Saturdays Online: Some Thoughts on Photography Bans......

This isn't going where you think. I am calling out Photographers whose selfish and disrespectful behavior in sacred places and spaces, is causing Churches, Temples, Synagogues and Mosques, etc, to limit or entirely Ban photography.

Long time followers know of my goal to photograph all of the California Missions. And many of you have seen posting for San Juan Capistrano and other Missions here. On a recent visit to photograph Mision San Luis Rey de Francia, we became aware of newly instituted photographic restrictions.  Aimed mostly at Commercial Photographers, but I'm sure that the are some amateurs out there too that have committed violations in Sacred Spaces.  San Juan Capistrano has stricter rules,  calling into question whether or not I can ever display publicly photographs that I have taken in the past.

So lets discuss some ground rules for visiting Sacred Places.  These are my personal rules, but I think everyone should keep these things in mind:

• First, this IS a Sacred Space.  YOU do not have an express right to be there. 
•  Even if YOU are not a believer, you need to respect the beliefs of the Faithful, and the intended use of the Space.
• Your photography should not disturb the religious activities of the place.  
• That means clicking (or beeping) away as people nearby try to pray or meditate
• Taking photographs during services
• Climbing up on the Altar to get a better shot

• No Trampling Flowers or other Tourists
• Do Not Block Access  trying to get the perfect shot (this is a problem for tripods users)
• Feeling Entitled to be there (because You are not)

This is not a joke.  Some Japanese Temples have already completely Banned Photography due to rude behavior of Tourists (Read More from PetPixel).  And I remember visiting Westminster Abbey once, and a volunteer had to tell visiting tourist to respect the Church; the parents had allowed their children to play toss with the kneeling cushions!

So, I didn't get the images that I wanted.......in B&W.  And without a tripod, the interior images (even digital) are a bit blurred.  But at sometime in the near future, we'll explore San Luis Rey de Francia, and hope that I don't get sued for posting on my Blog.  Does this count as personal use?

Merry Christmas

Here's wishing you a Happy Holiday Season, Whatever Your Holiday may be!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Meditation #4

Christmas Meditation #3

Chrismas Meditation #2

As Promised: Back to Chihuly

Some quiet meditations for the Holiday Season from the Chihuly Exhibit at the Denver Botanical Gardens:

This is almost how bad we've felt.........

The Blog has been on an "Illness Hiatus" since we both came down with Bronchitis after our Thanksgiving Travels.....That will teach us not to travel during the germ infested holidays. This ruin from the Theresa Mining District, symbolizes just how broken down we've been feeling. But on the mend now in time to do our Holiday Postings, beginning this weekend.

Saturdays Online: Filter and Film Studies

One Photographer's attempt to compare Digital and Film.  But I think he misses the point a bit, and in some cases is comparing apples to oranges. The two mediums have different textures and qualities. These ongoing comparisons are some what of a waste to me.

Do what you like, use the methods you enjoy, and have a good time. And stop trying to convince anyone that you are right.

So for my part.  Three examples of why filters matter.  Aspen Fall Colors with a mix of green and other trees, all highlighted by the use of a Yellow-Orange Filter:

I think the grass below is especially nice.........

If you are shooting B&W film an absolute necessity.  But Filters work for B&W Digital as well.  So you can learn about filters, or spend more time in Lightroom or Photoshop trying to recreate the effect you were seeking in the first place by shooting B&W.

More Quiet Times at the Denver Botanical Gardens

OK, you did the shop until you drop routine....Now sit back and spend some quiet time.  

We'll have More Chihuly for Christmas......

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing You a Serene Thanksgiving Holiday.  And Please spend it with Family and Friends if you can.  Tomorrow is soon enough to shop!

More On Dale Chihuly..........

Thanksgiving Special........

The Denver Botanical Gardens is Wrapping up its Chihuly Exhibit.

From the Wood Pile.........

As we head into the Holidays....Safe Travel!

And I'll have some special postings!

Saturdays Online: Let's Go Retro!

With all of our satellite connectivity, let's go retro and remember the first photo ever taken from space.

And to think that it all began when?  Well you'll have to read the article to find out...........

Let's continue the Retro Revisit and consider how early spy satellites returned their film (yes film) to Earth.  And while we are at it, Lets Celebrate the 42 year history of Landsat Program!  The most successful long term project in NASA History........

Some final views of the Theresa Mine.

Around the Mine Shaft at the Theresa Mine

The Old mine shaft elevator is still in place, although the mine shaft is secured by a steel grate.

The clouds from the opposite side were a bit more interesting........

Open Doors....Theresa Mine

Some of you know that I love to look through doors.......

The tree is fuzzy due to the wind.......Check out other Open Doors here.

The Theresa Mine, near Goldfield, Colorado

High on a Lonesome Hill........and on the edge of the current active mine site near Cripple Creek and Victor, Colorado.

Above cropping out that dreaded featureless sky that makes photography here so difficult.  See original below.....how nice it would have been to have clouds!

This was the first area we visited.  I think I was much more inspired later on in the trip.........

Honoring Those Who Served........At the 11th Hour

All Images from the Veteran's Memorial Park, Colorado Springs.

Proposing a Week of Reflection

As we approach another Veteran's Day, I'd like to propose a week of Reflection on the Roots of Conflict.  In spite of the 100 Anniversary of the Start of World War I, the media continues to spew forth with endless retelling and fabrication of WWII stories.  But the Root of that conflict was WWI.  Really just the same War with the same participants fought all over again, because the Settlement of the WWI settled nothing.

So I'd like us to THINK about the ROOTS of Conflict, Just Settlements and PEACE.

Veteran's Memorial at Colorado Springs

Saturdays Online: What was on those old Rolls of Film.....And why aren't my Photos Better?

Today in a tongue in cheek offering we answer these burning photographic questions?

First kudos to the ShoeBoxBlog for their insight:

Do you remember what's on that last roll of film that you shot BEFORE switching to digital?  Did you ever finish it and get the roll developed?  Sometimes wonderful 'gifts' can be found on those undeveloped rolls.  And how often have you heard that some famous photographer died, and left dozens of undeveloped film rolls in their belongings?

Or conversely are you guilty of endless selfies and images of your lunch plate, because you feel you should be taking pictures since you have that digital camera on your phone?  And is your addiction to social media fueling this?

And finally an explanation of why your images may not be as good as you expect.  This is completely satire, but some of the comments you'll see after the article have no sense of humor.
If Your Photos Aren’t Good Enough, Your Camera Isn’t Expensive Enough
 But do you really need a reason to add to your camera family? Nah, JUST DO IT!

And I always try to include a recent image of my own.  

On film, from Cottonwood Pass, Colorado.

All Souls Day: Dia de Los Muertos.....

Praying fort he Souls of the Dead AND the Undead!

We lead off with our last Crossing Guard, who was taking his job very seriously:

This was especially well done!

A place to watch from in Safety:

Stay Safe!

The Feast of All Saints!

Are the Saints Prepared for the Zombie Assault?

Today to Commemorate the Host of Saints, we feature Stand Out Zombie Teams:

On Star Trek, the Guys in Red always die first....I liked the juxtaposition of 

the 7/11 sign with the Zombie Trekkers.

 There were many Zombie Families

And Zombie Peter Pan!

 And a Cross Cultural Exchange as a Muslim Mom photograph's 

her Husband and baby with Zombies.....

And there were lots of Trojans this year, but only one was escorted by a Geisha:

And remember to keep safe Zombies!

We still have one more day to survive!