Photo Exercise: Showing the Sun who’s boss

I couldn’t believe the weather this morning; 52 degrees under nearly clear blue skies. I say nearly because there is a huge forest fire raging about 250 miles away, (somewhere called ‘Canada’) and copious amounts of smoke are drifting into Maine.

No matter. The skies, the (mostly) fresh air, the Sunshine….all perfect. This is spring time in Maine at it’s finest, and almost immediately, my mind turns to photography.

Generally speaking, the worst possible time to take an outside picture of a person is when the skies are clear, and Sun is overhead. Strong, sharp shadows develop under the nose and chin, people start squinting, blue skies can get washed out, the list goes on. In short, it ain’t pretty. 

Solution? Fill flash. But I know what your already thinking…’no problem! My camera has a built in flash!’

The problem(s) with your camera’s built in flash is that it’s not nearly powerful enough to overpower the Sun (unless your about an inch from your subjects face, and who wants to see that!) in addition, most onboard camera flashes are positioned either directly above your cameras lens, or slightly off center. Either way, it’s a prescription for an unflattering, flat lighting pattern. Besides, what’s the fun in a simple on board flash?

My thoughts exactly… 

Beating the Sun at it’s own game: Off Camera Strobes

Today was a perfect day to demonstrate how to use off-camera lighting to fill in those bad boy shadows. The basic idea was to front- light my subject enough so that, hopefully, the light falling on him would be balanced with the ambient light around him. As an added bonus, doing it right means  we won’t wash out the details in the background.  And speaking of backgrounds, today's background was the beautiful and picturesque Rockport Harbor, in  Rockport, Maine. My victim subject was my son Austin. And his guitar.

To light my subject, I placed two portable, battery powered strobes, mounted on light stands,  and  just off camera; one to the subjects left, and one almost directly in front of him. Each strobe is fired remotely using Cybersync Radio Triggers (which, by the way, are awesome). The lack of wires allows complete freedom of movement for both the photographer and the strobes. 

I instructed Austin to look at the strobe in front of him, which would guarantee his face was evenly illuminated, while the strobe to his left would help to fill in most or all of the shadows on that side of him. After a couple of test shots, we nailed it. Of course, I can’t leave things well enough alone, so the images were processed in Photoshop and then ran through a Topaz Labs filter to give it some style. I love the end results. So did Austin. And his guitar.

It should be mentioned that while portable strobes can be fired into bounce umbrellas or into ‘shoot-through’' white umbrellas, I decided to instead go with the ‘bare bulb’ approach. What this means is that there is nothing between the front of the flash head and the subject. No diffusers, no umbrellas, nothing. The reason for this was two fold. 

First, I actually tried the shoot thru umbrella at the start of the shoot. The light ended up being too soft, which, at least in my opinion, did not look right, at least not with my subject anyways. Now, had my subject been a pretty girl in a wedding dress, that would be an entirely different story. 

Secondly, let’s face it: the all powerful Sun rules the roost, and overpowering the Sun on a day like today requires tons of light. And since I’m a poor photographer who can’t afford the really fancy lights, the kind that are so bright you end up with a tan,  I,  uh, choose instead to use bare bulb portable strobes. 

Reason #154 for always having a camera with you

In the middle of all this, just off camera, two young men were making the most of the warm Spring  day by taking a dip in the Rockport Harbor’s clear waters. As soon as I heard the splash I knew I had to get a picture of these guys. They were all too happy to demonstrate their pier-diving skills, and with the help of the wireless radio triggers on my strobe, and while holding the light stand away from the pier and pointed up at the boys,  I was able to light them from below as they were freefalling into the cool Maine waters. Thanks guys!  

This overview was brief, and since we forgot the ‘docu-camera’ at home, I don’t have any ‘behind the scene’ shots showing the setup. (My bad. Next time, ‘k?)

If you should attempt this basic off-camera strobe technique, I’d love to see your results.

Thanks for stopping by…

Kevin Kratka

Summer arrives with a splash (well…almost)

I had just pulled an ice-cold Shipyard Summer Ale out of the fridge in celebration of  the latest version of PC Linux that I was getting ready to install on the kids computer. When all of a sudden, like a couple of undersized ninjas, my 6 and 11 year olds show up out of nowhere. For a second, they stare at me, then, with voices in such unison that they would put a boys choir to shame, they say, ‘Dad, can you setup the Slip-N-Slide for us? PLEEEEAAAASSSSSEEEE?’

How can I say no to that? Tux can wait.

And so it is in late spring here in Maine: the kids hear some birds singing, they notice a few buds on the Maple trees, and all of a sudden… Summer is here!!! 

Or is it? 

Living in Maine, one gets used to the fact that Summers are short. Too short. And even though the wireless thermometer on my dining room wall reads 72 degrees outside, that stiff ocean breeze makes it feel much cooler. And these kids want to do what? I guess I can’t blame them, I mean, after all, it was a long, cold winter. Long. And cold.

Did I mention it was a long and cold winter? Um…I digress..

So out comes the Slip-N-Slide. Brand new. Reny’s $5.00. In 10 minutes we have it laid out in the back yard, the garden hose hooked up and turned on, and I’m keep my distance ‘cause the last thing I want today is to get wet.

But wait! What am I think! There’s going to be ample picture opportunities here!!

Out comes the camera and the portable strobes and wireless triggers. Smile for daddy and make a big splash!

While the 6 and 11 year old quickly realized that cold water and a stiff breeze equals Brrrrrrrrrrrrr….my 15 year old didn’t seem to mind at all, and with a running start, he made his father proud by doing a face plant right into the little pool at the end of the Slip-N-Slide.

Perhaps this is a glimpse of what the rest of the summer season may hold; water, Sun, fun and tons of photo opportunities. However long (or short) your summer may be where you live, be sure to enjoy it, and whatever you do….don’t forget your camera!

Moving forward

It’s been 22 years since I picked up my first 35mm SLR. I remember it well, a Minolta SRT200. A well made, heavy, aluminum and die-cast metal workhorse. My parents had bought it used and gave it to me on graduation from high school. The camera was made in 1968, and had a dent in the aluminum housing.

That event changed my life. I didn’t know how to use it yet, but that simple no thrills camera and the humble 50/f1.8 lens that came with it taught me so much.

Because I could never afford a different lens, that first prime lens helped me to learn how to zoom with my feet, which forced me to get right into the scene with my subjects. I learned about exposure and shutter speed. I still had no concept of depth of field, and I had no idea that that simple 50mm lens was ideal for portraits.

This year, 2010, I move forward. Digital technology has taken the world of photography and turned it on its ear. No more wondering if that picture we just took will come out right. Instead, we shoot, review, delete it or keep it, and repeat. This year, I hope to turn my love for photography in a business. My hope is that I can produce beautiful pictures for people, enough so that they will actually pay me to do so. First and foremost, I’m in love with the final image, regardless of the subject matter. Well, mostly anyways.

If your a follower of this blog, you will see a wide range of imagery that I like to produce. Portraits, Experimental pictures, Stock imagery, Scenic, Light Painting, HDR, the list goes on. I’m not exactly interested in just one type of image, but rather, most of them. And just how many are there? That’s the best part….nobody really knows. The list keeps growing as does our creative nature.

My heartfelt thanks for being a reader of my blog. I love sharing what I do. This blog is kinda like that first SLR I had so many years ago; it’s new, it cool, and most of all,  it’s a start.

But unlike the dent in the aluminum housing of my first camera, I hope to make a virtual dent, so to speak, in my goals. A goal of expanding my creative nature and using it to benefit others and to benefit my family 

The natural question is, where will I be in the next 22 years? Only time will tell.

A new blog template calls for a new test post. Here we go.....

This is a test post. Juuuuuuuusssssst a test post. Had this been a real post, it would actually be interesting to read. Instead, it's painfully boring.

 Except for the pictures of course!

Exhibit 1. This beautiful girl is my daughter, Kaitlynn. She loves her daddy, but usually runs away when she see's him picking up his camera. Today was a good day, she actually posed for me. Thanks Kaitlynn!!! Love ya!!

Exhibit 2 - My oldest son, Austin. The man loves his guitar. This particular guitar he is holding is actually about 35 years old, and plays great. It was given to him by a friend of ours.

 

A new year....a new look.

No. Your not lost. You have arrived at the new home page for Kratka Photography.

For 2010, I’ve decided to revamp my website to coincide with my new business model. Starting this year, Kratka Photography will now be offering both family and corporate photography services. It’s my hope that by expanding the types of services available, my business will grow in multiple directions, allowing me to apply my skills and creative talents in multiple arenas.

To summarize, the follow services are now available…

On location Family Portrait Session (we come to you!!)

What this means:

Do you live in Maine, or perhaps your visiting? Either way, your here, and you love the scenery that yells “Hello from Maine!!!” . Ever thought about a family portrait with your favorite vacation spot in the background? Kratka Photography will setup on location at your favorite destination and professionally capture you and your family with your favorite scene in the background. That’s right…your favorite location; your summer home, your camp. Make your next family portrait the best ever!

On location corporate imagery

What this means:

You need that perfect headshot picture for your business cards, and that picture of you that Uncle Bob took of you at your last family reunion just doesn’t cut no matter how much you photoshop it. Solution? Let Kratka Photography provide you with exactly what you need. Our professional photographer will work with you to help make your vision a reality. The next time someone looks at your business card, the image they see of you will convey that extra level of confidence and professionalism your clients expect from you. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Corporate imagery sessions tend to be shorter than conventional family portrait sessions. Therefore our prices are very competitive, we even offer group rates so you and your executive associates can cash in on the same session.

Journalistic & Photo Assignments

What this means:

Are you a magazine editor from ‘away’ (Maine speak for ‘visitor from out of state’) writing a story about Maine but don’t have or don’t want to spend the money to send a photographer up here to get those pictures to go along with your story? Kratka Photography already has their boots on the ground. We live here. We know the area. We know the people. This is our home.  We will work with you, your writers, or your advertising people to get you what you need. Forward us the subject you are writing about and what kind of images you would like to go with you story, and Kratka Photography will do the rest. Our freelance photographers have provided eye popping images for the newspaper and TV media here in Maine for years, and we can do the same for you and your article.

70,000 Chickens Killed in Barn Fire

Technorati Tags: belfast,maine,fire,chicken,news,tragedy,destroy,burned,firefighters

Belfast, Maine – It’s 2am, and I’ve been tossing and turning most of the night.  The familiar sound of a car pulling into my driveway and the red light from the brake lights gets my attention ‘Who’s here…and at 2 o’clock in the morning at that….’

I raise the window shade from my second floor bedroom window in an effort to see who is there, and what I see makes my adrenaline race – the entire field next to my house, along with the surrounding trees – are glowing orange. At the exact same moment my brain yells ‘'Fire!’ in my head, a loud rap at the front door downstairs wakes up my wife, and a half a second later, a voice and flashlight both get my attention ‘Your barn is on fire sir!!’

My wife calls 911. The voice I heard from downstairs is a Deputy Sherriff. He had seen the glow on the horizon from two towns away, and drove until he found the source. Panic mode. Will the fire spread to the house? What about the woods? What about the chickens!!!

I can’t put on my shoes fast enough. I grab my camera gear, and I’m out the door in two minutes. What I see and what I hear next stop me in my tracks.

The sky is orange as high up as you can see. The entire area is orange...our house, the neighbors house, everything. Embers are floating gracefully up and over the trees and are being carried by a very light breeze. 

The only sound heard is the occasional crackle of the flames coming from the back of the barn. By now I’ve turned on my fire pager and I can hear multiple tones being set off to call multiple fire agencies and mutual support. To hear my own address on the radio, followed by the words ‘Fully engulfed chicken barn’ is something I won’t soon forget.

  

This is not your back yard hobby chicken barn. No sir. This is a 500 foot long, 40 foot wide, 60,000 sq. foot, aluminum sided, three floor chicken barn with 12 inches of sawdust in the roof for insulation. Huge commercial sized vent fans are used to draw fresh air thorough out the entire barn.

Inside are 70,000 helpless chickens.

The firefighters arrive by the droves. Now the stillness of the orange glow is punctuated by red strobe lights of the fire trucks. The eerie silence is now replaced with the sounds of diesel engines, fire radios and men yelling to grab the hoses and watch for live power lines.

One of the fire fighters claims to have seen a bald chicken making a run for it, last known direction was the woods. Perhaps he is the lone survivor. But this is Maine, and it’s winter, and if she had all her feathers, she might stand a chance of surviving

.

An hour has past, the barn and the chickens are now gone. The fire fighters tell me that there was no  sense in risking injury to fire personal when the barn was so far gone when they arrived. The best they could do was to make sure nothing else nearby caught fire, sit back, and watch.

As a former volunteer fire fighter, I knew the feeling of helplessness this can bring. Your there to do a job, but your hands are tied. It’s not worth the risk.

  
It’s 6:35 AM. The fire is still smoldering. The fire fighters are still standing watch over what remains of the barn.
The smoke…and the Sun…are now rising together.

Kevin Kratka is a freelance photographer and writer. He can be reached at kevin@kratkaphotography.com
Image and text © Kratka Photography No part may be used without written consent. All Rights Reserved.

Services we currently offer…

 

  Some examples of the commercial services we provide include (but not limited too)
 
Owner Operator Imagery
Let your customers see you at your very best!
We realize that not everyone is thrilled about having their picture taken, but you’re not just anyone – you’re a successful business owner operator!

Our photography staff will provide perfect lighting and coach you in the modeling process…yes, we said model! You!

We promise to make you look your best!

You - The Picture of Success

 

Food Photography

Mmmmmm. Delicious. Mouth watering yet?
Done right, food photography should have the same effect as having the real thing placed in front of you at dinner.

Next time you make that special dish, we hope you think of us. Really. We’ll create pictures of your favorite dishes that look so good you almost want to eat them (but please refrain from doing so…)

Picture This: A Delicious Dish

 

Interior Architectural Imagery
Look at the detail in the image to the left.
From the carpeting to the creases in the cushions, the details and the warmth pull your eyes into the image, inviting you to make yourself comfortable in one of those cozy wicker chairs.

Kratka Photography specializes in High Dynamic Range Imagery (HDRI)  which helps to bring out these details. But most of the time, our customers just call it “wow! that’s a photograph?”

High Dynamic Range Imagery (HDRI)

Photography at its best!

 

Thank you for taking the time to check out Kratka Photography.Based in Midcoast of Maine, we offer many different photography & fine art services.

Our photography services range from portable, on-location portrait services for family and corporate clients,to environmental and human interest imagery services for publishing outfits such as magazines and news media.

Our fine art photography is near and dear to our hearts, and each image is born from the desire to capture the very essence of Maine, the place we call home.

Kratka Photography's imagery has been published world wide, featured in local magazines such as Belfast Bay & Beyond, and our Maine scenic grace the walls of happy clients ranging from Banks to personal collectors coast to coast. 

What kind of images did you have in mind today?        

      

Click on the What We Do tab at the top of this page and let’s take some pictures!

Services Update

School Portraits

Do you remember those quirky school pictures you had done in the elementary school? If your like me, you might agree they were 'cute' but, uh.....what's with your hair? Didn't they havecombs back then?  
Why not hire Kratka Photography the next time your child needs school pictures. As artists, we have an eye for details and years of experience - the perfect combination needed to capture this moment in your child's life - and yours.
Kratka Photography brings more than just a comb along when it's time to take pictures. We bring the passion for memorable imagery. 

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Engagement Portraits

  "There is no remedy for love than to love more."
  Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)
Many have tried, but few have found words that aptly describe how we feel when love finds us.
On other hand, it's been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, which is why Kratka Photography should be on your short list of phone numbers to call when you find that special someone (the other numbers should be your parents, some close friends, and a wedding planner...)

Kratka Photography takes a personal interest in each of our clients, and happy couples are always fun to work with and photograph. Do you have a special place in mind, someplace that you go for walks? A local park? Do you fancy sunrises or sunsets together? Whatever you have in mind, we want to help you make it happen.

Pricing & Packages

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Fine Art - Framed Imagery

When we're not busy taking pictures of people, we sometimes find time natural beauty unique to our home state of Maine.
Living here gives us the advantage of being to explore all those nooks and crannies any ole' time we feel like it, and believe me, we do. When summer finally arrives (about the time the snow melts, or July 1st, whichever comes first...) we start planning our photo shoots around scenic routes up and down our rocky coast. Over the years, we've collected some beautiful scenic images.
Kratka Photography is now happy to provide our customers framed prints of Maine scenes. We will be adding more to our collection as time allows, and we hope you enjoy them.
Depending on the image, all prints are are professionally printed on  Kodak Endura E-Surface, Endura Metallic and Ilford's True B&W, and all three provide 100 year archival value, professionally framed and delivered to anywhere you live.

This is only a drill…

The 100-year-old maple tree, under the extreme weight of two inches of ice, came crashing into the living room; the thunderous noise awoke the children and sent the family dog scurrying for a hiding spot. The impact shook the family’s farmhouse to its foundation and tore a hole in the living room wall big enough to drive a bus through.

Across town, the ice storm caused power lines to break free and started a tree on fire, which in turn ignited a nearby home. Residents quickly tried to dial 911 but soon found that the phone lines were dead. Instinctively, the  homeowners tried using their cell phones, but for some reason they were getting no signal at all; in fact, their cell phones were acting bizarrely.

 

A statewide emergency radio communications drill was held for 24 hours Oct. 29-30 and included a simulated ice storm emergency coupled with a solar flare that knocked out land line and mobile telephone communications. Communications and emergency information were displayed on a large wall monitor inside the Waldo County EMA offices in Belfast, as well as 13 other participating EMA offices around the state. The drill served to test not only the people, but the plans and procedures necessary to handle real-life emergencies that can tax even the best systems.

What now? How do you get help? What do you do?

These and many other questions are exactly the reason the Waldo County Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with other government agencies, including the National Weather Service, Maine Army National Guard and amateur radio operators from across the state, set up an exercise where the worst-case scenarios could be played out in the safety of a "make-believe" world.

Brit Rothrock, an amateur radio operator, carefully relays an important message to amateur radio operators at other emergency management agencies during last month's 24-hour-long radio communications drill.

During last month's Waldo County Emergency Management Agency's radio operators' drill, simulated emergencies were broadcast to participants who had to act and eventually call for backup when their systems and manpower became overwhelmed.

Syrena Gatewood, public information officer and volunteer for the Waldo County’s EMA office, said this kind of exercise builds relationships with the people of the WCEMA and other state EMA offices so that when something real does happen, they are ready to swing into action.

Gatewood also said WCEMA has mutual aid agreements with other EMA offices across the state to assist them in the event of a crisis that overwhelms their local resources.

According to Gatewood, all EMA officials are trained to respond appropriately to a wide range of situations, which makes them extremely valuable during emergencies.

 

Amateur radio equipment comes in myriad shapes, sizes and styles, and play an important part in communicating information when disaster strikes.

 

Participants in last month's Waldo County Emergency Management Agency's radio communications exercise listen and watch intently as simulated situation updates from around the state are displayed in real time on a big screen. It's from this room in Belfast that the WCEMA keeps its finger on the pulse of incidents statewide, allowing for timely, swift and appropriate responses.

"We're ready for just about any kind of emergency you can imagine," said Gatewood.

This year's 24-hour exercise, held from 8 a.m. Oct. 29 to 8 a.m. Oct. 30, was designed to simulate emergency response to a major ice storm and a solar flare hitting the state at the same time.

During the exercise, simulated messages and calls for supplies were received at the WCEMA headquarters. Requests for supplies, such as wood chippers and generators, were then relayed via amateur radio to other EMA offices across the state, at which point the various supplies could be located.

This year, 14 of 16 counties participated in the exercise. Close to 40 volunteers participated at WCEMA's headquarters on Congress Street in Belfast, an group of offices situated in the basement of the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office.

While Mainers are not currently dealing with a major ice storm like the one in 1998, or a solar flare that could disrupt communications, all can sleep a little better tonight knowing that trained professionals, including those at the Waldo County EMA office, are already prepared for the worst.

Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

What is exactly is 'Human Interest' photography?
Human Interest photography is best described as pictures that capture the essence  of people doing what comes natural to them. Picture yourself at your best, and that's the image I want.
Example:  Late afternoon sunlight fills barn where a horse owner is lovingly combing the mane of her favorite steed. Can you see it? That's human interest photography at it's finest!
Where are you prices?
We have found over time that 'price packaging', while straight forward, does always meet the clients needs. Each assignment is very important, and the images produced are precious. We work closely with our clients to be certain that the image you have in mind makes becomes a reality.
That being said, we do provide each client with a wide range of printing options & pricing. 
Do you do weddings?
At this time, Kratka Photography does not provide wedding photography services.

A little about me...

Kevin Kratka is a self taught photographer. He lives in the state of Maine where he and his wife homes school their three children.


With strict attention to detail, Kevin goes to great lengths to make sure the images he presents to his clients are of the highest quality.


Kevin managed to take one photography class...in his senior year of High School. The one thing that he remembers from that class is the one thing that drives him to be the best: he is a picture maker, not a picture taker. With this mindset, Kevin has produced hundreds of professional images that have made their way into publication the world over.

How I Did It…

I’ve had some requests from viewers asking if I could explain how I made the final image. Let me first assure you it’s not anything fancy…it’s just knowing where to use fill light, and how much to use.

Let’s jump right in shall we?

The lighting method I used to get the color of the sky, along with the clouds and the rest of the colors is and still manage to light the subject nicely is generally known as the strobist method, a term made popular by David Hobby and his popular photo blog Strobist (www.strobist.com)

First I started with a reference picture, that is, I took a picture (using the Manual mode on my camera) and specifically exposed the image so that the sky came out blue, which basically means the clouds will come out white naturally. The original reference picture exposure settings may take some tweaking…in my case I ended up shooting the reference image at 1/160 second, f/13, ISO 100. Here is the resulting reference shot:

Notice the sky is a nice blue, the clouds look pretty good, and the color of the tent in the background looks pretty good too. The reason is simple: all these elements in the photo are being exposed by the same source, (the Sun) so they are all being exposed the same. The result is good color.  

· Shutter speed = 1/160 – enough to stop most motion in people · Aperture =f/13 – this creates the great depth field, i.e. many things in the picture appear to be in focus · ISO = 100 - the lower your ISO, the better the color and image quality with less grain and loss of detail·

But our subject is very dark since his back is facing the Sun, his face in the shadows. Now for the fun part!

Ahh…now this is much better…but how did we get here? Easy...we took our reference picture, and added the missing piece: fill light. In this case, balanced fill light from a hand-held flash. I used a wireless trigger (Cactus V2s, about $40 from Gadget Infinity) and adjusted the power of the flash ( a Vivitar 285HV) until it provided just enough light. Too much light and we set the subject on fire (figuratively speaking ) and too little light and the colors of subject go dark or worse..dull and draby, like a cold New England winter day. I hope this helps….now go out and try it!

Wordless Wednesday: Late Summer Picnic

Summer

The Story:

According to the National Weather Service in Caribou, Maine, for the month of June 2009, the state of Maine, on average, experienced 22 days of fog; 19 days of rain (5 of those classified as ‘heavy rain’), with rain fall amounts varying from 7 to 10 inches. By the end of June, many of were wondering if we needed to start gathering two of every animal! Yes boys and girls, June 2009 really was the yuckiest in recent history.

And if this wasn’t bad enough, in most small towns here in Maine, there is not much too do in the first place, even when the weather is good.

Now imagine this bleak, dismal weather pattern, add to it one (normally) well balanced 5 year old boy (Robbie) and his (normally) level-headed mother and father, and you have a formula for extreme cabin fever….in the middle of Summer!

So what’s a parent to do?

Answer: Improvise! Take the boy out and tell him to ‘make daddy proud’ by jumping in the now enormous mud puddles that have taken up permanent residence in our driveway. Daddy will take pictures, and everyone has a good time! It’s ok! Jump! Jump Robbie…jump!!!

End result? A good time for the boy; his pent up energy expended, the return of the level-headed mom and dad,, and a 5 year old who gets to have fun doing something every child (and…um…the occasional adult) should do at least once every summer: splash around freely and innocently in the puddles; “just because!”.

Now the rest of the story….

Summer finally did come around this year, and as is normally the case here in Maine, the warm weather is here and gone in a blink. Thus the reason we try to take advantage of every nice day we get. This is probably what my 5 year old was thinking one bright, sunny, warm Sunday afternoon after Church.

Some friends of ours had just stopped by to visit, and while hanging around outside in the warmth of the day, our 5 year old found one of his two dump trucks that was absolutely filled with rain water (left over from June). Reasoning that it was ‘ok by dad’ once before, it must be ‘ok’ now.

Nobody seemed to be paying much attention when our 5 year old son proceeded to dump the entire contents of his dump truck into a dusty divot in our driveway where, just a week prior, there lay a huge mud puddle that I had so encouraged him to jump in. But nobody could possibly overlook what came next: the biggest, happiest screech that only a child can make. Mud, Water and little boy dressed for Church soon became the center of attention to everyone. How can a parent be mad at a time like this? Wasn’t I who encouraged him in the first place?

Thing is…back then he was in play clothes and a rain jacket.

Today he was in his Sunday best….but such is the mind of a 5 year old.

Summers in Maine; enjoy them while you can. Even if Summer never came this year, we would always look back at these pictures with bittersweet fondness, and remember that happiness sometimes comes from the simplest of pleasures.

Wordless Wednesday: Color

Kinser Wedding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTD: A Drip Frozen in Time

Every day somewhere in the world, a single drop of water falls, and it's hardly noticed by anyone. Freeze that drop in an instance of time, and you have an abstract of beauty.

In this example, a drop of water fell two feet and then bounced off the surface of the water. The high speed flash I used caught the fleeting moment that lasted less than 1/300th of a second.

The result: a work of art only nature could produce...and only a human could appreciate.

POTD: Colors of Fall

Morrill, Maine

The Autumn of 2008 will be remembered as one of the best color-producing seasons in recent memory.

This quiet stretch of the Passagassawakeag River reflected this years colors beautifully.