My Two Feet
I bought a new cell phone recently, which has a 3.2 megapixel camera, which in my mind is a kind of precursor to a DSLR camera that I hope to get in the near future. Yes, photography is on my mind.
When I was a lad, I used to go on photo jaunts with my Aunt Ruth, who was a world traveler and an avid photographer. In fact, I remember on one occasion entering a few photos into a kind of contest sponsored by the photography club that she belonged to. No, I did not win anything, but I think I got a number of positive remarks, and more importantly some feedback. Regardless of what happened, however, I remember the thrill of seeing one of my photographs “up there” on display, for others to bear witness to. In short, thrilling.
All this said, the purpose of this post is not primarily to talk about my plans to recover a passion lost along the way. It’s about my attempt to break this brief period of blogging silence. As I have said elsewhere, I love and hate writing. When I am looking at the blank page, I hate writing because I am overwhelmed by possibilities, and I hate being overwhelmed. Once I have gotten a few words down, however, and once the meaning and rhythm of those words begin to take shape, I begin to truly enjoy writing. So, this blog is about getting a few words down, and perhaps it is about giving the bird to the critical part of myself that tends to squelch my desire to write (or do anything for that matter).
So, here it is. A picture and a few words. The picture is my two feet, connected to my crossed legs, which are connected to my seated body, on top of which is my thinking head. I am thinking about life, the human condition, and the salvation of my soul. I am also thinking about good food, good movies, good books, and some ideas I might pursue to create some good pictures, as well as the inspiration I feel when I look at good photography, hear good music, or participate in good conversation. Perhaps, in the end, my two feet just represent my need to get off butt and take a few steps. Whatever the case may be, my silence is now broken.
Wrote the following comment on June 12th, 2010 at 2:17 am #
LOL, yeah Anthony, get off your lazy butt dude! 🙂
I haven’t ever gone the DSLR route because I don’t want to be weighed down by the camera and all the kit. I use a rather beat up Canon G10 (beat up because it comes everywhere with me) and I think that camera offers you a great bridge to DSLR quality without the trappings of the geekdom that goes with being the guy with the big camera.
Having said that, I would like to have a DSLR, i just know that in 99% of situations it would just sit in my apartment next to the HD movie semi-pro camera I have never taken out of the house despite shooting loads of short movies (on the G10).
Now, get off your butt dude! 😉
Wrote the following comment on June 12th, 2010 at 6:55 am #
Simon – Though some geekishness will be impossible to avoid, I will do my best to pull it off with as much grace and cool as possible.
That said, back in the day, before digital, when I would go on hikes and haul around a 35mm, it wouldn’t be anything for me to hang for long periods of time waiting for just the right condition to take a picture, and from one perspective, that is the epitome of geek.
Still I will try my best, or maybe I will just try to keep the geek thing for when I am by myself.
Wrote the following comment on June 12th, 2010 at 11:37 am #
Yes, I keep writing because I’m afraid if I stop, I’ll never get restarted.
Your photo reminds me of a Sesame Street song (think it’s called I Got Two) – “I got two feet, they can walk down the street.”
l
Wrote the following comment on June 12th, 2010 at 1:00 pm #
Roger – I see your Sesame Street, and I raise you a Dr. Seuss, particularly his “Oh! the Places You’ll Go” and most particularly this passage:
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
and this passage
“With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.”
Wrote the following comment on June 16th, 2010 at 10:32 pm #
And so… I’m wondering, “How’d I miss this entry?!” I find your sharing of love and loathe fascinating. It seems to me that I have picked up where you have left off. Oh, and I can identify with what I term the “giant black albatross that hangs about my neck.” I’ve rather been enjoying using my iPhone for many things – including photographing (I have a strong documentarian streak), and am using it now to respond. I’ve wondered – and continue to marvel at our eyes. The camera – as sophisticated as some are, and I’ve seen nitrogen-cooled cameras on the RF4C – continually reminds me that nothing can come close to the marvel that are our eyes. We are TRULY “fearfully and wonderfully made.”