Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 45 of 100

The news said this weekend’s storm was going to be the strongest in 7 years. From the looks of what I saw while driving–downed trees, flooded streets, malfunctioning streetlights–I believe they could be right. It’s rained 5 inches or so over the last half dozen hours. I can hear the steady beat of the drops right now as I write this blog entry, drops that are a reminder that my car could be in the middle of a pond tomorrow when it comes time to hit the road again.

Today’s picture is a shot of New Mexico back in January when a much smaller storm visited the high desert. I took it at sunrise.

-Vincent Lowry (Author of American Vineyard and #LucysLetter)

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 44 of 100

Because Valentine’s day was this week, as well as my anniversary, today’s photo is for my girlfriend. She’s an awesome, beautiful woman who is incredibly supportive of my dreams and goals. Thank you for all that you’ve done, and I look forward to more wonderful dates with you as we continue our journey together.

I took the picture above at Taos, New Mexico several years back. The winter sunset was amazing that day!

-Vincent

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 43 of 100

Today’s shot is another one of Palos Verdes. I wish the day had been a little clearer that morning when I went to the coast with my camera, but you often don’t get all the right conditions weather wise when shooting.  I liked the look of the winding trail in this picture and matching blues of the sky and ocean. I think I’ll take another trip to this location soon, perhaps on an afternoon, to see what else I can capture and what else will surprise me.

-Vincent Lowry (Author of American Vineyard and #LucysLetter)

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 42 of 100

It’s Valentine’s Day and I’m heading out soon to have dinner with my girlfriend. I’m sure we are bound to see a ton of people at the restaurant, and I’m a little worried that our reservations won’t be on the list when we arrive (I called on the phone to confirm, but no one answered). It’s a first world problem, I know. I’m aware that I’m lucky I don’t have the problems we see in the news, so I keep that in mind as I head out for what I hope to be a lovely meal with lovely woman.

Today’s picture is from Palos Verdes. Please enjoy.

-Vincent (Author of American Vineyard and #LucysLetter)

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 41 of 100

I might have a poem for this day, but I first need to get permission before I can post it. I will edit this entry as needed.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy Palos Verdes.

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 40 of 100

Poem: Care

Stretch, reach, find it
Don’t just let it come to you
Because it often won’t
Find the ill
The lost and outcast
The stranger at the door seeking refuge
Unfold your heart in ways uncommon
Know that if it’s a fight upstream
That it feels awkward
Difficult
Unsafe or impossible
You are on the narrow path
The route you were born to take
The journey to another in need
And when you find yourself in the light
Don’t be frightened by what you see
As your reflection stands before you

-Vincent Lowry (Author of American Vineyard and #LucysLetter)

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 39 of 100

I created my first animation video today. I tried to post it on this blog, but WordPress wants money before that can happen. In any case, it’s on Facebook and I think it’s a good start to an amazing opportunity to reach customers I typically cannot reach with standard photo postings. I’m also thinking about using animation for some additional projects on my list. I have no idea if my skills will prove good enough continue the craft, but I’m pretty sure that I can surprise myself if I put in enough hours of study and experimentation. Persistence usually pays off. And that applies for almost everything, not just my limited interests.

-Vincent Lowry (Author of American Vineyard and #LucysLetter)

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 38 of 100

 

I had a friend ask me for prints of New Orleans today. I’m happy that he wants one from me, but these types of requests (blindly sending shots that might interest my customer) always leave me with a feeling that I need far more pictures than I’ve currently taken of the requested place/subject matter. My problem is I focus too hard on getting one picture just right. While that’s not a problem in the sense that it gives me an outstanding picture for my portfolio (see above), it is an issue when quantity outweighs quality. That can happen in photography. You can show a client 3 pictures that took forever to envision and capture, only to have that same client ask you, “Cool. But what else do you have?” It’s a part of the job, I guess.

I have no idea if my friend will say the same to me when I show him the 8 photos that I sent his way.

Time will tell.

-Vincent Lowry (Author of American Vineyard and #LucysLetter)

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 37 of 100

I’m posting another Facebook live video today with my girlfriend. I’m showcasing two new metal prints, both of them pictures of flowers. The first is a rose, which was taken in my backyard, and the second is a daisy, an image that I captured inside my house. I think both of them came out great on the 16×20″ sizes on which I printed the shots. I’m fortunate to have my girlfriend help out with the “revealing” of the metal prints, because I have to manage the camera.

It’s time to film!

-Vincent Lowry (Author of American Vineyard and #LucysLetter)

 

Following a Dream in 2017 – Day 36 of 100

I can hear some strange critter under my bathtub right now. It’s living in a crawlspace beneath my house, where it has been for over a year, and it’s currently scratching and bumping my tub in a most annoying and disturbing fashion. I know your question. Why haven’t I gotten rid of the thing after knowing about it for a year? My answer is a lame one: I’ve been attempting home remedies in the hope that I’ll find one that finally sends the creature packing to other crawlspaces far away from my bathroom. Of course, none of the remedies proved successful. I’ve tried lemons. Oranges. Chili powder. A pine detergent that was so strong that I smelled mountain fresh (see picture) for days after using it. All of these were meant to produce an odor that my uninvited guest would dislike. While I cannot say it didn’t have that desired effect for at least a few weeks, when Mr. Critter sought shelter elsewhere, the move was always temporary. My place, it seems, was the best on the block.

I’ll have to end this blog post now so I can look on online about what else I can do.

If come across anything about chili powder, I’m going to write the authors a not-so-pleasant note.

-Vincent Lowry (Author of American Vineyard and #LucysLetter)