Pre-spring has sprung!

 The year’s at the spring
And day’s at the morn;
Morning’s at seven;
The hillside’s dew-pearled;
The lark’s on the wing;
The snail’s on the thorn;
God’s in His heaven –
All’s right with the world!
~Robert Browning

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another.  The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.  ~Henry Van Dyke

“I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils.”
–   William Wordsworth

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.  ~Charles Dickens

I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.  ~Claude Monet

It’s spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  ~Mark Twain

 The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.  ~Gertrude S. Wister

Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!”  ~Robin Williams

 copyright 2011 Jim Lockman/Click!

A Magical Moment

Not every photograph is an award winner.  A photographer’s desire is to make images that rise above the pack in terms of quality and creativity. Even though the images are technically sound and meet the criteria set forth for the assignment, many fail to elicit emotion among the viewers or lack the visual interest to make them memorable. It may be good photography and totally acceptable. But not every “Picasso” has become famous or demonstrates the unique talent he possessed.

Sometimes when I capture an image and view it on the back of my camera, I immediately know it is a “keeper.” Experience, technical and artistic ability are not enough for making good photos of people. At least two more components are necessary. 

Building rapport with persons being photographed is important  in creating remarkable images. I use the term “building” because it doesn’t happen immediately or naturally.  Developing a relationship of trust and confidence is  necessary to capture some of the personality in a picture. Building rapport quickly is a challenge photographers face.

The final aspect needed for making great photos is difficult to define. It is not magic, but it is magical. It may be planned, but ultimately just happens. Combining all of the parts of the photographic process is not enough to achieve an extraordinary photograph. Angles, expressions, lighting, exposure, perspective and other elements coming together facilitate the “magical moment.” Photographers shoot a lot of pictures in search for that moment.

copyright 2011 Jim Lockman/Click!

Tied Up

Does fashion make the man?

The latest trends in fashion have never been very important to me. Admittedly, during the sixties my wardrobe statement was typical of the anti-war, anti-establishment crowd; bell-bottoms, long hair, flower shirts, and earth shoes. I had a long beard and even after flower-child era was over, I still wore corduroy pants, flannel shirts and a dark green leather jacket. It wasn’t until I met Barbara that my desire to look good became an issue. She was a classy lady and spending time with her transformed my thinking about my appearance.

Even though I dress business casual for most of my photography work, I made a decision to dress at least as nice as those I was working for. For a number of years, I would wear a tie on a corporate shoot. And even though now I dress more appropriately for the type of assignment I am completing, I still try to maintain a business appearance for the clientele I serve. Dressing down is not only inappropriate, but it reflects on the image you have of yourself.

When I am attending church, there are no more than a handful of men wearing ties. We are a contemporary fellowship and casual is the excepted manner. After all, God looks on the inside and accepts us as we are. As for me, I wear a tie to every service. I’m not there to impress anyone. But if I am going to dress up to attend a business meeting, a wedding or some other event, it seems more important to dress up for a meeting with God by demonstrating that being in His presence is as important as anything else I do.

I love ties! Even though I have quite a few, you can never have too many. What I dislike is the trends that change frequently, making the width and styles obsolete. My favorite tie era was in the seventies, when ties took on a colorful, entertaining flair. There were travel scenes, cartoon caricatures, flowers, fancy geometric designs, and colorful iconic patterns. While it lasted for a number of years, I was sad when the club tie returned. Women shouldn’t be the only ones that get to expose some color and gaiety in their clothing. While anxiously waiting for my style to return, I occasionally don one of my favorite old ties.

One of my newest ties is a cross between the seventies period and today. It was designed by the late Jerry Garcia who died in 1995. After his death over one hundred of his necktie designs have been sold throughout the world. Ties made from his paintings and drawings still being produced today.

This from a guy who could care less how he looked!

All photos copyright 2011 Jim Lockman/Click!