click photo to enlarge
2.27.2009
Updates
City Night Gallery – See updates here
My blog was down on Thursday – Read yesterday post here (p.s. it’s a good one)
Camera: Nikon D200
Exposure: 7.1
Aperture: f/22.0
Focal Length: 22 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash
My blog was down on Thursday – Read yesterday post here (p.s. it’s a good one)
Camera: Nikon D200
Exposure: 7.1
Aperture: f/22.0
Focal Length: 22 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash
2.26.2009
Afterlife would look like this - Short Story
I never thought the afterlife would look like this. Day three of sitting on this terracotta roof with this boy pointing a toy gun at my head. The shingles are pinching at my bum. Sally just peed herself, again. I am staring at three crufixes with four men standing in front of them. One man has a Che Guevara shirt on, that must mean something. The air smells of alpaca dung and will somebody for the love of God turn down that flamingo music?? Why is that boy holding on to cow guts pulled out of a bucket? How did I get this scar?
Pop, pop, pop, a man with a camera walks up to me and says, “You can’t have simplicity until you know confusion. Say cheese”. Pop, pop, pop the flash blinds me for an instant. The cameraman yell outs “bang, bang, my baby shot me down…this is way beyond funny, sonny”, and then he walks away.
I’ve been to Planet Hollywood, have not been to the mountaintop, I should have danced more often. I wish I had updated my style of clothing, as this is what I am going to wear for eternity in the afterlife. My cell phone rings, “Hello?” A woman’s voice speaks, “interdependence, interconnectedness, systemic risk, moral hazard, this used to hurt”, she hangs up…”OK.”, I respond. I turn left and see what?
Four men wearing black facemasks with pom-poms and tassels on top of their heads. The man in the middle is holding onto a chalkboard that has a message scribbled in Spanish: “I feel stupid”. My white stuffed puppy dog from my childhood is on the floor next to my giant silver platform heals from my disco dancing days. I think, “How did the McMafa get my shoes and stuffed puppy dog?”
Pop, pop, pop, the cameramen takes my photo again. “Never thought the afterlife would look like this”, he says to me. “STOP THAT!” I yell at him, the flash is blinding me. “That’s the bright lights of heaven’s gate…and you must wait”, the cameraman says to me.
Pop, pop, pop, a man with a camera walks up to me and says, “You can’t have simplicity until you know confusion. Say cheese”. Pop, pop, pop the flash blinds me for an instant. The cameraman yell outs “bang, bang, my baby shot me down…this is way beyond funny, sonny”, and then he walks away.
I’ve been to Planet Hollywood, have not been to the mountaintop, I should have danced more often. I wish I had updated my style of clothing, as this is what I am going to wear for eternity in the afterlife. My cell phone rings, “Hello?” A woman’s voice speaks, “interdependence, interconnectedness, systemic risk, moral hazard, this used to hurt”, she hangs up…”OK.”, I respond. I turn left and see what?
Four men wearing black facemasks with pom-poms and tassels on top of their heads. The man in the middle is holding onto a chalkboard that has a message scribbled in Spanish: “I feel stupid”. My white stuffed puppy dog from my childhood is on the floor next to my giant silver platform heals from my disco dancing days. I think, “How did the McMafa get my shoes and stuffed puppy dog?”
Pop, pop, pop, the cameramen takes my photo again. “Never thought the afterlife would look like this”, he says to me. “STOP THAT!” I yell at him, the flash is blinding me. “That’s the bright lights of heaven’s gate…and you must wait”, the cameraman says to me.
2.25.2009
2.24.2009
2.23.2009
Moment
Current Reading: America the Beautiful by Moon Zappa
Current Music: The Best of Rusted Root
Smells: Oatmeal and coffee
Sounds: Humming
Temperature: 18 degrees, cloudy
Thoughts: My favorite item of clothing is a single sock.
Current Music: The Best of Rusted Root
Smells: Oatmeal and coffee
Sounds: Humming
Temperature: 18 degrees, cloudy
Thoughts: My favorite item of clothing is a single sock.
2.20.2009
The letter “P” must die
The predicament with having a purpose in life is that it has to be attached to a problem for the purpose to be purposeful. What is practical about having a purpose if the only purpose is to point out a problem?
Answer: To persuade people to your perspective on the problem actually having a purposeful point in solving.
Sounds political so far, are you perplexed at this particular point?
My personal puzzlement is that I like pizza. If you want to eat pizza with pepperoni, pigs got to die. In principal I prefer things not to have to pass away to get on my dinner plate.
The purpose in solving my problem is; is it practical to kill all “P” to persuade you that my perspective is correct on getting pepperoni on my plate?
The letter “P” must die –goodbye to
Paris, Poinsettias, Poppies, Pasta, Peanut Butter, Pontiac, Porsche, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Peru, Poland, Pakistan, Palestine, Pens, pencils ….plea your case if you want me to ponder this predicament while I eat this plate that has been properly placed in front of face.
2.19.2009
Living Room Series
Camera: Nikon D700
Exposure: 0.04 sec (1/25)
Aperture: f/1.4
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 1250
Exposure Bias: +1 EV
2.18.2009
RANT
America is waking up again as every generation has an opportunity to change the world, yet again.
“If there is a hard, high wall and an egg that breaks against it, no matter how right the wall or how wrong the egg, I will stand on the side of the egg.” - Haruki Murakami
As I write this there is a crowd gathered that is picketing and protesting the legalization of gay marriage, women rights to choose and other random thing that should be left to the individual to select... 2,103 verses in the bible on serving the poor and less fortunate and they pick the 4 vague sentences to stage a protest.
Wonder how many homeless people they passed on their way to the protest.
Simplification postponed due to instability issues…
“If there is a hard, high wall and an egg that breaks against it, no matter how right the wall or how wrong the egg, I will stand on the side of the egg.” - Haruki Murakami
As I write this there is a crowd gathered that is picketing and protesting the legalization of gay marriage, women rights to choose and other random thing that should be left to the individual to select... 2,103 verses in the bible on serving the poor and less fortunate and they pick the 4 vague sentences to stage a protest.
Wonder how many homeless people they passed on their way to the protest.
Simplification postponed due to instability issues…
2.17.2009
I Dream of Heaven - Short Story
Hung on a wall with a nail and black string is a photograph that nobody has looked at. There is no reason for people to walk down this corridor that leads to nowhere, void of light and purpose in the far back corner of a church hallway. Odd place for a photograph, empty space is your audience.
Me, I am a Catholic brother for St. Michael’s church. Life as a Catholic brother means that I have no holy orders, no sacramental blessing to dispose. I’ve taken a vow of living a life of no money, no honey, and I answer to a boss. In my case, my boss is Father Dougherty and let me tell you answering to God is easier than reporting to Father Dougherty. My day is spent counseling parishioners, mopping floors or whatever undertaking that Father Dougherty and the congregation need of me.
I spent the last two years walking by this empty hallway that lead to nowhere. For no particular reason this day I decided to sit down in front of this photograph and give it the viewing that it deserves. Sitting on this cold, slate hallway floor with my Bible and my journal I stare at this photo.
There is no background, no ambient quality to this photograph, only a subject of four people whose story is told by the expression on their faces.
A widowed grandfather, a happy and observant man, quiet most days is seated back center of the composition. The grandfather watches his two daughters playing a game of dominos. The daughter to his left is divorced, keeps herself occupied by reading and taking care of her father. Her father is not in ill health but the company is good for both of them.
His second daughter, Marie, the younger of the two is seated to his right, gazing outwardly, lost in thought. Marie has made bad life choices and lives with her anger, placing blame on no one for her place in this world. The source of her redemptive pride is her daughter, the grandfather’s only grandchild, Ella, stands behind her mother.
The two sisters sit face to face at this small card table playing their game. This time spent is a social responsibility to the family. Obliged by tradition, not of connection. Small amounts of coins, one ashtray clean and unused, a lighter, but no cigarettes, is on the table.
The granddaughter, pretty, twenty-something and well educated stands behind her mother leaning on her left shoulder. She understands the sacrifices that her mother has made for her. Like her mother and her aunt she is accountable for keeping the family together, although she would rather be elsewhere.
Ella stands behind her mother metaphorically and in body pondering her decision.
Carman, stay or go with him? Can Carman remaining faithfully to be after breaking his commitment? Should I leave my family and go away with him. I love him…I think. Will my mother be able to cope without me? Should I ask or tell or just go? Does Carman make me happy? I think so…most days. Independence without obligation, that’s what I want…I know it’s selfish. The gift of sharing my self whose life has ben given to another. If I leave will my family will they want me back? Yes. Look at my Papa…that is my dream.
The grandfather holds a small chalkboard pressed to his chest. In his own handwriting he scribbles “I miss Heaven”. That is what he called his wife…Heaven.
“Carman”, Father Dougherty calls out to me…yes Father, I’m coming.
Me, I am a Catholic brother for St. Michael’s church. Life as a Catholic brother means that I have no holy orders, no sacramental blessing to dispose. I’ve taken a vow of living a life of no money, no honey, and I answer to a boss. In my case, my boss is Father Dougherty and let me tell you answering to God is easier than reporting to Father Dougherty. My day is spent counseling parishioners, mopping floors or whatever undertaking that Father Dougherty and the congregation need of me.
I spent the last two years walking by this empty hallway that lead to nowhere. For no particular reason this day I decided to sit down in front of this photograph and give it the viewing that it deserves. Sitting on this cold, slate hallway floor with my Bible and my journal I stare at this photo.
There is no background, no ambient quality to this photograph, only a subject of four people whose story is told by the expression on their faces.
A widowed grandfather, a happy and observant man, quiet most days is seated back center of the composition. The grandfather watches his two daughters playing a game of dominos. The daughter to his left is divorced, keeps herself occupied by reading and taking care of her father. Her father is not in ill health but the company is good for both of them.
His second daughter, Marie, the younger of the two is seated to his right, gazing outwardly, lost in thought. Marie has made bad life choices and lives with her anger, placing blame on no one for her place in this world. The source of her redemptive pride is her daughter, the grandfather’s only grandchild, Ella, stands behind her mother.
The two sisters sit face to face at this small card table playing their game. This time spent is a social responsibility to the family. Obliged by tradition, not of connection. Small amounts of coins, one ashtray clean and unused, a lighter, but no cigarettes, is on the table.
The granddaughter, pretty, twenty-something and well educated stands behind her mother leaning on her left shoulder. She understands the sacrifices that her mother has made for her. Like her mother and her aunt she is accountable for keeping the family together, although she would rather be elsewhere.
Ella stands behind her mother metaphorically and in body pondering her decision.
Carman, stay or go with him? Can Carman remaining faithfully to be after breaking his commitment? Should I leave my family and go away with him. I love him…I think. Will my mother be able to cope without me? Should I ask or tell or just go? Does Carman make me happy? I think so…most days. Independence without obligation, that’s what I want…I know it’s selfish. The gift of sharing my self whose life has ben given to another. If I leave will my family will they want me back? Yes. Look at my Papa…that is my dream.
The grandfather holds a small chalkboard pressed to his chest. In his own handwriting he scribbles “I miss Heaven”. That is what he called his wife…Heaven.
“Carman”, Father Dougherty calls out to me…yes Father, I’m coming.
2.12.2009
Moment
Current Reading: Color by Victoria Finlay
Current Music: Stories of a Stranger by O.A.R.
Smells: Lemmon’s and coffee
Sounds: Printer and white noise
Temperature: 37 degrees, cloudy and windy
Thoughts: Raise your child right put putting your left foot down
Current Music: Stories of a Stranger by O.A.R.
Smells: Lemmon’s and coffee
Sounds: Printer and white noise
Temperature: 37 degrees, cloudy and windy
Thoughts: Raise your child right put putting your left foot down
2.11.2009
The Shepherd & Alpaca - Flash Fiction
I am in the mist of my first writing workshop. Here is a draft of my homework.
I am a shepherd of Alpacas, an animal that is stuck between creation and evolution not knowing if it was meant to be a large dog or a small llama. Misfits of the animal kingdom, abandoned by God and not worthy of being served for dinner.
As for me I have the easiest job in the world. I stand atop a Peru mountain at 16,404 ft. watching this slow mammal graze and grow hair.
In replace of a shepherd staff I carry a wooden spool with alpaca’s thread for making blankets. Alpaca are tribally one of the most boring fur covered beasts you will ever come a cross. No need for organizing them because they feel no need for chaos or even an outwardly sense of movement. Air, soil and water is all you need to keep an alpaca herd alive. It’s akin to being a shepherd of trees, hence, why the pay is so bad.
I get rewarded in fur, which magically becomes a fiber when your shave it off the alpacas’ backs. Fiber is what we call it when Alpaca hair converts into a sellable product. This magical fiber, not as valuable as wool, is a lot less scratchy when knit into blankets.
Spinning and knitting alpaca blankets, being the shepherd of trees at 16,4040 ft. atop this mountain I work. I am lonely…would you want one of these blankets? You, yes you reading these words; please take my photograph. Show the photograph to your people, and tell my story of the shepherd and alpaca blankets.
2.10.2009
Photo of the Week -Living Room Series
Camera: Nikon D700 Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/1.6
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 1000
Exposure Bias: +2 EV
Flash: No Flash
2.09.2009
WIN A FREE PHOTO SHOOT
CRAIG PHOTOGRAPHY CREATIVE PHOTO SHOOT 2009
* YOU create the photo shoot (hopefully of your dreams!)
* Submit in 2 paragraphs or less your idea for the photo shoot.
* All entries must be submitted by March 7, 2009
* Photo shoot to take place on March 21, 2009
* Winner will be decided by us! Be creative, fun and exciting!
Here is what you win:
* All edited full resolution digital images with copyrights for printing.
* You get to be a model for Craig Photography! Photos will be used in future marketing and advertising campaigns.
* Full access to spend time and hang out with Elizabeth & John. We’ll even buy the coffee…or cocktails for that matter!
RULES:
1. Location must be in Pittsburgh PA or at least in Western PA.
2. No person, animal or any living thing can be harmed for the shoot and no property can be damaged.
3. Craig Photography will not incur any cost for the shoot.
4. If you are a professional model and are signed with a company do not apply.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
1. We are looking for creativity! Anything fun and unique is right up our alley. No idea is too large or too small.
2. It does not have to be wedding related or even have anything to do with romance, or people for that matter!
3. It can be all about you! If you have a creative idea for yourself/others to be photographed let us hear it. We love photographing people the most!
4. Don’t think it has to be complex. As you can see from our photography we gravitate towards simplicity so keep that in mind.
5. Our goal is for YOU to be in the shoot but we’re open to anything.
6. Remember this is winter. Keep that in mind when thinking of locations.
7. If you’re thinking of an indoor location, be mindful of trespassing, permits, permission and rights.
Please submit all inquiries to Craig Photography
OK…INSPIRE US!!!!
* YOU create the photo shoot (hopefully of your dreams!)
* Submit in 2 paragraphs or less your idea for the photo shoot.
* All entries must be submitted by March 7, 2009
* Photo shoot to take place on March 21, 2009
* Winner will be decided by us! Be creative, fun and exciting!
Here is what you win:
* All edited full resolution digital images with copyrights for printing.
* You get to be a model for Craig Photography! Photos will be used in future marketing and advertising campaigns.
* Full access to spend time and hang out with Elizabeth & John. We’ll even buy the coffee…or cocktails for that matter!
RULES:
1. Location must be in Pittsburgh PA or at least in Western PA.
2. No person, animal or any living thing can be harmed for the shoot and no property can be damaged.
3. Craig Photography will not incur any cost for the shoot.
4. If you are a professional model and are signed with a company do not apply.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
1. We are looking for creativity! Anything fun and unique is right up our alley. No idea is too large or too small.
2. It does not have to be wedding related or even have anything to do with romance, or people for that matter!
3. It can be all about you! If you have a creative idea for yourself/others to be photographed let us hear it. We love photographing people the most!
4. Don’t think it has to be complex. As you can see from our photography we gravitate towards simplicity so keep that in mind.
5. Our goal is for YOU to be in the shoot but we’re open to anything.
6. Remember this is winter. Keep that in mind when thinking of locations.
7. If you’re thinking of an indoor location, be mindful of trespassing, permits, permission and rights.
Please submit all inquiries to Craig Photography
OK…INSPIRE US!!!!
2.05.2009
Press Release
Wedding Wire Bride’s Choice Award 2009 Recipient
I am thrilled to announce that WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Craig Photography has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™!
In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US. That means Craig Photography is one of the very best photographers.
Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews.
“We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.”
Craig Photography would like to thank our past clients for speaking on our behalf and helping us win the 2009 Bride’s Choice Award!
I am thrilled to announce that WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Craig Photography has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™!
In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US. That means Craig Photography is one of the very best photographers.
Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews.
“We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.”
Craig Photography would like to thank our past clients for speaking on our behalf and helping us win the 2009 Bride’s Choice Award!
2.04.2009
This Stuff Can’t be Made Up
Phone call from my wife:
Me: Hi Baby
Wife: Hello love – I just had to call you…you will never believe what I just saw.
Me: Asteroid?
Wife: No
Me: Bigfoot?
Wife: Shut up and listen!!!
Me: Ok
Wife: The bumper sticker on the vehicle in front of me reads “Save the planet; it’s the only one we got.”
Me: Nice!!!!
Wife: Don’t interrupt.
Me: Ok
Wife: The woman is driving an SUV and just tossed a cigarette butt out the window.
Me: Did you call Al Gore?
Wife: Shut up…I don’t have Al Gore’s phone number and quit asking.
Me: Is she eating a pop-tart??? Please tell me she is eating a pop-tart while making a cell phone call???
Wife: Shut up
Me: Love you
Wife: Me too, gotta go…
Me: Hi Baby
Wife: Hello love – I just had to call you…you will never believe what I just saw.
Me: Asteroid?
Wife: No
Me: Bigfoot?
Wife: Shut up and listen!!!
Me: Ok
Wife: The bumper sticker on the vehicle in front of me reads “Save the planet; it’s the only one we got.”
Me: Nice!!!!
Wife: Don’t interrupt.
Me: Ok
Wife: The woman is driving an SUV and just tossed a cigarette butt out the window.
Me: Did you call Al Gore?
Wife: Shut up…I don’t have Al Gore’s phone number and quit asking.
Me: Is she eating a pop-tart??? Please tell me she is eating a pop-tart while making a cell phone call???
Wife: Shut up
Me: Love you
Wife: Me too, gotta go…
2.03.2009
Point of View Writing Workshops
I am in the mist of my first writing workshop. Here is a draft of my homework.
Describing a photo without a view
There is no background, no ambient quality to this photo; only a subject of four people who’s story is told by the expression on their faces.
A widowed grandfather, a happy and observant man, quiet most days is seated back center of the composition. The grandfather watches his two daughters playing a game of dominos. The daughter to his left is divorced, keeps herself occupied by reading and taking care of her father. Her father is not in ill health but the company is good for both of them. His second daughter, Marie, the younger of the two seated to his left, gazing outwardly, is lost in thought. Marie has made bad life choices and lives with her anger, placing blame on no one for her place in this world. The source of her pride is her daughter, the grandfather’s only grandchild, Ella, stands behind her mother.
The two sisters sit face to face at this small card table playing their game. This time spent is a social responsibility to the family. Obliged by tradition, not of connection. Small amounts of coins, one ashtray, and a lighter, but no cigarettes, is on the table.
The granddaughter, pretty, twenty-something and well educated stands behind her mother leaning on her left shoulder. She understands the sacrifices that her mother has made for her. Like her mom and her aunt she is accountable for keeping the family together, although she would rather be elsewhere.
The grandfather holds a small chalkboard pressed to his chest. In his own handwriting he scribbles “I miss Heaven”. That is what he called his wife…Heaven.
Describing a photo without a view
There is no background, no ambient quality to this photo; only a subject of four people who’s story is told by the expression on their faces.
A widowed grandfather, a happy and observant man, quiet most days is seated back center of the composition. The grandfather watches his two daughters playing a game of dominos. The daughter to his left is divorced, keeps herself occupied by reading and taking care of her father. Her father is not in ill health but the company is good for both of them. His second daughter, Marie, the younger of the two seated to his left, gazing outwardly, is lost in thought. Marie has made bad life choices and lives with her anger, placing blame on no one for her place in this world. The source of her pride is her daughter, the grandfather’s only grandchild, Ella, stands behind her mother.
The two sisters sit face to face at this small card table playing their game. This time spent is a social responsibility to the family. Obliged by tradition, not of connection. Small amounts of coins, one ashtray, and a lighter, but no cigarettes, is on the table.
The granddaughter, pretty, twenty-something and well educated stands behind her mother leaning on her left shoulder. She understands the sacrifices that her mother has made for her. Like her mom and her aunt she is accountable for keeping the family together, although she would rather be elsewhere.
The grandfather holds a small chalkboard pressed to his chest. In his own handwriting he scribbles “I miss Heaven”. That is what he called his wife…Heaven.
2.02.2009
Photo of the Week
Camera: Nikon D200
Exposure: 18
Aperture: f/22.0
Focal Length: 12 mm
ISO Speed: 1000
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
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