Up, Up & Away

As a birthday gift to my Dad, we gave him a hot air balloon ride this summer.  It was a cool, crisp morning in Winter Park, Colorado and the views were spectacular as we lifted off at sunrise.  I have to admit, the first 100 feet or so off the ground made me a bit queasy and I had to move to the center of the basket.  What a study in primary colors!

Old Dog, New Trick

As you can probably tell from my previous post, this old dog has learned a new trick. I've seen other photographers do it and always liked the effects so I dug into by Photoshop user bible this weekend during the kids nap time and figured it out. I'm just getting started but here are some of my favorites.  You might need to click on the images to enlarge them to get the full effect.  Tell me what you think by clicking where it says 0 Comments below and be the first...

Book it

As the long days of winter march on it becomes more difficult to get outside, get inspired and take new photos.  So on a cold, sleety day recently I took to finding creativity around the house in the objects I see every day.  These shots of my bookshelves were some of my favorites.

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Good Energy

Years ago I took this photo of my wife's cousins shoes.  There was just something about them that begged to be memorialized.  It was one of those photos I've always liked because of the way her feet are positioned and of course the colors, but I never knew what to do with - until recently.

I discovered this cool little command on one of my photo editing tools that allowed me to create the images below. I borrowed colors of the Chakra to give them a mystical, Indian flavor.  Turns out that photo taken years does have "positive energy".  Click on the images to enlarge them for better viewing and "reflection".

Arrivals & Departures

I know what you're thinking...why hasn't he posted anything on his blog for some time now?  I sure hope he's alright.  Well, thanks for your concern and I am doing great.  I just got busy on another photo assignment which I hope to share with you soon.
But speaking of getting busy, these photos were taken several years ago when I was at O'Hare waiting for a flight out.  Armed with a new lens and some time to kill, I found a spot on the floor in Terminal 3 and steadied the camera on my knee to capture the goings and comings of the nations busy airport.
I don't often include people in my images but I felt invisible at this location and was able to work in anonymity. I have always liked the electric frenzy of the blue color against the quiet blur of the pedestrians.

Settling in

In honor of today's bone chilling, nostril sticking, eye watering, feet numbing, 0 degree weather we have in Chicago this morning, I thought it only appropriate to post some soothing blue, green hued beach scenes that beg the question; Why do we live here again? Why do we put ourselves through this misery?  Isn't life too short? Why am I not driving around in a convertible today beneath sunny skies and palm trees?

A similar subject came up the other week when out to dinner with some good friends. With bellies full of warm appetizers and heads full of spirits, someone asked whether we felt settled in Chicago. There are so many reasons to answer yes to that question, (good friends, jobs, schools, home, city, etc...) but I could not say it. There is definitely a nesting side to me; sticks and twigs as my friend Nathan call it. But I also crave the new, the unknown, the exploration, the voice deep inside that says don't get to comfortable; there is so much more to see. I guess for now I will take comfort in the Midwest belief that this weather makes us stronger, heartier, better people.

Looking Skyward

Do you have a favorite place in the world?  Well this is one of mine.  It's Carl Milles Garden in Stockholm, Sweden and every time we visit I drag my family here for a couple of hours so I can wander alone around the grounds.  Carl Milles was a Swedish sculptor who spent most of his adult life teaching at the Cranbrook Academy in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.  His home and studio in Sweden were converted into a public museum after his death and they are located up on a high bluff overlooking the sea and Stockholm. The buildings and grounds are done in the Italian Renaissance style but his sculptures range from angels and Gods to animals and sea creatures.  It is beautiful and tranquil and something new to discover and view around every corner.  Go there.