Running with the Horses!

Horses (80 of 103), originally uploaded by doncoxjr.

Not as easy as it looks. The entire field was covered with holes from old muddy horse tracks.

Had a great time there with my family, most enjoyable watching my children learn to appreciate more than just the typical suburban lifestyle.

Met some new (to me) Exposure.Detroit members.

Sometimes I need #1

Water Windows, originally uploaded by Auberon.

The first in what may be a long series of personal statements that explore how a picture makes me feel, what I see when I really look at the shot, what I was thinking about during the shot, and maybe even an extension of what I may have imagined in terms of my own artistic version...and finally, maybe the shot takes me into the world of the imaginary. Here, or on a different "blog" is where I plan to share all of the above. Read on if you find this interesting. Change the channel if you think this is idiotic.

And so I begin:

UrbEx can often be a dirty event, and you usually need to dress down for the occasion. Sunday's best should most likely stay in the closet.
Happening upon a larger room laid out east to west, with windows facing south, I entered a room just as dusk began. Fortunately for myself and the angels I travelled with that day, the dark overcast sky broke this very same moment, giving us near perfect photographic conditions. While some chose to develop new relationships, or battle with dissipating power sources, I felt like a kid in a candy store. I came upon a rusted out cyclone fence that had been bent and smashed to the ground, completely enveloped in the warm basking beams of light coming from outside. The lighting was almost pefect. I really wanted to feel something from that fence...a sense of protection long lost, perhaps a barrier torn down long ago, with nothing but the warmth of this new light at just the right time....but I just couldn't get the right angle...either that or I was looking for something that really wasn't there to begin with. While down on one knee I glanced over and saw an indoor waterfall of sorts. As I walked towards this waterfall I had full intention of capturing how the Tyndall Effect passing through the continuous flow from the roof above resulted in a perpetual explosion ranging across the entire spectrum. To put it in simpler terms, if you stood there and watched carefully, you could see "sun dog"-esque circular rainbows each time a drop would hit the ground. I suspect most people would have skipped right past this opportunity without a moment's notice. Fortunately for me, the angle and location from which one could best observe this spectral display also happened to be a center of convergence for much of the runoff water spilling into the room. Glancing down I noticed almost immediately how pure the water looked yet seemed to be ignoring the normal physical properties of water. Water is very cohesive, and tends to attract to itself more than other elements/mixtures/compounds/etc...On this particular day the cohesive properties of the water gave way to the adhesive attraction of the dirt on the floor, accounting for the strange shapes and irregular flow. If you look closely, you can see circular "holes" in the water where the ground is still completely visible. Surface Tension at it's greatest.

What looks to one person like water on the floor looks like black gold to another. I was caught up watching the flow of the water.
During a discussion with the artist formerly known as S.E.G., I saw what appeared to be an OLD WORLD relief map of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding countries. You can't help but laugh when you are in the middle of an abandoned building in Detroit, yet something as simple as water on the floor makes you pine for a Tuscan trip. Like my grandfather would have said... "Pipe Dreams"...

What do I see in this particular photograph? I see attraction between the familiar, yet an equally powerful attraction of the opposite. I see reflections on the surface...indicative of passing nostalgia, yet the reflection is that of series of window panes. Windows represent opportunities. How does one reflect upon the events yet to come? Do you think of the past, learning from your mistakes and avoid them as you venture forward? Are the windows showing opportunities to come or opportunities lost? Opportunities lost in the past, or future opportunities lost because of past decisions?

In this photograph, if I look at those areas without water, do I view those areas lost memories, or missing pieces yet to be filled in?

In the end, I realized I was looking at water on the floor.
I never did get back to the shot I was actually after.

I never said what I would write would have meaning to anyone other than myself. If you've read this far, congratulations, you've just wasted two minutes of your life. See the receptionist at the front desk, she might have a lollipop for just compensation. I hope you have enjoyed the ride today.

Flickr Observations

, originally uploaded by Stephanie_H.

What the???
Looks like a movie poster from the latest horror movie. Not sure why exactly, but that's where it left me.

Goodbye Tiger Stadium

, originally uploaded by Auberon.

On September 28th, 2007 I, and approximately 18 other individuals were given special access to the former playing field of the Detroit Tigers. We are part of formal group of what I like to call "Detroit Enthusiasts" and proudly go by the name Exposure.Detroit.

From 2PM to 3PM, we had access to the field and to a portion of the upper deck, two great areas from which we gathered thousands of pictures. My interpretation/observations from that one hour will come in the near future.

To be continued.....

Alluere Bella

Alluere Bella, originally uploaded by Auberon.

Tonight's the Big Show:

What: exposure.Detroit - SELECTIVE FOCUS
When: July 20th, 7pm - 10pm
Where: Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, Royal Oak, Michigan
Who: Markmarko , Auberon , ArtsyT , Nomm de Photo , Jnhkrawczyk


Originally I was going to go with shots like this:




I decided to take a different route. I took a step back from all of my work, and tried to look at where I was the weakest. I realized that I had never taken any portrait shots. No friends, no family, nothing. So I made a few comments to a few people here and there, saying that I'd like to try and do some portrait work, if just as a learning experience. Well, a friend forwarded my Flickr stream over to one of her friends, and the next thing you know we had scheduled 3 different days where we would try to take advantage of perfect lighting situations.

To put it bluntly, Yana, my ever-patient model worked with me during my learning process, and we had what I think is a great time working together. Tonight is the true test, some of her family is coming to view the work and let me know what they think. Their opinion of my work will be more important than the other opinions throughout the evening. They know what to look for, and they will be able to tell me if I have truly captured the emotions that I saught after.

If any of the three people who read this stream have time tonight, stop by Sweetwaters Cafe, introduce yourself to one of the photographers, and try to have a great time. I'll post more after the show.

Please keep in mind that the work I have posted in the Cafe is work that I purposely took on as a personal challenge, and hopefully someone can come to appreciate that it was not the end result that I am most proud of, rather the journey to get there.

Exposure.Detroit @ Sweetwaters Cafe - Royal Oak

Pull Chain, originally uploaded by Auberon.

July 20th, 2007
Sweetwaters Cafe, Downtown Royal Oak.

Tina, Jill, Mark, Rein, and myself will display our photography.

More to come.

Michigan Driving.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT is with people driving in Michigan? I can't for the life of me figure out what some people's problems are. There's the guy who receives a call on his cell phone and suddenly there's a dramatic reduction in speed even though he's in the fast lane. Get over to the slow lane, or get off the road if you feel the need to stop. What's with Ontario License Plates? Do they in fact force a driver to stay in first gear no matter where they drive? If you're ever on I-75 and traffic is going 40mph for no reason whatsoever, chances are the three cars you see up ahead leading the pack have that Ontario plate. I think it has something to do with seeing 65MPH Speed Limit signs, and driving 65 - KILOMETERS Per Hour.

A while back I wrote a short list of "laws" about drivers to a friend or two. I'll post that rant here for all of my four readers.

Michigan Freeway Driving Laws
(1) Any change in (slope, direction, elevation, chamber, luminescence, vehicular density per square mile, smell in the air, humidity, dew point, barometric pressure, consumer price index, time, etc) shall direct the Michigan Driver to immediately reduce forward velocity by no less than 50 percent, and no more than 99%.

(2) Any combination of the factors listed in Rule (1) shall result in the immediate termination of forward velocity without concern for the safety and well being of self and/or other drivers.

Rules (1) and (2) do not require a preponderance of observable evidence, merely a slight inclination that any of the mentioned factors may in fact be present in the general area, or within the same zip code.
After adhering with the common law recommendations of Rules (1) and (2), Michigan Drivers must arbitrarily decide that “the scene” is safe to proceed. Michigan Drivers need not actually take note of their physical surroundings or any possible hinderance to forward velocity.

(3) Vehicles on the side of the road are to be examined by the Michigan Driver, every Michigan Driver has been issued an armchair traffic investigator badge with their most recent driver’s license renewal. At a minimum, each driver must create elaborate charts, graphs, and a 1/10 scale model diorama that reenacts what they believe had actually happened. If possible, create a power point presentation with interviews from actual witnesses, victims, and innocent passers-by. When the Michigan Driver reaches a point perpendicular/parallel (depending on the angle of the disabled car) to that of the furthest disabled vehicle, the driver must then attempt to set a PR in land speed acceleration. Michigan Driver(s) are cautioned to remain aware of Rules (1) and (2).

(4)Cell phones were not invented to cause distraction to OTHER Michigan Drivers. Cell phones were invented to give drivers more time in their day. Cell phones, and any other telecommunication device, shall be used in such a manner that adherence to the following “rules” are to be avoided:

Minimum and Maximum Speeds – drive at the speed your conversation is going, not the speed(s) posted or the speed at which traffic is flowing.
Lanes – drive in the lane your conversation takes you. If your conversation jumps from topic to topic without warning, shift lanes, at the speed your conversation is going, with each change in topic also without warning
Pulling over to talk – This action is NEVER to be taken. This will only result in creating situations mentioned in Rules (1) and (2), possibly (3). That could be a waste of graph paper.
Finally, multi-tasking – Michigan Drivers using cell phones should always attempt to finish reading an article, compare thesis notes, take pictures of disabled cars with the camera function (see Rule (3), eat dinner, change their child’s diaper, finish applying make-up, shave, invent a new word, tie their shoe(s), not hold the wheel, etc…

Amazing Inspiration

Wet Tara, originally uploaded by Protagonist.

I've recently had some individuals contact me asking me if I would be interested in doing them a favor, and shooting them, as I am the most professional photographer that they know.

After I was done laughing about that, I came to realize that I really don't know anything about taking potraits of people, bodies, models, etc... I don't intend on taking nudes, but won't rule those out. It really comes down to what the people are looking for.

I guess the reason for this blog post is just to remind myself that I need to research what's best for the person in front of the camera first, and then try to learn how to best give them what they want.

My first question is, how does a person who never shoots people suddenly move into the realm of shooting glamour photography? Also, if you know the person on a personal level, does it change things between you and the "model"?

Assuming anyone is actually reading this, HELP!

STROBIST

I found a great blog for my kind of photography. Very detailed information about how to greatly improve one's ability to light their way into greater artistic photography. I fully intend on sitting down, taking some notes, and adding these lessons to my daily list of things to do.

London Cabbie?

What's DC up to now?, originally uploaded by Auberon.

One of the benefits of driving on I-75 is being able to catch the occasional auto exec enjoying one of the perks of their job, driving around Metro Detroit in some concept vehicle turned production model. Most often on my stretch of I-75 I see Daimler Chrysler vehicles being road-tested. I distinctly recall seeing the Dodge Nitro often, and well before it was advertised on TV/Radio.

I caught an article in the local papers one day about London Cabs coming to Detroit. It was before the Superbowl came to town, so it would have to be right around December of 2005.

Some internet research seems to indicate that there's a company in Boston that's had around 70 units since about 2002.

London Taxi of North America