FAST Cyclists!

Today I worked on a number of shots to get to my stock house in Milwaukee. So I had to post a few more cycling shots from this weekend. Sports photography is fun for me. It gives me an opportunity to PLAY with my camera, flashes and various settings and then even more magic happens when I digitally enhance the image. My friend, Tony Sweet, told us in his Smokies workshop that your success with photography will depend upon what you can do with the image AFTER it's captured. I agree wholeheartedly with his assessment.

This image, which was rather ordinary right out of the camera, came to life after a little digital manipulation. I guess learning various software programs and their updates has paid off! Who needs crossword puzzles to keep the grey matter active? I've got software programs that stretch my neurons!

When I made the image, I was close to the riders and could feel the wind blow by me as they rounded the corner. Can you feel it too?

Cycling Techniques

Wow! Did I have fun last night at the Downer Classic cycling race! Took my new Honl system out for a spin and just played with some shots I had envisioned, as the hunky, heavily muscled cyclists zoomed around the Downer Ave. neighborhood. People have lawn parties and watch the racers blur by. If they drink a little too much, they probably really see the blur! As I walked around the course I ran into about 20 people I know. So it's a fun, summer evening for visiting and taking in a great cycling event. Did I mention that it's free?

So I share with you a few images that I liked from my experimentation. I love the Nikon wireless flash system - so versatile and lightweight. While I hand held these or hand someone hold the Honl snooted flash for me, the successes came when the flash was pointed dead on a cyclist I was attempting to capture. The blur was all fast panning with a shutter speed of about 1/15th of a second.

Another cycling event is due on Downer Ave. the third Sat. evening in July. Stay tuned!

Love You Could Feel

This week I've been honored to photograph LBGT families (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) for the Gay Neighbor Campaign. It's a local campaign, sponsored by the Cream City Foundation, that fosters support and awareness of LGBT families in the greater Milwaukee area. You will see these images on billboards in the Milwaukee Metro area later this summer.

All of the families were fun to work with but I was proud as they shared why they thought is was important for them to be personally involved in this campaign. They have heartwarming stories to share about their lives and while these recent stories are not yet posted, you can read other stories at www.gayneighbor.org

One family, in particular, moved me. It is this family with a transgender member. As you might know, transgender youth suffer high rates of homelessness and abandonment by their families. Those that make it through their transitions show some of the highest levels of resilience and self-esteem. Family support is paramount in this process.

The patriarch of the family spoke little during my time with him, but when the family was asked about their reaction to Betty's announcement, her father spoke with an honest strength that "this was our child and we could only choose to show love and support for our child." When you look at this photo, I think you can actually FEEL this love for one another!

Beach Days

It was just 2 weeks ago when the temps. were 50-55 and we were groaning about how cool it was. Today the air conditioning is on and I'm thankful I've got it! Sticky weather - where even the grass I cut this morning stuck to my legs.

Bradford Beach was jumping yesterday; where a slight lake breeze made living near the lake a blessing. So if you're a high school senior, hanging out on the beach today, or a parent, inside working, here's a shot to cool you off. Just pretend that glass of water you're drinking is a Pina Colada and you're all set for the beach.

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

Found Objects

There's a number of things in my studio that I've put to use after finding them along the street, while walking the dogs. Placed out near the curb for garbage pickup, I've come across an old steamer truck that I now use. Dogs and kids have sat atop it, with its brown, rusty locks and leather straps. Who knows where that trunk has traveled in its past?

It's fun when you discover a new "treasure" because it's serendipitous and unexpected! Yesterday brought another one of those kinds of finds. As I turned the corner of Downer and Bradford, I noticed the yellow, green, and red covers that make up a stop light. I breezed by and then started thinking "what could I do with those?" In military style, I quickly wheeled the dogs around and went about inspecting them. All the stoplights were covered so I picked them up and walked them home.

This morning, I discovered that I guessed right! These stop lights fit over my 7" dish reflector that fits on my studio lights. Turning the light to modeling, I photographed the three colors and found various patterns that intrigued me. Then I took them outside to catch some natural light. These patterns are going to make some wonderful parts to digital backgrounds! This one looks like a honeycomb. So besides being great companions, my dogs help me find great useful items!

Harnessing the Wind

Last week I was home visiting my mom in western, upstate New York, in my hometown of Wayland. I had a great time with her as I limbed trees, painted an old metal shed, moved some dirt, etc. I like to work and it felt good to help her get some things done that she didn't have to hire out. In turn, she cooked for me! There's nothing better than having your mom cook for you!

When the rain came in and took us inside, we decided to drive around and deliver a home-made German coffee cake (Kuchen). This is the real deal folks! The recipe's handed down from my German side of the family. At Christmas, mom makes about 6 of these and they are gone in 2 days.

Wayland is situated in a high valley, surrounded by rolling hills that are left from the giant Wisconsin Glacier. Yes, it extended way over into New York state. This is great land for growing potatoes and many an acre is now covered in potato plants destined for the chip industry. Another new development around the area is a large wind tower farm, with towers located on some high hills outside of town. I counted 42 towers from a spot where we sat!

A storm had come through the area and heavy, grey clouds were almost touching the tips of these 200 foot towers. This image, car door supported multi-exposure, shows the towers spinning and the lay of land atop one of the area's hills. The landscape here soothes my soul, even on a cloudy day!

Doggy Opera

Every once in a while you come across a dog that's got a special talent. Today was that day! It was the day I got to photograph Holly and her vocally gifted Rudy, a mixed breed Terrier. Holly, a talented musician, told me that Rudy likes to sing when she plays certain songs and I chuckled while envisioning this phenomenon. However, thinking about it and experiencing it are two different things.

As part of my Dogs and Their Women project, I arrived at Holly's with this image in mind. At first, Rudy preferred to play with his stuffed toy or me. Belting out a tune was far from his mind. But we knew patience was the posture to assume when working with animal talent! Then Holly and her musical partner, Jim, on the guitar, (my banjo teacher) struck up a particularly joyful song and Rudy went over to a new spot on the floor and starting belting out the chorus! Aaarrroooo! Aaroroooo!

Thrusting his head back and belting out a howl that wolves would have picked up in a heartbeat, Rudy's primordial genetic material kicked in and you could almost say he was in a little trance, as his body softened and his movements slowed.

Rudy's lucky that he's got nice music to listen and sing to. When I practice my banjo, my Coonhound leaves the room! Perhaps with a little more practice I can get my Coonhound to howl. Watch out Rudy, you'll have competition then!

Everyone Wants Mom's Attention

I'm having so much fun with my Dogs & Their Women project! This past weekend I wandered out to West Allis to spend some time with Jenelle, her 2.5 yr old daughter Alyson and Lily (Great Dane) and Kross (Doberman). Everyone was easy to be with! Little Alyson brought out her own dog, Fido, and as we talked, Lily stretched her body out and over Jenelle's legs. So easy for a Great Dane to do!

Well Kross had to wiggle in there and get his own bit of attention as well - see him closest to Jenelle? This image reminded me of the quote often seen about dogs being children that never grow up. Just like kids, they love attention, especially when there's company around!

I love this image because I think it describes an everyday scene of mothers who have young children and a dog or two. You can feel the warmth and love that Jenelle showers on those she loves! It's an image that will work wonderfully in my book about Dogs & Their Women.

Batter Up!

What can be more fun that watching a Little League game on a warm, summer night? Photographing one!

Little League baseball had it's official "opening" last Friday night, when the thermometer actually hit 80 degrees! What a joy to sit outside in shorts and a short sleeved shirt to photograph my 3 young neighbors who all play on the same team - the Pirates! It was great fun to follow them through the camera lens and record them throwing, running and batting. They are growing up quickly!

There was one particular rule at this level of Little League that I thought was interesting. If the ball was in the infield, you could raise your hand up (if you had the ball) and that meant 'time out.' Every movement stopped to allow the kids to process what had happened and think through to the next batter and what might happen - i.e. where to throw the ball to get an out.

"WOW," I thought, "wouldn't it be great if in real life you could throw your hand into the air for a little 'time out' to get your bearings and go on with your life?" "Stop everybody! I've got the ball and my hand is up in the air! STOP!" Just then, this young, talented boy stepped up to the plate and swung his bat like a pro. He snapped me back into reality as I made this shot.

It was fun to be a kid again, if only vicariously.

Let's Have A Look At That Cavity, Shall We?

My dentist and his staff are fun! Steve Carini, DDS has been my dentist for 25 years and in all the time I've been his patient, I'd never thought about creating an image like this until I got my 10.5mm Fish Eye lens. Well, today was the day and I even remembered to take my camera gear with me!

It was time to fill a cavity or two, but first I asked Steve and Karen to don the gloves, mask and micro glasses for me to have fun and make an image of them. They were all over it! They started giggling at the thought of how this was going to come out and enjoyed the opportunity to have a little fun in the office. Who else would think that getting a cavity filled was fun?? For me, it was!

Technical stuff: 10.5 mm lens with (2) SB-800's Metered for ambient exposure and added +2/3 stop on remote and -2/3 stop on master flash pointed at Steve. It's not perfect but it was fun way to enjoy having a cavity filled!

Urban Wildlife

A month ago, while I was walking my dogs towards Lake Park, I noticed a healthy fox coming down the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street, barking warning barks at me. Little barks, like when your dog wants to go outside. My dogs held steady, curious as to what kind of "dog" this was with a bushy tail. It crossed the street and walked along the opposite side with us, as we moved closer to the park. Then it found a rather nice viewpoint on a corner lot with a raised front yard, about 4 feet higher than the sidewalk. I figured it was protecting a liter of pups so the search was on to find out where their den was. I wanted to photograph them.

Deb, our postal carrier had all the info. Six kits and the address of where they were denning up. Today she updated me as to their whereabouts and I headed over with a 300mm f2.8 lens. One parent and one kit were in the front yard playing when I drove up. I used the car as a blind and made just a few shots when mom barked a little "yip' and into the den they ran.

This kit looks real healthy so now I know why I'm seeing less rabbits this spring!

Palette of Poppies

This past weekend I attended a graduation party of one of the high school seniors I photographed and while I was on the way, I stopped at the Chicago Botanical Gardens. I'm embarrassed to say that I had never been there before (PLEASE don't spread that around!).

Well, I now have some dates plugged into next year's schedule to get down there for the 7:00 a.m. opening because it's a place that's NOT TO BE MISSED. (There, I yelled at myself for not going there sooner!)

While it was a cool, windy day, the gardens were alive with all kinds of color, but the poppies took the show. They were in full bloom and everyone was standing around enjoying this palette of color. Cameras were clicking with parents photographing their kids and admirers trying to capture the beauty of the color, so I had to add my two cents.

Since is was 1:00 p.m. and bright daylight, I decided to make a multiple exposure to blend all that color together. Some experimentation with a few exposures and I started to feel the emotion behind the process. Then I got the high sign from my fellow party goers that it was time to hit the road.

It felt great to try something I don't usually do, just for the heck of it. A little "what if" is always good for any photo shoot because it teaches me to take chances, experiment, fail and then eventually succeed.

Walking the Dogs

First, a huge Thank You to all the military folks that think of others before themselves! I missed saying that yesterday, but it includes one nephew that is just starting his tour in Afghanistan and another nephew who served two tours in Iraq.


Saturday found me traveling out to a home with 3 dogs and a one year old. Lisa, besides her husband Chris and son, Tucker, has 2 Pit Bulls and 1 Rottweiler - all rescue dogs - living with her. It was a hospitable bunch, or should I say, pack, of dogs that greeted me and gave me some fun images. They all have their own personalities and jobs in the family.

Weather was warm and humid but they got them all ready for a walk. Now walking 3 dogs can be tricky - that's why I stopped at 2. But Lisa & Chris got them all hooked up and Tucker was "tucked" into his stroller and off we went. Spanky, the alpha dog, was sporting his pulling harness and he towed Bulldozer, who suffers from some arthritis. Bulldozer absolutely LOVES to sit in his red wagon and be pulled, and Spanky loves to provide the muscle. Bulldozer kind of looked like Cleopatra and her servants! Bear, he just strutted his stuff with the rest of them. Pretty cool - you only needed to hold 2 leashes instead of 3!

After we got back, Chris pulls out his skateboard and Spanky gets a little more exercise giving Chris a ride. Go Spanky, Go!

For the Love of a Dog!

It's official now! The Dogs & Their Women project has begun. I meet with Sarah today and her three dogs, Harry Monster, Ralphie and Mac Daddy. Three different personalities, ages and breeds. We talked over what we're going to do when we get together for the "shoot" and I got to see them all "in action." One of the things Sarah likes to do with the dogs is dress them up. I've always thought that to be a little "undog-like" but then, I have breeds that were meant to hunt.

When I saw Sarah's dogs go crazy when she brought out the outfits, I had to suppress my laughter so I could photograph them all getting excited to play "dress up!" My point of view has changed now!

Real life images is what I'm after with this project. No suggestive posing; just Sarah and the dogs doing their thing. At one point, I caught this action of a tender moment. Harry Monster LOVES to ride in his pouch. See what I'm missing with dogs that like birds and rabbits? It lends a new definition for when I say to my dogs, "Wanna go for a ride?"

This project is going to be amazingly FUN to do!

Jorge

I haven't seen my "across the street" neighbor in quite some time. We both work out of the home so we're usually coming and going. When I saw her this morning, I ran out to have a chat. In her backyard was her 21 month old son, George, who's called Jorge by his nanny. There he was, perched inside the cab of a metal, push-peddle, fire truck. With the sun hitting him just right, I said to Crystal, his mom, I'll be right back with my camera!

Come on - is he not a cute, little guy?? I loved the back light sun in his hair - resembles a halo, but I'm not sure mom would agree with that. The pink lips, blue eyes and that precious, young skin make him a complete package! I first photographed him for his baby announcement, all wrapped in a big, apple green ribbon. Now he's trying to figure out who I am!

We're in the Finals. . .

Just a few minutes ago, the phone rang and my photography friend, Janet (www.janetfulcherphotography.com) was on the other end. She and her production assistant were on speaker phone. That usually means that they have a question for me and we all put our heads together to answer it.

Today was a different scenario. They told me that my "Oh My Gosh" image of Piper, my 8 year old neighbor, was picked as a WINNER for Round 2 of my lab's (www.millerslab.com) Baby and Child Portrait Contest. Now it's onto the Finals, which will be in a couple of months. I hadn't gone online to check so it came as a surprise!

So here she is, dressed up as Pippi Longstocking. She loves these books and it was a no-brainer to have her dress up and play the part. Nice job, Piper! You made a great Pippi, Piper!

Custom Photography

While in Alaska this past winter, I wandered over to a property that has not been occupied since the 1970's and photographed some old vehicles, gas cans, a bucking saw and an old refrigerator. Most of the above mentioned items have been infiltrated by rust. Now rust can be a fun thing to make images from because of it's texture, shape and color. Each rust spot communicates a different story. There's bluish rust, green/gold rust and the old common variety - rusty rust. As long as it doesn't show up on YOUR car, rust is fun!

Such it was with this image. The "custom" was found on the lower, right, front of an old Marquette refrigerator. I didn't see it at first, and then, while waiting for a long exposure on another shot, low to the ground, I saw it. Is it not custom, in and of itself, that the word is missing a "U"? Or "U" are the custom in customer?

I paused to think about my work and how it's all custom and here it was screaming at me in the colors of fire. It reminded me that I 'burn up' with a passion for what I do while others 'burn out.' It is why I never photograph any high school senior from the same school in the same location. They're too unique to not have their own place to be photographed! Same thing with families, children or canines. Each family, dog or child is distinctive in their own regard and deserves a special place that brings out something in them that can be translated or communicated in the photograph.

The custom books I create for my clients are also one of a kind heirlooms that can be picked up years from now and enjoyed. How about the Signature prints or the care to plan and execute a fun experience on location or in the studio? All of that went through my head just because I spied some rust. If I can get that excited about rust, imagine what we can create together!

Mad Hot Ballroom!

Since the hit movie, Mad Hot Ballroom, the Danceworks company of Milwaukee has been going into schools and teaching school kids how to do all kinds of dance. Tap, ballroom, swing, Latin, etc. Today was the day to show their stuff in front of Milwaukee! The Bradley Center, home to our pro, indoor, athletic teams, was the venue. No small little church stage for these kids - it was "big time!" Throw in live filming, seeing your image up on the jumbotron and an MC with a British accent, and you couldn't get much more fun, excitement and pumped up nerves all in one place! What a great lead up to Mother's Day - especially if you were a mom!

First the elimination rounds and then the finals for the best dance teams. This was serious stuff folks! The looks on their faces, as well as their coaches, was all about giving their best. As I photographed them with my 300mm 2.8 lens, I could see their concentration as well as the look of accomplishment when the judge put a medal around their neck. I'll go back next year and stay longer but it certainly was a day when everyone was a winner. Even those of us sitting in the audience!

The Season of Color

Yesterday I started carrying my camera while walking the dogs. It's a new exercise program I'm embarking on - visual exercise, that is! An easy thing for a photographer to do, you think, but there's a point in the walk where juggling 2 dog leads and doggy 'deposits' can get to be a balancing act. Throw a camera into the mix and you can see where patience would have to enter the equation. This new exercise is intended to simply 'stretch' my perceptions and not worry about the results.

While walking, my eyes have noticed all the colors that are springing up now! Besides the greener grass, there are azaleas, phlox, tulips, daffodils and even the nemesis of lawns, dandelions, are throwing color into my visual field. I've noticed a different kind of shovel in people's hands and the noise of the snow blower has been replaced with the sound of the 2-stroke lawn mower engine. There's another sound I've noticed over the last month - the voices of my young neighbors playing outside. That alone is a sound that makes me smile and remember all the fun I enjoyed outdoors as a child.

Enjoy this image of a Stoln Infera (Phlox). I learned this botanical name from Holly, a fellow workshop attendee in the Smokies. This phlox was about 4" high so definitely was in the "belly shot" category. It also was one of my first experiences with focusing on different parts of the plant and then combining them in software to make for a completely, in-focus image. Enjoy the color!

Two Springs

Today I made time to get dirty! Before your mind wanders, think earth dirt. It was time to clean up the debris of last summer's bloom of flowers and old, dried stalks from the Purple Aster, Sedum and Big Blue Stem grasses. While I was shoving last years dendritis into bags that I hauled to the street, I looked at the minty, green buds on the trees against a clear, blue sky. "Just like last week in the Smokies!," I thought. Only 10 days later.

So it is the season of "two springs" for me. One in the Smokies and now the Wisconsin version. "Any difference?" you ask. You bet - can you say "Lake Breeze?" As in the form of a cold air blowing off of the freezer called Lake Michigan! Don't feel bad for us close to the Lake, however. The sun was warm enough for shorts!

In the spirit of Spring, I share with you an image of day's first light as it hits that fresh green of tree buds, erupting to make chlorophyl. In the background, imagine robins, meadowlarks and other birds singing the boundaries of their respective territories and generally greeting another fine day. This image is best viewed on a rainy day!

Multiple Exposures

I just finished Tony Sweet and Susan Middleton's workshop in the Great Smoky Mts. workshop. Spring is definitely here with minty green as far as the eye can see and wildflowers popping up. We rose early, before dawn to get the best light and after time, mid-day, in the classroom, we set out again for the sunset. We were blessed with good weather and this morning was stupendous watching ground fog lift out of a valley with the mountains peeking out from below. More about that in another blog. . .

My goals here were to learns some new things and have fun. I'm happy to report that mission was accomplished! Due to making portraits most of the time and living in the city, I found my nature eye "rusty" and it needs some more exercise. However, there were successes, one of them being multi-exposures in camera. When I first saw multis that Tony showed me last year, I didn't really relate to them. This year it was something different and I think it was the difference between a boat harbor and a nature scene.

Here's an image of 10 exposures, blended in the camera, of the spring trees with some setting sun hitting the tops of the trees. Tony likes to say that you can make lots of these and not all of them turn out. However, when you get a good one, you know it and feel it. And so it is with this image. Suggestions for titles are welcomed!

A View of Spring

Today is Sunday, but yesterday I found myself in church; a few churches, actually. I'm now voluntarily sequestered in the Great Smoky Mts. National Park for a photographic workshop with Tony Sweet, a great photographer and human being that knows this park like the back of his . . . Nikon D3 (fooled you!)

I had some time to explore yesterday and my first stop was in the Primitive Baptist Church. Primitive was the right word as the pew benches were a simple construction of pine boards and nails and definitely had that worn look about them. Out one of the windows was a view of spring erupting over the old, church cemetery. The church was built is 1887 and it closed during the Civil War because a few Cades Cove residents sided with the Confederates when most of the locals at the time sided with the Union soldiers. Even God has to take a rest when there's war!

Galaxy Flyer

The bikes have hit the road and today's thermometer is going to read close to 80 in Milwaukee. Can you say "Bike Ride!" Whether you own a Harley or a rusty old Galaxy Flyer, today is the day to get out and explore that "galaxy" we've not seen since October - green grass and blue skies.

If you're like me, you might fondly recall the first freedom from your parents when you could ride off on your bicycle. There were boundaries I had to stay within, of course, but in my small town in upstate New York, that meant I had about 2-3 miles in any direction. Village boundaries were the limit and the expanse in between was my 'hood.'

After it had rained, we'd ride through mud puddles, as fast as we could, while holding up our legs so we wouldn't get wet. We'd ride with baseball gloves threaded over the handle bars and give each other rides on a long banana seats and handlebars. Once dad showed us how to pump up the tires and change a flat, we were off for what seemed like hours. I'm sure Mom loved it!

There was a gaggle of kids in my neighborhood that would ride 3 miles, one way, to the Park program held during the summer. We owned the roads in town and it felt like our own personal parade as we all road abreast, taking up the entire width of the road. We built bumps to fly over, stood up on the seats and handle bars while riding and even turned our bodies around, while sitting backwards on the handlebars, and peddled. No one ever got hurt beyond a little road rash, and if you haven't experience road rash, you haven't really rode a bike! It was the way we learned to be athletic, coordinated and in touch with our kinesthetic abilities of balance and shifting body positions. I was blessed to grow up at the time I did. One bike, so much freedom!

Go explore your "galaxy" today!

First Holy Communion

Spring is here! The weather is teasing us, the tulips and crocuses are popping up, and First Holy Communions are just around the corner. Every year I enjoy creating images of this special event and am reminded of the photographs my father made of my First Holy Communion.

It was a leggy, spindly child, all spiffed up in a white dress, shoes and gloves, standing next to the portly Monsignor Schneider with his signatory peaked hat, for the typical photo to celebrate the day. My father, with his Kodak rangefinder slung over his shoulder, always shot Kodak slide film, and today, those images still look good! And that was 44 years ago.

When I look back on my family's photos, I realize the impact and importance that the images I make today will have on family's for generations to come! Families will enjoy seeing this young boy, who will someday be someone's uncle or father and they will say things like, "He still has that same look," or they'll remark, "Little Matt looks so much like his father did at that age!"

This brings me back to a favorite quote I have near my desk: "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." William James

Simply Elegant

Today found me sharing part of my day with 2 lovely daschunds, Lisle and Hilde, and their owner. They were well behaved and responded to some gentle coaxing and sweet talk. When I came home and downloaded the images, this image seemed to stick out. I simply had to take the time and work with it.

The fainting sofa just added to their elegance. It's a funny thing when you view this image because this breed was bred for their ability to go into tunnels and rout out rodents and other small varmits. Such an elegant breed doing the "dirty business" around the castle!

Rest up girls, enjoy the sun. When you're ready, there's some rodents to rustle up!

"Dogs" Update

It's been a busy week here! Everyone taking care of things before Easter. Good news! My photography project, Dogs and Their Women, is beginning to take off like a wildfire with a Santa Ana winds blowing behind it! Over the last two days I've had 7 emails of women who are either volunteering for the project or know of someone who might be interested. This is exciting!

I've heard from a "Yoga" dog, a police dog, mistreated rescue dogs, and pure bred dogs. Women are starting to answer the questions I've posed for them and soon I'll be scheduling sessions that are sure to be exciting and exhilarating. This weekend I'll be photographing at Central Bark - Oak Creek and passing out my flyers, so I anticipate more inquiries.

Now I need to include an older woman, a child or teenager and people that have a unique story to tell about their relationship with their dog. Spread the word - woof, woof!

Here's a shot of my Ellie, the elegant coonhound, taking a snooze in a sunbeam. She loves to lie in the sun and will move from room to room to find the sun. Smart dog!

Mail Day in McCarthy, AK

Imagine that you live 60 miles from the nearest paved road in a vast wilderness of 13.2 million acres. Your only power comes from solar panels or propane, usually in the form of a generator. On a good, summer day, it takes about 2.5 hours to drive that 60 miles and in the winter, it's not unusual to get to 50 below zero. If it's a Wednesday or a Friday, it's Mail Day!

In Alaska, planes are like cars. They are a dominate form of transportation to remote areas and are often the "lifeline" to a community. McCarthy and Kennecott are two small communities of about 40 year-round people that reside in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. They are served by Copper Valley Air Service on mail days.

A small shed is the post office, where volunteers unload the plane and sort the mail into everyone's slots. Folks stand around catching up with one another about weather, trapping success, good books read lately, etc. The mail shed's not heated so if you're dressed for snow machining, you're dressed for mail day! After the mails sorted, they grab their mail, and maybe a "neighbor's," and take off for home on their snow machine or cross-country skis. But if you're a winter visitor, like me, it's plan to have someone meet you that has a sled on the back of their snow machine so they can haul your gear to your cabin!

I flew both ways on this plane and loved seeing scenery I had come to appreciate only in Spring, Summer and Fall. When you experience such a vast place like Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, and take in such extreme beauty, words like awe, wonderment and humble are so tiny to try to describe snow covered mountains, river & glaciers that repeat in an unending fashion.

It was in 1999 that I met retired National Geographic Photographer, George Mobley, at his part-time residence in WSENP&P. After chit-chatting for a while, I asked him, "George, you've been all over the world on assignments and seen some of the most beautiful places in the world. What made you decide to live part of the year here in Wrangell-St. Elias?" His eyes spoke to me before his words. "Because it IS the most beautiful place in the world." No further questions, your honor.

I'm grateful for my experiences and the friendships I've made in the our nation's LARGEST and least visited national park in our system. For more information about this park, visit: www.nps.gov/wrst/

Ready for Snow

Tonight just might be the last night we see any measurable snow before Spring sets in. I've already spotted Robins in mid-March and now see Teardrops, Tulips and some little Crocuses sprouting up out of the warming soil. Tonight's forecast is merely a distraction from the "big picture," and just a little communication that we're really not in charge.

I was working on some images today, as well as ripping down an old, back porch (did you only think I was good with a camera? It's amazing what you can accomplish with a crowbar!).

This image probably best describes what's playing out in nature these days. Sam's ready for winter, with his "all boy," winter hat on, and yet one could argue that he's ready to hit the beach with his bare shoulder showing. That sums up the attitude of about 99% of anyone that lives above the 40th parallel! So when I walk the dogs in the morning, I may need that hat, gloves and down coat, but soon, very soon, they'll get washed, put away and replaced with shorts and a T-shirt. (If you're a dog, you have it easy when it comes to choosing a wardrobe!)

Just bat your baby blues, like Sam, and repeat, "Spring's right around the corner. Spring's right around . . . "

Double Vision

If you're like me, you probably have more than one pair of glasses lying around the house, in the car, at work, in your purse, etc. I have glasses for reading the paper, for reading in bed, for working on the computer, the ones I swear for when I can't find them, . . . you get the idea. I've also been know to take my computer glasses with me on a trip, but leave the reading glasses at home. Hence, my exotic collection of frames and strengths I've collected from places around the globe.

While recently at the cabin, in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, I'd been working on my images one, sunny, morning when the outside air temp was minus something. When it hit zero, it was time to go out and chase the light! I scurried around getting my gear together and when I finished getting all buttoned up for the cold, I went over to the table to get something I needed, and stopped suddenly in my tracks. WOW! The light was right there in my cabin! No need to go outside!

You got it - I stripped off my down jacket and made a few hand held images of my reading glasses lying in repose in the sun. It wasn't enough for me that the light made the eye glass shadow larger. No. It was the deep shadow in the upper, left corner and the slight one in the lower right, that polished this image off for me. It gave me the feeling that I was in Henry David Thoreau's cabin and he had just put his pen and glasses down after finishing some writing; - "If one advances in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet success in uncommon hours." It's just one of his quotes that has stayed with me since high school and continues to guides me.

What a way to start one's photographic day!

She's Rounding Third Base. . .

Dateline Minneapolis:

Yes, I'm almost home! When our nearly full 747 lifted off from Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage at 8:00 p.m. Alaska time, there was cheering and applause for Northwest Airlines. They chartered this hulk of a plane with a flight attendant crew that flew up to AK and back to MN in the same day. Way to go guys and dolls! We arrived @ 4:00 a.m. and I now sit waiting for the 7:00 a.m. flight.

Good things do come to those of us that are patient and this flight was a prime example of "going with the flow" the last few days. My flight was due to leave at 7:30 so I arrived at the airport at 5:30 and stood in line while not 1, but 2 ticketing agents closed down their stations just as I was the next person in line. I get all the luck, right? Fear not, readers! When I walked on the plane @ 7:15 and started to head to row 28G, the flight attendant said to me, "Find an open seat. It's OPEN SEATING."

As I had looked at the seating arrangements of this aircraft online while spending my days in Anchorage, I headed right to Business Class. Snow boots, fleece and all! Sure enough, there was one seat left and it was right behind my Anchorage friend that was heading to Washington for a conference. We had lunch 2 days previously and I had told her about the 747 that they were bringing in for us. As her flight had also been cancelled, she pulled out her iPhone and immediately got booked on my flight. Then we ordered lunch. Priorities DO prevail, you know!

So "patient Peggy" got a full meal on the plane (I ate it ALL!,) a seat that practically became a Sleep Number bed, and a personal Video monitor to watch movies. Yeah, I tried to sleep on that comfortable seat but I just never got there. I think it was the chocolate I ate! The first chocolate I'd had in 3 days! Kurt, my seat mate, told me that he'd been hanging out in Anchorage for 4 days. A fellow Milwaukeean had gone to Alaska for her college Spring Break and got stuck there. And there's a whole gaggle of U.S. downhill and nordic skiers who have just completed their U.S. Championships hanging out in Anchorage.

Just for laughs, I just pulled up the Alaska Volcano Observatory website and Mt. Redoubt has been spewing small amounts of ash up to 25,000 ft through the night and it's slowly drifting towards Anchorage. You guessed it, it started just before we took off!

I LOVE adventures! Here's the OTHER plane I flew into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.

Dateline Minneapolis:

Yes, I'm almost home! When our nearly full 747 lifted off from Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage at 8:00 p.m. Alaska time, there was cheering and applause for Northwest Airlines. They chartered this hulk of a plane with a flight attendant crew that flew up to AK and back to MN in the same day. Way to go guys and dolls! We arrived @ 4:00 a.m. and I now sit waiting for the 7:00 a.m. flight.

Good things do come to those of us that are patient and this flight was a prime example of "going with the flow" the last few days. My flight was due to leave at 7:30 so I arrived at the airport at 5:30 and stood in line while not 1 but 2 ticketing agents closed down their stations just as I was the next person in line. I get all the luck, right? Fear not, readers! When I walked on the plane @ 7:15 and started to head to row 28G, the flight attendant said to me, "Find an open seat. It's OPEN SEATING."

As I had looked at the seating arrangements of this aircraft online while spending my days in Anchorage, I headed right to Business Class. Snow boots, fleece and all! Sure enough, there was one seat left and it was right behind my Anchorage friend that was heading to Washington for a conference. We had lunch 2 days previously and I had told her about the 747 that they were bringing in for us. As her flight had also been cancelled, she pulled out her iPhone and immediately got booked on my flight. Then we ordered lunch. Priorities DO prevail, you know!

So "patient Peggy" got a full meal on the plane (I ate it ALL!,) a seat that practically became a Sleep Number bed, and a personal Video monitor to watch movies. Yeah, I tried to sleep on that comfortable seat but I just never got there. I think it was the chocolate I ate! The first chocolate I'd had in 3 days! Kurt, my seat mate, told me that he'd been hanging out in Anchorage for 4 days. A fellow Milwaukeean had gone to Alaska for her college Spring Break and got stuck there. And there's a whole gaggle of U.S. downhill and nordic skiers who have just completed their U.S. Championships hanging out in Anchorage.

Just for laughs, I just pulled up the Alaska Volcano Observatory website and Mt. Redoubt has been spewing small amounts of ash up to 25,000 ft through the night and it's slowly drifting towards Anchorage. You guessed it, it started just before we took off!

I LOVE adventures!

View of Cook Inlet

So if you're stuck somewhere and can't fly home because a volcano erupts and spews ash over the city you're trying to leave, there's only one thing to do - go outside with your camera and make hay!

We had 28 hours of a "grace" period from Mt. Redoubt where she was quiet and calm. The maintenance crews at the airport mixed snow into the ash and plowed it all off the runway yesterday. Then last night @ 11:14 there was a "burp" from Redoubt that didn't produce any ash; just steam. But today, after I came in from photographing this scene, where on a clear day you could actually see Mt. Redoubt, she blew again. I keep repeating to myself, "flow with it, flow with it, flow . . ."

I'm now awaiting my inbound aircraft and I will be tucked in by 7:30 p.m. Who cares that I'll be sleeping on the floor of the Minneapolis airport at 2:00 a.m. when my flight hits their tarmac. When all goes according to plan, I'll be on the 7:00 a.m. flight to Milwaukee. There I'll be, all dressed in my outdoor gear and boots sitting amongst the "suits" heading off for a day of business. Won't I look pretty! It's funny because if I wore my deer hunting orange down coat along with the outfit described above, nobody in Alaska would even blink. I LOVE this place! I just want to get home, however.

So enjoy the peace that this photo brings you. It was really blowing very cold air while I was out there making it but I was grateful for the sunny scene against some blue sky with clouds.

Temporary Residence in Alaska

By now I should be home in Milwaukee after a winter photography trip to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska. However, Mother Nature has other plans for me and that might include temporary residency in Alaska. Not that I would mind that, as I love the landscape and the people of this state, but I'm a guest at a friend's home and waiting for Mt. Redoubt to settle down enough so that the planes can fly again.

Yes, Mt. Redoubt's an active volcano that's been threatening to erupt for weeks and on the 23rd of March, she did. It didn't bother me then, I was in our cabin in WSENP&P photographing the beautiful scenery and the ash was making it's way north of the eruption. But now that I'm 2 flights back into Anchorage, the ash fell our way last night and the airport's "closed indefinitely."

The ash started falling about 6:00 p.m. last night and the TV reporters had dust masks and goggles on when doing their "live" reports outside. It's not as bad as the eruptions of 1989-90 but let's just say that there's a whole bunch of people that are stuck here as well as points south, trying to get here. Kind of like a big, ole' Midwestern snowstorm that cripples air traffic for a few days. You in the midwest know exactly what I'm talking about.

The big difference between snow and ash is that ash can destroy anything mechanical or electronic. There's images of the check-in kiosks at the airport covered with big, black, plastic bags to keep ash out of the electronics. Sled dogs can't be kept outside and all those active Alaskans, who have spent their winter cooped up, can't get out to play right now.

So it's time for me to work on an article about what's it like to experience beautiful, Alaskan winter scenery and then a volcanic eruption. The volcanologists say this eruption/ash fall phase could go on for weeks or months. Let's just hope my article is a "short story" and not a non-fiction book!

High Key "Dude"

Last week was a week for children's portraits in the studio! Four children with various personalities that put me through my paces. Meaning only that mom's and I work to keep things moving and everyone happy.

This little guy's been coming to the studio since he was 2 months old and each time he shows up, I know it's going to be a session with lots of expressions and antics. We had decided to use the white seamless background this time and throw in the color with his clothes. However, before we could get his top on, he started exploring on his own and that's what this image is all about.

I really like the white - on - white or high key look! Whether it's color or B&W (everyone has their favorite you know), it's just a clean look and the child's features can tell the story of their little spirit. It doesn't work for every child or situation but when it does, it's heaven to behold!

My next blog will be from Anchorage, AK and then it'll be off the grid for me! It's kind of like a an "electronic eclipse" where I'll be on the "dark side" of the moon - like the Apollo moon shots. No communication until I'm back on the "sun side." I'm not expecting any withdrawal symptoms from the disconnect!

Ta, Ta.

Fall in the Wrangells

Just 3 more days and I'll be stepping back into a Winter Wonderland called Wrangell - St. Elias National Park in Alaska! I'm heading up for some winter photography. Crazy - yeah maybe. It's 7 degrees there this morning. But there's usually a reason for doing what we do. Mine is that I've been photographing in this area for 10 years and have never slipped a snow shoe on to do it. It's time to experience the late winter up there.

My food's already up there, as I'll be flying "in" on the single engine Cessna mail plane. In McCarthy/Kennicott, they receive mail twice a week so all the happy people standing around to meet the plane probably aren't there to greet me!

Then it's a snow machine (In AK, they're called machines because they use them to check trap lines and work, not generally for fun) ride to the cabin and some time spent stoking the wood stove. The food, you ask, it's all backpacking food because I shipped it up ahead of time.

Company? My year round neighbors live 200 yards away and I'll be dropping in on some dear friends. There's a planned sled dog ride out to the Nizina River and that's something I'm really looking forward to!

My feet and legs will be getting a workout as I'll be walking or snowshoeing to my photographic destinations. I plan on pulling a small, plastic sled with my gear, along in the snow behind me. Easy on the back that way!

Digital and film - I have access to solar power but if it fails, I'm covered with medium format film. For fun, I've got movies downloaded onto my laptop. If there's no power, there's always a book!

This image is the Gilihana Bridge along the McCarthy Road. It's a 60 mile dirt road that takes you into the heart of the Park. It'll sure look different at this time of the year and from the air!

Dogs and Their Women Project

Today I'm announcing the start of a new photographic project that's been "talking to me" for quite some time. That being the nature of the relationships that exist between women and their canine companions. Come one guys, you know what I mean here! Do you share your couch or bed with a dog? Wink, wink!

To help me round out this project and make it as diverse as possible, I'm looking for "Dogs and Their Women" who can be photographed in the Southeastern Wisconsin area (within 40 - 50 miles one way), to volunteer to be photographed over the next year or two. Specifically, I'm looking for a diversity of dogs and women. Mixed and pure breeds, small to large dogs, and women of color and non-white ethnicities will help to round out these portraits. Dogs that hunt in the field, love trucks, do tricks, are companions to the elderly, lie around on couches and beds, dog park dogs, etc.

All volunteers will receive a signed 8 x 10 print and an opportunity to see your portrait in a gallery show, as well as in coffee table book that will be available for purchase. I'll be donating a portion of the proceeds to the Wisconsin Humane Society, where my two dogs were adopted from. If you live in upstate N.Y., Alaska or northeastern Florida, you are also encouraged to contact me as I visit those areas on a regular basis.

To volunteer or receive more information, please email me at: pmorsch@att.net or call: 414.550.5340

Three's a Charm!

Nothing like a little "clean sweep" of one's office to discover some grand old photos! I was cleaning out some old CD's and found this one with scanned images of a camping trip I made with my sister and nephews when they were much younger. To give you an idea of how long I've been photographing, these guys are now bumping up against 30. Time flies whether you're having fun or not!

We had headed out to Warren Dunes to camp along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. It was August, the sun was warm and the beautiful glow of early evening made for a great time to hike around the dunes. The dog is my first - Murphy, who helped me train for marathons. (That too was a while back!)

I think this image is representative of the kind of images I like to make of children from about 6 and up. That being - Kids being kids. They are at a stage in life where they are becoming, exploring, challenging, curious, soaking info. up like a sponge and learning to "kid around."

Their personalities are clearly evident when I view the image. One is an ex-Navy SEAL, one an aeronautical engineer and the other is in marketing. See if you can guess which one is which? In the meantime, enjoy their spirits that say, "life is good."

Liquid Gold meets Situational Awareness

This morning I laid my Vitamin D3 and Fish Oil down on the countertop and readied my breakfast. Quite a typical routine, nothing unusual. But then I noticed the light on the gel caps . . . S.T.O.P (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan) Yes, I did eat my breakfast but then got out my 200mm macro lens with a 3T dipoter & tripod and went to work.

It is just amazing to me how many different ways you can photograph something! I spent 45" with my vitamins! Now THAT's bonding! Actually, these little "critters" have been a lifeline to me. They've boosted my immune system, done away with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD - what an appropriate acronym!) and keeping my natural killer cells hopping.

OK - so now you know I've gone over the edge when I stop to photograph vitamin gel caps. Actually, it was the light that "made me do it." After reading "The Survivor's Club," I recalled the term "situational awareness." i.e. being aware, at all times, of what you're taking in through your senses. Think of a birder and their auditory awareness as an example.

I think that we photographers have great visual "situational awareness." By this I mean that we "make" images whether we have a camera in hand or not. In fact, I think one of the reasons I like to drive is because I see images wherever I go! (My dogs like it too!)

So I'm sure there's other photographers, birders, security people, etc out there that would chime in with their S.A. (situational awareness) stories. Let's hear them . . .

Let It Snow

I just received a photo of a fellow photographer in Maryland, standing outside in the snow, with a snow shovel in hand. He asked if anyone else was dealing with "this." What good timing!

I had just made an image of the fluffy, lake effect snow that just keeps coming today. After I shoveled 12" to get ready for my client to arrive, I made this image to catch the "humor" of the moment. Today's snow is beautiful and the sun keeps popping in and out of the clouds. However, I realize that not everyone likes it. Pretty soon I start hearing my neighbors say, "When are you going to take that flag down?"

Now it's time for the 2nd snow shoveling shift!

"Oh My Gosh!"

Today was the start of my professional photo lab's annual Children's Portrait Contest and with the help of an enthusiastic neighbor and mom, we had fun making some images that really capture a stage in her life. Piper LOVES Pippi Longstocking books! The day we planned the creative session, Piper brought me 2 "Pippi" books and with one look at the cover of the books, I had my idea.

Kate, her mom, did a great job with her hair and makeup and the rest was ALL Piper! From one expression to the next, she had us all laughing. "Can I see it?," she'd ask. I'd show it to her in the back of the camera and then we'd try another idea.

She did so well with following my directions and I'm sure she and her mom are going to love this image! These moments don't last for very long but when it's time to look back, this image will bring LOTS of smiles. Real life; real kids!

Now I have to ask to borrow the book!