So, I’m not a very good blogger. At times, I don’t feel like a very good photographer either. I’m actually OK with that. I’m fortunate enough to have a regular job that affords my family a steady income, great health benefits, and a predictable schedule. For years I thought about trying to strike out on my own and “do photography” full time. I’m thankful that I never made that leap and that God’s given me the wisdom to be satisfied with where I am and with what I have. Now, to be clear, that’s not always the case. I’m as guilty as the next gear head of lusting after the newest cameras, lenses, and gadgets. But all that stuff won’t make me a better photographer. As corny as it may sound, I think that by trying to be a better human being, showing more compassion, listening more and talking less, by laughing and crying more, and by dealing with problems head-on instead of stuffing them down inside and hoping they go away, I’ll become a better photographer. Oh, and a better person, husband, father, friend, and neighbor.

Aside from being somewhat of a gear head, I love photography books. I enjoy looking at other people’s work, reading about what inspires them, and seeing how their work has progressed over time. In today’s era of blogs (yes, like this one), I still enjoy analog versions of newspapers (but don’t get me started about the $6 price of the Sunday New York Times) and books, especially photography books. Here are a few I’ve picked up in the last few weeks:

Reza, War and Peace
Focal Point, 2008
Hardcover | 296 pages | $13.50 (+$4 shipping) | AbeBooks.com

George Webber, People of the Blood
Fifth House, 2006
Hardcover | 107 pages | $3.98 (+.04 cents carbon neutral shipping) | BetterWorldBooks.com

Marianne Fulton, Mary Ellen Mark – 25 Years
International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House, Eastman Kodak Company, Professional Photography Division – Little, Brown, 1991
Softcover | 192 pages | $9.95 | Reader’s Corner, Raleigh, NC

America Now exhibition catalog
Montserrat College of Art Gallery, 2010
Features work from photographers Daniel Cheek, Ben Huff, Shane Lavalette, Laura McPhee, Alec Soth, and Zoe Strauss with an essay by curators Leonie Bradbury and Shana Dumont.
Softcover | 16 pages | $15 (signed by Shane Lavalette) | via Shane Lavalette’s blog

This week’s album: High Violet, The National

Things I’m thinking about: I’m fascinated by the relationship between music lyrics and photographs. I’m thinking about a project that involves listening to one song while making photographs, then analyzing the similarities between the lyrics and the images. No, not something as literal as a lyric that mentions light posts and intentionally photographing light posts, but something a little more subconscious. Colors, shapes, light. Wow, that’s nerdy.

Photo: Winston-Salem, NC | July 11, 2009 | 8:59:39 p.m.

I’m not really sure why I photograph the things I do. I mean, sometimes, it’s obvious. Other times, not so much. Feelings, sounds, smells, emotions, moods, songs, conversations, silence. All of these contribute to the how and the why. I guess that’s one of the great things about making pictures. It’s very personal. Extremely personal. It’s also very subjective. It’s been said before that I’m not the greatest communicator. I can’t argue with that at all. But there’s always something I want to communicate when I make a picture even though I can’t quite put my finger on it. I may not even know at the time what it is I’m trying to say and perhaps sometimes it’s the image that leads to the “saying”. At any rate, I’ve been pretty slack about putting myself out there, both with communicating and sharing pictures. I wish I could do a better job.

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OK, a little context. It’s March, 1982. I’ve just turned seven. I’m minding my own business, workin’ it out a little in my stylish overalls and Pittsburgh Steelers sweatshirt. Rod Stewart is spinning on the turntable (see the Tonight I’m Yours album cover on my toybox), no doubt singing “Young Turks” (at least that’s the way I remember it). Mom, being able to recognize real talent when she sees it, grabbed the camera to catch it all on film. Thanks, Mom. And thanks, Mr. Rod Stewart (“…don’t let them put you down, don’t let ‘em ever change your point of view…”).

So, you really should check out this incredible new photo blog (phlog?) by The New York Times called Lens. Today’s feature is a Polaroid gallery of reader submitted pictures. It’s really quite cool. Check it out here.

Since I’m sharing childhood photos, I’d be remiss if I didn’t share the image of my previous life of crime. Pictured below are my cousins Stacy, Christy, and me at my grandmother’s house. OK, first things first. Note the care with which I tucked my t-shirt into my green underwear (I’m pretty sure they were either Robin or Green Lantern). Oh, but it gets better. As if the sweet wood paneling in the background didn’t put everything over the top, note the pills, the cash, and the ladies. I’m not too proud of my past, but it is what it is. And the salute? Well, I did end up joining the Army a few years later…

OK, so this blog thing is up and running.

Aside from my mom, who do I actually think is going to read this? Well, I don’t really know, but I’m going to use this space to share some of my thoughts, my work, and things that catch my eye from time to time. I intend for this blog to be driven by images I capture while I’m out and about. Thanks for taking the time to check in.

A quick shout out to Rusty Long (rustylong.com) and Adam Ismail (universalproject.com) for their sick CSS & HTML skills. These guys rock. Rusty is an incredible architect, design whiz, lunchtime Indian food buddy, soon-to-be-dad, and great photographer in his own right. Adam is your man for Web and logo design, wedding and fashion photography, CSS smackdowns, and cooking exotic foods. I’m proud to call these guys friends.

Cheers,

Roger