Preview of my Photo Exhibit 2/1/14

Pittsburgh at Night Photography Photo Exhibit
Saturday February 1 ~ Artist reception 6pm -9pm
Boulevard Gallery
736 Allegheny River Boulevard, Verona PA 15147
412-721-0943

There will be over 20 large photos showing the beauty of PGH@NIGHT.

Its The Biggest Issue Men Face ~ Short Film

Turn off the outside world. Best watched in a quiet. Play full screen.

Elizabeth Craig on the Importance of a Question.

For more info go to http://www.elizabethcraigintimates.com
Turn off the outside world. Best watched in a quiet. Play full screen.

The Importance of Project ~ Hypnotherapy Film

It's an honor to share this film. Michael Weir has been a deep influence on my creative and spiritual life.   Today my wish is to share this film about Mike with you…enjoy, share, grow and be healed.

Turn off the outside world. Best watched in a quiet. Play full screen.

Photo of the Week

Is The Photograph Dead?

Is the photograph dead?

I ask myself this question as our photography business is about to branch into print sales for the first time since entering the digitals age. For the past ten years we have not sold a single photograph.  (yes, yes, yes we have sold albums but this post is about wall art) We have sold thousands of digitals files, CD’s, DVD’s and downloads.  We have filled up hard drives, shipped out flash drives, taken up plenty of space on the cloud.

How much wall space have we filled? I have no idea.

At every wedding and funeral there sits a legacy table.  A table filled up with photos documenting the love and life of those who are being celebrated. I have to ask myself: is my work adding to that table? Or will future tables be filled up with computer screens scrolling through facebook and smart phone photo albums?

In a month I will be having a galley show of my photographs. Actual real life photos hung on a wall for people to look at.  (You’re Invited) (there will be wine)

Is a gallery showing the right word to use? Is the notion of looking at photos more of a museum experience?  Walking through a room with relics of the past. Picture this: you walk into the Egyptian room, next the Medieval room, then up last the prehistoric room of memories showing a space displaying how humans once chose to remember and celebrate each other.

What do you think? What is a legacy photo worth to you?

PGH @ Night ~ Photo Exhibit

Pittsburgh at Night Photography ~ Photo Exhibit 
Saturday February 1 ~ Artist reception 6pm -9pm
Boulevard Gallery
736 Allegheny RIver Boulevard, Verona PA 15147
412-721-0943

Run The Play ~ Life with NMO

July 10th, 2013 I wrote a blog post titled "The New Normal Life with NMO", which in a nutshell was about living with a disease that will never give you a normal type of lifestyle. Ever.  Upon first publishing this post I thought that it did not resonate with my readers.  For days it sat virtually unread, but weeks later it found the people who needed to read it. For over 6 months now I have been slowly receiving e-mails and comments about the article.  By December I felt that I had done some good sharing my words.

When I wrote it, it was my swan song about disease writing.  I wanted to walk away from thinking, talking and explaining what life with NMO is like. For months I went silent; quietly rehabbing myself back to life.

For me: My new normal is living in rehab mode.

My body, at times, mysteriously slows down. Muscles become fatigued and week, balance is off, mind clarity is diminished and other random whatnots magically seem to strike me down.  

What do I do? I get back up, daily.  I am very good at getting back up.

Professional rehabbing is what I have become good at.  At times I feel cursed to be a rehabber for life.  I am good at getting better.  I have written the words countless times that you can be a healthy person and have a disease.  A disease is a condition you must live with.  Good health is a decision you must make. I made the decision to be a healthy person who has a disease.  I have lived my words as true as I can possibly hold myself accountable to them. I have succeeded, I have failed, I have gone the distance and I have come up short but every day I have played the game.

And then I went to a funeral.

That's where I learned how to live with my even newer normal.

I have been chasing death longer than anyone my age should.  I read books. Volunteered at a hospice. I sat with the dying. I prayed with the dying. I have romanticized the notion of being present at death. I am in fear of death.

I can remember being in a philosophy class in college (I love writing that; it makes me feel more worldly than I actually am). The class had the existential exercise on talking about one's own death.  The majority of the class spoke about no fear at the moment of death.  For me, at the time being Catholic and new into Zen, I wasn't sure which scared me more: the "Emptiness" of Zen or the "Form" of a Catholic afterlife. I called out bullshit to the class. The idea of accepting one's own death (even at the young age of 19) never sat well with me.  That memory of that specific conversation sits in my soul as a ghost waiting to find its way back home.  Home, be it the white light or the black cave.

I sat in a church pew one day, before this past Christmas Eve, attending the funeral of a man who lived a good life.  A man who died with love in his heart for his family and friends.  He was a good man and he will be deeply missed by all that knew him.

The Priest spoke about his time sitting with this dying man.  The Priest shared with us in the congregation his last conversation he had with him. These are his words as best as I can recall it.

"Father, I do not know how to die. I can see a white light but the Devil is blocking my way. Heal me or take me God. Just RUN THE PLAY. I will do your will."

For me, this is all the advice I will ever need.  You can build a library of all the world's philosophy and never say a thing as strong as those words.  A lifetime of wisdom spoke out loud before walking into Heaven.  This is what is meat by eternal life and eternal love: his words, lessons, compassion and love will live on past any of us reading this today...and that is a very good thing.

With his words "RUN THE PLAY" I now know what to do.  I know now how to live with a disease.

In the past I have used the phrase "Do not give up on being human". My life experiences brought me to those words.  That is what I have learned and have shared with you.  Those words still ring true for me.  All too often I see people with a disease choose not to live, choose not to place effort into their health, choose to give up on the life that they thought they were going to have.  They choose not to RUN THE PLAY.

I want to RUN THE PLAY.

Whatever darkness (disease) may get in my way I am going to look for the light (effort & health). I am not going to sit on the sidelines watching the game go by.  I will continue to not give up on being human until my soul reaches the other side.

I want my last sentence, my last breath of life to be that great...to inspire, to heal, to motivate others to live a good life. That is a legacy.  That is divine.  That is RUNNIG THE PLAY!

What do you want your last sentence to be?


 

2013 This is what I did

I became obsessive about cinematography. Got addicted to buying vinyl albums. Reconnected with Erik Vecere and wrote lots of music with him. Had my soul scrubbed by the love of my life...countless times. 

Also, took crazy amount of photos….

Photo of the Week ~ Ambient Art

Strength is in the Instrumental ~ Download Enabled

  Here is our latest: Try this tune with headphones.

Moment

Current Reading: Jony Ive by Leander Kahn
Current Music: Past Masters by The Beatles
Mood: Foggy
Smells: Coffee
Sounds: TV, Heater & Typing Keys
Temperature: 28 degrees w/ light snow
Thoughts: My life is existential, repeat. My life is existential, repeat.

Beginner's DSLR Photography 101 Workshop & 16 Insanely Useful Photography Tips

The date will be February 9, 2014. It will run from 10am till 2pm. Cost is $150 and includes a light lunch.

Registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/event/9045528419

Here are 16 Insanely Useful Photography Tips (blog post)that I have written over the years to give you some guidance on creating photographs. 

Street Photography

I was going to post a few photos from my New York trip today.  The photos were taken on my iPhone 5.  After importing to Lightroom I discovered why nobody ever prints photos taken from there phone. I discovered  this photo after scrubbing through my archives.

Moment

Current Reading: The Salinger Contract by Adam Langer
Current Music: Tapestry by Carole King (on vinyl)
Mood: Defrosting, just walk in from outside
Smells: Cold air
Sounds: Beatles, Fire place fan & background conversations
Temperature: 19 degrees 
Thoughts: Social, Mobil, Local + Search, Watch, Play = Success

Photo of the Week

Is this a crime?

I have to ask myself what is the crime? The painting or the removal?
This photo was taken a couple days after the street artist Banksy left NCY, could it be?

Moment

Current Reading: KNOW - Field Guide to Filmmaking
                             Mo’ Meta Blues by Questlove
Current Music: Sign O the Times by Prince (on vinyl)
Mood: Feel like a run
Smells: Coffee
Sounds: Morning sunshine melting ice
Temperature: 39 degrees 
Thoughts: “My ego is dead” is whispered in my ear by the sound of my own voice. (FYI: if that ever happens to you its the voice of your ego talking)

2014 Pittsburgh Photography Workshop | Beginner’s DSLR Workshop

In your gut you want to be a PHOTOGRAPHER. Or maybe you just want to learn how to use that expensive camera you just bought but you’re not sure who to ask. You have a great eye for composition but you just need some guidance, an advisor to help YOU fulfill your dreams. Make the jump from thinking, daydreaming and create great photographs…

Is this you?
-You take great pictures
-Everybody tells you that you take great pictures
-Your friends and family always ask you to bring your camera
-You bought an expensive new DSLR camera
-You have no idea how to use to it, except on AUTO
-The camera’s manual scares the bajesus out of you
-You love photography and want to get better

Who should take this workshop?
-If the list above is YOU
-You love taking photographs
-ISO, F/stop, shutter speed, and aperture are words that means nothing to you
-You have no idea what DSLR means
-If you want to able to tell your camera what to do
-If you want the mysteries of the photo universe revealed to you

What you will learn:
-Understanding exposure
-How to use your camera in manual mode
-How to take a photo “correctly” in camera
-Natural light techniques
-Understanding your lens
-Understanding White Balance
-Flash Techniques

TO REGISTER FOLLOW THIS: (HERE)
http://craig-photography.blogspot.com/p/the-date-will-be-february-9-2014.html

Small Business Saturday ~ Photography Workshop

Photography Workshop: Beginner's DSLR, It makes a great gift!!!!!

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beginners-dslr-photography-101-workshop-tickets-9045528419

Faces of Equality ~Beth Kukucka

I came to support a friend. I left supporting a cause.

A few Thursday nights ago I walked into the Mendelson Gallery on Edgeworth Street in Shadeyside, PA.

I stood alone in the center of an empty room.  The walls were covered with different photographs of married couples. The portraits all of happy, smiling, joy-filled couples all sharing a single story. There I stood by myself taking in the imagery. I would come to find out that this time alone in the space would be a special event for myself.

Walking out of the back room appears a well dressed older woman wearing artfully framed eye glasses and a stylish, short, cropped hair-do.  She approaches me and politely asks if I wouldn’t mine coming back in half an hour when the exhibits opens to the public. I respond, “Thank God I thought this show was a failure”. I couldn’t believe that I was standing there alone. She smiles back at me and says “See you in half an hour, honey”.

I walked down the street to a bar, the actual name was “The Pub”.  I ordered a draft and nursed it for the next half hour. I finished my beer and asked the bartender for the check.  She slid the white paper bill over to me and it read $11.00. I double check to make sure that I was not being billed twice for a single drink.  I was not.  Damn, this place is expensive for being named the “Pub”.

I walked back to gallery.  The night air was cold, with a strong breeze, it felt like the holidays.

This time getting back into the gallery would not be as easy. I found myself standing in a line about 15 people back, all waiting to get in to see the photos.  When I finally make it back inside, the place is packed, body to body.  It’s hard to even see the work on the wall.  I could not believe that only a little over a half hour ago I got to stand in this space all alone.  That turned into being a gift in itself to me.  I love seeing this place packed;  the people of Pittsburgh all turning out for a gallery opening on a Thursday night. This is good news for my upcoming show in February (insert shameless plug here).

The artist I came to support was Beth Kukucka. Long time good friend and photographer whose fine art portfolio has inspired me over the years.

One of the things that I love about photography is when you are attracted to a photo, yet the reason why is beyond words. This gallery space was lined up with great photos and the one I kept going back to is shown above this post.  What is extra special to me about this is that the photo was taken by Beth.  I should stop saying I support her work;  I came to enjoy her work.  Supporting work feels like an artistry thing to say. Only later in the evening did I discover that this photo was take by Beth.

Across the crowded room I see Beth and her wife, Stephanie, entering the gallery.  I wiggle my way across the room, saying many “excuse me” and “pardon me”, “my apologies” and “yes, please” to the kind waitress re-filling my glass of wine.

The name of the show that was displaying 3 of Beth’s photos was named “Faces of Equality”, featuring gay and lesbian married couples.

Before this exhibits if you would have asked me if I supported gay rights I would answer yes, but not in any meaningful way. What I mean by “yes” is yes to marriage equality for all, but I have never done anything positive to help further the cause than polite conversation with family and friends.  It is to be hoped that this blog today will be me stepping further into the right direction.

Here is the problem with supporting a cause: there are just too many causes to support.  Who, how, what to pick is an undertaking itself.  I live with Neuromyelitis Optica and you would think that I would support that disease through several activities, but honestly I am lousy at it. I just want this damn disease to go away.  I am not giving my money or time to something that has already taken so much from me already.

Marriage equality doesn't take, it only gives.  This is good.

Here I stand, a 44yr old married, white, middle-class man in a room with all different races, genders, beliefs and loves. In this room tonight I am a minority (rare thing for a white male to experience). My life choices are supported by governments and religions.  For the majority of the people at this exhibit their’s is not. Let me tell you what it is like being a minority in a room full of people who are fighting and praying for marriage equality:

Motivating. Humbling. Awakening.

Equality is an interesting word.  For  the word “equality” to be effective, the use of the word needs to be forgotten. The use of the word “equality” is nothing more than a reminder of the injustices put upon those who love.

I have a 7 year old daughter and hopefully she will never know what marriage equality is.  May she only know the word “marriage” when looking at married couples, all types.

For today the word needs to be side by side for the message to ring out strong and purposefully.

As the night went on speeches were given regarding what to do to help the cause. My favorite speech was about having conversations with your neighbors about marriage equality.  I like this idea.  Take it to the streets.  Jesus did this. He walked the road to spread his message.  There were temples and courts in his day where he could reach the masses, but he decided to spread his gospel one conversation at a time.

In my lifetime I have never met anyone who is against gay marriage who has a gay friend.

Conversation tears down walls and friendships build new bridges.

Go make a friend.
Have a conversation.

Update

This will be my first night in 8 yrs that I will not be shooting "Light Up Night".  For those you that have been asking where have I been? I been out in the universe doing good deeds. Here is a photo take couple of weeks back.

Other Random Updates: 

The date will be February 9, 2014. It will run from 10am till 2pm. Cost is $150 and includes a light lunch.

 Registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/event/9045528419

Work in Progress

This is a rough edit. More to come. Just wanted to put out a sneak peak!

 

Moment

Current Reading: Aleph by Paulo Coelho
Current Music: Unplugged by Eric Clapton
Mood: Its 8:41 am and I have all ready been to a dance party, mood it good, real good!
Smells: Dehumidified air
Sounds: Fan
Temperature: Cold, winter has arrived
Thoughts: For those who wish to enjoy life, never stop walking.

Beginner's DSLR Photography 101 Workshop

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/event/9045528419

Ryan Art ~ Film

30 SecFilm ~ Ready, Set, Relax

Beginner's DSLR Photography 101 Workshop ~ 2/9/14

The date will be February 9, 2014. It will run from 10am till 2pm. Cost is $150 and includes a light lunch.

Registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/event/9045528419

Photo of the Week

Moment

Current Reading: There is no God and He is Always with You by Brad Warner
Current Music: New by Paul McCartney
Mood: ok
Smells: Cold morning air
Sounds: A mother telling her story about her sin living with NMO
Temperature: 40 degrees 
Thoughts: I am starting to believe that consciousness is more akin to grace, a gift given to a few...