The Creative Process

I'm currently enrolled in a photography class through the Photo School of the Upstate instructed by the renowned Richard Bernabe. The lectures have been informative and the discussions with everyone have helped me gain better vision as a photographer.

I haven't been posting as many pictures lately because I've been busy applying to graduate schools, studying, and doing some campaign work. However, I've also been convicted of the fact that many times I simply take pretty pictures that are emotionally sterile. I desire to produce images that evoke an emotional response. This will rarely occur if the image sparks nothing inside of me when I am taking it. I need to ask questions such as "Why do I want to photograph this?" or "What emotion is this scene eliciting from me and what ultimately do I want to communicate here?" I need to let the right side of my brain do more work.

These thoughts and quotes arise from Richard's article here where he expounds upon many of these concepts.

Excelsior

I've always loved this statue in Conyers, and when I drove by one evening over break I saw it had been decorated for Christmas. The boys, covered in ice and climbing ever higher, reminded me of a poem by Longfellow.

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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - Excelsior

The shades of night were falling fast,
As through an Alpine village passed
A youth, who bore, 'mid snow and ice,
A banner with the strange device,
Excelsior!

His brow was sad; his eye beneath,
Flashed like a falchion from its sheath,
And like a silver clarion rung
The accents of that unknown tongue,
Excelsior!

In happy homes he saw the light
Of household fires gleam warm and bright;
Above, the spectral glaciers shone,
And from his lips escaped a groan,
Excelsior!

"Try not the Pass!" the old man said:
"Dark lowers the tempest overhead,
The roaring torrent is deep and wide!
And loud that clarion voice replied,
Excelsior!

"Oh stay," the maiden said, "and rest
Thy weary head upon this breast!"
A tear stood in his bright blue eye,
But still he answered, with a sigh,
Excelsior!

"Beware the pine-tree's withered branch!
Beware the awful avalanche!"
This was the peasant's last Good-night,
A voice replied, far up the height,
Excelsior!

At break of day, as heavenward
The pious monks of Saint Bernard
Uttered the oft-repeated prayer,
A voice cried through the startled air,
Excelsior!

A traveller, by the faithful hound,
Half-buried in the snow was found,
Still grasping in his hand of ice
That banner with the strange device,
Excelsior!

There in the twilight cold and gray,
Lifeless, but beautiful, he lay,
And from the sky, serene and far,
A voice fell, like a falling star,
Excelsior!

Engaged

While at home in Conyers this Christmas I had the amazing opportunity to photograph my brother Will and his fiance Farley. They were the first couple I have photographed and they were such a joy to work with.

I'd love some feedback from friends, family, and others reading my blog regarding my first attempt at engagement photos.

Click the photo below to see their gallery

One semester remains

You may remember some of my first attempts at HDR that I did at Washington and Lee. While those were done from a single RAW file, the photographs below are my first attempts at true HDR photography.

Moonset



A different angle of my favorite scene on campus looking from the library to the Chapel.
Chapel Sunrise



Belltower Moon

I am Second

I just completed a research project looking at Web 2.o for political purposes, but until now I had never given much thought about Web 2.0 for the church.

I come in contact with hundreds of websites daily, but every once in a while one really stands out. If possible, take a few minutes during lunch and check out some of the videos from the site below.

http://www.iamsecond.com/

During exams and the busyness of this season, I must always remember I am Second.

Traditions Pt. 1

After a great Thanksgiving with my family I began to get ready for my next holiday tradition. Black Friday shopping. Most people cringe thinking of this day, but since I could drive I have gotten up early and have always found some deals. If you know me well, then you already know I'm thrifty and always looking for a way to save or make a dollar - creating a perfect fit between myself and this consumer holiday.

The picture to the right is at 5:30AM or so and the line had already wrapped around the building. This is typical, and it sure beats the line at Best Buy which usually starts about 5:30PM on Thanksgiving day.

It is not too exciting to shop alone, so for the past few years some of my best friends have joined me and we always have fun waiting in line together, making loud references to cheap laptops that don't exist, talking with others to see what they're buying, and enjoying the competitive atmosphere that ensues. We always conclude our day by heading over to Mamie's Kitchen.

You're probably wondering what items lead me to be in line so early. This year it was nothing too exciting just some blank dvds, thumb drives, dvds, etc. I also bought my first pair of cowboy-type boots. I really could have bought these items anytime, but spending these moments with my friends and experiencing an American phenomenon makes it worth the early morning alarm.

Rockmont

The photos below are from Camp Rockmont for Boys where I have worked two of my college summers. It was such a blessing to be able to lead and mentor young men in a Christian environment. If you haven't, please consider sending your child to camp as they grow up. It is a great opportunity for them to grow physically, socially, mentally, and spiritually.

Prayer Labyrinth