Spring Colors

Spring has arrived and soon the colors will follow. I look forward to the budding of the tree's, the blossoming of the flowers, the greening of the grass. Mother nature offer's us a plethora of beauty, we just need to train our eyes to see it all. It doesn't take world, or cross country travel to find the beauty; it can be found right in our backyards.

I have taken photos of many flowers over the years and have been asked by an abundance of viewers where I had taken the photos. I answer with, “In my back yard”. Some people are shocked, and for whatever reason do not take my reply serious. I politely assure them that, yes, we have a garden in our yard and I like to take photographs of the flowers as they begin to blossom and eventually mature.

My advice to everyone interested in nature photography is to always observe the scene around you. Try not to consume yourself with just the big picture. Get down low and take a look at the tiny things among the vegetation. You will be amazed at the photo opportunities that await you in your own yard. A simple set of extension tubes, a tripod, and a release cable are wonderful supplements to your camera and cameras lens.

My gear has been inspected, tested and ready for the Spring. I pack 3 lenses in my bag, a 24mm, 50/55mm, and a 100/105mm.The lens I tend to use most would be the 100/105mm mounted on a short tube for macro work. I enjoy crawling around in the dirt and grass looking for that perfect image

Erratically Blogging

I find that my thoughts meander which in turn may affect the flow of my blog. My mind is constantly active, my thoughts erratic yet focused on the task. I ask myself “ Are my images erratic”? Perhaps, but I realize that my goal is always the same; the pursuit of the perfect image.

I know a handful of photographers who have carved out a niche in the world of photography and ran with it. One particular individual explained that his hobby was now his career, so he had to make choices. He told me once he found the angle to make money he quickly pursued more clients, and before he knew it, he was stuck shooting a particular style. He's fine with it, so he claims, but I wonder.

I have found that being a slave to my hobby would destroy my love and passion for what makes me most happy: photography. I am fine shooting as an armature, I am free to pursue any venue I choose, I have no deadlines, and the only person I need to please is myself. Selfish right? I call it smart.

Erratic but focused, that's how I approach photography.

I have made the decision to join the world wide group of bloggers. The idea of becoming a blogger has been kicked around in my head so many times that my brain feels bruised. Do I have something to say? Are my general thoughts, crazy meanderings, and vast knowledge of useless information relevant? Will anyone read the words I painstakingly write for hours on end, or will my battered and tattered fingers suffer for naught?


I have spent the last 8 years studying photography from a shooters perspective. I have studied light to the point of blurting out light temperatures to my wife while casually viewing the lake under the early morning sun. (She always looks at me like I’m crazy) Light has become a natural way for me to view the world. 5000 kelvin, 3200 kelvin, it all means something to me from a creative point of view. Painting with light is the very essence of photography.


My blog will never be filled with camera or lens specifications, although I may give a general overview of my favorite glass as the mood arises. The tech talk I will leave for the engineers or (arm chair engineers), believe me, I have visited enough photography forums which nearly burst at the seams with the so called “techies”. From my perspective, photography is about the image and understanding how to capture great images, this is the reason I studied photography.


My blog will have a clear and precise direction. Although I may not blog every day (perhaps weekly or bi-weekly), I will try to capture the world as I see it from my lens perspective. I am not a world traveler, so expectations of exotic locations should be kicked to the curb. I do travel the Midwest (USA) with my wife, so there are plenty of opportunities for great images.


The photo posted in this week’s blog: Galena Illinois
Equipment: Pentax K10D, Fujinon 135mm EBC 3.5 lens.
Aperture: f/11
Speed: 1/250