Self-Improvement

My high school German teacher once said to my classmates and me that we should strive to keep ourselves in a "constant state of repair." That sounded wrong to us, so naturally we objected and presented our counterargument. He astutely pointed out that we had misinterpreted his meaning, having taken it as keep ourselves in a constant state of dis-repair. Rather, his meaning was we should always strive to do better, no matter how good we are. Fair enough. His explanation of the distinction has actually stuck with me in the 34 years since that exchange in class. I happily declare myself in a constant state of repair.

Today's photo is a reminder of the natural tension between the states of repair and disrepair. The building portrayed is clearly in disrepair. The technique I used to produce the image is part of my quest to improve myself, to become a better photographer, to experiment, to fail, to try again, to succeed. It's called "stand developing", and this image was from a roll I processed using the technique. It's a little grainy, a little contrasty, but I think it suits the subject matter. I'll get better at it, so I'm inclined to keep trying.

My trifocals, hearing aids, arch supports, and dental work remind me of my current state of disrepair. My family, friends, and colleagues give me the feedback I need to mark progress on my personal and professional state of repair. I'm counting on the latter outpacing the former... I'm inspired by those around me who are also in pursuit of self-improvement. Thanks for your example, it's fun hanging around with you.

Through Old Eyes

It's been on my mind for some time to see if an old Brownie camera I have could still produce a decent photo. Now that I am processing my own film, it seemed like the right time to experiment. The Brownie No. 2 first appeared in 1901, and was still produced into the early 1930s. I don't know the precise year of my model. It's a little beat up, and it leaks some light, but what I like about it, as you can see in the image above, is that it produces pictures that look, well, 80-100 years old. I'm going to enjoy this camera a lot. Watch for more images from it in future posts, or on my Flickr page. Also, here's a cool little YouTube video that shows how the shutter mechanism works.

My Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/57699644@N03/

A You tube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhLnc_Vd29w

Black and White

My world is not black and white.

I've never comfortably embraced worldviews, philosophies, or theologies that provide simple answers to life's most difficult questions. I live in a world of gray, where ambiguity, complexity, discrepancy, tension, contradiction, even hypocrisy, are all part of the game. I'm sure I drive certain family members crazy as a result.

That said, I've rediscovered my fascination with black and white photography. The photograph above has a clarity and simplicity and richness to it that I really like. It's one frame from a roll of film I shot and processed myself, something I haven't done in 30 years. I'm pleased with this result. [Some of you are thinking, "Ha, big accomplishment, he took a black and white picture of a dog that really is black and white!" I concede that point...]

And my pursuit of B&W as an art form is a nice metaphor for how I am approaching my 50th year. I like the tension of taking a B&W view of a world loaded with beautiful and confusing colors. I like finding simplicity in an otherwise complex world. I like the risk-reward aspect of shooting film and processing it myself, not knowing until the end whether I did it right, and if it was worth the effort. The professional risks I could have taken when I was young I didn't have the nerve to take then. I'm willing to take them now, highly calculated though they be. The successes and failures will be my own. My artist and musician friends understand this very well, I'm sure, every time they put their art and music out there for others to experience.

Here's to simplicity, here's to complexity, here's to risk and reward.

Beauty is Where You Find It

I've enjoyed participating in the Capture Minnesota photo contest, sponsored by my former employer, tpt. It's been a fun way to get feedback on my images, and become virtual friends with lots of other photographers. It's also challenged me to be more thoughtful about my photography. Of the 100 images I've posted, the above is the one that has gathered the most votes. It's an HDR composite, shot while hiking on a friend's property in Frazee, MN. And, it's just a woodpile, for gosh sakes, but something about it compelled me to take this image, and I'm glad I did.

The Capture MN contest ends this month. I don't know if the website will remain up once the contest ends, so I thought I'd use this blog to keep this particular image alive a little longer. If you haven't done so, consider visiting the Capture MN website before the end of January and see some really fascinating photography.

Gratefulness through Photography

I'm using this blog to challenge myself to develop personally and professionally, and mark my progress. This entry represents my gratefulness for small pleasures, in the form of friends and acquaintances. This picture of friend Craig Evans tells of a recent encounter, filled with art, laughter, and spontaneous music. I stylized the photo with a painting-like effect, since we were in the studio of painter DeAnne Lilly Parks.