Paradise

Paradise 

".....Then the coal company came with the world's largest shovel.

And they tortured the timber and stripped all the land.

Well, they dug for their coal till the land was forsaken.

Then they wrote it all down as the progress of man."

"And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County,

Down by the Green River where Paradise lay.

Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking.

Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away....."

Excerpts for the song "Paradise"

by John Prine

Leica M9

Voigtlander 28mm Ultron f2

JPEG SOOC

Friday Night

We celebrated a friend's birthday late on Friday evening.

I've been missing the process of shooting film.....

I set my Leica to capture color JPEGs.

I promised myself I wouldn't process any of the files.

We had a great evening.....

Leica M9

Voigtlander 28mm Ultron

Leica SF20 Flash

JPEGs SOOC

Go Wide or Go Home

I recently had the pleasure of teaching a street photography workshop.

The two session event was hosted by Jack's Camera Shop in Muncie, Indiana.

The first session was held in the classroom.

During the second session we headed out into the streets to practice what we had learned.

I find that the main reason that photographers take the workshop is to learn how (or gain the confidence) to approach strangers on the street.

I talked about using prime lenses.

I shared my views regarding shooting wide angle primes (35 and 28mm) and the importance of getting close and connecting with people.

I decided that I should practice what I preach.

I attached my Voigtlander 28mm Ultron to my Leica.

The only extra things I carried were business cards.
I left my camera bag behind.

As I walked away from the car I mumbled the same words that I always say when I leave the house with a 28mm lens.

"Go wide.....  or go home....."

Getting close is exciting.....

There was a great group of photographers that attended.

I'm fortunate to have spent time with all of them.

I'm looking forward to staying in touch with everyone.

Tommi (a.k.a. Fearless) in action.

J.C interacts after taking photos.

Shaun in action.

Darrin in action.

JC in action (on the light pole above the crowd).

Great discussion was had afterwards at the Fickle Peach (one of my favorite bars).

Photo by Shaun Frederickson 

Photo by Shaun Frederickson 

The Badlands

It was a stormy day when we arrived at the Badlands.

Clouds and rain aren't ideal for a hike.....

It's perfect for capturing beauty though.....

All images captured with a Leica M9 and Voigtlander 28mm Ultron.

LFI Photo Story: Resort Kids

One of my photos was accepted for Photo Story by Leica's LFI Gallery.

Please click the link and check it out.....

LFI Photo Story

This is the fifth photo of mine that has been featured.

Please check out the others here:

LFI Photo Story: Street Portrait

LFI Photo Story: Love the Wild

LFI Photo Story: My Love and I

LFI Photo Story: Biker

Resort Kids

Beth and Biva are seasonal workers in St. Mary, Montana just outside Glacier National Park.  

Like the other “Resort Kids” I was told that when they go to a new place each season that they have instant friends.
I imagine that they all share a common goal.  

They are all looking for a good time.

I don't know if anyone has ever used the term "Resort Kids" before.

I think it suits their situation and has a nice connotation.

Beth tends bar at Kip’s Beer Garden.

It's a hangout for the locals..... not the tourists.  

When Beth noticed that I was taking their photo she immediately struck a pose.

She told me that she used to be a model.

  Biva works at the lodge.  

After chatting for awhile he invited me to party with them after hours.  

My love and I planned to hit the trail early the next morning so I passed. 

 I can't stop thinking that I would have gotten some great photos though.

All images captured with a Leica M9 and Voigtlander 28mm Ultron.

Too Much to Drink

I had too much to drink one Friday night.....  

When I processed photos on Sunday morning I didn't remember capturing some of the images.

I can’t tell you what was going on during this moment.  

I can only imagine that it was something good.

Leica M9

Voigtlander 28mm Ultron

Leica SF20 Flash

LFI Photo Story: Love the Wild

One of my photos was accepted for Photo Story by Leica's LFI Gallery.

Please click the link and check it out.....

LFI Photo Story

This is the third photo of mine that has been featured.

Please check out the others here:

LFI Photo Story: My Love and I

LFI Photo Story: Biker

Love the Wild

When I was kid my parents would drop us off at the trailhead with our packs.

They would wish us well and pick us up days later.

There wasn't cell phones for safety.

We had a first aid kit.

We had skills.

Chuck was with us on half of those adventures.

We introduced him to downtown Muncie this weekend.

I hadn't seen him in over 20 years.

Nothing has changed...... 

We are still brothers.

Everyone who shares libations with us is required to sign the cork.

Chuck signed it "Love the Wild, reconnected 2/28/14 after 20 years."

All images captured with a Leica M9 and 28mm Voigtlander Ultron.