We had driven off the "beaten path" while exploring the Greek island of Corfu a few years ago. As is often the case, we came to an intersection at a small village with one sign pointing south saying that our destination was that way. But there was another sign on the same pole pointing north to the same town.We were pondering this paradox when a man ambled over to our car. A helpful Greek? Does he speak English? My questions were answered when he said, in a clean British accent, "Lost?" And I said, "Kind of."His name was Ian and he had worked for a major British corporation. But he referred to himself as a British ex-patriot and now called this little town his home. He said he was enjoying the pace of the simple life and invited us to sample it by joining him for coffee at the small cafe along main street. I had my first ever "Greek coffee" and remember little of the conversation Deb and I had with Ian. I do remember the grit of the coffee and the silence of this place that Ian had found.When we left, Ian invited us to come back some day and stay at his apartment. But I don't remember the name of the town. And, even if I remembered it, I doubt that Greek road signs would get us there.
people
Motorcycle Mama
in people
In addition to being a photographer, I am also a high school history teacher. And I can only dream that my younger students would greet learning opportunities with the kind of enthusiasm that Cathy did when I taught her how to operate a Honda ATC out at our cabin in the Black Hills this summer. Coupled with her natural mechanical intelligence, her eagerness made her a quick study.A few of the readers of this blog may know Cathy and I suspect you may being seeing a side of her not generally revealed. You know that she enjoys life and that she always has a great attitude. And of course you know that she is a big Twins fan. But have you ever seen her wearing a dew rag?
The Journalist
When Deb and I travel to Europe, I generally create the itinerary and take care of all the details before we leave: plane and train tickets, hotels and auto rentals. Once there, when we aren't on a train or plane, I drive.So "What does Deb do?" you ask. Aside from giving me constant advice and helping me keep track of lenses, chargers and ipods, she participates in our "travel democracy." Nobody leads and nobody follows. Instead we jointly decide what we will see and do on any given day. It works well.Beyond, that, I would say that Deb is the left brain and I'm the right. She writes about our travels and I picture them. This photo, of course, is evidence of our symbiosis.For those who might wonder, in this shot, we are on a train going from Berlin to Dresden, Germany. I am taking a picture of Deb writing in her journal while a blurry women in the background reads a book.Why did I convert the photo to black and white? It looks more "journalistic."
Mom & Dad
My dad died 10 years ago today and while I have posted a couple photos of my mom on this blog, I have yet to do so with Dad.I think that this is the last photo I took of my Mom and Dad together and it was taken a few years before my dad died. It is probably just me, but I think my mother is almost radiant in this photo. Later in her life, it was very difficult to get a decent photo of her because she came to dislike the camera. I don't know why.On the day that my dad died, I was sailing in a good wind on a hot day on Lake Oahe. When a boat motored close to me and the owner of the place where I kept my boat yelled to me that I needed to call home, I knew it was about my dad. He passed away comfortably sitting in his favorite chair at the age of 83.I miss them both very much right now.
The Orange Sailor
in Family, people, South Dakota
It is a rare event that I have the pleasure of sailing with one of my sons. I would also imagine that it is a rare thing that anyone sails on Lake Oahe with the official FIFA World Cup colors of the Netherlands football team. But both were true yesterday as my son Brian and I headed back to the Spring Creek marina after a night in Mission Creek."Sailing" isn't exactly what we are doing here, since the wind was unreliable. But it was a beautiful morning with the sky just beginning to clear. And I suspect that Brian's bright orange shirt made us visible to both fish and fishermen.Canon 5DII 1/250s f/11.0 ISO200 17mm
Didgeridoo
This young woman is a street performer we encountered a few years ago while strolling along the Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain. Even before I saw her, I knew I was hearing a didgeridoo, which makes a kind of a droning sound.Was she a good didgeridoo player? Perhaps a virtuoso? Frankly, I couldn't tell a good didgeridoo sound from a bad one since we don't have many players in my home town. But I did put a coin in her collection plate. I liked her style. And her big didgeridoo.
The Little Tourist
in Europe, people, Travel, Uncategorized
More than once in the US when I have pointed my cameras at a child to get a candid photo, I've gotten dirty looks. For that reason, I don't take many photos of kids when I am wandering around.But in this case, I couldn't resist. Plus, I was in Lisbon, Portugal, and his parents smiled when they saw me taking his photo. It's a different culture, I guess. The location is the Jeronimos Monastery and what I like about this picture is the child's casual stance. I also like how he is looking at me in a way that isn't fearful or suspicious.
Still Life
Deb and I were in Lisbon on the last day of our visit to Portugal when I noticed these two people pondering something off in the distance. I was immediately reminded of a famous work of art by Duane Hanson called "Tourists." And so I snapped the photo. I'll have to admit that my wife and I come closer to looking like Hanson's tourists than this Lisbon couple does, though I think my wife is much more stylish.You might be interested in knowing that Duane Hanson casts his fiberglass and resin figures from real people. Most of the people in my photos are real, too.
The Happy Fisherman
in Animal, Nature, people, South Dakota
Most people fish Lake Oahe for its walleye. But my friend Peterson thought finding northerns would be just fine and on day two of our fishing/sailing expedition, this is what he found. I don't have a scale on my sailboat so we had to go looking for a fisherman who did. Total weight: 20.2 lbs. Scott has been fishing in Canada for 30 years but this is the largest northern he has ever caught. And I helped.If you want to see the exact location where we caught this fish, check out the Panoramio link. There may be more.
06-01-10 Reprise: Helping Hand
I am enjoying a short hiatus from my "Photo A Day" blog and am showing you a few of my favorite posts from the last year and a half. I'll be back on the job with new photos from London and Portugal in a couple weeks.
Engaged
in people
Studies show that when children are young, they tend to like school. Kids that age are curious, creative and engaged. By the time the same children are 17, they have changed. As a rule, they aren't particularly curious about the subjects schools present, they don't consider themselves creative and many certainly aren't engaged. Why?As a life-long teacher and learner, I have my theories. Do I dare suggest that high schools reward those who are compliant and good at memorizing and punish those who aren't? Go rent "Joe vs. the Volcano" and watch the factory scenes. If you ask me, that's how kids see high school.
Swan Dive
Some peered cautiously over the edge (me). Some jumped in feet first (Brian). And one did a swan dive (nicknamed "Grom.")This was taken at a place called South Point on the Big Island of Hawaii. I don't know Grom's real name but I do know that he was very athletic and half crazy, from what my son Jon told me.