Sunday Morning Reflections - Images and Memories

Those of you who have followed me for awhile recognize the iris image above. It's my wallpaper on my Facebook page, but I was looking at it yesterday, since it's a 36" x 60" framed canvas on our living room wall.  That got me thinking about how much we take for granted about photographs. Here's an example:

The image was taken in the gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. My good buddy Taka had spent the day with us playing tour guide. It was an amazing day and the shot was a well thought out grab shot with a $249 Fujifilm point and shoot. Worked a little in Photoshop, it became my own testimonial to two different concepts. First, you don't always have the greatest gear to shoot with and it shouldn't matter. Second, beauty is in the eyes  of the beholder or "check holder" as my pal Dean used to say. I love the image and we chose to blow it up on canvas which further enhanced its quality. We love it and that's all that matters.

If you haven't read Michele Celentano's guest post from yesterday it's time to take a look. While it might not be the type of images she's talking about in her post, had I chosen to make this just a screen saver, all the impact would have been lost. I love the fact that it's on our wall. I love the fact that it sparks some great memories of time with good friends.

Virtually all of you are photographers. If you haven't read Michele's post yet, take the time. Then look around your own house and recognize the stories that each photograph represents in your own life.  Yeah, I'm a little sappy this morning, but it's one of those things that comes with the territory - I love this industry. I love and respect what so many of you do as artists and business owners and it kills me when people just don't get it!

Michele wrote,

"I believe in photography - but more than that I believe in photographs.  Printed photographs are tangible. We can hold on to them, pass them around, frame them and hang them on a wall.  We can make albums to be treasured and looked through by children for years to come."

Well, from my perspective I want to add one more thing, "I believe in all of you as artists, photographers and magicians who capture intangible moments out of time and turn them into memories we can share and enjoy for years to come!"

Wishing everybody a wonderful Sunday and one filled with family, friends, plenty of smiles and maybe a photograph here and there that deserves to be printed!