December 23, 2009

A Beautiful Print

Music | Polaris by Zero 7



A recent purchase from Ray Bidegain. It is a beautiful Platinum Palladium print rendering light, shadows, textures and transitions that only a print of this quality can relinquish. What I have in front of me is an example of what photography really is... The simple subject standing in front of a wall, directional light flowing in from the right. There is no mysticism here... This is just pure beauty captured by an artist that has honed his skills over years of learning, years of knowing.

December 08, 2009

Encounters...

Music | Let's Get it On by Marvin Gaye

Feeling in a rut, stagnant and not very positive lately, I am trying to move around, stir something up... I've read articles, a few books, hit a few galleries in the last few months, but nothing... Years ago, the way I got a push start to shooting was to set up a little studio in a café and photograph some of the folks that came in. A great series came out of that and I was inspired to move, to create, shoot!

Well I'm back in that mode and came upon an idea that I've altered from another photographer. Not on any specific day, I'll walk out with my camera, and photograph people I encounter. So far, these folks are people I know or know of someone who knows them. I hope to expand that to people I do not know, so long we've at least had a glance in each others eyes... Strangers aren't as scary as they used to be, but I still don't want to come across as the creepy guy with the camera wanting to take photos of them...

This is the first of the series, that I hope to continue until I hit 100 faces. Maybe I'll put up a collage...

November 12, 2009

A Vase...

Music | Color For Duke by World Saxaphone Quartet

Suddenly, a photo appeared before me...

November 03, 2009

M I S H I M A

Music | Tired of Being Alone by Al Green

My brother sent the family an email with a subject title that didn't make me expect what I got...



Upon opening the attachment, I think I was initially shocked, but quickly a calm fell upon me and a smile that came straight out of my heart. I think for the moment I was truly happy for them... Tom and Yuki, together.

I look at those letters, M I S H I M A and I am very proud to have that name, to be associated, to be apart of the family that Tom and Yuki brought up.

I love you always...

Ted

October 26, 2009

Printing Again!!!

Music | Nevoa Do Inverno by Leo Trauman

It has been over 5 months since the 4800 has printed anything! I've spent LOTS of money buying 8 110ml Ink Cartridges and a couple boxes of Velvet Fine Art. I had anticipated blowing a lot of ink getting the printer heads cleaned, but amazingly, only 3 run thru of cleanings and now I'm printing again! I've run thru 3 images of tests and 2 out of the 3 look like final images ready to sell. I know I've got some tweaks to make, but I'm feeling really good about what I'm getting on paper. Oh baby!!!

September 26, 2009

Some things are eternal...

Music | Harmonique by John Coltrane

The world as I know it has come to an end regarding my Mother and Father. The early morning wake up call was difficult for both Dara and I. Still somewhat dark, clouds looming overhead, the sadness omnipresent. We had a roughly 3 hour drive up north to the final resting place for Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, respected world citizens from the people who knew them...

Though it has been over a year since the passing of my mother, I still am not over the fact that she is gone. And recently, the passing of my father has opened up more feelings of the unknown, a sadness that does not come along very often...

I've been awaiting this day... The day where I would see the final resting place of my parents. Though my Mom passed a time ago, she wanted to be put to her final resting place at the same time as her husband. Side by side for over 60 years, one lifetime, raising children, grand children, the pillars of the family, a nice poetic ending as we know it was quite appropriate. It was my Mother's wish and it has been done...

Standing there upon the grass, gazing at the flowers my sister left the day before, tears streaming, Dara consoling, I felt a sense of peace... Together once again, thru eternity... A chance meeting way back in the 1940's, my Dad's perseverance, he won over the heart of my Mother. And so a lifetime together begins, but yet now, will never end...

I've found comfort today...

Love you Mom and Dad...

September 08, 2009

Eureka!

Music | As the Stars Fall by The Cinematic Orchestra

It feels good to know that over time, you start to realize some things about yourself, the things that define you as a person, as an artist. I have in my head the type of portraits that I want to create, but often times, things get in the way and you stray... I know of this phenomenon and it's desires are to quash my creative intent and mold me into mediocrity.

In my latest sitting, a portrait of a woman that I've been acquainted with, but don't really know, I had visions of an image that was somewhat historic, but yet timeless. Frankly, I want all of my images to have an ethereal quality that can't be defined by time.

Yesterday, my priority was not to let the phenomenon of mediocrity affect my time with my subject. Though my heart is heavy with the passing of my father, I worked thru that and easily fell into my moment with my camera, my subject. The weather really couldn't have been better, with slight drops of rain on occasion, clouds flowing in and out with even some sun rays - being in the moment of just creating a fine portrait allowed me not to worry and just go with the flow.

I think what I've learned recently is that there is something inside me that can be defined, that I am not just some wannabee with no skills. I have something to say and it is starting to speak. It has certainly taken much longer than I ever anticipated, but the wait has been good.


Anne | Grounded and Discordedness
 
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