Just prior to the years end , Jackie and I visited family in South Carolina. None of us are from there and yet we were. Let me explain. For most of our lives we collectively knew very little of our family heritage and roots, so we went on an adventure.

I discovered that possibly we might have come from some small towns about 90 miles west of Charleston, SC. We met, we drove and in the midst of the woods outside of town we discovered our relatives.

To stand in front of great grandparents and great aunt and uncles was a moving and exciting experience. I believe I said it was like being in a sacred place.

For some time I have been traveling and photographing both locally and cross-country. What I haven’t done is print a selection of what I have on film.

For some months I have been practicing in the darkroom to rediscover the process. For now , this is my preferred process as opposed to digitizing and machine print.

I have chosen to start small and work my way up. 4×6 postalettes, better know as real photography post cards.

The photo I’d like to share is an 8×8 size.

Digital cameras and smartphones have shuttered many a film lab over the years, but now an analog comeback is bringing in new business
— Read on www.theglobeandmail.com/business/small-business/growth/article-as-millennials-take-up-film-photography-darkrooms-see-a-bright-future/

Received a new (old) camera in March, just prior to attending my first large format workshop in Monterey,ca.

It’s been fun and a challenge to sort out how this works, but for those of you who know, the rewards will outmatch the pain.

Result:  This post has been quite while I hone some new skills. Here’s to new efforts and adventures.

Some time ago I taught a lesson on the Johari Window.  Some of you may be familiar with it, if not, its a quick way to look at ourselves.  A window is broken down into four panes, in referring to ourselves, four ways of being conscience of ourselves. Like this:

Pane 1: there are things that I do not know and you do not know about myself.

Pane 2: there are things that I know about me that you do not know

Pane 3: there are things that you know about me that I do not know and

Pane 4: there are things that I and you know about me.

This is a very long winded way of saying that there is something that I have known that you probably did not.

I have been interested in the next level of photography for some time and out of the generosity and Christmas cheer of my wife, that will soon be made possible.

ROADTRIP!

As you can see, we went to Alaska for the first time.  It’s raw beauty really did live up to all the hype.  It was a good respite after a rough year.  I have been reluctant to post for quite some time but it feels good to be at it again.

To Be or not to BE.