Renewal
I am always struck by springtime. In the span of a few weeks, a seemingly lifeless landscape bursts forth with new life and color - bringing with it a sense of renewal. No matter how many times I experience it, I can't help but feel energized by the transformation.
I am always struck by springtime. In the span of a few weeks, a seemingly lifeless landscape bursts forth with new life and color - bringing with it a sense of renewal. No matter how many times I experience it, I can't help but feel energized by the transformation.
FUJIFILM X-T1 18-135mm
Constellations & Contours
I’ll let you in on a secret. I don't love flying. It's not so much the act of flying that gets me or even the taking off or landing, but just the lack of personal control in what is largely a Boolean experience. Once an aircraft is flying, it is either flying or it is falling, (arguably it could be both) and just being along for the ride is disconcerting to me.
I’ll let you in on a secret. I don't love flying. It's not so much the act of flying that gets me, or even the taking off or landing, but just the lack of personal control in what is largely a Boolean experience. Once an aircraft is flying, it is either flying or it is falling, (arguably it could be both) and just being along for the ride is disconcerting to me.
Now, I realize that this is a completely irrational fear, (probably too strong of a word) in the face of probability and statistical analysis, but it is something and it is enough that it can’t generally be ignored. To be clear, though, I wouldn’t say that this discomfort is anything remotely crippling or even something more than perhaps a “concern,” but it is something from which I like to distract myself. There are the standby distractions like listening to music, watching movies, etc. which all help, but at the end of the day one of the things that I find most effective is is to embrace the fact that I am flying. While I might have a lingering fear of flying, I simultaneously am thrilled by the fact that I am flying — and one of the best ways to make an uncomfortable experience better is to simply embrace it. Window seats help me with that.
One of the things that I love about flying with a window seat is that the world takes on a completely new perspective. At night, cities become constellations of light. When visible, towering mountainous ranges become smooth contours on an otherwise flat surface. This perspective doesn’t always help me feel less irrationally concerned — for the obvious fact that if the plane stopped flying, the fall would be huge — but it does help me get a sense for how grand and wonderful the world is. I like the idea that the simple act of flying opens me up to larger perspectives that are greater than my community, my family, and even my own personal feelings.
Honestly, I may never fly without some level of concern, but in an age where the flow of information is constant, opinions are passed off as fact, and perspectives shrink to the walls around us, I find comfort in what flying does provide me along the way…feeling that the world is still huge and I am just a mere piece of it.
WASTHINGTON D.C. & EAST COAST - X-T1 & 35mm
Building Traditions
Growing older is a surreal experience. The thing that I am constantly challenged by is how unexpectedly different I feel in comparison to how I thought that I would feel at this age. I don't mean physically, but as I watch my goals become achieved or morph, relationships grow or wither, children develop, spouses change, and time passes, I find myself constantly...
Growing older is a surreal experience. The thing that I am constantly challenged by is how unexpectedly different I feel in comparison to how I thought that I would feel at this age. I don't mean physically, but as I watch my goals become achieved or morph, relationships grow or wither, children develop, spouses change, and time passes, I find myself constantly evaluating where I have been, where I am going, and what I could be doing differently. What is most surreal is the feeling of not knowing the future while inspecting the past -- all while traveling on a ceaseless conveyor belt. This is not anything new or unique to me, of course, but it is not how I thought that I would feel at this age. I would have thought that life would have been more stable or structured as opposed to contemplative and fluid. There is no mountaintop to ascend, only a journey to experience.
What I find to be a grounding force in this fluidity is tradition. When I consider my past it is the traditions that have become beacons signifying importance, value, fun, and generally above all, community. These are things that have become part of my fabric, both as a member of a community and family, as well as an individual.
As a father, now, there is no greater embodiment of the passage of time than watching my children grow and develop. They literally are changing before my eyes. It isn’t the slow change of a 30-something adult, but an astonishingly quick ascent of marker lines shooting up the doorframe. I feel a sense of urgency to impart what little wisdom I can offer and provide traditions for my boys to use as grounding forces when they are my age.
I am likely feeling particularly sentimental about all of this due to having just celebrated the holidays with friends and family, who -- as previously noted -- are a core part of traditions. Holidays are clear-cut tradition factories that help bring people together to share not only the event occurring, but also the memories of the event from years past -- and other times spent together. They are simultaneously stabilizing factors as everyone can recall memories from before, while generating new memories with new generations.
So, while I traverse my way across this journey, I am thankful for the traditions that have been created for me, as well as the ones still being developed. They ground me. They help me feel connected and at the end of the day, there is no better experience in life than being connected with those around you.
Bemus Point, NY - FUJI X-T1
I like to consider hand-me-downs a tradition.
Winter Colors
Following the warmest, least snowy December on record here in Rochester, it is now January and we finally have snow. There are plenty of folks who were thankful for the late coming of winter to the upstate New York region, but I am not one of them. The snow is here and I am glad!
Following the warmest, least snowy December on record here in Rochester, it is now January and we finally have snow. There are plenty of folks who were thankful for the late coming of winter to the upstate New York region, but I am not one of them. The snow is here and I am glad!
As I was preparing another blog post last evening (will be coming shortly), the sun began to set and I was redirected from the task at hand to go capture the colors of winter as I saw them. While I can see the point of those who bemoan the winter months, I say buy warmer clothes and get outside. There is so much beauty to be seen.
FAIRPORT, NY - FUJI X-T1
Reset.
So, there I was a few months ago declaring that I wasn't going to be so absent on this site. It would seem as though I lied. I didn't intend to lie and I had the best intentions, but as with all good things, they are susceptible to outside forces, which can erode momentum and will. I believe that I underestimated the energy required to get through shooting the end of the racing season, as well as launching The Ascend Collective.
So, there I was a few months ago declaring that I wasn't going to be so absent on this site. It would seem as though I lied. I didn't intend to lie and I had the best intentions, but as with all good things, they are susceptible to outside forces, which can erode momentum and will. I believe that I underestimated the energy required to get through shooting the end of the racing season, as well as launching The Ascend Collective.
Here I am, however, alive and well. Regaining some speed.
In order to get back on track, the past month has been a bit of a reset for me. I have de-prioritized running considerably in order to give it (and me) some space. We are taking a separation period in hopes to rekindle a lost love. It has happened before, it will be fine.
Similarly, photography has been experiencing a bit of a burgeoning back into the creative force that it is. Peeking behind the curtain - I find shooting events to be wonderful experiences, filled with great people and fantastic stories, but they have never struck me as a way to express myself creatively. This year was no exception. By the end of a racing season, I simultaneously didn't want to touch a camera for a bit, but I also wanted to return to the roots of why I love photography in the first place: creativity. Fall can be a temporary drought.
So, as previously mentioned, here I am. Alive, well and moving forward one foot at a time - camera in hand. If you have stuck around this long, I hope and trust that you will continue coming back here because I am resetting and 2016 is looking brighter than ever.
A Few Photos from Christmas Preparations
Inbound
The past month or so has been like a looming storm headed in my direction. Life has been hectic to say the least and my absence from posting anything here is evidence of the fact that some things have slipped out from under my eye. Sorry about that.
I am here to declare, however, that I am feeling like I am getting back on track, as my primary focus - The Ascend Collective - finally launched...
The past month or so has been like a looming storm headed in my direction. Life has been hectic to say the least and my absence from posting anything here is evidence of the fact that some things have slipped out from under my eye. Sorry about that.
I am here to declare, however, that I am feeling like I am getting back on track, as my primary focus - The Ascend Collective - finally launched, as well as my largest (in terms of distance and time) event, The Twisted Branch 100k Trail Race is under my belt with not a single hiccup. Yay!
So, here I am...clearing out some of my backlog, since I never did stop shooting. Keep a look out for more content headed your way! I hope that you enjoy!
NIAGARA FALLS, NY
Go With the Flow
Here in Upstate New York, we are blessed beyond measure by the amount of nature preserves, state parks, etc. that we have available to us. I realize that while many other states have some pretty great things to see or do, the accessibility of forest areas or marshlands or whatever is one of the best things that New York has to offer...in my completely biased opinion of course.
Here in Upstate New York, we are blessed beyond measure by the amount of nature preserves, state parks, etc. that we have available to us. I realize that while many other states have some pretty great things to see or do, the accessibility of wild areas is one of the best things that New York has to offer...in my completely biased opinion of course.
One such gem is Stony Brook Park, located near Dansville and if you ever have the opportunity to visit, do yourself a favor and take the time.
Skate.
Skateboarding is one of those things that once it has it's hooks in you, it will never leave you.
For years, I would skate daily and it was arguably one of my first passions. Over the years, I have picked up a board from time-to-time, pushed around and found myself loving it just as much as I did when I landed my first ollie or kickflip. It is strange because while it would be easy to confuse the old bike adage of "once you learn to ride a bike you never forget" here, but this is something completely different...
Skateboarding is one of those things that once it has it's hooks in you, it will never leave you.
For years, I would skate daily and it was arguably one of my first passions. Over the years, I have picked up a board from time-to-time, pushed around and found myself loving it just as much as I did when I landed my first ollie or kickflip. It is strange because while it would be easy to confuse the old bike adage of "once you learn to ride a bike you never forget" here, but this is something completely different. It isn't about remembering the feeling or muscle memory, but something deeper. Those who skate(d), know what I mean. For no good reason that I can quantify, skateboarding is different. It is unique.
Of course, with any great, passionate activity comes great friends. My friend Dan is one such guy. For the past few months (years?), we have been plotting a few locations that we felt would make great locations to shoot a skate session. We would discuss tricks, angles, etc., but with our current passionate activity (running) taking up a considerable amount of time, we never seemed to be able to make the time for it. Over the past week, the stars aligned and we were able to take advantage of some free time to shoot a subject that we love and likely owe a lot of our perspective to. I brought my camera, Dan brought his board. We had fun.
Stateless
I don't particularly mind, but like everyone, I rarely have a minute to myself. What we define as "Life" has a way of consuming every last minute of the day. Whether it is work, family, or some other obligation(s), finding myself in a place of personal statelessness doesn't come around very often.
I don't particularly mind, but like everyone, I rarely have a minute to myself. What we define as "Life" has a way of consuming every last minute of the day. Whether it is work, family, or some other obligation(s), finding myself in a place of personal statelessness doesn't come around very often. Recently, I found myself on the Rochester Museum and Science Center campus with nothing pulling me in any direction. It was calming to not feel a need to be or do anything. I took the opportunity to play.
RMSC | FUJIFILM X100S
Wonderment
As a kid, I remember a time when the Fourth of July was lit up (pun somewhat intended) with excitement. Generally, the picnics and festivities before the sun went down were nice-to-haves, whereas the real experience started with the fireworks.
As a kid, I remember a time when the Fourth of July was lit up (pun somewhat intended) with excitement. Generally, the picnics and festivities before the sun went down were nice-to-haves, whereas the real experience started with the fireworks.
These days, I find myself far more interested in the time with family and friends during the day -- often considering the fireworks an afterthought a best.
In what has become a tradition, nearly every year, we find ourselves packing our bags and heading to Chautauqua Lake to spend time with family and friends. We also take some time to see the lake become wrapped in flares as fireworks fill the sky.
Naturally, the time with family and friends is great, but as this tradition continues and our boys grow, I am genuinely struck by how they take in the fireworks and late night as I once did. What I learn is that by simply watching their experience, I find the mundanity of my "adult life" wither away - being replaced by the reflection of wonderment in their eyes.
Make the time we have wonderful.
California On My Mind - Part 2
Last week, I espoused the need to go back and review your work over time to see the progress that you have made, trends that you fell pray to, and how you can improve. This is a continuation of that assessment - focused on my time in California.
Last week, I espoused the need to go back and review your work over time to see the progress that you have made, trends that you fell pray to, and how you can improve. This is a continuation of that assessment - focused on my time in California.
With that in mind, here are a few more photos that I re-edited this week. This time, I chose to focus on San Francisco, Monterey and Highway 1. I hope you enjoy!
California On My Mind - Part 1
To me, a large component of being a photographer is simply reviewing the moments that you have captured.
Of course you can enjoy the personal meaning, beauty, and technical skill of your photos, but if you aren't inspecting critically for ways that you can improve, what's the point? Your photo catalog is an evolving time capsule that reflects the trajectory that you have taken in both your technical and artistic skill. Use it.
To me, a large component of being a photographer is simply reviewing the moments that you have captured.
Of course you can enjoy the personal meaning, beauty, and technical skill of your photos, but if you aren't inspecting critically for ways that you can improve, what's the point? Your photo catalog is an evolving time capsule that reflects the trajectory that you have taken in both your technical and artistic skill. Use it.
In fact, every once in a while, I feel inspired to reset and re-edit some photos with the new perspectives, skills, and tools afforded to me. With non-destructive tools like Adobe Lightroom, it has never been easier to experiment. The trick is to find a catalyst for experimentation.
This past weekend I had the good fortune to spend a few hours with my good friend James from The House of Bogue who had just returned from a photographic trip to California. After hearing James' stories about shooting his way around San Francisco, I felt the need to go back to my photos from our last time in California to experiment with the images I had captured.
To start, I decided that I would look at a few of my favorite spots in the world: Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur, as well as Muir Woods and Muir Beach.
I am working through a few other California locations that I love and plan on posting them as a "Part 2" soon, so stay tuned....
Dark Work
As I am sure it is the case with nearly everyone, there are times when I find myself unwittingly at a complete creative standstill. Typically it is when there are too many things going on and I find myself focused on "things that matter", which sounds ridiculous when I say it because without the ability to create, not much else really does matter. But I digress...
As I am sure it is the case with nearly everyone, there are times when I find myself unwittingly at a complete creative standstill. Typically it is when there are too many things going on and I find myself focused on "things that matter," which sounds ridiculous when I say it because without the ability to create, not much else really does matter. But I digress....
When I find myself in this state, I generally consider that turning toward the path less traveled helps bring me some focus. It doesn't always work as planned, but it often does create new and interesting ideas that I can build from.
Lately, I am finding myself lost in the woods of my mind and having a hard time navigating my way back to something resembling a spark of creativity. It's somewhat dark. In order to kindle a bit of flame I decided to play around with some images in black and white, which isn't something that I do frequently. I like the results so far, and for now, I am actually finding myself enjoying the simple process of experimentation.
Hope you enjoy!
A Constant Companion
A few years ago, a friend of mine described what he referred to as "The Arc of Life". Upon this Arc, half of our life was spent in receipt of wonderful things that Life had to offer before Life started to take away what was once given.
At the time, this concept resonated with me personally, as I had just lost my mother to cancer and while the pain was still fresh, I was reflecting on all that had been given prior to losing her. The core lesson, to me, was to pay attention to the details and take nothing for granted. Life has a way of becoming a noisy and distracting thing, where...
A few years ago, a friend of mine described what he referred to as "The Arc of Life". Upon this Arc, half of our life was spent in receipt of wonderful things that Life had to offer before Life started to take away what was once given.
At the time, this concept resonated with me personally, as I had just lost my mother to cancer and while the pain was still fresh, I was reflecting on all that had been given prior to losing her. The core lesson, to me, was to pay attention to the details and take nothing for granted. Life has a way of becoming a noisy and distracting thing, where details and quiet moment are often overlooked...until you are abruptly reminded of what matters as it is taken from you.
This past week was one of the hardest of my life for many reasons, but the most obvious was because we lost a spirit in our lives that was small in size, but mattered on so large a scale that I still am trying to get my head around it.
For the past 11 years, our Boston Terrier Dottie, was a core component of our family and indeed our first child. Getting her was one of the first things that Christy and I did as a couple and she was there throughout nearly our entire relationship. She was family.
Anyone who ever met Dottie would be hard pressed to say that her personality did not exceed her size ten fold, as she was loud, full of energy and boisterousness that rivaled any dog - any size. It was through her personality that people came to remember her and love her. She gave to all, until she couldn't.
The seizures were a surprise to all of us. One day, she was acting as normal as could be and the next we noticed a small seizure. Yet Dottie gave her love. The seizures increased in frequency, her medications increased, and still Dottie gave her love. In the quiet moments, she was still nothing but love and a constant companion. We did all we could, while she held on - and together we gave to one another.
After a few days, it was clear that despite our best efforts, there was no return, no recovery for Dottie. So, Christy and I gave Dottie peace, while Life took.
I can never be thankful enough for the Arc of Dottie's life. Looking back now, the pain is fresh and just writing this is difficult, but I am forever grateful for our time together. Throughout the better part of my adult life, Dottie was there. She was constant and she was a friend that has left memories and a void behind her that far exceed her small stature.
We love you Dottie and are forever thankful for our time together. Enjoy the next adventure!
Frozen in Time
Despite previously lamenting the Winter's late onset and how much I missed it, when it finally did arrive, it really was excessive. The past month or so has been lost. Each day presented a stark, frozen landscape that brought life to a crawl.
Despite previously lamenting the Winter's late onset and how much I missed it, when it finally did arrive, it really was excessive. The past month or so has been lost. Each day presented a stark, frozen landscape that brought life to a crawl.
Within the past few days, we have started to see the pattern shift to one of sun-filled skies, warmer temperatures and life beginning to stir. With this new air blowing, we begin to start exploring. An obvious first choice for exploration was the Letchworth State Park, where we were certain the falls would be frozen. They did not disappoint.
The Master of Arts & Science
No one would argue that Leonardo da Vinci is anything but a Master. To me, he embodied the spirit of exploration, in every sense of the word.
Much to our pleasure, the Rochester Museum and Science Center...
No one would argue that Leonardo da Vinci is anything but a Master. To me, he embodied the spirit of exploration, in every sense of the word.
Much to our pleasure, the Rochester Museum and Science Center is hosting an exhibit dedicated to his work, which features examples of his inventions, art and research. Additionally, there is a thorough study on the Mona Lisa. Naturally, we had to go.
Winter Continues
It would seem that Winter means to give us the past few years' worth of snow that we've been missing in the past few days. We have been receiving snow nearly every minute of the day. While it could be tempting to sit back and complain about the bounty of frozen flakes, it seems far more productive and adventurous to bundle up, get outside and take it
It would seem that Winter means to give us the past few years' worth of snow that we've been missing in the past few days. We have been receiving snow nearly every minute of the day. While it could be tempting to sit back and complain about the bounty of frozen flakes, it seems far more productive and adventurous to bundle up, get outside and take it all it. After all, there are ice castles to build and snow dragons to slay!
Winter Arrives
Despite our best wishes, Winter was off to a slow start this year. Our household loves the winter and routinely we look forward to spending time outside on sleds, skis, snowboards, etc.
By this time each year, we have a solid base of snow...
Despite our best wishes, Winter was off to a slow start this year. Our household loves the winter and routinely we look forward to spending time outside on sleds, skis, snowboards, etc.
By this time each year, we have a solid base of snow coating the ground and brightening the mood of the cold, stark days. Not so this year...until today. Finally, Winter has arrived and with it the snow that we have been anticipating. Rejoice.
Winter Retreat
Waiting for Winter to arrive is tricky. Most of the time, you hear those around you complaining about the cold, the conditions, etc., but for us, we look forward to it. What is tricky is the phase leading up to Winter, where the weather is cold and dreary, but the snow is nowhere to be found. No one is happy.
Waiting for Winter to arrive is tricky. Most of the time, you hear those around you complaining about the cold, the conditions, etc., but for us, we look forward to it. What is tricky is the phase leading up to Winter, where the weather is cold and dreary, but the snow is nowhere to be found. No one is happy.
This weekend, thankfully, we got our first taste of some decent snow, so we decided to head to one of our favorite sections of trail around for a hike. While not nearly enough for snowshoeing or proper sledding, we made due with what we were given and still had an adventure.
A Sudden Expansion
I still remember the first day that I went to kindergarten. I didn't like that experience. The sudden, immediate expansion of my world from the safe walled garden that I had been living in was now thrust upon me. I felt unprepared and overwhelmed...
I still remember the first day that I went to kindergarten. I didn't like that experience. The sudden, immediate expansion of my world from the safe walled garden that I had been living in was now thrust upon me. I felt unprepared and overwhelmed.
As a parent, I have now seen this same experience thrust upon my two boys and it has been interesting seeing it through their eyes. On one hand, my oldest echoed my feelings for the experience, while his younger brother remained calm and, as he put it, "brave" in the face of a new world. It could be many things that fuel his differing perspective, but I love the idea that it is his little spirit that is in fact helping his older brother.
There will be many more dramatic world-altering expansions in their future, but I find solace in the fact that they bolster one another--where the anticipated big-brother saves little-brother characterization is not necessarily how they will define their relationship.
This world is big and at times feels insurmountable, but knowing that no matter what, these two have one another gives me a profound sense of hope, pride, and love. I cannot help but feel that my world just expanded a bit more as well.
