Blog

My Happy Place

Aug 25, 2026

I'm just back from an extended weekend at the central coast. The sun didn't cooperate so I didn't get the sunset shot that I'd hoped for, and we had to come home a day early to tend to a sick puppy (she's on the mend - ornery as ever). I guess that means that I need to go back again ... darn. Thank you to our wonderful host and hostess, Uncle Milk and Auntie Cookie, for putting us up and putting up with us. We owe you a trip to Hearst Ranch. 😉

Countdown to Ireland!

Reservations are made and itinerary mapped out (thank you to Michelle for both of those!). We're still a ways out from departure, but super excited. I can't wait for a Guinness at St James gate and photo opps abound, though I'm not at all looking forward to driving while we're there.

No Fair

Well, I received the (bad) news that my photo wasn't selected for exhibit in this year's California State Fair. Oh well, I have a super cool piece nicely framed and matted and hanging in the guest bedroom next to a metal print of the same lighthouse taken a couple years earlier from the back side. There's always next year to try again.

Book It!

In the theme of "Putting Myself Out There", I've submitted a short bio and a limit of four photos for consideration in the upcoming Fall edition of The Placer County Arts & Culture Magazine sponsored by The Arts Council of Placer County. It was really difficult summarizing my photography with only four images. Hopefully I represented myself well enough to be a candidate.

I'm just back from an extended weekend at the central coast. The sun didn't cooperate so I didn't get the sunset shot that I'd hoped for, and we had to come home a day early to tend to a sick puppy (she's on the mend - ornery as ever). I guess that means that I need to go back again ... darn. Thank you to our wonderful host and hostess, Uncle Milk and Auntie Cookie, for putting us up and putting up with us.

Countdown to Ireland!

No Fair

Book It!

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Idle Hands

Jul 21, 2026

There's no doubt that I'm going through (yet another) very unwelcomed photo drought. The desire is there to get out, but the opportunities seem non-existent lately and triple digit temps are not so slowly creeping in making outdoor trekking a miserably uncomfortable contemplation. I've always been of the mindset "use it or lose it" when it comes to the body and mind, and creativity is no exception. I've substituted sketching on occasion for picture taking and occasionally dabble in woodworking - though my skills in the latter improve with each project but still leave much to be desired.

Lately I've been exploring matting and framing my own pieces, so I tapped into my rudimentary woodworking skills and shelled out a hundred bucks for lumber and materials, salvaged an old dresser top, and made myself a work table. I've framed a few small pieces in the past using store bought frames, but they're restricted to conventional sizes that don't accommodate the format that I shoot without significant cropping. I spent a few weeks YouTubing and Googling techniques, tips and tricks learning how to build frames and properly mount and mat photos. I know it'll be trial and error the first few goes, but I'm up to the challenge. With this latest down time in my photography, I've got nothing but time until the dark cloud lifts.

Don't worry! I'm not giving up photography. This is just a diversion to keep the mind and body stimulated as I wait for the next inspiration or opportunity to get out with the camera. At the risk of two many cliches in a single essay, "Idle hands are the devil's workshop".

On a Side Note ...

Some photos that I took recently walking the creek behind my house ...

Lately I've been exploring matting and framing my own pieces, so I tapped into my rudimentary woodworking skills and shelled out a hundred bucks for lumber and materials, salvaged an old dresser top, and made myself a work table. I've framed a few small pieces in the past using store bought frames, but they're restricted to conventional sizes that don't accommodate the format that I shoot without significant cropping. I spent a few weeks YouTubing and Googling techniques, tips and tricks learning how to build frames and properly mount and mat photos. I know it'll be trial and error the first few goes, but I'm up to the challenge. With this latest down time in my photography, I've got nothing but time until the dark cloud lifts.

Don't worry! I'm not giving up photography. This is just a diversion to keep the mind and body stimulated as I wait for the next inspiration or opportunity to get out with the camera. At the risk of two many cliches in a single essay, "Idle hands are the devil's workshop".

On a Side Note ...

Some photos that I took recently walking the creek behind my house

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Slightly Off Center

May 15, 2026

I wrote in my book "Focus on What's Important", which I take every opportunity to shamelessly plug as I'm doing here and can be viewed on my website by clicking here, about how I rarely center my subjects in the composition. It's just what I do without thinking about it. So I got to thinking to myself one day, "Self, where did your odd way of composing a shot come from?". While it could be related to the fact that I do occasionally take part in the spirits when I'm taking photos, I had to dig deeper into the origin of my tendency. One day it hit me - Advertising! I spent a decade and a half working in the advertising department for a grocery chain and part of my job was drawing thumbnails and staging product photo shoots. These photos had to be taken with the deserved and necessary attention to the product while leaving room for descriptive copy and supporting graphics. In other words, they had to be photographed off center. Eureka! This method of composition was apparently planted in my subconscious decades ago, and only manifested itself when I became a serious photographer. While I won't discount totally the impact of libation on my creative offset, I do believe that putting that six pack of pop just down and off to the side enough for the text box was probably my biggest influence.

The true trick to pulling off a shot like this doesn't rely on the textbook thirds rule of photography where you break your composition into thirds, but is more about leading lines and the proper use of void space to draw the viewer's eye to your subject. Frankly, I don't have time to sit and do math in my head and imagine my subject as 33% of my photo when it's moving or is about to move. I take a quick glance at my surroundings and already have the composition in my mind's eye before the eyecup reaches my face. Michelle's grandma, and one of the most beloved and influential people in my adult life, was an artist and used to talk quite often about the importance of leading lines. They force your audience to survey the entire image looking for an entry and ultimately follow the trail to the reward. It's an awesome concept that makes viewing any artform a more immersive experience relying on just a tad bit of intellect and a whole lot of imagination to decipher the artist's intention. As I say in my book "Focus on What's Important" (another shameless and intentional plug), "If you don't experience my photograph, I have failed".

So the next time you stroll through my online gallery and see a photo that may seem off balance at first glance, sit back, take a breath, blink your eyes a few times and think about that six pack of RC Cola at the bottom corner of your newspaper circular back in 1995. Imagine yourself wandering through the gate and following the path to the final destination as you appreciate the surroundings or the serenity of nothingness that you will encounter on your journey. If you're unable to get yourself into that headspace, consider a libation (or two or three) then try again. While the latter may not increase your situational awareness or appreciation for my art, you will undoubtedly be in a better mood. Trust me. I speak from experience.

camera

Dad Humor ...
Why couldn't the photographer see straight?
He had too many shots.

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Not Getting Any Younger

May 05, 2026

It's actually pretty cool being a Gen-X'er. I grew up during a really cool time, and am still coherent (and ornery) and in pretty good physical shape overall. But with each passing year, I realize that some day age will catch up with me. I see this firsthand in my life as I watch people around me pass away and others battling mobility and cognitive issues. So, a few years ago I made a decision to get out and start exploring this vast planet of ours and expand my horizons while I'm still able. Once a year now, Michelle and I plan a 'big vacation'. It's been a mind-blowing endeavor that has opened up my world to cultures, art, antiquities and architecture - some of which I'd only read about in grade school textbooks. Here are some stops that we've made over the last few years including my #1 bucketlist item - The Netherlands.

2023 - Netherlands/Italy

Kinderdijk, Netherlands - Home of iconic windmills dating back to 1630. Nothing says "Netherlands" like a Dutch windmill, and these did not disappoint.
Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands - We arrived at Keukenhof when the gates opened only to see a hundred tour buses already emptied and lines of tourists already queued. I guess that's to be expected when you go during the tulip bloom in April.
Heineken Experience, Amsterdam - The tour begins with a Disneyland like ride through the brew process that dropped us off on platform where we got to drink deliciously fresh 30-minute old Heineken. The rooftop bar was the icing on the cake serving various Heineken concoctions and a 180° view of the city.

Florence, Italy - Amazing food and history including being home to Michelangelo's David and Duomo di Milano where we climbed 463 steps to the top for breath-taking views of the city.
The Vatican, Rome - Cannot be described in simple words. Period. Postively spell-binding with the pièce de resistance being the conclusion in The Sistine Chapel.
Positano, Italy - A trendy but traditional city on the Amalfi Coast where we sipped Chianti on the balcony while watching the sunset over The Mediterranean after a daylong Italian food cooking class. Unfortunately we only had one full day there. I'd go back in a heartbeat

Honorable Mentions: Dordrecht, NL (My favorite city that we visited) • Giessenburg, NL (Positively Charming!) • Rotterdam, NL

2024 - Kauai/Maui

Sea Turtles on the Beach (Kauai) - Our VRBO was just down the street from a popular spot for viewing sea turtles as they come ashore. We went to see them our first night there, but it was one of those "been there done that's" mostly because of the aggressive onlookers.
My First Musubi (Kauai) - I'd never heard of Musubi before, and had my first one on Kauai. I've since learned to make them at home, and think they're better than what we had that day. Don't tell the locals!
Kilauea Point Lighthouse (Kauai) - I LOVE lighthouses! They're my single favorite thing to photograph. This lighthouse was cool, but too touristy with an onsite giftshop and pesky people photobombing every shot.

The Road to Hana (Maui) - The drive was positively gorgeous, though whiteknuckling to navigate all the curves in the rain. A stop by Aunty Sandy's for banana bread is a must! Honestly, the town of Hana was a letdown. We spent about an hour there then began our descent back to our hotel.
Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm (Maui) - The farm has an indescribably spectacular view of the valley and flowers and trees that you would never see on the mainland. Definitely worth the drive.
Sunsets - Every night that we stayed on Maui and Kauai was another brilliant sunset seeming to try to outdue last night's spectacle. I can still taste the Mai Tais as we watched the nightly cliff diving ceremony at The Sheraton. Mahalo, Hawaii!

Honorable Mentions: The helicopter tour over Kauai (awe-inspiring) • Float tubing through the sugar cane fields in Kauai

2025 - Wyoming/Yellowstone

Grand Teton - Grand Teton was simply amazing as was the weather while we were there. I remember descending the highway from the mountains on our way into town and my jaw dropped at first sight.
Meeteetse - Meeteetse is a cool little town surrounded by magnificent snow covered mountains. The light pollution, enemy to an astrophotographer, was non-existent so the Milkyway was visible to the naked eye.
Jackson Hole - Just a super cool little town. It was trendy with a touch of redneck where you could enjoy a nice coffee or sit on a saddle for a barstool and partake in local libation.

Wyoming Wildlife - When the road signs talk about how many moose have been hit by cars in the last week, you respect the posted speed limit and never take your eye off the road.
Cody - The last thing I expected to see in Wyoming on a forty degree day was a middle-aged dude skateboarding barefoot in capri pants on the main drag, yet there it was.
Yellowstone - Bordering on surreal and virtually indescribable. I didn't get the grizzly bear photos that I was hoping for, but was still captivated by the beauty of the park.

Honorable Mention: Sedona, AZ was another memorable trip earlier this year and only not mentioned here because I recently talked about it in another post.

Next Stop: Ireland (2026). Stay Tuned!

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Get Over Yourself

Apr 25, 2026




Photos of stuff I've taken when I'm bored

Quite frequently, more often than I'd like, I go into a photo drought. I'm always eager to get out there but, as I tell people all of the time, "I've shot everthing that's interesting to me within a hundred mile radius of my house". I wake up every Saturday morning with aspirations to "get out with my camera", and more often than not end up sulking on the couch or puttering around the yard in a pissy mood because I can't think of a destination.

A few ways that I've pulled myself out of the funk ...

A Simple Walk Around the Yard - I've actually sold a couple images that I took just walking around my backyard taking photos of 'stuff'. We spend time working and lounging in our yards, but fail to see the beauty of the details. Looking at things through a camera lens filters out distracting backgrounds and artifacts so that you can appreciate the intricacy and elegance of otherwise simple things like a spring blossom, an autumn leaf or even moss growing on a rock.

Visit a Neighboring Town - There are those towns just outside of your borders that you've driven through a thousand times on your way to Costco or taking your dog to the vet, but have you ever really stopped in any of them? It's really amazing to park your car and walk around a small town for an hour or two. Photo opps are abound if you just slow down and appreciate your surroundings, and you might even strike up a nice conversation with a local. Find a cool pub and grub and have a nice lunch and a beer.

Go to the Park - A local park offers a plethora of photo opportunities: people, sports, nature, animals and even the playground toys. Challenge yourself by photographing a bird in flight, a runner rounding second base or a tree reflecting in a puddle. If you're in a lull, it's probably because you've pigeon-holed yourself into a single mindset with your photography and you're bored with the same ol' same ol'. Shooting outside of your comfort zone may introduce you to an exciting new way of thinking about your photography and your subjects.

Other Ideas for Inspiration:

Social Media (Instagram, Facebook, Threads, etc.) - Check out what other photographers are doing
Meetup Groups
City or County Local Calendar of Events
Photographer Friends
Theme - Pick a subject and see how creative you can get!
Newsletters - Subscribe to galleries and clubs to get alerts to potential gatherings and events
Weather - Grab your coat and head out when it's foggy or rainy

Bottom line ... All artists, yes I consider photography an artform, run into creative blocks. Sulk on the davenport (what I grew up calling a couch), throw your hedge trimmer, cuss at your neighbor through the fence but accept that it's temporary and know that with perservence you will overcome. Now get out there!

Social Media (Instagram, Facebook, Threads, etc.) - Check out what other photographers are doing
Meetup Groups
City or County Local Calendar of Events
Photographer Friends
Theme - Pick a subject and see how creative you can get!
Newsletters - Subscribe to galleries and clubs to get alerts to potential gatherings and events
Weather - Grab your coat and head out when it's foggy or rainy




Photos of stuff I've taken when I'm bored

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