The Shooting Gallery

Saturday, June 18, 2011

In Recovery

2 weeks ago on one of my days off between shifts, 2 of my friends and I went 4 wheeling. By some freak accident I fell off the ATV as it tipped over and then it rolled on me twice. I broke both arms and my right shoulder. 2 titanium plates, screws, a catheter and 7 days in the hospital later, I am now "home bound."An occupational therapist comes to my apt 3x a week, and give me tools and gadgets such as a wood stick with hooks on the ends to help me get dressed. This speed bump is just another vehicle for self growth, learning patience, and definitely humility.

Enough about me, I still have photos waiting to be processed in Lightroom, which is great news! Bring it on! Those pictures should be blogged in the next few days, but after this lengthy blog, I am going to keep them pretty short, at least until I have the use of both arms... lefty's all I got for now...

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Here is a slideshow of my photographs while I was south of Anchorage near Seward and Wittier, AK. The train travels right besides the coastline. Just a few weeks ago, there was snow on the ground and no foliage to be found. Hard to believe this is real. I love it. The more time I spend here though, the more I appreciate where I came from, and where I really call home. Alaska is allowing me to experience such beautiful wildlife without asking for anything in return. I may develop an insatiable need to travel around the world as a result of this summer.... Could be worse.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Saturday, May 21, 2011

How my boredom led to inspiration and creation.

These photos are a result of new inspiration brought about using my iPhone apps! Here is the thought process on how I arrived there.

Wednesday, May 18.

I was having a hard time feeling inspired, because Alaska was built up to be this grandiose and beautiful place. Now that I"m here, I can't find the appreciation I was expecting. Maybe it's because I'm couped up all day inside a train or apartment. Or maybe it's my lack of freedom due to a of lack of transportation. Anchorage has landscape qualities similar to the Sierra Nevada mountains so I almost feel like it's nothing I haven't seen before. I'm just not amazed.

When I travel, I want to go someplace unfamiliar. Maybe that's why NYC inspires me so much. It has so many layers and cultures, and Alaska looks all the same: woods, mountains, suburbs. Few degrees between separation of cultures.

I almost feel guilty about having these emotions, but came to the conclusion I'm totally confused!

After wading through the confusion and guilt, I realized I'm allowed to feel however I want. What is amazing about Alaska to others may not be the same for me. However, Alaska brings me a calmness unfamiliar to me and not felt before anywhere else. Alaska has the ability to be very humbling and serene. I am: not spoiled, not selfish. Just hasn't sunk in. I may still have blinders on.

Thursday, May 19.

Wow. Was I naive. It finally sunk in. My inspiration came today as we made our way south back towards Anchorage from Fairbanks. There was a realization that Florida made me kinda dumb and numb. What I needed was to remember the power nature has and how strong my emotional connection was to it. Just because Florida's flat doesn't mean I have no depth. I needed Alaska, but I'm starting to realize I needed it in a bad bad way.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

More Photos from Denali

The First of Many...


My Never Ending Quest for Nostalgia. B&W - Antique Grayscale with Vignetting

It's strange to me there is snow on the ground here because it's the middle of May. What's ironic is all the years living in Florida there was always a false hope for snow during the winter. Then, unexpectedly there it was! Only now I'm living in Alaska. I love it! If I could change one thing... I wish I had warmer clothing! The following images were edited using Lightroom in order to give them a "fine art" quality.

Presets used are listed below each photo.