Glad To Be Off The Hook

No photo of mine today. Instead, my take on a photo topic that pops up from time to time. A young woman in my church who is expecting her second child talked to me Sunday about doing some pregnancy portraits of her. She told me about another photographer's website she had seen that had some poses that she liked, but she wanted me to do the photography. She made it clear that she was not interested in any of the "bare belly" pregnancy photos that seem to be all the rage nowadays. That was a relief to me, because I'm not sure I'd be comfortable doing those kind of portraits.

It's not that I'm a prude, but I just don't understand why some women want to bare their bulging bellies to the general public during pregnancy. Do they really think people want to see that? And where does one display these portraits? On an end table in the living room? On a wall in the den? How about the husband's desk at work? ("Hey guys, check out my wife's belly!") Oh yeah, there's always the internet.

Of course, it was the Annie Leibovitz photo of a pregnant and bare-bellied Demi Moore on the August 1991 cover of Vanity Fair that started the craze. Leibovitz is famous for unconventional celebrity portraits that push the envelope of "normal". The Demi Moore Vanity Fair cover certainly did that, causing a huge controversy at the time, and also leading to sky rocketing newsstand sales of that particular issue. It also redefined "normal" for pregnancy portraits, as variations of the "bare belly" portrait remain very popular almost 20 years later.

I believe there is an innate beauty and dignity to pregnancy and motherhood. There is something wondrous about the whole process of bringing a new human life into the world. I also still believe in modesty. The world doesn't need to know or see every intimate detail of our lives. When a woman is in her eighth month of pregnancy, the situation is usually obvious no matter what she is wearing. Why can't we leave it at that?

If a couple wants one of these more intimate and revealing photos for their own private photo collection, that would be fine. Preserving personal memories is one of the things photography does best. A photographic remembrance of this special time in a couple's life might be well worth having. However, it seems that a large number of women who have these bare belly portraits made do it to share with the eyes of the world. Thousands of them end up in online portfolios for everyone and anyone to see. That's the part I don't get.

Am I saying that I would never do a bare belly pregnancy photo if asked? I'm not sure. Under certain conditions I might consider it. Or maybe I'd pass on it and let another photographer have the sitting. I'm just relieved that my friend from church didn't put me in the position to have to decide.

Signs Old and New

From my walk around Waynesville on Saturday. (Click on photos to enlarge.)

"Real Photography"

I had an interesting encounter with another photographer yesterday. I was wandering around the Frog Level district of Waynesville with my little Canon A2000, when I walked into a second hand/antique store. I was greeted by a man wearing dark sunglasses. He spied the camera in my hand and asked, "Taking some pictures today?"

I said, "Yeah, just looking for a few interesting shots while I walk around."

He responded with, "Yeah, I'm a photographer too. It's what I do." That immediately made me wonder why he was working in a second hand store if he was a professional photographer, which was what he seemed to be implying. He confirmed my suspicions by asking if I wanted to see his camera. From behind the counter he pulled out this humongous Canon EOS 1d with some equally huge white lens on it. It made my back ache just looking at it. Even with the dark sunglasses I could see the smugness on his face as he held up his howitzer while looking at the tiny point and shoot in my hand. Assured that he had established photographic superiority, he put the huge camera back behind the counter.

There were several photos on the wall that I was sure were his. They were all OK, but just OK. I asked if they were his, and he proudly proclaimed, "Yeah, that's some of my work." He paused, and I could tell he was waiting for what he thought would be the inevitable praise and compliments. I didn't give it. Sensing I needed some help to comprehend how wonderful his photos were, he began to try to enlighten me on "real photography".

"With these new digital cameras", he began, "everyone thinks they're a photographer. Folks walk around with their little point and shoots, set on program mode, and think they're taking great pictures. But that's not real photography. That's just snapshots. You have to really know about cameras do real photography." The implication seemed to be that if your camera weighed less than a Chevy Suburban, you didn't really know about cameras.

I almost took the bait of his "real photography" definition, which would have led to a pointless debate. Fortunately, another customer came in looking for old guitars, which gave me my opportunity to make my exit.

As I've stated many times before on this blog, I'm squarely in the "it's the photographer, not the equipment" camp. I've seen too many wonderful photos made with the simplest, amateur equipment, and too much crap made with pro gear to be convinced otherwise. But the debate will go on.


I made the above photo on yesterday's walk around Frog Level with my little A2000. Will it one day hang in a prestigious art gallery? I doubt it. Is it "real photography"? I think so. I kinda like it even if it isn't.

Coneflower

Among the many flowers my wife has planted in the flower beds around the house is this coneflower. Photographed close up, it presents an interesting combination of textures. And the colors just scream "summer!". Have we found the quintessential summertime flower? (Click on photo to enlarge.)
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Michael Jackson - R. I. P.

How can I not comment on the passing of pop icon, Michael Jackson? Michael and I were both born in 1958, which is about the only thing we shared in common. I was never a huge fan of Jackson's music, although I couldn't help tapping my toe to to some of his hits from the '80s. Nonetheless, since we were the same age, I maintained a cursory interest in the happenings of his bizarre life and career. And I guess it's because we were the same age that I was saddened to hear of his death while driving home from work last night. Fifty years - it's not much time, really. It brought to mind the Bible's reminder that our life is like a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Even all of Michael Jackson's fame and money couldn't change that.

Posers

I found this "statue" in downtown Asheville. He remains completely motionless until you drop some money into his bucket. Then he plays a short song on his guitar for you. He was making almost as much money from tourists wanting to take a picture with him as he was from playing his guitar. Quirky Asheville on a Saturday afternoon - bring your camera! (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Tarot Card Reader

Downtown Asheville is a people watcher's paradise. I spent a short time there Saturday evening, but I wish I could have stayed longer. So many characters, so much potential for street photography, so little time. This tarot card reader had set up shop in the doorway of women's clothing that had closed for the day. (Click on photo to enlarge.) I'll have to return to the area soon when I have more time.

Eye-Catching Sign

Isn't American entrepreneurship wonderful? And if you have a great idea for a business, you need an attention getting sign to let people know about it.

This company in Asheville provides the place and the supplies needed for you to wash your dog. You still do all the work, but there's no mess to clean up afterwards. And if you've ever bathed a dog, you know there's going to be a mess when you're finished. The bigger the dog, the bigger the mess. Now, instead of a big mess at your house, you can leave it for "The Soapy Dog" people to worry about. They don't have to wash any dogs, and you don't have to mess up your house. Ingenious!

I pass by this building several times a week, and I've been wanting to make a photograph of this sign on the side of the building for quite a while. The bold colors and interesting graphics are certainly an eye-catcher, and a great sign to add to my collection. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Mountain Rhododendron

With all the rain we've been getting this year, all of the mountain wildflowers are flourishing like we haven't seen in several years. The drought has been declared officially over and the mountain rhododendron appear to be celebrating. I found this bush near the viewing area for Devil's Courthouse on the Blue Ridge Parkway. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

I learned my lesson on the last rhododendron that I tried to interpret in B&W - don't! These deserve to be left in color, so I did.

Looking Glass Rock

Named for the way its granite face reflects the sunshine, Looking Glass Rock is easily viewed from the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's very popular with hikers and rock climbers, although I've never taken the 6.5 mile round trip hike to the summit. The hike is supposed to be moderately strenuous, so maybe I'll try it in the fall when the temperatures are a little cooler. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Untitled

I didn't know what to call this one. Sometimes trying to come up with a title for my photos is harder than coming up with a decent photo to post. This is a plant in my wife's garden; not sure what it is. I liked the pattern formed by the leaves, but even the interesting pattern couldn't inspire a catchy title. I like the photo anyway, so I'm glad no one thought to copyright the title, "Untitled" because I'm using it again. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Appreciate Them Now

Often at funerals we hear the advice to appreciate our friends and loved ones now, because we never know how much longer we'll have them around. Or how much longer we'll be around. I think that's good advice for orchids too, so I decided to make some photos of the ones my wife bought recently. You never know how much longer they'll be around.

Not that my wife has a reputation for killing plants, but orchids just seem to be fragile and hard to maintain. Maybe my wife will surprise me, and this particular orchid will still be alive and producing flowers at this time next year. Just the same, I'll make a few photos while they're still looking healthy. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
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The Resurgence of Film?

Ken Rockwell, whose website I visit almost daily, is still banging the drum for film for serious photography. He recently returned from a photo trip where he used a Minolta CLE and three lenses. He brags that the entire CLE system weighs the same and costs less than one Nikon 24-70 f2.8 zoom. Sounds impressive.

What Ken failed to mention was the cost of the ten rolls of Fuji Velvia 50 he used on the trip, and the cost of processing and scanning those ten rolls to CDs at NCPS, his preferred film processor. I conservatively estimate about $160, maybe more. That's just one trip. As us former film shooters all know, those film and processing costs add up. Fast.

While the intial cost for digital cameras is higher, once you've bought the camera, the savings begin to pile up. The more you shoot, the more you save. There's no way I could afford to shoot as much as I do if I was still shooting film. There's no way I could afford to experiment as much as I do if I was still shooting film. Quality? I settled that question for myself a long time ago with a 4 mp Canon G3. That little G3 ran rings around anything I was ever able to do with a quality 35mm film camera. My current DSLR is even better.

Sorry, Ken. I'll continue to visit your site because I agree with your takes on so many other topics, but on the film vs. digital debate, I can't buy what you're selling.

Cone Flower Petals

Some of you may remember the old Clairol hair coloring commercials with the slogan, "Only her hairdresser knows for sure." Clairol wanted to convey that their hair colors were so natural that you wouldn't know it was a dye job unless the hair dyer confessed.

Well, on this blog I confess to my readers. I don't tell you I intended the photo to come out this way if it was really a screw up. I let you know when I screw up. On this photo I screwed up. My focus was off. Focusing on macro shots can be an iffy thing, but that's no excuse. I just blew it. I did like the composition of these petals from two adjacent cone flowers, so I added some soft focus, tinkered with the color, and a photo salvage was born! (Click on photo to enlarge.) Now, you and the hairdresser know for sure.

Spattered

This is the flower of a lantana plant. The flowers are tiny, less than 1/2" in diameter, so I used my macro lens to make the photo. At a normal viewing distance, the flower looks light pink with a lighter margin on the petals. Close-up, it looks like someone spattered pink paint on a white flower. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Lantanas are native to semi-tropical regions around the world. There are some varieties of lantana that grow wild around here, like the one commonly known as "bacon and eggs". I'm not sure where this variety comes from. I guess this story would be more interesting if I told you that I traveled to a jungle in Indonesia to make this photo, but the truth is my wife got this one from a nursery. It grows in a pot in the wilds of our front porch.

Devil's Courthouse

This mountain is easily viewed at Mile post 422.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Cherokee folk lore says that Jutaculla, a giant, slant-eyed devil, holds court in a cave in the mountain. I saw no one matching that description when we were there last Sunday afternoon, but if you click on the photo above, you can see two tiny hikers at the top of the mountain. Still can't find them? Click on the close-up below and look in the circled area. If you look closely, they appear to be holding hands. Well, isn't that special.

On Second Thought . . .

Yesterday, I posted a B&W version of today's photo. I wanted so much to make a really good B&W photo of this laurel bush growing on a sheer rock face, but after living with it for a day, I became more and more dissatisfied with it. The more I compared it with the color version, the more I felt the color version was superior in conveying what I found compelling about the scene. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

I have found myself having "second thoughts" on many of my photos on which I came up with two or more interpretations of the original. Often, the one I originally liked best doesn't wear well, and I find myself preferring another version after a few days. This is why I have learned not to delete intermediate or alternate versions of a photo until several days have passed because my opinions sometimes change. I usually need to live with a photo for a while to decide if I really like what I've done.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something."

- Plato

Laurel On The Rocks

I love good B&W photography, and I find it an enjoyable challenge to try to produce good B&W photographs. I find B&W nature photography, especially where flowers are involved, to be the ultimate challenge. How do you convey the beauty of flowers without color? Some photographers are able to pull it off, and I keep trying.

I found this laurel bush growing on a sheer rock wall on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The flowers were a delicate pink, but for some reason I saw this as a B&W photo. After much trial and error, this was the result I finally settled on. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Flame Azaleas

The various members of the rhododendron family come in a variety of colors, but the flame azalea is my favorite. The vibrant orange blossoms are a real eye-catcher during spring time in the Smoky Mountains.

At the elevation where I live, the flame azalea show has been over for a few weeks now. However, while taking a Sunday afternoon drive along the higher elevations of the Blue Ridge Parkway, my wife and I found many flame azaleas still in bloom. It was like being able to get an encore performance from one of my favorite wild flowers. (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Mushrooms

A friend from church regularly picks edible mushrooms while strolling through the woods. Since he's still alive, I guess he knows what he's doing. I love mushrooms, and would really like to be able to find edible varieties in the wild. However, every mushroom identification guide I've looked at includes a list of "poisonous look-a-likes" along with each edible species. The thought of a possible fatal mis-identification keeps me obtaining my mushrooms from the grocery store.

These mushrooms look almost good enough to eat, but I decided to just enjoy their visual beauty. They were growing on the side of a decaying log I found while looking for wild flowers along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I haven't looked them up to identify them; they're probably not edible anyway. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Mountain Laurel Time

I'm guessing it's the much increased rainfall amounts we've had in the mountains this spring that has caused the mountain laurel to bloom so profusely. In the ten years that we've lived here, I've never seen the laurel thickets so full of flowers. On one forest service road my wife and I drove down yesterday, there were laurel bushes in bloom as far into the woods as we could see. It was quite an impressive show. (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Southern Nodding Trillium

Fire Pink

Although Fire Pink is a common wild flower, you really have to look for them because they're so small. The flower is only about 1.5" in diameter, but the bright red color will help you spot them on the road sides where I usually find them. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Stillness Amid Tumult

Somewhere along Newfound Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

The Digital Generation

Cell phones, iPods, digital cameras, Xboxes. The current crop of young people is completely at home in the digital age. I'm amazed at how quickly some of them can work a keypad when texting. It's as natural to them as foosball was to my crowd when I was a teenager in the 1970s.

In this photo, my niece, Lauren, reviews some photos on her digital camera. Or maybe she's texting. Or maybe it's a video game of some sort. Well, at least I'm sure it's Lauren. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Two Guys & A Girl

I shot this one through the windshield of my truck while waiting at a traffic light (the only one, btw) in Leicester, NC. Make sure you pronounce that "Lester", not "Lee-cester", or you'll immediately brand yourself as "not from around here".

Was "a girl" added to the business as part of some affirmative action mandate? Or did little sister just begin to show some real aptitude for small engine repair? Who knows? These are just some thoughts that passed through my mind while waiting at the only traffic light in Leicester, NC. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Cousins

I, my sister, and my brother each have two daughters. Add in the wives, and it's a lot of women to contend with. I have two male dogs, but that only helps a little.

All the cousins were together last weekend, so the obligatory group photo was called for. (Click on photo to enlarge.) This is more of a snapshot than a formal portrait, but these are the kind of photos that families value the most. I used the "Reminiscing" filter in Virtual Photographer because, well, I just like that filter! We all hope the girls stay close as they grow older.