365+: August 2010

Beginnings (the start of a visual journey in 2010)

Many widely recognized yearly photographic efforts are made by the likes of Jim Brandenburg, among others, but I decided to undertake this series for many reasons. The first spark occurred when I came across a collaborative daily blog turned written documentation, A Year of Mornings, which appealed in a human way. It was a part of the photographers' daily lives, a document of the passage of time, as well as an aesthetic effort.

This project is designed to amass a series of related and unrelated images as they flow and feed off of each other, creating a vision of a whole year of experience.

A larger reason to shoot so much was to force myself to continue to push images. Some days I have projects in mind, other days I'm inspired with a flash of insight, and some days I think, "damn, what am I going to create tonight?" Either way, I've kept going.

When this series began I thought of it as a 365+ project because the goal was to have the equivalent of a year's worth of daily images that would follow and reveal twelve months. But, because I'm also working and a full-time graduate student as well as a human being with other interests, I gave myself the leeway of not photographing every day, so long as the final number of images surpasses 365. When I began posting on a social network site, I started by sharing an average of two photographs a day; by the end of January it looked as though the quantitative goal would be reached halfway through the year. I tend to work in series and like to show context, so a challenge has been paring down daily posts to just one or two images. With this blog I will try to be more particular and share no more than two photos per day.

Thus far, we're 1/12th of the way through and not a day has been missed. More importantly, though, I feel the tendrils of inspiration not previously imagined, and for that reason, this already feels like a success.

Please enjoy, contemplate, comment and share with your friends.

Quarterlings

March is drawing to a close, which marks the completion of 1/4 of the year and this project.

Reviewing the images I'm pleased by some and bored by others. Many photographs would not make the cut were it not a daily regimen. But, though I missed one day due to illness and, technically supplanted one day's picture amongst its vacation brethren during the week and a half of Alaska photos, the gears are still rolling.

The images I've been more pleased with have been the light/color compositions, although projects such as the water droplets, reverse lens macro, smoke and TTV photography were also highlights. Where I seem to grow stagnant are with images relating more directly to documenting me or my life, especially the mundane, but perhaps that's personal perception. April will be kicked off with a weekend in Chicago.

Keep on checking in as I keep on keepin' on. Recent layout goodies includes the ability for you, oh honored viewer, to rate posts and vote on imagery types.

Middlings

As June winds down, 365+ nears its crest. Counting back, however, just over one hundred images remain to be posted.

These past few months I've embraced the loose design of the project and shifted into a relaxed schedule of posts. In favor of sharing greater context and more consistently solid imagery while maintaining an eye on the year as a whole, I may not shoot or post every day, but continue to translate the spirit of the time. Early July marks the beginning of the descent and holds the promise of visual adventure as I head back to Alaska.

Please be aware of new links on the right column noting Artists, inspiration and intriguing ideas or commentary.
*Clicking on most photos will enlarge the image*

Sunday, August 29, 2010

August 26-31 ~ (State) Fair Enough

Me and my shadow
Gear: Nikon D90, Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.4 D

Cigar, beer, second beer, bathroom, hat, slouch, attitude. Men.
From the hip street photography sure can be fun. These are the times when I really enjoy shooting with live view.
Gear: Nikon D90, Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.4 D

Shadow people. Shot from the Grandstand.
Gear: Nikon D90, Tokina 12-24mm f/4

Stripes, pattern, rhythm
The colors were interesting, but, here I prefer the black and white.
Gear: Nikon D90, Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.4 D

Fireworks figure.
Gear: Nikon D90, Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.4 D

A Holga was also present on this venture, so perhaps a latent image will join these in the future.
Apologies for the delay in recent uploads. Alaska pics are still incomplete as well.

August 20-25 ~ all together now

a few disparate colors, textures and patterns from around the house in the morning

Sunday, August 22, 2010

August 19 ~ Traces

Beyond litter, these remains give the impression of the group who were here. The butts swirl among the patio chair legs, like conversation.

Gear: Nikon D90, Tokina 12-24mm f/4

August 18 ~ Japanese Garden

Peace.

Gear: Nikon D90, Tokina 12-24mm f/4

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

August 17 ~ Dusk at Island Lake

Made at the end of a lovely day off (an afternoon at the zoo began in a foul mood from the heat and crowds, followed by peace creeping in at the butterfly garden, to a Japanese garden where solitude reigned supreme, and then a coffee shop for delectable blended chai + book enjoyment), this image turned out softer than intended, so I emphasized those features from the Raw data. Focusing on the TLR's viewfinder screen can be a futile endeavor. In this case, I prefer the final result to a sharper one. Colors were also adjusted to hint at the forthcoming sunset which I later shot from the other side of the lake.

Gear: Nikon D90, Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.4, Yashica TLR, Manfrotto legs/head

August 16 ~ Cooler evenings warmed by fire

An evening spent with girl friends ended with us circled around a courtyard fire pit.

Long exposures = fun with flames. A one second exposure recorded one pair of fire-illuminated feet as I moved the camera back and forth. Actually, this little camera has seen a little too much fiery action (I melted the lens cover last year), but it appears to be drawn toward flames.

Gear: Canon SD1100 IS

Sunday, August 15, 2010

August 15 ~ Butterfly garden

One landed on the camera.

Gear: Nikon D90, Nikkor AF 60mm f/2.8 micro

August 14 ~ Polar Bear

On a very crowded Saturday, I ventured forth to the Como Zoo

Though he appears to have no interest in the girl, it's almost as though he's creeping up on her

Big lungs, deep breaths, lots of bubbles

Triumphant

Gear: Nikon D90, Nikkor AF 60mm f/2.8 micro

Friday, August 13, 2010

August 11 - 13 ~ A revisit to film

Fun with Holgas.

Black and white film, slight color tint in post. I do believe the second image is a double exposure. This was the first time I'd shot with a Holga in five years, so I'm more amused than embarrassed to admit that most of the images were completely underexposed. More exploration with 120 film coming soon.

Gear: Holga 20n.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

August 10 ~ responsible citizen

A civic-duty minded frog greeted the entrance at today's primary polls.

He was present at my arrival and departure, clearly deep in contemplation. Or, trying to cool off.

Gear: Canon SD1100 IS

Sunday, August 1, 2010

August 1-9 ~ Tall Ships

Duluth celebrated the presence of several tall ships during a break in the ships' race across the great lakes. The ships were in town from July 28th through August 2nd, their first time in the area since 2008.