What’s your subject?

Our friend Megan came and picked us up after our power went out. We drove around Old Louisville and downtown, documenting some of the effects of the ice storm.

As we pulled up to a stoplight, I had my window rolled down and was addressed by a man standing at a bus stop out in the cold as he saw my camera: “What’s your subject…misery?”

I brushed it off, and said something incoherent. But as I thought about it, I realized I had yet to think of those who had no place warm to go, no friends to bail them out. As I documented a winter wonderland, I was also documenting misery for many folks.

It was a good word to me to be mindful of those who are in a much different situation than I.

Friday Photos: Arkansas 08

From May 8th to May 22nd, Bethan and I were on the road shooting a couple weddings. We spent a couple days in Houston, a week in Dallas, and four days in northern Arkansas with my parents. I would post pictures from Dallas, if I had any. But…all our memory cards were used up from the weddings. So it wasn’t until Arkansas that we were able to empty those into our hard drive. Thus, here are a few shots from around Eureka Springs and Beaver Lake where we stayed.

We took a train ride. This was our conductor.

My Dad, sitting on some sort of rail-bike. I’m thankful my Dad is not embarrassed to do this kind of stuff.

My precious wife. While I took this shot, she was asking, “How do I pose? What does an engineer do?” Saluting may not be the answer, but it makes me laugh.

A dilapidated wooden rail car.

Soon, we’re going to put together a series just on doors. Here’s one we can add to the collection.

Pea Ridge. A civil war battleground.

Another doorway.

Thorncrown chapel.

Last, but not least, my Mom and Dad. June 16 marks their 30th Anniversary. What a testimony to the grace of God in marriage!

Friday Photos: Derby 2008

Bethan’s sister and brother-in-law got hooked up with some tickets to Derby, so they came down from NYC and took us along with them. We had a blast with them, as we always do. Chris and Gwen bring fresh perspectives, humor, and good conversation about Jesus and people. We love them and hope to see them very soon. Below are some shots from our day at the track By the end of it, Chris and I agreed that, though exciting, we cannot agree with anyone that says Derby is the most exciting two minutes in sports. Obviously, 150,000 other people disagreed with us while we were there. But, oh well. I’ll still take the NCAA championship as well as any match between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (on clay) over Derby.

Thank you Chris and Gwen for the tickets!

My stunningly beautiful wife.

Rocketman.

The good ole Twin Spires.

Disappointed Chris.

The parading of the horses before the big race. The crowd went absolutely nuts at this point.

And they’re off!

Big Brown just plain smoked everyone else.

Friday Photos: Announcing…

Starting today, I will begin posting a series of photos in a project called “Eye Walk to Work” (so clever…). Part of the reason for our move in February was so that I would be closer to work. I was driving twenty minutes both ways, which adds up to a lot of wasted time and gas. Now I live a leisurely ten minute walk from work, so I’ve dumped driving to work (unless severe weather calls for it). I highly enjoy these walks, and I think documentation is in order. There are things I see walking to work that I would have never noticed. It’s as though driving made going to work a bit more boring. Also, there are some interesting characters in our part of town. Perhaps I’ll get to meet some of them and get to know them.

The end goal of this will be to compile a slideshow of sorts that, though over many days, will look as though it is one long walk to work. I’ve never done anything this long-term with photography, and for all I know it may turn out to be anti-climactic. Nonetheless, I’m going to do it.

Here are the first few shots. Most of them are close-ups, so you can’t actually tell I’m walking to work. But, if I were to post shots that show me progressively moving down the sidewalk, it might be a bit boring. I don’t know that these are anything spectacular photography-wise. Yet, I appreciate that they are details of my neighborhood that I would have otherwise never noticed before.

Friday Photos: Snow in March?

Coming from South Texas, snow in March is an anomaly. But as of early this morning, a winter storm has come through Louisville and we’re supposed to end up with 3-6 inches. That’s not much, but it’s still weird for March.

[Update: We ended up with about 12 inches...more pictures to come.]

Friday Photos: Lunar Eclipse

So, Paul says that God is evident in creation. Amen, Paul. I enjoyed watching this Wednesday night.

Friday Photos: Snow Whizz

It has been snowing in Louisville. The schools were shut down for the first time in five years (so I’ve heard), and many people received a day off of work because of the freezing rain that came after the snow. I’ve enjoyed seeing everything covered in white. I have only experienced snow in Texas once, and that was a freak winter (7 inches in Corpus Christi). But this Friday Photos post is dedicated to Louisville’s very own Dizzy Whizz, and…also Aaron Hendrick. Supposedly this burger joint is a city landmark. I know one thing, freezing rain and 8 inches of snow and ice won’t close down “The Whizz”. I revel in the fact that they chose to name their trademark burger, The Whizzburger. Why also Aaron Hendrick? Because I know that if he were here, he would laugh with me about that, and he would laugh while he ate one of them.

Sorry for the bad framing on the second photo…it was taken as I was driving by the sign. I just wanted to get a close-up of “whizzburger”.

Friday Photos: Hank You Very Much

I had coffee with this guy Wednesday night, an honest brother who is always willing to encourage and challenge his fellow bros. Hank is the author over at Lawn Gospel, a blog with all kinds of good stuff on it.

Hank, thanks for the coffee and conversation. It needs to happen again soon.

Friday Photos: The Smiling Irishman

This place is on 7th, close to the post office, in Old Louisville.

Friday Photos: 7 Thunder

It’s been a while since my last Friday Photos. I have not had much camera time lately, but I’ve vowed to find time. How can I not be shooting when there are gems like this out there?

I saw that while I was out delivering a piece of furniture the other day, and went back by after work. I am very curious as to what the name means.

I also saw this. I don’t know what the statue is called, but I like it. It’s located on Main St., between 7th & 9th.