At The Fair

There’s something about the fair— a midway with carnies hawking “the world’s smallest woman”, livestock shows complete with 4-Hers and blue ribbons, pig races, and virtually anything you can imagine deep-fried on a stick. What more could you want? Do the calories in a wedge of chocolate dipped, frozen cheesecake on a stick count if you eat them at the fair?

I hadn’t been to the Georgia National Fair in years. So when the opportunity arose last week, I just had to go, and I had to take the Nikon. Strangely enough, this was to be the setting for my first ever attempt at fireworks. I don’t know how I've been taking photographs this long and never tried them before, but thanks to a shutter release and a tripod, I managed a few frames of the fireworks, the lake, and the midway in the background. The wind didn't cooperate, blowing the fireworks back over my head and the smoke right into the lights of the fair. So the setup that I had at first selected, with my 24-70mm f2.8, had to be modified. The slow and considerably less sharp 18-200mm f3.5 was the widest lens I had, and my only recourse. The fireworks shot posted here was a 13 second exposure at f5.6 at 18mm. The trip was fun and the results weren't too bad. I couldn't bring back enough funnel cakes and fried Snickers for everyone, but I hope you enjoy these shots.

Meet Cleo

I'm a sucker for kittens and puppies. Anyone who isn't should probably be shipped off immediately to Guantanemo Bay as a threat to national security. So when I saw this black and white ball of fur in the hands of a friend, at a golf course no less, I was instantly hooked. "They're going to take her to the shelter tomorrow," she said, and it was all over.

She was supposed to be a gift for the kids, but I've hesitantly let them play with her, knowing full well that she's mine. And what else would I do with my kitten, besides get her to chase every piece of string in the house, but to photograph her.

In case you were wondering, this was taken with a 70-200 at f2.8 and I used two SB800s fired in commander mode for lighting. Cleo wasn't too sure about the speedlights, but she's already a ham.

Granted, many will think this a silly post. No, it's not a matter of national security, bad economic policy, or even college football. It's much bigger... in a tiny package. In two days, Cleo has me wrapped around her black and white paw. She's fearless--that will come in handy with my kids--and full of mischief. My kind of pet.

Goodbye Lucy O'Donnell

I was listening to NPR this morning and heard that Lucy O’Donnell Vodden, age 46, died yesterday, apparently of complications from her battle with lupus. Probably like you, I had no idea who Lucy was. Come to find out, she was once something of a muse, a friend for a boy named Julian, and the inspiration for a timeless hit song from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

In 1966, Julian Lennon came home with a drawing of his friend Lucy O’Donnell. In his drawing, she had diamonds for eyes. Young Julian showed his father the drawing and told him it was “Lucy in the sky with diamonds.” Despite the song’s innocent inspiration, Lewis Carroll references, and odd chord structure and meter (6/8 verses and 4/4 chorus), it was banned by the BBC because of its drug references.

For whatever reason, the story got me thinking about muses; the individuals, mostly women I suppose, who inspired artists—painters, poets, musicians, and photographers alike. For generations, scholars—and Nat King Cole—have debated the origin of La Gioconda—The Mona Lisa. Who was she? What brought that smile? Layla was inspired by Eric Clapton’s obsession with model Patty Boyd, who at the time was married to friend George Harrison. How many museums, book shelves, or iPods are filled thanks to a glimpse, a chance meeting, a lifetime relationship, or a broken heart?

So goodbye Lucy O’Donnell. The world never met you, but you live on thanks to your inspiration of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who co-wrote your song. I think I’ll pull out my iPod and fire up some Beatles just for you.