Should Have

On the way to a friend of mines memorial a few weeks ago I stopped to take this picture. I don't guess I knew it then but it was pretty much the way I felt. Right before the service began some little girls knocked over some of the floral arrangements and his picture. They were playing and happy. We all laughed. That was the picture I should have taken. That was the way I should have been feeling.

CLOSED

No sign, but Jim has closed his garage for good. You don't really need to read that word- just seeing all the empty concrete that for at least twenty five years has always been covered in cars waiting to be repaired- honestly, fairly, quickly and correctly--
empty,, tells more than any word or sign could.
Thanks Jim. Enjoy your retirement!

Big Bend

Sometimes its as easy as point and shoot.

Time for the Big Bend

It was more than time to get back to the Big Bend: let the moon wake me with its brightness as it rose in the middle of the night; hear a ravens wing slice the air; take a nap on the warm rock; and drink a beer with a good friend as the light faded away.

Fish with no Tail

The mounted fish with no tail cost $28, I didn't look to see what the price on Jesus was. This an antique store, not a junk store. See how clean the floor is?

You Would Have To

You would have to be a photographer, I think, to understand the full excitement of a new camera. And it really doesn't matter if it's brand spanking new out of the box or just new to you. Even another used copy of a camera I may have used for many years still gets my excitement level racing.

It used to be that I KNEW this new camera or even lens was going to carry me over that threshold to becoming the GREATEST, MOST FAMOUS ( or at least as good as Weston & Smith), and RICHEST photographer in the world!

Well that never happened and for quite a number of years I've known that it never would happen that way, but,BUT...... I still buy more cameras and equipment. I don't have to take out loans, like I did to buy my first used 4X5, and then there is that devil E-Bay tempting with Nikon F's, Bronica S-2's, and Speed Graphics so so cheap!

And they all excite but not quite like this one tonight. Came in a plain brown outerbox,like pornography pre-internet, I guess because the price I paid for it was obscene! Ten times what I paid for my 65 mustang.

But I'm now the owner of my very first brand new Leica! Little red dot on the front and all! But there is no place to put the film! And I'm excited! Yes I am!

Thats the brown box.

And my first "picture", naturally a self portrait in black & white, because, well its late and Hallie and Renee' both said NO PICTURES. And its mostly out of focus because you know--- those Leicas just aren't very sharp.

I've got to run, there's an E-Bay auction on a Canon Dial 35 I need to bid on...... half frame funky looking camera that's the deal!