From My Windows I Sometimes See - 12.01.04

From My Window I Sometimes See... a snow squall 

From My Windows I Sometimes See - 12.01.03

Fresh snow on my skylight

From My Windows I Sometimes See - 12.01.02

Living in a window-less loft style space as I did for two decades, waking up and being able to peek out a window is a real treat. Now that I've moved into a real grown-up, honest to goodness house in the suburbs I have a whole new way of seeing the world. So, beginning today, I embark on a new series I'm calling "From My Windows I Sometimes See." This is an homage to one of the greatest influences on my photography, W. Eugene Smith.

The Nikon F Story

I know I'm coming to this party late, but hopefully some will find it as interesting as I did. The Nikon F was the camera that changed the entire photo industry. It was my first professional tool, and to this day still my favorite camera of all time (sorry Leica).

I've always believed the feel of the camera body could best be described as Zen like because it fits perfectly in ones hand like an extension of your body rather than a foreign object. After watching the video my belief was proven. It was indeed designed with Zen in mind.

In these lazy days of year end wrap up kick back and enjoy the video. It's worth the time spent.

And may everyone have a wonderful and prosperous New Year. See you all on the other side!

The Nikon F Story, part 1

The Nikon F Story, part 2

Freedom to See

Photography is about seeing, not what tool you use. I enjoy going on photo trips -- excursions for the sole intent of making images. These trips are planned out, researched and treated like a major assignment. Sometimes the gear list will rival any commercial photo shoot, sometimes it could be simply a few Diana cameras and a brick of film. It depends on the trip and what, and how, I want to explore.

Lately my camera of choice is the iPhone 4s and my processing lab is Snapseed. The results are amazing and inspiring. No longer do I have to remember a camera when I walk out the door because my camera is always in my pocket. Sometimes I use it as a sketch pad, but more and more I'm using it just to see, to keep my eye in shape, to do that visual shadow boxing a visual artist needs to keep at the top of their game.

It's exciting because I no longer think or plan to see photographs, I just do. Every minute of every day I just see. No matter where I'm at, I'm seeing. And now I capture and process all in the palm of my hand.

Later,

Off the back stoop I

Off the back stoop II

Reflection of Justice

Cigar man

Hertz me

Waiting at the airport

19th Floor, service elevator

Packing and moving

This morning I wrote an email to a buddy, Skip Cohen, who is in the process of moving from Ohio to Florida. Big move. But I started to wonder, is there any small move (other than across the hall)? The reason I wonder is that I'm in the same situation. I'm moving, too. Not hundreds of miles, just a few miles closer to downtown, but for all intent and purpose it feels like a big move, stress and all.

Moving is a job. I haven't done it in 20 years. It shows. I've got SO much stuff because I had the room. Now I don't so I'm severely downsizing. But that's OK. I believe you need to do that every now and then. Always have, even though I haven't taken that advice in many years.

I'm not a stranger to moving. In my adult life I've moved 20 times. Like everyone, my first few moves were easy. I could pack everything I owned in a few boxes and duffle bags. As I grew older my boxes began to grow in number. Even then I tried to keep things in check. My biggest move involved one U-Haul truck and an SUV packed to the gills. Certainly not the 18-wheeler move some folks make, but more than I ever had before. Not sure exactly how this one will pan out just yet.

Once moved the fun will really begin! I have forgotten how enjoyable it is to sit and wait all day for someone to come by to turn on gas, or electric or water. Then there's the cable people, the phone people and... what am I missing? I'm sure I'm missing something.

And so, another chapter begins. Wish me luck!

Later, thanks.

The importance of your archive

This weekend was a trip down memory lane for me as one of my old college photographs resurfaced. John Huffer, a classmate and now head of the photographic services department at Ball State University, was scanning some old photos from their files for use as stadium graphics when he came across a picture I made in 1979 of a BSU football player. Well, that football player (on the right) from the 70's is Brady Hoke, the new head football coach of the University of Michigan!

You just never know where people will go in the years ahead which is just one more reason why it is so important to protect and hold onto your copyright as well as obtain (and file) model releases. Now, for full disclosure, this is 'do as I say, not as I've done' advice for I have made images on a work for hire basis. But in those cases where I've sold my copyright I've been compensated accordingly or worked out a deal that is satisfactory for all parties involved. The bottom line -- pay attention to the work you create today, for tomorrow that will be your archive, your history, your legacy.

On the technical side. This image was created with a Nikon F and motor drive using a 500 mm f/8 mirror lens. Tri-X film. Exposure was 1/1000 @ f/8.

How do I remember those details 30 + years later?

Easy, Tri-X was all we used back then and the lens has a fixed aperture of f/8 so the exposure must be 1/1000 second because that is the proper exposure for daylight.

How do I remember the exact lens used? The donuts. If you look in the background you see circles of confusion that appear to be donut shaped. Those little donut shapes are the tell tale signs of a mirror lens. A harder than hell to focus mirror lens. The depth of field on a 500 mirror is about six inches. At infinity. Insane, especially when you consider I'm shooting big guys running on a football field.

The Nikon F and motor was my camera of choice back then for anything sports related. I had five of them. They were heavy. They were slow. Luckily back then I was neither so it all worked out. Besides, I was young. It's amazing how much you can endure when youth is on your side!

Later, thanks.