I’m dreamin’ tonight of a place I love
Even more then I usually do
And although I know it’s a long road back
I promise you
I’ll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams
I seldom get through that song without weeping, thinking of all those in uniform for their country who don’t or won’t ever be making it home. It became the most requested song at Christmas U.S.O. shows in both Europe and the Pacific during World War II, in which my father served as an Army field surgeon trying to save all those wounded.
With that background, I hope that this Christmas will be a more peaceful one for each of us. I’ll try to do my part to make my world a better place.
One smile, One hug at a time.
Hugs to you all. =)
Fine Fellow, Groom to his Bride Monica, Father of Cora & Layla, Artist, Woodworker, HR Manager, Renaissance Man.
This photo of Matt just slayed me as I chimped it right after taking it. I had just asked Matt to sit down for me to test the lighting for the family shot I was about to take. I just focused, framed, and snapped.
Wow!
I kept thinking of Matt’s new beard, that he was looking rather Vincent Van Gogh-ish. After looking at this, I’m seeing the similarities more than ever.
Thanks Matt for the quick pose, and for letting me do more than just get Layla’s 9 month photo. =)
Srobist: Vivitar 285 on a light stand through a Wescott shoot-through umbrella - about 1/4th power, triggered with Cactus V2 wireless triggers. I used my Sigma 17-70mm lens for this at f4 and 1/125th on my Pentax K10D. I had a white reflector taped to a tripod at camera left.
I took my portable studio setup out to my niece Monica’s today to take some photos of Layla. I ended up taking the whole family and Cora & Layla’s Auntie Em as well.
We had a fun session together, even though Layla was working on getting new teeth and had parent cling. =)
I learned a bunch and had a ball doing it.
My setup is just a black king-sized sheet held up with four hand clamps to two “3rd Hand” poles which are friction fit from floor to ceiling. I’ll take a photo fo the setup someday. I was using my Vivitar 285 flash, fired with a Cactus V2 wireless trigger. I mostly used 1/4 and 1/2 power. The flash was shooting into a Wescott shoot-through umbrella which I moved up and down and in and out. I also had a white reflector taped to a tripod for fill.
I love families, especially my own!
Thanks Monica & Matt and Em for the fun we had together!
I really like this portrait of Karen in our kitchen. Taken with my Russian Zenitar manual 16mm lens.
Manual as in manual focus. Hence the slightly out of focus effect (it’s a feature!) of Karen’s beautiful smile. That’s why I didn’t post it prior to now. But I’ve learned that it’s the whole of the photo which conveys meaning.
I like the soft window light on her face. I like it a bunch! Her smile is one of love and tolerance for me, her camera-in-her-face husband. She even let me put this up. I offered my bride refusal rights for this post.
I’m glad Karen let me take this photo, and put it up. That act of kindness reminds me of how much she loves me.
Out of focus or not, I love this portrait, for what it says to me.
I love you Karen Sue!
As I was heading out to my car after work, I heard the tolling of the bell in the tower of this cathedral. It reminded me that I had it on my list of buildings to capture. I’d like to get it again, at twilight when the sky is deep blue. That would be a nice contrast to it’s limestone edifrace.
The remains of last weekend’s snow are melting away. More Winter weather to come as Winter officially begins tomorrow.
We had our Christmas holiday party at work among my group. A pot-luck and pizza party, and later a quick “White Elephant” bingo gift exchange - don’t ask, it’s complicated.
Just before I took this photo, a gentlemen approached me, asking for some assistance. Since I didn’t have any food cards to give out I gave him the two dollars I had in my pocket. I hope it brings him something he needs, but I have my doubts.
Giving and receiving are hard sometimes, easy other times. I hope when I need to give, I find it easy, and when I need to recieve, I likewise find it easy.
Stay warm!
I plan on another one, so be prepared for more.
I’m fascinated by this thing.
The foggy atmosphere added to the scene.
The long exposure and the rotating landing light for the medivac helecopters added more.
The angle - well, lets just say that my tripod wasn’t handy.
I really hope I’m around when they take this thing apart. I’d love to document that engineering feat. =)
Tyler, the oldest lives in Mississippi, Russ and Conor live in Springfield.
Lots of energy in these guys. basketball, baseball & golf are their games of choice.
If you can’t tell, Tom is a big University of Illinois fan. His alma-mater.
I think this is the only photo in existance with all four of them together. Camera shy. =)
Hard to be that way around me
