Spring is here, and I need to shape UP!

     Since the weather has been incredibly nice recently, one of the high school guys in my church youth group asked me to go play tennis with him after church last Sunday.  I always say how I can play any sport pretty good, but I can't play any sport really good.  So, after probably ten years, I'm stepping back on the tennis court to once again hit balls over the fence.
     Thanks to a good friend for giving me one of his tennis rackets.  Kinda jumping on the band wagon, I wanted to get into tennis because so many of the other people at my church play it.

     I met up with two of the high school guys at the tennis courts just behind our church after we ate lunch.  We were joined by another college student shortly after to start up some doubles.  It didn't take me by surprise at the skill level they were displaying. 

However, what did surprise me was how well I played.  Granted one out of every two tennis balls I hit flew outside the court, but on the hits that were good, I hit the ball with persion and accuratey.  Even though I didn't know where to hit it most of the time.  All and all, it was a great time with the guys, and a great time of getting out and running around.
     So thank you guys for making me feel good feeling sore for the rest of the week!

Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6

To Photograph, or Not to Photograph

A few weeks ago, I was asked to photograph a funeral service for an elderly man who was part of my church.  In the past, I've taken pictures at emotionally charged sporting events, weddings, and various other social events, but never a funeral.  This won't be my first funeral service I've been to, so I kinda had an idea of what to expect in terms of how people and the family would be feeling.  In fact, I've taken part in my own father's funeral service which was a glorious example of how a truly Godly man can positively impact so many lives.  Going into this funeral, I had no idea what type of obstacles I'd be facing.

February 12, 2011

In general, I love to take pictures that capture people's emotions and have the picture convey the subject's feelings.  So I love getting shots of people smiling, being surprised, and making goofy faces.  On the flip side, a picture of someone sad or crying can be powerful too.  As I was looking for great shots of the family, I found myself torn.  Torn because I was seeing and feeling the pain the family was going through through the camera lens, especially the widow.  I reached a point where I had to physical step out of the building because I felt wrong freezing the moments someone is so deeply sadden.  Is it right to preserve these moments of intense pain and anguish, when someone is so vulnerable?


Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8

First Shot

Here's my first attempt at taking portraits.  My good friend, and co-worker, allowed me to shoot a couple of portraits of him.  Here's a few samples of how they turned out.  Special thanks to the Ang family for allowing me to use their guest room as a ghetto studio.

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8