After a full day of familial obligations, I thought for the day after Christmas it would be nice to kick it with some friends. Not that my Christmas was particularly hectic, as I don’t allow myself to be swept up in the peppermint undertow; a task more simply stated than accomplished. Regardless I found myself reclined, feet up, sitting next to the warm waves of a wood stove. A cold glass of Guinness in one hand and my Sony a6000 in the other. Well, to be 100% truthful, it was around my neck, not in my hand. Normally I’m not much of a drinking man, but the vibe just felt right. The chaotic climax that is hurricane Christmas was back out to sea, leaving flat waters and general feelings of relaxation.
For the last couple of months I have made it a point to carry a camera wherever I go. More times than not I choose to grab my a6000 with the Sigma 19mm. It is lightweight and produces great results. Plus because it is a prime lens, it is really helping me see the shot before I put camera to eye. I have now reached the point when I don’t have my camera I feel like I’m missing something.
The most difficult part so far is obliging requests to take photos of things I wouldn’t otherwise. Case in hand, the above photo of the dog wearing a hat and engulfed in a scarf. This is a photo I would not normally take, but my friend’s wife asked that I do so, so I did. It is more challenging than I would have imagined to take a good photo of something I normally wouldn’t. Usually I work purely off of inspiration. If something calls to my eye and a camera is present, I capture it. Very little of my photography is planned. I suppose it is my inherent wallflower nature coming through; always the perpetual observer.
There is nothing quite like the realization that you are “old”. Obviously a relative term, the fact remains that once you’re introduced to lady nostalgia, you are old. I mean you have to be “old” to remember a time from before. No longer are your propelled through life’s surf with the hubris of youth. You must now decide when to swim, and when to tread, in the horizonless ocean. There is no better way to feel old than to hang out with some college freshmen. Before you go jumping to conclusions that I’m that 30 something dude who slinks around college parties.. No. My friend’s stepdaughter was home from college for winter break and her and a friend Snapchatted their way through the night while vaping fervently. And of course they wanted some photos of them doing so.
Of the two photos I took for them, pictured above, I think I like the second one better. In the first photo the vapor is much more pronounced and dynamic, but the frame still feels very generic. As opposed to the second one, where the vapor and their expressions are more subtle, creating a more genuine feel to the photograph. But they’re just my thoughts on it. I’d love to hear yours!
