Today is the last weekday before classes begin for the fall on the campus of Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington.  It was yet another beautiful sunny and mild day, few of these are in store for us as fall draws in.  I decided to get a little fresh air and run some last-minute errands before my schedule would be bogged down with courses and studying.  One of those tasks was to obtain the fall parking permit for my car which is done at the Security building on campus downtown.

Driving down the side streets, I was headed toward my typical parking area in the student lots.  As I neared, I saw the mass of police cars and emergency response vehicles, more than I imagined this city had.  My parking lot was barricaded off with "DANGER" tape and being watched over by someone to prevent people from breaking past the barrier.  I made a u-turn in the street and found parking next to a church a block away.  I walked to the Security building without concern, and waited inside for the clerk to attend to me.  In the background, I heard the squawking over emergency radio; status updates of buildings as they were swept and cleared for dangerous individuals.  Still, I was not concerned.  Why?

Today, September 20, 2013 is the day that Olympic College played host to a drill aimed at testing the emergency response to a shooter on campus.  It is officially called a "Homeland Security Training Exercise".  While it only affected portions of the campus, it was difficult not to be impacted by this event.  I'm not talking about if it created a burden for students wishing to prepare for classes on the last free weekday before the fall quarter begins.  I am not talking about how all the personnel involved with this drill had to deal with us returning students getting in the way.  I mean that it really made me realize a tragedy such as this mock exercise could easily happen here, could happen to us.

We were told that there would be over 100 actors in costume and make-up, portraying injured or deceased.  These participants were expected to use simulated weapons that look and sound like real guns.  While the area was cautioned not to be alarmed at the sounds of 

gunfire and sirens, it still may cause a slight response of fear.  The president of Olympic College was quoted in saying the intent is not to frighten, but to prepare.  I can honestly say it brings a small amount of comfort knowing our area is making an attempt to formulate some kind of response to a tragedy we are seeing all to frequently these past years.

To see more photos of this event, click here:  Photojournalism Olympic College Security Drill

Yes, more about the city of Seattle.  I am getting a little more nostalgic with it as soon we will be moving away.  Though, this trip did have a purpose.  This time, I went to spend the day furthering my knowledge on website maintenance and only brought my camera with for the walk to and from the seminar.  Yes, that is one thing I sincerely love; to walk the streets of this diverse city with camera in hand.  

Far from most perceptions, the weather in the summer is really quite pleasant.  This summer has been bathing us in sun with few wet days to recall, and even those were fits of rain instead of dreary drizzle.  This trip to Seattle graced me with more of the same sunshine and mild air.  I actually left early enough to watch the sun rise while I was on the ferry, but there was enough dense fog that not even a shimmer of light from a shoreline could be seen. Although it also hid the tops of the buildings in Seattle, it did quickly burn off.

Of course, I did find more interesting things to photograph on my walt to the seminar, but I'm saving that for a "Farewell Seattle" post in the near future.  If you'd like to see the images, click this link - Seattle to be directed to the Seattle gallery.

About the seminar, I will spare you the technical details we covered.  I really to get a lot from these kind of functions.  Most important aside from the techie stuff is the networking I get to do.  I meet so many fantastically talented people that are eager to share their tips and tricks.  There were a handful to note at this event.  One in particular; a Google Glass Explorer.  This gal was one of few that is being able to test out the new Google Glass eyeware system.  The easiest way I can explain it if you don't already know what it is; a barely-there pair of eyeglass frames equipped with all the clever little features of a smart phone, but better.  I was even allowed to try them out myself for a spell.  What a hoot!  And Suzanne, the Explorer was quite the gem, so outgoing and intelligent~ everything I'd expect from an explorer!

In conversation with a few of the others at the seminar, I gleaned some interesting quotes I had to share with you.  

"I came here (Seattle) to live.  I thought I'd get rich and famous.  Instead, I just got stuck in traffic."  ~Mark Anthony, Photographer

"I believe in the sentiment; what is the best way to totally ruin a hobby you love? Turn it into a profession."  ~Christopher Colgan, Photographer

Although I have a couple topics I could elaborate on for my next post, I chose to comment on my most recent project, the world of infrared (IR) photography.  

Have you ever been stopped in your tracks by a photo, there is something so unusual and beautiful about it, you cannot pull your eyes away?  I have found myself being drawn in just this fashion to a particular style; so much so that I began to research some of the artists that repeatedly produced mesmerizing pieces. This was when I began to learn about IR photography. Such magical photographs were emerging with this process, I wanted so much to emulate them. With more research, and eventually having the opportunity to shoot using an IR camera (more on that later), I learned it was no easy task to capture the world of the unseen.

Let's start with the basics.  When I say unseen, it is because the human eye cannot see the infrared waves that lie just beyond the visible spectrum. What we can see is within the range of 400-700 nm (nanometers).  IR falls approximately between 700-1200 nm.

Though we cannot see it, the IR is there; bouncing off the leaves of towering trees to sliver blades of grass. Vegetation creates a bit of a glow due to this reflection whereas rivers and bodies of water will be darker and deeper. It was this 'glow' that caught my eye and makes IR photography seem so surreal.

A camera can capture IR using a few different methods. A film camera could simply be loaded with IR film, likely the most inexpensive option. Filters can also be placed on the end of lenses.  Using filters will also reduce the total amount of light that falls on to the sensor or film, so compensating properly is necessary for achieving the best exposure, and using a tripod is good practice to avoid blur from camera shake.  Another method is to dedicate a camera solely to IR by removing the filter that sits right in front of the camera sensor and replacing it with a filter that allows in only IR light. This of course is the most expensive method, but in my opinion will produce the absolute best results.

I was able to use Panasonic Lumix point-and-shoot that had been converted to an IR camera.  Ideally, shooting in RAW is best to allow for a lot more control during processing. This particular camera did not have that option.  It still gave me a wonderful experience to whet my appetite!  The first thing I learned was how important proper white balance was.  Depending on the weather and the sun's behavior, I changed the white balance accordingly by pointing directly at a patch of grass. With a few test shots, I was off and running. I found that I enjoyed photographing structures as well as the greenery in the local area. Now that I had an ample selection, it was time to process.

Here is where it gets tricky. To get the result I have been so moved by in the work of greater artists, I would need significantly more practice and research (as well as patience!).  I began to learn more about channel swapping and how manipulating the colors using this method could produce images with a realistic blue sky or water. Since IR photographs do not contain any real colors, it truly is a practice in artistry to create a recipe of channel swapping, white balance, saturation or other styling to end with a realistic final piece.  It also may require a bit more investment in software that is more capable than my Photoshop Elements.

As I progress, I will become more comfortable with managing the myriad of adjustments and may eventually develop a style I can proudly share with the world.  For now, I can present the images I created using the IR camera and making processing adjustments within Lightroom.  Most you will see below have been converted to black and white.  The original files of these photos will remain as my stock for future attempts, so as I progress, you may see the same photos repeated with different end results... at least until I can afford to invest in a IR converted camera!

Ah, the intriguing and inspiring world of photography.

This past weekend, I  had the opportunity to travel over to Seattle on the ferry and meet up with a dear friend to shoot the Emerald City Comicon (boasted the largest comic convention in the Pacific Northwest).  Thrilled, was I (for you Star Wars fans). Thrilled for many reasons.

Yes, because I love to ride the ferry, seriously.

I feel ignited by the city life in Seattle.

And mostly because I was going shooting with some very talented people.

I had hopes to glean some knowledge or techniques of street photography from this excursion, but I got so much more than I anticipated!  Right out of the gate, I was able to try out a new lens to me, the Canon 35mm 1.4 prime lens - which I was highly anticipating.  This was the first time I have shot with a lens that fast.  I was eager to see what the results would be.  We trekked along the city streets up to the convention center, chatting along the way.  The weather was perfect this day; warmish with no rain, but no overbearing sun to fight while shooting.

Upon meeting a friend of the photog I was with, he graciously offered me the chance to shoot with his mirrorless system, the new Sony RX1 full frame camera.  Yup, that's right, I said full frame mirrorless.   Link to RX1 site

I've read about this little but powerful piece in my recent interest of mirrorless and rangefinders. I couldn't turn down this chance.  I quickly swapped out SD cards and put that beauty in my hands.  It was so much smaller and lighter than my 60D I was using, but is capable of producing images that some say rival if not beat those put out by the newer Mark III I was salivating over a while back. Plus, the Sony has such a nostalgic style reminding me of the earlier years of photography.  

It has a fixed 35mm 2.0 fast Carl Zeiss lens with aperture adjustment ring on the lens itself and analog style knobs on top for other adjustments.  It took a little getting used to as I was so accustomed to my digital adjustments on my DSLR.  I did make haste in getting comfortable with it though; I had to because these comic characters were flooding by with little time to compose the shot.  I was quickly turned onto the compactness and light load that a camera like this can provide as I had my DSLR gear hanging off my back and shoulder.

                                                      Photo by Bob Towery

After a quick couple hours shooting and complimenting all the characters, we ventured off for some grub.  Along with lunch was more photography conversation.  I felt like a withered dry sponge sitting in a pool of fresh cool water, just soaking it all up.  Man, was I enjoying this!

After lunch was a little more wandering, making a planned stop at the Photo Center NW gallery for a Vivian Maier exhibit.  She has some very compelling street photography.  It was very moving for me, especially since today was an exercise in developing my street photography skills.  You really should go take a look.  www.vivianmaier.com

Then, the unexpected happened… I was bestowed the use of the Leica M9 digital rangefinder system! I can still hear angels singing.  Seriously, this is one fantastic camera, and I recall saying, “I feel like I’m being crowned” as the strap was placed over my head.  Link to Leica M9

My recent fascination with rangefinders came as I was researching for my photography class all the different kinds of cameras out there.  Of note were medium format (being one I am completely enamored with, but that’s a whole other topic) and Rangefinders, drawing my interest in their compact design and wonderful quality given in lower lit situations.  Most unique to me was their focusing system.  Its totally different than what you are used to on SLRs.  I’ll try to explain.  The focusing mechanism will display two images of the subject.  As the user turns the focus ring, one image moves until it coincides with the other until both are perfectly aligned and optimum clarity or focus is achieved.  It’s not an easy or fast maneuver for me.  Another feature I grew to like was how you could turn the focus ring to specific distance markers on it, allowing you to guesstimate your distance from a subject and turning the ring to your guessed distance for focus.  Why do this? So you can shoot incognito, keeping the camera at your waist, without most nearby noticing you are taking any photos at all.  This was another new technique I learned on Saturday.

I found that in using this system, I started to actually pay attention to what I was shooting.  I started to massage my composition techniques and began to see from a different perspective.  It is a kind of training I think every beginning photographer needs to go through.  I became all to complacent with my DSLR and like many amateurs, I would throw up the camera to my eye, and spray and pray!  Hoping something in what I just shot would turn out.  With the system I used on Saturday, I began to feel what I was trying to achieve.

I’ve got a long way to go, but that feeling is addicting man, and I’m hungry for more!

As for the new 35 lens I began the day with, still testing! But again, I think I'm in love!

Special Thanks

Bob Towery www.dreamtomorrowblog.com

Ashwin Rao  www.photos-ash.blogspot.com

                                                                                                               Me and one of my mentors, Bob Towery                 Photo by Ashwin Rao

Although I don't consider December 30th the official end of the year, it's close enough for me to call it on my blog. I am quite sure my actual New Years Eve will be far too busy to accommodate any computing.

Upon reflection this evening, 2012 has been a stellar year! So many wonderful things have happened to me, biggest of all is marrying the most wonderful man I have ever known. Someone that keeps me grounded while inspiring me to endless horizons at the very same time. He has been right here with me in every momentous part of the year. 

Second most noteworthy item was officially launching my business of photography and watching my dream come alive right before my eyes. What an exhilarating feeling! From the new friends and mentors I've made, the new skills developed, participating in two local Art Shows, being hired by complete strangers from word of mouth, selling fine art pieces off my website... gosh, I could continue but I'd probably bore you.  Suffice it to say I feel so fortunate and endlessly grateful for all I have in my life.

The journey continues in a challenging but fruitful path as I ease into 2013.  Ease, hell, who am I kidding?  Just two days ago I left my well-paying full-time job to pursue a full-time college career toward a degree in Web Development with an emphasis in photography.  That's not exactly ease, at this point it feels more like a quantum leap!  But again, I have the support and encouragement of friends, family and my magnificent husband.  Thank you everyone, from the bottom of my heart!

I'm confident 2013 will be just as rewarding, and I hope you tag along and share in my endeavors. 

Cheers!!Rubber Drinky

Today, I completed the final steps in launching a new goal to obtain my Associates Degree in Applied Science for Web Development and also continuing my education in Photography. After a lot of anticipation on my part, my appointed time to register for my Winter start at college finally arrived. I was able to register for all the classes I wanted for my first quarter back to school, I was relieved, but even more so, excited! The whole day seemed to exemplify new beginnings. Even the weather for the Pacific Northwest in December was cooperating; with the skies a vibrant bright blue,  popcorn clouds drifted overhead and heavy warm sunshine washed over me. Man, what a great day this turned out to be! The Student Center buzzed with student life, and that just escalated my excitement for my endeavor. With all this jazz going on, it was very difficult to allow my fears of the heavy course load ahead overshadow anything I was feeling today. Off to school I go!

This post chronicles my recent stay at Point No Point Lighthouse. However brief this life was, it will have an everlasting existence in my memories. For two days, my husband and I lived at the lighthouse, in the very Keepers Quarters that over a hundred years ago housed those put in charge of manning the beacon. It was a surprise get-away that my loving husband had arranged for us, much to my worry for I don't fare well when I am not able to plan for my adventures. I'm learning to allow this spontaneity in my life with more ease. But I digress; let's stick to unfolding my experience as a pseudo Keepers Wife.

The Keepers Wife

A good place to start- the beginning.  In 1841, Navy Lt. Charles Wilkes was on his famous expedition exploring the Puget Sound.  The spit of land the explorers could see from their ship was referred to as Hahdskus by local Indian tribes, which meant "long nose".  A seemingly good fit, when the tide waters were receded enough to reveal the point. However, once tides rose, the point would disappear. This is one version of the naming of Point No Point that I learned about while chatting with the local historians. In 1855, the treaty of Point No Point was signed between the tribes of the Northern Kitsap Peninsula and the Washington Territories (as Washington was not yet a State).

The lighthouse construction on the point began in 1879. The first Keeper was actually a dentist, Dr. John Maggs. He left his practice in Seattle to begin the Keepers life in 1880. Of the many stories I've been treated to, one in particular comes to mind. It shows the fortitude of the keepers and the resourcefulness that was necessary in order to survive the life of a Keeper as many lighthouses were located in some of the most uninviting locations. Point No Point was not far from that reality. In it's beginning, it did not have local roads leading out to charming towns and easy resources. In order to feed your family, you had to grow everything you needed right there at the house or have it brought to you by boat from either Seattle or Gig Harbor. In one particular case, storytellers expound on how even cows for milk or beef were brought by boat then made to swim to shore to make their new home. Another story shows how living at the lighthouse with your Lighthouse Assistants could be a dangerous way of life, as in the case of Maggs and one of his assistants. The Keepers Log reveals confrontations where the assistant locked himself and a pal in the lighthouse, threatening Maggs with a pistol if he dared venture inside. Quite the life indeed.

Now, the atmosphere of the lighthouse is far different. The Keepers Quarters where Maggs and his crazy assistant lived and were separated by only a wall, is now a vacation rental and the offices of the US Lighthouse Society (after moving from their previous offices in California). The lighthouse itself went fully automated in 1977, making that year the last year of full use of the Keepers Quarters. Now, it is the cozy and educational home for many vacationers that feel inspired enough to become a part of its history, however small a part it is. There is much to learn about this place, and some can be found right inside the Keepers Quarters in the multitude of books and writings kept in it's small library upstairs. At one time, the duplex actually housed 54 Navy Sailors during WWII. Now, it can comfortably sleep six people in the spacious dwellings. Where there once was access by only boat, there are now roads that welcome tourists in, and the quaint little town of Hansville is within walking distance for supplies at a small-town grocer. There are also trails around the lighthouse and wetlands. Not only is this a great location for Lighthouse buffs, but any kind of wetland enthusiast would love the abundance of birds and other wildlife. Me, I took it all in, through the lens of my camera.

Although it was the first weekend of December, there was no bone-chilling bite to the air. The evenings were charged with rolling clouds and crashing waves on the rock around the lighthouse. Aglow in the distance, I could see the Seattle city lights. I wondered what it would have been like back in the day, when I knew that was my only contact for help or supplies when I needed it. Now, it seems so close, and to be honest, a bit of visual pollution to the whole scene. Mornings were brought in with a slight bluster of a wind. Even though I couldn't see an actual sunrise, the way the sun broke through the moody clouds more than made up for it, providing splendid photo opportunities for me. Never was I disappointed by the weekend; the weather, the surroundings, lodgings, the company and everything else, all more than I could have imagined.

We spent the afternoons checking out the local area and hiking some to get a different perspective on the dwellings. One trail led us up so high, we could see the entire point, or lack thereof with the high tide. Our evenings were cozy and enchanting. We took advantage of the Keepers Quarters, using the full kitchen to cook supper while joking about having to check the light later to ensure it was working to warn incoming sailors. And of course, I couldn't avoid the urge to photograph the lighthouse in darkness, during its most significant time, it's beam of light illumitaing the tower. We ended our evenings with a couple movies while curled up together. One of course, being of the Twilight series, after all, what would be more fitting than watching the fantasy based right here in our corner of the woods? Forks couldn't be more than two hours away.

The last morning, we just sat on the front porch, enjoying coffee and drinking in the horizon. Could it get any better than this? I think not, and I'll never forget this weekend, never.

Please take a moment to see through my eyes the charm and little bit of mystery of Point No Point Lighthouse in Hansville, Washington. Visit the galleries, leave comments or add your favorite photos to your own archive.

Click on the "P" in the link below.

Point No Point Lighthouse Gallery

A Return to the Light

Just a few short weeks after our initial stay at the Keepers Quarters, I returned. For a couple reasons really. The first being that I was asked by a member of the US Lighthouse Society (USLS) to come and speak with him about using my photos in their shop and online, a request I was eager to have play out! The second reason was to gain access to the Fresnel lens that is closed off to the public. I was being allowed to climb the little tower and photograph from that vantage point and photograph the beautiful retired lens itself. Needless to say, I was really looking forward to this visit. After spending a little time up in the tower shooting, I climbed back down to go chat with the USLS member. I was impressed at his level of knowledge on marketing for photography. He inspired me to keep an interest in pursuing a more artful approach in my photography. I admit, that's not hard to do when I see so many captivating things around me and have the support and encouragement from both strangers and loved ones. With this rewarding visit, I was able to get some more images to add to my Point No Point collection here in my gallery.

Let me share a little history about the lens.

In 1879, as this particular lighthouse construction was being completed, it was illuminated by merely a kerosene lamp.  As the story goes, the first lightkeeper hung huge canvas sheets over the southern windows to break the wind from the lantern to keep the flame from blowing out until the glass and lenses for the lamp arrived. In 1880, the lanternroom became home to a new fifth-order Fresnel lens.  

What is a Fresnel lens? Unless you are a lighthouse buff you may not really know. The Fresnel lens was developed by a French physicist, Augustin Jean Fresnel, in the early 1800s. The original version is a curtain of separate glass prisms and lenses of varying thickness that are carefully arranged one by one into a nearly circular position. The light is forced through each lens and bent into a strong beam across the water. This method of lens actually reduces the amount of material that is required to build the lens as compared to a plano-convex lens. Even with that in mind, the cost associated with this lens was considered to be very high for that time period in America. The first of this style lens came to the Northeastern coast, and took it's time making it to the West coasts. Now, you can see examples of the Fresnel lens in things like the plastic headlamps in some vehicles, notice the rigid rows? That is a Fresnel design. 

The lighthouse lens; creating a stoic beam with a sobering purpose and a romantic tale in every robust yet delicate prism.

So many times I have felt grateful for something another has done for me.  I've started to wonder if I actually express my gratitude enough in those moments.  I have found many wonderful friends that have and continue to support me in my aspirations of a photographer.  I learn from these individuals and develop the courage to keep moving toward my dreams.  I know you're out there, but you may not be aware I'm talking about you.  So here I would like to express how much I truly appreciate all you've done for me and know that in no small part, you are contributing to my success.  This gift I will pass along to others on the same path whenever I have the chance to.

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." ~ Thornton Wilder