The Itch

And no, I'm not talking about a disease of any kind.  I'm talking about that feeling I get, generally when it starts to warm up from winter, to be creative, pull out my camera, and do something with it, other than work that is.

Last year, I tried doing a picture a day.  That failed when Julie and I started the big summer push.  I still have tons of pics that I took during that time that have sat archived until I get a moment to sit down and go through them.  It was a cool idea, but one that was easily pushed aside when we started shooting 600-800 pictures per day.

The itch I'm feeling now is different.  It's more project orientated; less of an exercise and more of a long term goal.  It's something I can take my time with and won't require day-to-day thought.  Back in September, Julie and I bought a Canon EOS 60D.  The camera is great, but the aspect that interests me the most is it's video capabilities.

I've dabbled with video several times in the past, but have never had constant access to something that produces the quality of video that the 60D does.  Now that I have this tool, I feel I need to use it.  That's where the problem lies; I'm not a videographer.  I understand how to use the camera, I know how to make images that are visually appealing, but I don't know how to create a visual narrative through video.  What do I film?  What story am I trying to tell?  Who are the participants?  Wanting to be a filmmaker and knowing what to film are two completely different areas.

So, if anyone has an idea to pitch and would like to collaborate, I'm here to listen!

Another itch that has started recently has been my desire to get back into doing single, individual portraiture.  Most of the work I've done recently has been couples and families, and I love it, but I do miss the "fine art" aspect of working with just one person; not really posing them, but simply capturing images that reflect who that person is.  A good portion of my early work was this way, and I've gotten away from it as I've expanding into more commercial work.  It was always fun and I feel some of my best work comes from this time.

And as before, if anyone is interested, let's talk!

Wow. Where does the time go?

An email came into my inbox this afternoon.  It was a mistake, but I was instantly thrown back to 6 years ago when I was in grad school.

6 years!  Can you believe that!?

It seems so long ago, but so very recent as well.  So much has changed in life since then and it's quite the journey when I look back.  The whole dynamic of my life is different; different goals, different attitudes, different beliefs.

Strangely enough, I find myself listening to the same music now as I did then and it still seems new to me.  The passing of time is a crazy idea to grasp, yet so many variables can make the years seems like mere days, and days seem like years.  Or in this case, make me feel like I'm 22 years old again...

Nothing To See Here. Move Along.

Not a whole lot of "interesting" has been going on lately.  January kind of came and went, and with February in full swing, I'm already looking to March and April.  This just means one thing:

This year is going to disappear quickly.

I've given myself a bunch of projects to keep active; it's just a shame that I've been too busy to actually start them.  The shortlist includes my new car (post about that later), building a new computer (yet another post still to come), dieting (24 lbs. down, 16 lbs. more to go), and various home projects that I'll get to once the weather decides to stop being evil.  And yes, you read that right; evil.

I came home to our poor D'Argo buddy this past Monday to find that his back legs were not working.  It was a scary sight for sure.  He stumbled around for a short time and was finally able to regain control, only to be howling in pain.  I took him into the vet and they think he might have a slipped disk in his lower back.  The gave him some steroids and pain medication and he seems to be on the mend.

One thing I will say about the steroids; the side effects are real.  If you've ever had to put your dog on steroids, I'm sure this will all sounds familiar; frequent urination, upset stomach, and changes in personality.  It's the changes in his personality that got me.  He seems different; off just a little.  You grow attached to this animal that you think you know so well, and then a few days on a medication, and your little puppy is gone.

He seems to be coming around, but it is a little jarring and hopefully only a temporary impairment.