perhaps, when the sun is going down, and the colors of the evening are exploding and beckoning. When it is relatively quiet and instead of harried photo making, I just stop and take in the moment to have the moment move through me. Looking down from the clouds, I can see the clutter in my paths. From there I can make plans.
Close some doors, ignore those rooms and clean up one at a time. Happy new year everyone!
Looks like a nuzzle
Becomes an abrupt head-butt
Such is the puzzle
Sisters
Thank you WP community for your positive energy!
I had to get that out of the way. This rant is not about anyone here.
I will be taking off work for the next week and will likely not post anything during that time.
What that means is I need to get everything to a state of manageability without my presence (at my workplace). Usually, a doable task that takes an hour or two out of the ordinary week.
As can happen. This week was an avalanche of contract reviewing, problem solving, fire extinguishing, etc. etc. That on top of what I am supposed to be doing.
Things pile up and the squeeze starts to happen. I feel it in my gut….in my bones. Little things become big things. I caught a cold. I overslept this morning. My poor wife caught my cold! Why did I let that happen! Pick up the slack…sign this…do that. Why did that guy just insult me? I don’t even know him! Why is everyone driving like they are comatose?
STOP!
Clear the mind.
Paper and pen. Write it all down. Prioritize. What must be done now? Assess feasibility for outcomes. How will this impact other scheduled duties? Assess feasibility for outcomes.
Identify issues.
Delegate fixes with end dates and follow ups. Enter them in the calendar for review when you return.
Will I need to take some work home with me? Yes. But, it is minimal. It can be accomplished without a visual interference to the family.
Done.
Implement.
I moved out of “management” four years ago, but it has followed me regardless. Such is the life of a salaried employee.
Everyone, have a good week. If you celebrate the holidays do so with all your might. Hug your loved ones every day. Look into their eyes, and smile…..that dark energy will melt away.
photomanipulation – Self Portrait –
In the summer sun
We are all boisterous
Drunk with our own strength and beauty
Then comes that first day
Its coolness uncomfortable
Rabbit stays holed up
Tension fills the body
Constricted veins
Thicken skin like the tortoise
Fingers become nervous
Dancing earnestly
Anticipating the end
Ears, hair, nose
Detach
And become sails for the wind
Soon there will be ice
And we all do our part
For the return
Meeting you is so sweet.
Though,
I have become somewhat self-conscious.
The only time you will see me
Is at night
Right, at that transitory moment.
When my eyes close
And the spinning begins.
The roar of wind encircles me
Standing on a world
In a sea of tumultuous waves
Debris spiraling in tornadic mayhem.
‘Til your words stop the violence
Trees and mountains fall into the sea
And we drink very strong tea together
single frame photo – polar coordinates and masking
There is a location where I create most of my photographic impressions. It is located within the county and is close to my place of work, so it is convenient.
The entire regional park is vast, but with the time I have available, I typically visit a small portion of it. It is very “wild” in the sense that there are designated trails to walk and the rest is left undisturbed.
It’s not uncommon to see deer, coyote, rabbit and bird life. Occasionally, mountain lions are seen as well (not by me).
It is encompassed by the urban sprawl of San Diego. Freeways on one end (north), major transportation on two sides (east/south). A nearby regional airport to the east. And urban sprawl to the west. It is rarely ever truly quiet here. Relative to being in the middle of the city, it is less noisy. Only relative.
I’ve found that the older I get, the more I crave quiet. More specifically, sound that is void of any human influence. I have attempted to record audio for video production and have realized just how noisy this place is. If I get one full minute of a specific sound (like a river) without a plane or Harley, or siren I consider it a great achievement.
This photograph is a great testimony to the restraints of attempting to depict a natural world in a place full of human (visual) influence.
At first I hated it. The piece took some time to develop over several frames in-camera. The last frame was of the birds. When I saw the tower, I was filled with frustration.
When I opened it up in my computer, I came to realize a few things. These “escapes” to this area are not full escapes. The IDEA of an escape is there however, and that is good enough. I have been an urban produced human my entire life. Sometimes we just need a little less of the mayhem of human ingenuity and a little less can be good for the soul.
multiple exposures in-camera + color shifts in Topaz
Mission Trails, San Diego CA
