These are a few select photos from a trip I took to Grand Rapids Michigan.

In 2005, I had one of those moments in life when you saw something and wished you had a camera ready but didn’t.   This is how it all came to be.  On the way up to my apartment I glanced up and saw the moon peaking out from a cloud bank that was blowing through rather quickly.  Something just told me to grab the camera and tripod and try to capture the moment.  I ran back down stairs and set up the camera opened up the aperture, cranked the focus to infinity, set the shutter speed, and pushed the button.  Nothing! The film was on the last shot of the roll.  I ran back upstairs and rifled the refrigerator for a roll of film. One roll of 32/800 ASA  and a chance for success later and I was back down stairs ready to go.  I rethought the shutter speed and just ran the range counting to 10, 20 , 30, longer and longer.  I knew that reciprocity would be my antagonist but managed to shoot the whole roll pretty fast.  Whew…. Maybe! Maybe not! — I thought!

Well, The above picture is the one that came out from that roll that worked.  I love these kinds of moments and the unexpected results from that old style film photography.  When you find yourself getting bored by deleting bad shots on your digital camera, grab that old 35 mm and start shooting.  You never know what the shot may reveal once that film is developed!

After posting this photograph a great deal of  memories of a time with friend past has flooded into my mind and as a result I’d like to share some music in this post.

It’s not the Standing on the moon that I saw in Miami but then again any Standing on the Moon is nice!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Enjoy,

Craig

While in Sarasota I once had the opportunity to photograph an event at a local Cigar Store named Bennington Tobacconist, Inc.  It is located on beautiful St Armand’s Circle.  Unfortunately, a mishap destroyed most of the photographs that I captured – I was just learning how to do things in the darkroom.  However, a few survived the ordeal and I have recently discovered the five shots that captured the skill of a hand roller from Cuba. I think it would make a nice sequential piece if I displayed then in a vertical alignment much like the following series.

The piles of tobacco leaf filled the room with warm scents both stingy floral and tart buttery smoothness. It was quite a complex experience for my senses. The rolling process was skillful and I as he rolled away I learned a few tricks while I observed. From the process of bunching the center with one type of leaf to rolling the outside with another made for the complex flavor of the taste/aroma combined.  He even let me in on a little secret of using sugar cane water to seal the cap at the end, a little something to a waken your taste buds.  Soon, I plan to head back to Bennington’s Tobacconist to chat and relive a little history from the past.  I’m sure the aromas will trigger details hidden within my mind that will only to strengthen in ways to last a lifetime.

If you are ever over on the west coast of Florida stop by St Armand’s Circle and purchase a few Cigar’s.  Tell the owner that I said thanks for the opportunity to take photographs and enjoy the fine aroma of the tobacco.

P.s. He knows everything about cigars!

Bennington’s Tobacconist, Inc
St. Armands Circle Shops List

The above image is a photograph I took of the gates at the Historic Wormsloe Plantation in Savannah Georgia. Wormsloe is the oldest standing structures in Savannah.

Visitors can talk with traditionally uniformed employees about the history and grounds.

You can also view a museum containing artifacts that were unearthed at Wormsloe.  A short film about the site and the founding of Georgia can be seen and a scenic nature trail leads past the tabby ruins to a living-history area.  You can also catch educational programs where demonstrators in period dress exhibit the tools and skills of colonial Georgia.

The site hosts several events throughout the year, including the “Colonial Faire and Muster” in February.  Among the festivities music, dancing, crafts and military drills can be enjoyed.

I encourage you to go visit some time.  There are many other historic sites to see. I will post more photos from my hometown of Savannah GA soon!

Georgia State Parks