ƒ/5 at 1/80 sec ISO 200

The first draft of my artistic statement reads as this,

“Discovering my subconscious self from the exploration of my creativity, while effectively connecting with the viewer, conveying singular moments and creating awareness.”

It was a bit unimaginative, businesslike, and selfish. This wasn’t a promising start. I spent the next month redirecting myself as a photographer and as an individual.

While redefining, a concept had my proverbial gears turning. Through photographing and the images themselves, I wanted to create community between myself, the viewer, and the next viewer.

I feel as if you, the next person, and myself are equal artists of my own work.  If I disconnect myself from the act of photographing I can view it in third person, with you. Your perspective of my “art” is valuable and if I can place myself in a position to view it with you and give that value a chance to be heard, then I can be in a type of community with you.

Your interpretation will be as valid as mine, because with art it is about what it means to you just as much as what it meant to the artist who created it.

Also, while photographing it is important to me that I respect the value of the individual or subject matter.

I wanted a purpose that connects everyone together with creation/themselves/others.

So new my statements grew out of these initial thoughts.

My Statements

as a photographer

create awareness of social injustice

honestly share moments of joy, pain, faith, strength, struggle, etc.

experience before I shoot

edify not offend, give back not steal

challenge my perspective

as an artist

honest with what is reflected

seek for myself within the photograph

hear the voice of the subject

recognize the connection between you and me

You and I are equal artists of my work.

Seems like all I have done this month is portraits. The following are image that I enjoyed shooting.

Thanks to Weston & Jenna  -  Chris and Sharolyn for being awesome.

ƒ/4 at 1/320 sec ISO 200

ƒ/4 at 1/200 sec ISO 100

ƒ/3.2 at 1/160 sec ISO 250

ƒ/3.2 at 1/1250 sec ISO 1000

ƒ/3.2 at 1/2000 sec ISO 1000

ƒ/3.2 at 1/125 sec ISO 200

ƒ/3.2 at 1/400 sec ISO 800

I had the great privilege of staying at Bear Bend overnight recently. This cabin was Sam Houston’s bear hunting cabin for some time. Sam Houston University is beginning to move the General’s cabin and several other historical cabins from their secluded piney environment to the campus this week.

Many and much thanks to Denton Florian for having me out to photograph these last images of the cabins in their natural locations. Denton is completing a documentary of the life of Sam Houston. Visit the Sam Houston Project for more information.

Denton, Grayson and I getting a last shot in

ƒ/5 at 1/160 sec ISO 500

ƒ/2 at 1/640 sec ISO 400

ƒ/1.8 at 1/1600 ISO 400

ƒ/2 at 1/400 ISO 200

Bear Bend under the stars

Power lines have always found a way to be in my shot. It’s the proverbial thorn in my side. Nothing like a great landscape – natural and surreal – and there is a 50ft metal frame with wires connecting it to yet another metal tower.

I figured, if its always there, perhaps I should just shoot it. Make it the focus.

Maybe it will make some sort of statement….. I think there might be a project in the works here.

ƒ3.5 at 1/1600 sec ISO 250

ƒ1.6 at 1/5000 sec ISO 250

A few shots from a recent trip to the land of enchantment. I stuck to my new 50mm lens to get a different feel of places I visit often.

1. Big Springs Rail Yard - One of those places that I’ve always stared at as I passed by, never stopped. In the early morning snow and fog, I tried to find the lines and textures that made me stare at it every time.

ƒ/4 at 1/800 sec ISO 1250

2. White Sands – Tried to shoot a different aspect of the sands than I usually do. Got down on my belly and shot tight, tried shallower DOF, etc. – something that I usually oppose while at White Sands.

ƒ/2.8 at 1/320 sec ISO 200

ƒ/3.5 at 1/4000 ISO 200

ƒ/3.5 at 1/3200 sec ISO 200

3. Loretto -  A very small place in the Loretto church in Santa Fe, I have overlooked its simplicity from the overshadowing immaculate staircase.

ƒ/2 at 1/160 ISO 100

4. Ed Larson – One of my favorite artists to chat with when I’m on canyon road.

ƒ/1.8 at 1/100 sec ISO 1250

I’m wrapping up some editing in terminal 5 of JFK while I wait on my delayed flight. This trip was a fast one, at times stressful. I didn’t feel like I brought any spectacular images home but what I brought home was a perspective.

ƒ/8 at 1/320 sec ISO 200

ƒ/10 at 1/125 ISO 100

I began the trip trying to capture the largeness of the city(above), however, the images seems played out and, quite frankly, I’ve seen better images. Therefore by the end of the trip, I redirected my focus on smaller moments or scenes. The city was overwhelming to try to capture in a few large perspective images. When I realized my perspective on this trip I became aware of aspects of the city that I generally overlooked.

ƒ/1.4 at 1/20 ISO 200

ƒ/2 at 1/200 ISO 200

ƒ/2 at 1/800 ISO 1250

ƒ/2 at 1/400 ISO 1250

I spent this afternoon north of Houston. The change of scenery was pleasant to shoot. The entire time it was rainy, cold and foggy… I couldn’t ask for a better setting.

ƒ/2 at 1/800 sec ISO 640

ƒ/2 at 1/60 sec ISO 640

ƒ/1.6 at 1/200 sec ISO 125

ƒ/9 at 1/80 sec ISO 500

ƒ/9 at 1/80 sec ISO 500

ƒ/8 at 1/100 sec ISO 800

Yep its finals time again and this looks like how a lot of us feel. A few friends and I went out to capture a few shots and this is what came out.

ƒ2 at 1/50 sec ISO 800

ƒ2 at 1/60 sec ISO 1000