July 23rd, 2009 | Category: Everyday Life, Families This is a tough post for me to write today. It is the 6 year anniversary of my husbands death. So today, it is about him.
And can you believe I don’t have every single picture I have ever taken of him scanned and neatly organized in one digitally archived file? This should have been done immediately, but sometimes life has a way of changing things at the least expected moment. Below is one of the few images I actually have digitally scanned . . .
 in memory of my late husband - Mark D. Lundgren I remember that day like it was yesterday – it changed my life forever! Even through the shock and horror of it all and the following weeks of unbelief and uncertainty, July 23, 2003 will always remain vivid in my memory. They say time heals things – it does, slowly. They say things get better as more time goes by – it does, agonizingly slowly. But one thing time can’t do – it can’t change it all.
So, we move on. We pick ourselves up by the boot straps and plow forward. Thank goodness for friends! I could not have come through this time without the support and push of the many dear, dear friends both Mark and I had grown over the course of our life on Kauai. I say push because one such friend threatened to come over to my house everyday and yank me out of bed, throw me in the shower, and kick me out of the house if I thought I was going to simply curl up and die inside. That would not have been a pretty sight – for either of us! But it would have been soooo very easy.
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about Mark and the influence he has had in my life.
He was a romantic at heart and the most incredible husband one could ever ask for. How often do you get the opportunity to say, or hear someone say, we loved each other more the day he died, than the day we were married! An amazing 23 years we were married and I am a most fortunate woman – Mark shared with me a love so unconditional that sometimes I am amazed at how little I understood this or recognized it when he was alive. But that love continues to light my path daily. He believed in doing all things together as a reflection of our incredible marriage – like holding hands in the car while we were driving – even to the grocery store! Or taking me to the beach when he hated the sand, or taking me to photograph parts of the island because he knew how much I loved photography! We would often drive to the North Shore of Kauai to photograph the Hanalei Taro Fields or to hike along the Ke’e Beach Trail.
On the west side of the island, it would be Salt Pond Beach Park, Major’s Bay or Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Lookout.
He was often touted as the ‘last boy scout’ because of his relentless drive for truth and integrity. I remember his famous last words in any argument with our 3 boys: “is it right? or is it wrong?” or “just because so-and-so does it, does that make it right?” And he was like that no matter who you were: family, friend or business colleague. And while we were both fairly headstrong individuals (those who knew us may say this is an understatement!), fairness and integrity ruled our beliefs and lives.
There is so much I could say in this post about Mark. So many stories, so many accomplishments, but I think the biggest thing I could share with you is his contentment – he was very happy: with who he was, where he was, and what he was doing in his life. How many people get to say that about their life? How many people have it figured out? How many people keep looking and never ever find what it is that makes them truly happy?
Mark knew and lived it. To him is was about family and flying. And he loved to fly! And he loved to share the island with visitors to Kauai: places you can’t get to by car, places you can only see by air. Places like the Napali Coast, Manowaiopuna Falls, Kahili Falls and Waimea Canyon.
And the legacy he wanted to pass on to those visitors was one that was passed to him from a Kauai legend, Jack Harter ~ leave the island and its pristine beauty as you found it, so our children and our childrens’ children will be able to enjoy it’s wilderness and unsurpassed grandeur.
I believe he succeeded. I believe that he continues to pass on that legacy through his three children – in their mannerisms, humor (I gotta admit, Mark’s was really dry!), environmental respect, and propensity for integrity.
Mark will always be my inspiration. It is in the little things I see each day that I am so fondly reminded of him and how important it is to spend time with those we love.
Before I close this post, I would like to add a sincere “Thank You” to all of those who helped me through those days and weeks following Mark’s death . . . I would not have made it through any of it without them:
To Jack and Bev Harter, Casey and Cyndi Riemer, Jack Harter Helicopters, and all of the Jack Harter ohana – I am forever in your debt. Your support and strength gave me the fortitude to move forward.
To the Kauai Hospice and the Red Cross of Kauai, as well as the numerous helicopters companies who helped with the search and rescue efforts – WOW! you were all amazing and supportive throughout all of the operations.
To my good friends Susan Irie of Kilohana Lighting and Dave and Jean Camp (these are the ones that threatened to drag me out of bed!), I am were I am today because of you – and that’s a good thing!
Mahalo Nui Loa ~
My oldest son left today for Kauai, Hawaii. He is headed back for his 10 year high school reunion. That’s when you know you are not getting younger!
David doesn’t do ‘formal’ and really, Kauai doesn’t do formal – unless it’s your wedding day or prom night. One of the evening functions however, is ‘black tie’ – this is David’s agenda:
 David on his way to the airport for his 10 year high school reunion A conformist he is not! But I haven’t really figured out what statement he is trying to make – or not! And he asks me for the uptiumth time – why does it have to be about statements?!
 statements - or lack thereof ?  deep in thought It doesn’t – I just wanna know, is it Hasidic Jew or Amish? or not?!
I think my curiosity arises from the visual profile he is creating versus his belief system and that is where I am getting confused; however, the rest of the world doesn’t know about the possibility for conflict here – won’t they be surprised when what they see is not what they are going to get?
I can hear Ralph Clevenger now – ” . . . never photograph your subject with a fully black background,” “move your point of view to photograph it with something in the background – it adds interest and doesn’t make the subject appear to be floating.”
Do I apologize? Or do I say this was intentional (that wouldn’t matter to Ralph, and after all he is the master), or do I make no excuses?
Tough one isn’t it? Imagine with me for a moment that you are a scale – your left hand speaks the master’s instructions and you know that he is right – your right hand says this was my intention, this is what I created and there is a purpose. What would you do, who would you listen to, who would win? the master or your intention.
If I haven’t learned anything else since graduation from Brooks (or even during my tenure there), I have learned these 2 things:
1.) learn the rules and learn them well, so that when you break them you know why, there is a reason and a purpose for what you do; and
2.) art is subjective, what you create and what inner truth you reveal in your work is all a matter of interpretation, whether it is in the eye of the beholder or the creator, it matters not – what matters is the full expression of your inner self at that moment.
WOW! That’s kind of profound! I amazed even myself with that one!
 backlit While this image has a lot of technical problems, like digital noise and fringe and chromatic aberrations that I can’t remove without a lot of Photoshop time, it is the simplicity, color and back lighting that speak to me – and for that, I don’t apologize or make excuses.
Simply put, I like it. And you are getting my interpretation of the sun, the flower, and the lighting.
So, really, why is the background black? Because it was on the edge of a ravine and the sun was catching it just at the right angle – or maybe it was that I got there just at the right time. There was nothingness below it (from the only vantage point I could get to) except a 50ft drop to the bottom of the ravine, and I wasn’t going there!
There are times in life that you have to stop and smell the roses. And then there are times that you get stopped – not by roses, but by sprinklers!
Almost . . . almost got my backup camera soaked! Not good! And all because I wasn’t paying attention! Well, I was, but not to the right things.
The light on this fern was just right, and what I saw as I walked by was what you are seeing in this image – except for the water droplets. It was the patterns and light on the lower fronds that drew me in, and I was so intent on getting the composition right while the wind was blowing, that I didn’t notice the gardener walk behind me and switch the sprinkler system to exactly where I was standing!
And I can’t believe I moved that fast! I think it was the sound first, and then the wet leg, just before it hit my face ! ! ! What ever made me stretch to remove a dead branch right at that moment saved my camera from getting the full brunt of that first out-of the-sprinkler spurt! Instead, my face got it! It was pretty funny and I can laugh now – but I will admit to it scaring the heck out of me at the time!
 fern So, I waited until the sprinklers went off and fortunately the sun was relatively in the same position to get the shot – only about 15 minutes later. But I think the water droplets make the image, don’t you?
I am calling this one ‘colors and stripes’ and you will see why in a moment. Not too much more to say on this one either.
 colors and stripes Now it’s your turn – all you have to do is tell me what this is!
Short post, short story, short response – it’s easy!
July 18th, 2009 | Category: Events, Photo of the Day Today is the 2nd Annual Photo Walk . . . I am really excited about shooting at the Farmer’s Market!
The last time I went (and that was a first) was with the Holga and Coffee Workshop sponsored by Specialty Color Services, but I was limited in my shooting due to the number of exposures on the roll of film, not to mention the fact that the Farmer’s Market was the first stop on an hour and a half walking tour.
I vowed then I would go back – today I get my chance.
I am not quite sure how to post all the images, though. Wow, this has never happened – it’s sort of like being at a loss for words! And when have you known me to be at a loss for words or images!?
Perhaps I will begin with the two images I have submitted for the competition, then I will post others as a gallery.
Image one, I call “In Harmony”. This little girl was so expressive and so much the little girl! She is shown here playing the violin alone – what you can’t surmise from the image is that she has two older siblings, two brothers, playing right beside her. And this image was one of the rare times they were all playing in one accord, with her little face almost expressionless compared to the myriad of tantrums and ‘stink eye’ glares she was throwing at the two.
 in harmony The second image I haven’t decided on yet. I wanted something that reflected the overall feel of the Farmer’s Market scene, but all of a wide angle shots were not “great” – the exposure was fine, the composition was lacking though, whether they were straight on or shot from down low. They all looked more like a crowd of nothingness that didn’t get the feel I was looking for. Maybe because of my height and angle of view, but that’s why for a few, I went low and shot up. I am thinking I needed to be high enough to shoot over the top, and shoot down – so in my opinion none of them were indicative of what I envisioned.
So, for all my loyal readers, I thought I would let you help me decide which second image to submit from the 5 below – just remember my thoughts – I want something that gives a good overall feel of the market/market place.
 Frannie's Gourds  #2 - fresh fruits  #3 - berries  #4 - tomatoes  #5 - making sales I was trying to make this choice out of 650+ images, most of which are closeups and don’t meet the criteria of ‘overall marketplace feel’, like these onions, flowers, berries and more.
July 17th, 2009 | Category: Photo of the Day I am going to try NOT to be so prolific in my verbiage today – straight shooting, straight to the image.
 dandelion Ahh . . . h . . . h, so you want the story after all!
It’s another one for my mother! Can you believe she use to forage for these little buggers when she was young? Most of us consider these weeds, pesky little things that come up through the grass or plight our flower beds.
But there are some people in the world that eat these things! And did you know that every part of the dandelion is edible? From the yellow flowery top down to the root! The greens are fairly bitter so I am told, but they are supposed to be really really good for you – like better than spinach greens: high in potassium, vitamin C and calcium . . .
If, of course, you can stand their bitter taste and get them past your palette!
Today is about shape, line, and texture, and maybe complimentary colors . . . and 15 minutes in wet cement . . . . . .
It is another Cota Street find. But sometimes things are just too good to pass by. Sometimes they blatantly ask for your attention. And sometimes you have to go out of your way to find the story, or in my case, the image. But not today.
Before I post the image, though, this lead in begs of another recounted story . . . about an instructor I had during my recent studies at Brooks Institute – Tim Meyer. While I could tell you many many stories about him (and we would be here all night), the one I am sharing here today has relevance.
It seems that many of my images and daily sojourns take place in and around Cota Street in downtown Santa Barbara, as most of you are well aware by now. Hmmm . . . maybe I should have a category for Cota Street, but then almost all the posts would be lumped into that cat – okay, so not such a wise idea.
Tim Meyer, Cota Street, relevance – oh yeah! Tim once asked me if I had heard of the “15 minutes in wet cement” exercise and I had to admit I had not, knowing full well he was about to tell me. ADVICE? Never deny a master the opportunity to teach! Here is his explanation, or at least my take on his story:
15-MINUTES-IN-WET-CEMENT EXERCISE
Pick a spot, any spot in the world, and don’t move from it for 15 minutes. Now observe everything you can possibly observe from this vantage point.
Applying that to photography? Remain in that spot for a full 15 minutes, you are not allowed to move away from it. But you may sit, stand, lye down, turn around, roll over [Sit Ubu, Sit – good dog!], stand on a ladder, etc.
Your job is to observe/photograph everything from that one spot as you possibly can – remember, you cannot even take one step in another direction away from that one point.
There are two results:
1.) you get very creative! you find ways to photograph things/subjects you had not thought of before, you gain insight into this place and you shoot from a different perspective; and
2.) you see things that you have not seen before! oh, they have been there, in that spot for years, you just haven’t stopped long enough to ever notice them; now, however, they come alive and dance before your very eyes!
How does all of this apply to today’s image? Well Cota Street, where I find myself on many a day, and the multitude of images I post about the treasures I find here – there is so much to see, so much to photograph, so much to observe, so much to be a part of.
You can do it anywhere – in your kitchen, in Montana, on a cruise ship, at a wedding – your choice. Try it some time, and then let me know how it opens your eyes and what perspective and new insight it has added to your life.
As for today . . . a simple copper faced awning against a red brick wall . . . this is my treasure.
 shape, line, and texture
July 15th, 2009 | Category: Events Ever heard of Photoshop? Ever heard of Photoshop World? Ever heard of NAPP?
I know most of you reading this on any regular basis, has heard of Photoshop – it is simply the best post-production tool ever created (okay, so that’s my opinion – but oh, the things you can do in Photoshop!)!
Funny how the more I know about Photoshop, the more I have to learn, the more creative and robust the program itself becomes, the more new things can be done with it . . . and therefore the more time one could spend using it (like days on end) . . . the more I try to capture in camera so I don’t have to spend the time there! There is an oxymoron in here somewhere!
Well Photoshop users convene at this huge event several times a year called Photoshop World – one on the East Coast, one on the West Coast. It is a plethora of information, classes (taught by some of the biggest names in the industry – incredible stuff!), workshops, vendors/tradeshow exhibitors, etc. all geared to Photoshop. And NAPP is the association (National Association of Photoshop Professionals) relative to Photoshop – and membership has some great benefits, especially continued education and updates.
Scott Kelby, president of NAPP, is hosting a worldwide photo walk this Saturday, July 18th. The invitation to participate came through my membership in NAPP, but I think this may be open to anyone – and it’s free!
What is a photo walk? Or more specifically, what is Scott Kelby’s 2nd Annual WorldWide Photo Walk? Photographers, amatuers and professionals alike, from all over the world, walk for several hours with camera in hand, taking pictures from places near and far – groups of 50 photographers each, converging on the world to shoot the globe in a day. The latter is not the goal, the goal is the photo walk itself, the global thing is just my spin on it.
There are two in Santa Barbara this year: one lead by Chuck Place, called the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market; and the second will be lead by Micheal Randles, called the Santa Barbara, CA walk beginning at the Art Museum. Each have plenty of room for more people, so go to Scott’s Photo Walk website and sign up for this walk!
It’s a great way to get out from behind the computer, get outside yourself, shoot with other photographers, mingle with peers and enthusiasts, and shoot things you may not have dared to before – plus, each group will have plenty of photographers with experience should you have an issue or want to try something new, but just don’t know how.
Why register? each participant gets to submit 2 photos at the end of the day (actually you have up until July 25th to submit them) which goes into a huge competition with lots of cool prizes. This is one of those “just do it” things. This is one of those opportunities to be part of something bigger than yourself!
So, even without my good camera, I have signed up/registered to participate in the Farmer’s Market walk with Chuck Place. I will let you know how it goes on Sunday, after the walk.
Join me! Join the worldwide photo walk on July 18th!
White Oleander – hey, at least I know what this plant/flower is!
Not sure I will be using this one for a card for my mother though – just haven’t figured out whether I like it or not.
Have you ever just looked at an image and felt, well, blah ! ? That’s how I am with this image.
Then ‘why’ you ask, would I ever dare to post it to the world? Perhaps for feedback, perhaps for daring, perhaps for something outside myself.
Perhaps for a lead in . . . this image took quite a bit of post-production! It was shot at ISO 1600 with my Canon 10D backup camera, and while this is a fairly decent, okay DSLR, the 5d it is not – seems I have heard this before! The proof is in the pudding: in this image, the edge transfer between the flower and the background have a high amount of contrast, yes?
Well, the 10d, Canon’s first generation DSLR (this particular one was purchased back in 2004) creates an inordinate amount of fringe on these types of edges, not to mention the chromatic aberrations! Ones that are very difficult to remove using either Lightroom or Bridge’s Camera Raw sliders to correct for the problem.
The 10d also has no noise tolerance. At ISO’s 100 and 200, it functions very well, but boost the ISO to 800 or above and you have just introduced a lot of visible noise.
So, in order to clean the edges and remove the chromatic aberrations from this flower, I had to take the image into Photoshop and manually clone/heal them out – a lot of work and time that I don’t usually spend on the images in this project. Most go through a very simple workflow: capture, download and save, edit, color correction and export for web – maybe a 10-15 minute workflow process max. This image took over an hour including the time in Photoshop, and I am still not sure about it.
 white oleander
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