Tag Archives: photography

Eye of the Beholder

One of Love, One of Exhaustion

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Candid shots are sometimes the best shots. Today’s pictures come from a visit to the Texas Renaissance Festival in 2010. I’ve found two selections that I particularly enjoy. The first, somehow ironic in my eyes, is of this poor soul who was just really sleepy and tired after a day of walking. Sadly, his choice of roman Toga that day for his garb makes one imagine he passed out from the excitement of the party:

Tuckered Out

From a distance, I also spied a loving couple engaged in some sordid story – or perhaps just recounting their adventures that day. A private moment between two lovers, this shot melts my cold heart when I look at it:

The Lovers

Well that’s all for now. I apologize for the brevity of this post – there is a lot I could say about both of these shots, but the time is 6:30 in the morning and I am not yet awake, I fear.

I do have a homework assignment for you (purely extra credit, of course) – what stories do these pictures tell you?

Eye of the Beholder

History Unraveled

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One maxim that is bound and determined to keep rearing its head is that people who forget history are bound to repeat it. Today’s pictures serve to remind me of this. Seeing a dilapidated Air Force C-119 Flying Boxcar sitting on the side of the road reminds me that we have a rich history in our country. 

When I look at this picture, I wonder to myself, “Who sat in the cockpit? What sights did they see? Where has this great beast flown when it took wing?” This, dear friends, is why I love pictures, and history. We forget things like this, and when I see a sight like this I am inspired to write about it (even if it’s just a blurb on a blog – oh how I hate the word blog, but that is for another day). 

I’d like to write a short story about this picture, I think. Perhaps when I have a bit more time, I will and perhaps I will post it here for you to read, if you are interested. 

Unexpected History
History as a Muse
Eye of the Beholder

Bonus: The Lights

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Today is not the day I normally post pictures, but I was looking for a new header image when I happened upon this shot. Since I neglected to post yesterday (I’ve got an idea for a fun post but haven’t had the time to put it down on paper yet), I thought I would quickly post this for your enjoyment.

The power had gone out and so I resorted to candlelight for the night! How old-fashioned of me. Anyway, I love the way the light plays on this shot, and while I staged the layout, I didn’t expect it to come out this well. Enjoy.

The Lights
Eye of the Beholder

Uncles are Fathers Too

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My Uncle - Jesse

I loved my uncle Jesse very much. He passed away in December, and we all miss him quite a bit.When I was looking through my pictures today, to decide what to post, I found a couple of my uncle taken at the same time and at the same place as The More Things Change. I thought that I would let you all see the man who was like a second father to me in many ways, and a man who was my friend.

My Uncle - Jesse - B&W

I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t show off my other uncle too. My uncle Eugene has been as big of an influence as Jesse was. I love him just as much. Both of my uncles are fun-loving men. Until recently, Eugene still had a motorcycle!

My Uncle - Eugene - Vroom!
My Uncle - Eugene - Vroom! # 2

I would post a picture of my mom going “vroom” too, but I would fear for my life. I will leave that one to your imaginations.

Eye of the Beholder

Soulful Birds

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Birds are just plain awesome. Truly, I wish I could fly (this coming from someone who isn’t too fond of heights – yes I’m a strange bird – heh). These photos came on a much needed winter vacation to south Texas. Clearly, these travelers had the same idea I did – a change of scenery, no matter how brief be it a week or a winter, is good for the soul.

Settling Down for the Night
Sunset
Sentinels
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Peacefulness in Hill Country, Texas

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As a writer, I draw a lot of inspiration from nature. When I look around and see everything that there is to see, I can’t help but be in awe. When I discovered photography, I realized that I had the perfect opportunity to capture images that I can later use as source material for my writing.

While the following pictures are not the source of anything I’ve written so far, they are very much examples of the type of inspiring sights I search for.

Peacefulness in Hill Country, Texas # 1
Peacefulness in Hill Country, Texas #2

I almost always take both a color and a black & white shot when I am out and about for two reasons:

  1. Sometimes, black & white can be more striking than a color picture, and vice versa
  2. Editing a picture on the computer somehow makes it feel less authentic (even if I’m the only one who knows)

This was an occasion where both are beautiful, and both convey the majesty of a small river in Texas.

General Growlings

In Which the Dingo Speaks

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Hello and welcome.

Well, the journal has been up now for a couple of weeks and I’ve yet to properly introduce myself. My name is Jeremy, and I’m an aspiring writer and amateur photographer. I am also <insert ominous music here> The Dingo. But shhhhh, don’t tell anyone. I’d hate for my secret identity to be leaked to the press. 

From an educational standpoint, I hold two degrees – a B.A. in psychology and another in theatre arts. This means that I am able to understand crazy so that I can be crazy. My friends can testify to the fact that I probably didn’t need a university education for this to apply to me.

Crazy.

I also have a puppy, who (at the time this article was being written) is pushing 10 months old. Her name is Riley. This is her:

She liked the bows so well that by the time we got home from the groomers she was eating them. She has pretty good taste – those are fancy and plastic and yellow, after all. Yum.

The reason that I decided to create this journal is that I wanted to have a creative outlet that I can share with other people. My secret motive is that I have become lax and I spend way too much time on the computer (writing an online journal should help with getting away from the computer, don’t you think?). As I very rarely share any of my work, I am not nearly as diligent as I should be about creating it. That, dear reader, is where you come into the picture.

Now that my vaction in Mexico is over (thank God – that beach was just so relaxing; I’m glad to be back to fast-paced Dallas life), my goal is to publish on this journal at least 3 times a week, at least to start. Here is what you can look forward to:

MONDAYS: Random articles about random things, and if I am particularly lazy perhaps just a movie review. (Did I mention I like movies? I didn’t think so. I mean, why would would a trained actor who doesn’t actually act enjoy watching actors who do act?).

WEDNESDAYS: A weekly log of the deep and philosophical conversations I have with Riley. She has a lot to say about our American culture and society. I can’t keep up with  her intellectually. “Conversations with Riley” is my way to ask for your help in understanding her viewpoints. Please, leave comments explaining it to me.

FRIDAYS: “Eye of the Beholder” is my attempt at sharing my amateur photography with the world. I admit I still have a lot to learn about photography, but I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoy taking them. 

I also hope to post additional randomness on random days as the random mood strikes me.

Questions? 

Eye of the Beholder

Serenity and History

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Today’s “Eye of the Beholder” post is a double-header from my first trip to Israel. I’m lucky enough to work for a company that sends me to different countries periocically, and I get to see such great sights.

First up today is the Wailing Wall. Of the two, I feel this one if stronger both photographically and emotionally:

The area is flooded with a soft blue light that I feel adds a certain sadness and beauty to the vista. This seems appropriate to me. For those that don’t know, visitors to the wall write prayers on small slips of paper and put the prayers into the cracks in the wall. Once you leave your prayer, you walk backwards away from the wall, so that you literally don’t turn you back on the prayers so many have left.

The second photo is of the Dome of the Rock. This was taken from a distance with a camera with limited zoom ability, which I think works in its favor for this shot. From this vantage, you can see the cityscape of Jerusalem:

As for trips, I’m now off to Mexico for the next few days. I hope to have some great shots when I return!

Eye of the Beholder

Winter is a Double Edged Sword

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Having been pretty much raised in Texas, I have to say that this photo puts a chill in me that is hard to shake:

This picture was taken when I briefly moved to Chicago – in the middle of winter, no less! When I look at this picture today, I am reminded of the beauty that winter can bring us that we often forget. I am also reminded of a time in my life that, quite frankly, was the most difficult for me personally. 

The end result, and the lesson I learned, is that most experiences are a double edged sword. You can take the blizzard and crumble, or emerge stronger than you were during the summer. I like to think that the latter held true for me.

Eye of the Beholder

The More Things Change…

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Last year, my company sponsored a photography contest where the prize was that the winning pictures would be enlarged and put on the walls of our office. Well, I happened to have just purchased a new handy dandy camera, and thought to myself, “I should give it a go” (which has been a recurring theme in my life over the last year or so).

The picture I entered was this:

The reason that I love this picture so much is that it reminds us of the ever true saying, “plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose”, or “the more things change, the more they stay the same”. So I chose the obvious for the name of this piece: “The more things change…”.

And yes, my entry is now on the wall at my office.