Vendedor

Visited Nuevo Leon (est. 1962) Mexican restaurant today in Chicago's Pilsen Neighborhood. The color, smiles and great food made the visit memorable. As I was leaving, I was attracted to the vendor just outside the door. He was selling candy, gum, toys, tortillas, cups and many other impulse items for which you might find a need. I asked him if I could take his picture and he, rather quietly, said, "Sure...my profile." Not sure I'll ask next time, but self-respect and dignity were obviously important to him.

LHS v. EHS

Togs at Willis

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Lots of photographers at the Willis Tower today. Yes!

Missing winter in Chicago? Not me!

Wing Park

Slump over

For 3 weeks or so I've been out of my slump. Still trying to figure out if it was a creative slump, laziness or the depressing weather (cold, wet, overcast). Oh well, though fodder for future.

I was given a rare opportunity to re-shoot a client. Seems new folks joined the company since last shoot. I revisited the original shoot and thought how to shoot better. Of course, my main thought going into AND after the shoot was securing a good flash. Since it'll be about $450 I've waited. Still, I needed something just a little bit better than my on-camera flash. I finally just headed to Best Buy (gift certificate) and bought an open-box Canon "baby" flash (270ex) for about a C-note. I'm surprised at it's power. It'll certainly help with portraits and other close-up situations but more importantly, it'll let me get the flash OFF the camera so I'm happy.

The re-shoot went great and I'm much happier with having had the flash to use rather than relying on the overhead florescent lights.

I also brought my reflector which was very useful. However, gotta say, using that 43" disc by myself and position g it where I wanted it wasn't easy. Gotta work on a good solution.

LIGHTwriters

Last fall, I finally bit the bullet and created an online Facebook photoclub. It has it's typical Facebook limitations, but given it's trial nature, I'll live with it. It was my desire o share photos, critique, encourage and share thoughts, questions and resources. It's been a slow process. Realizing I was doing most of the posting, I inquired if we should kill it. A few said they enjoyed it so it remains alive. Since then, activity has picked up a little. I often wonder if my passion for things scare people; maybe even put-off people. All my life, I seem to take my passions to the 'enth degree. I've learned my passion level is rarely another person's passion. For the past couple of years ago or so, my fire for photography has been reignited and has been a roaring inferno to the day. Several podcasts every day, a dozen emails daily, several monthly magazines (like Playboy of my youth, I subscribed to National Geographic just for the pictures - I rarely even read the articles!). Things are picking up in LIGHTwriters and I'm glad. I fear my passion sometimes...that's disconcerning.

Scarry

My 50mm 1.8 scares me. I must overcome...