Cleaning Digital Equipment

For those film gone digital users, I believe my story will get a resounding "Amen." The ever static charge digital sensor gets my goose. I am forever cleaning the mirror form dust, dog hair, even a fleck from the sensor cleaning brush itself. I do not ever remember cleaning my film cameras as often as I must with my digital equipment. My internal debate begins between leaving the digital for my commercial work and returning to the glory days of film. Sometimes I want to return to my Holga days; then, the inevitable question arises, " where do I go to process my film?"

Here I sit on a fence looking back at the days of innocence, slow moving, traditional photography. My Mamyia is lonely in a special plastic archival bag on a shelf with all the external hard drives. If a windfall of significant sum fell upon my bank account, I would be looking a medium format digital equipment. Until then, I am hunting for a dust free area to clean my sensor free of dog hair, couch fuzz, and sand tracked home from the beach. 

Extreme Rain Extreme Drought

The ebb and flow of South Florida weather varies from extreme rains to extreme drought. Within just several months our water index level has surpassed the drought reading and continues to rise. South Florida Water Management, our local government agency, recorded Lake Okeechobee at 14.93 feet. I am not surprised at the rising levels as the rains continue to keep us inside. Still the Osprey gently waiting out the rains. Gracefully with a bowed head, the raptor awaits for a weather break or even the morning when the fishing will be best.

As a young girl I can remember listening to the same pounding drops hit the roof, the grass, the asphalt, the car. The rains cometh and sometimes not. Climate change has prevented the normal storms through a rainy season. Thunder storms, tropical weather warnings-all are normal summertime memories. Ironically enough, all the efforts put forth to drain the Everglades for man dominating over nature is now the continual focus of reversal in hopes of preserving the endangered wetlands. 10,000 Islands of wetlands that tourists flock to, scientists study, and politicians avoid. My home is among all these islands. I simply hope to understand this place I call my home before the opportunity passes. 

Determination

This afternoon my son and I played outside. The close of September brings a welcome relief of cooler weather in South Florida, and I was happy to be able to enjoy playtime. We were fortunate enough to have a family of Osprey's visiting the scrub area (just over our fence) this week. So, I admit I had my camera out and this made playtime a little more exciting.  As the juveniles flew to the beach, one of the adults always watched and waited for their return. I have not witnessed an entire family in action and wished I had a digi-scope to see their dives for fish in the Atlantic. Then, the rains came. Hard, large drops. For hours now, the adult Osprey has not left the spot on the dead tree limb that he has occupied since before dinner. I am in awe of his position of family first, but truly his determination to remain on the exposed limb unencumbered by the happenings of the evening. During my saddest time (missing my mother who passed away years ago) or when I have the flu (recovering still), mother nature seems to send me these wonderful messages. I continue to believe my mother speaks to me in many different ways. The Osprey has been the messenger. As I look out my window squinting to see if the Osprey is still there, I can make out his silhouette with a tucked head as if in prayer. I only hope tomorrow brings as much enlightenment. 

Thinking more about meditation

I am always pausing to breathe. This is an absolute must as I conquer the day like a storm. Usually, I am up and going by 6:30am: breakfast, coffee, school clothes, dishes from last night, more coffee, clean up some accidental mess made to remind me to stop and breathe. I have to microwave my coffee. Out the door by 8am and at my computer by 8:30 ready to microwave my coffee, again. 

The pause is my solace. During an interview for the wetland bird project, I had one of those great Epiphanies. The natural ebb and flow of Florida's water cycles, the sever drought, severe rains bring continual variations that make predictions sometimes more dependable on patterns than singular events. History seems a vital piece of this equation. The other piece is how we as individuals and as a community choose to understand the variations in Florida's weather and in our own lives. We control the action and records in history; we can not control the events. 

Dog Toy Recalled

You will want to bookmark this site: 

petknows.com

This past week another dog toy recall you mom's and dads should all be aware of is the Pimple Ball by four paws. I must credit a friend who brought this site to my attention-thanks Kathy.  With so many choices is what we give our dogs and children, I encourage you to be aware and do the extra research that the item is appropriate. In today's world, we must do the extra work to protect our loved ones. Thank goodness I have the internet and access to research. 

My 34th Birthday

I awoke very early this morning to my son crawling into our bed. We listened to the wind bang our metal shed around like a tennis ball. Rain, Rain, Rain. Did I mention we have a leaky window that is showing its weakness(es)? 

I know that the rain water will help our water table index and maybe even catch us up to the water levels we need to classify ourselves out of severe drought. I know Lake Okeechobee is happy. But the just as my family and I are inside taking cover from tropical storm Fay, the birds are hiding too. I suppose my birthday gift is to hope that the light of the new day will bring my requested visit from the Osprey. Hope is a powerful gift. 

August Already, the birds will be coming...

I wrote this in the beginning of August and-for some reason-hesitated to post. Then, the approaching storm may rain on my parade sort of speak; my birthday wish is for an Osprey.

My birthday is around the corner again. This day creeps up upon me now like dust in the wind. I love the surprises and the extra thoughts from family and friends., but this year my birthday wish is a request from Mother Nature. For the past three years, an Osprey has appeared in the scrub area that borders my yard. The dates of arrival-among other days- were Mother's Day and August 19th, my birthday. For those ornithologists out there I will grant the May visit not out of the ordinary. August is hotter than hot. Most Osprey's and other birds of prey move west into the Everglades. I am anxiously awaiting a return visit from this mysterious connection. I daunt to say it is the spirit of my mother(deceased for almost twelve years now)visiting me on most important days of my year. 

Her acknowledgement of my existence reaffirms my belief in nature's power and wisdom. The majestic visitor spawned an idea that began quiet small and has now seemed to be an on going project with greater visions stewing in the midst. Please forgive me for not elaborating as I am trying to live the walk, not talk the talk. I will say that I feel that everyone has a social responsibility for using their god given talents for the greater good. Yes, idealistic, but let's face it, we need it. 

So, as you will read, I am recording wetland birds and shoreline birds as an advocacy project to restore the Everglades and Lake Okeechobee; raise awareness for the scientific studies that can improve our water issues/crisis; and introduce the people whose vision is to protect and preserve the environment we dwell in. I center my focus on the birds because of the visiting Osprey and because the avians predicate our climate change. Simply, we must learn from the messages that the environment sends us and act.

Researching and Photographing (among others) are my contributing talents.

As my research and images amass, I will share.  

I will continue on my birthday with a live update. 

Digital vs Film

The debate continues between the die hard traditional (film users) and the technically savvy digital photographers. Today, as I rummaged around for a 4GB Compact flash card, a vision of my negative film storage boxes flashed through my mind. Each plastic sleeve was numbered, titled, and dated with a Sharpy. I can remember groaning over static, spilled chemistry, or exposed paper; at least, my sleeves of negatives with their contact sheets could be seen, felt, and even smelled. For a few hours I felt down right melancholy. Then, the light appeared and viola there sat the missing CF card waiting to be downloaded and work-flowed. The instant relief jet set me forward into 2008. I remembered that I was privileged to learn on film and have an entirely different understanding of photography as an art as opposed to a digital only student. Photography has history just as any other art medium, business, or science. As students, we must soak ourselves in the heritage of our passions and remain steadfast in our quest for understanding both the photography as an art form and the photographer.

Opening Miracles

Photography is a daily act of mediation. My mind seems to be able to conceptualize the miracles that are visually available everyday. Today, I rushed and missed my peaceful moments. As artists, we must be neither too critical of our inaction (ie. a break) or of our creativity. We must release the pressure that seems built up from not breathing  deeply.  I tend to forget the idea of " through breathe to depth..." These basic elements help me accomplish the daily chores (I think we all loathe at least some.) and find time for our passions. Time can challenge us to lose sight of the miracles art has in store for us and our audience. My personal challenge to myself is make art everyday drawing a virtual line from my heart to my subject, regardless of the chosen medium. In doing so, my vision is to advocate for all artist to challenge, share, and create miracles. So, grab a camera, paint brush, or pencil. Take 15 minutes. Just create and remember the joy in your passion.