When we entered the new millennium, we looked forward with optimism to a future of incredible growth staring us in the face. In some respects we were let down, however we gained more than we could have ever imagined. In other words, it's been a heck of a decade since we welcomed in 1/1/00 and airplanes didn't fall from the sky, computers were okay and our bank accounts were safe.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Reflections on Y2K and beyond.
When we entered the new millennium, we looked forward with optimism to a future of incredible growth staring us in the face. In some respects we were let down, however we gained more than we could have ever imagined. In other words, it's been a heck of a decade since we welcomed in 1/1/00 and airplanes didn't fall from the sky, computers were okay and our bank accounts were safe.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
High stepper.
I have been able to attend a lot of basketball games---some have been fun to watch, some nail biters, some snoozers. Yesterday we went to see the Harlem Globetrotters play the Washington Generals. (They have been playing one another for years...same teams, different players.) The Globetrotters beat the Generals once again---this time by 22 points. I have actually seen the Generals beat the Globetrotters but it is very rare.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
When the red lights shine.
We've all been there. Some more than others. It's when you are driving along and you suddenly know you have been caught. Whether you are exceeding the speed limit, run a red light, or some other move that breaks the law, when the lights go on, you are having a bad day.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Portrait Envy.
It was about 10 years ago when I saw the Mona Lisa; I was at the Louvre in Paris. I would love to tell you I was in awe when I saw this famous picture, but I can't because I was not. When you have seen the Mona Lisa so many times, and in so many different forms, you feel like you have seen it before, because you have.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
102 years and counting.
As we are about to enter another decade, we also enter another milestone for the Chicago Cubs. If they don't win the World Series this year, it will be 102 years since the last time they brought home the championship. It's kind of hard to fathom how long of a period of time that is, but all you have to do is look back to see it's one heck of a long time.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
The demise of the donut?
As we approach the new year, and the various resolutions that are taken on every year, you would think that donut sales would not stand a chance in January. Yes they take a bit of hit fresh into the new year, but they ramp up quickly there after.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Hand off.
It's Christmas. Today I received a book that really helped put it in perspective of what a great photographer has inside of him. It's not just the ability to push a button, it's the foresight to capture a moment you are pretty sure is going to translate into an excellent picture. It doesn't happen on every click, it sometimes doesn't happen on a 1000 clicks, but when it does, you just know it. The book I received is by Walter Iooss; a long time sports photographer for Sports Illustrated and other organizations---Mr. Iooss can read a picture before it has been taken. He was able to do this when we didn't have digital cameras...meaning, he didn't know he had a good picture, with proper exposure, until he went to the lab. That seems like light years ago, but we're talking less that 12 years. The book contained photos from the late 1990's and they are flat out great.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Chanukah Harry V. Santa Claus
It's the time of year when people are giving to other people; it might be a gift that they made. purchased or even re-gifted, you just never know. But the season is all about giving and accepting what you are given with a smile---and of course a "Thanks I really appreciate it." Welcome to the holiday season baby, the games are about to begin. (Unless you're Jewish or celebrate otherwise, they might be over with already.)
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Second City.
Coming in second often times is as desired as kissing your sister. (Sorry Sis.) But in the case of Chicago, it’s a very "in"appropriate label. Chicago may be called the “second city” however once you get to know it, it’s second to none.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Multi-cultural.
On January 20,2009 a lot changed. Whether or not you voted for Barack Obama, there was little doubt the past that we knew was going to take a different course in the future. Beyond the obvious of having an African-American President, it opened up channels of opportunity for every individual who lives on American soil. Some might see this as a threat to their well being, I see it as an opportunity for American’s to carry on the melting pot that started at Ellis Island more than a 100 years ago.
Monday, December 21, 2009
The best seat in the house.
When shooting photos at sporting events, you often times will see the professional photographers on the court, field or stands. (I have never seen a photographer on the ice for example during a hockey game but you never know when that might start.) One thing you may or may not know about these “shooters” is when they are in a stadium, they are using a flash system that is located throughout that provides a burst of light to make their photos look awesome. If you take a photo at the same time, yours will look like a bad snowstorm. It's fully electronic and to use it costs about $150,000 for the entire season. Their advantage, your loss.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
That's Entertainment.
Going to sporting events have always been enjoyable---and they have come a long way in the area of entertainment. Never do I recall in all of the St. Louis Blues hockey games I attended of seeing scantily clad women skating on the ice shoveling up ice and other items littering the ice. I also don't remember seeing mascots on the field, court or in the stands. Now every team has them.
I am waiting to see someone lean over the edge trying to get a t-shirt or some item and have them fall over the railing. I don't want them to get hurt, I want to capture it through my Nikon. I know it has happened, but not at a game I have attended. The best one I saw was when I was at a Dallas Cowboy's game many years ago and a man in the stands (who was in a costume) caught on fire when he bumped into a vendor who was carrying a Sterno to keep the food warm. It was on national TV because it was a play off game so when I told people I was there a lot of people told me they saw it. I felt special having been there.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The greenback.
The dollar has always been something I have enjoyed having in my pocket. I am not sure if I have ever had one larger than a $100.00 bill, but I do know that a dollar certainly does not have the same purchasing power as it once did.
Friday, December 18, 2009
News Flash: It’s not the ball.
If you have followed sports, you know there are a lot of superstitions in every game; everything from wearing the same t-shirt, to picking up a handful of dirt before stepping up to the plate, to bouncing the ball 6 times, twirling it in your hands and then bouncing it one more time. Professional athletes believe these rituals help their game and they do it religiously. Just watch.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Balance.
When you are growing up and take your first steps, parents will say, “He or she has really good balance.” From there it takes off in many different directions. It might be the ability to balance your checking account or perhaps being described as way off balance and/or simply keeping your life in balance; this one word takes on so many different meanings as we grow older, yet in the end it gets back to the first tiny steps we took when we were around 9 months old. Life is a balancing act.
In the end, isn’t that what life is all about? You take those first few steps to look at life from a different perspective, all the while making sure you keep it all in balance.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Fashionate.
When it comes to being an expert in fashion, I fall way short of knowing anything more than what I like to wear. In the summer, it’s shorts and a t-shirt; in the fall, it’s shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt or sweatshirt, and only in winter do I break the “shorts” pattern by wearing a sweater and pants (or as I call them, “slacks”). If you have yet to figure it out, I go for comfort and have been criticized for dressing down when I should have been dressing up.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Open Wide.
When I was growing up and bit into something or used my teeth to open a package, my Mom would say, “That’s bad for your teeth.” I guess that and “you’re going to break your neck” were probably two of the comments I remember most about those formative years. Unfortunately her teeth comment stuck because it’s something I say to my kids when they use their teeth for multi-functional uses.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thanks Mom Nature.
Sometimes a photo just takes your breath away. Hopefully not literally, that’s an expression. What I love about photography is when you come across a scene, or a moment , when you are just totally blown away with what’s in front of you. When the colors are actually hard to look at because they are so striking and so intense.
I usually experience this feeling at the beginning or the end of the day when the lighting tends to be much better. Here’s a secret for you. Taking pictures in the middle of the day are almost a sure fire to have them come out bad. (Now you can thank me when you pick up your photos from Walgreen’s and you have not taken them at noon.)
Sunday, December 13, 2009
The jockey and his buddy.
In a recent Snap Shot I wrote about greyhounds; but the truth of the matter is as far as racing, I prefer horses. (Since I have not been to a greyhound race track, perhaps I would enjoy that just as much...but that's a guess.)
Saturday, December 12, 2009
A special thanks to Alfred, Annie, Ansel and Mathew
Friday, December 11, 2009
The shot.
There are also some photos that are not the sure fire must haves. It might be a tragic situation, a couple who has just had a big fight, or the loss of the most important football game. (Your favorite team of course.) Whatever the situation, pain is not something that’s easy to take a photo of, especially if you know someone is watching. But sometimes these are even more important than the memorable ones of the dog, couple or child---it’s all about capturing a memory.
One of my favorite shots I have ever taken was when my youngest daughter was born. My wife would kill me if I put it on Snap Shot, but let me describe it for you. It’s a picture of my daughter coming into this world; I love it for many reasons, but probably the most important reason of all is because I had never taken a picture like this before---nor do I plan to ever again. There is something about the first moment of life. Pretty cool huh? Since this first picture of her was taken, she has been forced to smile, look at me, smile again, turn her body toward me/away from me and do it all over again for the camera. I do enjoy taking pictures of my children--they don’t always like it, but hey, too bad, I am their Dad and photographer. (Yet when it’s my wife taking the pictures they accommodate.)
This holiday season is going to be one where we will have family to our home. Some have never been to our home, and some are back for a return visit. I can assure you the cameras will be clicking for the entire time they are in town. During previous holidays we have captured the sparkle of the season inside, outside and in various locations around Chicago---it’s a great time to go for the shot.
The photo above is of my youngest daughter; no this is not when she was born, it was when she became a human canvas. Her sister decided it was a good idea to get her to enjoy one of her favorite hobbies at one point---painting. We all have captured memories on our film and digital cameras---if you have a camera, and time this weekend, go out and take some pictures, you just might capture that shot of your lifetime.
Thanks for stopping by.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The light at the end of the tunnel.
This has been a rough year for American’s and people around the globe. Besides saying “Duh” I think we need to be noting that there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s still dim and somewhat distant, but if you think back to where we were a year ago, it’s as bright as the sun. Okay, well maybe a 60-watt light bulb.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Howdy.
This is the time of the year when people tend to be friendlier. Maybe it’s the holiday season, the anticipation of receiving and giving gifts, or perhaps the break that’s on the horizon to spend (hopefully) with family and friends.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Head West.
If you have had the chance to visit San Francisco, you know it’s a beautiful city. Throughout my adult years I have spent quite a bit of time there and in Northern California. Fortunately I have not been there for any “surprise” wake up calls in the middle of the night when the room shakes, however I have been there a time or two when the bed is spinning. That’s a different story.
Monday, December 7, 2009
When you are told it’s over.
Yesterday I went to a Border’s location and when I walked in the door there were 7 dogs inside the store. These were not working dogs, they were greyhounds.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Time Out.
I have been on both sides of a time out; I have been the receiver and the mean parent. What always amazes me are the amount of tears and pleading on behalf of the receiver (aka kids) and how the mean parent wishes they were the ones being told to take a time out. It ranks right up there with my being told it's time for me to go to bed---I would be more than happy to follow these instructions.