Rusty Tripod Photography

Sometimes Scrapbooking Makes Me Cry

2012-02-25T13:51:00.001-08:00

Scrapbooking has fallen by the wayside somewhat as digital programs and labs allow people to create bound books of their photographic memories. Some websites encourage individuals to create albums and written histories.

Anna made me a genealogy book online using copies of family photos and snaps that my 96 year old aunt has kept over the years. And I made one for our children using scanned images from both sides of our families.

Whether I choose to scrapbook by the traditional means or drag images in easy to use templates available on the internet, I am touched.

I have many photographs of my three year old granddaughter because I have been around her since her birth. She was the first grandchild, whom I could photograph with determination. When I sit down to scrapbook those images, I shed a few tears.

Scrapbooks and albums take the changes in our lives and collate them into a tangible format. They document our history and openly provoke our emotions. It is rare that I can turn away from them without a Kleenex near.

Hot in Arizona

2011-08-06T08:07:00.000-07:00

This summer has been a hot one. That is normal for Arizona. Still it gets tiresome. If we grandparents are too old to run through sprinklers or soak in wading pools (that are way too small!), the grandchildren are not. And being two years old does not mean that the youngest one is too little to learn about water balloons. They are just another way to beat the heat.

Happy Birthday, Janie!

2011-07-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

Janie Rose Brooksby joined us on this earth two years ago today. Last night her grandparents and family got together to celebrate a little early. She did not mind. In fact, she did not seem to care much about all the fuss. She will accept a gift anytime.

As kids tend to do, she valued the bag that we brought her birthday purse in more than the purse itself. With the pink bag, she could carry all of her gifts around.

I liked this image of her listening to John read a small book that she had picked out for him. After all, she is her daddy's girl.

Playing with Collage on these posts

2011-06-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

A composite of shots from our trip to Texas. These were the main players. I just went along to document the experience.

Off the Road Again

2011-06-08T12:37:00.000-07:00

In March, when I went to New York, I mentioned that I hate taking touristy snapshots. They remind me of the old travel slideshows where the viewer sits there with little connection with the ever changing images on the screen.

A few days ago I returned from our Trip to Texas. My daughter and her family went along. I went as a sightseeing guide and resource on family history. I allowed myself to make snaps this time only because it is doubtful that those who accompanied me will ever return. Family members are passing on.

Capturing images of my grandchildren was akin to documenting a panicked mob running from nature's wrath. You get what you can get. (Traveling with children under the age of 12 was an unforgettable experience.)

Taking their pictures was a satisfying experience. Still, I returned home with the proverbial slide show. I dare not show it to anyone lest they give into the impulse to toss stones at the screen and me. So I will spare even you. However, here is one taken at the Petrified Forest when we were more at the end of our ropes than at the end of the road.

Transitions

2011-06-05T14:57:00.000-07:00

As a school teacher I always looked forward to May. It was a time of transition. School ended. Students moved on. And I got some rest.

As a retiree, I lack regular transitions. I have to experience them vicariously through others. It can be as satisfying.

Last night, Maya, my friend from the previous post, performed in her last production with Jeanne Wright's Dance Group. The program was a nice respite from the previous week of endless travel, and I enjoyed watching her perform. Perhaps, next year she will be in a new level as a dancer. In August she enters kindergarten.

Adam, my oldest grandson, just graduated from kindergarten. He is definitely ready for first grade. There is little likelihood that I would ever interest him in dance lessons. I will just look forward with him to the first day of classes in August.

It is nice to watch the changes others experience as regular time. Less stress on my part. Still, there is a little bit of envy and lots of celebration on my part.

Maya

2011-05-26T22:25:00.000-07:00

I have known Maya spiritually since before she was born. Her mother, her aunt and I taught at the same school when both of them were single and not related to each other. Maya, and her cousin, Lily, were just something that happened in the ten plus years that the three of us worked together. I am not related to any of them, just kind of "adopted".

Tuesday Maya turned 5. I was off shooting a wedding when she turned 4 last year so her mother wanted to make sure I took photos to commemorate this year's event. Even then, it was close because I am leaving town tomorrow.

We hurriedly drove to Freestone Park in Gilbert and I shot like the wind because Gloria wanted to attend the Commencement at Mesa High. (Some of our sixth graders graduated this year.)

Well, Maya is no model wannabe, but she is a great trooper. Dancing is an important part of her life right now. That meant two wardrobe changes. And although the shoot was about Maya, mother managed to sneak into a few poses. Maya photographed beautifully. Somehow, we ended up with a decent number of keepers.

Her mother will not be able to receive the proofs or final product until I return from Texas. Nevertheless, she can get a quick peek here.

I recommend that her Daddy start saving up for a nice, handy shotgun. It is going to come in in about ten more years.

A Documentary Travel Journal

2011-05-21T11:18:00.000-07:00

In a week or so I will accompany my daughter and her family to the area where I grew up in Texas. I do not get back there often. Funerals are usually the motivation so that the photos I grab are related to that event and snapshots of survivors.

This time I will be traveling with three grandchildren, ages 2, 4, and six. The drive is long. They may not handle it well. This may be the last time they ever make the trip since my elders won't be around much longer. So, I have decided to create a documentary travel journal. It will allow occasional breaks and let the grandchildren participate.

There will be the usual posed family shots. We will note tombstones at various cemeteries. (My family has left few other notable monuments to record or remember.) At my step-mother's farm, I hope to let the kids interact with the wild hogs, roaming deer, and ostriches at the nearby ranch. Perhaps, the fireflies will be out. (My own children slept through them 20 years ago.) Maybe we'll visit the Peter Pan memorial in Weatherford like we did in 1990.

There will be dinosaurs outside of Holbrook, AZ and the LDS temples in Lubbock, Tx., Albuquerque, N.M,and Snowflake, AZ. All of these things will be noted in the photo journal and photographed with the kids in front of them, but the highlight for me will be a visit to Ft. Sumner, N.M. After all, Billy the Kid is buried there. If now one else is impressed, then, they just take a picture of me standing by his grave. I will loan them the camera and they can put my picture in the journal.

Viewing a Photograph

2011-05-15T05:48:00.000-07:00

When someone hands us a photograph, it takes only an instant to respond or react. We can take a longer time ruminating over the image, but we make up our mind pretty darn fast.

We forget that a photograph is the capture of an instant in time on film or taken digitally. Sometimes the photo is pleasing. Sometimes it is not. Taken an instant before or an instant after, our reaction might be completely opposite of the one we are experiencing now.

The photographer can use composition, lighting, viewpoint, framing, shutter speed, and depth of field to affect the outcome. When he shoots landscapes, he has the most control. When he brings people into the scene things change. Even when he has the control of elements and poses in the studio, he cannot control a person's self-perception. Shooting people in situations outside the studio puts him at great risk of failure, rejection, and condemnation. There are so many variables that he cannot control. In the instant that the shutter clicks, maybe he will get lucky.

Keep these things in mind when you view a photograph. A moment before or after the click, you were probably beautiful.

Whether or not a photograph is taken outside or taken inside a studio, it is documentary. Posed, you look pretty good because of all that is disguised. Otherwise, you are stuck with awful truth, which may or may not be discomforting. That is how you looked in that instant.

Is Wedding Photography Over-priced?

2011-05-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

Personally, I think so. Many of the items connected to the wedding event are over-priced. (I also think my dental needs are over-priced).

After the wedding and reception are in the past two tangibles remain: the wedding dress (which one may never use or see again) and the photographs. A photographer often uses this to justify his price. They do become memories and relics that brides and families will cherish for years to come (unless there is a divorce). This fact adds value to the price one pays.

The price one pays may include a second or third photographer and/or a videographer in order for one to be able to see the many elements of an event that one misses while being the center of attention. The price also includes matters related to the photographer's gear, insurance, studio, transportation, life style, and, in some cases, child-support. The photographer is probably worth it.

Being cost conscious I look at things from a skewed viewpoint. If I pay $10,000 and only view the photos on my anniversary for the next ten years, the rate is $1000 a year. If I continue in the same fashion over the years, the rate goes down as long as the marriage lasts. If I view the images 1000 times, each viewing costs me $1. Less viewings than that raise my viewer's fee. If I divorce within 3 years, I may wish I had some of that money in my pocket for current expenses. (In my case, it was an annulment.)

Well, I am just ruminating, being rational in my cash-strapped stage of life. A bride can use whatever criteria she wishes for justifying the price she pays or the photographer she chooses. Price alone may not guarantee memorable images. I doubt that many brides realize that view these pictures in 20 or 30 years will change. Some may cringe when they look back and see how much they paid for photos that are now "dated" and somewhat embarrassing, especially if the images follow the current style instead of being "classic".

Since I will never be the bride, I do not have a real answer to the question.

Alice

2011-04-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

I have known Alice ten or twelve years now. She was the school librarian. We’ve laughed together and retired a year apart. We traveled to a conference together. We have sat and talked, joked and pontificated. We have come together over Happy Hour or a simple staff potluck. Hopefully, she has enjoyed me as much as I have enjoyed her.

This weekend she put her family in front of my camera. I had met Marty, her husband, and tried to imagine the look of them standing side by side because she is definitely short next to him. I felt comfortable when their children and grandchildren gathered at the Mesa Arts Center and let me aim my camera at them.

Any photographer likes an opportunity to take an extended family such as theirs. When a group is as friendly and flexible as this and there are grandchildren among the crowd, it is so easy to have a fun experience. I never walk away without having learned something new.

A New Career

2011-04-09T08:19:00.000-07:00

In June I retired from teaching. It was a second career. Event photography is becoming my third career.

A $15 35mm film camera was my high school graduation present. The photos it produced were beautiful and fulfilled my artistic urges. I loved capturing the events and experiences around me. The camera drowned in

Vietnam

in 1965.

I owned other cameras but did not shoot much. Film and developing were expensive. When I became a school teacher, I had more disposable income, so I sponsored a camera club for my 6^th grade students. Interacting with them, sharing their discoveries, and documenting our school and its events restored the thrill of taking pictures.

My Soldier Boy, on his second tour in Iraq, sent me a digital camera for Christmas. It lowered expenses and added immediate gratification. Motivation, excitement, and fulfillment increased as retirement neared. I could have the freedom to do something I really enjoyed.

Nearly a year into retiring, I am still an “amateur”. This will probably never be a primary source of income. I don’t mind. Amateurs can still earn money while having the freedom to grow. And it is wonderful to be able to meet the needs of the many people, whom I have known over my years in Mesa.

Wedding Photography is not new.

2011-04-07T07:58:00.000-07:00

At the Watertown, N.Y. library I discovered the book Weddings by Barbara Norfleet. Published in 1979 it contained wedding photos, an overview of weddings from the 1800's into the 1970's, and interviews with photographers who had been doing these kinds of shots over multiple generations. It addressed some of my misconceptions.

Weddings have been extravagant affairs for over 100 years. Brides wore white before Queen Victoria. Large numbers in the wedding parties were not unusual.

Pictures included detail and table shots. There were the bouquet toss and the garter toss.The move from studio cameras to "candid" cameras allowed "getting ready" shots.

Speed Graphic 4 by 5 cameras and the handy 35 mm camera led to relaxed, candid shots. If a family member, the bride, or the groom got caught with eyes closed or not facing the camera, oh, well. No Photoshop magic here.

Finally, the photographers interviewed bemoaned the fact that amateurs were threatening their careers since the new cameras were so easy to get and use.Their income was going down. Except for Photoshop and digital cameras, things have not changed much.

Tourist Trap 2

2011-04-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

Whenever I travel, I fear people putting the label "tourist" on the photographs I take. I want them to be better than that.

There was nothing to fear in Watertown, NY. It is a small town and had a few monuments and statues. There was lots of Victorian era architecture and a famous battleground somewhere nearby.

The architecture reminded me of movies. There was the "Psycho" house. One for "Pollyanna". Another screamed "Poe". Surely, "The Munsters" had their house here. There were more. We do not have houses like these in Mesa.

To assuage my fears, I appointed myself the role of National Geographic apprentice wantabe. At least I had an audience at home waiting to see my pictures: my friends and family. My pictures will tell them the story of the last three weeks in a small New York town. You can see more here if you want. I am still editing photos, so check back later.

Deployment photos.

2011-03-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

This was the second time that I attended Jacob's departure for foreign battlegrounds. I took my camera to record his goodbyes with Nikki, his wife. I tried to capture a little of the mood going on around him as so many of his men are going through the same experience.

You can see the photos here. These are the friends and families that we waited with and interacted with until the men were called into formation and marched away.

Jacob's Deployment to Afghanistan

2011-03-25T07:47:00.000-07:00

This is the fourth time we have watched Jacob leave to serve in foreign countries in a time of struggle. It is Nikki's third time in their marriage. At this point there is no panic in his leaving. There is sadness and apprehension but acceptance.

Jacob left with uneasiness. At yet he has not encountered trauma or assault. He knows that with each deployment, the odds of being fired upon or facing serious challenges increases. Experiencing the realities and damages of war are unavoidable. It is only a matter of time before it becomes personal. So he has concerns.

Our faith is strong and our prayers are sincere. I believe he will be okay.

No More Freebies!

2011-03-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

Lesson recently learned: When one does a free photo shoot for individuals, they feel a sense of entitlement instead of ownership. It is not costing them. They are not sacrificing. It is done for them, not with them. Critical comments and demands increase. Gratitude is only minimally expressed.

I do not mind being generous with skills and talents but the final product costs money. When individuals pay for services, they are owners and participants in the end result. In this position their respect for me increases. No more freebies.

Tourist Trap

2011-03-21T05:12:00.000-07:00

After the last blog a photographer friend expressed concern about my ideas and limitations on shooting when I travel. He is a good friend, so he was not being confrontational. I think, therefore I write. I have been thinking about our exchange. Time to write.

When I travel and take pictures, my images need to stand apart and be interesting. I already know that I can take a picture that is equal to any tourist shot. They can take tourist shots as well as I. However, by my standards, my pictures need to be noticeably different.. Also, if what everyone is shooting has been in National Geographic or is available on a post card, I probably will skip it unless there is something compelling. If I need to shoot the subject, I will challenge myself to make the picture mine and not a copy.

Here in Watertown I have not seen anyone else walking around with a camera. There are no tourists. Also, there are no postcards to buy to send home. I am home free. I get to make my own postcards. There is no competition.

Photography when I travel

2011-03-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

Right now I am in a different state and trying to find ways to use my camera. I can always take pictures. That is the easy part. However, I am not big on the old style tourist images made for slide shows. So I get stuck trying to figure out what I can photograph to create a nice image that won't get the touristy label.

This location is different from Arizona. The weather here is night compared to our perpetual day. Wet when we are dry. Lots of historical imagery is here while we plow ours under for modernization. The people are pretty much the same. I don't photograph the food and paste it on the web as some people do.

I can shoot buildings and churches, statues and all the things we do not have back there. But then, I become a tourist and not a "professional". What am I going to do? It is hard to decide.

I know there are people who want those shots of old buildings and historical landmarks. They want to see the oddities that we lack out west. They need the posed family shots. What do I need?

I need to feel challenged. To get around that, I give up the focus upon objects and subject matter. Since photography is about capturing light with patterns and contrast, that is what I look for. Maybe I will come away with one winner. Maybe one image will jump off the screen and demand to be printed. At least the camera will not be stored in the suitcase while I am out exploring.

Photographs and footprints

2011-03-08T18:22:00.000-08:00

Photography is a functional art. Some people do it as a hobby while others do it as a career. Some take pictures to document a reality while others shoot to document a fantasy. Parents do it so they won't forget the changes their children went through. Others do it to have memories of what they went through. Some do it to record what the world around them went through.

Photography documents an event, an era, a culture. It tells a story. It makes time stand still or takes us back in time. It gives us an opportunity to reflect on things overlooked or missed. It allows us to understand things we might have been too young to understand. It touches the inner emotions and memories and connects us to friends, family, and humanity.

I shoot pictures because I enjoy capturing individuals in their memorable moments. I strive to help people have their memories, their documentation, and their opportunities for understanding. It is wonderful to know that these images will ripen in meaning, value, and significance on the footprints of time.

War is Hell.

2011-03-07T08:35:00.000-08:00

I believe it has been four years since Jacob last deployed. That was his third trip to Iraq. Next week he will deploy to Afghanistan for the first time.

In a few days I will take the Greyhound to his station in New York. Again, I will capture the tearful goodbyes between him, his "Band of Brothers", and their wives as they go and serve their country. I am honored to do that.

Blue skies.

2011-02-21T08:08:00.000-08:00

This weekend was cold, wet, and grey. It kept us housebound. Since rain is so uncommon here, people do not know how to adjust their driving for puddles, flooding, and oil mixtures on the surface. Lots of crashes happen on rainy days. I stay off the road.

Late Sunday afternoon the clouds parted and there was light. The sky took on beautiful jewel-like shades of blue. Usually we have so much light out here that skies seem more white than blue. Gorgeous.

Future Bride

2011-02-13T17:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we went over the the LDS Temple. It is well landscaped and decorated with spring flowers. There are a couple of ponds. We took the grandchildren along to let them see things and play around a bit in the gardens.

If no one else is getting married, the Mormons are. Every Saturday couples get married in the Temple and then come outside to have pictures taken with their families. Since I do wedding photography, I like to hang out and observe how different photographers do their work.

Janie got to stay with me while Lorraine took the boys into the Visitor's Center. She climbed up and down the steps that serve as risers for so many pictures of couples and their extended families. We were not dressed like these groups, who were in their Sunday best, and people ignored us. I figured if anyone had said anything, I could just remind them that I was there to take pictures of my "bride". Of course, she is only 18 months, but I reckon I need to practice anyway.

Wedding Photography...What are you looking for?

2011-02-11T07:25:00.000-08:00

You are planning to wed within they year. Already you are looking for an affordable photographer to capture your day. What are you looking for? What do you expect? What will be your role before the camera?

Brides (and sometimes grooms) cover a broad range from laid back mellow to bridezilla self-defeating. What they want or expect from their photographer also has a broad range of potential. Some want a simple documentation of the experience. They stay out of the way, trusting that the photographer will capture the emotions and honesty of the day. Others prefer something more structured and formal, wanting more control over what the photographer produces. Some are actresses on a stage, acting out a childhood fairy tale or fantasy wedding, a complete production event with elements of honesty and innocence sneaking in around the edges. The final group wants the photographer to capture their relationship as a sextravaganza, almost a boudoir shoot with guests. (It is entirely possible that they style that you choose from these ideas will affect the price you pay for the images because of the manipulation and editing that may be required of the photographer.)

I shot a civil wedding on Saturday. The couple did not like the images. They were straightforward documentary. During the experience the couple was stiff and bored. Getting married did not seem to be their idea. I tried to make something meaningful out of the event, and I was pleased with my shots. They got their monies worth, but they did not like them. They realized too late that this was how they looked to the camera...and to their guests. Oops!

Brides and grooms do affect the final photographs. It does not matter which style you prefer, but your choices and expectations can affect the final product you receive or the price you pay. If you come away unhappy,you may need to consider the "role" you played in front of the camera, before you go after the photographer.

Wedding Registries

2011-02-08T09:27:00.000-08:00

Nearly all of our nieces, nephews, and and children are all married off, and it is too soon to deal with the grandchildren. Most of the wedding announcements we receive nowadays come from friends, co-workers, and church members. Many include a small card telling where they have made a list of things they could use.These a are called Bridal Registries or Wedding Registries. The most frequent ones we see includeTarget, WalMart, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. A few brides toss in Nordstrom's, but our neighborhood is a few steps beyond that side of the tracks.

Since everyone expects a gift nowadays and givers often fear the old jokes about receiving five toasters and three blenders, it can be a good thing to know what the couple needs. Not a bad idea.

Well, the wedding process is expensive by the time the caterer, venue, florist, wedding garb, limos, photos, honeymoon, etc. have all been figured in. When all is said and done, what tangibles will remain on the dawn of the next morning? A wedding dress and photos of the event. Of course, there will be the couple's booty which may actually include more than one toaster and more than one blender.

Here is an idea. See if the photographer will set up a registry so that guests can contribute toward your photo package and videos. Shooting the event is pricey. Settling on prints and albums afterwards is pricey, even in a package. Allotting money for this one item knocks more than a few dollars out of the budget. Perhaps, family and guests might just as easily contribute toward this one expense instead of trying to find something on a registry list after all the good stuff has already been taken. Think about it. Nickels and dimes add up.That could leave the couple a little more money in their budget to spend on their honeymoon or apply to their new living circumstances.

Shy People

2011-02-06T12:42:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, people are naturally shy. Sometimes, they just do not want to be the center of attention when it cannot be avoided.

Lorraine and I were married 33 years ago. I did not like being in the middle of it all, so I probably shut out a lot of memorable moments. No regrets. I smiled once in a while. The pictures people took bring back pleasant memories when we look at them.

A beautiful young couple got married in a civil ceremony on Saturday. Both were shy to the extreme. Expressions ranged from straight faces to abject boredom. Even the officiator had minimal success in generating relaxation or a smile. Laughter was minimal. Out of the 60 plus images that I culled from my photographic duties, only one had the hint of a smile.

I wonder what they will think when the get back the proofs? Will they have pleasant memories when they revisit the pictures as the years go by? Maybe, I should be glad they paid me up front.

Learning new things.

2011-01-31T08:26:00.000-08:00

This weekend I attended the AzPPA Convention in Phoenix.I enjoyed myself but it left me tired.

I was cynical about going. The event was better than I expected. There were good speakers and really entertaining ones. There was motivating instruction and just so-so instruction. I came away informed, encouraged, pensive, and challenged.

One undeniable observation was that individuals, professional or not, view photography, digital or film, through different filters. The attendees and judges of the print competition did not always see with the same eye. And when I watched the slide shows of various speakers, who had been introduced with resumes full of accolades, I was happy to see some of there "lesser" works included as well as the "show stoppers". I left believing I could equal some of their examples.

Time to get to work, I guess.

Event Photography

2011-01-17T13:46:00.000-08:00

Today's MLK parade.

I call myself an event photographer. That is, I prefer to shoot events. Events involve people, and I like the vitality that humans add to an image.

Event photography is a documentary process. It catches memories as they are being made.

Events are activities: celebrating, participating, observing. Someone receives an award. Someone does something stupid. Rituals and incomprehensible events occur: birth, marriage, death, pain, suffering. The job of the event photographer is to help you remember, even in the midst of trying to make sense of it all.

One does not have to be a professional to do event photography, although some people get paid to do it. People usually pay when they cannot do it themselves or they want a certain quality or kind of image. (Remember your wedding pictures or the time you wanted a photo so you would not forget the beauty of your child as a baby?)

So, nowadays, I photograph events: weddings, funerals, baptisms, quinceaños, even something as simple as a young couple sitting on the couch and holding their first child. My job is to capture the memories that you make.

Memento Mori or Remembering the dead.

2011-01-09T17:11:00.000-08:00

Funeral Pictures. Whenever I mention to people that I photograph funerals as one of my services, they respond with a grimace of uncertainty. I suppose people forget to acknowledge that a funeral is a dual event: a saying of goodbye to a loved one and the gathering of those who remain. Sometimes, the reunion is just the prelude for another one's leaving, so it becomes a record of family unity and change. A third validation is to photograph the ritual and memorial. Sometimes a burial is accompanied by pomp and honors, as it was for our Border Patrol veteran. In the old days, funeral photography included shots of the deceased, but now that is done only at the discretion of the family. It was common and referred to as "memento mori", or remembering the dead. Finally, sometimes a family just wants images to share with others who could not attend but want to participate in their own way.

Funeral imagery is not created to be gruesome or to cause nightmares but but to document a reality of man's existence. One does not have to shy away from it.

Things just are not the same anymore.

2011-01-03T14:22:00.000-08:00

Today's iPad, iPod, MTV, and wii generations have been cheated. I grew up in the era of Life and Look Magazines, National Geographic and the Saturday Evening Post. Their photographs and illustrations made me think and laugh, wonder and sometimes wince. I still use their images to decide whether or not a photograph I take is acceptable or not. They left lasting memories.

Last week I photographed the funeral of David Wright. He had only recently retired. His Border Patrol comrades honored his passing with respectful ritual and caring. I wanted my viewers to connect with the solemnity and respect at that event. Like it was in those old magazine images, there was a story to tell.

On Christmas day, I had the privilege of shooting Ken's family that has grown since he married Judy. It was a rare time when everyone was there. That circumstance demanded documentation and could tell a story.

Two major shots mattered: one of Ken and Judy and everybody else and one with only the grandparents and grandchildren. Those two experiences created mental and physical memories for all of us. It was events like these that sometimes ended up on the pages of Life.

Framing grandparents and grandchildren together is a challenge. Parents try to get their children into some kind of position (not pose) that won't embarrass them in the final print. It works or it doesn't. The attempt is sometimes more photogenic anyway, but you really cannot shoot those struggles. It would not be nice.

It was the "everybody" shots that brought back memories of those old magazines. There are pockets of where visual storytelling is taking place. Other groups look like something out of a Norman Rockwell cover for the Saturday Evening Post. His pictures, with their down home Americana and innocent whimsy, made me want to be an artist. The placement of some faces, interactions of bodies and individual expressions reflected what I saw in his paintings. They connected memories from fifty years ago to new ones that are only beginning to ferment in the mind.

Wedding Day

2010-12-28T06:53:00.000-08:00

Jason and Tracy may look married already in these pictures, but it is not so just yet. They will be married later this morning.

Mormon weddings inside the Arizona LDS Temple are considered sacred events and are never photographed. Pictures are taken outside before or after the event.

Since a lot of couples are being married and sealed today, the mother of the bride and I went to the temple to make some shots yesterday when stress and time would not be huge factors.

As a ritual, couples are photographed on the steps as they exit the temple. Behind them there is a revolving door which never seems to stop when the temple is open. The temple was closed so there were no interruptions. ( However, the temple grounds themselves looked like a large bridal show with so many other brides jockeying for prime backgrounds and taking advantage of the more placid environment.)

Today there will be daytime group shots after the ceremony. The light will be different, but that won't matter because the really will be married by then. Maybe Jason and Tracy will have different expressions relative to the solemnity, seriousness, and sacredness of the sealing and marriage vows. I wish them well as they settle in Tucson and continue with their college classes.

Family Shoot

2010-12-25T18:38:00.000-08:00

Christmas is not the "happiest...happiest season of all" so it is great when I get to participate in things that are "happy making".

I have often commented that the young children in our family make my day a really pleasant one. As I get older, I enjoy the wonder and innocence that the grandchildren and younger grand nieces and nephews bring whenever we gather together. It helps that I don't have to worry, like a parent, that their exasperating behavior suggests that I am not doing my job. I get to observe these little ones being their natural selves in ways that do not always demand a disciplinary reaction but definitely inspire joyous pondering and reflecting.

Today's shoot involved 17 of these guys. The oldest was a teenager, who is not old enough to drive, and the rest were less than 12 years old. The plan was large and small family group photos, so there was bound to be some variety of behaviors.There was, but it was all manageable and fun to watch.

No one knows when this family will all be together again. They do know, however, that there will be one more than was there today. For now, each one has a mental memory and will soon be able to view and to print physical proof of those experiences. As an event, it was a happy time for me. I have to say "Thank you!" to all of them for that.

It's just a photograph...isn't it?

2010-12-23T06:05:00.000-08:00

This weekend I will photograph a large family group. Then, it will be broken into individual family groups. Maybe there will be some "just the kids" shots. I am certain some of the participants will approach the shoot with the attitude that "it's just a photograph." Well, is it?

As a label, a photograph is what it is, but it is something more. It is an event. It is a memory. It is documentation of a family's legacy.

Individuals come and do what they have to do because it is their duty. They wear clean clothes, paste on a smile, and then walk away. It's finished. No thinking required. Well, I beg to differ.

This is documentation of your legacy. It is what has come into the world through you and everyone else in the shot. It is the result of frequent trials, challenges, birthdays, and both sad and happy moments. In it you are all survivors. All are winners. You are here. It won't always be this way.

After this you may lose a child, a parent, a grandparent, or a spouse. New members may enter in. The size and/or the dynamics of the group will change. Heights and ages will change. Smooth skin will wrinkle. Clothing and hairstyles? You know. It is only a moment in time.

If you are a nit picker about things other than the people, let it go. This is not what a family photograph is about. It is about the people.

After twenty-five or thirty years have passed, people will examine the faces and spirits of the participants. The viewer will wonder and imagine. They may react to the clothing or the setting, but they will be attempting to connect with this "memory". It will not be the same as now.

So if you are having your photograph taken, whether in a group or not, allow yourself to consider a bigger picture. It is a memory. It is a legacy. It is a moment in time. Nothing displayed will necessarily ever be the same again. Viewers will not look at it with a nit to pick. Stand comfortably, but relaxed; strong, but vulnerable; and confident, but not so vain. Give the future a memory to examine and ponder.

First haircut.

2010-12-21T09:39:00.000-08:00

Generally, the first haircut for a son or grandson is a big deal. It is a rite of passage. When the first haircut happens for a girl, who takes note?

Yesterday, Anna invited me along to get shots of Janie "getting her bangs trimmed". I had a camera handy so I did not mind. It was to be a small thing. However, the salon maven was not to let it remain such a simple event for long. It turned into a full-fledged haircut.

Well, Janie did not behave like a boy who screams with fear and indignation. No. She behaved like the little diva she is. For her it was a pampered non-event...like she had gone through this experience many times in her life. I was caught off guard and fascinated.

Of course, there were pangs of sadness to see her lengthening curls dropping at beautician's feet, but it was a rite of passage. Even girl's have them. This is one I had never thought about.

Is that a compliment?

2010-12-14T17:14:00.000-08:00

One goal that a serious photographer has is to capture a signature moment or something that clearly connects the subject with "his or her" reality. He tries to capture an individual's singular essence or a thread of their uniqueness. It still surprises me when I am successful.

When the subject is happy with the results, kind and complimentary words often follow.

Well, today I received a note from one of my clients. She writes: "That is the best picture I've seen of me since I've gotten so old." I reckon that is a compliment. I don't know when she got "so old", but I do know she has a couple of decades on me. I just felt the need to smile when I read it.

I take compliments when and where I can get them. Just don't expect me to post the picture. She is happy with it, so we will leave it to your imagination.

Progress.

2010-12-02T17:34:00.000-08:00

Lately The camera and the off-camera flash have seemed unwilling to speak to one another at the most inopportune moments. They refused to even respond to my remote control at all. On Thanksgiving day, the camera alone decided to throw a tantrum and would not to turn on and do its job.

Well, I have striven to be the patient photographer and to use soothing commands and encouragements. Today they have seemed to set aside their disagreements and agreed to help me out. What a relief! This shot is a breakthrough.

As a result, I dared my wife and son to sit down with me for a Christmas portrait to send to family members. Things worked out okay for a change. Of course, I cannot post the image until cards are mailed, but I am happy to see progress in any place I can find it.

Turkey Day

2010-11-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. I felt like the turkey. It is a wonder I am not in someone's roasting pit today.

I had a family photo shoot scheduled. It was a photographer's nightmare. Besides the positive outcome, a sharpening of my learning curve, the large numbers of catastrophes that befell me can only suggest that they may be only minor interruptions in the future. If something could go wrong, it did. I survived, bruised and broken but still one tough bird.

Interestingly enough, the curse continued this morning as I uploaded the images to Lightroom. Yet, I endured and I prevailed.

I took a couple of images yesterday that were acceptable to my tastes. The client tends to be a connoisseur but I only promised snapshots and no money changed hands, leaving me with some kind of a saved face.

Today I will will lubricate my bruised ego with chocolate and Starbuck's Christmas Blend, reaffirm that my gear really is in working condition, and move on. After all, if photography is a passion, it is also an addiction.

Lillian Grace

2010-11-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

Maybe I am just getting old. Maybe I am getting wise. It just may be that my granddaughter has turned me on to something. Anyway, I am beginning to notice and enjoy babies. They soften my heart.

Last night Steven and Elaine blessed their daughter Lillian Grace, who came along back in October. Elaine let me to attend and grab a few snaps of the event that included the extended family. (I have thoughts on extended families, but that is a different post.)

Well, Lily displayed the reality of her name and demonstrated great "Grace" throughout the proceedings. Despite being passed from one pair of hands to the next, she opened her quizzical eyes at various moments but did not let out a peep. She was totally sweet.

The event was joyous, fun, and peppered with much laughter. Some of you are familiar with Elaine's signature laugh so I found it quaint that there are echoes of that style in her mother-in-law's laughter. Laughter makes an environment as calming as sunshine in a beautiful garden or seeing rainbows break the tense ferocity of storm clouds.

I am grateful that I could linger an play paparazzi to this budding starlet.

Louise Hayes Strickland

2010-11-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

Mother died today. She was 87. I do not have any pictures to post at this time. It has been 19 1/2 years since I last saw her. It is a long and difficult story so I won't go into that. The last time I talked to her was after Daddy's funeral 6 years ago. They were divorced.

She was a talented and intelligent woman. Driven. Hard. Difficult. Really smart in some things. A good cook.

She is gone now. All conversations are ended. No bitterness or tense emotion on my part. I accepted her as she was. I pray she has found the peace that I have so long desired for her. I cannot give it, but I can pray that she finds it.

Veterans' Day Babysitting

2010-11-11T15:39:00.000-08:00

I had hoped to attend the parade today and to practice my camera skills. It was not to be. Babysitting! That is what grandparents get to do. I have no idea why Anna and John did not want to take their children to the festivities.

Being determined to get some photo practice, I did the best I could with the lot that fell my way. Adam seemed always to be out of reach of the camera, but he did not mean to. Joshua wanted to turn away from it. Fortunately, Janie was distracted by the flavor of her first, juicy pear.

Next year I will take her to the parade myself.

Efrain and Veronica

2010-10-27T15:50:00.000-07:00

It was a small civil marriage service in a small office. Two witnesses,one son, the officiator, and a photographer.

One was widowed, I do not know about the other. Maybe they both were. It does not matter. They had known each other for some time. He enticed her to come from Mexico to marry him and become a citizen. This was not one of "those" marriages of convenience. She was hesitant. He was encouraging.

Now Efrain and Veronica are one before God, man, and the state. She is here legally. Already she has a job. It does not pay much, but it is a beginning. She can work on her English and take the necessary steps toward full citizenship. I wish them well.

Anabel

2010-10-25T20:04:00.000-07:00

Anabel came to this country from Mexico more than ten years ago. She is an American citizen now.

We met when she became the aide in my fourth grade classroom. At that time her English was a little lower than that of my fourth graders. Time and a lot of self-determination have changed all of that.

In Mexico she was trained as a lawyer. When she left my classroom, she went to work for Rick Romley. Later she became a translator and progressed to a position of advising individuals who need help in satisfying requirements to become American citizens like herself.

She also performs civil weddings for those in need. Today I got to photograph one of the two that she performed in her "angelic' white robes. I will post images from that tomorrow. For now, I just want to acknowledge that people from the other side of the border can succeed if they set their mind to it and just stay the course.

2010-10-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we attended the funeral of Aunt Jayne in Snowflake. It finally allowed me to see the LDS Temple there. I had been drooling over images included in various wedding posts. My slobber was not unjustified. This is a singularly beautiful location and building. Great hilltop vistas, if you are a landscape painter. Autumn foliages, for those of us who seldom see it. Great atmosphere and setting for potential newlyweds. I look forward to the first opportunity to shoot a wedding there. Of course, you will have to pay for gas for the trip.

My philosophy.

2010-10-22T09:49:00.000-07:00

The picture I am attaching is a shot of one of my grandsons. It really has nothing to do with my interest in wedding and event photography. It is simply documentary.

When not shooting events, I practice. Some opportunities are easy. Others are not. The goal is to improve.

I prefer photos that are not posed. One can pose grandchildren sometimes. Mostly, one cannot. This is the problem one encounters in events and weddings. Sometimes, one can pose. Mostly, one cannot. Still, some posed shots are needed.

At events, I prefer to work under the label "photojournalism", which may simply be a big name for candid shots. My goal is to document the event to create a storytelling format. I have no great desire to format beautiful bridal magazine spreads, but that does not mean that some or all of the shots would not qualify for that realm. I just prefer to focus on a cohesive story of the event.

Yes, I do capture atmosphere and detail shots, but I see no reason to photograph everyone present or every element of the day because I am cognizant that, in the future, the couple will narrow their favorites to the more story-telling images. If a bride wants the other shots, they can be done. However, their relevance will fade with time except for those images that spike memories of a loved one who no longer remains after the passage of time. The bride and groom will help determine what is truly meaningful to them when we talk.

On Monday, I will shoot a civil ceremony. The venue will not be richly decorated and gaudy, but it will be functional. The wedding will be as honest and true as any wedding performed in a lavish church or at a country club. There will be fewer guests and fewer photos. Still, my responsibility will be to capture the event in a storytelling way. I will document it and give them shots that can emotionally and mentally return them to that event and time. I believe that this is my job rather than aiming to capture every intimate detail and person included in a highly priced event.

A fine young man.

2010-10-13T19:46:00.000-07:00

Jacob is one of the boys who is being homeschooled in Mesa. I get to tutor him when he hits some of the confusing areas.

He is an intelligent and independent young man who will, no doubt, be successful in the future. He was kind enough to allow me to perform a pseudo-senior shoot. After all, he is only a freshman. Thankfully, he was patient.

Brothers at Play.

2010-10-13T10:16:00.000-07:00

I do not get too many opportunities to shoot my grandson Adam. He is in kindergarten. Yesterday I stopped by to visit because I did not need to babysit. The two brothers played quietly on the window shelf while I entertained Janie. I was pleased with this image.

Making myself grow with the camera.

2010-10-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

We had a model shoot in Phoenix yesterday. The models were not the typical type that one encounters in such circumstances. That was okay because these guys turned out just fine.

This young lady was one of older options and was being posed by Dan Coogan in this spot.

I grabbed a shot while he was setting up his equipment.

Guys like me participate in the shoots for different reasons and needs. Poses are important. So are so many other elements that show up in a picture that will be viewed and often criticized by another individual. Dan made a comment about "stealing" his pose, but Dan is so many light years ahead of me in his skills that such a boast is inconsequential. I was focused on getting a satisfactory exposure. (Shooting always seemed so much easier when we were using film.) I try to develop too many aspects of exposure at one time.

When all was said and done, I hoped to be satisfied with a handful of decent shots. After all, I took more than 100. It turned out that my ratio was higher than expected. Most still took too long in Lightroom editing. Even then, I saw other things to be worried about besides exposure.

Since I like the feeling I get whenever I tackle and overcome challenges, I reckon there will be more opportunities for me to experience those "Way to go!" and those "Were you shooting with both eyes closed?" moments.

Proud to be an American

2010-10-08T16:55:00.000-07:00

They played Lee Greenburg's "Proud to be an American" when a whole bunch of people were sworn in as new citizens today. Among these was Sergio, whom I met because he was studying for the citizenship exam. He was handed over to me for the final fine tuning. When he took the test in early September, he passed. Today he took the oath that gave him new freedoms. I am proud of Sergio and his willingness to support the country that strengthens and empowers him.

Elaine and Steven

2010-09-29T16:17:00.000-07:00

I have known Elaine eleven years now. When we met she was single She stayed that way a long time even after she met Steven. About 5 years ago, they got married.

It seemed there would never be children. There were reasons that were not related to choices. But of course, miracles do happen and when you look at Elaine, it shows. She is big.

Monday their blessing enters this world. Her name is Lily, and as lilies before God are, she, too, will be a beauty. These will be proud parents.

I am real lucky to have a connection with Elaine and Steve and look forward to seeing the offspring of their commitment to one another.

Joshua

2010-09-19T17:40:00.001-07:00

Joshua is the quietest of the three grandchildren. His shy but very smart. On Tuesdays I stay with him while his mother takes Adam to kindergarten. On this day, Janie was asleep so that I was able to grab a few shots of him.

His job when I am there is to put the keys into my car and help close the door so his Mother can drive away. He does the same thing when I leave.

I do not get to photograph him as much as I would like.

Gilbert Riparian Preserve.

2010-09-19T10:07:00.002-07:00

Yesterday our members of Arizona Wonders on Flickr had a small meetup at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve. Since I prefer to shoot events and people, this is not a favorite location. I went along anyway because we do for friends what we will not always do for ourselves.

I filled my time taking shots that would improve my exposure skills. In the process I did grab a couple of "people from behind" shots. That was the positive note in an experience that has left me tired.

2010-09-19T10:07:00.001-07:00

Baby Shower

2010-09-10T18:41:00.000-07:00

Elaine became a co-worker 11 years ago.
She was single then, and younger than 30. Time passed and she married. Even more time passed and she finally became "with child". It shows.

Today her co-workers and friends honored her with a baby shower, the kind of thing guys normally skip. I went because we developed a special relationship over the years and because I could play around with my camera. Who can say when this will happen again for her.

I am happy for the change in her life. As a parent and grandparent, I recognize that she has only a vague idea of how intensely her personal life and former "couplehood" will be impacted next month. It does not matter. She will wonder how she ever really lived and loved before.

Film

2010-09-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

I took the Pentax K1000 out of the trunk of the car a couple of days ago and finished off the roll of film. The camera had been in there since Spring Break in March when Carl and I made a photo trip to Florence, Az.

The film in the camera as already expired when I loaded it. After the long months in the heat, it took on a green cast. A little work in Lightroom softened that stain. Of course a color tint does not affect composition so there were a few shots I was pleased with. This was one. Color was not as important as the abstraction and movement. Sometimes there is beauty in urban decay. You can see more at the Flickr link on the right.

Life's Special Moments

2010-09-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

I picked up the free copy of the Mesa Republic insert today as I do whenever I encounter it. On their "Special Moments" page I found the story of a couple whom I have known over the last 8 years or so. The accompanying story announces their 65th wedding anniversary. Congratulations, Thomas and Evelyn!

They were married less than a month before I was born. The war in the Pacific had not ended by that date in 1945. He returned to Indiana to marry his bride.

I love wedding pictures from that era. The groom stands stoic and sober-faced in his Navy uniform. Beside him the bride stands shy and innocent in a formal wedding dress and veil. These many years later this couple is charming and cheerful. Clearly, marriage was meaningful. Many wedding images from this time period show the same iconography. A similar, memorable photo of my in-laws sits in a prominent spot in our house.

One of my joys in life is photography. My focus is event photography. I like to shoot activities containing people living life's moments. Wedding photography is a favorite.

Wedding photography has not changed all that much over the years except that quality of innocence seen back then seems rare. Sixty-five years ago so much was expressed by the wedding act itself. Weddings were held in various venues because of the restraints of time, money, and rationing. Bridal gear was often simple and practical; a hand made dress or a suit could function in other circumstances. The rite of marriage, whether civil or religious, was the focus. The observers came to endorse and support the newly married couple.

Formal pictures (as well as others) of the bride and groom taken nowadays have a different look. My job as a photographer is to document the love expressed between the couple through looks, gestures, and even chemistry. This is more important than the singular stoic pose of the past.

Today's wedding ceremonies remain reserved and solemn in most cases, but receptions are often vibrant, alive, and joyful. The task is to capture the spontaneity and excitement along with varied details. Guests come to celebrate and have a good time. Photographs are intended to capture the excitement and happiness. The photographer gets to be a storyteller.

Sixty-five years ago, photography acknowledged a singular and significant event in the lives of the couple. Today's photography tells a bigger story. The focus is still love, romance, happiness, and fulfillment. So much of what existed between a couple back then was implied and simply allowed exist with privacy. Nowadays it wide open for all to see. When today's couples look back at their wedding images, I wonder was descriptive word the next generation will assign to their mementos of that day.

Another Shot of Zeph.

2010-08-28T14:44:00.000-07:00

I have mentioned that I am tutoring Zeph, who is being home schooled. I see him most days of the week.

He knows I do photography and had been anxious to have some shots, so I agreed to take him out after lessons were done. The venue that I had planned to use vaporized. I decided to take him over to the LDS temple on Main Street in the 100+ degree weather simply because there would be shade there.

Photographers try to capture their clients in poses and expressions that are innate rather than typical. We want them to let their hair down and expose themselves truthfully to the viewer. That was my goal for Zeph.

As we walked on to the site, Zeph told me that he had been ordained a deacon and that he would soon come back to perform church ordinances. This was news to me. It gave me a different way to see him and orchestrate some of the poses.

Zeph and his younger brother are both consummate hams. The photo shoot started out that way because I let him set the tone. I see him that way every day. And I was not getting shots that I really liked. Finally, he began to wilt in the heat and mellowed out just a bit, letting me direct him on the sly. This was one of the six that I selected as being memorable. His eyes lock onto the viewer and expose his playful spirit and his vulnerability.

Later he invited me to attend the church Road Show where he will be back to being the center of attention on a stage.

Shooting in the Sun.

2010-08-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

I took one of the students whom I tutor out to practice a few shots. The goal was to apply what I am learning about off camera flash. Unfortunately, the camera developed a mind of its own, refusing to allow me to work this way. Here, I needed to pop out my reflector (to throw a bit more light on his shadowed face), but it was back in the trunk of the car. By this point he was beginning to melt anyway. The background is cluttered, but I like the look that it captured.

Almost a year has gone by.

2010-08-14T09:40:00.001-07:00

Nearly a year has gone by since Tyler and Samantha married in the Orlando Temple. She continues on her postgraduate degree. Tyler continues in the Navy and is hoping for a land assignment so that they can be closer and spend more time together.

A year ago, Janie Rose Brooksby was born. This year Adam entered his first year of the school experience. I retired from teaching. Jacob is preparing to transfer to northern New York in the army. Nikki had her food tube removed after surgeries that were finally successful.

I am pursuing my goal as an event photography. Including Tyler's wedding, I have four wedding shoots and one quinceaño behind me. Right now the process is slow, but I am practicing and progressing in making my brand with Rusty Tripod's Simple Memories and the focus on basic wedding photography. My target is the bride who wants the day recorded with limited fees and frills. I am encouraged and confident. I hope you are equally blessed.

Meet the Teacher Day

2010-08-11T18:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Meet the Teacher day for Adam, who entered kindergarten today. Anna took him and left me home to babysit the brother and sister, Joshua and Janie. I tried to capture the two with my Canon 7D, but it was a challenge for two animated youngsters. Below is a shot that pleased be. It captured Janie's big blue eyes.

Janie Rose Brooksby is one year old today. 7-25

2010-07-26T08:37:00.000-07:00

Sunday was Janie Rose's first birthday. Normally, this would call for a big celebration at home, but the air-conditioning went out this weekend turning the place into an oven. Mom opted to delay the party until after the repair man does his work. So, Janie Rose and her family hung out with Grandma, Grandpa and uncle for most of Sunday afternoon.

Janie does not walk by herself yet, but she is determined to be ready when that time comes. She had Grandma and Grandpa holding her hand as she jogged circles between the living room and the kitchen. When I finally broke away, I grabbed the camera in several futile attempts to record the event. This was the best although I had to crop Grandma out so we could get a good look at the girl.

Future star?

2010-07-04T06:38:00.000-07:00

Spent the day with an old friend yesterday. She has three adopted grandsons who live with her. Two of the boys are pursuing careers in the acting community. The youngest leaves today to confront the Hollywood experience. I wish him well.

New Jersey and Retired

2010-06-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

I have finally retired from teaching. On the last official work day I was in New Jersey photographing a wedding for the cousin of my daughter-in-law Nikki. Here is an example.

If you would like to see more: http://rustytripod.smugmug.com/

I definitely enjoyed the weather, the food, and the people in New Jersey. Returning was not an easy thing to do, but I had not choice since I had to clean 16 years worth o teaching materials from my classroom.

The classroom is empty now but our spare bedroom is a mess. Slowly, I am making progress.

Now, if I could just schedule another wedding shoot.....

Ross's Wedding

2010-05-23T20:23:00.000-07:00

I shot at another wedding this weekend. As a guest, the best I could do was perform as an "Uncle Bob". The venue photographer put us into the bar while she did the group shots. I missed out on those.

No one moved around to photograph the wedding ceremony. I politely remained in my seat and did the best I could from that viewpoint. It was a late Arizona afternoon with harsh light.

Overly warm colors ruled the dining area. My white balance was all over the place. It was my first attempt with the Canon 580 EX. Challenging.

After processing the images, I was greatly disappointed in the work. Too many shots seem the same as other events. (I guess I have my own style...boring.) Still, there is plenty of room to grow. I can only hope things go better when I assist at the wedding in New Jersey next week.

Wedding Shoot

2010-05-02T18:10:00.000-07:00

I hope to shoot more weddings when I retire. Slowly, I am beginning to recognize how hard it is to work alone.

I photographed a beautiful couple yesterday. They had far more energy than I.

Two more shoots are coming up in the near future. Certainly, I need more practice and more stamina. Retiring from the day job is bound to help that somewhat.

Lorraine's birthday

2010-03-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

Lorraine is a senior citizen just shy of Medicare and Social Security. Today is her birthday. Yesterday, Anna and John took us to the Phoenix Zoo for their gift. Of course, it is a two edged sword, have fun and babysit at the same time. Nevertheless, Lorraine and I left with some beautiful photographs of the grandchildren.

I don't care much for the zoo, but the grandchildren are a different thing altogether.

Spring Break

2010-03-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

Nowadays, we do not travel much. When we do, we seldom go south. Lorraine agreed to go to San Xavier del Bac and Bisbee because she did not want me to spend the money to fly to San Diego for a couple of days. (Tightwad!)

Initially, the plan was to spend the night in Sierra Vista in order to allow enough time to see Bisbee. However, Bisbee is more interesting if you have money to spend. We did not have it, and there was nothing we needed anyway. We just found it easier to drive home and end our 15 hour day in our own beds.

If I had gone alone, I certainly could have knocked around all of the places with my camera a little longer. Instead, I was rushed and ended up not real pleased with my results. Nevertheless, getting out of town for a few hours and working myself to exhaustion in the process were satisfying.

Janie Rose Brooksby

2010-03-01T05:01:00.003-08:00

I have not been taking many pictures lately. Work has been challenging. Life has been limited.

Nevertheless, we do get to babysit Janie Rose and her brothers. She was resting on her mother's lap as I framed this shot. It is not great, but that does not matter. She remains my adorable granddaughter, who is growing and changing quickly.

SmugMug Website

2009-12-30T18:46:00.000-08:00

I have opened a page on SmugMug to allow viewers to see recent photo shoots and purchase prints.

The link is http://rustytripod.smugmug.com.

As I enter retirement from the teaching profession, it is my goal to develop my photographic skills and make them available to those who have a need to capture the "Simple Memories" in their lives. Images will be a bit more laid back with candids, some photojournalistic styled shots, and the occasional or needed posed images. Memories arise from looking at photographs that capture with simplicity and honesty the environment and emotion that prompted firing the shutter.

As an example, I am posting a picture of a grand-nephew taken as he mugged while he decorated his grandparents Christmas tree. It is a simple and poignant image whose innocence tugs at my memories of that fun night.

Christmas Lights

2009-12-19T08:14:00.001-08:00

I finally made it over to the temple to photograph the lights. After shooting many, many pictures, I decided that only five were worth saving.

Qunceañera

2009-12-17T03:02:00.000-08:00

Finally got to attend and shoot a quinceañera. The celebrant was a former student at our school. Held outdoors on a cold December night, it was a wonderful experience. The "reina" was beautiful in many ways.

Nearly three months old.

2009-10-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

Anna let me come over and take some shots of Janie Rose in her christening dress now that she is a bit older. I am not terribly pleased with the results, but I learned from the experience.

Winding Down

2009-09-15T05:37:00.000-07:00

Tyler's wedding and receptions are now finished. The honeymoon is over and Tyler is headed back to sea as Samantha returns to her post-graduate program.

Janie Rose Brooksby has been born and blessed. She is beginning to keep her eyes open and wriggle around more. When she gets loud, one hopes to find a way to calm her down.

The school year is in progress...at least a work in progress. Much needs to be done. Fortunately, the first quarter is almost over.

Jacob soon will be settled near Nikki in Fort Dix, New Jersey and remain for a year.

And Fall is finally upon us. The evenings are becoming comfortable. Unfortunately, I am usually too tired to enjoy the tranquility of the changes.

Tyler and Sam's Wedding

2009-08-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

Tyler married Samantha Wilcox Friday at the Orlando LDS Temple. It was a sunny, warm, muggy, dry yourself with a towel if you stay outside too long kind of a day. We had a good time in spite of the daunting schedule affected by the three hour difference from our usual Arizona time.

Janie Rose Brooksby

2009-07-26T19:18:00.000-07:00

After seeing the doctor Friday, Anna made an appointment to have the baby rotated from the breech position on Monday if things had not changed by then. However, she felt the labor begin on Saturday morning and went to the hospital. The doctor and nurses manipulated that unborn child from the outside and finally got it into position. The labor continued, but not dramatically with the staff vacillating on whether or not to send Anna home to wait out the process. Shortly after I left, they gave Anna medication to move the labor along. Janie Rose Brooksby emerged at 5:42 p.m. on July 25. Our first granddaughter.

Babysitting

2009-07-23T13:11:00.001-07:00

Anna had an appointment for an ultrasound to check the new baby. Thus, we got to take care of Adam and Joshua. The "swords" they brought with them needed a little "tweaking" with duct tape to make them safe. This gave me a little practice with the digital camera.

2nd Annual Scott Kelby Photo Walk in Phoenix

2009-07-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

This was my second year of participation. Last week the focus was Tempe. This year we started out at the Roosevelt port for the light rail then worked our way downtown where we convened for lunch and sharing at Alice Cooper'stown restaurant.

The heat was daunting. The food was delicious. Sharing time with friends and other photographers was refreshing.

After loading images I was not impressed with my shots because I recognized that I had not used my camera to its full potential. I will try to do better next year.

Cats

2009-07-15T07:09:00.000-07:00

The city wants to restore this train and has surrounded it with bars and fences, reminiscent of a jail. Posted are signs saying "Do not climb the fence" and "Stay off of the train". Cats don't listen.

Cats have been in our lives for a long time. Currently, we own three. Three others wer killed.

I get tired of them. The oldest, Salt, is quite smart and conniving. ZsaZsa is independent, but sweet. Greyscale, is a pain in the .... because he is lazy an opportunistic.

The neighbors used to blame our cats for the reproductivity of their cat. However, two of ours are females and the male has no interest in sex.(I guess he has been fixed. The girls did go under the knife.) Still, the neighbor cat keeps having kittens.

Friendly cats and kittens are enchanting and tempting. Nevertheless, I am learning to leave well enough alone. I am ready to travel without finding a cat sitter. I treat cats like grandchildren. I will pet them as long as they are able to go home with someone else.

Practice, practice, practice!

2009-06-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at the Solomon Ward in Mesa, AZ. a few of us got to practice taking posed family shots.

The ward held a chili cook-off with families invited to participate in a free photo shoot. Two gals, Emily and Terri, did the brunt of the work, but I got a few shots off.

Emily's dad brought in some umbrella strobes that provided supplemental help with our strobes to overrule the ghastly fluorescent light in the cultural hall. The gal in charge arranged for western props, and we used quilts as a backdrop. I was quite happy with the outcomes although I did not get any "poppers" among my shots.

Here is one I was comfortable with:

Retire Maybe

2009-06-13T17:45:00.000-07:00

If I can hold on, retirement will be a possibility next June. Not guaranteed, just a possibility.

First I have to survive the start of a new school year. This year we return in August instead of July. Well, a new grandchild is due in early August. SoldierBoy is due back from his third event in Iraq in mid-August. Then SailorBoy is saying his "I do's" in late August in Orlando, Fl. . Somehow, I am supposed to be teaching during all of this. One blessing from all of this will be that the 6 of us in our family will finally be together in one place for the first time in four or five years. Hooray for that promise!

Then, I face the task of enduring 45 long weeks with fifth and sixth grade students who have minimal to moderate interest in school.

At least I will have all of this time to prepare myself for the time when retirement is a reality and in which I hope to travel and do some photography before I go officially senile.

Sept. 21 I cannot wait to retire!

2008-09-21T19:08:00.000-07:00

Five classroom days remaining before a chance to catch my breath and reconstruct my mind, body, and (maybe) soul. I thank God for these two week breaks. If I were alcoholic a long binge would be in order.

Theoretically, I have recovered from my trip to Colorado. I stay tired anyway. Between the heat and the students, I feel a melted super hero.

Fortunately, I face the adventure of sailing with Sailor Boy on his frigate from Cape Canaveral to Orlando. It will not be a long cruise, but it won't be Mesa, AZ. either! Afterwards, I will spend 5 days exploring that little spot of escape from reality. (If only I could afford to miss the plane that is committed to bringing me back.

For now, my task is to keep the chin out and the smile forced as I finish up this semester that definitely brings me closer to the end of this school year.

Jacob has deployed to Iraq for third tour.

2008-09-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

I got back from Colorado Springs, Co. on Saturday after 5 hectic days helping Jacob vacate his apartment and prepare for his new trip to Iraq. The payoff for me was that I got to drive his Ford Explorer to Arizona for tour storage. The 17 1/2 hour drive was relatively easy but long and tiring. I am totally wiped out. I don't feel like a basket case but a casket case. A long sleep sounds really good right now.

To top things off my classroom got used to my absence and wanted to maintain their new attitudes upon my return. Nice try, kiddoes!

After a dragging, bad luck day, I am beginning to feel that I will survive. That is good to know.

Anyway, I guess I will have to return his Ford Explorer to him in Colorado Springs around Labor Day of next year. I wonder if that will create a new cycle in the classroom.

As far as school goes, I am way motivated to retire. Unfortunately, I lack the funds to maintain the fun when I go out.

Tomorrow night the fatigue will be reinforced as I begin the class to get my Math Teacher's endorsement in Arizona. Then I can retire and teach math part-time at the junior high or high school level. I love math so the kids should love me. Right?

Love and Logic Conference

2008-06-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

The Love and Logic Conference in Colorado Springs, Co. last week was inspirational. It lifted my mood and should help the return to work on July 17.

While in Colorado, my youngest brother Tim passed away after a two year struggle with cancer.

I took fewer photos in Colorado Springs than expected. The light and weather were erratic. I had a car available, so I did all of my exploring on the day that I arrived and avoided the common tourist sites such as Pike's Peak. Unfortunately, I was a little tight on the budget and hesitant to wander off to find imagery. Nevertheless, I have almost finished a second roll of images that include shots in Denver. If you want to see more, search rusty_tripod on Flickr.com.

Nichole, Jacob's wife had surgery for cancer scarring yesterday. It sounds like all is going well although there will be follow-up surgery next month. It is too early to know how it will impact Jacob's ability to return to Iraq later in the year.

2008-05-27T04:28:00.000-07:00

School is out!

2008-05-27T04:17:00.000-07:00

I do not have to do any official teaching again until we return to work on July 17. In the meantime, it is my turn to take a few district classes.

On June 14 I will fly to Denver and then somehow get down to Colorado Springs for the Love and Logic Conference. Unfortunately, Jacob and Nikki will be elsewhere getting help with Nikki's health challenge.

Tyler is back at sea and headed for South America to chase the druggies.

Hopefully, Jacob and Nikki arrived home last night or early this morning from their quick Memorial Day visit with us. They brought their two dogs Jersey and Mesa with them. One result is that our calico cat has disappeared and we are now down to 3 cats from a high of 6 earlier in the year.

Carl will get his car out of the shop today or tomorrow. This will help him in his search for a job. Then, my car needs to go into the shop since it is running badly. That will facilitate my poverty.

Lorraine is busy doing things organic. Now she is seeking organic milk because of its many wonders. I wonder?

And life goes on.

2008-01-29T20:51:00.000-08:00

Go to love those Brooksby boys.