Reunion

Reunion: Mr. Webster defines it as a "coming together after a long period of separation", or "a gathering of a certain group of people who have not seen each other for a long period of time". However you define it or what they mean to you, (if anything) they are a time of recollection, and reflection on a (hopefully) significant time of yøur life. In St. Louis, (and like no other city in the country) where you went to high school is as significant as the day you were born. We St. Louisans are measured sometimes not by how much money we've made, or our social class, and certainly not by what kind of car we drive, but where did you go to high school? I too had the experience of joining in with my classmates this fall (40yrs as well) and renewing very old acquaintances. I also attended another high school prior and then rejoining that group in college. We celebrated our combined high school and college reunion also. And I must say, it is that group of guys that I identify with the most. They are the bond, the glue, that endears me. It might have been our common goal or "dream" at a very young age that sustains us to this day. Our ideals and aspirations have carried us to adulthood.

I had the privilege of shooting/developing a video project for a group of ladies who's high school closed the year they graduated. A rather small school by the standards back then (1968). They had 33 in their graduating class. It was a testament of their solidarity that 24 of them returned for their 40th reunion this past summer. Several of them live out of state yet came in for this special event. And they still today meet once a month to renew their friendships, and share in each other's lives.
Thank you ladies

"Shine On, Shine On, St. Louis

This is my final project for my class. Our assignment was to "showcase" someone, something, by using video, music, photographs, and any tools that we learned in our class. I chose the City of St. Louis. There are many qualities that our city has and I'm still glad I live here. With this video, I chose not to just show some of the wonderful buildings, sites that St. Louis has to offer but some of the areas that need improvement. There has been much housing renovation completed in some really dilapidated areas. For that I'm quite thankful. It shows our government is making efforts to showcase St. Louis as a progressive city. We still have a long way to go.
Peace.

Entering Heaven

It has been said that in order for the Egyptians to pass through to heaven, they were asked two questions, "Did you find joy in your life?", and "Did your life bring joy to others?" Being a Christian (or Catholic by baptism), I often look at my life as I have (or am aging) aged and think of my own mortality and think if this is all that will be asked of me when it comes my time (hopefully) to enter heaven. I know I have found joy in my life (rather later than earlier). And then the more penetrating question remains....did my life bring joy to others? I would hope that somewhere in the scheme of things, that my life has brought joy to someone.

Quote for the Day-Dec. 13, 2008

I have decided that today's quote be taken from the noted English author, poet, novelist-D. H. Lawrence.
It reads, "One must learn to love, and then go through a great deal of suffering to get it.....and the journey is always to the other soul."

I hope we all have learned to love someone in our lives and have not had to endure to much suffering to achieve it. And yes, the journey will always lead you to another soul.

THE SOUTHWEST

This is "Maria" and she posed so apologetically for me as she said she had just awakened. She was so gracious. This little cantina is set in the mountain village of Truchas, New Mexico and the views to the west are simply breathtaking.

.
I'm often asked when people see my photos of panoramic sky pictures if I've done anything to enhance the sky or changed the color of the sky. I tell them no, that the sky is simply breathtaking. I can't think of another place where I've seen such a blue sky





The Taos/Sante Fe area is a photographer's paradise. It's almost impossible to take a "bad" photo there. I first went there about 12 years ago on one of many motorcycle trips. I especially find the Taos/Pueblo
village a contradiction. While the village itself is a
stunning pictorial, it is a depressing array of a life gone awry. The village used to house some 1000 people but over the years there has been an exodus and now some 50 people live full time within the walls. They have no running water or electricity. Most of the inhabitants work outside of the village. The church-St. Jerome was built in 1850 and is still in use. People wishing to get married there must book their date months in advance.

PARENTS

I went to a memorial mass for the father of a former colleagues' over the weekend and I wanted to say a few words about our parents-mine in particular; and a nickel's worth of advice to you. I've dedicated this blog to mine-Mary and Paul (if you haven't figured this out yet). While I sat in the church and listened to the priest eulogize this man and all of his wondrous deeds he did for those in his community, I couldn't but help harken to my parents. I often "mist up" listening to someone talk about a deceased father or mother. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of mine and miss them terribly. My dad always used to tell me that I'd miss him when he was gone. Being too little or the naivete' being too strong in me, I often wondered what the hell he was talking about. Mom wasn't quite so philosophical and never chastised me if I wouldn't come and visit her grave after she had died. And to this day, the only time I've gone to the cemetery to "pay a visit" was the time Dad's little schnauzer-"Whiskers" had died. I somehow felt compelled to go and tell him (even though I surreptiously) knew that Dad knew he had died. It seems that the older I get, the more I miss them. Dad's been gone now since 1986 and Mom since 1993. It's not that they provided me with any deep philosophically intrinsic words of wisdom or would I garnish a morally morsel of life, but it's their presence that I miss the most. I often long to hear their voices not to guide me but just to tell them that I love them....something unfortunately I didn't do near enough of. I often think of Dan Fogelberg's song, "The Leader of the Band" ( a stirring tribute to his dad) the passion of the line, "I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough, and Papa, I don't think I said I love you near enough." I'd apply the words Mama to this line as well.

So, my nickel's piece of advice to those of you who truly are blessed to still have your parents with you....cherish them, love them. If you are estranged from them...have a fence to mend, slammed the door on them, open it, welcome them in. Truly don't forget to tell them how much you love them. They are gifts from God on loan for a short time and like any thing that is "loaned" to you, it will have to go back.
Peace.
PS. I thought you might like to see Mom and Dad. The younger picture of them lets you see where I get my fantastic looks from ;>). The older one shows how they aged gracefully, something I hope to do.

Quote for the Day

I have been captured with this photo since I took it and thought it "deserved" a quote. The person I've always admired and enjoyed his writings is Dag Hammarskjold. He was the Secretary General of the United Nations from 1953-1961 when he died in a mysterious plane crash on route to Africa when he learned of the fighting between non combatant UN forces and the Katangese forces of Moise Tshombe. There was significant turmoil and unrest during this time in the Congo. The only book that Hammarskjold wrote was a reflection of his inner thoughts and prayer: MARKINGS. Dag Hammarskjold was the only person to have received the Nobel Peace Prize posthumously.

The quote that I have chosen for this particular photo is from that book. "For all that has been, thanks. For all that will be, yes."
JFK referred to him as the greatest statesman of the century.

Cathedral Basilica

We are quite fortunate in St. Louis to have such a beautiful cathedral. Knowing this, I have often taken it for granted and don't frequent it (either by attending mass there or just stopping by or a visit) as often as I would like. It is visually and photographically quite stunning and truly a magnificent structure. I have posted some of my favorite photos on this section. I sometimes felt like Michaelangelo lying on the floor taking some of these images. I hope he would be pleased with some of the shots. When you have some time, check out the Basilica Cathedral's website. In the meantime enjoy these photos.

http://cathedralstl.org/site/

"Runnin On"

As I mentioned in the beginning of this blog, I would be occasionally adding some video. This particular video was done for my Digital Photography class. I'm actually quite proud of the way I laid out the images. I believe it all flows together with the particular song I used. It's one that always gets me pumpin'. It's one of those "road songs" I used to take along with me when I would tour on my motorcycle; kind of like Bruce Hornsby's "Every Little Kiss".
Thanks Tony for your guidance, inspiration, and knowledge of putting it all together. Oh, by the way, a special thanks to Jackson for recording it.

Quote for Today

"He who cannot change the very fabric of his thought will never be able to change reality, and will never, therefore, make any progress"
Anwar Sadat

Ever since I read this quote, I've been thoroughly enthralled by it's content and meaning. It says so much about why people becomes so linear in their thinking and thus reach a stalemate in their development not just ideological, but spiritual, emotional, and passionately.

The Black and Whites

I have always been enamored with black and white photography. When one looks at the majestic prints of Ansel Adams with impeccable tonal and contrast qualities, or the provocative messages of Diane Arbus, Julia Margaret Cameron and Margaret Bourke-White, and certainly the masters of Bresson, Strand, Steiglitz, Cunningham to name a few I'm often struck with the question-How did they do that? For it's not just the compositional element of their photographs that one looks at but the sharpness and clarity of the print.

The images that I have presented here were all shot in color and converted on the computer. While I "grew up" in the darkroom, I don't have the time nor the equipment to produce a true black and white print. I was able to do some black/white shooting with my Pentax 6x7 last year but again am limited by time to getting to the lab at my college to develop. Some of the images you may be thinking; reek for color, however, I assure you that if you look at the tones and contrast you'll actually "see" the color in them.

I often wonder if these noted photographers would be "turning over in their graves" to know this is being done now or would they embrace the technology and use it to their expertise. One can only speculate on this.

Guest Artist/Photographer

At times I may add some pictures from whom I will call "guests" that I find quite striking. I will give credit to them. I've certainly enjoyed the work of Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier Bresson, Annie Leibowitz, Jacob Riis (from a historical/documentary viewpoint), Art Wolfe.

The "guest" artist I am spotlighting in this picture is from my very dear friend-Penelope from Seattle. I have made a few adjustments to it in Photoshop. The original image was in color but due to the snow scene and the monochromatic tone of the original image I thought it would give a rather "ethereal" quality to the scene to convert it to black and white.

More Architectural Stufffff

More and More stuff along that architectural line.

I also get some inspiration on lines from the foliage. Here are some additional "architectural" looking images.

Architectural Stuffffff

I have taken an interest in architectural design of buildings, structures, land....really anything that creates some degree of composition with lines, shapes and textures. These are a few of my personal favorites. Again, I consider myself a work in progress.

Studio Stuff

While I certainly don't consider myself much of a "studio photographer", the experience that I had in Artificial Light Photography was quite a new venture for me. These are several images that I am fond of and actually got some recognition.

THE PRINTS

All images on this blog are the sole property of the owner and no image may be reprinted or copied without my express permission. If you'd like a print or copy of such you may contact me through the blog. I welcome any comments on them as I am always open to constructive criticism as I consider my photography a work in progress.
Thanks
Dan

Trading Post

Since I've created this blog as an "assignment" for class, I thought, "what the hell, I may as well take the opportunity to share some of my stuff that I've taken over the years". I really only take the pics as enjoyment for myself. If others find some beauty, serenity, objectivity to them, all the better. For I truly believe, the image is in the eye of the beholder. Hope you enjoy them.
This particular image was taken on my "road retirement" trip 3 summers ago. I was coming into a small town in southern Utah just outside of Moab. The desolation of the building enthralled me and the majesty of the clouds gave it some "life".

MY Various 4-Legged Friends

I figure I'd better show some of the various 4-legged friends that grace my life or I'll never hear the end of it from them. If I'm lucky, I'll get a good spot in bed tonight and won't have any cat throw up on my pillow. The two little "munchkins" in these pics aren't actually mine but my "play" nephew and niece. "Holly" and "Kris Kringle" are two miniature dachshunds that I gave to my sister last Christmas after her own two dachshunds had died after a very long, and rewarding life.
"Max and Mausi" are posted at the top in one of their favorite spots-on my sister's couch.