The Gauntlet

A gauntlet is described as an 'open challenge', and used in phrases like, 'throw down the gauntlet', or for those in the epicurean set, 'throw down with Bobby Flay'.

Over this past weekend, I took the opportunity to comment rather sarcastically on an article written in my local newspaper. Having taken an interest in the author of this article, and others, I critiqued the article for being more an advertisement for a local establishment, than an article for the opening of a new business enterprise in town. And, I also rather pithily critiqued the article for it's exuberance for a particular word that many may have known, but for the vast majority of readers would be met with a 'huh?'

Now the reason I've given the name of this blog 'The Gauntlet', is because my critique caught the attention of the editor of said local newspaper, who so eloquently challenged me basically to either 'put up, or shut up'.

Those were not his exact words, but as I have contributed to the paper as both a photographer, and less as a writer, his challenge was for me to contribute my own work and not criticize the work of others.

I've always appreciated the opportunity to contribute as a freelance photographer, but the dilemma for me was when I was asked if I would like to contribute as a writer. Needless to say, I was flattered to be asked to write, even though my last journalistic attempt consisted of a rather poorly written piece for my high school newspaper some 35 years ago.

The idea to do some writing was thrust upon me much like my photography. I always had an interest, but never felt compelled to pursue it, until economic circumstance, and a little guidance from above left me questioning what it was I was going to do with the rest of my life.

One of the reasons I decided to start this blog, was that I enjoy putting my thoughts down in words. It's a release of sorts to put down in words whats rattling around in my brain. The blog is ultimately about the photography, but it must also be about the writing. While I am not formally trained in either photography or writing, I think I have a knack for both of them.

While getting my friendly kick in the ass yesterday, and being asked why I hadn't contributed much in the way of writing is because I don't consider myself a writer per se. My editor commented that if you don't consider yourself a writer, you'll never write. The very fact that I'm sitting here banging this out would lead me to believe that maybe I do have some tools, and as my editor said 'can string sentences together'.

It's been difficult since the loss of my 'real' job almost two years ago to contemplate doing something other than what I was trained to do. But the more I look at my life and what I have an interest in, it seems that someone or something keeps pointing me in this direction, and opening doors that I never thought would be open.

I'm finally seeing that perhaps maybe, just maybe, taking pictures and writing is something I was always supposed to do, but only now, have I recognized it.

It's a bit intimidating to think that this might be what I do now. It's very competitive, and the prospects for making a 'real' living are slim. But everywhere I turn, I have people who believe in what I can do. That being said, it's ultimately up to me whether or not I succeed.

Where does it all lead? I wish I knew. Life is a journey full of gauntlets, some of your own making, some thrown your way by others. I think it's important to view all of them as challenges, and opportunities to succeed.

A favorite saying that I've adopted says: 'It's never too late to be what you might have been'.

So in addition to being a husband, dad, cancer survivor and friend. I also find myself a photographer, and yes, a writer.

All Down the Line

I posed a question on Facebook yesterday, Art or Shit? I posted a couple of shots I took from home and asked for some feedback (You can see the shots on the Williams Photography Facebook page). As is typical of Facebook, I didn't get much, but I still pondered the question.

Art is a very subjective and passionate thing to people, and can lead to some very heated debates. I posed the question to a colleague who looked at the pictures and came away with a very astute observation.

Taken in context, the two shots were very interesting due to the subject matter; a shot of some music books, and a shot of my CD collection. The CD's I shot with a fisheye; the books I shot in color, but added some HDR effects in post processing. Ah, but were they Art?

This person thought that individually the shots were just alright, but because he looked deeper into the subject matter he saw something most casual observers would not have. What is that you ask? Well let me try and explain.

The cover you see above is from the seminal Rolling Stones' album 'Exile On Main Street', one of the greatest rock albums of all time. The black and white shots on the album cover are a collection of people, places and things, woven together to create a wonderfully schizophrenic montage. The pictures, taken individually are nothing spectacular. Pieced together they're brilliant, but you have to have an appreciation for the music to really 'get it'.

The two shots I took, taken individually are just nice simple shots. Together, they create a contrast between old and new, young and old, black and white, and color. Without the context of really looking and seeing what they're about, you miss it. Now are they great shots? Probably not, but if they are at least interesting and create a thought or two worthy of debate, than I have probably created something one could call Art.

Have a great weekend. I'll be seeing ya, all down the line.

There's a woman on my lap and she's drinking champagne

Well not really, maybe later.

When attempting to get this blog formatted over the last couple of days, I discovered you could add music to it. After much thought I decided on Bob Dylan's 'Things Have Changed'. It was the theme song to the movie 'The Wonder Boys'. I won't go into a movie review here, but it's a movie you should check out. It starred Michael Douglas, Toby McGuire, and the great Robert Downey Jr.

Anyway, I liked the song from the start. It appealed to me at my age and where I was in my life. Zimmy reminds us in his uniquely Dylanesque style that 'people are crazy and times are strange'. Well ain't that the truth. Taking a look back he states, 'I used to care but, things have changed'. I can relate to that. As I've grown older, things I used to care a lot about, I no longer do. I can't really explain why, other than I used to care, but things have changed. I wish I could have written a song about it.

Any of us who have made it to their 50's know all about walkin '40 miles of bad road', probably more. However many miles you've walked, whether you're 20, 30, 40, or in my case 53, you know it's a long walk and you get tired, and no matter how long you walk, you never 'get as far away from myself, as I can'.

Oh well, it's a great song, and Bob takes us all on his journey in a way, only he can. All I know is that in life there goes a lot of water under the bridge, and other stuff too.

So don't get up gentlemen, I'm only passing through.

Welcome to my blog

Hi everyone, and welcome to my blog.

When I woke up this morning, creating a blog was not high on my list of things to do, but sometimes things happen for a reason, so here I am typing up my first blog. I'll be quite happy if anyone should decide to come by and read my ramblings.

I've always considered myself to be a bit of a frustrated writer. Never really knowing if I was any good at it, I always knew I enjoyed it. Much like my photography, it was a latent interest that I decided to finally explore.

I'd had a hunch that I could be be good, because I wasn't much good at anything else. I can play a guitar, but I can't play it well. I've always felt there was an artist of some sort lurking in my soul, but for whatever reason never explored that side much.

I had to work, pay bills, be responsible, you know, all that adult stuff that gets in the way of pursuing a dream, or dreams. Looking around, it was obvious that time wasn't going to wait for me to figure out what I wanted to do when I grew up, so I figured now might be as good of a time as any to get off my ass.

That being said, here I am, and I'm not planning on going anywhere for awhile. I hope you'll find me, choose to follow, enjoy the photography, and maybe get a laugh or two out of the musings of a morally bankrupt, financially struggling, artistically frustrated, middle aged Jeffrey Lebowski.

Till next time.