Dream Tomorrow, Live Today, Cherish Yesterday

Going for It

Canon 5D Mark II, 135mm F/2, f/2, 1/640, iso 100

[Note this post was supposed to be published on Thursday 11/9 but some glitch delayed it]

I didn't mention it, but yesterday's image was from my wonderful Palouse trip in 2010. As is today's. When I look at these images, one of my main thoughts is how much I have gained from just deciding to go on that trip.

John Barclay and I had become "Internet friends" as mutual bloggers. I had never been on a photography workshop, but had always wanted to go to the Palouse. When I saw that he and his tour partner Dan Sniffin were doing a tour there, I made the decision, plunked down some money, and off I went.

Most likely my Cuba and Ireland trips would not have happened if I didn't "go for it" with the Palouse trip. I made a slew of friends on this trips that have enriched my life. Maybe I'm even a bit better photographer with tips from John, Dan and the other participants.

So whatever your passion, get out there. Give things a try. Move past your comfort zone. Right before I leave on some of these trips I think "what am I doing? Why am I doing this?" But I have thoroughly enjoyed all these experiences. You will too.

Go for it.

Sunday Love

This one is for you, Love.

Bucket List

Canon 5D Mark II, 16-35mm F/2.8, f/6.3, 1/500, iso 200

Yes, this is on my bucket list, for sure. How about yours? Or, already crossed it off?

Fun Friday - The End of the World

Canon 5D Mark II, 15mm F/2.8 fisheye, f/22 1/320, iso 400

"And when we get to the ocean, gonna take a trip to the end of the world....
all the way to the end of the world..."

Dave Mathhews - You and Me

 

It's a little thing...

Searching

I had an experience this week, both sad and profound. I debated whether to blog about this or not, and then I thought of my tagline above "Bob Towery's blog about Photography, Life, and a few other things." This one is mostly about life, and a little about how photography can touch it.

I'm going to warn you that this post is a bit of a gut wrencher. Click on the Continue link if you wish to read on.

2012 - A Sign

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/8, 1/3000, iso 160

New Years day 2012. 2011 was a blockbuster year for me, and I have shared many high moments here and on Facebook. Our move to Washington State, our kids doing well in college, some great photo trips, old friends and new ones too, acquisition of a dream camera system. Life is good. Great in fact.

However, something really despicable happened within my extended family. Without going into details, it seems this issue is having a bigger effect than is healthy for me. So my goal for 2012 is to move past this.

So I chose this image for today very specifically. Today I will print this image and put it on my wall in my office where I spend the daytime hours.  It represents a sign that all is well and I'm capable of resuming my normally happy existence.

Photographically, my resolution this year is (once again) to slow down while shooting, and focus on getting the highest possible quality images I am capable of. As my friend Dan Sniffin told me (and I'm still trying to learn): "Don't get every shot Bob, get the shot."

My best to all of you in the coming New Year!

 

Precious

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, f/7.1, 1/800, iso 200

I love scenes like this. They always take me back to when my kids were this age. Doesn't it seem like life always gets more complicated? As an adult it would be hard to experience the singular joy this girl feels at this moment. I am making an effort to "live in the moment" these days, depending upon what I'm doing. But it is work for me, and I wish just once in a while I had the luxury of a child like experience. Thanks, precious little one, for reminding us of a simple pleasure.

New Month, New Life

Panasonic GH2, 14-140mm, f/5.8, 1/250, iso 160

I'll bet that title has you intrigued?

Today starts the next phase of our lives, for my wife and me. We are officially empty nesters. Some years ago when we thought forward to this day, we dreamed of being able to move to a home somewhere on the water.  We had several places we liked quite a bit. We began visiting them more often.

I also began working toward a goal of being able to continue doing my day job, but remotely. Due to my fantastic co-workers, this looked like a real possibility.

When we began seriously considering buying another home, we realized we would have to sell our current home in order to pull that off. So we sold our home in September 2010, and were fortunate to be able to rent it back.

If you are a frequent reader of the blog, you know I have done numerous posts about the California Central Coast (San Luis Obispo area). That was our first choice. But we just never found anything that really worked. In January we decided to explore destination #2, Bainbridge Island, WA (a suburb of Seattle). We made several trips there and eventually found and bought what we think is the perfect home.

We left California on Tuesday, and will arrive at our new house this afternoon. The picture above is the view from our deck (taken on our last trip). We have our home on the water. The image in this post is from our own beach!

We are very excited about a new and fresh start. No doubt there are going to be a lot more pictures from the PNW (Pacific Northwest) on my blog from now on. It's a photgraphically rich area and that's a good thing for me. The blog has been pre-loaded with posts so that a new one will still appear every day even though we are in the moving process.

I'll be posting live again during the second week of June. From my new life!

Honoring Memorial Day

Canon 1D Mark III, 70-200mm F/4, f/4, 1/200, iso 320

Count me as one very lucky American who has counted on those that serve in the military to protect our freedom. These are a special breed of people that will lay down their own life if necessary for the promise of America. You have my admiration and thanks.

I took this shot back in 2009 in Norfolk, VA. Was with my great friend Cliff on board his boat Oasis, and we did quite a bit of exploring of the shipyards. Have always thought this was quite a nice image.

Congrats to 2011 Graduates

There is my son Nick, graduating high school. He sure got mom's good looks, right?

This was a great ceremony, with nearly all the speakers doing a fantastic job. My favorite was Mrs Daniels, a teacher voted by the students to be the representative staff speaker. Several years ago she developed an "inoperable brain mass" and was told she had a few months to live. Well, things didn't quite work out that way, fortunately.

She gave an impassioned and relevant speech about living life. Last week I watched the last Oprah show. I thought it was quite good, and that she really did sum up what she has learned about people over the 25 years. But Mrs. Daniels was even better. Just her, her experiences and thoughts. She was talking to the students, but I felt every parent ought to be listening as well. We have less time left.  I'm hoping her speech ends up on youtube. If it does I'll post a link here.

Afterward we got to see Nick with some of the kids he played soccer with back when he was 6 years old. It was like completing a circle, and it really felt good. Now it is time for him to move on. And so it is with me and my wife, which you'll hear more about shortly.

I saw and talked to a lot of wonderful young adults yesterday, from this community. 90% of the 500 or so grads are going to college.

I offer my congrats to everyone graduating this year. Junior High, High School, College. Cheers to your hard work. And good luck with what is next for you - make a difference.   (And to you parents that put your kids there as well!)