Really fun to receive more positive feedback on my black and white work. This time it's by having two images (!) included in Black & White magazine's 2019 Contest Winners issue. I'm amazed.

I'm also somewhat surprised to see how vibrant the publishing industry remains for photography in general, and b/w in particular. There are actually quite a few titles on the rack at Barnes & Noble where I picked up my copy of this issue.

I've been doing [for me] a lot of printing, showing, and contest entering over the last 6 months or so. Think it's time to slow down and take stock...maybe head off in a new direction with my work? Not sure, but I'll certainly let you all know what I decide!

Here I am on page 144 of this year's Photographer's Forum Best of Photography 2018 annual !

Again this year I'm only a 'finalist', so no big to-do. But as I say every year, simply fantastic to be recognized amongst so many outstanding photographs.

This particular image really benefits from being viewed large. There's a whole formula that describes the optimal viewing size and distance of an image based on the focal length of the lens used, etc. Long story short, this was taken with a 20mm wide angle lens, and needs to be viewed large and/or close to experience the full effect. The exact opposite of what you see here. Thankfully the judges were apparently viewing it correctly!

As seems to be so often the case with my work this was not the product of an international trek to foreign lands, nor an in depth study...it's a shot taken of my neighbor's back yard after a long hike in the local fields. As in writing, photograph what you know I guess. 

Like last post, again, serendipity if you will.

Back in 2007 we stumbled across this pop-up* concert somewhere around Gov't Center in Boston, and stayed for a few tunes reveling in the serendipity. I probably should know who the band was...they were clearly professional even though this tune was a cover. Anyone who recognizes them please post in the comments.

One thing that jumps out at me is that I'm almost the only one waving a recording device around, a pocket camera in this case. Today the audience would be a sea of cell phones instead of enthusiastic waving arms.

We'd been doing our usual...lunch, perhaps a couple of cocktails, and were making our way across town on foot as was our custom. My weekend visits with Bri [that's her in the pink] were always a bit of a celebration. She reminds me that this trip was actually to help her move out and down to DC.

Four years later we'd be married. Good times. :)

* I do have to admit here that while I thought it a serendipitous happenstance at the time, that this was probably a staged event being filmed for a movie or some-such, and hate to admit it, the soundtrack may have been piped in and lip-synced.

Pity. It was so pure and energetic at the time.  
​
But I for one 'won't be fooled again.' 

I'm not sure what to make of this kid o' mine. What a laid back little dude sometimes!