Notes from the Field

I am not the type of person to make New Year’s resolutions. I have trouble, like most, holding myself to those resolutions. But in the last part of 2009, into the beginning of 2010, I decided that I needed to make a change to my approach to my photography.

While I do get paid to do video and photo work during the day at the mother ship. (What I call the day job to those new readers.) I was having trouble working on my own photography in my off hours. I would try to work on personal projects, and have them fall through, talent fail to show, or just have a general lack of drive to spend my own time doing something, that I was doing from 9-5 during the week. I needed to focus on my work.

The lovely Krissy!

Many photography friends and colleges suggested doing a personal project, or a 365 series through Flickr. But I know from past experiences that my ADD would keep me from completing these projects. All one needs to do is see how spotty my posting to this blog is, for proof of this theory.
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Sorry to have been such a flake on the blog lately. Life got pretty weird at the mother ship (the day job) in the last few months and it has completely taken the wind out of me. I have no idea if it is the start of something good, or the continuation of a very slow boil, to which, in the end, I find I am a lobster in a pot.

While I have neglected the blog, I have not neglected my personal and free lance work, and I am very excited to show you all, i.e. my parents and two other people who read this, what I have been up to.

First, and maybe the most recent is that the blog past its first anniversary last month. Not really a milestone in my opinion, but it ties into what happen just a few weeks ago.

If you hit the back button on the blog enough times, you will see I started the blog right about the same time I journeyed down to Paso Robles to help my friend, fellow Canonista, and mad man Syl Arena, for the start of his workshop series. His first instructor was Joe McNally, and it was my pleasure to assist him during the workshop. You can catch up here, here and here if you are new to the whole story.

A month ago, a similar situation presented itself. I heard that Joe would be in my neck of the woods, in the fine capital of California, Sacramento. He was in town to teach for the Kelby Seminars, and I wanted to catch up again. I was very fortunate that Joe not only said yes, but let me be second assistant for the day.
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Before I get going on my post, my first in a long time, I do want to warn you up front, this post has nothing to do with photography, nothing at all. No hidden messages here, no deep thoughts about passion. Maybe if I post more than once a quarter, I may have a post on photography soon.

April 15th is probably not the most loved dates in the states; many are running to the post office at the last minute to mail their taxes, or worse, writing a check to the government. But for many other Americans, this day is much more important than taxes, it is about struggle, equality and the strive to become one nation after years of pain and suffering.

Confused? Taxes and equality? Well, my fellow Americans, April 15th is not only the day your taxes are due, but it is also the anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball in 1947, as a Brooklyn Dodger.

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Three years ago I took the opportunity to attend an event that I had watched on TV since I was a child, the 24 hours of Daytona. Like many kids in America , I grew up with a passion for cars, with their speed and sound. As I grew older, I also started to love racing and I became a fan of auto racing. I mean I will watch anything that involves a motor and some form of competition. I would watch grow men race lawn mowers, if I am sick and there is nothing on TV. But for me, endurance or 24 hour racing is one of the greatest forms of sports out there.

This weekend marks the 2010 edition of the 24 hours of Daytona, which is usually a dead sports weekend, with the break between the NFL division championships and the Super Bowl. And unlike many other types of auto racing, the 24 hours of Daytona gives you access and stories no other race or sporting event can offer.

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On January 12th, Claudia and I said goodbye to our Siberian Husky, Dream. She was 12 years old. In those 12 years she brought so much joy and love into our lives. While I have always had an agreement to try to keep this blog more professional than personal, Dream was a huge part of both sides of my life.

Many photographers have models or locations that they use when trying new techniques or gear. Dream was my muse, and the look she would give me when a box would arrive from B&H was priceless. I am surprise the neither one of my dogs has problems with their eyes because of all the hits they have taken from Speedlights and strobes over the years. While my younger dog Yoshi didn’t mind having his photo taken, Dream was a true model.
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