Snow lasers
As I type this, Baltimore is getting its first big snowstorm of the year. As of noon, about 5 inches has accumulated. So far, I'm chickening out from going out to take photos. A handful of days earlier, we got a preview though, just a light dusting. The leadership of my church had a meeting, so a 10-block walk was in the cards anyway. I brought my most weatherproof camera configuration, a 5D Mark III with a 100-400mm L lens.
That lens was kind of a splurge at about $500, but it has been great for photographing my kid's soccer league and it is weather sealed. There may come a day when my photography is cash neutral or even profitable, but at this stage I'm underwater by about $1,500. Which isn't too bad, I suppose. Snowboarding, automobiles, even golf would add up much faster.
That said, six of my art prints have now sold through the Print Pact, which is exciting and validating. Six actual humans have seen my prints in among art for sale and decided, "That is art I want to own." And for the whole month of June, I have a solo show at Zeke's Coffee in Lauraville. The lines between vanity, self-expression, and legitimacy in art are always blurry. But its feeling more and more true to call myself a photographer.
Anyway, about these shots. This is on 27th street between Charles and Maryland. A spot there has a big blank expanse of sky between the buildings, making the background on a scene like this almost pure black. I used a longish exposure for all of these, 1/45th to 1/30th of second.
Usually, photos in real color for me look the best on the back of the camera right after I take them, I'll admit. These, though, were a joy to bring up on the computer monitor later. The concept worked even better than I hoped, the textures and motion are all kinds of satisfying, and the changing wind gives the set variety. I can't even decide which of these similar shots I like best.
