A day around my hometown

Just a few random images I took yesterday while wandering around my hometown!

The milkman finally arrived©2011

Battle on the Homefront ©2011


~Peace~
Kym

*Bubble*Bubble*

One of the values that I have fully instilled in my children is that READING is essential!

I read many a good book(s) to my oldest and now I am passing that tradition onto my youngest as well! We have to record the books for her class that I read or what she reads to me in order for her to reach goals of receiving a pawprint for every 10 books that are read (she is now on 2 pawprints)!

Tonight's selection came from her older brother's collection that he had passed onto her a few years ago.....the chosen book "Bubble Bubble" by Mercer Mayer is a cherished classic!

"Bubble Bubble" reminded me of a photo session that I had done with my muse last October shortly after Halloween!



This is one of the aspects of photography that I love to be a part of.......the spectator capturing the joys of everyday life!



The above image is one of my favorites, especially due to the method of which I obtained the shot!

I just wanted to share a few moments of what I experienced reading the book and the images that I had remembered capturing.....the loving fun spirit of a child enjoying a simple pleasure of blowing bubbles on a crisp, fall day!

Journalistic Style---Candid Photography

I came across this website through another photographer's blog (which by the way, you should check out her website...she has this style that reminds me of Diane Arbus). Anyway, after I read through several areas of the website, my interest in photojournalism surfaced and I remember how much I love going out into the public, especially when there are events going on, and just shooting images of the general public.

Last fall I had found out early on a Sunday morning that a political rally for a presidential candidate was going to be at the ballpark stadium down the road from where I lived. I quickly packed up my gear, my wits and decided that this would be an interesting opportunity to take images of an event that only seems to happen in the city that is an hour from my town.

I was amazed that I got as close to the stage as I did and I captured some images that I never thought I would be allowed to capture. One of the images I sent on-line to our local paper and they published it in the reader's section of the Sunday newspaper a week later!

I worked for a year and a half for a local company as one of the candid/sports photographers (in addition studio/underclass work) for various local school yearbooks. It was not very glamorous, but I had developed a style and a love for this type of photography. One of these days, I will eventually have my degree in photography along with a master's (probably when my daughter graduates from college...LOL!). I am enjoying the challenges and experiences that come along on my new career path working as an artist/photographer for a local non-for profit studio.

Here are some of my "journalistic" styles of photography (click on images to see a larger view):











There is something to capturing the electric emotions of people, and I love be able to capture those emotions!

Have a great Sunday!

Hanging on forever

A few weeks ago I took my daughter to the park on a particular warm day. As she merrily played with all the other children whose parents had flocked to the same park, I snapped images of the trees surrounding the area. I am always amazed at how the trees survive the harsh conditions that mother nature puts them under, it makes one reflect on how much one survives in their trials that one is put under daily, weekly, monthly....

I saw this little, dried leaf still hanging on after all that it went through last fall, and was intrigued by its tenacity to still hang on even though its life was long gone. Spring is fast approaching, and this little dried leaf would soon be replaced by a fresh green sprig, yet somehow it still clung to the branch that gave it life.

I am looking forward to the warm weather and this photograph reminds me that I should embrace the season and slow down a bit instead of rushing through my life, so enjoy the photograph and have a great evening!

What is wrong with this picture?

On the layover in Atlanta during my flight back from Rhode Island, there was two couples having a bit of fun at the terminal where we were waiting to board our flight. I could not resist taking out my camera and asking them if I could snap the following image of one the gentleman that was obliging in a dare from the rest of his group:


Can you tell me what is wrong with this picture? It made for a good laugh and I took a moment to go over to their group and found out that this gentleman is a Psycho-therapist....I love his sense of of humor.

Have a great evening!

Trip to Rhode Island

About a week or so ago, I flew to Rhode Island for work. I had not been on a plane since a week before September 11, 2001. I had a fear of flying before that tragic day, and I did not know if I would ever be able to get on a plane again. Fast forward to my new job 8 years later, and here I am boarding a plane with quiet apprehension.

I took my camera with me, but only snapped a few photographs. I really did not have much time to take pictures, but what I did get I was impressed with. I snapped an image as we were preparing for descent into Ohio on the first leg of our trip. I call this image "Overcome the Fear".

I do have to admit that when we first boarded the plane, I did have a small panic attack, and had to talk myself out of the urge to jump out of my seat, and run off the plane. I could not believe how small the plane was (a jet) and it felt like the thing was closing in on me as I sat there waiting for the steward to close the door. I did make it through both plane rides, (there and back) but it was harrowing at some points. I think that my fear is not as big as it used to be, and I could get on another plane at some point in time to visit other cities in the future.

Rhode Island is quite a place to visit, you have to learn to become a aggressive driver for one thing, and that you should be moving before the light turns green or the oncoming traffic will turn in front of you before you can get through the intersection. We were not there long enough to do much sight-seeing, but as we drove around trying to find our location, we came across at least 12 Dunkin Donuts and several Honey-Do Donut shops. The people are friendly and we found this little corner eatery, Exchange Street Cafe, that had awesome food. It was little cost for a lot of food. I talked to the cashier and she told me that the owner was from Poland and that she was from RI. As we left, I took a picture of the sign and loved that I had caught this awesome sunspot bouncing off the sign.

There was another restaurant that we saw and I had to stop and take the picture of the sign due to the nature of the words used to sell their specialties (though we never ate there, we were told that it was the best in the world):


I cropped the red sign out to show you what I thought was so funny (I love how we use many different words to describe various foods throughout this country.):


I had a great trip, and did have several days of jet lag to deal with after I got back home, but then who would after spending at least 10-12 hours of flying and layovers in two days? I will definitely go back to Rhode Island for vacation just to explore more of the area and to see more of the local art scene.

Have a great evening!

Lacking in blog

I know that I have been slacking off on the blog, but my new job has opened its doors and we have been extremely busy for the past few weeks. I am excited to have an opportunity to start pursuing my own side projects now that my nights are free.

Below is a sample piece that I started last night using gesso and a matte print of a distorted image that I had found in my digital photography library (when I have the piece finished, I will upload it on the blog and request your critiques):

.

Today I spent several hours in a few local "antique" shops scouring over old books, photographs, and suitcases (I love old suitcases) searching for that one item which would jump out at me and scream "take me home"!

I did come across an old game called "Perquackey" that I purchased for $3.00. When I got it home and had a chance to sit down and open the box, I discovered that the sand timer was missing as well as the original can to hold the word dice. The can that was in the box was from a "Yahtzee" game. I was a bit disappointed that pieces were missing from the game, but I think I can find a new sand timer to use and the instructions are printed inside the lid of the game.

To end this evening, here is a another project that I have started and will have to perfect with time and practice---Light Painting Photography!




Have a great evening!

Through my Viewfinder

About a month ago, I went to a photography lecture at the college I attend and was intrigued by this contraption that the photographer had brought to the lecture. It looked like an old twin lens camera with a long, black tube taped to it. I was instantly hooked and could not wait to try out this form of creative photography called TTV.

I still need to go out and buy myself some black cardstock and really construct a better tube, but for the time (and to save some money) I constructed a cheap version from a box found in my house and used some black painter's tape that I had as well. I am sure that is the reason why that I get getting this weird shape showing up in the middle of the picture (which I find to be quite interesting and it adds to the picture itself).

From my understanding, you need to have a macro lens as well. I still have a lot to learn with this new, and creative way to take pictures, so follow along with me on my journey and critique away.

I have attached a picture that I took today using the above method, and I even hurt myself in the process (I fell slipping on some ice going outside, but the camera stayed firmly in my hand :) ).

JPG Magazine

I belong to a photography website that I stumbled upon a few months ago, and I have been hooked ever since. I log on everyday just to look at the new themes and photographs posted, and to occasionally upload my own work.

One of the current themes that has become my favorite is the "The Moment" theme and I really need more views and comments on my entry. The photograph that I entered is from a second wedding that I was hired for this past July. The photographs that I mainly shot were journalistic style as I followed the wedding party around the "hall". The children of the bride and groom became the focus of some of the pictures, and I felt that the one that I uploaded for "The Moment" theme is one of those moments that I could have not prepared for in a million years, it was truly a "The Moment" classic.

Please take a moment and click on the link and view and comment on my photograph on JPG: http://www.jpgmag.com/people/brokenlenz68

Have a great evening!

Welcome

Welcome to my blog. I will attempt to log in everyday and post my thoughts on photography.

I currently attend the local community college and I am in the process of finding a new job.

I previously worked for about 1 1/2 years as a photographer for a local company that specialized in underclass and senior portraits. I gained the knowledge of posing, candid photography, studio lighting and outdoor sports photography while I worked there.

I believe that the knowledge that I gained from this job enhanced my love for journalistic photography.

My youngest child has become my "official" model and you will see her often in my work. She is very photogenic and is a natural in front of the camera and is also developing a love for the art as well.

Thank you for stopping by and Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

I know I will be enjoying myself visiting family and friends tomorrow.