Q-113: Photowalking Dallas

As July rolls around things in your social life have not slowed. You've gotten used to parties and events, accustomed yourself to being in a different part of the county every weekend. You have managed to schedule in some time just for you, going to the lake any weekend you don't already have plans. It's allowed you some much deserved peace of mind and chill time with good friends.

And maybe that's how you had the courage to do what you did. Maybe it was adding those regular trips into the heart of relaxation that convinced you to try something you would never have done even a year ago, much less 3 or 4 years before that.

Maybe it's taking the time out for you that gave you the gusto to not just sign up for, but be excited about participating in something really amazing.

That's right. On July 18th, you participated in Scott Kelby's 2nd International Photo Walk.

The premise, meet with up to 50 strangers at a pre-determined location and walk around a designated path taking photos. Amateurs, professionals, point-n-shooters, film buffs, digital divas, portrait artists, and seasoned gallery exhibitors... the first 50 sign ups take the day together to shoot.

Even as late as the night before you have reservations. You hem and haw about doing a last-minute cancellation-- opening your space to someone who might be more confident, more used to this kind of situation. You think about perhaps switching to another location. There are 2 others in the Dallas-Forth Worth area neither of which is full. But you stick to your guns, you were the first one to sign up for your location and you owe it to yourself to see it through.

At 7:30am you strike out (cursing the GPS that leads you the long way through the city) and arrive jsut in time to park and join in for the group photo. Then you and 50+ strangers are off to shoot the city.

You start off strong, not even straying far from starting position, capturing a tiny model of the city located at the Rail Stop behind the meeting point:

And the rust of the city that surrounds you,



Then the serious shooting begins,



You're not thrilled at the time spent in one spot, but you did get a few of your best shots there,





It even gave the opportunity to get a few great macros,







Nonetheless, you were still glad to find a small clutch of folks that wanted to move on like you did. Your new band of brothers struck off down the designated map and approched the infamous Dealy Square (location of the Kennedy assassination). A native Texan who's been back for almost 3 years you were ashamed to admit you'd not yet been through the square to take photos. A problem well-remedied on your photowalk.







And on your way to the finish point, you also caught some unique glimpses of the city itself, things that other people might not have noticed.







You may not win the giant prize package, you may not even win your own group's contest, but you definitely won.

The ultimate test of your new self. Of the person you've become. The ability to wander with a clutch of professionals and hold your own. To come home with photos you are unashamed to call your own. To know that next year, you may be able to produce something that COULD win.

So was it worth the worry, the exhaustion, the sore legs and ankles, the twinges of social awkwardness?

Without a doubt.

It was really the perfect way to welcome the New You.

Q-112: Time Out for Beauty

Looking back, you can definitely concede that you've been busier than usual. You can concede that adapting a new life-strategy has worked out pretty well. Saying yes to the things the old you would have said no to-- including Yourself-- has created a full schedule full of laughter, music, and even... the possibility of something that vaguely resembles an actual social life.

But with all that bustle comes sacrifices. And you're already seeing it in your art. You haven't spent the time you previously did to appreciate the nature around you. No Sunday afternoon rambles for urban scenery, no Saturday mornings at the Arboretum. The sheer volume of your photographic record is suffering from a serious downturn. But even with the sacrifice of time, you've still managed to inject some beauty into your life.

Sometimes it's as simple as finding something lovely in a department store,

And sometimes it's about finding beauty in a coming storm as you make your way home from one of the myriad of events you've been to.

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If all else fails, you realize that nature and beauty is all around you. On the table at your favorite restuarant...









Or in your own front yard...



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During the hustle and bustle a friend's backyard can provide a backdrop to some summer solace.





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And you've made a concerted effort to stop by the lake whenever possible, using your shots as an opportunity to perfect your panoramas.







More than that though, it gets you out into the nature of your local area, reminds you of one of the many reasons you love where you live. Because within a five minute range you have a the middle of the city, and the loveliness of lakes and other waterways.





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If you've learned anything from May and June, it's that even the busiest schedule still has room for peace, calm, and grace regardless of where you look for it.

Q-111: A Plethora of Party People

The rest of May and June was filled with the sounds of parties! Birthdays, Birthdays, and more Birthdays, Graduations, Retirement and an Anniversary to boot. Your social butterfly status is officially cemented and you flitted from city to city capturing all the party people and cheerful decor that comes with them. And as an added bonus, you got to photograph your first house concert. But.. more about that later.

As in the previous blog, we'll start... at the beginning.

The very end of April inevitably means your little brother's birthday! Turning 16 this year (eep) he is anxious to drive, anxious to be independent, anxious to have adn do and be everything! His only photographic commentary about his birthday was this:

Which you suppose is more a reaction to your mother's decree that he must keep his grades up to take driver's ed.

From Birth to Retirement... a life cycle in one month of parties! The Fairy Godmother retired (early) much to her joy. It was also a lesson for you of course. And what might that lesson be? Always charge up the night before. A mad dash to the camera store revealed they were sold out of your battery, which led to a mad dash back home to pick up the old Fuji and some fresh AAs. Naturally you are unsatisfied with the results.. but that's what happens when your 12mp camera is decommissioned and repalced temporarily by your 7mp camera. :sigh: You live, you learn... and you deal with "noisy" photos as a result...



After retirement, it was time to feel like a kid again. What better way than to attend a 5-year old's birthday party?



There are a million different moods in each child's face and you scramble to capture as much as you can... but it's hard to photograph when you're laughing. Still you manage to get some great shots-- some of which end up being truly beautiful:







Some of which are lovely and sweet:







And some of which are, of course, downright silly!



And from 5-year olds back to adults... or near-adults- it's time for someone to Graduate! As the resident friend-photographer you are of course on hand to record all the serious, silly, and suspicious activity afoot at the soiree...















And finally, the last event on the books for the month... your first house concert. A celebration for the 5 year anniversary of two good friends, you and a small collection of people are called in to help celebrate by the pool acoustic style. A customized show from KC Clifford and her husband David Broyles (of the band Dr. Pants) creates laughter, tears, and a real test of your ability to shoot in low-light with no flash.

And while you don't do as well as you'd hoped... at least you can say you didn't blind the talent! After a few hours of attempted editing, you keep the best of the bunch and chalk up motion blur and noise to that funky independent concert vibe. It's not bad shooting-- it's the nature of the artiste indendent (say it with a french accent, go ahead it sounds much more sophisticated and on purpose that way). You aren't necessarily unhappy with the shots you got, but you do wish you could have done better. There's always next time.







And the truth is, some of the shots are actually quite good. Composed well, lit well, evocative and reflective of the tones of the event... some of these you should be really proud of.





And when all the parties are done, and the amps have been unplugged you walk away from this round of eventful outings with some new technique and some re-learned lessons. You had a chance to remember the joys of being a child, spent some quality time with friends and family and are 3 cds richer for it all.

You chalk it all up to another month of shell-destruction as you watch the shy person you used to be sink further and further into your past. The girl who used to hide is quickly being replaced by the one who says yes. YES to life, YES to time, YES to experience. The one who says YES to herself when asked the question,

Is it time to party?




YES!