The way we'll always be?

I find myself in quiet retrospection this evening. Trying to maintain the same 90 minute a day discipline for this activity is becoming more stringent than I once thought. But after reviewing peers' blogs, especially today, I realize it must be done. Illness be damned. Just have at it. Another task is finding photos to post. Perhaps it's a touch more difficult because as one who captures photos, I have yet to know what exact style I wish to purvey.

This evening caught me going back a couple of years to the first month or two in which I found myself in ownership of my first digital SLR. I had a good point and shoot, but felt it was time to expand after several years of that. Albeit, I loved the aspect of convenience, portability, immediacy, etc. But eventually you have to step up in some fashion. Not the greatest of cameras, a simple Nikon D40. But this did create many options I did not have before. One open doors leads to the next, yes? These four are simply what occurs when you have a camera in your hand at every moment for 2 months. The digital age is a double-edged sword. Yes, you have immediate feedback. On the other side, everyones a photographer nowadays.

The first was shot pretty late at night. From what I remember it may have been my first open shutter frame. I think I let it go for 10 or 15 seconds. Not trying any fancy tricks, but just trying to capture all the colors I saw that night. A lot of humidity in the air really carries existing light on occasion.

The next came from the Shenandoah valley, mid-spring or so. Everything was so lush and green. I was stopped on an old country road, probably dating back to 18xx? I'm still not sure how much I enjoy macro shots, but its still satisfying to capture an image that, to you, feels perfect.

Again, I return to the beach. Partially because I spend so much time there. Myself, like so many others out there, receive a certain calm and resetting from the ocean. Being in, or around, or on. It just levels me out in a way I'm not sure I can find elsewhere. This image could have been laying under the umbrella, awaiting sleep or just coming from a time of rest. I don't remember and it doesn't really matter now, but I know at that moment it was serene.

Finally. An image of the man that shaped at least 60+% of who I am today. My Ol' Man. On the water, in his element and happy. Not the easiest of lives he's led and I think his working had says it best. No words, just a photo. Love you, Dad.

Enjoy.