4.30.2008

Moment

Current Reading: America as Empire: Global Leader or Rogue Power? By Jim Garrison
Current Music: Steven Curtis Chapman: Greatest Hits
Mood: I’m mad. Mad at people who “still” smoke in public places..
Sounds: Wind
Smells: White tea
Temperature: 42 degrees
Thoughts: I can not stand people who smoke: I know that’s rude to say but second hand smoke just makes me crazy. Please, Please, Please stop it.

4.29.2008

Exterior to Interior Photography




How do we create – Something out of nothing - Backyard Photography

I have been working on a different type of photography project. In this venture I have to look at the final image forever! It’s for my home. It’s true; I have never solely set out to create art for my own space. My home is filled with photographs although they are all images selected from archival work. Never before have I set out knowing where the final image would be displayed.

Completing a project and then detaching myself from the ownership of the work has been one of my favorite aspects of photography. Having passion for the process and being able to let go of the work for somebody else’s pleasure or judgment is the ultimate non-attachment for the ending image. In music or acting it seems that you are always selling the song or moment to the audience, but in photography it’s one click of the shutter and then on to the next image. The light is never the same twice.

P.S. – The premise I set for myself is that all images must be taken on my own property. The challenge for me is to work with what you got, instead of searching out the perfect location I want to limit the location to what is already there. It makes me feel that it’s a sustainable/recyclable photography project. Bring the beauty from the exterior of the home into the interior of the home.

4.28.2008

Motion Photography





This is something I have been working on as of late. I like the technique but I am having a hard time achieving composition I like. What do you think???

4.25.2008

Natural depth of field - Music


I have been struggling lately with how much I dislike over-produced music. Genuineness of current music seems to be a flat layered sound where emotions and rhythms are now replaced with an automated sequence of downloadable beats and generative sounds.

Natural depth of field adds character to music. Silence, space and acoustics of the room bring out the natural depth of field in musicians, instruments, rooms and most importantly the authenticity of the music.

Again, I am all for keeping one foot rooted in the ancient and one foot rooted in the future when it comes to advancements of the fine arts skills. Music needs to be found in vibration before it digitized.

See: Natural Depth of Field – Photography (here)

4.24.2008

Fine Art Quote


“A life without art and artistic expression is an un-elegant life indeed. Words alone will never express the un-expressable as well as the stroke of a brush or a melody.” – Ottmar Liebert

4.23.2008

Citizens’ Responsibility towards the Future of Healthcare

In responding to MD posting on healthcare, or as he tittles it “sickness care”, I would have to say that I think he is about 80% correct.

MD writes:

“First of all, let’s clarify terms. “Health care” is misleading — what we in practice are talking about is “sickness care”, because one doesn’t need care if one is healthy, only when one is sick. “Health” is an abstract term (and, even, a state of mind), whereas “sickness” in terms of medical care is not. If we use concrete terms, we focus on exactly what it is we are talking about.”

My question for MD is – What about healthy people that have a disease or disability? You can be very healthy and an active person and be inflicted with cancer, aids, autisms, ms or other medical conditions that are greater than your lifestyle. The reason I agree that MD is about 80% correct is because 80% of all healthcare “sickness” could be cured with proper diet and exercise. I do not like the idea of paying for other peoples’ “sickness” when they knowingly create their disease. Personal diets that include trans-fats/hydrogenated oil and over consumption of food to the point of obesity creates disease. I do not want myself or anybody to pay for the sins of a junkie, be it of food, drugs or alcohol.

Should the 20% of people that take care of themselves (“healthy-care”) be rejected due to the abuse of 80% of the people who simply do not care (“sickness-care”) for their state of well being?

My rant on healthcare was not directed at politics or insurance companies, but at the current state of Americans who simply do not care about their health. This “take a pill” mentality toward prevention is killing off recourses for healthy people inflicted with a disease.

4.21.2008

Natural Depth of Field


The phrase “natural depth of field” has been stuck in my mind lately. Primarily it’s a term that is used by photographers to define what’s in or out of focus. I feel it fits in well when applied to music, writing and painting. (I will write more about that later) Understanding “natural depth of field” is rooting yourself in a classical approach to your work. It is placing a perceptive of focus, motion, stillness and life into your work. It’s the fundamentals.

After Googling the term “natural depth of field”, what I found was a disappointing state of current fine art. Merely tips for Photoshop, Paint Shop, computer plug-ins and filters that were on the first page of Google. There was nothing in Google about in-camera work, light, selective focus, composition or the relationship to the rule of thirds. No matter what is done after-capture it is not “natural depth of field”. Reproduced, re-worked or re-created is not natural and it is not a fine art skill.

I am all for keeping one foot rooted in the classical approach and one foot rooted in the future. Teaching this approach to “natural depth of field” would be akin to teaching spell checker before learning how to spell.

Photo of the Week



Camera: Nikon D200
Exposure: 3 sec (3)
Aperture: f/5
Focal Length: 52 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV

4.17.2008

“Get Free Pills”

This is my rant on the state of U.S healthcare. I don’t think many people actually care about their state of health.

The term Universal Healthcare is not a very American slogan in the first place. America does not seem to care about the “Universe”. We Americans place 40% of toxins and pollution into the atmosphere and water. We support slavery with our consumerism-mentality. The amount of oil, coal and natural recourses we waste is an uncountable number. America seems also not to care about “healthcare” itself. We are an obese society with a gluttonous fast food nature. So it’s no wonder why we cannot get on board with the term “Universal Healthcare”.

It’s a marketing problem; we need a name change if we want people to get on board. How does this sound: “Get Free Pills”. That is something that Americans would line up for.

“Free” consumerism-mentality; that will solve our problems without having to place any effort into the solution. Now that seems American.

P.S. I’m just a little angry. See Frontline – Sick Around The World for an educated perspective.

4.16.2008

Moment

Current Reading: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Current Music: (My car CD player is on fire)

Something Simple by Stuart Davis

Palmystery by Victor Wooten

Art of Motion by Andy McKee


Mood: Little irritated at insurance companies and the Catholic church.
Sounds: Other people talking
Smells: Coffee
Temperature: 42 degree
Thoughts: Open hand philosophy is good, holding on to the knowledge is bad.

4.15.2008

Spring Time Surprise


This is our first spring in our new home and perennial flowers have been popping up all over the place. I have never been much of a flower-shutter-bug type of guy. Nearly every one of my previous flower shots have been taken while photographing other events. It’s nice to have all this Mother Nature in my own yard.


4.14.2008

Ambient Art

CraigPhotography

What have I learned?


I have been trying to take a media break from the ongoing of the world. I purposely haven't written (ranted) anything here for the last two weeks due to the fact that I have been limiting my time from the internet. I need more life-less news. What have I learned?

First: I do not play the guitar to play music. I play music on the guitar.
Second: I do not use the camera to take pictures: I photograph within the mind and capture within the camera.
Third: Try not to take from the Earth, rather take what the Earth gives you.

4.11.2008

Ambient Art

Insanely Useful Photography Tips

Photography is not technique
Photography is not ego
Photography is not software
Photography is not a profession
Photography is not art
Photography is not expensive
Photography is not pretentious


Photography is:
Painting with light,
Photography happens before capture,
A service to others,
A skill,
A craft,
A gift

Recent Popular Posts:
Insanely Useful Photography Tips
~ See my tips here
~ See Chase Jarvis tips here

4.10.2008

Randy Pausch

Last night, 10 pm watched Randy Pausch “The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life. This man shows us how close heartbreak and grace stands next to each other.

You can check out his book (here)

4.09.2008

Photo(S) of the Week


Camera:Nikon D200
Exposure:0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture:f/5.6
Focal Length:135 mm
ISO Speed:100
Exposure Bias:0 EV






Camera: Nikon D200
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 135 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV


4.08.2008

Recommendation - Stewards of the Lost Lands

Re-posting from Jack/Zen blog

The responsibility of the artist
"Attending a new book talk by local emerging author, Kate Sopko, who has penned “Stewards of the Lost Lands”, a delicious collection of essays and poetry on the significance of community in a post-capitalist era. Questioning the current very outdated version of democracy that continues to mis-serve most, she reflects that “The responsibility of the artist is to help people see that more is possible.”

For more on my thoughts on this subject see:
Evolution Has Ended
800 Million solutions
Does birth soil equal entitlement?
Democracy Rant
Effort is the only solution
Live Consciously + Think Integrally
Ethics and Economics
Conscious Consumerism
Can the food industry go the way of the music industry?

4.07.2008

Moment

Current Reading: The Music Lesson by Victor Wooten
Current Music: This Moment by Steven Curtis Chapman
Mood: Okay, to the plus side of life.
Sounds: Humming
Smells: Rice
Temperature: 51 degrees
Thoughts: Obituary for Evolution (give it a second chance: Most read blog entry (ever) for me with no comments????? Did you like it, love it, hate it or just didn’t get it????

4.02.2008

"The Knot Best of Weddings 2008 Pick"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CRAIG PHOTOGRAPHY RECOGNIZED IN
THE KNOT BEST OF WEDDING MAGAZINE


Pittsburgh, PA (April, 2008) — CRAIG PHOTOGRAPHY is pleased to announce it has been selected as a 2008­­ Pick for The Knot Best of Weddings magazine.

The Knot conducted its second annual survey of over 20,000 recent brides to capture detailed feedback on every business that couples hired for their wedding celebration.

Pittsburgh newlyweds contributed their raves and reviews on the area’s wedding professionals. The newlyweds were asked to rate their vendors on multiple criteria, from creativity to professionalism, and to comment on their experiences. The resulting ratings—and detailed feedback—were aggregated by the editors of The Knot to create this one-of-a-kind publication highlighting the best wedding resources in each region according to local brides. The survey was administered by Harris Interactive.

“The husband-and-wife team at Craig Photography is “outstanding.” You’ll get both “formal family photos” and “journalistic-style pictures, in black and white, color, and color-enhanced black and white, and copyrights to all full resolution digital negatives. “The pictures really tell the story of the day, from dressing to leaving in the Town Car!”

“We are thrilled to receive this accolade and will continue to serve Pittsburgh brides for as long as they will let us.” –Elizabeth Craig

The Knot Best of Weddings magazine is available on newsstands and in major bookstores nationwide.

4.01.2008

Evolution Has Ended (0000 – 04/01/08)

Evolution has ended – after reviewing the state of humanity, Evolution no longer wishes to take credit for the state of the world. Before bowing out of the world stage, Evolution would like to extend some gratitude and recognition for those caught up along the way.

First, Creationism – even though Evolution has long been considered the bastard child of Creationism: Evolution would like to extend a warm thanks to Creationism for getting life to crawl out of the ocean and coaxing the first flowers to bloom. We do appreciate that…

Second, Consciousness - Evolution would like to give a round of applause to Consciousness for finally waking up. Unfortunately it was a little too late to have any effectiveness on the outcome of humankind. Nonetheless we would like to thank Kurt Vonnegut, Oprah Winfrey, Buddha and Jesus for being such strong charismatic figures that helped sprout the likelihood of people actually being nice to each other. What a novel idea...

Last but not least, without the aid of Evolution - Evolution would like to leave all future advancements to the existing-state-of-humanity to figure it out on their own.

Evolution speculates what is anticipated for the conclusion of humanity - “Civilization’s future holds the outcome of a non-evolved, non-consciousness, non-creative native population returning back to the oceans. For those of you worried about mass chaos, world panic or other such absurdities, there is no need to worry due to the fact that evolved, creative conscious people are needed for that.”

Enjoy the decline,
~Evolution

Photo of the Week



Camera: Nikon D70
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/10
Focal Length: 10.5 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV

3.31.2008

800 million solutions

Blessed are the poor for the Devil does not live there.

Four billion people live in poverty on this planet. 800 million of us live in a democratic free world of wealth, prosperity and opportunity. This is how you know if you are one of the 800 million lucky ones out there: 1) you’re reading this at your place of work, 2) your complaints are about gas prices, politics and co-workers, 3) your home is stuffed with too much “stuff”, 4) you always want to buy more “stuff” and 5) You can’t find enough space in your house to put all the “stuff”.

Consumerism consumption has to be where the devil lives.

When history judges our stewardship of our time on this Earth, I fear that they will label our generation; the generation “who did not care where there stuff came from”.

We as Americans look to our politicians, preachers, corporate presidents and pop-stars to bring about change to our world. Civil liberties, free government “for the people by the people”, clean water, air, food and prosperity are endowments that we want for all. When injustice shows itself, we look to our leaders to bring about social fairness.

Our leaders look to the 800 million to be the solution when asked.

For the most part we do want to be the solution when asked, no charity goes unfunded or unattended. The idea of a greener future sits well with us. Recycling, re-use and re-birth has developed into a mainstay within the corporations we work for. Nonetheless, we blindly turn our hearts and minds when it comes to getting “stuff” (Consumerism consumption). We go to giant box stores and buy their products that support sweatshops and slave labor. We eat at restaurants and shop at grocery stores that buy their food from companies that place toxins in food, fish-out oceans and permit animal cruelty, all for profit.

800 million of us acquire the bulk of our “stuff” from the Earth (be it in natural resources or through the labor of others). At the same time 800 million of us do the majority for the world’s charity?

How comfortable are you with your contradictions?

The Devil does not live in the poor - due to the fact that the historic Christian Devil figure is more of “wants” than cinematic evil. The Devil “wants” Jesus to bow down to him, in return Jesus gets the Earth. The Devil “wants” Job to fail and the Devil “wants” to show Adam and Eve that they are separated from God. In Buddhism the Devil figure is called Mara, the one who gets in your way. The Devil lives in the wanting of “stuff”, that is why consumerism consumption is where the Devil has to live. The old phrase “watch out for the devil inside” just got a whole lot scarier…

For more on conscious consumer capitalism
See: Does birth soil equal entitlement?
Democracy Rant
Effort is the only solution
Live Consciously + Think Integrally
Ethics and Economics
Conscious Consumerism
Can the food industry go the way of the music industry?

3.28.2008

Moment

Current Reading: Capitalism at the Crossroads by Stuart Hart
Current Music: Shine by Daniel Lanois
Mood: Bleary
Sounds: Wind
Smells: Dust
Temperature: 35 degrees drizzle
Thoughts: There are 800 million solutions to the world’s problems, and you are one of them.

3.26.2008

Can the food industry go the way of the music industry?

Solutions to our economical struggles, health issues and environmental troubles can be found by sitting down at our kitchen table for dinner and listening to music.

The phrase “think global but act local” seems to be of the utmost importance in today’s world. Next month I will attend an Earth-Day celebration in my neighborhood. Earth-Day is a global event with the awareness of growing a local economy through the means of being environmentally responsible. I will get the opportunity to meet local farmers (find out where local farmers’ markets are). There will be local bands, local food vendors, local artists and I was informed about this event through reading a local blogger. The technology of mini-globalization (blogging) is supporting the growth a new local economy. How cool is that!

It is not current news that eating locally grown foods helps your health, environment, oil consumption and the idea that community matters. Local farmers’ markets are becoming trendy and fun. It’s comparable to social online networking with actual live people, vegetables and expensive coffee.

Can the food industry go the way of the music industry?

With the collapse of the music industry, musicians actually get the chance to earn a living without becoming a product themselves since they are no longer enslaved to the industry. The consumer, in point of fact, stole the music back and has given it to the musician to earn a living. In today’s musical environment you do not have to be a product, sell units or be hand picked by Clive Davis to have your music heard. Playing music has not only become profitable again but a career choice that is worthy of pursuing. You may not become famous or rich but the possibility of supporting your family is there. Musicians have options of actually playing music: performing, teaching, session work, community work and most importantly selling their own work locally and globally without having to give eighty percent back to the industry that gave birth to them. Think globally but act locally.

Consumers killed the industry turning the product back into music. How civilized, music to be music and food should be food.

Will consumers kill the food industry next? Turning boxed, processed, oil-based preservatives back into earth grown food that we can serve at our kitchen tables? I hope so.

I have no naive dreams that conglomerate corporations with fall apart or that capitalism will become conscious anytime soon (You keep going John Mackey). The fullest human potential has never been fixed or definitive, which I guess that means the best is yet to come.

3.24.2008

Three Days Off

Three days off and not much accomplished.  I spent the better part of the last three days waiting on other people to tell me what to do.  One, my wife, whose wishes I must respect.  Two, customer service attendants at Ikea, whose lack of interest in me I must accept (If I whish to purchase a new kitchen table and chairs and I do).  Third, my own self-righteous mindset that I must tolerate.  Too hard to explain, just trust me I can be a wrench of person when I am bored.

Good things from these past three days.  Downloaded the new Stuart Davis CD, “Something Simple”, definitely four stars. Caught baseball with my nephew, that was a lot of fun.

I had an epiphany of an idea while catching baseball.  Conversation while catching baseball could solve the entire world’s problems.  If you want to understand somebody else’s point of view catch baseball with that person.  Stay with me here: imagine watching the next presidential debate between Hillary and Obama, all the while they are catching ball and discussing the future of our country.  People cannot lie when catching baseball.  Not sure if truth-telling applies to all ball tossing or just baseball.  You can definitely lie when kicking a soccer ball or shooting a puck, never trust a hockey player especially if that hockey player is from Australia.

Broke out all the new camera gear.  I had a box full of new equipment sitting in our office for the last two weeks.  Just opened it this past Saturday.   Not sure if that’s a good thing or not that new equipment no longer gets me excited?  I feel more like I am keeping up with the “Digital Jones” than actually buying equipment that will improve the quality of my work.

“Digital Jones”, isn’t that a Stuart Davis song? 

3.20.2008

Moment

Current Reading: Deep Economy by Bill Mckibben (****)
Current Music: Everyone Is Here By The Finn Brothers
Mood: Happy, awake,
Sounds: Paper rustling
Smells: Pizza
Temperature: 38 degrees
Thoughts: What is worse - organized religion or a religion with out an organization? Pray for Tibet…