Who Sez Living in The Country is Boring

This past weekend I ran a lighting workshop at an annual photography summer school, put on by SWMCCC. It's held at Hope College in Holland MI.

I got home about 4 PM, put all my stuff away and I was just getting ready to take a shower.
When I heard a loud crack, like the sound made by a large branch breaking. I looked out the window and saw a car in the ditch in front of my neighbor's house. I had my mother in law call 911 and ran out to see who was in the car and to see if anyone was hurt.


When I got there an older man was climbing out on the passenger side of the car. He said he was all right. The air bags had deployed and he had scraped up his hand but otherwise seemed all right.


He said he thought he had fallen asleep. His car had come across the road into the ditch taking out the power pole in front of my neighbor's house. I spent the next the next 30 or so minutes directing traffic to keep other cars from running into the partially downed power line as emergency people and the power company arrived. Before too long I the road was full of plenty of help and so I went up the house and grabbed my camera.

There is excitement even in the country.

Persistance of Vision

I believe that I have a much better eye now then ever before, and it improves the older I get.

I don't mean that my eyesight has improved; I need glasses to read and for closeup work, what I mean is it's how I look at the subjects that I photograph.

Now I notice things that I am sure that I overlooked as a younger person. Sometimes that makes the difference if I trip the shutter or not.

Subtle nuances in lighting, odd things in the background are some of the things I just automatically notice. Most of the time that is.

I all just comes with experience, the more you shoot the better you see.

Your first step is getting past the learning how to use the equipment part. The next step is learning the photographic technique part of the equation. Then when you feel comfortable with those two parts you can concentrate your efforts on learning what makes a good image.

Like most things this all takes time. The more effort and time you put forth the quicker you will improve your vision.

Sparta Fire Deptment. Waterball Contest

Every year the Village of Sparta holds an event they call "Town and Country Days".

Activities start the middle of the week and wind down on Sunday when the have the fire works

display.

There are so many things going on it's hard to decide what to see and do.

This year I made it a point to shoot the fire department waterball competition.

The idea of waterball is to move the big metal ball down to your opponent's side using a fire hose.

The Sparta fire fighters invite other area fire departments to play in the water with them.

It is a lot of fun.

Dirt and Speed

It looks as if I am turning into an action photographer. This was not intentional, I blame my daughter. If she hadn't started playing soccer..........


















My Friend Steve and I have been talking about trying to shoot Motocross for some time now.

So Sunday we did.

Blues on the Mall

A local radio station has hosted a blues series for the past 18 years. The music is great and there is always an eclectic group of people to photograph.

Here are a few for your enjoyment.


"Sure I'll sign"

"The Photo guy"


"Beaded Hair"

" High Five Kid"

" The Prom Queen and Her Date"

A Sad Day

Well it has finally happened, Kodachrome is no more.

http://www.insideanalogphoto.com/inside-analog-photo-kodak-retires-kodachrome/205

I will miss this great film but things do change.

Waterfalls in the U.P.

Here are a few of the waterfalls I had a chance to photograph on my recent UP trip.

More Images From Da UP Aye