Cup of Joe Photo

Are you inspired?

I'd like to know if you feel inspired. I'm fascinated with the concept of inspiration and have indulged myself for years in activities that nourish my creativity. Enlighten me to your process, habits or peculiarities. I look forward to your comments.

Photographic technique is no secret and – provided the interest is there – easily assimilated. But inspiration comes from the soul and when the Muse isn’t around even the best exposure meter is very little help. In their biographies, artists like Michelangelo, da Vinci and Bach said that their most valuable technique was their ability to inspire themselves. This is true of all artists; the moment there is something to say, there becomes a way to say it. -Ralph Gibson, from his book Déjà vu [cited in: Creative Camera December 1972, p. 401]

Album Page

Man, I've really been designing a lot of albums lately. As I have, I find I'm moving toward extra design elements, rather than just black or white backgrounds. I'd like to know what you all think about this page of Reception shots. Thanks.

Also, photographers have been asking me about Canon or Nikon and the D3. I'm personally holding out to see what happens with the "noise" in the D3. I have not used one yet and I'm certainly not holding my breath either. Canon makes rockin' cameras and glass. If the D3 doesn't blow me away, I'm switching next year. It seems that Nikon is not really interesting in keeping their pros happy. You'd think they'd want to hold on to the few they have left. (sense the bitterness?...) OK There's my answer.

Time for Fashion

It's time to check out JPG magazine again for Fashion and other cool visual stories. It had been a while since I dropped in. I'm totally amazed at the killer contributions photographers are making to this magazine. This site is vibrating with creativity. Have your morning coffee, or tea, or beer and check it out.

Uncle Photo

The reason I sometimes refer to myself as Uncle Photo is because of these three, sweet kids. Two of them are my God-Children too:) (You'll have to guess which ones). Anyway, I photographed my sister Lisa's kids the other day for a Christmas card image. She wanted one with all three of the kids together. As you know, working with kids is much harder than shooting weddings.... I thought I'd show you the before and after images from one of my favs. Happy Tuesday.

Guitar Hero II

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable long weekend. I spent a lot of time with family and we had a great time. Sadly, the surf was not good for the traditional Thanksgiving Day rides. But my sister and her husband did score an xbox with Guitar Hero II on Friday so we played that for hours. I first played this game with clients when I was in NYC last April. We had a blast then and I'm now going to have to get it for myself. Here's a few photos of the action.

BTW- The (short advertisment) video from my Introversion post from last wednesday seemed to be crashing my blog. So I moved the video to a link. if you haven't seen it, you really, really should.

The Echo of Life

This is a vivid illustration to consider. I hope you enjoy it.

A son and his father were walking on the mountains.
Suddenly, the son falls, hurts himself and screams:
"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating,
somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"
He receives the answer: "Who are you?"
Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"
He receives the answer: "Coward!"
He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."
And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"
The voice answers: "I admire you!"
Again the man screams: "You are a champion!"
The voice answers: "You are a champion!"
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO,
but really this is LIFE.
It gives you back everything you say or do.
Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart.
If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence.
This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;
Life will give you back everything you have given to it.
YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU!
- Author Unknown

Dancing For Destiny (Charity)

I know, I know. I've been on a video kick this past week. But some things are better conveyed on video.
I got back for a long bike ride and had been listening to Jack Canfield speaking about finding your passion. I love this topic. I've felt for a long time very blessed that I have found mine. I was pulling up to my house when a few of my totally cute little neighbors were outside "Dancing for Destiny". They decided to raise money by doing something they loved - dancing!

You know, we adults could really learn a thing or two from the children around us about finding our passions. I am a firm believer that the Kingdom of Heaven is filled with those who have a childlike heart. Where is your heart? I'm grateful for the reminder and purity of "Dancing for Destiny". Enjoy!

Special thanks to Tara, Natalie, Mia and Emily for their joy and their passion.

New Cup

I hope everyone got as stuffed as I did yesterday. We'll be feasting on Turkey for days.

I found a new cup of joe and I'll soon be working on an updated banner. I have a long list to accomplish in December. Have a happy weekend:)

Thanksgiving

I choose to believe that I'm extremely blessed. We can believe just about anything as humans, so why not focus on blessings and Thanksgiving. Thankful people are happy people:) I'm grateful for my Faith, my Family, my health, my Friends and my profession (just to name my top 5). Blessings abound to all of us. I hope that this Thanksgiving causes your heart to sing for joy for the blessings around you that you enjoy.

My friend Charlie Samples photographed this scene last week for a rancher in NW Oklahoma. I think it's a great reminder for me that when I think I'm so significant in the universe, that I'm really just a Turkey.

Introversion

16 years ago I took the Myers Briggs personality test as part of our pre-marital classes. I was surprised at the results. I placed very strong as an Introvert. I'd always been sort of quiet in large groups and I had a really hard time making new friends in High School. I went to three different high schools in three different states. It's funny though now as I look back. There were a few things that helped, though I certainly suffered from some of the ill side effects from many of the treatments. It's amazing that 25 years later, some of what helped me is now being advertised online. Introverts take hope! There is a possible cure. Please see the short advertisment and make sure you check with your doctor and understand the possible side effects:) Happy Wednesday.

Introversion (I) I like getting my energy from dealing with the ideas, pictures, memories, and reactions that are inside my head, in my inner world. I often prefer doing things alone or with one or two people I feel comfortable with. I take time to reflect so that I have a clear idea of what I’ll be doing when I decide to act. Ideas are almost solid things for me. Sometimes I like the idea of something better than the real thing.

The following statements generally apply to me:
I am seen as “reflective” or “reserved.”
I feel comfortable being alone and like things I can do on my own.
I prefer to know just a few people well.
I sometimes spend too much time reflecting and don’t move into action quickly enough.
I sometimes forget to check with the outside world to see if my ideas really fit the experience.

PS-Thanks for this link Dad, I hope I can help some fellow introverts out there. It still works for me:)