Tag: Fairfax

Art Inspires More Art

Art, Finding your Zen, Travel, Travel Photography

As artists of any kind, we are all susceptible to artistic droughts and dry spells. Coming home with a day’s worth of less-than-inspiring work. It’s something I’ve experienced numerous times over the years. Enough to make me think it’s time to sell my camera and invest the money in a hot dog cart. Hell, why not? There’s no shame in providing tasty food to hungry customers every day. Luckily, I have a fail proof plan that always brings me back from the edge. That plan is, immerse yourself in art. The closer I get to art, the more I’m inspired to make my own. Museums, exhibitions, books. During my life in New York City and New Jersey. A visit to Washington Square or Union Square was like a like a lifesaving blood transfusion. Yesterdays trip to DC and the Bansky, Basquiat exhibition was the kick in the head I needed. With their art inspiring me since childhood. It was the swift kick in the ass that no time on the side lines could have provided. Sooner than later, the creative juices were flowing and an opportunity to take a picture I had envisioned for close to a year, came. Proving that, art and creativity is often sparked or refueled by placing yourself among it. Never let that drought or numbness settle in and destroy your creativity. When the well seems dry. Nourishment is never far away.

Moving Forward with my Bucket List.

Canon R6 Mark II Mirrorless, Finding your Zen, Fisheye Lenses

Last week, while at the height of my obsession with people, places, and things I’d like to photograph. I took many of them to a list I keep in a secret drawer, amongst some of my ideas closer by than others. I decided to take on the easy ones first. Though not the most inspiring architecture. I became fixated on what I could capture with my seldomly used Canon Fish Eye lens. In passing the building countless times. My obsession grew. Making it a matter of time before crossing it off the list. Granted, my fear of the eventual entanglement with a security guard racing towards me as if I had just set off the timer of a bomb. Adding to the anxious calls from my wife yelling “Chop, Chop”, while keeping her foot close to the gas pedal of our getaway car. I snapped a couple of shots. As I look at the image below. I realize I must return to capture that entire oval. However, for now. It’s all groovy Tuesday.

Winter Wonderland.

Blogging, Finding your Zen, Street Photography

Pancakes, a cold-cut fit for a king, and a homemade lasagna served with a rarely enjoyed craft soda. These are just a few of the bright moments of my Christmas. I hope you are enjoying the holidays with all the fixings while counting down the days to a new year. Happy Holidays and a bright New Year.

The Places You Frequent.

Creative Writing, Philosophy, Travel, Travel Photography

While it’s hard to believe. My wife and I have called Virginia home for four years now. With four years in Seattle and a life living, working, and going to school close to, or directly in New York City. The common theme was always finding a spot where the food was consistently excellent and the hospitaliy of the waitstaff, management and owners made you feel like family. With spots in all the five boroughs of New York, the diner scenes in New Jersey and the many spots we enjoyed in the Seatttle area.being such a source of joy. Finding such a place in our new setting was of the utmost importance. Whether it’s the food, the waitstaff who serve you week to week, or the owners/mangement who stop at your table to check on you. These people and the food they provide are part of your community and extended family. As far as Bob & Edith’s are concerned. It would be a hard task to find anyone who combines good, simple food with an atmosphere so welcoming. Your often tempted to invite the waiter/waitress to take a brake to join you for a cup of bottomless cup of coffee. Of course, I’d never do that, combining the possibility of getting them fired or getting looked at like a three headed monster.

Cold Nights, Cool Lights.

Anecdote, Long Exposures, Night Photography, Street Photography

As Winter rolls in. The nights are coming earlier, while the temperatures are dropping like flies. With the arrival of freezing cold weather. It’s getting harder and harder to convince myself to bundle up in layers that once applied, have taken away most of the energy needed for such outings. However, last week, with my wife visiting family in Tokyo and the temperature at a steady 36 degrees. I left home twice with camera, tripod and a few other essentials to have a little fun on the dark, cold evening. When evaluating those moments. Armed with a sense of confidence that I packed everything I would need and the patience I often lack to properly set up the shot I wanted to capture by closely following certain rules regarding photographing under more challenging circumstances. I returned home knowing I achieved my goal without the burden of second guessing.

Top of the Morning to ya’.

Finding your Zen, Location Shooting, Street Photography

I’ve always enjoyed that hour or so before the sun rises. The air seems cleaner, the scent is much different from any other part of the day, and the quiet solitude has a charm all it’s own. I cherish these moments and try to participate in them whenever possible. On a recent pre-dawn walk, I arrived home just as the sun began to show itself. The rental across the street from me that was still be constructed when we moved here in 2021, is finally active. I snapped this at about an hour before the hustle and bustle of the rush hour began. Rewarding, to say the very least.

Achieving Motion Blur.

Canon R6 Mark II Mirrorless, Manual Mode, Motion Blur, Travel

Since purchasing the Canon R6 Mirrorless camera, I’ve explored many aspects of photography that, until recently, have been somewhat foreign to me, as of lately. I’ve set my camera settings to capture some motion blur—another aspect of photography I’ve wanted to explore. In contrast, waiting for my train to DC the other night. I caught this train heading in the opposite direction, slowing my shutter speed to 1/4 of a second. I could adequately capture the train car’s motion while capturing the building in the foreground. Somewhat neat. There I was, proving that an old dog can learn new tricks. A wise man named Albert Einstein once said, “You never fail until you stop trying.” I will keep that in mind and the many quotes regarding the subject