self portrait

Latiste 9-10-11 age 36 years

It's very interesting coming to terms with growing older. I often reflect and wonder what's aiding this process. Life's challenges and experiences without a doubt.

IPad & IPhone App Picture Edits

"A Kiss Makes It All Better"  This photo was taken 6/6/12 the night of a bone marrow biopsy that was done earlier in the day.  I guess my 5 year old was just trying to make it all better. 

6/7/12 Pretend Play

"Wondering What If" 6/6/12

"Insecurity that Runs Both Hot and Cold" 6/12/12

Well, I haven't found (or made) the time to take pictures using my digital camera...well, not unless you consider documenting my weight loss as taking pictures...but I have discovered a fondness for editing random photos of myself and family using photo apps such as Instaframe, Instagram, and PicStich on my IPhone and IPad.  I've been down and out with various issues of life, and have found this to be a great way to channel all that energy.  Eventually, I want to learn to channel all that negativity creatively instead of binging and whatnot.  Here's a few photos of what I've done.  I'm looking forward to doing more...

Curiosity

Well, late last night my curiosity ended up getting the best of me. The winner of the photography contest I entered a few months ago had been selected, but I couldn't locate the winning entry online. I decided to pay a visit because I read the entries were part of my city's Workforce Investment Board organization's permanent collection.

First off, I felt awkward wandering in the building because this is an actual job placement site and not an art gallery. I wanted to look through the photographs as if they were, but the framed and matted photographs placed throughout the staff quarters as well as the job seeker applicant areas. I glimpsed at them anyway but was too embarrased to wander further in the staff/applicant areas to locate mine. My own was never located, but I have to admit the winning entries were well deserved.

I took the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place photos with my camera phone, but it doesn't do them any justice whatsoever. The first place was a fireman spraying a hose and you should've seen the water from the hose "raining" on him. Beautiful. The 2nd place I thought was just okay. I'm not sure if she was a vet or some sort of animal psychologist, but it looked as if she was interviewing that cute little penguin. The 3rd place was a chef preparing what I believed was steak flambe. The way the colors were captured made that my 2nd place choice.

Never the less, it was interesting to participate as well as motiviating. I'll continue to seek inspiration and will hopefully capture it.

Procrastination

My baby girl age 4, April 2011

I have to admit that one of my favorite subjects to photograph is my daughter. She is quite the handful and so full of life. I am sometimes the world's worst procrastinator and on this particular late night I needed to style her kinky natural hair. Lemme tell you, it is a job! She hates getting her hair combed and I struggled with wrapping my mind on styling it. So instead, we decided to take photographs!

1st Photography Contest Spring 2011

This past Spring I entered my first local photography contest. The purpose of the contest was to showcase photographs of people here in my town performing their work during the course of a normal workday. The top prize was $500 bucks. Unfortunately I didn't win, and I've yet to find the winning photograph announced and posted online! I believe the entries may be located at my city's Workforce Center so I'll check it out before heading to work tomorrow. I'm curious to compare my amateur skills with the other entries. At any rate, I had a blast taking the photographs. I felt a bit awkward asking permission and explaining to my subjects what I was doing. The contest rules didn't want the subjects posing, but instead capture while performing their jobs. The above were my two entries. I really wish I could have a professional critique. Is it lifeless, out of focus, what? I'm curious to know.

Elderly Couple Fishing

Taken near the Two Rivers Bridge

Arkansas River

Little Rock, AR 10-8-11

I've been having the hardest time unwinding here lately, but I agreed to take a walk this morning with my family. I'm glad I did because it was a beautiful day and the walk cleared my head and eased the stress. I think I captured 2 great shots along the way, too.

Rural Arkansas 9-10-11

Canfield, Arkansas 9-10-11