November Sky

In nineteen days this blog will be a year old. I was unsure about investing the time in something that I would not see a financial return in. Not too far into the year I was hooked. Mostly because it gave me a reason the make the images that first got me excited about photography. I couldn't support my family, have a mortgage, and have a new car with just the income generated by photographing leaves and grass and sunsets.

I make my living photographing politics, political people and government. Not very exciting as far as blog material. It's not the kind of subject matter that you'd use experimental processes or extreme angles to photograph. Yes, I sneak something more artistic in every once and a while, but it's rare that it gets used.

So blogging gives me the reason to photograph more personal things, it gives me reason to take a camera on walks or places I normally wouldn't take a camera.

After almost a year, I find myself looking forward to reading posts by some of my blogging friends. If fact most mornings it the thing I do after I pour my first cup of coffee. I've learned a lot about the web from fellow bloggers, and I've seen some very creative sites with very talented artists.

I'd like to thank every visitor and everyone that follows and comments on my blog. You are my motivation.

Today's pictures were made on the drive home from a Veterans Awareness Week Kick-Off event the sky was full of beautiful color. To the east was the moon surrounded by shades of pink and purple. Behind me was fire orange and blue. The November sky is special.

Both images were made with the Canon 5d and processed with ACR.

Lawn signs don't vote!

This past week someone took two political lawn signs I posted at the end of my driveway and tossed them in the woods. It annoyed me, no it really pissed me off. Whether or not you agree or disagree with my candidate, I have the right to show my support by displaying a lawn sign on my property.

By removing my lawn sign did you think I'll change my opinion? Oh, look my lawn signs are gone I'll have to vote the other way.

Do you think that by removing lawn signs other voters are swayed? You must believe that people vote based on the number of lawn signs they see. What, if they don't see my lawn signs maybe your candidate wins another vote.

Or is it that you just don't believe your candidate is strong enough on the issues and people shouldn't be aware there's another person running for their seat.

The truth of the matter is I too hate lawn signs. Mostly because people put them along highways and roadsides, nowhere near their homes.

I think lawn signs should be restricted to individual lawns and any found on any municipal property should be discarded as soon as it is seen. After all, aren't they for supporters to show their support.

When you see a lawn sign in the middle of a divided highway what's that say? It tells me that a particular candidate doesn't have a lot of supporters or they aren't very good money managers and purchased too many signs. Not too good either way.

Sorry for venting about my lawn signs. But is my right to show my support if I desire.

Back to the blog, today's photo is of the ornamental grass by my back door, made with the Canon 5d and processed with ACR. I love making images of this plant.

Stemware, less stems

Well, it was bound to happen. After six years, I finally dropped my laptop and now have a smashed corner. What’s worse is my Power Book doesn’t recognize the airport card, long story short… no more internet on the laptop. As of right now, everything else is fine. I am considering repair at this point, I can’t afford a new laptop right now.
Today’s picture is a still life of wine glasses lined up in two rows. I made it with the Canon 5d and processed it with ACR.

Bay Shore

I just returned form the surf fishing tournament and now I’m watching football with my son. It’s what he lives for. Unfortunately his favorite team is not playing a good game. Oh well.

Today’s post is from last night. Babylon Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Inspection and Awards Dinner held in Bay Shore. While I was waiting for things to start, I saw the reflection of the American flag in the window. Bay Shore is one of Long Island’s struggling communities. Once a prosperous community with a thriving downtown and a beautiful waterfront, it fell early due to a large shopping mall. It’s had several eras of revitalization, but it still suffers.

Looking out the catering hall window one would never know you were in the same Bay Shore. The harbor boat slips are all full. I guess it’s the economy that’s keeping, many of the boats moored on such a beautiful night.

Made with the Canon 5D and processed with ACR.

Push Down Hard

We had another rainy day today. But I was able to get in most of my son Evan’s football game and an outside photo-op. Later I was in Greenport for the Suffolk Count Police Department’s Annual Conference where the Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature was honored as Man of the Year. Bill Lindsay is definitely the Man of the Year.

Today’s photo is from Greenport. I had some fun with the color in Photoshop.

Queen Ann's Lace

We had buckets of rain today, buckets. My morning assignment was cancelled after I got there. And my afternoon assignment was moved indoors. Between, I was able to make a few personal photographs of a barn.

Today’s photo was made a few weeks ago. It was inspired by another blogspot. Georgia is very talented and her blog is an inspiration.

I made this photo with the Canon 5D and processed it with Photoshop.

Church & State

For some reason I’m always drawn to the flag and church steeple photos. This was made in Warrensburg New York on the return trim from Potsdam. There are two churches across from each other, and I made this photo when we stopped to gas up the car.

We do have a beautiful state if I may say so and not sound like I’m bragging. Many parts are really run down; some are almost ghost towns. I don’t know why more economic development isn’t done in many of the distressed upstate towns.

This photo was made with the Canon 5D and processed with Adobe Camera Raw.

Everyone should visit my friends The Homegrown String Band, Rick's latest post features one of my photos of them. They are one talented family.

Vermont

Vermont is a beautiful state, and I’d bet that it’s better in the autumn with all her green covered mountains aflame with fall colors. We are staying in Stowe / Waterbury at the Best Western. The free Internet worked before we went out to eat, but now I’m not sure what happened to the connection.

I’ll wait and see

Today’s post is not from the trip, I’ll get some of them up in a day or two. I’ve had this photo of golf putters that I wanted to work on, and here it is. Everything was done with Adobe Camera Raw, I made this photo with the Canon 5D.