Old School part 2

It was easier then and harder.
You made a choice to be a photographer; you made a
commitment to it. Cameras, lenses, filters, film; lots of
choices. Physical and financial choices and time spent learning
how to put all of that together; creating a product, usually a black
and white photograph that you spent hours in a darkroom printing
and later more time spotting, dry mounting and framing.

My greatest teacher is now in her late eighties; her name is Olive Pierce.
Olive published two photo books and showed her work in highly
regarded galleries and museums. She was my teacher at New England
School of Photography in Boston and later when I decided to pursue
and Art Education degree at Tufts she became my mentor teacher
at Cambridge Rindge & Latin H.S.

I am 61 years young and still love photography in all it's forms. Where I
once resisted digital I now embrace it. I love to see people taking pictures
with their phones and I love to use my phone to take pictures. I still shoot
primarily with cameras, a small point and shoot, a mid sized Canon G-10
and a Nikon D80 35mm digital with a sweet 18-200mm lens. I don't
alter my photos in Photoshop so what you see is what I saw. Maybe that's
the old school in me and I'm ok with that.

" Old School " girl part 1

I am looking at a book of iphoneography; photos taken on an iphone.
They are seductive. They are new and yet old. I have been around long
enough to recognize the trademarks and origins from whence they came;
TriX film, polaroid film, Holga camera, 2 1/4 format and shaved out negative
carriers.

I am a purist from the generation that tried to understand the zone system by Ansel
Adams. Years of my savings were spent to buy a 4 by 5 Arca Swiss view camera. I hand
developed sheet film under a special safe light ( I think it was green ) The
darkroom was a zen zone; Portriga Rapid paper with all it's silvery brown tones.
The darkroom had an alchemy of it's own. The glow of the orange safelight, sepia
toner in brown bottles and chemicals that years later I grappled with how to responsibly
dispose of.

Now with the advent of digital, iphones and smart phones everyone is taking pictures.
There is photoshop and multiple ways to manipulate photographs. I love to throw a few
filters on Instagram but basically I like to stay closer to what I see and experience. I am
and probably always will be a " straight photographer "; no photoshop, no crazy filters.
Maybe it's too many choices or maybe the way I see life through my lens works for me.

If you look deeply into the palm of your hand,
you will see your parents and all the generations
of your ancestors. All of them are alive at this moment.
Each is present in your body, you are a continuation
of each of these people.
Thich Nhat Hanh

Some of my life lines

Embrace your life, no matter how hard it seems
There is an order to the universe, trust it
Forward ever, backward never
Be true to yourself
Make time for art, nature and writing
Be present
Finish something small & start something big
Do something that will make someone happy , do it
today and try to do it everyday
" Stand still and be astonished " Mary Oliver
Practice mindfulness
" Love the one's you're with " John Lennon
Be present
" Write it on your heart that everyday is the best day in the year " Emerson

The gift of another birthday at house 4

I am sitting on the upper porch in my favorite white rocker  that overlooks Tern Island and  the last of the  camps on North Beach Island. There are only five left where once there were dozens. This fragile barrier beach is defined by the wonderful camps that have been there for all my years in Chatham and those before me. Like folklore, they are part of so many collective memories and as I look out I pray they will survive another winter.

It is my birthday and I am flanked by three dogs. Resident Maggie ( Charlie's best friend), our dear 13 year old golden Jamie and our one year old golden Charlie.

We wake to the sunrise and utter silence.
The water like glass, reflecting azure blues.
I drink my coffee while the world sleeps, even the gulls.
Then the quietest walk.

I think of Mary Oliver, be still my beating heart.
I listen to the silence of the early morning.

I love this view, maybe more than any other.
It's like an old friend.
I know it's seasons.
Fierce biting winds of winter.
Sweet summer kisses.
The wheats and russets of fall
and the ripening yellow greens of spring's promise.

It is my birthday,
I am grateful for another year lived.
Another year of love and life, with all it's messiness and perfections.
It's disappointments and surprises.
Give love and live love and vow to live a life worth living!

In everything,
love simplicity.

Saint Francis De Salles

Cape Cod Views Exhibit

It has been awhile since I have posted anything so no doubt my millions of  followers have forgotten about me. (hah hah ) It has been close to two years since we moved to Harwich full time and life has brought many changes. The silver lining of the move is being able to witness and photograph the Cape in all it's glorious seasons; the light and colors here are nothing short of astonishing and I thank my lucky stars each and everyday. One thing that saddens me and is no longer being part of my writing group with Barbara O'Neil and my wonderful writing friends . One door closes and another door opens; I have now discovered encaustic painting and photo transfers and am totally possessed with the possibilities that medium has to offer. I am still photographing at every chance and want to invite you to my two woman show at Orleans Camera in Orleans, MA at Skaket Corners Shopping Ctr on 9 West Rd. The opening is on Saturday August, 10th from 3-5pm. The show will be up until August 30th. I am also working on a new website which should be up very soon.
www.robinsnestartstudio.com  You can also see new photos and other work on my FB page for robinsnestartstudio and my personal page as well. Hoping to keep you all posted on the blog on a more regular basis.