Oh, Happy, Happy Day-Odds and Ends of Sorts

Happy Solstice. Happy Father’s Day. Happy Stig takes off his helmet day. Gosh, there were so many little “events” this weekend, it’s hard to know where to start, isn’t it?

Favorite silly thing I’ve said recently, “it’s like one of those old ghost stories you hear around a campfire. You maybe don’t believe it, aren’t one hundred and ten percent convinced, but you still don’t want to take any chances, or spend too long talking to that bad man over there who happens to be walking around carrying an axe.” I think, buried in there, is actually some good advice (of some kind.) Then again, maybe not.

Kathy has left for the coast, she’s in California shooting at Joshua Tree and the Salton Sea. (More news on this later.) Martha Grenon has some work in the upcoming documentary show at the Center for Fine Art Photography. Following the link there will also get you to their next two calls for entries, one for the International exhibit (hard to believe but, yes, it’s been two years since I did that show) and their upcoming Portrait show.

It’s been very hot in Austin lately, and nobody feels much like doing anything. Hiding in air conditioning is what we’re all about. It’s supposed to be over 100 all week in River City, so wish us luck staying cool.

Since trapped inside, I’ve been reading Joe McNally’s blog a lot lately. I’m not much now (and never really have been) a consummated strobist, but I do like reading his blog. (It’s very funny that, and he’s a top shooter.) Makes you wonder, but not too long, where have all the bedsheets run off to? (Eh, ok, maybe not.)

That’s not all in the “research” department that’s going on-I’ve been thinking more about narrative photography, last night I spent a bit of time looking over some older Jeff Wall work. Unlike most projects for Utata, this time around, I’m having a harder time eliminating ideas. But, then, I guess that’s typical, I mean, I have not yet (again) made up my mind, go figure. Somehow, I think, this time around, Crewdson is going to provide my inspiration. Call it a hunch but, I can almost feel it in my bones. (Time to get the books out and take a peek at some Twilight.)

I also read this article recently and, wow, what can I say? Somebody finally “gets it” in terms of telling us how to learn photography. I think that, in my twenty year history behind the lens, I have not read more sound advice. If you are starting out, or thinking about starting out, or wondering where to start out, that’s a read for you-you need to drop what you are doing, go read and digest that one. More on this later.

Some other odds and ends, let’s see….

Speaking of ghost stories and, um, I guess, “bones,” I was reading this gruesome tale of the events at the LaLaurie house in New Orleans. Somehow, I can’t get the image of a woman with all of her limbs broken and then set again at odd, unnatural angles, out of my head. I’ve been having nightmares about it. As luck would have it, this house is now for sale, owned by none other than favorite, “tortured” actor, Nicolas Cage. I must admit, the house seems to have had a bad influence on him-his hair appears to be constantly set at odd, unnatural angles, but that’s really a topic for another day. (Maybe, after he sells the house, he can once again afford a comb?)

Oh yeah, all of this and The Stig recently took off his helmet. Now there’s another image I can’t get out of my head-the “dead” Stig, resting on the coffee table all the while some guy named Michael sat there yapping away wearing white racing coveralls. Now, some do say that it was all just a big, clever red herring and that “the real Stig” will be back next week. All we know is that it was good to finally, and I do mean finally, get to the bottom of the great mystery about ducks.

With all of these images running ’round in my head, you’d think it’d be easier to make some of my own but, alas, it might just be too hot for that now.

Until next time…

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3 Comments

  1. mythopolis
    Author
    June 22, 2009 / 5:34 pm

    I really love this photo!

  2. Carol
    Author
    June 23, 2009 / 4:37 pm

    Thanks, Mythos! It's from the tide pools in Kona.

  3. mythopolis
    Author
    June 23, 2009 / 7:11 pm

    Love it, is all I can say. Why don't you send me a copy? I mean a snail-mail print. I will send you something in return. If you don't want to, its ok. You have a ridiculous W V right now…and my eyes are not good.

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