the moments matter...

In a matter of moments, things change from all smiles to taking medicine. I love having a camera with me at all times to catch these type of moments. It's not always about getting everyone to look at the camera. Sometimes, you just have to document what is going on. This is a style of photography that I want to master someday...

celebrating pyper...

Today is Pyper's birthday. So excited to celebrate 6 yrs of being around this little girl. Her expressions have been in so many of my pictures and I look forward to adding many many more over the coming years...

what really matters...

how can 'what I am to the people around me" make a difference. that's all that really matters...

missed memories...

Another image that was taken from a fairly close distance. I shoot mainly with the 50mm, so it seems even closer (with no distortion). So many images with so many expressions and I love them all. I have been looking at many unscanned negatives that I have taken over the last few months. Gosh, I take a lot of photos of Pyper and Allister. I guess maybe I am trying to make up for all the memories that I might have missed with Maci and Sadi. It's crazy to think that I only had one camera almost the entire time when Maci and Sadi were growing up. No wonder I missed capturing some of the memories...

a consuming part of my life...

A moment outside, in close, where I caught her staring at the lens. Imagine that this was captured on some plastic film with some emulsion (that has silver halide in it) using a box and some glass that funneled the light onto the film. I continually am amazed that I do this so often and take for granted that I have the tools and the material to make this happen over and over and over again. So the question was asked. Is photography an important part of your life? I think I can honestly answer that photography (and capturing moments just like this) consumes my life...

it's a matter of focus...

I've said it many times. My favorite photos are the ones where I get in close. Pyper was so focused on coloring that it didn't bother her one bit that I come in close to capture this memory. In reality, we were both pretty focused. Just on different things...

Figuring it out...

I bought a box of Kodak Tri-X Pan 4x5 sheet film off from eBay a few weeks ago. It expired in May of 1978. I couldn't wait to try it out and I finally got the opportunity today. I exposed and developed it as ISO 50 film (vs the original ISO of 320) to compensate for the age of the film. Sherri was such a good sport on this. I originally took a New55 image, but I realized that the pod had burst when I was loading the film, so I wanted to take another image as a backup. So glad I did. This image turned out so good. Its a perfect example of figuring things out to get an image that you want...

worth the wait...

Pulled this image off from a negative that's been in my Canon Elan iie for quite some time. Image was probably taken almost a year ago. Sometimes the wait is well worth it...

kids with cameras...

To build on yesterday's post, it never gets old shooting kids (aka "future photographers" with cameras...

a moment of clarity...

Some shots don't need a face to complete it. This is one of those images that is the poster child for medium format film. When you zoom in at 200 percent, the camera almost becomes the size of my 27 inch monitor and the letters on the lens are crisp and clear with a beautiful rendition of grain surrounding this crisp focus point. The Zeiss optics, the Ektar 120 film and the bright sunny day all contribute to the end product and make this image what it is. I strive for the day when more of my Hasselblad images turn out this stellar. After a few thousand more, I may eventually make it...

a reflection of sundance square...

A window reflection from Sundance Square in downtown Ft Worth captured earlier this year. So many Texas elements in this photo, including me and my Leica M6. It definitely has a Ft Worth vibe...

the mask...

Pyper found a mask of Sadi's from her Senior prom. She wore it around the house all morning. It was so funny because when she took it off, she was smiling and happy. When she put it on, she felt like she needed to be sad (or mad). Had her sit down and stare at me while I snapped this photo...

street shooting...

While we were waiting to be seated at Grimaldi's in West Village, Tyler and I used it as an opportunity to head out to the street and shoot a few photos. I am still getting comfortable with the Hasselblad, but I figure that the only way to learn it is to shoot it. I definitely have not mastered how to shoot handheld at the lower shutter speeds (down to 1/15 sec), like I am accustomed to with my Leica. This one was shot at 1/60 and it was sharp as a tack...

out on the street...

Spent some time walking around Knox Street in Dallas yesterday. Brought my Hasselblad with me for the first time. After several images like this one, it will not be the last time...

fleeting moments on film...

Most people would not use a Hasselblad to capture everyday snaps of family. I find that it brings a bit of formality to the process. Instead of pulling out my iPhone, I reach for the brick of a Hasselblad to capture a fleeting moment. Such a unique experience that I never would have thought I would embrace as I do now. Pyper was out on the drive in her pajamas and boots riding the cart. She stopped long enough to let me take this snap and then went on about her way...

all smiles...

Another image from my Hasselblad CM. I feel like the camera is growing on me. I still have a ways to go on correct metering of different types of lighting. There was a harsh light coming from the left of the photo and shadows on the right side. Regardless of all of the technicalities of the lighting, this photo is a keeper! Having the Hasselblad laying around the house is just another excuse for me to stop whatever we are doing (as life passes us by) and make memories like this...

me and my polaroid...

As much as I post photos of myself in reflections and such, I really don't like photos of me. I just think their are more interesting people/things to photograph. Plus, being the photographer in the family means that most of the time I am behind the camera. That is definitely where I am most comfortable. Things changed when Tyler picked up photography…

Now there are two of us constantly taking pictures when we get together. As a photographer, it is rewarding when you get a photo taken of yourself that you REALLY like. This would be one of those photos. Thanks Tyler for the superb photograph...

portrait of Sadi...

I don't shoot my Hasselblad camera as much as I thought I would. That being said, when I do shoot it, I absolutely love the photos. I am learning more about when to use my different cameras. Because I haven't really mastered the camera, I seem to have better luck with the Hasselblad outdoors with an overcast sky. I couldn't be happier with the portrait of Sadi. Seeing great photos of my family makes me smile a mile wide...

reviewing the shot...

Looking through some of my old film pictures is always fun. Ran upon this one from last year at the fourth of July pre-fireworks show. I was shooting with my Leica M6 and Pyper was shooting with my Canon 6D. After watching Tyler and me shoot so much, she picks up many of our mannerisms. It is so neat to just sit back and watch her in action. So glad I caught this one on film...

what lies ahead...

Definitely not my typical photo to post. I took this one with my Hasselblad CM camera over the weekend after we left a restaraunt here in Greenville. Lots of things going on in the life of my family right now that weighs heavily on my heart. I remember looking down the row of chairs and seeing how desolate it looked. It was cold and rainy and there was a mist in the air under the lights. Of course I ran to my vehicle and grabbed my camera to come back and take this shot. Sometimes photos are meant to be a reminder of how we were feeling at the time. This is one of those times...