Film

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.