One thing I love about spring in our home in Georgia is the ever unfolding reminder of the march of time. All through the summer the blooming bushes and flowers will rotate with a beauty to remind me of how much greater His Glory will be in heaven. If you can find a loveliness like this here in a fallen world; imagine what beauty will await where perfection, justice and holiness prevails everywhere.
Happy Sunday! Enjoy some time with God today!
-ehw
Just a few shots from going out and about with Kevin after dinner tonight. This boy may have a hard time concentrating on finishing his dinner, but he focuses pretty hard out here with his rod and reel.
Walking his line down to lure the fish in...
Dad I had a steong nibble
The Tin Fish which got away today
My little fisherman
The Crucifix in the St Michael the Archangel Chapel at Regina Caeli Academy
On Monday, Father Tran provided a wonderful homily at the Regina Caeli Academy's opening day mass. One very important thought Father wanted us to take home is a key step all of us need to take when building a relationship with Christ and the body of Christ. It focused on reorienting our discussion reference points while talking with God.
Most of us, myself as a sinner included, begin our discussions with God saying, "I am in need...I wish...I.....I....I...I" Father challenged us to recognize this type of thought and language implies the little partner in the relationship, or the child, is telling God to look at the world through our eyes. When you ponder the statement, you quickly realize the insanity of our normal position. We mortals, of limited senses and knowledge, tell the almighty and all knowing to work towards our designs.
After thinking through this situation for but a minute or two, most rational people will recognize we should really be walking a mile in God's shoes before we talk to the Almighty. Rather than asking the Lord to make straight the crooked path ahead to ease our burden, maybe we need to ask the Lord for strength to correct the mistakes we made while making the crooked path ahead the day before!
When we shift the thought process from our perspective to God's perspective, we can more readily accept the wisdom of God. This will mean more time walking with him, and less time arguing with our own selfishness. Just maybe that will lead us better on the path of salvation. The very path he called us to from the moment he formed us in our mother's womb..
-ehw
Looking up at the blooming rose...
I've had a heck of a time photographing these roses. It always seems that I get too much light on the red while the greens get properly exposed. Then I'll fix the red and the green gets so dark you see no detail. Oh it drives me nuts! However the beauty of the rose just continues to call me to try and get it right.
The photo you see above is one of my better attempts. In this case I shot the rose using backlight in the shade. Everything seems ok because the shade and the backlight made let the subtle details and colors come out. To get this photo I had to crawl between the bushes, avoid stepping on other lovely flowers and then get low looking at an unusual angle...upwards.
We all have something that drives us crazy as we try obtain that perfect rose photo. We will often fail in the individual attempts, but those failures do not have to define us. We just have to keep improving and learning...and not failing so catastrophically that we lose the resources to try again. If we keep going we can navigate around the obstacles and get the next shot at the rose.
Rough week at work? I know all about it...just maybe keep this in mind. Keep looking up!
ehw-
Shifting the Rocks!
Just a few from last weekend...nothing fancy and no heavy thoughts.
I just took a few minutes to enjoy the kids inbetween cooking various meals, hiking and swiming at Red Top Mountain. Of course to me enjoyment also includes looking for a lovely ray of light or expression...
It is wonderful to see the kids enjoy the long summer days, not get upset with the heat, thunderstorm interuption, and tight sleeping quarters. it made me smile.
I hope you too get a moment to enjoy the loved ones in your life.
-ehw
Oh the joy of a juicebox!
Morning Light
It is one of those trying times for me right now....challenges, challenges and more challenges.
As I processed this photo it pretty much matched my mood. A dark forest being slowly being lit by the morning sun after a rainy night. The morning haze showing off the rays of light and mist. i see a lot of darkness, but I can still feel the light of the Lord guiding me step by step through the woods.
As a newer artist I still find it extraodinary when emotion guides your artistic decisions and direction. I think that is what makes the whole adventure enjoyable and thought provoking. Yet I cannot help myself from asking if anyone else sees my vision the same way...or will it merely become whatever they want it to be? If someone does not see what you intended are you a success or a failure?
To answer my question, I think it would be silly to think everyone will look at the photo the way you intended. We all have different thoughts, perspectives and references. Success and failure of a piece really depends on whether or not the image gets you to simply stop and think about your photo as they apply their thoughts to it.
-ehw
P.S. X-E1 with 18-55 shot while cooking eggs and sausage.
Spring is barreling its way into Roswell, Georgia. Those of us with hay fever are also remembering why Atlanta Metro is known as the friendliest city to trees in the entire Untied States. The pollen count went well over 2000 for trees this week. Lovely time of year, the weather is great...but your cars are yellow...and don't touch your eyes!
We had a crazy week around my house, and a zany week to come with all sorts of fun and Holy Week to wrap it all up!
This year I found myself able to take off the last three days of Holy Week. SoI grabbed it. It is my favorite time of the liturgical year. I love the opportunity to contemplate on the fact that Jesus, God Incarnate, dies for me and everyone so we may be free. It brings me hope and peace.
The photo today reflects that thought as well. The tree went to sleep in fall, shedding its outer layer of leaves to survive the winter. Now with the light and warmth of spring new flowers arise. In them we see a mere prelude to the glory and beauty that is the love of God in our lives.
-ehw
Today was two days in one, so please forgive me if this is a confusing.
We had one of those days around the house which makes you appreciate each person in your family and close friend circle a little more than when you woke up.
We had the little boy praying for his favorite pastor, now in heaven, the night before surprise me with the things he learned about faith, hope, love of God, and respect for authority this year in Blue Knights (and his catechism!).
We had a friend race over to help us and another storm heaven with prayers, as Mom and Dad had to make an unexpected trip...and we saw how deeply we love the lives of our children...and the new one on the way...before any saw the first light of day.
I had two big kids step up and grow up just a little more when faced with a challenge. I love them lots. Much more than words or photos could ever show (well no one really gets photos of me with my kids since I'm the photog!)
And then my youngest daughter fell asleep on my shoulder in church tonight while two boys sang in the children's choir (of course now at almost 10PM she just wants to party!).
This photo I played with seemed to fit the day's adventures. A lovely red blossoming flower surrounded by by busy texture. That was today...life unfolding surrounded by the texture of confusion, noise, friends sustainment, and warmth.
All in all it was a day when we could say God is good to us in ways we could not fathom at the first light of dawn. A day reminding me to say thank you to God for all he did in so many little ways and lives to sustain us. A day which makes me say thank you for having one more day tomorrow to recover and praise his name again.
-ehw
Today was two days in one, so please forgive me if this is a confusing.
We had one of those days around the house which makes you appreciate each person in your family and close friend circle a little more than when you woke up.
We had the little boy praying for his favorite pastor, now in heaven, the night before surprise me with the things he learned about faith, hope, love of God, and respect for authority this year in Blue Knights (and his catechism!).
We had a friend race over to help us and another storm heaven with prayers, as Mom and Dad had to make an unexpected trip...and we saw how deeply we love the lives of our children...and the new one on the way...before any saw the first light of day.
I had two big kids step up and grow up just a little more when faced with a challenge. I love them lots. Much more than words or photos could ever show (well no one really gets photos of me with my kids since I'm the photog!)
And then my youngest daughter fell asleep on my shoulder in church tonight while two boys sang in the children's choir (of course now at almost 10PM she just wants to party!).
This photo I played with seemed to fit the day's adventures. A lovely red blossoming flower surrounded by by busy texture. That was today...life unfolding surrounded by the texture of confusion, noise, friends sustainment, and warmth.
All in all it was a day when we could say God is good to us in ways we could not fathom at the first light of dawn. A day reminding me to say thank you to God for all he did in so many little ways and lives to sustain us. A day which makes me say thank you for having one more day tomorrow to recover and praise his name again.
-ehw
I received a blessing from God today...I went out to fellowship and take photos with the His Light Workshop Crew.
If you have a few minutes I suggest you take a look at the work of Bill Fortney ( http://billfortney.com/) and Jim Begley (http://www.wowphotoshdr.com/).
What you will find are stunning images of life. You will not find subjects created for shock value or pure sex appeal. You find written word and art which lifts you upwards...toward an appreciation for God and all his wonders. Bill is fond of saying he loves texture in his photos. I also think he is very good at helping you appreciate the textures God adds to your life. Jim makes High Dynamic Range (HDR) photos which knock your socks off in content, technical excellence and message. When you talk to him, you can see feel his love of God coming out in the same manner of an HDR photograph where something we think is too dark for perception reveals itself and the composition makes sense so the message takes root in your heart and mind in equal parts. How do these men do this? By actively listening to you, and letting God work through them in a very humble manner.
See if you come to a His Light Workshop, you better be ready for God to speak through its many members. You need to understand that when you join the crew, they will care about you more as a person than as a photographer. The funny thing is when they do this, they offer more of themselves to you as teachers than most others ever will if they did the reverse.
I saw many examples today of agape love in HDR. People freely giving of themselves to care for others, offering a prayer for others in need, and providing an environment for people to engage in the sharing at a level their personalities and life texture permits. It is not loud, it is not outlandish...it is quiet and subtle..it is the sound of the Holy Spirit working his way through people bringing Christ where needed for their sustainment.
So why the title? Well we all have many choices in life for everything we do. In choosing friends and services I think we also have a choice...we can chose Premium or Regular friends. A regular friend will be with us as we travel through life, but when a challenge arrives they'll just walk on their own trying to help you with a man's knowledge. A premium friend with walk with you, and when the time comes not be afraid to invoke God in the discussion of how you shall overcome life's challenges using his revealed laws of nature and scripture.
The men and women of His Light...they are Premium.
-ehw
PS X-E1 with the 35mm Prime
While shuttling the boys around to baseball today I took my camera along. Good old Mr. Pentax K-5 came along so while the boys do their spring training I do mine. Just as they learn the lovely feel of a glove on your hand, I learn the lovely knobs, buttons and dials and sound of the shutter closing to complete my image.
I took some test photos on the field of my boy, and when I was confident the sports gear was working I turned to having some creative fun. I mounted up my favorite Pentax lens still in my arsenal, the D-FA 100WR and went to work.
This photo is a knot on the bench I was sitting on while Kevin was doing a mock game. I made several photos with the intent on pulling texture out later...then I remembered a line from Brian Peterson's recent video reminding us to add an element to the photo to become an accent in it. So in came the leaf to spice things up.
Later I added some effects in post to pull out the texture of the wood and leaf ...I then cropped it ...and added the vignette. When I was done it was what I envisioned when I started.
I must say I really enjoyed this creative process from start to finish. I am slowing growing as an artist, and this is just another step in the journey. I hope you enjoyed the results as well!
-ehw
Well not to rub it in to those of you looking at more white stuff this evening, but look what was in my yard today!
Two weeks ago we had an ice storm. This weekend we had springlike weather, flowers, and our first baseball practices with the boys.
Walking the yard today, I think the big tragedy may be my gardenia bush near our deck. The frost just ravaged the leaves. It is mostly brown now, and I don't know if it will recover. We also took some damage to the shed, and it needs roof repair now. Hopefully I can teach myself to fix it without too much trouble.
This all just reminds me life is so precious, and our journey in the world so tenuous.
See we're still praying for a lady our age who after having her fourth child in December collapsed in the parking lot at our children's homeschooling music group. Her husband, knowing she was not feeling well that day was with her and immediately started CPR. The ambulance came and she went off intubated to the hospital. All this while her four children sat in the van...again a little miracle since friends nearby swooped them up and took them home for safety. 70 minutes later .... yes 70 minutes later.. her heart started working again on its own. At first there appeared to be no brain activity...and they they tested again the next day....and found some hope.
By the third day she moved her feet, hands and made sounds. She even wanted to know if the baby was hungry. A little over two weeks later she is teasing her husband, who still sits at her side. She knows her children and family. She thinks it is 1996...but she is alive (and with children who were not born yet in 1996) and moving towards recovery. Three doctors already said this is a miracle, even compared her to Lazarus more than once.
I told told my wife I was satisfied a miracle occurred when her husband was at her side that day...and even though feeling queasy she went along to help him get the kids to music. (probably knew Dad would get the times messed up...I know the drill because my wife writes down everything for me and tells the kids they are my alarm clock).
The cause? An extremely rare injury to an artery resulting from childbirth in December.
When told about the cause...she said without hesitation the child was worth the cost.
This my friends is a miracle we should all take note of. We are witnessing a husband and wife who gave all without question to each other, and a witnessing their faith journey with us out here on the outside of their family.
For my wife and I it reminded us to love every moment of our lives. They could be us. Our children could be theirs. It reminded us we need to be living our lives the best we can, because in a flash we could be meeting Jesus.
If you can, add a Marrietta family to your prayers . They have a long way to go before the healing is done.
If you envisioned the scene, and you shed a year of sorrow and joy just hearing this love story...let this miracle help you be better than you were before for the rest of your lives. I think the Lord will be pleased, and help his family even more.
-ehw
P.S. X-E1 with 60mm macro.
Here is a photo that is a little more than meets the eye. It is another High Dynamic Range (HDR) photo I composited from seven clicks of the shutter. Each click gives me information, and when I composite those seven shots I can do a whole lot of art with it. I can pick realistic, surreal, structured, B&W you name it. There is no "right" answer, it is just how I see it. Over time I am also blessed because I can come back to the shoot with new lessons learned, and make a photo which takes those seven layers into a new and different direction.
Today is St. Valentines Day and he is the patron saint of marriage and love. It will sound geeky, but marriage and love require HDR. Our english language does not serve us well when we talk of love. The church fathers knew there were four dynamics: Agape (Divine Love), Philia (Friendship), Storge (Affection) and Eros (Emotional). Today our society outwardly values eros, and seemingly on purpose denies the others even exist. This is of course a recipe for failure in families and human commitment. We all know that emotional love fades, that when the hormones fade and age sets in...the pull of another set of hormones or selfishness will tear the relationship asunder. The self giving love flowing from Agape is the most important to emulate as it feeds everything else, yet to speak the name of the Lord in relation to being the example of human love will only get you scorn on the major networks and advertisements.
My love just read me a story about a couple married 65 years who said the secret they held was they grew up in a time when you did not throw a damaged item away...you fixed it.
That story says it all. Just as I may find a new direction with my HDR next year, and could create a new version of this image...so must we adapt in our marriages finding the right mix of agape, philia, storge and eros as we advance through our lives. What was right for us as newlyweds, is not what will sustain us on our 16th anniversary this year or our 50th...I can foresee we have many a layer to examine and thrive with in the coming years.
I see the same example in the longevity of marriages by my parents, my in-laws and grandparents. I pray St. Valentine and you will join me in asking the Lord for the wisdom to help us all down here to do the same.
-ehw
P.S. Fujifilm X-E1 with the fabulous 60mm Macro
Today I made an accidental study in under exposure. See I was shooting away, in what I thought was aperture priority mode. Well I accidentally also moved the shutter speed from Auto to 4000/sec. As a result, the vast majority of the shot became way under exposed. The most highly exposed parts of the photo, did expose properly and created some beautiful colors. Obviously the contrast between dark and light came out fantastic, with a bit of a magical air to it.
The mistake I made reminded me of a basic need...to make sure I sometimes learn what creative possibilities exist by working around the metered perfect. It can teach me why "right" is "right," and what happens when you push the boundaries to sometimes make some magical air.
-ehw
P.S. X-E1 with 60mm obviously underexposed!
On this evening I found myself in pleasant company leaving work...the three people I said farewell to are headed the same place I am in a few minutes...to church. I felt warm in knowing, contrary to popular culture, that some people out there still believe the evening is about more than a simple drinking fest..it is about thanking God for another tour around the sun!
Today's scripture reading in the Divine Office from Colossians 2:4-15 hits that point on the nose: "See to it that no one deceives you through any empty, seductive philosophy that follows mere human traditions, a philosophy based on cosmic powers rather than on Christ." It is to God that we owe thanks...not the maker of Miller, Jack Daniels, or whatever else there is.
The homily by St Leo the Great reminded us, "For every believer regenerated in Christ, no matter in what part of the whole world he may be, breaks with that ancient way of life that derives from original sin, and by rebirth is transformed into a new man. Henceforth he is reckoned to be of the stock, not of this earthly father, but of Christ, who became Son of Man precisely that men could become sons of God; for unless in humility he had come down to us , none of us by our own merits could ever go up to him."
I'm not implying we need to forgo a nice glass of wine, but we need to forgo the culture and philosophy of worshiping those earthly things for the sake of themselves. In many ways, abuse of anything takes our eyes off the prize. It could be internet addiction, money, sports, you name it...anything pulling too hard will hurt our time we should rather be spending to build up the kingdom of God. Just watch a few minutes of commercials during a bowl game or the parties tonight and you'll see what I mean in spades!
So there is my resolution. Get control of things that distract and get God put back in charge.
I hope you have a noble resolution as well!
Happy New Years Eve!
-ehw
So what does a farmer do when a baby lamb loses its mother hours after it birth? My second son's Godparents recently had this occur on their farm. A ewe carried her 10th lamb to term, and died shortly after the birth. If the lamb existed in the wild, it would simply be left to fend for itself immediately. No other ewe will care for it, preferring instead by instinct to care for its own offspring.
This farming family instead will feed the lamb ewe by hand until it can fend for itself. Extra work yes, but it is an example of proper stewardship of the world we live in. These Godparents let nothing go to waste if they have any say in it. I find it is also a little example of following the wisdom of God, and an example of what we saw from Christ. We are all fallen creatures, even if we have good genes we are all still flawed. Despite this problem of ours, he for came into the world as a child, and grew to become a man...the perfect sacrifice and example for us to follow so we too could be with him in heaven.
So as you prepare for the arrival of Christ tonight...remember that as hard as it is to fathom...he calls us to follow his example in largest, smallest and everything I between parts of our life.
-ehw P.S. Fujifilm X-E1 with the 18-55
A few signs of fall appearing around the town of Roswell, Georgia the last few weeks...and I finally got to enjoy a photo walk win town to capture a few of them. I particularly enjoyed how the leaves gave a sense of closure to the season as we zoom quickly to the dawn of winter. This bench was very interesting to me. I enjoyed the rich textures, contrasty color, and detail. So I tried to capture it faithfully.
If you've followed the blog for any length of time you know I enjoy shooting in the fall. The afternoon light is so warm and enticing. Funny thing is this photo does not get that full treatment due to placement of the bench! Oh well a few more days of this light before a business trip will take me for a spin way out west!
I've become increasingly self critical of my work. I think it comes with the higher expectations I have for myself. That is good because it drives me to improve my game, it is bad because it gives me greater pause before I shoot and share. I'm still learning the needed balance between shooting for fun, sharing and living. What a wonderful journey life is...who knows where it will take me or teach me in the days and years to come.
-ehw
We had a slow. but lovely weekend at Art in the Park...so that left some time for us photographers on scene to play and make some art...and admire the work of others!
Please enjoy the photo essay that follows, and know we were working hard!
-ehw
PS All taken with my X-E1 with a variety of lenses...
Walking through an office I saw a plant reminding of the phrase urban jungle. Quick shots, catch good light and frame in camera the best I could... Then snapseed and done.
Just a reminder watch for a weekend sale on the store!
-EHW
I am mad as heck at myself...I ran out of the house to beat the rush and forgot my lovely X-E1 in the house on my desk with two charged batteries. So when I got he photo bug I had to turn here to my iPhone. I know, I know everyone is doing it nowadays. I am just resistant to it. I'll use live view and all the modern conveniences but at the end of the day I just want my real camera.
Well I had the bug to shoot something, and I found myself at a rest area. I got a quick shot with a little morning sun. Problem was the flowers were definitely starting to fade...some flowers were downright depressing for what I wanted to do. So I came back to my room and played with the photo...first in iPhoto and then on Snapseed. Snapseed gave me some fun options I liked and knew how to use from my extensive experience with the product....and iPhoto is on its first run with me in its current regeneration.
The bottom line is that even when you have what you feel is little to work with, in today's world it is a far cry from what we had just ten years ago. I made a pretty interesting piece...or so I hope!
Stay optimistic, and drive on to making some art!
-ehw PS iPhone camera on auto, edited in Snapseed.