photography

‘On Taking Pictures’ Project

OTP Project

This Friday, I started the photo-a-day challenge from the guys at On Taking Pictures.

One photo. Each day. For at least a month.

This shot, from Woodward Ave in Detroit, isn’t the first. But it’s the first one I’ll share, along with some catch up from this weekend.

I’m in Detroit for some Google Adwords training, and spent my time after the seminar to do a little photo walk around downtown – something I’ve been meaning to for ages. And with the unseasonably cool temperatures here in Michigan this week, it made for a nice walk.

On the project: Taking a photo every day shouldn’t be too hard for me, usually. Usually I have my iPhone on-hand to grab an Instagram shot while I’m out and about.

What will be hard is taking some time and putting some thought into each shot. If I grab a bunch of photos, like I did tonight, which one will I share? What will I do if I’m not somewhere fun like Detroit?

The way I see it, this project will give me a perfect chance to play with my newest toy: the fire-sale’d Canon EOS M (only wish they hadn’t discontinued the white model!) with the 22mm f/2 lens. So far, so good, as you can see above.

It’ll also give me an opportunity to flex some creative photography muscles. Maybe try some different things.

When I get a chance, I’ll also share the photos on Google+ – and to the OTP Community.

Here goes nothin’.

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7/28/13 – Slant of Light

Certain Slant of Light

I’ll say this about my photography hobby: it’s taught me to see the light.

Not just see it. See It.

I’m lucky in that, around my house, the light hits the main rooms in a lovely way, morning and sundown. The front and back yards, too. Just gorgeous light comes pouring in during sunrise and sunset. It doesn’t matter the season either. The Light is there.

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Nostalgia, Ink: Going Out of Business

Nostaligia, Ink: Going Out of Business

I remember first walking into Nostalgia, Ink. at 10 years old and feeling like I was discovering a whole new world.

Up to then, collecting comics was a catch-as-catch-can operation. I’d find a few titles at book stores, or at the pharmacy, and once in a while I’d see a classified ad of someone selling their collection.

But a whole store? Devoted to comics? Heaven.

Nostaligia, Ink: Going Out of Business

From that time on, I’ve had an on-again, off-again comic habit. In the early days, I’d bike down West Washington Ave. in Jackson by myself once a month to get the latest issues. As an adult, I’d drive to the shop on Wednesdays to get the newest editions.

Then the editors of Amazing Spider-Man would piss me off with their latest bad idea, and I’d quit buying for a year or two. A habit’s a habit, however, and I’d always make my way back.

Nostaligia, Ink: Going Out of Business

So a month ago I get my usual Superior Spider-Man and Uncanny X-Men issues, and I notice a flyer on the counter: Leonard’s going out of business. He’s retiring.

I nearly cried.

I’ve been coming here since I was a kid. Through the comic bubble of the early ‘90s, through a Magic: The Gathering card collection, and now into adulthood.

Nostalgia, Ink: Going Out of Business

Not for long.

Until Labor Day, everything’s on sale at increasingly-discounted rates. Back issues, books, everything.

Leonard says it’s time to retire. He’s been looking for a buyer, for a way out after almost 30 years. No one (as of yet) has come forward to take the business over. But there are a few things in the works.

For now, he wants to unload everything. Clear out the inventory.

Nostaligia, Ink: Going Out of Business

And what an inventory. Miles and miles of long boxes. Bagged and boarded. Organized, roughly.

Not just comics, either. If you were into D&D, or Magic, or – hell – old issues of Playboy, Nostalgia was your place. Toys, shirts, posters, cards. Everything.

Hunting for the thing you wanted was half the fun. If Leonard didn’t have it, he could order it.

Nostaligia, Ink: Going Out of Business

Lots of good memories in this place. Maybe someone will swoop in and help spirit Leonard away to retirement properly. Until then, we’ll help him clear out that inventory.

Nostaligia, Ink: Going Out of Business

All the best, Leonard.

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View the full set on Flickr.

Read MLive’s coverage of the store’s closing.

(All color images edited with VSCO Film. Photos created with a rented Fuji X100. Many thanks to Leonard for allowing me all-access to the store.)

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June

Chicago: Daisies

June
Came upon us much too soon
Then was gone
Gone
Like the mountains of the moon
At dawn

Then the sun came up on a sleepy day
And never went down at night
And the crowd kept on singin’ “Waste Away”
but it just didn’t feel right
And the prince and the drummer and the fire girls
Couldn’t get our guitars in tune
And I knew it was over when the sound man said
“I wish we were still in June”

Spock’s Beard – “June”

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Ah, Summer

Ah, summer

Ah, summer.

It’s only summer, especially in Michigan, that you can take a group of co-workers, head out onto the college quad, and have an impromptu grill out.

And take pictures of co-workers’ bare feet in the grass.

I use a camera in a lot of my work social situations. It’s an easy way to get some practice in, and it seems my co-workers appreciate some of the shots. Especially when kids are involved.

At work, I’m “the camera guy.” So much so that I’ll purposefully leave the camera behind just so it doesn’t become an expectation.

“Where’s your camera, Dave?”

“Not here.”

But beautiful sunny days in May? Count on me.

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A series of Instagram shots posted over the last few days, called “Cloud Atlas.”

It’s amazing what can happen when (a) the weather rolls in just right and (b) luck and timing line up for photo opportunities like this.

I created each image using the fabulous new Mextures app, which I’m really excited about – especially with landscape stuff, and running them through VSCO Cam.

The world of mobile photography is exciting, especially lately.

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