I have been thinking a lot about this blog which I am supposed to keep consistent and interesting. I heard years ago, if I am going to write I have to write what I know. Also I must be honest. I agonise about both. For those who know me, they think not , I am sure, I make honesty look easy. I am honest, I do it, but I do agonize about my impact. I don’t have anything exceptional to say about photography really. I am passionate about it as are most people who do it. I certainly don’t have anything t0 say that hasn’t been said by so many great photographic artists, over and over. To write about what I know, rather than steal it, I am just going to turn you onto my own photographic curriculum. There is so much out there and I weed through about 10 new sites a day. I go to a photographers site and I will go through all his  links, one day I was at this guys site and I hit visual pay dirt.  I was blown away by  Matt Sartain. My first look at his stuff I knew I really should be a photographic agent and this guy is going to be a star and I need to buy one of his images before I can’t. And why don’t I own a gallery damn it?

Matt is young and cool and a musician. He photographs places in the City of my childhood that remind me of magical dusks in Golden Gate park. If he gave workshops I’d be there.

Another site I find completely useful and is one of my daily favorites and is completely entertaining and educational is A Photo Editor . I could read this all day and follow all of it’s links. I hope this man is making good money he deserves it. He is doing me a great service.

What’s up for me today. Summer is here the kids are out and we have no routine. The house is trashed and I need to get that part together. My 19 year old went back to his home in Sonoma. I miss him. I paid bills all day, worked out, called clients, am preppng for a wedding on Sat.,  spent most of the day yesterday going through camping gear that hasn’t been out in 2 years. Washed everything. We camp and where we go is into the middle of no whereand we haul it all in even H20. Packing takes 3 days. I have to do it now. I also haul in a full kitchen because like Salmon spawning we all head into the Trinities to eat, swim, renew,  and argue. I cook for 5 kids plus their friends plus our extended family and friends. We have been trekking into this magical,  dangerous wilderness since I was a pre teen. 35 years and there is no place I love better. I always said whatever boyfriend I brought there I would marry and so I did. He loves it too. We took Michael there when he was 11 days old. Liv when she was 3 weeks old and floated down the river. We waited a year on Jane and Tristan went when he was a baby too.  I took Ryon when he was a year.  

One of my favorite places to shoot is at our kitchen table with intense afternoon light.

In my front yard

My girlfriend, Linda Pohler (real estate agent extraordinaire), called me as she was driving down the causeway over Lake Almanor. “Kimmie, get outside with your camera, there are a pair of Sandhills right out in the Meadow in your front yard”.  Sure enough I run over to the kitchen window and peer out and there they are, about  50 yards off the front fence. I run for the Mark 111, grab the 200mm lens, hook it up and head out onto the meadow moving slowly. Sandhills have the most amazing yodle. I can hear them. I think Dr. Suess must have designed many of his bird characters after this species. They are gawky, awkward, graceful, slow and precise. By the time I was close enough to get a clear shot they were already working up to a take off and pissed. The one on the lower part of the image was in full vocal protest. But, I got their gorgeous red heads in this image. They flew a whole  20 yards while their asses hung heavy in the air, too hard to lift. Obviously I wasn’t scary enough for them to go too far. I had my shot, so I headed back to the kitchen to start dinner and watch their slow progress around the meadow.

3 pears

I love painting and photographing and eating pears. This was the other day at sunset at my kitchen table.

 

Thunder Storms Out My Kitchen Window

Welcome to the new blog!

O L D   B L O G

It’s been a journey getting to this point. It took 3 years to finally settle on my brand, look, feel, what I want to say. I am committed now. I  am excited about the new kimjamesphoto.com/blog  hybrid blogsite. I think it will simplify and unify my sites; give it a clear driver.  At least this is my hope. I  need and would like feedback.  I am still developing this and will be tutored soon, through Word Press, $55.00 per half hour, to learn how to change the header images, thumbnails and many other things I have no clue about.  I have had to change my learning curve to accommodate all the new information coming at me at warp speed. I am probably learning a new app once a week. Nutty, but I keep trudgin. I guess I am learning HTML, I should just dive in and get over myself. I don’t like not knowing things I need to know.

What’s going on for me today. Working with Jane on not lieing. Feeling  confused and frustrated about being a mother even after 24 years at it. Cooking and stocking up on food for the New York Wedding trip so Liv has something nutritious to feed the kids. Working on the blog and headers. Watering the garden. Trying to save energy for the tread mill and Bill Maher. Worrying about Mike, he’s 3 hours late form 250 miles away with  no cell phone. Loving the new Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King by the Dave Matthews Band.

 Ok I ramble. SUBSCRIBE PLEASE!!!! Then let me know what you think. Thanks.