Kitchen Abstracts

I thought it would be fun to try creating some abstracts using a shallow saucer of milk, some food color, and some liquid dish soap.  

I was pretty happy with the results for my first try, although the next time I will lock the focus on my macro lens once I find focus.  

I'm also going to try to set up some various pattern and color set ups just to see what will happen.

Cold winter morning

I was having my morning coffee and looked out the window as the sun was rising.  One of those beautiful cold winter mornings when it's cold, the sky is bright, and the sun is causing the snow to glisten like diamonds.  I quickly attached my macro lens to my camera and took some close up shots of the snow and frost.

A Christmas Collage

Sometimes the most memorable experiences happen unexpectedly, and such was my experience on Christmas Eve Day, 2010.   Call it kismet, serendipity, or a pleasant coincidence, but  I had the opportunity to meet a wonderful family and help them commemorate their Christmas celebration.  Let me tell you how this transpired.

I firmly believe in continuing education, whether it is formal study, or informal seminars, meetings, or conferences.  Life IS a continuous learning process.  Over a year ago, I donated a photography session to the Lansing Community College Scholarship Fund Auction, which I believe is a very worthwhile endeavor.  I placed a one year expiration date on the offer, which expired December 1, 2010.

I had heard nothing from the successful bidder and was becoming concerned since no arrangements were being made to use the photography package.  In mid summer, I received a call from the successful bidder (Rachael), and she explained that she would like to use the photography package to take some photographs of her siblings family.  Unfortunately, circumstances did not allow the session to happen, the December 1 deadline passed, and I heard nothing from Rachael.  I felt very strongly that a generous donor should not be penalized for missing a deadline and contacted Rachael to say that I would extend the deadline so that she had the opportunity to use the photography package.  

A few days later Rachel contacted me and she told me that her family would be gathering at Christmastime at her family's home, and how she would appreciate family photos being taken.  I agreed immediately, photographing a family is such a fun event!   Subsequently we talked about locations, and whether it would be indoors or outdoors etc.   I was assuming it would be Lansing.   I knew that Rachel thought she might be "pushing the envelope" when she asked me if I would be willing to travel to Wheeler, an hours drive from Lansing.  I agreed to travel to their home and we made the final arrangements for 10:00 AM on Christmas Eve day.

When I arrived, I was greeted warmly at the door.  I was immediately impressed and enveloped with the love, gratitude, and generosity that this family exhibited.  The family home was beautiful, and was in a wooded country setting.  A warm fire was burning in the fireplace and there was a beautiful mantle of white snow on the ground.  I spent a couple of hours photographing the family both indoors and outdoors and from various angles and in various configurations.  I knew I captured some great photos.  The time passed very quickly!  

The family prepared a plate of goodies for my trip back to Lansing.  During the hour of driving I relished the fun that we had as I was listening to Christmas music being played on the car radio.  Incidentally, the plate of goodies did not make it to Lansing!

It was such a good feeling to photograph this family, I know the photographs have a special meaning to them and it was my pleasure to memorialize the event.

I prepared a 13" X 19" collage print of some of my favorite photos which I will be giving to the family.  Here is a representation of that collage.

Thank you Rachel for allowing me to spend time with you and your family.

Lansing Bridal Association Show

This weekend I participated in the Lansing Bridal Association Exhibition at the Lansing Center.  I had two people assisting me as representatives who answered questions and assisted potential clients.  One of the representatives, Gary, is an aspiring model who is building his portfolio.  Since Gary was wearing a tux, we decided to take some photos of him during the show.  I found a location in the Lansing Center that worked well and I took some photos for Gary to add to his portfolio.  I particularly like this photo because of the background and the lighting.  To me, he looks like an executive for a Fortune 500 company.  Don't you agree?

Michigan Renaissance Festival

Yesterday I took a short trip to Holly Michigan, home of the Michigan Renaissance festival.  I had always heard that it provided interesting entertainment.  How true!  The festival was very crowded, and with the hot and dry weather, it was very dusty.  Not good for camera lenses.  It was so dusty that my throat became   coated with dust and I could taste the dust.

I did manage to see my share of knights, queens, minstrels, serfs, vassals, jesters, saucy wenches and turkey legs however!

A saucy wench checking her messages on her medieval cell phone

Chihuly II

I am a huge fan of Dale Chihuly.  I have worked with glass before and I am attracted to the beauty of the glass itself, and it's ability to shape light into amazing colors and patterns.  I love saturated colors and I tend to gravitate to shades of blue and green.

Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids is having an exhibition of Dale Chihuly's work, which is running through September.  I visited the exhibition yesterday, and had the opportunity to see some of his work.  I would have to say that the work, and the way it was displayed was amazing.  The sculptures lend themselves well to being integrated in natural settings.

Although I had my camera,  my walk around lens, and my zoom lens, I definitely want to go back with some extra equipment to photograph some of the outside displays again.

This sculpture looks as though it belongs here!

It takes good glass to photograph good glass!

Carryle's Debut

In Filipino culture, a girl's eighteenth birthday is a celebrated event.  It is her "coming of age" and celebrates her transition from being a child to becoming a woman, it is her "Debut".  There are nine men and nine women in her court.  There is typically presentation of eighteen candles and eighteen roses.  There were speeches given by her parents and her friends.  I was truly impressed with the beauty, sincerity, talent, and caring shown at this event and I thank Carryle, her family, and her friends for allowing me to share in this event.

The highlight of the evening was the performance of the "Cotillion", a highly choreographed dance by the Debutante and her court.  I was really impressed with the beauty of the Cotillion, it was beautifully executed by the members of her court and was a wonderful expression of love and caring for the debutante.