Freedom

A good friend of mine wanted his 2014 Dodge Challenger Hemi R/T photographed after his hours of laborious polishing. Of course I couldn’t wait to get the shots. The car’s iconic image is homage to classic muscle cars. There is something really American about the Challenger. To me it represents a working man’s car. It’s something that is gritty but refined with performance. Although modern, its lines are a real throwback to the 1970’s when muscle cars were king.

When making the images of this beast, I could imagine driving on the open highway where the speed limit didn’t count. With the windows down, wind blowing and the rhythm of classic rock playing from the stereo, my imagination was fitted with a sense of authority, just being too cool for school.

The aforementioned experience can be filled with pride, excitement and exhilaration. I can sum it with one word “joy”.  As visual artists we strive to communicate what we see in our images.
And what I see in the Dodge Challenger is Freedom. So this memorial day I thank all the men and women that served and gave their life so we can have the Dodge Challenger experience.
 

David is a NC based photographer. To see his online gallery click here.

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The Pelican

This image was taken in one of our favorite spots for photos down at Atlantic Beach. We were excited about catching stormy images but hadn’t been successful up to that time. Right at the time we were packing up to leave, a little gift from heaven appeared, there they were, in all their glory, “God Beams”. There was something unexpected and magical about that moment. I remember thinking I’m not prepared and didn’t have time for a lot of technical manipulation and simply pointed the camera framed a bit and shot. Everything about this shot was right there and easy.

As lot of us photographers are equipment junkies and get really involved with all the technical. We drive ourselves to know everything about all the equipment we have and get even crazier about the equipment we want.  The trap of “if I had this latest gadget, then I could make great photos” has kept a lot of great images from being made.

Later that day we were on the beach I noticed a Pelican. It was in the air with wings spread and soaring two hundred yards or so and circling back without a single wing flap. After seeing this happen about four times I then realized, that bird has everything it needs and it’s doing what it wants without any effort at all. What I have learned, and it generally goes for everything in life, is “we have everything we need, to accomplish whatever we want”. We just need to get our heads on right to see it. I think I’m going to try harder to not try so hard, and maybe I can soar like the Pelican.

David is a NC based photographer. To see his online gallery click here.

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Timeless

This image of old store fronts in Rocky Mount NC was taken a few years ago. I could imagine when walking the streets, for the most part of an empty town, how it must have been back in its heyday. With the railroad running right down the center of town and parking on sides and in the center of the streets, I can visualize it being hard at one time to find a parking spot. These stores have a lot of character. It’s disappointing to see such a beautiful place forgotten.

I’ve said it before; I feel as photographers we have a responsibility to capture images of our history. The structures of the past are much different than what we are seeing being built today. It seems the older buildings were much more a work of art vs. the cookie cutter approach. On my website I have several images of old barns. They’re beautiful representations of old rural America.

Photography is unique, as we captures an image, we're capturing what’s in front of the lens at that moment. The image could be communicating something historical, current, and future among other things. I think the best images are Timeless.

David is a NC based photographer. To see his online gallery click here.

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Path To Perfection

Delores made this image right in front of the Clam Digger Inn at Pine Knoll Shores NC, a small community near Emerald Island NC. The lines are clear as to where it leads. A place where there is nothing to do, no one to answer to, no right or wrong, a place where everything is given without want or need. In this place everything is working in perfect harmony with the universe.

I know that’s deep, but it goes a long way as to the artist’s state of mind the moment a masterpiece is created. Photography has taught me a lot about life. Looking inside and trying not to resist that state of having everything and needing nothing. Like going out to photograph and expecting nothing and seeing everything. I attempt to enter this place when I use my camera. When I can get there, it allows me to see the beauty of a landscape. Other times, it’s the moment of a perfect gesture when someone allows their inner self to be revealed. If I’m lucky my camera will be ready as well.

Striving to improve and reaching for perfection is endless. It’s a consistent expansion of self, in every aspect of living. Just about the time I think I’m getting it, a teacher arrives to show me more. For me this is the never ending and unreachable Path to Perfection.

David is a NC based photographer. To see his online gallery click here.

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