Focus

Today my Dad came to see my students' big show (tomorrow). In typical Dad fashion, he drove over 5 hours to stay less than 24-I admire this trait immensely. We scarfed some BBQ and are now mad-chillin.

During winter break he taught me how to use his circa 1980's film camera. We went on a hike and since that trip I tried photos on 3 other rolls of film.

This was a tough time for both of us and it's nice to have captured this period in such a way.

I was a little prepared for this news-but it turns out the only roll that came through was the one my Dad started me on-which is great because it yielded exactly 1 photo from a trip to Eureka I took to visit my childhood best friend as well as this hike.

I experienced (even from the 2 rolls of failed attempts) that working through this medium makes you stop and look and see something; and especially knowing it was going to cost me something and not be an instant gratification thing, I really strove to make sure I was purposeful with every photo.

So, even though I lost some photographs, I gained a lot from really looking and making memories of my everyday. I can still remember bringing a lot of flowers, signs, and landscapes in and out of focus without the hardcopy.

I have a lot to learn, but I've included some of my focus and development (sappiness intended) below:

Tree growing in the creek

Dad walking away in the distance

 in Eureka

Accidental foot shot-almost slipped in the water!

My Dad appears in this one, it's a recently split tree-this one is my favorite.

Great consolation prize: I wasn't charged for the rolls that didn't develop, woop!