morning light peeking through trees.

Self-Motivation

(a letter to myself, and you)

We are all given this bundle of atoms that makes us who we are, who we are even physically. Just a plethora of minute energy in this universe; but just enough to shift things. Just enough to start the change, to believe in the good and have it mean something on a larger scale. All you have to do is believe, have faith, see it happening, and trust in the good; the universe will create everything you need and want ten times faster than one might believe. All it takes is a tiny shift in your awareness. This is a beautiful fact of our existence; that you do matter, that you do change things on a larger scale.That bundle of energy called you... creates more good, universe-wide.

I recently watched the documentary "Gasland." I have never felt so passionately about something in my life. I have completely changed a lot of my plans related to photography in order to make a difference in our country. I see a long road ahead of me that will require a lot of hard work, dedication, and positivity; but things have never been so clear to me. Below is a poem I wrote yesterday, (inspired by William Blake's "Poison Tree") about the 'Natural Gas' movement, and the corruption hidden in the cracks that they themselves create.

"A Poisoned Tree"

Could it be

that before me was but a tree,

where leaves did scatter joyfully

upon branches of what seemed to simply be

was but a lie once told to me?

Beneath the roots

where one can't see,

was death and horrid company;

For years it sat under the tree,

slowly seeping under me

slowly climbing up the tree,

to each and every grinning leaf.

Taking all the life from thee,

all the cheerful company;

Leaves that once did dance with glee

not sit deadly at my feet,

draining all the hope in me

taking what I thought was free.

Now, more clearly do I see,

A poisoned tree in front of me.

Self Dependence

by: Mathew Arnold

Weary of myself, and sick of asking

What I am, and what I ought to be,

At this vessel's prow I stand, which bears me

Forwards, forwards, o'er the starlit sea.

And a look of passionate desire

O'er the sea and to the stars I send:

"Ye who from my childhood up have calm'd me,

Calm me, ah, compose me to the end!

"Ah, once more," I cried, "ye stars, ye waters,

On my heart your mighty charm renew;

Still, still let me, as I gaze upon you,

Feel my soul becoming vast like you!"

From the intense, clear, star-sown vault of heaven,

Over the lit sea's unquiet way,

In the rustling night-air came the answer:

"Wouldst thou be as these are? Live as they.

"Unaffrighted by the silence round them,

Undistracted by the sights they see,

These demand not that the things without them

Yield them love, amusement, sympathy.

"And with joy the stars perform their shining,

And the sea its long moon-silver'd roll;

For self-poised they live, nor pine with noting

All the fever of some differing soul.

"Bounded by themselves, and unregardful

In what state God's other works may be,

In their own tasks all their powers pouring,

These attain the mighty life you see."

O air-born voice! long since, severely clear,

A cry like thine in mine own heart I hear:

"Resolve to be thyself; and know that he,

Who finds himself, loses his misery!"

Recently went for a hike up the flatirons at the Chautauqua trail here in Boulder. It was a great time of day for this shot. I am working on creating more "stock" related images for editorial work. More to come from this day hike.

a feather

shapes and colors at the Getty Museum

An opened door

The other day, I opened up my 'stickies' little post-it note application on my laptop, which was something I hadn't done in a long time; probably a couple months. Out of the chaos that immediately popped up, one stood out to me. It perfectly described an analogy I had just created for a recent revelation in my life. This blew me away and I was so inspired to create an image based off a few sentences I had written months ago...

"I have been having many dreams where I am searching,

running through palaces, opening door after door,

looking for someone, always.. someone..

only to realize that when I open the door,

inside is me."

Watching an early morning from a tall hotel window in San Francisco

(taken some time ago)

One of my favorite flowers

"Bring me the plant that points to those bright Lucidities swirling up from the Earth, and life itself exhaling that central breath! Bring me the sunflower crazed with the love of light."

Oscar Wilde

A random collection of images that have been on the back of my editing list for quite some time.

what's the story, morning glory?

Alex and I on the couch

raindrops kept fallin' on my lens... I didn't mind

crescent moon at the getty

kids at the park

Catalina Island

"The infinite vibratory levels, the dimensions of interconnectedness are without end. There is nothing independent. All beings and things are residents in your awareness."

Alex Grey

Taken in the car, coming into Boulder, Colorado

A cemetery off a small road in Georgetown, CO

Self-Portrait (Reflection)

A friend of mine has a theory that whenever you may not be feeling your best, or you are confused about who you are, where you are.. it's a good idea to take a self portrait. Self-reflection has a whole new meaning when you stand in front of your own lens. Yesterday, I was feeling a little low, and misunderstood, by mainly myself. I realized that I have let a fear of mine control the actions and thoughts in my life for too long now. To me, nothing makes more sense than a moment, with all it's raw emotions and surroundings, trapped in a frame.

A couple images I have been working on from random snow adventures.

Eben G. Fine Park

somewhere in Georgetown, Colorado...

I have met this fella twice on a walk to the Chautauqua trail.

He likes to play fetch through holes in the fence :)

"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this."

and neither has mine...

Day hike/photo-shoot with Morgan

I made a new friend over christmas break :) It is so refreshing meeting someone new that you immediately click with. We went for a day hike in Simi Valley and had an awesome time climbing rocks, enjoying the views, and venturing off-trail. At one point, we found this little crevice between two large rocks that made a cave. The light was pouring in and reflecting off all the edges; combined with the wind tunneling through it was a pristine moment for some fun portraits.

“Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer to your goal.”

Elbert Hubbard

Inspiration from the past

I have been researching a lot of early photographers in search of some inspiration for a new personal series I want to shoot for my website. Looking through all of these photographers imagery has been extremely uplifting and astounding to me. The photographs themselves carry so much history, created by these amazing pioneers of photography. Their visions of light, composition, exposure, conceptual thoughts and creative expressions can be seen in not only the images themselves but also in the processing and "post" work. There is something so pure about an old photograph, about film, about a print. I love the use of textures, double exposures, motion blurs, and much more. These photographers were truly creative artists. I hope these images create a spark of something new within you, as they did me.

Waldman

Jerry Uelsmann

Jerry Uelsmann

William Henry Fox Talbot

Paul Strand

Karsch

William Klein

Tina Modotti

Stieglitz

Steichen

Salgado

Moon

Sally Mann

Doisneau

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Paul Outerbridge

Penn

Muybridge

Margaret Bourke White

Robert Mapplethorpe

Man Ray

Lisette Model

Lewis Hine

Blossfeldt

Cunningham

Henri Cartier Bresson

Heidersberg

Harry Callahan

Gordon Parks

Eugene Smith

Gowin

E.J. Bellocq

Brassai

Brassai

Bill Brandt

Arnold Newman

Alvin Coburn