Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Out on the Farm

I spent part of last week out in Eatonville to help out some friends of the family. While out there, I captured some great photography on the farm. Here is one of my preferred images, the illustrious Fossen on the prowl.
The second image is one that I shot after learning my grandfather had passed away.
I like some of the things going on in the image, but the photo that best expresses my feelings about my grandfather's passing can be seen here.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Gone From My Sight

My grandfather died yesterday. His passing was unexpected. His presence will be missed. After hearing details last night from my family about how quickly he passed, I went outside into the cold night air and shot some new work. His encouragement and influence helped inspire me to become an artist. To pursue a career as a photographer. I will miss his stories and the excitement that I felt each time I would stop in for a visit.
A friend sent me this poem after hearing of my family's loss. I'm grateful for good friends, as the words bring me some comfort at this moment in time.

Gone From My Sight

I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white
sails to the morning breeze and starts
for the blue ocean.

She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until at length
she hangs like a speck of white cloud
just where the sea and sky come
to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says;
"There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull
and spar as she was when she left my side
and she is just as able to bear her
load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone
at my side says, "There, she is gone!"
There are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad
shout;
"Here she comes!"
And that is dying.

by Henry Van Dyke, a 19th Century clergyman, educator, poet, and religious writer

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Eu Sinto por Notte Sento

Notte Sento is a beautifully composited short film set in Rome, one that I stumbled upon through a friend. The short is made from over 4500+ still photographs and has a lovely romantic theme. I really like the concept and hope to replicate the method with a short film of my own. Perhaps while I am in Miami this spring, I can take advantage of the locale and do it then!

Notte Sento (English subtitles) from Daniele Napolitano on Vimeo.