Mark's Blog

Sunset on Georgia

Published at: 10:03 pm - Sunday March 15 2015

Project 365 – Day 74

The peacefulness and beauty of the sunset marks a resting point for the light of each day. The tiresome day is almost past. As light prepares to exit, the warmth of the setting sun peaks through, as if to share a parting kiss.

One of the many blessings of chasing landscape photography over the years has been the incredible pleasure of experiencing many sunrises and sunsets. Each is beautiful in it’s own right. Experiencing sunrises and sunsets remind me of life in general. They are not always easy to come by, but more often than not the effort to find them yields rewarding results. Each almost always comes with a sense quietness, stillness, and clarity of light.

Georgia Pines at Sunset

Fuji X-T1, 56mm f/1.2, 1/350 sec @ f/10, ISO400

Posted in: Landscapes, Project 365, Sun by Mark 1 Comment

Besties

Published at: 09:03 pm - Saturday March 14 2015

Project 365 – Day 73

These two are inseparable!!

Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting. ~ Unknown

Blowing Bubbles

Fuji X-T1, 56mm f/1.2, 1/850 sec @ f/2.0, ISO400 (Classic Chrome

Kathy and Sydney

Fuji X-T1, 56mm f/1.2, 1/800 sec @ f/2.0, ISO400 (Classic Chrome)

Posted in: Family, People, Project 365 by Mark 3 Comments

Texture

Published at: 09:03 pm - Friday March 13 2015

Project 365 – Day 72

The past becomes a texture, an ambience to our present. ~ Paul Scott

Porch Entry

X-T1, 56mm f/1.2, 1/125 sec @ f/3.2, ISO1000 (texture blend)

Posted in: Architecture, Project 365 by Mark 2 Comments

The Mundane

Published at: 10:03 pm - Thursday March 12 2015

Project 365 – Day 71

I am using this project, in part, as a challenge to capture everyday things in a way that is interesting or that sparks a different perspective. As photographers, we are often boxed into a desire to capture “iconic” moments or subjects. We are inspired by, and therefore want to replicate, the work of giants like Ansel Adams. Their compositions and subjects are photographed beautifully. To this day, I love going to national parks to shoot those famous, recognizable venues.

On the other hand, there is something unique and satisfying about finding something photo worthy on my own. There are beautiful architectural creations, textures, people, landscapes, patterns, shapes, colors, and light all around us. Everywhere, everyday. It takes a thoughtful eye to find it, and a skill (or luck) to properly capture it. And when you do, it’s yours. It’s like writing AND singing your own song, not just singing a hit someone else made famous.

Make the mundane uncommon by creating and sharing your point of view.

Doctor’s Office

Fuji X100s, 23mm f/2.0, 1/25 sec @ f/5.6, ISO3200

Posted in: Architecture, Office, Project 365 by Mark 1 Comment

Megan and Jackson

Published at: 09:03 pm - Thursday March 12 2015

Project 365 – Day 70

Meet Megan and Jackson. We have been friends of Jackson and his family for 20 years, most of which our children were in school together. He’s an outstanding young christian man with a great future. I don’t know Megan, but she is undoubtedly very special, too.

Each is graduating from college this spring. Jackson recently asked if I would shoot their August wedding, so today we met up for engagement photos. Since it turned into a rainy afternoon, we decided to concentrate on their “save the date” image and do engagement photos another day.

A good wife is hard to find and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. ~ Proverbs 31:10

Megan and Jackson

Fuji X-T1, 56mm f/1.2, 1/300 sec @ f/2.0, ISO200

Posted in: People, Project 365 by Mark 1 Comment

Tired Puppy

Published at: 08:03 am - Wednesday March 11 2015

Project 365 – Day 69

Sophie, after a long afternoon of playing outside with Sydney and patrolling squirrels. 🙂 This is her “I’m starting to get annoyed that everyone is not ready for bed like me” look.

Sophie

Fuji X-T1, 56mm f/1.2, 1/50 sec @ f/2.0, ISO3200

Posted in: Family, Pets, Project 365 by Mark 2 Comments

Frantic Monday

Published at: 10:03 pm - Monday March 09 2015

Project 365 – Day 68

Drive Home

Fuji X100s, 23mm f/2.0, 1/8 sec @ f/11, ISO1600

Posted in: Abstract, Automobile, Project 365 by Mark 1 Comment

Million Dollars

Published at: 10:03 pm - Sunday March 08 2015

Project 365 – Day 67

A few weeks back I wrote about my friend Angela (read here). She begins chemo this week, and she’s been asking me to take a new family portrait while she “still looks like a million bucks.” LOL Today was that day. Angela has and will always look like a million bucks, but the prospects of losing hair is a likely reality with most chemo patients.

Angela’s family is beautiful inside and out. If you had the opportunity to personally choose your own family support group, this would be it! Lawrence is the epitome of patience and optimism. The two older girls are Junior Olympians, so they are personally familiar with tenacity and team. The younger is, by all counts, her mother made over. This alone qualifies her as a “Class A” girl of empathetic support and determination.

Angela, your “home team” has your back! You will also be propped up by God’s faith and by so many of us who are praying and cheering for you.

The Yaminis

Posted in: People, Project 365 by Mark 3 Comments

Cabin Fever

Published at: 12:03 am - Sunday March 08 2015

Project 365 – Day 66

Today was gorgeous! Just the cure for cabin fever. Sunny skies, light breeze, mid-60’s. This, after what seems like weeks and weeks of gray skies, rain, snow, and cold. This old cabin is located at a nearby park. It is always locked, but I had never taken the time to peek in a window until today. The back lit view with sunshine blasting through the opposing window caught my attention. The real trick was shooting it through the old window panes while getting a good angle without glare and between the grilles. Composing this was much more of a challenge than is apparent, but reflections from both windows were almost impossible to avoid.

Primitive Cabin – McDaniel Farms

Fuji X100s, 23mm f/2.0, 1/50 sec @ f/8.0, ISO3200

Posted in: Light, Project 365, Sun by Mark 1 Comment

Late Afternoon in Americana

Published at: 09:03 am - Saturday March 07 2015

Project 365 – Day 65

Kathy and I met dear friends for dinner tonight, and I had time for a short stroll beforehand. There are so many rich and interesting things about “Small Town, USA”. Having grown up in a tiny little town, I instantly connect with and appreciate the charm and personality of each. There are common threads through all of them – rugged individualism, character, coziness, national pride, history, and a sense of pioneering, Yet each has its own personality.