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Tiny Dancer

I am going on my third full day in New Orleans and I still haven't found what I would called a "brilliant" photo. Nor has one found me. In analyzing this, I realized that when I'm not attending the photo conference I am at, I am more tourist than photographer. And there's a difference.The difference lies in intent, I think. I carry my camera almost everywhere but generally I am more intent on seeing things or on soaking up the culture and ambiance of New Orleans. I am not really intending on taking photos.When I go out to take photos, normally nothing else matters. Hunger, thirst and often even self disappear. And when I'm a tourist, that generally doesn't happen. And when I am in the company of people as I am at this conference, I can almost guarantee that it doesn't happen.Tomorrow is my last day here, and I will try to find the opportunity to become a photographer. Meanwhile, I am posting a photo I took near Jackson Square. Though the musicians were great, I found dancing girl especially intriguing.By the way, I have a parallel Microblog called "The Things I See" and I've posted a few of the photos I've taken in New Orleans. Go here:The Things I See

01-15-12 Bourbon Street Musicians

There was very strong sunlight backlighting this bluegrass group and I wasn't sure how my camera would handle it, but I think it turned out OK.I wouldn't normally shoot into the sun as much as I did in this photo but I guess this is a good example of the "what have you got to lose?" philosophy.

Who Dat?

How about a group portrait of 4 of my second year Photo/Media students? And how about posing them in the famous Lafayette Cemetery #1 in the Garden District of New Orleans? Perfect!

Spiral Stairs

Is this a chambered nautilus shell? No, it's a carved stone spiral staircase in the "government building" in the amazing German town named Rothenburg o.d.T.

A View From Rothenburg

He Runs; I Don't

As I stood on the beach, camera in hand, I waited for something to make this beach scene a little more interesting. Off in the distance, I saw a figure running towards me along the shoreline. A fit athlete? Even better, a fit female athlete? In a bikini?No. Instead, it was an older man who made me feel like slacker as I stood and watched him run past me.Exhausted from the rigors of the photo shoot, I went to the beach bar and ordered a margarita.

Infinity

Soft, blue and pink morning light as seen from the window seat on a plane bound for Mexico.

Someone's Watching Me

This is yet another photo that found me. I was walking back to the Photo/Media studio at Lake Area Technical Institute, where I work, and I was almost past the Cosmetology Department when I walked by this partially opened locker.I was all the way by the locker when I realized that there was a photo opportunity here. I took my iPhone out and took a few photos but this is the one I liked.No, we don't keep the heads of former students in lockers. But the cosmetology department does store rather good looking "dummy" heads in lockers. I'm sure there is a name for these model heads and I vow to learn it when I am back to teaching tomorrow.

The Bagpiper - Dempsey's Pub

This is a small detail from what I'm guessing may be one of the largest murals in Watertown. It resides at Dempsey's Brewery Pub and Restaurant in Watertown, SD. The primary artist is Larry Nygaard and the pub is worth visiting.Speaking of worth visiting, how about clicking here to see a photo posted by one of my second year photo students? I'm sure Ashley would appreciate it.

Santa Rides A Jet Ski

Congratulations!

Last night the city of Watertown, the Watertown Chamber of Commerce and Focus Watertown hosted a celebration for Lake Area Technical Institute (LATI).As you may know, LATI was recently named one of the top five two-year colleges in the United States by the Aspen Insitute.Pictured here is Gary Williams, mayor of Watertown and former Director of LATI.Click here for more photos.