the year in pictures [2006]

i heard someone say this past year, "in this day in age, everyone is a photographer," implying that it's turning into a lost art. to this, i say nay. in this day in age, everyone should be a photographer. everyone now has the ability to capture moments of their lives through a lens. if it follows the "rule of thirds" or has great "leading lines" isn't important, it's about capturing a moment, a feeling, a time in your life.

life, to me, is one, long, crazy, road trip. here are a few postcards...















the mandala_3.1.06

tibetan monks visited the kansas state student union early in 2006, and created a mandala. from my very meager understanding a mandala is symbolically, a representation of the orderly universe. after spending a week slowly adding sand to complete it, it was quickly swept together to symbolize the impermanence of all that exists. having been raised catholic and not buddist, i can't begin to understand all the meanings of the mandala, but it did give me a new perspective, on a year i knew was going to be full of changes.

back at 12:30_3.19.06

during spring break a few classmates and i ventured down to louisiana to help with post-katrina clean up. i discovered that new orleans has a very distinct flavor to it, and even with damage and decay visible from every corner, you could still find little signs of it's unique culture, that could not be swept away.















ninth ward beacon_3.20.06

this house, with it's water damaged belongings filling up the curb, was a sign of hope for the residents of tupelo street. the determination and spirit of the man that lived here was contagious, infecting people from all over the country. we only had a week, but in that time we gutted the house, and created a new palate for construction and hope to begin.
















different light_5.8.06

alright, lightning pictures are a little trite, but as i was sitting by the window that night, waiting to get a shot of the perfect streak across the sky, i was thinking to myself how much i was really going to miss this place i called home for the past seven years.






















moment to think_6.8.06

i went back to new orleans early this summer to help start the construction of the new [house of dance and feathers]. mr lewis was there every day. although years of hard work had taken it's toll, and he couldn't physically do much, he was there everyday providing us with ice cold water, memorable stories and unquestioned support. his attitude hid almost any hint of sadness or distress he may have had on his mind. there were moments, however, that made you remember exactly what he had been through, and why we were there.






















last mow_6.26.06

my parents moved away from my childhood home this year. one of my many chores growing up was mowing the grass. i loved it. it was my time to think, [suburban meditation] if you will. i still haven't found any activity to replace the piece of mind it gave me.
















sunday hobby_8.6.06

not an amazing photo. a little blurry. but it represents a number of things to me. a new job, a new apartment, a new life, and an enormous chuck of time out of my week.






















kansas landmark_10.15.06

this water tower is halfway between my home and manhattan. there was a lot to think about this fall, and road trips always allow your mind to wander. while driving and thinking on this particular fall day, i decided to make a quick stop and photograph this landmark. like all great landmarks it not only pin points a spot geographically, but also a moment in time.






















under the pier_12.18.06

timing is everything, even when it's by accident. i'd like to tell you that i waited hours for the light to be just right, but i didn't. i took the picture, and didn't notice the shadows until it was on the screen of my computer. a reminder that great things usually happen when you least expect it.






















a little fog_12.30.06

to me, this image captures the feelings of a new year. things should never be crystal clear but neither pitch black. outlooks, goals, hopes and dreams, all things we have on our mind entering a new year, should be visible, but never clearly defined.