Photo:Engage

“ A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know. ”  - Diane Arbus     I didn't see it when I composed and captured this image that beautiful morning on the sands of Rehoboth Beach. And I wasn't certain I would process it in monochrome, although I had a suspicion it would work well that way, what with all the contrast.     But what I didn't see was how the pylons of the jetty would glisten in the rising sunlight revealing several little beings robotically clapping in unison at the coming of the light. I saw it clear as day, although not a single other person seemed to. I'm not sure the witticism in my title for the photograph helped either. Either way, I suppose it is now a private joke, one I'm sharing with you.     As for the quote from my old Roman favorite, it's of a different though related note. Even if something gathers no acclaim, it doesn't lessen its intrinsic value. It is beautiful all the same. Re...

  Photo:Engage     a photography blog you  want  to follow “ The camera makes you forget you're there. It's not like you are hiding but you forget, you are looking so much. ”  - Annie Leibovitz      In a world seemingly custom designed to sink us into despair, we must remember the great good around us: the many people we know who do good things for their community. The helpers, as Fred (Mr.) Rogers' mom used to tell him. Look for the helpers when things are bad. You'll see the good overcoming the evil. We need inspiration like this, even when it's nature that provides it. As I wrote in my post on September 18, 2021...      We become quiet from anticipation as the darkness peaks just before the dawn. The show’s about to begin! Let the curtains open on this morning’s bright star. Let the sun’s glorious light wash over us from ‘Center Stage.’ Let the opportunities of a new day release what’s been holding us back. Let us realize wh...

Photo:Engage     a photography blog you  want  to follow “ We are making photographs to understand what our lives mean to us. ”  - Ralph Hattersley     I felt inspired to write a poem extolling the faithful service rendered by the easily unnoticed jetties that protect our beaches. As I wrote in my post on July 17, 2021... Depth Charge Such eagerness released by the invisible gusty force, the sea builds with the breeze an expectant hope. Whose power climbs as the ocean follows its course, ‘Til its water begets foamy waves up the shoreline’s fine slope. Tumult and tossed, the surf does froth and boil, And would rise up and carry away the coast’s sandy glitter. But for the old barrier, wood and joining steel to spoil, that counters the mighty curl of the seaside heavy hitter. Apricot waves and lathered salty spray deflected, our faithful breakwater’s purpose writ large. The early morning surf diverted, the beachfront protected, a fan of sunrise mist...

  Photo:Engage     a photography blog you  want  to follow “ There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself,  for what we see is what we are. ”  - Ernst Haas      Who doesn't enjoy watching and listening to the waves crash against the jetty? Even a gentle surf becomes something special and powerful when it has something immovable to break against. The amazing colors in the predawn sky make a spectacular backdrop for the blues and white highlights in the wave curls and jetty spray. Although it requires an early morning wakeup, a fair amount of preparation, and a wee bit of luck to capture an image like this, I find the experience gratifying even I never get to release the shutter. As I wrote on December 19, 2020...      It’s mornings like this one that make my efforts as a photographer so filled with joy. The clouds at the horizon helped pump a lot of creamy color in the sunrise sky w...

  Photo:Engage     a photography blog you  want  to follow “ In photography there are no shadows that cannot be illuminated. ”  - August Sander      It would be easy to underestimate the importance of what happened. The nonsensical is the daily normal so why should an attack on the US Capitol be any different? I think we need to be very wary of where this national rupture is going. There is too much division backed up by hate, intolerance, and arms, and the willingness to act. The constant barrage of lies from the president and his enablers have made the truth a precious commodity valued only by some. As Voltaire warned, those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. We need to be vigilant and guard against this getting worse. As I wrote in my post on January 9, 2021...      Who can believe what we’ve seen this past week? I felt incredibly sad and angry at the spectacular mayhem perpetrated at the Ca...

Photo:Engage     a photography blog you  want  to follow “ Wherever there is light, one can photograph. ”  - Alfred  Stieglitz      It's wonderful to be photographing down at the shore again. Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed my recent studies of Raleigh and Cary and the neighboring areas near my North Carolina home. Documenting some of the history of a place, especially ones so vital and dynamic as the state capital and vicinity, is an honor and privilege. I am always grateful for the liberty to go where I wish and photograph what I like. And I'm glad to be able to share my work with you.      The Delaware shore, in my experience, is the equal or better of most any beach area on the planet. At once both commercially developed with many shops and homes and yet still abundantly wild and protected, the state has an extensive seashore in its state park system where developers will never build. The parks maintain not only s...