"Prohibited"

"Playground Sadness - Part Two"

"Playground Sadness - Part One"

I believe most of you know that photography is not my full time profession. I am a remodeling contractor (which explains the other link on this blog). During the course of my day, I take photo's of things that interest me or on those special occasions, I am hired to play photographer for a day. Today was not one of those days.

I was hired to fix a broken part of a playground tower at an apartment complex I do repairs for. I was saddened by (but I hate to admit; not shocked by) the vandalism done to this "child's imagination station". What you can not see is all of the graffiti, cigarette burns and brokenness to the parts of the tower system. Sad photo that should have another image in its place.

"Blue Crab"

Don't look... this one is escaping!

"Looking Around"

This fine young lady is Diva. She accompanied us on our photo shoot this morning.

"Freckles"

"Portrait - Not all Real-Estate Looking!"

"Trio"

"Bay Bridge"

I had to waste some time during my daughters softball practice so I thought I'd check out Chick's Beach. I had forgotten how pretty it was. I'll be back there soon.

"Harley"

"Khedive Practice"

"Chris"

This is the most talented bassist I have ever heard. He also gives both of our girls private lessons.

I had some time on my hands tonight so I goofed around on photoshop. Not completely sure I like what I did. Cool photo though even though it was dark when I took it.

"Peace and Quiet"

Wild man... sleeping!

"Bucket Head"

This little spectator became bored with playing with a cricket and soon was found playing with this bucket. I am surprised I could hold the camera straight for this shot because I was laughing too hard. The split second before this was taken, our young hero ran face first into the fence.

No boys or fences were harmed in the taking of this photo.

"Number 7"

This photo is simply for the mom we met from Richmond yesterday. She didn't take as many photos as her daughter wanted her too. So... here you go! Enjoy.

"Small Crowd"

"Forward"

"Huddle"

From my daughters field hockey scrimmage today.

"Cinnamon"

This is my parents dog, the 5th sibling in their family, whom I refer to as "Meatloaf". They had to have him put down yesterday due to some back/leg problems and a heart murmur. I feel saddened for mom and dad for the loss of their pet... our little brother.

Bye Cinnamon.

"High School"

My family went to orientation tonight for our first freshman orientation. I can not believe that I am old enough to have a high schooler. For those of you who have gone before me through this door... help!

And before I forget... Jessica, remember this; "Go Titans!"

"Bad Day?"

Do I really need to explain this one?

"Time Square on a Rainy Day"

"Boat Rental Trio"

"Lee's Hotdogs"

I have been going to this hot dog stand in Port Norfolk since I was a kid. Always the same order; "Hot dog all the way, BBQ - coleslaw only, fries and a sweet tea."

Some things you just don't need to change.

"Individuality"

I rode by a nursery today and saw row upon row, hundreds upon hundreds of starter pots for plants. These pots were all ready to go. Albeit for one... the individual.

"Passing Time"

"Rental Boats"

"Just Throw It!"

This sweet little lady would have played all day. She's just letting her people rest.

"Punkin"

"Colorful Colorado"

This photograph has to be in my top 10 of all time. It's not about the composition, it's the story behind it. My sister and I road-tripped from AZ back to Norfolk, VA. This photo was taken right outside of the "4 Corners Monument "site (Google 4 corners if you don't know what that is).

I simply love humor in the duality of the sign that welcomes travelers to a colorful state that the background is a dark gray, overcast sky. We both laughed for miles about that.

(This photo is only vignetted. It has no other photoshop manipulations. The sky was really that gray.)

"Socks"

We traveled to Tennessee this past year for my nephew's wedding (that's my father in the background). As I was playing around with my new camera, I discovered that it would take a black and white photo by using a preset in the menu. I usually just photoshop the images later, but it's nice to practice b&w techniques in a pure b&w setting.

This photo is the result of that I discovery. Socks... size 12.

In case you're wondering... the camera is a Nikon D-200.

"Open Window"

Both of my daughters have a pretty good eye for photography. Although in the case of my oldest, her favorite model is herself. This was taken through my side mirror of my truck. I threatened to disown her if she dropped my camera out the window.

She still lives with us... for now.

"Relief"

"There goes the neighborhood."

"Rear View Mirror"

Welcome to my world... traffic!

"There is a Fountain..."

Same location scouting trip as the last post. It was a very hot day and Jessica and I had to keep each other from jumping in the fountain.

"Test Subject"

This is my oldest daughter. She went with me to scout out a location for a set of engagement photos. I don't really know what she is messing with but we believe that it's used for star gazing.

"Butterfly"

I am not usually known for for insect photography but this one was flying around my location today and I thought the colors on this one were beautiful.

"Waiting For June"

June 28, 2008 is the date they have set. Congratulations!

"Contentment"

I am breaking my own rule of contracted photos but I couldn't resist.

"Vertical"

This is Brandon. Assistant youth minister for First Baptist Church of Norfolk.

"Proverbs 16: 18-19"

I thought I'd share this with you. This was taken last night.

"Charcoal Smile"

The youth department at my church held "Going Public" an a local beach tonight. I was the chauffeur for my kids. This particular fellow had a charcoal brickette smiley face drawn to watch his back this evening.

"Bring it on"

This is my youngest daughter getting ready for some beach soccer.

"Pier"

The pier at Sandbridge.

"Searching"

Before you all chastise me for being inconsiderate of my mother looking for a pot under the counter... she saw this photo and thought it was funny.

"Cantelope"

We had dinner at my mothers house tonight and this is her pre-dinner, yet it's in the oven cooking, Cantelope break. The basket of pecans is for one of the deserts.

I am currently in the beginning stages of a miserable, summer cold. I should be in bed.

“The sick are the greatest danger for the healthy; it is not from the strongest that harm comes to the strong, but from the weakest.” - Fredrich Nietzsche

"Flight"

I was out tonight trying to set up on a sunset (one of the types of photos that capturing still alludes me) and I came across an Egret in flight. It's a little abstract for some taste, but sometimes the accidental photos draw me in.