My photographic past

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                                                                      It seems a lifetime since my very first photography class in high school, the year 1981. My only previous experience with cameras and this most exquisite of arts and communication, was small portable 110 and 126 style cartridge machines that had negatives so small I could not believe they could be enlarged. But, they gave me an introduction to a treasure that would remain with me to this exact moment.


                                                                   

To today's digital photographer, these look like toys, I'm sure. But they did a great job in getting me started. Trial and error were how we learned the hobby/trade and progressed to the more advanced 35mm.







                                                                   Eventually I learned to shoot with a pinhole camera, developing with paper only and moving up to black and white processing and enlarging, eventually to colour. We had a great teacher and by the time graduation came in 1985, I was rather good at it! I'd used a few different 35mm models in high school, the primary bodies being a Minolta 370, a 700 and then a Pentax P3 .

                                         



  Then I was bit by the Nikon bug. These bodies, hell even a used one, were usually way out of my price range. But I did move up to a Nikon FE, FG and an FM. These were amazing cameras and I still have the black body FG and also an N80 with grip.





Then the digital camera wave hit, obliterating most of the film market in a few years. It took me ages to convert, shooting film for customers, weddings and other up until 2002, when I started to really see the writing on the wall. I was really hesitant to go digital, primarily due to the cost of the bodies, which were up there at $1000 or more. And that was for 3 or 4 mega pixel cameras. But I knew film processing would dry up and I would be forced to make the jump.



                                                                  Then, after my final trip to New York City and then a European adventure in 2004 that had me returning with 20 + rolls of film, I knew I had to change. It was costing a fortune to get them developed and the results from the various processing machines was wild in scale, some being horrible with light leaks and crummy enlargements. So, I saved up and bought a Nikon D50, a 6.1 mp digital. I was immediately in love with digital and the options of instant photos that could be sent to my desktop computer.

Occasionally I would print photos for my albums but that was quickly becoming a thing of the past as well. Life was good!

As a freelance photographer since the late 80's and a wedding shooter for friends, I had learned to love digital. But I saw a trend in clarity and crispness that every new mega pixel was bringing to the marketplace. It was getting better and better but the bodies still out of reach in price. My Nikon D50 was purchased in 2005 and  I shot many thousands of images with this delightful camera. But it was becoming dated and while I had good glass with the lenses owned, I needed an upgrade. The D3200 became the replacement in 2013, becoming a new friend that now shot HD video. Great camera and one that still holds up great at 24 mp.

          This has been a delightful body for me and produced some amazing photos over the last few years. But I wanted to move up, not in mega pixels but in what the camera could do, it's auto focus capabilities and upgrades in so many other areas. I knew it was going to be the most expensive camera I had purchased and held off till something became affordable. One day I was at Pro Photo in Portland and saw a used D300 pro body for sale for $250, with a grip and accessories. This camera is a classic in the Nikon lineup and even though it is 12.1 MP, the glass I was using made this no issue at all, especially as I was shooting B/W with it most of the time, in manual or AP mode. So, I bought it as a backup body but it did start to become my primary camera due to it's quality, incredible images and construction.

                                                                     The use of the D300 really spoke volumes to me about quality and advancement of today's DSLR cameras and the market they are such a part of. As I had always known since the beginning days of photography, it is the glass and light, the composition and skill of the photographer more than the body. Yes, each camera has qualities that help but ultimately it is the glass and skill that make an image unique. Did megapixels really make THAT big a difference these days or was it the additional aspects of the camera that were driving prices so high?

                                                                     After researching this for years and looking over thousands of images shot at 6mp to 36mp, both colour and B/W...it truly is amazing how little difference a high MP rating is on images that are not blown up larger than an 8 x 10. Unless using a tiny pinhole camera on a cell phone or Go Pro camera, there is really no reason a 12 mp DSLR with a good lens can't shoot as well as a 24 MP body with the same lens. The quality is amazing no matter what you shoot if the glass and light are good. The D50, moved on to my brother for some shooting, still produces amazing photos at 6.1 MP.  How far will the MP market go and will that really justify a body being sold for $2000+ ? Not in my opinion. Maybe for the construction, the seals, the auto focus and metering capabilities,etc.

                                                                    About a month ago I decided to upgrade to the soon to be discontinued D7100 at $699 as it had dropped $88 over the past 6 months. It is a 24 MP as well with HD video but the quality and additional capabilities make this my primary for many years to come.

When I see other photographers shooting with cameras I drool over, like the D750, D810 or D5...sure I get a wee tinge of jealousy. They are well made, expensive and have a certain "look at me, I'm awesome" factor . But that doesn't mean they take great photos as a camera can produce horrible photos no matter what.

Where will photography go in the future? I believe higher mega pixels, more mirrorless bodies, more metering and faster auto focus. But the same reason we use them is the image. And as I shoot stills, not many moving subjects, my cameras are doing JUST FINE.

                Here are a few photos from the past few years I have shot with the D3200, D300 and D7100.

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Has it really been that long?

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Seriously? Has it really been over a month since the last blog post? Horrible, I tell you. I have been disgustingly lax in keeping my blog up to date and need to seriously work on this. All three blogs!
Admittedly, when I get busy and have full days, I forget. That sucks. And I promise to blog more often, rarely following through.

So, yet again and with renewed vigor and commitment, I will try my best at posting at LEAST once a week. What the hell am I going to blog about once a week that ANYONE will want to read? Who knows. But I will give it a shot. 

The last month has brought about the very desired change in weather and season, making my body and mind much happier. Certainly it seemed to have changed almost overnight instead of a gradual change. Rain has moved in. In fact, yesterday and tomorrow are examples of very stormy weather, possibly being of "historic" proportions, according to the National Weather Service. Yesterday was not the big event forecast, so hopefully tomorrow's event is the same.

While I enjoy Mother Nature's displays and the power, it tends to shut down the planet around me and make it more difficult than it actually should be. Usually due to lack of preparation by the population. Thing is, we really have it good. This is one of so many reasons I LOVE living in the Pacific NW. Very rare to have natural disasters other than a volcano every 200 yrs or the occasional storm, such as is now approaching. I feel badly for those in tornado alley and the south east where hurricanes plague them. Maybe this is why we are seeing yet another influx of people moving here. 

On the running and cycling front: I have slowed down the cycling due to weather but the running seems to still be hanging in there. All depends on the day and how the joints feel. But, at least I am still running and that is the key. As I approach my 50th birthday, I'm very thankful for all that I can still do and for everything in my life! It is a wonderful life and I'm truly blessed! :-)

My good friend Patrick has accepted a job in Ireland that moves him away in less than a week. I'm so happy for him in this superb adventure and know he will be so glad such a choice was made. Most certainly I want to go visit him on The Emerald Isle , hopefully next year if things work out. Might even be able to slide through Wales and Scotland while there. Now I need to get my passport renewed for such a journey. They are not cheap any more (never were) but at $140 for a ten year form of ID, they are so well worth the money. Now, what do I work on for language? Back to Welsh again or Gaelic (Irish)? Seems Gaelic is not really necessary as everyone speaks English. My Cymraeg has been calling me back so I might hit Duolingo again and get a few books out. Might even learn a bit more of Scottish Gaelic!

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Summer's exit...

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                                                      Summer is finally over!! Yes, as past posts have always brought out...it is my least favourite season. Now, it is over and the autumn I LOVE can start anytime! Leaves are falling and the cooler temps bear out that change. Still, this was a delightful season even with the heat we had, which was much better than last year's temps. Now...September ushers in hope!

                                                                 One of my favourite parts of summer is the Gardenless party in August, put on by my dear friends Naomi and David. Weather was perfect, the people awesome and the food/music wonderful! And four of us wore kilts, making it a first at a gathering for us! Damn, my hair is getting long!

   



The music from the Ian James Band and other great musicians was splendid as always! So thankful for all of my tribe of friends and family!






                                                          Other memorable events this summer: meeting friends for the first time that I had been corresponding with for years! There are so many I talk to and have been friends with . Met my friend Mel a few weeks ago and also shakuhachi pal, Perry Yung, as he came through Portland!

                                      This was something unplanned as I never make it back to New York City very often. In fact I haven't been back there since 2000 and stood in front of the World Trade Centers. So Perry coming out here for a vacation tour was delightful! He sold me my first real bamboo shakuhachi and then I acquired a longer 2.1 model a wee bit later. Eventually, I was able to secure Hideo, my most prized instrument of all and a member of my family.

                                     
 Hideo is on the right and my first shakuhachi, on the left

My summer plans on playing more Celtic flute never really materialized and while that is still in my future, I want to get back to shakuhachi very badly. So, starting today, now that summer is over and autumn (in my own mind) starts soon, it is the best time to do so. Books and sheet music are out and time to begin again!




No long range goals for other activities other than my photography business, shakuhachi and running/cycling.






Let my favourite time if year begin and bring rich rewards and experiences!!



                                 Namaste!!



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Final days of summer...

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                        August has finally arrived and the last gasps of this least loved season are almost here.
Although admittedly, this years summer has been one of the better in recent memory due to lower than expected heat indexes and trends. This has been delightful as everyone on the planet knows I hate the heat. yet I have made it out for runs and cycling tours in the higher 70's and not died. This is good. :-P

                        The next three weeks are going to be a bit less hectic and for this I am grateful as the last sixteen have been super busy! So many memories have been made and they are all good ones! Some photos from the past few moths follow and I fully intend on keeping this streak alive as we move in to the glorious and best season of the year: autumn.

Post party after the Vancouver Marathon and half in mid June! This was a fun one and turned out to be better than expected, coming off a month+ long injury.

 Pride in Portland was a hoot again this year and I can't wait for next year's events!!

Did some canning at Dena's brother James' place yesterday and had a blast! So much goodness in a small jar!! Been many years since doing this, in fact at least two decades. So the chance to do so again was very welcome.









Then there was the July 4th Reunion party in Clatskanie for Dena's Class of 1991. What a great time I had with everyone!!






                          What is different this summer in contrast to those past? Well, my hair is one thing. Damnation...it has gotten long! Nothing like the ladies around me have but it is past my neckline now and I'm simply loving it! Certainly is the longest it's ever been in my 49 years.  Here is a before and after set of photos:






This was taken on March 27, 2015...three days before I started my Bucket List goal of not cutting my hair for one full year. This is my brother Mitchell with me!

And now this is yours truly after sixteen months of growth and one very, very slight trim in May. There was perhaps a 1/4 inch to 1/2" taken off. but really, there have been no major cuts in 16 months. I really love this hair and didn't know it would be this curly. Planning on letting it go and seeing where it takes me in appearance . :-)








             Now it will be time to lay low during these last days of summer. Will blog again in early September and post what adventures have brightened my world!! Have a great August!

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Independence Day 2016

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                                                                    So much has happened over the last few months that I COULD blog every day about it. I'm just not that type of blogger, though. Add the time factor and there are never enough hours in the day for keeping up with all of the interests I have. So the blog is neglected a bit more than it should be. Nonetheless, there is ample time over the summer to do more here and I shall TRY to do that. No guarantees. :-)

                                                                     Over the last few days, Independence Day weekend, there were a great deal many things to celebrate other than the American holiday. Gathering together with Dena's family in Clatskanie was simply grand and I had a tremendous time. So many photos have been posted online that I will only show a few here. Enjoy!

                                                                   Update on the running situation: leg is healed! Ran the Vancouver half marathon decently all things considered and in 2:32:00  A lot slower than in the past but could have been worse. Now up next is the Twilight 5K tomorrow night near Vancouver lake. Should be fun! After that, no races till the autumn season. Time to lay low for the remainder of the summer.

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Races and soulmates!

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                 The months of April and May were among the most busy I have ever been in my life. So many things happening and yet not enough. My leg injury that set me back on April 15th was a major problem for me in that I couldn't run. Even though I did rest it and stayed off the thing for nearly six weeks, it gave me issues. Then I went to the Rum Run in May and ran/walked that, with success.
A visit to Rebound orthopedic center and Dr Ellis was good news as my calf muscles, not a stress fracture, were nearly healed up. Two weeks he said. So, here we are at just over two weeks. Ran yesterday, a day early, and the leg feels fine.



But, I do have a half marathon this weekend and that is going to be a true test of this healing process. My intention is to walk/run this 13.1 miles and see how it goes. The Vancouver USA marathon and half is one of my all time favourites and this is it's sixth year. This race is always first on my list to run and hopes are that there will be great weather and no injuries for anyone.




After the last six months of spending time with Dena during her employment break, it is going to be a tough change getting back to all of this time alone again. But, I have things lined up and will be devoting a lot more of it to the Dragon Digital business and shooting some photos that might win me some $$ or get my name out there. Unfortunately, some hobbies and interests are going to take a back seat as this happens. What they are I don't know just yet. Time will tell as to what life throws at me.

Over the last few months I have met so many new friends both in person and online that my heart swells with love! <3  From soulmates in the Midwest to those in the NW and east coast, Canada, I cannot rightly remember ever having this many friends. I'm truly blessed and thank all of them (you know who you are) and you for such friendships and love, for putting up with me and my eccentric ways. I can be a challenge quite often and know that for a fact. My heart is yours! <3

I'm a major chatterbox and always will be so that is something I'm wired for. And many times I will be lonely due to others being busy. Hey, that is life, Seumas, So toughen up and keep busy doing other things in between those social and chatty times. Working on that!! If you are one of my chat pals and are reading this, we have had this discussion. And I thank you for your loyalty, honesty and the love you give! <3 <3 <3

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The 60's: my memories

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                                                           As this year passes and I get closer to that magic number of  fifty years old, my recollections of the earliest years becomes much more pronounced and detailed. Usually for most the memories fade as we get older but I seem to be having rather vivid recollections of my first decade on this planet. After watching the documentary on The Sixties on Netflix, many more images came to me from those days and how privileged I was to have lived in the area I did, at the time I did. That entire area near Los Angeles was part of world history!

                                                                 I was born in 1966, just after some of the most monumental events in this country had occurred. From JFK to the Civil Rights bill and then Vietnam's beginnings, the British Invasion,etc. These were a scant few years before but my beginnings were to be affected by them and the remaining four years of that most incredible decade. And, being in southern California, the Long Beach/Los Angeles area then, it was a hot bed of history making events. My earliest recollections of the actual events as they unfolded date to my second year. That amazing year of 1968 was one that I DO remember , though sure it is scattered and mainly from news programs then, a lot with Walter Cronkite and other anchors. And of course, my family life memories are there as we lived in Long Beach at that time, visiting Los Angeles (only a few miles away) often to see and do things. My brother came along that year and things in my household changed a wee bit. But the memories still flowed. My parents were not the type to be involved in protests or civil disobedience as my father was in college and then holding down a job with little time for those events. Mum was taking care of us as the world around us changed so much. The music scene in that area I was raised was amazing and I only wish I could have been an adult to appreciate it then as I do now. I would fit right in just perfectly!           ******Flower power, Love ins, beach parties, etc.*******

Sure, I would have had the VW van and traveled all over, making it to Woodstock where I would see and hear my idols like Hendrix play. Probably would have protested the war and been among those in the civil rights marches as well.
Looking back at the times then and comparing them to now, it is clear things are a bit stagnant now. Not that we need social upheaval to make things interesting nor would I want to give up what I have now, not at all. But damn, where is that time machine!!?? As for the music now compared to then (classical and Celtic aside), there isn't even a remote similarity. :-(


There were certain memories I have from then still jumping out at me: Hollywood, Sunset Strip, the beaches, The Pike, oil rigs all over, Signal Hill, The Queen Mary in 1969, going to Tommy's in Los Angeles off Rampart for burgers and chili dogs! Movie stars went there all the time! This was a special place for me and I have gone back more than a few times in my visits to LA ever since then.

 The Long Beach Tommy's was a mecca for my parents as their high school (Wilson) was a few blocks away. So they both have special meaning. Mum and dad always loved a good burger! Don't most of us? :-)

The Pike was a wonderland and amusement park in Long Beach that , to be honest, kicked ass!! Alas, it was torn down in 1979 but in it's heyday, especially 1965-72, it was amazing. The roller coaster, The Cyclone, went out over the water. I remember going here and having a blast!

As the 70's approached and the country was in a state of confusion as to where to go next, things were up in the air. Politically it was a mess and Nixon was not helping things with his policies . Johnson had done some amazing and needed things , changing this country with his signed bills yet the war was on TV every day. This I remember well.
And it would be a few more years of that till we left that mess in Asia and came home. That is a low point in American history and in my chats with many, many Vietnam vets over the years I have gained a lot of perspective regarding what happened there and in detail. It has made me reflect a lot.

The music scene in southern California was where it was at! Sure, the British Invasion was a huge moment in history but where did so many go after 1965? So Cal! It was a total West Coast scene and both LA and San Francisco were THE places to be in these years. I can be proud to say I was there in those days albeit a youngster. Unfortunately I didn't make it to San Francisco till last year and was only then able to appreciate Haight-Ashbury, The Castro, Berkeley and the legendary locations from that magnificent city! Need to go back to California soon!

When the 70's arrived, things changed a lot. Gas lines, tax increases, war still raging, gangs getting worse and life in LA was really changing , not for the better. My parents wanted a change from that and for us boys. So they sold everything and in 1974 packed up for Montana with very little, to start a new life in the country. Sure, we were sad to leave in many ways but a new adventure was beginning for us and one that would shape us, mould us into even better men. Montana was a literal breath of fresh air and would transform city kids into country boys through fishing,hunting, and other Montana based cultural events. More on those years another time.
but I would never forget those early years in California and what they meant to me. They mean a lot to me now as I reflect back and catch myself re-living the music and art from then. Especially the music! As I type this post, Jimi Hendrix plays in the background with many other delights to play after such as Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, The Doors,etc. Sure, many reading this will remember a different time but these are the memories of this Seumas. And I'll indulge in them!! Now I need a Hendrix T-shirt! :-)

Side note and update: Running is out for now as my right calf heals from a ligament/muscle problem, hopefully soon for the Rum Run and Vancouver Half are approaching quickly. Will add more on Facebook and Twitter as things get better.
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