Archive for the ‘Inspirational’ Category

Foggy Tree (1/160th at f/8, 80mm at ISO 200)

I’ve been in Michigan the last few days attending a few meetings and visiting family.  It seems as though much of Northern Michigan has been covered in fog as the snow is slowly giving way to the Spring rains.   Ever since I was a child I’ve always been fascinated by the fog.  I love the idea how it transforms our perception of reality.  The fog truly creates opportunities for seeing things in a different light. It creates new and interesting images that might otherwise have seemed unworthy of notice.  A tree in a field is transformed into an unknown landmark to be left to anyone’s imagination. For me…the fog opens up my backyard again.  It transforms my familiar surroundings into a foreign and mysterious land and creates countless new images limited only by my imagination.

Bear x-ings, photo by Kajsa Stolberg

Kajsa here this Sunday and I want to share a little something with you.  I was having coffee with my longtime friend last week and even though we haven’t lived in the same town in over six years it’s still as if she lives two blocks away.  She was updating me on her week, her students, the leadership conference she recently attended, and her life as a “grown up.”  I had little to update her on in the progress of my photography as I swept my arm to display the littered parking lot in front of the coffee shop – the scenery that I currently spend my hours observing.   In the past my drive to take pictures was always fueled by all the cool things I saw when I got out of my comfort zone, but for the past few months I’ve been sticking close to home trying to earn some extra money, and also taking this opportunity for a breather.  In my effort to ground myself I’ve gotten “out of shape” and my creative juices are definitely not flowing – I mean, I’ve been looking at these same surroundings since birth – what could possibly be cool??  Seeing that I was clearly uninspired, my friend gave me the boost which has stuck with me all week: she replied, “Kajsa, have you ever seen the arrow on the FedEx truck?  It’s always been there, you just have to look for it. See the arrow.”  (I wish I could give credit to the speaker of the aforementioned leadership conference who gave this advice to my friend, but unfortunately I don’t know!)  By taking the time to look at my home from an outsider’s perspective I can see all sorts of wild things: bear crossing signs, tractors holding up traffic, old barns, beautiful sunsets, and even art in the trash outside the coffee shop.  It’s the same old prompt: even if you don’t feel like there’s something to shoot, get out and shoot anyway!  You might find material to create some pretty great stuff. Now it’s your turn – see the arrow!

Head In The Sand (1/60th at f2.8, 23mm at ISO 500)

I finally got my head out of the sand and joined Flickr.  I’m not sure why I waited this long to join, but it’s proven to be another wonderful outlet to connect with fellow photographers. I’m a big believer in looking at other people’s work for inspiration. Working in a cocoon has never worked for me and Flickr provides the perfect arena for exchanging ideas, techniques and feedback. It’s a place much like school, “you get as much out of it as you put into it.” It’s taken me a few weeks to get the hang of it, but I’m telling you it’s a no brainer for those of you looking to connect with photographers. Here are my suggestions: join Flickr (it’s free for 100mb each month), join some groups of interest (such as Black and White, or Travel Photography), upload your photos to these groups, make sure to comment on other people’s photos, if you enjoy someone’s work or comments then add them as a contact, interact with your contacts and groups. To check out my Flickr stream just click HERE (feel free to add me as a contact). If you become a Flickr addict I strongly suggest using a program like Flickroom to help manage your stream, contacts and uploading process. So join the party and let me know what you think.

Nancy and John on assignment circa 1972, photo by Robert King

I’ve been meaning to write this for a bit, but I thought today would be the most appropriate:

I’ve been taking photos for about as long as I can remember.  Growing up, my mother always had her Leica or Rollei in tow while my sister and I trailed  along with our little  Kodak  126 Instamatics.   Photography was a way that we played together. It was a creative outlet that brought us together from time to time.    Both of my parents were journalists, but I always thought my mother had the cooler job as the photographer.   A newspaper photographer was always  on the move looking for that next story.  I remember the nights listening to the police scanner with my mom.  Watching the red lights zip by as it scanned the frequencies and then all of a sudden it would freeze and  there would be chatter “car 34 we need your 10-20.”  I would look to my mom with excitement and she would relay the bad news, “they’re just requesting his location.”  Yep, that was the life a of photojournalist in a small town.  In the years to come my mother became an English teacher at the local high school, but still followed her passion for photography.   I remember countless conversations about photo composition and subject matter.   Most vividly I remember our conversations regarding portraits and the need to connect with the people.   She had the gift of gab and truly enjoyed people; not to mention she had a big heart.   What I respected most about her as I grew older was her honesty.   She was incredibly blunt (think Simon Cowell) and she didn’t waste time making her point.   “John, it’s a good thing you’re cute because you can’t spell cat!”  To this day I double check all my spellings!  While I love my dad and all that he’s done to support my work and writing, it’s truly my mother that I credit for my passion for photography.   She would have turned 73 today if it hadn’t been for a stroke that took her some 12 years ago.  So, happy B-day mom and thanks for all your guidance throughout the years.

p.s. I broke your Rollei, but it’s in the shop and I should have it back in a week or so…;)

Museum (1/80th at f/3.2, 16mm at ISO 800)

A few days ago I found myself visiting The Art Institute of Chicago.  No, it wasn’t the result of some sort of bet.   It has been a while since I visited the museum and, as always, it was very enjoyable.  It’s taken me many years to truly understand the phrase “art is in the eye of the beholder.”   I think being a photographer has not only helped me tolerate, but more importantly, appreciate and accept many different forms of art.    Whether it be a Jackson Pollock painting or a Pete Turner print, I find myself appreciating the effort and vision put forth by the artist.   I don’t shoot a ton of macro photography.   That’s not to say I don’t like it;  it’s just not something I seek out.  However, with that said, I truly can appreciate the effort and  attention to detail that’s required to nail a good macro shot.   I think a lot of people that don’t like a particular piece of art simply say “I don’t like it!” without giving it much more thought.    I think the real reward and personal growth comes in the form of identifying,  what you can appreciate about a piece of artwork that just doesn’t float your boat.    To me it’s all about keeping an open mind, being non judgmental, and looking for techniques I can apply to my own work.   Sometimes, you just have to dig a little deeper.