Mmmmm, sushi

This is part of the 360 degree series. There was a guy yaking on his cell phone outside this joint for what seemed like eternity until he got in his car and fled the scene.
I wanted this image to have a bit of a 70's feel. Can you dig the vibe? Does it exist?!

Currently listening to The Sadies, Stories Often Told.

360 degrees

I played with the editing on this image more than I'm used to. I don't know why my images seem much smaller comparatively to other blog sites I see. They don't appear as punchy with size and clarity.

This image was taken in small town usa. I stood on the corner of this lot, turned 360 degrees and found something interesting to photograph full circle. I didn't want to leave figuring if I found a corner gem, imagine what else I could find if I had time to explore.

Currently listening to Great Lake Swimmers, song Changing Colours. Love it.

designs from up above

This image makes me think of wallpaper. Can you visualize it?

I find the lines and buds very elegant the way they have moved and settled themselves.

It has a modern feel, yet also has the quality of age which I appreciate.

vertical lines

Paul Strand is a photographer I discovered many years ago. There was a book of his at school where the blacks were so black and the white's so white you could take a bite out of them. I don't think my eyes could search any deeper into his landscape photographs even if I had been there shooting alongside him during his lifetime.
One Friday while in Montana I went out and photographed on my own around the charming streets of Missoula. I came across this scene in someone's backyard and crept in to steal the image. A couple years later and I still love this image for what it personally represents to me. Seeing this image in full resolution always makes me think of Strand's work and how much it inspires me.

footprints

KLBC

This image looks rather muddy as a jpeg, which is too bad.

I have a thing for lawn bowling. I haven't tried my hand at it, I'm more smitten by the "look" of the game. I love the starched whites, the minimal gear required, the fact that it takes place outside on a big stretch of groomed grass. It appears to be a gentle sport, light, amicable and engaging. I love the idea of getting completely lost in something out of concentration on the task at hand; when your mind becomes empty except for what is in front of you. I can visualize lawn bowling achieving this state of what I experience as being very peaceful.

you could do better

Recently my friend and fellow photographer, Big John, pulled me aside to show me some logo designs he's been devising for me. As I looked them over I asked him if he had been to my site to get an idea of my style, etc. He looked at me and said yes he had, and then appearing rather uncomfortable, he began to say something about the picture of me on my site, and then stopped himself. I asked him to continue and this is what he said, "I don't know, I think you could do better."

I was a bit surprised since I had received praise for this image when I first published my site, and then upon further reflection realized it was mostly women who liked it and the small amount of criticism I received was from men. Much to my surprise bashful John then told me I looked "hot" at my photography show, and that I needed an image to reveal more of what he saw that night.

So I'm going to ask you to give me your feedback on this matter. Do you think I need to change my image on my site to reflect something other than what's there? Yea or nea? I realize it's personal preference, and ultimately up to me, but I would like your opinion.

finding inspiration in the not so inspirational

This is the office building where I procrastinate and sometimes work.

Over time I have noticed that despite the number of offices that habitate here, there is most always a lack of people seen amongst its hallways, bathrooms, back entrances and exits. All I really hear beyond the office walls are doors opening and shutting and keys jingling past with the heavy footfall of those working to move from point A to point B.

winter

My friend Emily stated she wants to write more poetry this year, and so this inspired me to send this poem out to her and anyone else wanting to express themselves through the written word. This is fittingly called Winter by poet and philosopher Kahlil Gibran, most noted as the author of The Prophet.

Winter

Come close to me, oh companion of my full life;
Come close to me and let not Winter's touch enter between us.
Sit by me before the hearth,
For fire is the only fruit of Winter.

Speak to me of the glory of your heart,
For that is greater than the shrieking elements beyond our door.
Bind the door and seal the transoms,
For the angry countenance of the heaven depresses my spirit,
And the face of our snow-laden fields makes my soul cry.

Feed the lamp with oil and let it not dim,
And place it by you,
So I can read with tears what your life with me has written upon your face.

Bring Autumn's wine.
Let us drink and sing the song of remembrance to Spring's carefree sowing,
And Summer's watchful tending,
and Autumn's reward in harvest.

Come close to me, oh beloved of my soul;
The fire is cooling and fleeing under the ashes.
Embrace me, for I fear loneliness;
The lamp is dim, and the wine which we pressed is closing our eyes.
Let us look upon each other before they are shut.
Find me with your arms and embrace me;
Let slumber then embrace our souls as one.
Kiss me, my beloved, for Winter has stolen all but our moving lips.

You are close by me, my Forever.
How deep and wide will be the ocean of Slumber,
And how recent was the dawn!

Kahlil Gibran

modelling...in the buff

A friend trying to make as much money as she can to afford rent is playing with the idea of being a nude model for some life drawing classes and asks if I want to join in.
As a sit here fully clothed, safely tucked away, I think, sure, why not? It might be kinda fun, an experience. But then my mind quickly shifts to the actual room filled with strangers looking at and paying attention to...my stuff, and I start to blush, and think otherwise. I'm sure I would get to the class and completely bail, you know? What if the island perv shows up to class? It could happen and probably would!
Have any of you modeled in the nude? If not, would you do it?