st. francis

this figurine of st. francis has been with me since i was a child...he was old when we got him from a friend...part of a birdfeeder we had in our backyard-- he sat inside a little wooden enclosure--the front part held bird seed. eventually the wooden part broke...and i asked my mom for st. f...he has moved around with me for 35 years or more...missing fingers and a really nice aging crackled finish...he is one of my most cherished belongings.

the photo i took of st. francis is with the "through the viewfinder" (ttv) method...where you use a digital camera with an older top viewfinder camera. i used a kodak duoflex iv with my canon eos rebel xti...made my own "contraption" out of black foam core and a black sock (after reading up on many ideas on "flickr") to block the light...the photo is taken with the digital camera, but through the older camera's viewfinder..making your photos look old...the black edge is characterisitc of ttv photos...scratches, dust, etc on the old lens add to the vintage look...it's fun to see the results!

grand rapids landmarks

many of my photos are local landmarks...older buildings, signs, etc...i try to capture before they are gone and forgotten... although a lot of places around here i doubt will be forgotten...gr was once known as "furniture city" because of all of the furniture manufacturing around here...one of my most recent pics is part of the j. widdicomb furniture company...they closed their doors just a few years ago.

fat boy burgers

a lot of people have asked about the fat boy photo...it's a local place on the north side of grand rapids (michigan) that had been closed for awhile. a couple of weeks ago it was re-opened with new owners. the neon in the "fat boy" part of the sign has been fixed...i am waiting for a night shot...which is tricky as they are only open til 3 in the afternoon...
anyway...it's nice to see a locally owned business back! a lot of people around here have stories about this place...my photo has sparked a lot of conversations...my photos (also my cards and photo frames) are featured where i work...many of my customers have something to say about fat boy...fun to hear!

BOGO SALE

visit my etsy shop for my latest promo: now through st patrick's day (03/17/09), i am having a "Buy One Get One" sale...buy an item at regular price, get a second item of equal or lesser value at half price! check it out!

welcome to my brand new blog!

a first time for everything...i have decided to start a blog...

mainly to share my photography and artwork and other thoughts and such...

i opened my etsy shop back in september of 2008...and have enjoyed it so much...a second job basically...i think you get out of it what you are willing to put in...and i think i have an obsession about the place!