“It takes a specific amount of optimism to be on the road, and anything less means misery. A nominal Buddhist who knows that the ‘goal is the path’ is at an advantage.” ~~Jim Harrison
Wild Bill arrived from New Zealand and proposed a road trip. We had about a week and a vague destination: Glacier National Park.
A quick stop at AAA provided road maps and tour books to fill the back seat. Bill believes in being prepared. He also picked up maps for Nevada, Utah, the Western USA and I recall Alaska (he has a fishing camp there and, besides, one never knows on a road trip).
Our first stop was Tieton, WA a sleepy farm community with a strong artist influence. It’s website’s (it actually has one) description: Mighty Tieton is an entrepreneurial venture of urban and rural designers, architects, artists, and creative individuals, working in the Central Washington town of Tieton, fifteen miles west of Yakima.
It’s has a center square, a few stop signs, three restaurants (a café and two Mexican places) and a growing artist influence.
Tieton, rollers
We ran into Mike at the café and he gave us a tour of his and Ed Marquand’s vision. Added to our small band of travelers were Christine and David two friends visiting from Seattle.
David, Christine, Mike and Wild Bill
We were given the grand tour of Tieton, very impressive. Sharp condos converted from a warehouse, artist workspaces, art galleries, a full working book binding business and more. A bonus for me, upon my arrival back in Seattle I was given notice that my work had been accepted into the Tieton Art show, 10x10x10. So, I’ll be heading out soon to revisit Tieton and attend the opening.
Tieton Wall
From Tieton we headed toward Walla Walla and the center of the Washington wine country. We sniffed around, reconnected with a few old friends and hit the back roads toward Montana.
Highway 12 closely follows Lewis and Clarks return trip up to Missoula.
Highway 12
Beautiful mountainous roads, wind their way through the Nez Perce reservation along the Lolo River and finally Lolo pass on to the edge of Montana.
Missoula was a short stop to visit a war memorial park.
Hwy 12
Bill remembered the park from a previous visit and thought it was a stunning reminder of the sacrifices upon which this country is founded. We were told that for a state it’s size, Montana has more men and women in uniform than any other. The park and memorial were certainly beautiful. Bill’s been an expat now for many years. He loves his life downunder but I do believe I noticed a tear in his eye when he talked about the USA being the greatest country. From Missoula we zoomed up the highway to Flathead Lake and Bill’s close friends, Don and Marylou.
Flathead Lake, MT
Last year while visiting Bill in New Zealand, I met Don and Marylou who split their time between NZ and Flathead. They have built a lovely home just up from the lake where we sat during the evening watching the light dwindle and the activities on the lake slow to a quiet pace.
Kootenai Lodge
Among the many side trips was a visit to Kootenai Lodge. Built in the early part of the 20th century by Orvis Evans and Conelius Kelly, of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co., it was originally a summer retreat to hunt and fish. In it’s heyday of the 1920s and 30s the likes of Charles Lindbergh, Charlie Russell, John D. Rockefeller and Will Rogers regularly took the great Northern Pacific Northern train to relax and be enveloped by it’s quiet majestic beauty. Virtually abandoned over the decades it had crumbled into disrepair. A few years ago, Phil Milhous took it on as a labor of love. Milhous is meticulously restoring the original structures as a private community with the lodge acting as the central club for its residences.
Continuing on our road trip, we set our sites on Glacier National Park. Along the way, we ran into Rod Serling’s ghost..next time.
Actually I’m talking about dogs.
I’ve taken images of dogs for years but lately it seems they have become a larger part of my repertoire.
My favorite dog portrait is of my dog, Spike.
I admit to being a little bias on this one. Recently, I’ve had the pleasure to meet and photograph many dogs and occasionally their owners.
Following are a few tips for capturing better outdoor dog portraits:
- Outside available light, that is without flash works best. The flash from your camera may startle, look unnatural or take too long to recharge. If it’s an overcast day (this is Seattle after all), run the iso up to 400 or 800. Shoot at 1/60 second or higher.
- Get down on the dogs level. Although an occasional shot of the dog looking up at you is cute, getting down may be more rewarding.
- Choose your time wisely. If you are looking for frisky, “catch the ball” shots, work with your pooch before he/she is exercised. If a more relaxed image is desired, work her out, let her rest, and then bring on the camera.
- Really pay attention to the surrounding. Try to have an uncluttered background
. If you are shooting in color, try analogous colors. - Get up close and personal with pooch.
- Use a “shallow depth of field” and a shorter focal length. Try 50-70mm @ f5.0-8.0 from 2-3 feet away. Try for the background going out of focus leaving eyes and snout in focus.
- Have a few key words to perk up the dog. I always ask what word excites the dog. Usually it’s something like: “park”, “walk”, “treat”. Be camera ready say the word, ears perk up and “bam”a great shot.
- Have treats available but each time give him a very small taste.
- Work in pairs. One person is working the camera; the other just behind or to the side coaxing your pet to look in the direction of the lens (refer to tip # 7 and #8)
- Finally take a lot of pictures and have fun! Let the dog play; let yourself play.
Try these and let me know how they work out. Send me a few of your best dog pictures and I will post some in a future blog.
Have a great time with your dog.
Triptych: TRIP-tik: a picture in three panels side by side.
Would you describe my family triptych portrait session?
My Triptychs Are An Interpretive Work Of Portrait Art
I strive for my triptychs to create a provocative, powerful and insightful moment in your lives. It’s much more than a “family portrait”.
Our First Meeting Is Informative
It’s a time for questions but more importantly to view the triptychs full scale. It’s very difficult to appreciate the impact of a work of art that can be over 5’ wide when it is confined to a computer screen and appears 6” wide.
A Triptych Session Is An Interactive Process
The shooting day is relaxed and slowly paced. We meet, ask and answer questions, select clothing, prepare for the sitting, then adjourn to the studio.
There is A Strong Urge To Sit, Look Into The Camera And Smile. Please, Suppress It.
Unlike a typical portrait session, this one is designed to capture a moment in time and reveal your individual personalities. We’ve all been trained to sit, look into the camera and smile. This is quite different. As the family begins to naturally interact, my camera and I fade into the background.
My Mission
I capture the nuances of expression, which I accomplish by photographically splitting your group into thirds: The left third, the right third, and the center third.
At the session’s close, I have captured upwards of 200 frames. Before you leave, we set a date to review the final selection and to choose your triptych.
Images before editing
The photographer shakes up the familiar scene, and, as if by magic, we see a new meaning in it. - With apologies to Anais Nin
Now, my behind the scene work begins. The images are spread out on a virtual table dividing them into their respective thirds: left, right, center. Next I edit the initial large take to a select 40-60 images. From this select, I assemble 1-5 potential triptychs for your final selection. . Before we meet, I may devote an entire day assembling images to create your family triptych selection.
Gestalt: The Whole Is Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts
The last meeting begins with an air of excitement. I stress how the family triptych should be viewed as a whole. If anything, they are similar to three frames of cinema film. One plays into the next creating a dynamic interchange.
During the process, an image may be substituted from the select group. This is welcomed. As family members you know each other better than I. I’m intuitive but not all knowing 
.
The triptych is brought to life through my imagery and our partnership. It is therefore essential this last step be completed in one sitting without input from others who may not understand the nature of the triptychs.
By the end of the session, your triptych is selected. Then, three to four weeks later, I delivery your beautiful framed work of portrait art.
Family Triptych
Last week I had a party for a few clients and friends ( See Party Pics). I made gumbo for several days.
Maybe as much as a couple of gallons. In my desire to be a gracious host, I also ordered another 3/4 gallon from Marcela’s in Pioneer Square. The top chef and co-owner is Anthony a true New Orleans son who migrated here after the distructive storms of earlier in this decade. As traditional and reminiscent of New Orleans fare as I’ve tasted in Seattle. Check it out!
In the end, I had three gumbo offerings: sausage and chicken (from Marcela’s); andouille sausage, shrimp, chicken; and, turkey sausage, chicken, shrimp and okra. Sorry no vegetarian gumbo…
My event was a big success and I was pleased with the turn out and food. Although copious amounts of gumbo were consumed, I ended up with about one gallon that I continue to enjoy.
At the same time as my friends and I were celebrating life, a long time business chum passed away. It’s always hard to talk about death, but in David Azose’s death I discovered an abundance of life and tradition. I attended his funeral. I was unaware but David was a Jewish and the funeral seemed to be very traditional, possibly Reform Jewish.
I arrived minutes before the ceremony and was greeted to my delight by a full auditorium. First, I sat next to a woman who discreetly informed me the men sat on the right. I turned to see most of them wore yamakas. The rabbi spoke eloquently in Hebrew and English. After a few minutes, a simple pine or wooden casket was wheeled by me to the front. I have been to less than a dozen funerals in my life and I was a bit surprised and discomforted by the casket being wheeled down the aisle. Reflecting on this mild discomfort, I also reveled in the tradition and reverence extended. There were many stirring reflections on David’s life. It was clear of the countless ways in which David touched so very many people. In less than an hour the service was over.
Afterward, I drove to the corner, parked for a moment, cried, took in the experience and began to move through my day. As the day continued to unfold, I reflected on that hour of love, mourning, grief and the appreciation of being allowed a moment with death, remembrance and ultimately underscoring how thankful I am for having this time. Although these are tough times, as a middle class American and artist, I am thankful I can provide a needed service mostly on my own terms and live in a remarkable city…
It’s been observed, that all southern men are heavily influenced by their mothers. My mother, in her own way, wasn’t much different. In 1974 after two years in the Army, I was prepared to return to my life, such as it was, in Baton Rouge. My mother took me aside and said, “If you don’t leave the south now, you never will”. She was prepared to “lose” me in order to open my horizons.
Traveling West '74Army ID 1972
Army I.D. 1972
This then is how I began my travels through the west ending in May of 1975 in Seattle. Fresh into town, I found Seattle to be a grand place to live, except for the weather. That first summer passed pleasantly into fall. October of ’75 had one day without rain. I made it through and I have learned to cope with the long days without sunshine. I purchased a rain jacket, cap, a pair of Birkenstocks, hiking boats and went forward.
I had four years of G.I. bill to use, a great desire to learn and some grand schools from which to choose. After my third degree, the last being in bio-medical photography, I left the NW for a job in Birmingham, AL. There I managed the medical photography department of the University of Alabama’s medical school. After 4 months I moved on. I can say it was a poor match up on both sides. I returned to the NW. My mother’s message was whispering in my ear to leave the south. As much as I love the south, it’s culture, the food, my close friends and family, the Northwest is and was a better fit.
I moved to Tacoma for a job with the Army, this time as a civilian. For a while I worked as a medical photographer at Madigan Hospital before being hired by the UW. In January of ’80, I became the UW’s second “official” photographer. For over a decade I honed my craft, raised a family and along the way grew restless. Ready to seek new adventures, I started a commercial photography business. After a few years of part-time UW and part-time commercial work and with a gulp and a boot I hurled myself full-time into freelance photographer. It was the early 90′s.
Jon Shirley and Bill Gates Microsoft Annual Report
My first important commercial assignment was for a then small and little known company called Microsoft. I recall on a Thursday I meet with Microsoft’s art director, she reviewed my work and said, “Great! We’ll start the annual on Monday.” I wasn’t totally sure what we’d do, but I went home and told my wife that it paid really well and I’d be traveling to NYC among other places.” My next annual report was for Nordstrom but took 1 1/2 years to snare and a lot of portfolio reviews. From then forward, I was busy with primarily corporate work, teaching & lecturing, portrait and personal work.
From there to here has been 20+ years. Annual reports are almost a thing of the past. My art director friend left Microsoft a decade ago. Now my focus is on portrait work, teaching, creative pursuits and staying close to Seattle.
This is my first posting on my blog. To be honest, I don’t exactly know what I’m supposed to do here. I did some inter-net research and no one seems to have an answer. I hope my occasional words are of interest to anyone out in cyberland.
Enjoy and carpe diem
