For Posterity
My Granny curiously watched me as I walked into the house, sat my bag down, unzipped the pouch, and took out my camera. She watched intensely as I removed the lens cap, then unscrewed the protective filter. She nervously stared at me as I approached her with my camera and after raising the the lens in her direction she quickly yelled, “I look a mess today, please don’t take my picture right now son!” Being the hard-headed child that I am I proceeded to snap anyway. Embarrassed, she looked right at me and asked, “why are you taking my picture?” I answered, “because, you’re beautiful and I love you!” Then I said, “I need these pictures to pass down to all the future generations of our family” “They need to know who the Queen of this family is” She smiled shyly then said, “ok son, go ahead” She has always spoiled me… She always lets me have my way and I’m happy that she does 🙂 This is real love!
American Photographer
Closeups of a photographer working the streets of downtown Columbus during the Veterans’s Day parade.
Accidental Patriot
This photograph was taken completely by accident! This all occurred while I was out shooting on this past Veterans Day. I accidentally pressed the shutter of my main camera while switching to my secondary camera. I didn’t even realize I had taken this picture until I returned home to review the images on the computer. After seeing the shot I realized that although it was all wrong from a concious photographic point of view, it was still something about it that I really liked. So while deleting all the shots I deemed “bad” or “unusable” something about this shot forced me to keep it. I spoke briefly yesterday about the importance of carefully reviewing shots before deleting them, or keeping some of the bad images because you might end up liking them later on. This was a case of not knowing I had taken a shot, and under normal circumstances would consider it a bad shot, but yet finding myself drawn to it for some reason? Maybe because it’s not technically perfect? Maybe because, despite being an accident there’s still enough of a story in the frame to warrant a glance or two? Who knows? Whatever the reason is I like it enough to want to share it with everyone here. Some may see the value of it the same way I did, and some won’t, but, isn’t that what photography is all about anyway? You decide what appeals to you!
“The Embrace”
Could you figure out what it was? Well, it’s actually an abstract shot of my children hugging. Taken about 2 years ago to test my new camera and lens, this was the very first shot with my new gear. I was so impressed with the amount of detail in the file I decided to keep it. Later I grew to appreciate the emotional value of the image. Although my children very rarely get into any type of fight or disagreement, I thought it was a particularly genuine moment where they shared a very sweet embrace with one another. It’s kind of hard to decipher because there’s so much hair in the shot but, that’s exactly why I love it! It just goes to show that sometimes the photos we dislike or maybe think very little of at first can eventually turn out to be some of our most cherished. I’m so happy I decided to keep it! ❤
On This Day
On this day 2 years ago I took this closeup of my friend’s car on a very cold, rainy evening. I liked the way the light, shadows, water and repetition of the grill bars worked together.
Transformation
The more my son ages the more I see him as a miniature version of myself. He is starting to become a direct reflection of me as a teenager. Watching this transformation as both a parent and observer is quite amazing…it entrigues me, while making me happy and sad at the same time. I’m very curious as to how much more we will have in common and how much he will differ from me as he grows into an adult and fully develops his own personality? I will continue to try and document this process in the hopes that he will someday look back at it all with his own children and appreciate my effort to catalogue his development as a person created in my own image.
First Shoot Of The Year
My first test shoot of the year was yesterday with the lovely Ms. Taleor Moore. Makeup provided by the talented Nichele Hardge. More to come from this shoot later.
Planning
A personal look at my cousin as we discuss his plans for his next album. This photo was taken about 2 weeks ago while I was on a photo excursion back home in Illinois.
The Snowman
My younger brother Antonio stood perfectly still while I captured the downpour of snowfall while out on a photo excursion this past week. We hadn’t seen snow in almost 7 years so we played in the snow like two big kids and we had a ball! You’re never too old to enjoy the simple joys of life. Go out and have some fun!!!
Holidays & A New Year
Happy New Year to you all!!!
I hope that everyone enjoyed their holiday season?
It’s hard to believe but, we’re already 10 days into the new year! Personally I’ve been taking a much needed break from everything for the past month. I decided to go back home to Illinois to spend time with my family, specifically my youngest brother Antonio, as well visit our old neighborhoods. Of course one thing I never take a break from is photography so naturally my brother and I have been shooting plenty of pictures. Chicago is very cold but so beautiful this time of year. The snow blankets the city and everyone seems to slow down a bit to appreciate the world around them. I really needed this! I needed to be here to breathe in this cold, crisp air. I needed to reconnect with my roots and revisit my past to better appreciate how far I’ve come. Coming back is always hard to do because, I always contemplate staying. Although I’m confident that I can go just about anywhere in this world and make it, this is my home. The sights, the sounds, the people, the food, everything reminded me that no matter where I go I’ll always be a Northerner, and I’m fine with that. This trip is recharging my mental battery. I feel strong again, like I’m ready to take on my next set of life’s challenges. My mind feels clearer and I’m more focused. My creativity is slowly coming back. Honestly, you can’t help but be inspired when you’re in a place like this. I feel the energy of the city, and the joy from my family has given me an extra boost of confidence to carry on and push forward. I’m at a point in my life where I need to make some very difficult decisions about where I’ll end up living next, but being home is helping give me a better perspective on which direction to take. Now like I said before, I have a collection of new photos that I will be sharing here on my blog within the coming days, I just need some time to try and organize them all. I hope that you enjoy them, and I hope they can give you a small sense of what it’s like to walk the streets of both Chicago and Joliet Illinois in the winter time.
Finally, with this being the start of a new year I’d like to thank everyone who has supported my blog and my work in 2014 and years prior. I’d also like to welcome back all of my original followers as well as any new friends who’d like to come join me for what I hope will be an even better 2015. Let’s make this a good one!!!
Peace & Love! RNJ
Versatility By RNJ 