Out of the Way Places

In an increasingly small world, its not often I come across a place I've never heard of and immediately want to visit. I came across such a place this morning on the NY Times Travel page - Caddo Lake, Texas (on the Louisiana border). And the quote that really grabbed me: "But what struck me about Caddo Lake the first time I saw it was the powerful suggestion of the supernatural that it evoked. Honestly, it’s kind of a creepy place." The initial photo that accompanies the article fully illustrated the quote - a small steamboat slowly motoring through the baldcypress swamp. Feeling like you've been transported back in time to a primeval world. Gotta go - sometime.

The link:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/travel/escapes/22Caddo.html?8td&emc=tda3

Figment

Its been a little over a year since I flew down to the Bay Area and attended a photo workshop by one of the most intrepid photojournalists around, Ami Vitali. I hadn't been doing a lot of photography recently and needed a jump-start (as we all do from time to time). I had admired her website (http://www.amivitale.com/main.html - be sure to check out her "Intro") for quite some time and when the opportunity arose to attend a weekend workshop, I went for it. One of our "assignments" was to go somewhere - anywhere - and remain there for an hour (not really moving more than a foot or two during that time) and see what photo opps presented themselves. It was a gloomy morning and I walked from my motel room to a nearby bakery, ordered a cup of tea, sat by the window and waited. I eventually started a conversation with two gentlemen who were clearly regulars at the bakery and my photos and conversation with them became my "presentation" back at class.


Fourteen months later, I came across the photos taken that day and noticed this photo for really the first time: "Sunday Morning, Berkeley, in the Rain." The photo represents exactly that. Monochrome photos can emphasize the gloom on a rainy day; the "figment" walking up the street and the red car taillights show that life continues regardless of the gloom. The reds of awnings, the taillights and the no parking strip provide visual linkages. Simple and complex; black and white and red. And a good reason for not deleting photographs the first time around!

Its Root, Root, Root for the Home Team

Having worked on the Safeco Field project (environmental and transportation analysis) in the late 1990's, I occassionally return to the stadium to see how well it is aging and even to see the Mariners play. Camera in hand, I wanted to see what I could do to create a fine art piece within the world of sports. There was a decent crowd that evening and using a slower shutter speed and the zoom lens, I was able to create this starburst photograph. Motion, even if created within the camera, conveys excitement, an important representation of a sports crowd, even if in a somewhat abstract form.

This I Believe

This morning marked the final broadcast on NPR (National Public Radio) of a 4-year series entitled "This I Believe," the personal philosophies of famous and ordinary people. For most of the series, I thought about writing my own statement, but never quite got around to it. Until this morning. And the thoughts flowed. Not necessarily related directly to travel and/or photography - but one's philosophy toward life, I'm sure, has a bearing on all aspects of life. So, without further ado:

This I believe ... I believe in calculated risks. Not jumping off a cliff without a parachute into a foggy mist. But taking a leap of faith with a worthwhile goal in mind and the odds at least a bit in my favor.

I have not done this too often, but there have been those times – moments actually – when the leap seemed a good option and I went for it. And they have always worked out – maybe not exactly as intended – but worked out nonetheless.

I remember some of my dad’s final words – “I wish I had taken more risks in life” – and how proud he was that I had taken risks here and there.

* When I changed majors the first week of my junior year in college from the “safe” major of “business administration” to the “interesting” major of “political science.”

* When I quit my decent paying, pension-oriented job with a Seattle transit agency and moved to New York City, sans job, to be close to my then-girlfriend (and now wife).

*And when I quit my decent paying, pension-oriented job with the same Seattle transit agency a number of years later to go out on my own as a consultant so as to have more control of my time and to work on a project dear to my father’s heart – Safeco Field.

I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t make any of the leaps on account of my dad (at least I don’t think so!) – I had my own reasons for each – but it certainly made it easier knowing of Vic’s support for each.

Leaps of faith require faith – a belief that it will all work out – and require a leap – taking off into the unsecured future. Most importantly, they require making a decision based on incomplete information, “trusting in the universe.” And, thankfully, the universe provides!

Ever Onward - Why We Travel

I was just reminded this morning of one of my favorite sites within the NY Times website - a slide show that is updated from time to time entitled "Why We Travel." There's obviously no one answer to the question and that's what makes this site so interesting - 17 photos and short stories of individual responses to the question. Check it out - it might inspire you and your next journey.

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/04/26/travel/20090426_WHY_slideshow_index.html

And note, if the link is broken at some later date, just go to www.nytimes.com and search for "Why We Travel."

Hot Time in Belize

We recently returned from spring break in Belize. During our ten day stay, we hung around the pool, snorkeled, ate very well, did lots of walking, got WAY too hot, saw a few Mayan ruins, got addicted to Belikan beer and fresh limeade and met some of the friendliest and most helpful folks in the world. Some photos and a more detailed description of our experiences can be found at my realtravel.com site:

http://realtravel.com/b-283249-belize_blog-spring_break_in_belize, or click on the Real Travel link on the right column of this blog.

Inspiration from Jodi Cobb

"There are stories everywhere—in your own house, your backyard, your town. You need to find out what you’re interested in, what you’re passionate about, what you want to change, celebrate, illuminate, interpret. It’s right there. You just need to get started. "

This quote is from an interview conducted by Hannah Theim on the photo.net website. The link to the full interview follows: http://photo.net/photographer-interviews/jodi-cobb/?p=3#love-documentary-project. Occasionally (or more often!), we all need a kick-in-the-pants, an incentive, an inspiration to get us going. And I feel that Jodi's comment fits the bill.