Daily Observations
I haven’t really been out of the house too much this month. The weather remains ridiculously hot for this time of the year, and I’m just not into the heat. Plus, my family and I didn’t do much cleaning last year, so we decided to finally get back on track and clean our house from top to bottom. Staying in has also given me some time to edit photos that I’ve been neglecting for a long time, so I guess that’s at least a good thing?
So whenever the weather is tolerable and I’m able to get out with my camera for a while, I’ve been trying to make the most of it. Nothing major, just walking and observing. Trying to slow down and make some photos of things I usually overlook. Challenging myself to pay closer attention to all of the beautiful details surrounding me on a regular basis. My thought process is, some of the work I’m doing now may not be considered my “best” but I’m sure the memories I document will be far more meaningful in the future. Also, I’m having fun, so that makes it even more important! After all, this work isn’t for anyone else…it’s for me. I’m creating to satisfy my need to create. So in that regard, that’s all that really matters. There’s so much freedom in not having to create for any specific reason. To me that’s the true joy of art. To create as a form of self expression. Having only ones self to please.
I’m still dealing with the long process of healing my mental/emotional health, so making photos for fun helps a great deal. I choose to share these photographs with the public as a way to share my ongoing process, my personal journey. Hopefully someone can make some kind of connection, or at least enjoy what they see.
With that being said, here are some photos from my most recent outing. Enjoy!
The Streets In Color
A small collection of random sights in the downtown Columbus area specifically focusing on colors, shadows and reflections.
Downtown ATL
Last weekend I spent some time with my younger brother walking and taking photos in Atlanta. The weather was freezing cold and I loved it! It really reminded me of home with it’s strong crisp wind and moody overcast skylines. The only thing missing was the downpour of snow that’s usually taking place up North this time of year. Surprisingly I didn’t shoot as many images as I would have liked, but I’ve really scaled back on the amount of images I shoot lately. Anyway, here are a few of the shots I liked. I believe I saw some more that I might add to this post later? I really love posting but I’ve been trying to be good and go to bed at a reasonable time. In fact, I’m sleepy right now so…good night everyone!
(As always, please click each image for a larger view)
Block Party
Here are a few of my favorite random shots from the old school block party in the downtown area a few weeks ago. I walked around quite a bit despite the intense heat but, these photos are from a relatively stationary position allowing the people to walk into my frame. In essence I let them to create some of the photos for me.
The Dog Days Of Winter
2 weekends ago the weather was absolutely perfect so I decided to take a trip downtown. I hadn’t been downtown in months, but specifically since I returned home from Illinois. As the sun started to set I noticed a growing amount of dog walkers out, probably more than I’ve ever seen at this time of the year. Although I had my camera, my intention was to shoot nature this time around, not people or pets. The light from the setting sun created a slew of cool photographic opportunities so naturally I had to snap a few shots of the friendly people and their pets. I have to admit that I was conflicted because of the weather. Normally I would have shot far more frames but, I enjoyed the temperature so much that for once I didn’t want to shoot as much as I just wanted to relax. Below are a few of the photos from this wonderful day. If only the weather were always this mild…I’d probably stay out every single day from sunrise to sunset! Hopefully this spring will actually feel like spring and not summer so I can get out more and meet more cool people.
Last Thursday
Another solo adventure for me last week as I walked around the downtown area in search of some interesting sites to photograph. Fall is finally here and I couldn’t be happier!!! When the temperature drops I become more motivated to get out and shoot. The light, the air, and atmosphere inspire me to pick up my camera and stay outside all day long. It might sound weird to anyone other than a photographer but, I really hate when I have to stop shooting and come back in. The good thing is getting to come home and see what you’ve done all day. Here are just a few of the images I captured.
Halloween
Halloween in downtown Columbus, 2014. Lots of kids, people, costumes, candy, fun, food, a 5k race, and good music!
Hotel Window
The view from my hotel room window a couple of days ago as the sun started to set in downtown Phenix City, Alabama. I love all the wonderful shapes and colors that appear and change constantly as nature paints her masterpieces across the sky. As usual for me, no post processing was involved in any of these shots, they’re straight from my camera.
Feeling Like A Kid Again #2
Here’s another image taken from my March post on bike riding, plus a group of men riding bikes similar to the big wheels toys we use to ride as children, and how much fun it can be.
Mystery Memoriam
While back home in Illinois last week I was out walking with my son visiting the park I use to take my children to when they were younger. The park is directly down the street from our last house so I wanted to show my son the old neighborhood to see if he remembered everything. As we were leaving we ran across this makeshift memorial site under the bridge near the river. Although I don’t know exactly what happened here, we stopped and paid our respect. I decided to take a few pictures to try and capture the mood of the moment. It was freezing temperatures, somewhere in the 20’s, and the teddy bears were completely soaked from what looked like weeks of rain and snow. Whenever I see these mini memorial sites anywhere I instantly feel saddened as I try to imagine what could have happen to the people involved? All I can do is say a prayer and move along…
Hoop Dreams
Happy Holidays to everyone! I met these 4 young men while out shooting with a model one day over the summer. They explained to me that they’re a rap group but, that they were also willing to do whatever they could to make it, even basketball. I let them know that they can achieve anything they put their minds to and to never limit themselves. They asked if I was a photographer, and I replied yes. They proceeded to quickly huddle together to give me their best poses. I snapped a couple of frames and showed them the pics on the lcd. They LOVED the pics, thanked me kindly, and I wished them all good luck and success in whatever they choose to do. I love meeting good people of all ages, and photography allows me to do so all while making a brief connection in the process.
The Bowman
Good early morning! Today I’d like to share with you an image of the famous “Bowman” sculpture in downtown Chicago taken during my trip back home in July. The iconic piece is located onΒ Congress Drive andΒ Michigan AvenueΒ inΒ Grant Park,Β Chicago. The sculptures were made inΒ ZagrebΒ byΒ CroatianΒ sculptorΒ Ivan MeΕ‘troviΔ. In this particular shot you can also clearly see the Congress Hotel in background as well as the birds perched atop the statue. Look closely and you’ll see how the birds have taken it upon themselves to ensure that the Bowman needs a good cleaning very soon! I cannot stress how much fun it was just walking around and shooting all the wonderful monuments located all around Chicago, and I’m very excited to update my blog with more images from this most recent trip. Until next time. Enjoy!
The World Famous Bowman Statue & Congress Hotel
Walking Through The City
Good morning to everyone! I wanted to quickly share this shot taken back in July in downtown Chicago. Β It’s a pretty straight forward shot, people walking up and down a very long sidewalk, but I liked the light and shadows present so I decided to post it. It was an extremely hot day, I was drenched in sweat and feeling dehydrated but, being back home and walking around a city like downtown Chicago is absolutely exhilarating!!! Even when you’re dragging your exhausted family around with you (I’m sure they’ll love that) the city gives you life. The city and it’s people totally inspire as well as motivate you to become active. There are wonderful photo opportunities literally EVERYWHERE!!!! This place is a photographers dream!!! I could go on and on about Chicago but I’ll end it here for now. More photos to come very soon. Enjoy!
Fine Dining?
Hello world! Happy Friday to everyone! Today I’d like to share a photo I shot while back home in Chicago. It was just a McDonald’s but, it was the one of the fanciest McDonalds I’d had ever been in! It was funny because, until I saw the golden arches I actually thought it was high end restaurant. Anyway, I truly enjoyed my time home, it was MUCH needed!!! I took TONS of pictures that I will be adding to my blog and I can’t wait until I can go back! Maybe to stay??? We’ll see….
Versatility By RNJ 