The Birth Of The Prince
Today marks the 22nd birthday of my only son. Wow! Just wow!
To all the new parents out there, please be sure to spend as much time as you possibly can with your little ones because, before you know it, they’ll be all grown up in what seems like a matter of moments.
I’ll admit, although I love that my children are grown and mostly independent, sometimes I wish they were babies again just so I can hold them….I would love to just watch their development all over again. It has been the greatest joy and the most fulfilling time of my entire life.
But, today is all about my Junior.
Son, I love you, and I thank God for you. You will always be my baby, but now you are a man. It’s time to tap into the greatness that the Most High has waiting for you and level up! I pray that you become a far greater man than I could ever be. I look forward to your ascension, and In shaa Allah (God willing) I hope to someday pass the crown to you as you grow from a Prince to a King!
I love you my Son!!! Happy Birthday to you. ❤️
Photo Of The Year
Although the year is not quite over, I’ve chosen my favorite photo from this year.
2022 has been a great year for me in terms of creating. I have a ton of beautiful images that I can choose from at any given moment. But this particular image stands out in my mind as one of the most beautiful and meaningful that I’ve made this year. This photo of my daughter is proof that not every image we create needs to have a complex backstory to be important.
So, the story of this photo is extremely simple and straight forward. My daughter was trying on her new scarves. As she was coming down the stairs, I was on my way up the stairs. I saw how the light was hitting her face, so I asked her to stand there while I go grab my camera. I came back within a second or two and made the photo. I made a few frames just for the sake of variety, but ultimately this is the one that really spoke to me. That’s it. Easy right?
As you can see, sometimes the most simple, unassuming, moments can make for some of our greatest, or, most favorite work.
Don’t be afraid of “regular” moments. Often times they are overlooked, but totally beautiful. As long as you have a camera to record what you see, you will always be able to create something special.
Real Life Painting
Hello everyone! I just thought I’d share a photo that I recently made.
I was sitting in the passenger’s seat in mid conversation, when I noticed this scene unfold. I quickly raised my camera and snapped a few frames of this colorful moment. I found this scene interesting because, it reminded me of a painting, but in real life. I wish that I could’ve taken a few more frames, or even gotten out of the car to compose the shot better, but that’s how it goes sometimes. We only have a split second to capture a moment before it’s gone, and we can’t always compose the “perfect” shot. I will add, that I am happy with the overall color coordination throughout the photo.
As always, it makes me want to pay closer attention to everything going on around me. To be faster at capturing fleeting moments as soon as I’m aware of them. And that’s the beauty of photography! You keep trying to improve every day, every time you pick up your camera. That’s part of the joy and pain of this profession. I love it! I’ll use this experience as motivation to try harder.
Until next time. Stay tuned…
Around Nevada Part 1
Since it’s finally the end of this crazy year, I thought I’d share some random snapshots from my latest trip in and around Nevada.
There’s nothing more fun and relaxing to me as a photographer than taking road trips, exploring, and enjoying all of the interesting sights along the way. Being able to photograph all of my experiences are a true bonus! It brings so much joy into my life.
In troubling times like these, having a hobby or passion is of the utmost importance. I’m so incredibly grateful to be able to document all of my life’s many journeys. Sharing these moments with family and friends makes the journey even more special.
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New Year/Morning Frost
I know that I’m late, but I hope everyone has been enjoying the new year? It hasn’t been much of a winter for those of us who actually appreciate a winter season, but it has been cold the last few days. When I woke up this morning I was finally greeted to a yard full of frost. This is a little more like it! Truth is, this just really makes me miss shooting in the snow even more…
Entering The Forest Of Enchantment: Continued
After dropping my kids off for school last week I noticed a thick layer of fog rapidly moving in. Since I always have my camera on me I decided to stop off at the park before heading home to see what I could capture. It was dark, gloomy, rainy and foggy but I loved it! I thought about how eerily moody the scenery was. Each area of the park resembled a dense, creepy forest, or maybe the set of an elaborate Hollywood movie. I ended up staying for almost 3 hours, not only shooting but enjoying the view. I couldn’t believe my luck because, I was up so early that I had the entire park all to myself! I will admit, the silence mixed with the weather created a very spooky atmosphere.
Eventually the rain came in and started pouring down so I thought, “maybe it’s time to go?” “maybe I should stay and take some cool rain shots?” The next thing I know I see 2 huge stray dogs roaming around and not looking very friendly so I knew at that point the decision had been made for me! Shoots over! I packed up my camera and carefully drove home. Below are a few of the resulting images.
(As always, for a higher resolution view please click on each image)
Morning Mashup/ 2 Skies In 1
This early morning skyline has two uniquely contrasting cloud formations creating an interesting pattern, and color palette. In the second photo, the clouds at the top of the frame resembles burning flames against the dense, pillowy texture of the clouds in the lower half of the frame. I believe this is the first time I’ve ever seen this strange combination? Nevertheless, the sky seems to always provide us with a dramatic light and art show across the atmosphere at any given moment. All we have to do is look up and pay close attention.
The Truth Is…
I’d rather be back on the beach even on a stormy day like this than to be where I am now. Wishful thinking I guess?
Live From The Fair: Color Explosion
Happy Sunday everyone! It’s Spring Fling time once again and it’s a beautiful day out. One thing I love about the fair is all the wonderful colors everywhere. I’m trying to capture as much of them as I possibly can! I hope to have a full post from this event up soon. Enjoy your day!
Right Now: Good Colorful Morning
On my way to take my son to school and I’m greeted by these beauties! Have a great morning everyone!
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.
Laying Back In The Cut
On the frozen winter streets of Joliet, IL a few weeks ago I captured this shot of my Uncle Fred and one of his best friends doing what so many of us in the urban neighborhoods do, either hitting a few blocks with our friends or, chilling in the car listening to music. As you can see they were more than happy to give me the shot. This was the last picture I took before hitting the road back to Georgia.
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!
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.
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.
Evening Lake
A quick trip to the park as the sun started to set produced this beautiful reflection on the lake.
Early Morning Fog #2
For the second morning in row a thick layer of fog engulfs my neighborhood, so I decided to drive around to try and capture a few shots of it. Unfortunately the photos really don’t convey the actual denseness of the fog. In real time it was impossible to to see directly in front of you. Everything was almost completely opaque for about 2 hours. Although it is certainly a safety hazard, and can be an inconvenience, there’s something beautiful and mysterious about fog that captures my attention whenever it occurs. I’ve always been fascinated with it’s hazy, blanketing effect. I’ll keep trying to document it for as long as it happens. We’ll see what takes place tomorrow morning and the rest of the week? Stay tuned…
Under The Sea
Very cool fish I was fortunate enough to get a shot of last weekend while vacationing in Florida. I don’t know exactly what kind they are? But they are both colorful and beautiful.
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.
Enjoying The View
People gather, some with their pets, at the river to watch the water sports as well as enjoy the wonderful late summer breeze.
Versatility By RNJ 