Tag: fieldnotes

May 6, 2018 / Journal

5/5 Check-In!

Time to evaluate my progress for my Groundhog Resolutions, the 10th annual attempt at creating life-long habits for myself. I’ve discovered that right after the end of the year holidays I am not mentally or physically capable of sticking with resolutions for the upcoming new year. I need a break so I take the whole month of January off to reflect and plan and start on 2/2 instead of 1/1.

I’ll check back in on myself on 6/6

Fun-

50 Books a year challenge: Up to 9 so far. Need to get a move on.

Fitness-

Calvinball: Acquired balls but need to dedicate time to learning the rules and enjoying

Yoga: Work in progress

More 5 & 10k obstacle course racing: We did it! Just today we ran the Warrior Dash. Now we’re looking into local 5ks and cause to support.

Consistent training: Working out with Tracy is mutually beneficial. Accountability may be the one thing I needed to maintain this. We’ve just started out this past week and so far so good for both of us. Will utilize digital encouragement as well with our Fitbits.

Consistent nutritional training: Work in progress. Bad food is too cheap and easy to acquire while healthier options are scarce and pricey. Looking at some non-meat options as well as eating at home more. Again, accountability is key here. No Whataburger in weeks!

Hashing: Waiting on warmer weather. Got called out by THHH Mismanagement for it too. Will be paying for it when I’m back on trail.

Hiking: Taken more than a few hikes this year and explored familiar and new trails. Ancient Forest was extensive but limited access. Will go back. Also, urban hikes along River parks, Midland valley and Turkey mountain.

Geocaching: I am 0 for 15 so far this year. Um, what? Meanwhile, Tracy has decided to sign up and has found two that I wanted.

Meditation: Will be utilizing the same space as kickboxing and yoga for this.

Creative-

Complete my book: The plot thickens…finally.

Photo essay on a topic I am passionate about: Waiting for a topic and inspiration.

Video log every month: Landed on Vimeo instead of YouTube because I am getting rid of Google soon. So far just dark, grainy video of me looking tired but giddy for some reason.

Leave inspirational notes everywhere: Waiting on weather to get better and people hit the streets. Send me inspiration.

Year in photos album: 2017 is just there, waiting on me. Cannot wait to see what 2018 memories I’ll have at the EOY.

Shoot more film: Buy more film. Ain’t cheap!

Find my muse: Found her. Now how to use her?

DAM: Constant work in progress here

April 23, 2018 / Journal

Discovery

“I can’t begin to tell you the things I discovered while I was looking for something else.”

April 17, 2018 / Journal

Creative Storage

You must be constantly adding to your store. For this purpose you create… principally upon your own impressions, feelings and experiences. You also acquire material from life around you, real and imaginary, from reminiscences, books, art, science, knowledge of all kinds, from journeys, museums and above all from communication with other human beings.

March 10, 2018 / Journal

Lost

“The greatest hazard of all, losing one’s self, can occur very
quietly in the world, as if it were nothing at all. No other loss can
occur so quietly; any other loss – an arm, a leg, five dollars, a wife,
etc. – is sure to be noticed.”

― Søren Kierkegaard, The Sickness Unto Death

February 3, 2018 / Journal

2018 Photo Goals

Just like my Groundhog Day resolutions, I need photography goals. I
know that I shoot from the hip but a part of me needs more as well. The
following goals are in no order other than what is in my head.

Finish this website. Streamline it and make it professional again.

Organize, once and for all, the Archives.

Shoot more film. My Holga is collecting dust and I am neglecting her.

Re-define who I am as a person and then translate this to my photography

What is the purpose of my photography? I’ve asked and received mixed results.

Add emotional impact to my work.

Continue to share my knowledge, to learn and to grow from my peers such as the Texas Shooters and Shots photography groups

February 3, 2018 / Journal

2018 Photo Goals

Just like my Groundhog Day resolutions, I need photography goals. I know that I shoot from the hip but a part of me needs more as well. The following goals are in no order other than what is in my head.

Finish this website. Streamline it and make it professional again.

Organize, once and for all, the Archives.

Shoot more film. My Holga is collecting dust and I am neglecting her.

Re-define who I am as a person and then translate this to my photography

What is the purpose of my photography? I’ve asked and received mixed results.

Add emotional impact to my work.

Continue to share my knowledge, to learn and to grow from my peers such as the Texas Shooters and Shots photography groups

January 17, 2018 / Journal

Muse

I need a muse to help influence and inspire my photography. Someone who understands and supports my creative vision, even if I don’t. This muse would inspire my creative vision. Someone that will allow me anything and everything. Fearless. No comfort zone because of the trust. Find the limits and then cross them anyway. Every photographer needs a muse, not just a model. A companion, my biggest fan and maybe even my biggest critic.

This muse will help guide and instruct my creative process with trial, error and success just by being there. The muse will be honest, free and open with me to unleash my creative flow.

They will fill up my photo card, drain my batteries, use up all my film because the inspiration will not stop. You are hers and she is yours. That connection between her, my camera and me is magic. My muse won’t care for other’s work, just mine. And hers, because she is a work of art herself.

January 16, 2018 / Journal

Muse

I need a muse to help influence and inspire my photography. Someone
who understands and supports my creative vision, even if I don’t. This
muse would inspire my creative vision. Someone that will allow me
anything and everything. Fearless. No comfort zone because of the trust.
Find the limits and then cross them anyway. Every photographer needs a
muse, not just a model. A companion, my biggest fan and maybe even my
biggest critic.

This muse will help guide and instruct my creative
process with trial, error and success just by being there. The muse
will be honest, free and open with me to unleash my creative flow.

They
will fill up my photo card, drain my batteries, use up all my film
because the inspiration will not stop. You are hers and she is yours.
That connection between her, my camera and me is magic. My muse won’t
care for other’s work, just mine. And hers, because she is a work of art
herself.

January 6, 2018 / Journal

Now Developing

Photo Denbow has redesigned and has a renewed focus. I’ll explain as changes roll out.

Playlist: Here I Go Again

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

January 6, 2018 / Journal

Now Developing…

Photo Denbow has redesigned and has a renewed focus. I’ll explain as changes roll out.

Playlist: Here I Go Again

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

January 1, 2018 / Journal

The sun sets on the last, coldest day of 2017 in Tulsa

December 20, 2017 / Journal

Mojo Chili

Famous homemade chili from a long time ago back in Alabama

INGREDIENTS

1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 green bell peppers, diced
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chili peppers
1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
1 (15 ounce) can ranch-style or black beans beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
3 teaspoons minced garlic
1 Tablespoon cumin
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
dash red pepper flakes, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large saucepan, brown ground beef and chopped onion.
Pour remaining ingredients on top and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Serve with shredded cheese and a bag of Fritos

December 20, 2017 / Journal

Mojo Chili

Famous homemade chili from a long time ago back in Alabama

INGREDIENTS

1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 green bell peppers, diced
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chili peppers
1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
1 (15 ounce) can ranch-style or black beans beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
3 teaspoons minced garlic
1 Tablespoon cumin
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
dash red pepper flakes, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large saucepan, brown ground beef and chopped onion.
Pour remaining ingredients on top and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Serve with shredded cheese and a bag of Fritos

December 19, 2017 / Journal

Wandering Equipment Checklist

Wandering is simply spending some time walking as therapy, silencing your cell phone and exploring an area near you. There is more to it, of course (look up The Wander Society online). But for now, here is a simple checklist.

notepad, pen
TWS book as inspiration
comfy shoes, sunscreen, glasses, hat
camera
grab bag for collecting nature

Solvitur Ambulando

December 19, 2017 / Journal

Therapeutic Photography

As I’ve stated previously, it’s been a shitty year and not a lot to show for it. In fact, I have lost so much. There are times too, that I have been bored or uninspired with my hobbies, including photography. Most of the time, however, I just pick up the camera and go. Go out, anywhere. Shoot anything to make myself feel better. The camera and the process is therapy to me. It relieves me of stress and helps me create. Photography helps me to focus (see what I did there?) on what’s in front of me and allows for a pleasant distraction. It reduces frustration and anxiety.

self-portrait 5m after waking

Photo Walks

I am a big fan of photo walks. No agenda, no direction. I just wander with an open eye for something, anything of personal interest and capture it. Stretch, walk, breathe and relax.

Group Therapy

I’ve also discovered interacting with people to be therapeutic too. It sounds counter-intuitive, I know, but it works for me. I feed off their personalities and passions. Even their presence is energizing. Ever sit in a coffee shop and feel the buzz? Me too.

Getting out and talking to strangers on the street breaks down my walls and theirs. I’ve been doing quite a lot of portrait photography with my HOT project. These beautiful faces make me smile. See? Therapy.

Communicating with like-minded people is a huge positivity boost. Photographers are isolated and protective by nature (why?) so this could be more stressful at first…but the payoff is amazing. Who else but we, can understand and support one another? I am really excited about my new photography group coming soon.

Focus

One of the best things about photography is again, focusing on details. Distract yourself by focusing on the boring, mundane, everyday details that can deliver the best images and make for the best subjects.

Anything and everything all of a sudden becomes interesting. Beauty in the details. Forest through the trees.

I lean heavily on photography when doubt, depression and frustration kick in. I give them a kick back when I grab my camera and go.