James Brubaker

Category: Uncategorized

  • September 30, 2019 – An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Read on – The apple left the tree and is not on the ground – look up.

    Hey, I have a story or two to tell you – First Bob Hazlett  and Dave Cesari sent some very great photos –  Dave posted two photos of a train in the early morning fog – y’all know I am obsessed with the stories told by country western music – Willy Nelson “City of New Orleans”-  Thx Dave.   Click 1. Members out and about AND 2. Photo shoot images.

    Susan’s e-mail to you mentioned BOAF (Birds of a Feather) – at the bottom of this page go to “Older Posts” to see details.

    Now, my story or two:

    Life was simple when an apple was an apple. Now my Apple contains thousands of photos. The photos are not in an album on my coffee table. The apple is not on a tree, not on the ground under the tree, but up there somewhere in the Apple Cloud.  Therefore, my photos are in the clouds. Yipes!

    An internet photo – could not find my llama photo fast enough – Just like me, training a llama – Turn left – be ready for the Fredericksburg Christmas parade.

    My Apple cloud has over 12,000 photos. I calculated that averages about 10 photos per day.  The Apple in the sky even groups my thousands of photos according to the Apple programmer’s brain. I was an IBM computer programmer once so I understand a little about how the Apple Cloud’s brain does its grouping.

    That Apple’s brain realized I love being around animals. It created a sub-set of animals for me.   I trained dogs, horses, cows, llamas, and now I am even training a deer.

    That Apple library grouped almost 4,000 of those 12,000 photos into the animal’s sub-set.

    It, also, created many other sub-sets: Parties, family gatherings, hay bales, snow plows, beaches, boat rides, airplane rides, ferry rides, bull rides, fog, gardens, new cars, old tractors, Mini Coopers, new furniture, Gloria’s art, art shows, golf swings, bicycle rides, flowers, mushrooms, people of the streets in NYC, trees, our houses, and the list goes on for dozen of topics –

    In my life’s stories, I always try to save animals that insist on staying on the road. I did not really train this Diamondback, but I got him to decide to leave the warm road and head for the ditch before a car ran over him. Seeing this photo made another story of my life come to the forefront.  Read on, I will tell you of that.

    That whole Apple library really is a story of my life one moment at a time.  I love it ’cause each photo is a story of a moment in my life, but, believe me, each  photo brings up in my mind,  related stories of other moments. I can  get truly lost in many stories of my life.

    Here is the story the Diamondback brought to mind.  In my Texas barn like this barn, a tractor like this, sat. Not a single mouse lived in the barn – the 6 foot rat snake that hung out in the beams of the barn took care of that – I felt like I should pay him for his services. Now take note of the tractor seat. I came into the barn, got on the tractor seat, pulled out to the corral with the mower attached to the back of the tractor. I was halfway around the corral when I felt a something touching my thigh – right between my legs. Wow, there are too many news stories of folks touching folks where they should not be touching them. WOW – who is doing that to me?  What is going on? – BUT! I looked  down, saw a small head and two beady eyes staring up at me from between my legs! You got it – that favorite snake of mine was curled up on the tractor seat when I sat down.   Yep,  me and that tractor parted ways so fast that if you blinked your eyes you would have missed it. Now the only driver on that tractor,  as it was about to hit my corral fence, was the snake. You would have laughed if you saw me running after the tractor, jumping on board with the snake and hitting the tractor off switch. By that time, the snake decided it was his time to abandon tractor and head back to the barn looking for a field mouse that may have left the corral ahead of the mower.  I really enjoyed re-living that real story.  It was possible  because of my diary – oops – I mean my Apple in the cloud.

    Reading novels and short stories  tell of the fake lives of fake people.  My photos are real stories.  I am going to start writing down those stories hoping to bring others to do two things:

    1. Enjoy at least one story of my life,

    2. Be motivated to take ten photos each day of their moments and store them. Then, years later, turn off the TV and read of their own wonderful life’s stories. When they are in their 80’s and 90’s their life will be richer by enjoying and sharing photo stories of their youth – you know, when they were only 60 or 70 years old..

    Oh my, I forgot to tell you of my apple a day story – I eat one apple a day and discovered the deer love to eat my left over apple-core.  At this period of my life I have no animals, no dog, no horse, no llama – nothing to train – I tried training Gloria, you know that got me nothing but a bop on the head.   So, I decided to train a deer.

    Getting him to eat out of my hand was no problem.

     

    But getting him to stand at attention until I told him to move forward was kinda’ difficult – but I really had some success.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    A  deer’s brain for survival is a lot different from a dog or cow, so training them is a lot different. I had some success. I really enjoyed the challenge and enjoyed me and the deer bonding.

    As you swing thru life,  read a non-fiction story or two – and remember that your  true photo stories are the best ones you can find.
    If your photo stories seem boring to you – take your horse out there on the stage and tell your story anyhow . Try it at your next dinner party – folks will listen, I am sure.
  • September 23, 2019 – Think feathers belonging to birds that think alike. – Makes no sense? Learn more. Read on.

    September 23, 2019 – Think feathers belonging to birds that think alike. – Makes no sense? Learn more. Read on.

    Before I try to make sense – Donald Wyllie sent a photo and some words that do make sense:

    Good grief Gary, what are you drinking? We don’t even have to go that far north to freeze bits of our anatomy off. I think we should encourage Doug Jensen to go and then report back.
    Anyway, we have survived your hurricane which did a lot of damage here but brought a lot of surprised birds. Attached is a wet Skimmer wondering where home is. Thousands of Laughing Gulls all standing around looking tired.
    TGO will be warm enough for us mid December.
    Donald

    NOW I WILL TRY TO MAKE SENSE:

    I have read this: In the Roman empire, many many years ago it was carved in stone -“Repetitio mater studiorum est.” If you are not sure what that means I will tell you.

    It says:  “Repetition is the mother of all learning” – Those Romans were smart say I.

    Cambridge University found you can learn a new language at any age.  Their research determined that all you need to do is say a word 160 times in 14 minutes to truly know it.  Say they, repetition is the key to learning a new language.

    Ask I – how does that apply to Birds-of-a-Feather (BOAF) in the TGO Photo Club?  The answer is: The concept of BOAF is to focus on one photographic topic of interest, repeat only that photo interest for awhile, and share with others in your BOAF group:  

    These are two learning elements for us older folks:

    1. REPETITION — BOAF have selected one subject to photograph over and over until we get it right or get bored with it. Then we can move on to something else.

    2. SENIOR LEARNING – Learn by doing and sharing with other BOAF members – not from a lecturer and text-book.

    So, that is my advertisement for the day.

    Here is a partial list (Two dozen) of photograph genres that you may want to choose to BOAF with – on the first three I posted some of my photos –  I wish I would have been able to shoot them with a group and get to see their ideas on how to photo the same subjects:

    1.  Clouds
    Clouds are the topic I BOAF with – I know I am the only one with a camera – but all my friends are always looking at the clouds and telling me to get out your iPhone and capture the faces we see in the clouds.
    another face
    My last trip into the Soo (Sault St Marie) from my airplane window – I see a face!

    2. Reflections 

    Sue ask me to be her co-pilot in a Mini-Cooper parade – I looked at 14 miles of Mini-Coopers through the reflection in the rear view mirror – I am always looking for reflections – and my friends like BOAF often point them out to me.
    The gap looking out over Lake Huron as seen via the reflection in the Mini-Cooper window in my driveway
    Now, how ’bout my house as a reflection
    A little bit of Photo shop as Sue was saying Good-Bye

    3. Seasonal changes

    Have to do my photo art – Can not help myself – This is Bucky in the summer – is it a reflection?
    Now I tried to show the four seasons with Bucky

    4. Photo art                  (I had one person ask could this be a BOAF group)

    5.  Words and pictures (I had one experienced writer in the TGO Photo Club suggest this as a BOAF group)

    6.  Bird Photography – (I had one experienced photographer in the TGO Photo Club ask to be part of this BOAF group)

    7. Auto rallies

    8.  Home and community to show friends your Florida home

    9. Aerial photography

    10. Landscape                                                                       

    11. Cityscapes                                                                                                   

    12. Night Lights

    13. Portrait Photography                                                                                                                                                        

    14. Photographing Trees                                                                                      

    15.Photographing Flowers                                                                                     

    16. Urban and suburban animals  (Rabbits, squirrels, skunks, armadillos, etc)                                                                                  

    17. Farm animals

    18. Zoo animals

    19. Auto races

    20. Creek beds

    21. Churches

    22. Pets

    23. Texture

    24. Food products 

    As you swing thru life – join with others who are birds-of-a-feather with you- even if you are the only one with a camera, your friends will help you repeat –  taking photo after photo of a specific subject! – By doing that you will learn – I promise!

     

  • Sept 15,2019 – The Birds-of-a-Feather are getting ready to head south – I was just south in TGO – at 6:00am it was 81 degrees – yipes – Read on about “Birds-of-a-Feather!”

    Sept 15,2019 – The Birds-of-a-Feather are getting ready to head south – I was just south in TGO – at 6:00am it was 81 degrees – yipes – Read on about “Birds-of-a-Feather!”

    Before you look at my photos and before you read my idea for the Photo Club this fall, Click on the Photo Shoots images  in the left column.  Dave Cesari and Bob Hazlett sent some great photos.  Jim Dick said I could use any photos he posted on Facebook – I downloaded two and also posted them  on Photo Shoots images.

    MY PHOTOS:

    Wow – Apple announced a new cell phone. Three cameras. You get one ultra-wide angle 12-megapixel camera, one standard wide 12-megapixel one, as well as a 12-megapixel telephoto.
    They told me at the Apple store – Selfies are great with the new phone – Maybe I’ll get one next month. I have more cutting coming up – Doctors keep trying to make my skin young and giving my heart the energy of an 18-year-old – glad they try & I  sure hope they are  successful.
    This week the velvet was rubbed from the antlers of the bucks that come to eat apples and vegetables stalks I throw out  – it must be fall.
    I love looking at the sky and seeing things others do not see – Yipes
    Of course seeing things others do not see also happens when I eat too much watermelon!  Island living does that to you.

    MY IDEA FOR THE PHOTO CLUB:

    In the last 6 weeks I been telling you of my pondering.  Pondering about how we, as individuals, could better enjoy our photographing experiences. 

    Now, I have been pondering about how we, not as individuals, but as bird-of-a-feather, might help each other improve out photographs.  

    First, I will tell you two short stories to explain how I came up with the idea of adults helping adults learn:

    Story 1 – I am very fond of a 58-year-old person who is the manager of 30 millennials.  He tells me of the challenges the millennials give him – Says he, “They just don’t think the way I think and they have different values and work habits.” 

    I ask “Or is it that you have not studied how to work with them and accept their new way of thinking?”  He said back to me, “You are right, I am not really studying. But, I am learning.  Day by day I do the job. Each evening we managers get-together.  We are all going through the same challenges. We are like birds-of-a-feather learning from each other.”

    Story 2 Many years ago I took early retirement from IBM. Part of the package was that IBM would pay to retrain me and my wife for a second career.  We chose a Masters Degree program at the University of Rhode Island in Adult Education.  We had a challenge learning from text books and lectures. After many years of learning on the job, Gloria and I were no longer in the mood to learn from text books and lectures. So, we discussed this conflict with our professor.

    Professor “Dr L. Vandenberg said, in addition to attending education sessions, adults are motivated to learn if learning involves:

    1. sharing their experience.

    2. a specific area of interest.

    3. contributing to the learning of their co-learners.  

    4. an immediate application of what they learned.

    Now I got it! As adults, Gloria and I were different from all of the young students. They were comfortable with learning from text books and lectures. Gloria and I were two birds of a feather. We were more comfortable with the adult model of learning.  We shared our past teaching experiences, our interest was limited to learning how to teach adults, we helped each other, and we planned to teach adult classes at the University of Texas just as soon as we graduated.

    After that discussion with the professor, Gloria and I were more motivated, learned a lot, and completed together our Master’s Program. We learned by being two birds of a feather.

    Last week, I pondered, “Can this birds-of-a-feather idea help us in the TGO Photo Club learn to improve our photographs.”

    Here is some details on my pondering: 

    In our regular bi-monthly meetings, this 2019-2020 season, Donald Wyllie’s Education Committee will have education sessions, and Ed Swan  will have sharing time as in the past.  These meetings are a gathering of all of us – all with a general interest in photography. Then, Nancy always plans numerous great field trips for us. I am assuming she will continue field trips this new season.

    I have been pondering – In addition to these regular meetings, maybe the club should formally encourage “Birds-of-a-Feather” – groups of members, with specific interests, getting-together on days other than our bi-monthly meeting.  

    These  Birds-of-a-Feather get-togethers would have no teacher. Just a group of people wanting to learn from each other.  Not to teach but simply get to gather to share interests and expertise. 

    For example, areas such as studio portraits, bird photography, post processing software, nature trail photography, video photography, travel story photographs, real estate photography, landscape photography, and the list goes on.

    Tell me at jimbrubaker@earthlink.net what you think of the “Birds-of-a-Feather” idea.   Do you have a specific area of interest.

    As you swing thru life – join with others who are birds-of-a-feather with you – It is hard to tell what you will learn!
  • Sept 7, 2019 – I hope you enjoyed my pondering, in the last post, about focus (niche) and passion in photography – Now I ponder, why do travel photography at all. Just go on-line. Yipes, read on.

    Sept 7, 2019 – I hope you enjoyed my pondering, in the last post, about focus (niche) and passion in photography – Now I ponder, why do travel photography at all. Just go on-line. Yipes, read on.

    Bob’s photos of Bar Harbor made me ponder, why do we take photos, especially when we travel and most travel photos are available on-line. I will tell you of my pondering about this after you look a Bob’s photos below: 

    09 07 2019 Bob Hazlett in Bar Harbor, Maine
    09 07 2019 Bob Hazlett in Bar Harbor, Maine

    Jim’s Pondering:

    Bob’s photos really took me back to Bar Harbor 30 years ago.  It was my favorite go-to spot in the world.  His photos awakened my mind to that – awakening many wonderful feelings that were sleeping in the back of my mind for years – Thanks, Bob. 

    Bob made me think of the evening strolls in Bar Harbor after a great dinner of Lobster, of the Village Green, the house we put a bid in to buy, the cruise ships coming into the harbor, the trips to Jordan Pond, of Mount Desert Island, Thunder Hole, Carriage Roads, Bike rides through Acadia National Park, Frenchman Bay, Cadillac Mountain, Kayak rides with friends by Bar Harbor Camp Ground, Waiting to select the best camp site in the morning, Wild blueberry picking for breakfast – and the list goes on – each one having a whole “STORY” to be told.

    There are many importance reasons to have photos.  One reason is, photographs play an important role in everyone’s life – they connect us to our past, they remind us of people, places, feelings, and STORIES.

    Even if we could find a copy of the travel photograph on the internet – our photo is our story. It is the story that we hear whispered into our ear years later! 

    Not just photos of Bar Harbor not just photos of far off travel trips, but photos of trips anywhere in our life – maybe just a trip to our dinning room with family is a trip sufficient for us to photograph it and create a story that we tell and subconsciously gets whispered into our ear as we ponder our journey years later.

    I went back into my photo history and selected a few photos to think about stories I could write.  I silently whispered, into my ears, the story behind each one – I smiled as I did it.

    Now, go look at your collection of photos and smile as you whisper, into your own ears, the story each photo holds for you. Then remember to often add to your collection.

    The Alliance. A bronze life size sculpture also known as The French Are Coming, located on Morristown, NJ Green, commemorating the meeting of General George Washington and Colonel Alexander Hamilton with the Marquis de Lafayette on May 10, 1780 – But my story is “Why is Marquis de Lafayette wearing my hat?”
    Jim and Sue on Drummond Island with 1,00 foot freighter in the background.  But, my story has to do with the sweat shirt from the other island “Block Island”
    Here is my story about Heather and – Oh my – we told this story many times – I still smile at it.
    Of course, Gloria and I take trips to museums and NYC parks like Bryant Park – This story of “YOUNG LOVE” prompted us to ponder others in the park and in the  museum. – see next photo.
    This photo of this painting tells the whole story!
    Every photo of a sales person is a story – at least I find it that way.
    A sales person at an “Art of Shaving”  had beautiful tattoos on her arm and I told her that. – She said that is nothing – step into the back room and I will show you some real tattoos – That photo will always whisper a story into my ears.
    In Savanna Georgia – a young lady is standing by their dog waving to her your sailor husband as he enters the harbor from a week long fishing trip – The story is linked to us, ’cause as a young married couple I travelled for work constantly – Leave Sunday return Friday. .
    I took this photo In Orlando – the art has a Brubaker story ’cause Gloria painted a piece of work I think looks like this one – That is our story.
    This ride on my horse Perla – just out side my door has a story for Jim Brubaker- I smile and remember a great person on the lead horse this day – The story may be of a nearby trip but it will forever be a story I will want to repeat to myself often.
    As you swing thru life – Photograph your trips – even if they are just outside your door – each trip has a story you will want to repeat to yourself for life.

     

     

     

  • 09 01 2019 – I am a little rushed today – Hurricane potential is taking my time getting ready for it. But WOW look at these photos from Bob Hazlett and Bill White!

    09 01 2019 – I am a little rushed today – Hurricane potential is taking my time getting ready for it. But WOW look at these photos from Bob Hazlett and Bill White!

    I am not much good at answering questions – but I can ponder.  Read of my pondering at the bottom of the page after you enjoy these photos by Bob and Bill!

    Spains and Hazletts at the original  “Cheers” in Boston, MA

    09 01 2019 Hazlett
    09 01 2019 Hazlett

    Old North Bridge, Concord, MA

    09 01 2019 Hazlett

    Old Union Oyster House established 1826 in Boston, MA. Had to eat here!

    09 01 2019 Hazlett

    Concord, MA

    “embattled farmer stood … fired the shot heard round the world.”

    09 01 2019 Hazlett

    Concord, MA

    “embattled farmer stood … fired the shot heard round the world.”

    09 01 2019 Hazlett

    Thought you might appreciate these that I just took today.

    Bill White

    09 01 2019 Bill White
    09 01 2019 Bill White

    Abraham Lincoln is quoted to having said something like this:  “I could not sleep when I got on the hunt for an understanding, I focused until I had caught it. This was a passion with me.”

    NOW, MY PONDERING!

    Someone ask me “How can I teach myself to become a better photographer and have fun doing it?”

    So, I studied. Passion and niche are two terms that kept cropping up. 

    Author Maria Brophy says “It’s okay to photograph a lot of different things. But if you want to create photos that are applauded by others, you have to focus on just one area at a time.  When you focus in one area that you have a passion for and consistently work on it, you get better and better at it. Eventually, you become the go-to person in that area.”

    These three people did that – look them up on the web:

    Anne Geddes: Photographs tiny babies placed in flowers and plants.

    Thomas Kinkaide: Painter of little cottages in bucolic settings.

    Clark Little: Photographs the shore-break of waves in Hawaii.

    Ask yourself:

    What do I really feel passionate about? (People, places, things) 

    What is one thing that sets my photos apart from others? (Style, theme) 

    What photo project did I do in the past that I really, really enjoyed, and that easily flowed out of me and my camera?

    Why was it so easy for me? (The people, medium, project, or what?) Where do I WANT to focus my time and efforts? (Not “should” but “want”) 

    EXAMPLE: If you wrote that you love photographing island flowers against a uniform color background and your live on Drummond Island.  Your niche would be that of a Drummond Island flower photographer. Soon, you would be ask publish photos of Island flowers in local news papers and tourist brochures. Soon you could be the go-to person for flower photography on the Island  –  you followed your passion and found your photographic niche.

    Oh well, you can see I really pondered the question: “How can I teach myself to become a better photographer and have fun doing it?”

    You may want to ponder what I wrote. Then ponder the photos that Club members post here. Do you think any of them focus on a passion for a specific niche?  Do you know who most likely took the photo before you look at the name?

    As you swing thru life – follow your passion and niche!
  • August 25, 2019 – What a great breakfast – Coffee, bacon, eggs, fruit cup, and fried phone.  Read on for the recipe.

    August 25, 2019 – What a great breakfast – Coffee, bacon, eggs, fruit cup, and fried phone.  Read on for the recipe.

    Hey, I have been thinking about how to make the TGO Photo Club fun for more TGO’ers. – I want to invite, into the club, people who never think of themselves as photographers or artists! “Birds-of-a-Feather” is one idea that may make the club inviting for many.

    Digital cameras – especially the cell phone camera – made each of us a photographer and artist. We now transform our very own unique vision of the world into digital art every day – without a lot of expertise in equipment, processes, or knowledge of the elements of art.  Mobile devices bring new possibilities to the table.

    Mobile devices are discrete.  Moments are not disrupted by balky equipment.

    Mobile devices are ever-present. We capture fleeting moments unavailable to bulky equipment and artists pallets.

    Mobile devices are immediate.  You can review your shot on the spot and redo it to be sure to capture your own unique vision of the moment. 

    Mobile devices are collaborative.  The social networks allow us to share and get feedback in an instant.

    Hey, I want to diverge and tell you a story about a cell phone – just for laughs:

    My daughter Heather taught me, or did I teach her, to stay busy and enjoy each day and each moment.  We share a lot of moments via social media – in our case,  e-mail and text. 

    She earns a living by thinking – but her schedule is so busy that some things must get done without thinking – she prioritizes – thinks about the new challenges and does the routine things automatically.  

    This morning, she was in the kitchen on the phone talking to a prospective buyer, sorting papers, thinking about how to make the sale, preparing a cup of coffee to put in the micro-wave and take with her as she drove to meet a prospective buyer. Phone conversation over, she opened the micro-wave and popped the phone into the micro-wave, gathered up the papers and ran for the car. Oops, said she, I forgot my coffee, back into the kitchen – opened the micro-wave to get the coffee and was met by a cloud of stinky black smoke and a smoldering cell phone!

    Yep, after a successful sales meeting – off to the Version store to spend much of her commission on a new cell phone.  Like the insurance advertisement says “We have seen a thing or two.”

    Immediately, with her ever-present new cell, she sent me a photo of the smoldering old phone to ask me what I thought her daily pace did to her brain. – Together we laughed. (In this case the new phone camera made sharing the days happening immediate and collaborative.)

    Hope you loved that true story – OK, back to the TGO Photo Club.  I want to make the TGO Photo Club a place for all of us to learn more, share, and collaborate according to each of our own  interest.  I want it to be a place for those who fully comprehend the power of the latest cameras and expensive lens, those who know the complexity of post processing software, those who have studied the elements of art, and those who love the ever-present aspects of mobile devises.  Some parts of the club will fit all of us.  But some of us must gather in smaller groups like Birds-of-a-Feather.

     More on that later. 

    Here are some examples of digital sharing from Jim Dick, Bob Hazlett, and myself:

    Bob Hazlett

    Bob Hazlett
    Bob Hazlett
    08 25 2019 – Jim Dick – I was finally able to get a couple of shots of a Great Blue Heron that has been hanging around the pond. Usually it is on the other side. I was surprised to see the beak is black on top since in Florida it is yellow.
    08 25 2019 Jim Dick – Spotted two of these birds. Not sure what it is. It might be some kind of Sparrow. It looks like a young one.
    Jim Brubaker – In my horse coral. Strange looking horse. An immediate always present cell phone camera snap.
    Up close – Jim Brubaker – In my horse coral. Here’s looking at you. – Processed up close.
    Jim Brubaker – On the TGO nature trail – here’s smiling at you.
    08 25 2019 Jim Brubaker – Could not help myself – had to take a photo of a garden wall and digitally paint it and send it to Gloria the artist – to show her my digital watercolor
    Bob Hazlett – Fisherman’s Memorial
    Bob Hazlett –  Widow’s Memorial
    Bob Hazlett
    Bob Hazlett
    As you swing thru life – Get with the modern world and enjoy the experiences of mobil devices and associated social media.
  • August 20, 2019 – Leave your camera at home when you travel – Oh my, did I say do not take photos – Yipes, Read on.

    August 20, 2019 – Leave your camera at home when you travel – Oh my, did I say do not take photos – Yipes, Read on.

    Hey, this is a fun philosophical topic to think about.  Maybe someone would like to research it and make a presentation to the Photo Club this season.  Bring your ideas to the Education Group and see what they think.

    Since Bob Hazlett sent some great photos of his travel this summer – in Cape Cod and Hyannis  – I wanted to introduce them in this blog – So, I started to think why I was so glad he sent them – I went to the internet and thought a little about it  – You know, I think our Club should learn more about why we enjoy seeing photos – I bet if we all think about why we photographers  photograph, we will become better photographers and enjoy our sport a little more.

    From the Internet:

    Didn’t have a camera by my side this time,
    hoping I would see the world through both my eyes.

    Today I finally overcame,
    trying to fit the world inside a picture frame.

    Maybe you should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes;
    it brought me back to life.

    —John Mayer, “3×5”

    That does not sound right because here I am the leader of the Photo Club  I take photos every day – some times every hour – I could have ask “Why take photos?”  So I went to the internet and ask that question.  I found many articles and essays on the subject.

    Here is a portion of just one essay I found:

    “During my last vacation, I avoided reaching for my phone to take pictures. Though I was conscious about this choice, I slipped up a few times. Every beautiful sunset, every Wyoming sky, every rushing Montana river, brought with it the twitch, an urge to reach for my camera-phone and seize the picturesque setting. I resisted, though, and after an instant of hesitation, I was able to enjoy each event for all its worth—not attempting to put a piece of it in my pocket to save for later. I took it all in—right then, right there—enjoying the experience for what it was: a perfect moment.

    Don’t get me wrong: I think photography is a beautiful art form. When well-executed, photos are breathtaking. Furthermore, we’re a visual culture, so pictures play a large role in the way we communicate. I’m not going to stop taking photos altogether, but I am going to remain more cognizant of my surroundings. I’m going to enjoy the experience first and embrace the impermanence of the moment. And if an unobtrusive opportunity arises to snap a photos, then I will. Maybe. Or maybe not. It’s okay to be on the mountain without proving to everyone else you were there to see it.”

    I am not sure I like the tone of that essay – Here is where it sent my mind:

    So, do you snap photos to prove you were there, to refresh you memory of the moment when alone six months later in the dead of winter, or in the dead of winter does your photo help you tell a story at that social cocktail party.

    My thought is:  If you are on a photo shoot looking for birds, taking a walk around the TGO community/nature trail,  on a travel to Cape Cod, or enjoying life on my Great Lake called  Naadowewi-Gichigami (Lake Huron), enjoy the experience first and embrace the impermanence of the moment, them snap photos often.  You will have time to enjoy the moment and snap photos.  Then use your photographs – Share them to encourage others to enjoy photography, share them to let others simply stay in touch with you, share later over cocktails to serve as an aid to telling your story, in the dead of winter refresh your memory of the moment, and look at them anytime and marvel that your photograph is a piece of art that you and your friends love.  Why we humans love art is another whole topic but we do love to look at art.

    So, say I, keep that shutter going on every trip – not just in your motor home, but on those trips through all the hours of your life! Where ever they may be.

    08 20 2019 Bob Hazlett, Hazletts
    08 20 2019 Bob Hazlett –  Hazletts and Spains are moving north.
    08 20 2019 Bob Hazlett,
    08 20 2019 Bob Hazlett, 
    08 20 2019 Bob Hazlett, 
    This photo is unmodified – it is as I took it – A Sea Gull pooped as it flew over my concrete drive and this is what happened – Is that Gull and artist or what!!!
    This chimney is all that remains of Ford Drummond – built by the British in 1812, or thereabouts, after being driven from Mackinac Island.  I took my canoe around the point of land across the bay.  It then took an hour or more hike for me to locate this chimney – which I knew was there somewhere – It is on private land – they came out and sort of questioned me – They were nice about my intrusion but I only took one iPhone photo and quickly exited their property.
    Since I spoke of using the photos to tell stories – the first two photo I used to tell you the story of my artistic Gull and of my long hike on Drummond.  Then,  I decided to show you how much fun I have making art from photos – Here I used PhotoShop to integrate 6 photographs to make one photo art.
    As you swing thru life – Take your camera with you at all times – use it often – maybe every hour and then make use of the photos as I discussed my thinking above.  Then tell me of your own  reasons for the photograph.

     

  • August 14, 2019 – New York City – Why would you ever share a photo – Facebook, Instagram, TGO Photo Club page????

    Go click “2 Photo shoot”  in the left hand column and see Bob Hazlett in NYC! Then return here to try to understand why we share photos – Oh, come to our first club meeting in October and share there too.

    I ask Google “Why do we share photos?”and  got many answers – After my shared photos below are just a few reasons that photographers gave to Google.

    On my dock has pointed posts to keep Gulls and rain off posts – so this Gull always sits on the stick that is attached to the last post.  Actually, sort of curls his toes around it.
    Look what powers this Mini Cooper!
    Sitting in the parking lot of The Great Outdoors – where most of us residents are over 70 – but we sure like our toys.
    Now I know where I parked the car in Orland International Airport!
    I like my library and reading about cows
     I enjoy sharing photos with you – Now, see just a little of what I found on Google about sharing photos:

    “If I see a photo that I personally think is really funny or cute or whatever, and I had enjoyment out of it, then I’m going to re-post it for all my followers to get enjoyment out of.”

    “I enjoy taking photos and putting them online so that other people know what I like to do without having to make it obvious.”

    “Yes I share photos isn’t that why you take them so you can show people what you have done or what you have accomplished while on vacation or at a family reunion. Showing people photos you have taken is basically showing them memories you have made in your life time. I always show people photos I have taken whether it is to give someone a good laugh or to show someone what I did on that vacation or school field trip.”

    “I usually only share photos if it’s something I made or just something cool I found.”

     I take photos so that I can look back at them and say ” wow I remember that”.  Of course,  I share the memory.”

    “I think that sharing photos online is good because it is good that you can share stuff with your friends and family.”

    As you swing thru life – Share! – It feels good and others will share with you
  • August 12, 2019 – I really enjoyed these photos, from Bob Hazlett, of the Hudson Valley near West Point Academy and from Jim Dick’s “Lunch on Highland Lake.” — and a Mini from me!

    August 12, 2019 – I really enjoyed these photos, from Bob Hazlett, of the Hudson Valley near West Point Academy and from Jim Dick’s “Lunch on Highland Lake.” — and a Mini from me!

    Hey, if you missed it yesterday, go see Dave’s great shots of owl eyes staring at you. Click in left hand column (Photo Shoot Images) to see them – then return here.  If you missed my yesterday’s post of a beautiful morning on Drummond Island, click “Older Posts” at the bottom of this page.

    08 12 2019 Bob Hazlett – Cadet Chapel USMA, West Point, NY
    08 12 2019 Bob Hazlett – Hudson River looking north from the grounds of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY.
    08 12 2019 Jim Dick’s lunch window on the lake
    Oh my – Sue, my daughter-in-law gave me a great summer experience by inviting me to be her copilot at a Mini Cooper gathering near the Mackinac Bridge – over 1300 Coopers – the parade they told me was almost 14 miles long – I loved this Mini Cooper/Camper
    As you swing thru life – Enjoys the views! and share what you saw with friends

     

     

     

  • August 11, 2019 -Oh My – on last post I said August 29 – Am I ready for fall or what???? – Anyway, read on to see what Nathanial and I have to say about that!

    August 11, 2019 -Oh My – on last post I said August 29 – Am I ready for fall or what???? – Anyway, read on to see what Nathanial and I have to say about that!

    Do you mind eyes staring at you or you at them – Hey, go see Dave’s great shots of owl eyes staring at you. Click in left hand column (Photo Shoot Images) to see them – then return here and take a morning walk with me.

    Here on Drummond autumn arrives early and fast – one day it is summer and the next day it is fall.  It felt that way this morning. Soon the Sand Hill Cranes will circle the island to gather up groups for the trip south. I know that will not happen for another month but these last few days made me think of next month. Bright sunshine with brief periods of cloud cover, fog rolling in over the bay a 5:30 this morning, and heavy dew in the morning.

    This week, I cut more grass, cleaned up more downed trees, painted more items than I did all summer. I did all that work just so I could enjoy being outside in the early fall-late summer days on Drummond.  We still have 15 hours of light, but each day the hours of light shrinks. And the temps – Oh my – in the high 60’s at noon today – with bright sun.

    Like Mister Hawthorne said:

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    “I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.” Oct. 10, 1842 ― Nathaniel Hawthorn

    Others have said: Everyone must go outside and watch fall sneak in – Hello, Fall! It’s Fall Y’all.  Happy Fall Y’all.

    First at 5:30 the whole lake was hidden in a fog bank that soon burnt off.  That is when I took a walk outside to enjoy the dew and late summer flowers of early morning.

    According to the dictionary – Dew is water in the form of droplets that appears on thin, exposed objects in the morning due to condensation.  As the exposed surface cools by radiating its heat, atmospheric moisture condenses at a rate greater than that at which it can evaporate, resulting in the formation of water droplets.  Because dew is related to the temperature of surfaces, in late summer it forms most easily on surfaces that are not warmed by conducted heat from deep ground, such as grass, leaves, railings, car roofs, and window panes.

    Bet you are glad I looked that up just for you – Anyway I will post some of the photos I took on my early morning walk today.

    I truly hope these photos inspire you to get out there and enjoy the simple but beautiful things you can see and study each day as the new season approaches. – And of course take your camera and share your experience with friends and neighbors.  If you send me a photo or two I will share it on this Photo Club blog – even if you are not a member I am sure our members would enjoy your photos!

    Good Morning says he
    Oh my – condensation on the windows – that says fall is close by
    Look at the color already and the dew on the web
    And the color under the web
    And the dewy canoe
    Beautiful late summer look out over the bay after the fog cleared.
    Looks like a flame on top – only the early morning sun hitting a tree in the background
    Not enough for my breakfast cereal – but I enjoy finding wild raspberries
    The Monarch fled the coop – off somewhere hanging around the milkweed plants I am sure – maybe getting ready to start a long trip to Mexico or where ever they go
    Is that nice or what?
    Pretty
    1  of three I took in a row
    number 2 I took in a row of 3
    Number 3 of 3 I took in a row
    I love to catch action reflections – in this case a gull leaving my dock – even with a simple iPhone camera – it was a fun shot!
    As you swing thru life – Every now and then get up early in the morning and take a photo walk – with only your iPhone – that way the main reason for the walk is to enjoy the outdoors – the camera is only the minor reason for the walk!