Elizabeth G. Conley

Has it been a year all ready?

2011-12-22T20:54:00.000-08:00

Our latest holiday video, recapping a year of journeys. Not just in miles flown, but also in milestones and passing of loved ones.

My internalization of Dream Cruise. 2011.

2011-08-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

Across country captial tour...

2011-08-03T07:52:00.000-07:00

or how to break up a 2000mile road trip.

Now that summer has arrived

2011-06-12T17:54:00.000-07:00

Time for the GU Detroit picnic, great people, great food, great drink and lovely weather. Someone asked if I was going to blog the photos, my immediate answer was no...not sure why, clearly this can use a little updating, and what a great reason!

Merry Christmas 2010 from C. & i

2010-12-15T12:51:00.000-08:00

Decided to make it a digital card this year...took a few tries ;o)
i'd watch it full frame (icon bottom right) in order to see the whole thing...

Sr. Lou 1923-2010

2010-12-11T17:29:00.000-08:00

"We weren't afraid of the wind-we were afraid of magnets" -Sr. Lou on the Sisters of Humility's habits.

Sr. Lucille Conley was one of my favorite. She's my father's aunt but I just dropped the great and made her my own. At 16 she entered a convent and made serving the community her life's work. In 1993 she established an apartment complex and center for women with children who left their abusive husbands...something very near and dear to my heart. Despite living in a post-industrial community, (re:suburb of Youngstown) where the good times had come and gone, she was still able to get people to donate both time and money for the women and children that needed it most.

As kids, the convent was a stopping place while we were visiting family in Cleveland or traveling to DC. My brothers and I thought the cafeteria was really cool (often on road trips we would only have pbj's to eat). One year, I recall my cousin Mary (in photo, far left) and I grabbing lemon juice packets to use as rinse to make our hair more blond. I laugh now thinking about how we were explaining to the other nuns and how intently they listened to our beauty advice.

As a grown up I'd stop by there while working on a project in the Youngstown area, sometimes spending the night. Once I brought a girlfriend of mine, she was shocked to see beer in the fridge.

"Come on," I said,"these are Irish nuns," Recalling the late night I spent with Sr. Lou going over my annulment while splitting a Rolling Rock.

There are so many vignettes and cross-sections of Sr. Lou in my life. But as I look back, it was me doing the in&outs and zigzagging, she was just there, guiding me to quilt connections to my father's Irish family and my faith.

I'm returning the convent this next week. I got the call on Friday that Sr. Lou had passed. I think about how having her in my life had made me so much a better person, and I know it wasn't just me she touched.

"We lost a good one," emailed my cousin Maggie, who just named her youngest daughter Lucille. Indeed. We are truly blessed when strong women enter our lives, but even more so when we are related to them.

Mr. Jay at Phil's

2010-12-08T22:11:00.000-08:00

Well this took way too long to put together and to post. And there's a good story here that's just about as long.

I was in TC over the summer and was checking out the Third Coast Bicycle Festival. I had just finished riding a quad (we didn't tip thanks to the direction of our fearless leader John Robert Williams), when out of the sushi restaurant I hear "e-Beth". With all of the nicknames people give me, i can tell who is shouting by what it is and i knew instantly it was Mr. Webber.

Jay Webber used to be accompanied by a friend of mine from a former life (re:ex-finance) and our paths hadn't crossed in years (10-12 maybe?). He asked me if I could shoot him playing that night at the restaurant across the street. I had all of my gear since I was working. I gave him a price, he disappeared to the nearest ATM and then paid me on the spot, to the amazement of my friends, and me. As Peter put it: "It's like your photography is crack and people are just buying it off the street." I love my friends.

I'm pretty sure his upcoming album won't have any songs written about me in it (for better I'm sure). Maybe that's why I used this song from that night. The head-slapping memories of years ago when a simple poem made me fall for everything, even love.

Mashup 10.10.10

2010-10-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

Big day Oct. 10, not just because of how cool it is to write that date, but Michigan's gubernatorial candidates actually had a debate!!!! I know, big excitement. and as I waited in the spin room for the candidates to come out and to be photographed I kept wishing i could catch Eminem's interview on 60 mins....BUT WAIT! there's more! the Lions won! by A LOT!!! so they found their way into the video too...as did Detroit New's columnist Nolan Finley, lest anyone think I'm too liberal. SO this video is kind of how i played the evening out in my head...

let the good times roll...

2010-09-06T18:28:00.000-07:00

It may have been a little too chilly early in the day, and the sun seems to be racing across the sky to an early twilight. But as long as you can do summersaults, why not?

One moment in time for one great cause

2010-07-25T05:56:00.000-07:00

In late April my friend and favorite photo editor, Rodney Curtis, swung by my house to go over my portfolio and as always, he was a flurry of energy. Despite being laid off a year ago from the Detroit Free Press and still unable to find full-time work to support his family, Rodney was still full of positive energy and love for the universe. He was working on making his book Spiritual Wanderer into an iBook (eBook?) so it could constantly be updated and linked to his blog. As he left, I was expressing my gratitude for his feedback. "Thanks for making me feel useful," he said.

A few days later he was in the doctor's office being told he had leukemia. As in step with his personality, Rodney's facing it with amazing strength and humor, as is his supportive and beautiful family. He was hit hard-core with chemo, but without any change, the hospital let him go. Now he's working with Karmonos Cancer Center in Detroit. First step: bone-marrow transplant.

To help defray medical costs, he's been on COBRA since being laid off, photographers in the area who have been touched by his skills and humor have pooled together some amazing photos to be sold. Both newspapers, Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, also donated some historical images as well. The sale ends Aug. 1st, please take the time to look, buy and pass along:
http://defcode.com/rodney/

thank you Rodney, for making me feel useful.

Ed and his boat

2010-07-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

Sitting on Empire Beach in Northern Michigan I watched as this determined young boy made his way to the waves with an odd contraption. Ed made the boat, with other rescue boats on it in his bedroom, which according to his mom, is filed to the rim with drawings, blueprints and random models in the making. His confidence as he walked to the shore, set it up, then place it in the water was so great, a little inspiring and of course reminded me of Caleb and the gifts we give our children when we just don't get in their way.

Brother Vincent Reyes 1940-2010

2010-06-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

He fed and clothed the hungry, loved photography and was slightly radical (like most bros.) Getting out people's story who passed through the doors of Capuchin Soup Kitchen was so important to him. He asked me, along with photographers Steve Perez (okay, he asked Steve first) and Ed Hahn,to help created the book "My Name Is..." to give a face and story to those who use the Detroit soup kitchen. To me, I was one mistake from being in their shoes, to him, he was in their shoes.

Foot Pedal photos from Bill&Petra's wedding

2010-06-24T22:03:00.000-07:00

Press Preview Day 1 at the North American International Auto Show

2010-01-15T09:03:00.000-08:00

Covering the auto show is quite an excruciating experience for someone who doesn't care much for cars. And in these days of blogging, everyone needs to be the first to write/photograph something about a show. So, i try to slow it down and make something I'd like to see, because honestly, i don't care what's under the hood as long as it starts. The whole shoot was about 2.5 hours.

Today we bury Martha Ann

2009-12-08T06:11:00.000-08:00

Today Martha Ann, who was murdered in a drive-by shooting almost a year ago will be laid to rest next to her grandfather due to the generosity of The Detroit News readers. Since her cremation, Martha's remains have been tucked in her grandmother's linen closet due to the fact her grandmother couldn't afford to bury her.

Here's her story, which was produced last month:

At McD's with the Coon Man.

2009-11-27T08:36:00.000-08:00

Often people ask me, both in and out of the office, what it's like to work with Charlie, one of our more enterprising reporters. It's been a mix bag, but usually ends with amazing stories and opportunities. Our last piece was on raccoon hunting with the Coon Man of Detroit. Between hunting for his lost gun and for the actual raccoon's we stopped at McD's. I was testing out a borrowed Nikon D3s and recorded this lil bit unbeknownst to the subjects.

Click here for the published story

For chair-ity

2009-11-16T18:53:00.000-08:00

For a benefit for homeless veterans by Mercy Street, a friend/co-worker decorated a chair in a bunch of pennies (get it? "make the change"). Here's the link to the Dec. 5 event: http://www.mercy-street.com/services

Here's a photo (for those who may doubt Detroit gets magic hour):

sorry its been a while...

2009-11-08T11:47:00.000-08:00

not just in posting, but Chicago too, found a lot of ghosts, mostly inside myself.

Untitled from Elizabeth Conley on Vimeo.

Love, faith and a piece of gum...

2009-05-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

Before taking off for WWII and the Korean War, John would tell Annie he was just going around the block to buy some gum.

A phrase that gave her, (and maybe him too); hope, faith and peace of mind that despite being shot at and almost taken down time and again, he would return to his grade-school sweetheart. He always came home.

In February 1962, John surprised Annie with a pack of gum, for her and the kids as he left out the door to orbit the Earth. The family wasn't allowed on NASA grounds and were discouraged from watching the launch. Complications upon re-entry resulted in a NASA representative telling Annie that this time, he might not make it home.

John Glenn returned home. To this day, Annie keeps the gum wrapper in her wallet....and John at her side.

Family at the foot pedal

2009-04-25T12:36:00.001-07:00

a very tightly edited show from the foot pedal...still think soundslide is best for this...

A quick escape...

2009-04-16T22:13:00.000-07:00

I had a friend who would always complain about how many bags I would carry, and then how heavy just one bag would be. I would love to have the luxury of traveling light, but it is seeming less possible to do these days with video cameras, audio recorders, microphones...and nothing you want to just leave in you car. So here I am, trying to leave a hotel room 7am in one take. Had a little trouble width wise getting through the door...

Final project for FCP class

2009-04-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

mixed video from little camera that creates sun flare ;o)and interviewed my neighbor here in Columbus, and Lynn from Lynn Nails in Ferndale...

A simple movie file...

2009-03-11T20:13:00.000-07:00

first try to show someone a wedding book layout. I hope to use this program for a couple vacation slideshows, but can be a bit tricky if mixing it with other platforms for story-telling

movie from class

2009-03-09T19:18:00.000-07:00

Between ning sites, twittering, facebook my long-term project and a multitude of new online programs, i've been slacking on my blog...here's my Arts853 midterm...just finished the final today, it's on my blip.tv site (yes, and there's a Vimeo channel too) I'll post it here once it's graded and it has it's debut at the Art and Tech show this Thursday on campus (my first art show...for film!)

Dell 1924-2009

2009-01-21T20:13:00.000-08:00

When Bob gave my number to Dell Warner, a woman who wanted someone with heart willing to take a few photos for her, neither of us knew what I was getting into. What became a "few shots" became daily early morning phone calls, meetings with guys she wanted to hook me up with and a glimpse into someone who just wanted to tell every story she could and was honestly pissed off that she had cancer and her life had was expiring. She passed away today.
Here are some of my memories:
She hated the Russians in her building. "They're mean, they don't smile, they don't know art, why don't they learn English for goodness sake?"
On buttoning up her shirt before i photographed her: "Oh sure, deny me my sexuality"
On family "my sons sold my Peter Max, took my grand piano, through me in this hell-hole and tried to kill my dogs..."
On her emmys: "See those? I love awards, and that way you know you're not talking to a kook!"
Her cane: "i hate it"
Her help: "stupid"

Often you avoid the loudest, seemingly most difficult senior in the room, but Dell would not be ignored, she knew she was going down, and she wasn't going quietly. It was a characteristic i was fond of at times, i little taken aback at others. But still, you always knew where you stood with her, and i'm glad i got to stand by her for a while.
I still have a message from her on my phone (during our time together, June through Dec. she'd left a few like this): "Elizabeth, it's Dell, i'm not able to reach anyone, there's something about being walled off from the world, please, please i'm not crazy, i'm not crazy, , please, PLEASE don't think i'm crazy, PLEASE believe me, any how please in touch somehow, i love you, i've been sick since an infusion of fluids and since then my life has been hell, please, please help me, please God help me..." I pray he has and she has found peace...

Back to the D

2008-12-13T16:33:00.000-08:00

Safe and sound! Be prepared to be bombarded with photos & videos....after I get my other affairs in order! Overall I give VN two thumbs up and would recommend it, we were esp. fortunate that we didn't chose Thailand this time! More later...e

last night in vietnam...ish

2008-12-11T04:31:00.000-08:00

okay, a flurry of shopping today to get last-min. request and urges...UGH so done with negotiating...perhaps i'll miss it back in the states...but i'd rather walk away from something without someone chasing me down the street and looking like even though i just pulled a safety pin out of their forehead the will agree to my price...

i did find a few great artists while here though, so hoping to score a couple more prints before flying out.

Kristee and i did get away from the hub of commerce and went on a great bicycle ride to the beach, it's not too far, but for a while it was almost quiet on the ride...

We also found a really wonderful patisserie..not so good for trying to keep any sort of shape, but so yummy. Damn the French invasion...

i should not be allowed in a town of tailors

2008-12-09T04:53:00.000-08:00

Okay, for those who don't know, Hoi An is filled with tailors...but not like the old men on Broadway in Detroit, but rows and rows of made to fit clothes shops, with adorable samples, tons and tons of made-to-fit shoes and boots too...did i mention rows and rows along almost every street???...it's easier to find a jacket here than a larue bia (local beer)...but i manage.

Today Kristee and i did the Red Bridge all-day cooking school, there were 2 other couples, one from Canada and one from Sunny Cali. all very nice. We went to an organic farm (nationally subsidized), to market to buy our ingredients and to the school to cook four traditional, crazy yummy dishes, then a boat ride back to downtown...Funny story in the market: We bought monk fish, similar to catfish, which apparently doesn't die quickly. So first the fish jumped out of its bowl in the market and onto Kristee's leg...then, after we bought the sucker, none of the guys wanted to hold the bag, so Kristee being nice held onto it...well that same fish made it's way out of the double-knotted bag and almost jumped out of Kristee's shopping bag!!! She shoved it back in..then ate it later..;o)

We actually had sun today for our first time in Hoi An, which was nice. We had our second fittings for some dresses we had made (i got a few, and a suit) It looks like that weather will hold, so tomorrow we bike to it MySon and perhaps take advantage of our pool.

Hello Hoi An

2008-12-07T16:30:00.000-08:00

Well we arrived in Hoi An last night after a 5 hour bus tour back to Siagon and a 1 hour plane ride to Danang. Kristee and i were actually chuckling how we have flown so much, also gave me an idea for a new company...you know, in case this photo thing doesn't work out.

First impressions: it's cold!!! miss the 80 degrees by 8am in Mui Ne...but Kristee's sunburn will be able to heal quicker.

In Mui Ne we took a 2 hour motorbike ride to the salt mines, only to find them closed because of rain...2 hours is a long time on the bike...re:mai tia by the pool for healing.

In Hoi An we hope to see MySon, take cooking classes and take advantage of the tailors, we haven't done any shopping so this stop is it...now off for our free breakfast...and hopefully more dragon fruit.

Arrived in Mui Ne...then crashed by the pool

2008-12-04T02:23:00.000-08:00

Our bus to Mui Ne broke down three times, but no big deal...cows slowed us down along with some pot holes that would put Michigan to shame...but we made it, its warm its lovely...On's sister got us the hook up at Bamboo Village...spa day tomorrow...ahhh, the life...
Photos top to bottom: )A little hint:if you are going to get your nails done, check out the color options BEFORE committing...
2)Another Sohn! Grabbed us some shells...we didn't want to buy the larger one, but we got the smaller ones for free 3) Kristee and I for a walk on the beach 4) eggs and dragon fruit...there may be some bread crumbs around too...if i didn't lick them off the plate...

Liking Dalat a lot

2008-12-03T01:07:00.000-08:00

Can't even count how much we've walked, since at least 2 hours was just getting lost...with no worries, makes for better photos! Which i regret not bringing my card reader, but perhaps when i get home I'll just recreate the trip with photos...which will be okay ;o)

Yesterday we rode on the back of motorbikes to Elephant falls and other sites around the Dalat country side, my driver Dung (pronounced "YUUNG") was great! VERY SAFE MOM!

Our hotel is so lovely, we have a room with a balcony that overlooks our street, and the morning spread is delish! OH! and sauna and hot tub on the roof...last night today then it's off to Mui Ne in the morning!

crossing the street

2008-11-30T18:08:00.001-08:00

Realizing we couldn't stay in one block we braved crossing the street...we're heading back out tonight for video ;o) we have a 3pm flight to Dalat...can't wait to be on a plane for less than an hour! Sorry, still can't figure out how to display vertical videos

arrived in Tokyo

2008-11-30T00:53:00.000-08:00

no photos yet, our first day of our adventure started at a night at the Days Inn in Romulus due to airplane issues, whatever, better safe than sorry, we landed in Tokyo earlier,where i'm writing now, and heading out to Nam right now.

flew over Russian air space...no Migs, that was exciting, and beautiful.

Ohhh, the way those city light shadows fall...

2008-07-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

you would think walking on the river walk at sunset i would have found a picture on the river...damn those trees, always calling out to me...even in the darkness

because if your backyard is a parking lot...

2008-07-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

Someone had recently said Detroit has a meloncholy optimism...i was reminded of this when i found a couple using their pingpong table on a parking lot, since they didn't really have a back yard...amazingly the parking attendant didn't charge...

how do you impress a photographer?

2008-07-08T14:32:00.000-07:00

get her access to one of the most coveted photo spots in the city....and loan her your hard hat when she forgets hers... (a few months behind, shot in March...)

It's John Martin!!!

2008-07-07T17:14:00.000-07:00

oh, and Jon Bon Jovi...who apparently didn't recognize me from 1989 Phoenix concert...i mean i was only 100 rows back from the stage!!!!

a band i use to like, but not so much anymore...

2008-07-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

so when we shoot bands you only get three songs, i use to like this band...but i was also 18...so 1/2 way through the first song i was done...but hung around anyway...i'd disclose the name of the band, but i was unsure of their contract whether or not i can...

evidence my job can sometimes be okay...

2008-06-11T13:32:00.001-07:00

when trying to impress hockey players...

Detroit from Canada

2008-05-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

Eyes cast down looking away from the city, the other country across the river...Maybe it's time to go she thinks, leave it all, i've been here as long as i can remember, my feet grounded in cement on this pier. i see so much, but for years now, i just seem to be focused on the same thing...i know it changes, people, great people, come and go out of my view, but i wonder, what if someone turned me the other way...if i could chose to focus on myself, what would i see?
...more fun stuff soon...happier stuff even...

more grrls

2008-04-14T06:38:00.001-07:00

i need to stop uploading these backwards...

waxing & such...

2008-04-14T06:34:00.000-07:00

Sarna shared her sugar wax with Melanie...with one leg done, Melanie called it quits...

Girls getting crafty..and such

2008-04-13T19:12:00.001-07:00

Girls crafting weekend for a spring gathering of all that we lost over the winter...Good food, amazing womyn and a sauna...honestly, what better way to prepare for spring growth?
TJ having happier times with the sewing machine...

SEEDS PEEPS

2008-04-07T07:09:00.001-07:00

Here's the cool people who are amongst the many who are willing to make the world a better place...although right now we are chilling bonding and drinking...

top pics:
Heather and Tim enjoying beverages at D'Mongo's

middle:
Barton taking in some lovely songs,

bottom photo;
sarna, joey, me, pete and tim...

living everywhere, but presently living the moment...

..how do i describe Cafe D'Mongo

2008-04-06T20:56:00.001-07:00

Let's pretend i'm posting this March 15th, and i'm on time with all my following posts...
Cafe D'Mongo Speakeasy is this amazing jewel in Detroit, which actually, i think all the great places in Detroit are that much better because it is in the D, and there's something about it, stuff that isn't just there for marketing...seeing how marketers don't try to target the Detroit audience...which explains the growth of Applebees across the country...and the lack of Starbucks in Detroit (5 or 4 i think...) photos never due the place justice, but i really can't resist, especially when the SEEDS group is in town...oh! and CDM is only open on Fridays..

Dirty Show Prep

2008-02-12T19:01:00.001-08:00

You can't take photos in the Dirty Show, so we just took a few before...photos featuring artist Melonie, Todd the amazing farmer/potterer/belly dancer, Kristee the beautiful and me, just trying to keep my dress from ripping, with little success...

Silly thing that lil camera does @ Firehouse #1

2008-01-22T10:59:00.000-08:00

So after working a 14+ hour day, and before sleeping 3 hours to hit the road again for another 10+ hour day at the North American International Auto Show, we eat, drink (and drink) and be merry at the Firehouse, a rented out fire station across the street from Cobo...After shooting a series of car unveilings and press conferences, i was eager to show off the completely useless thing my lil Samsung camera does...

Bob and Dave trying on new hair do's (or don'ts).

I like this "scene" titled, "my memory" i seem to use it on photos i forgot i had taken...(Ankur, RB and me)

I love you beer...

Brandy, and her brother, Chris Farina...(hmmm)

the silly thing my camera does @ firehouse #2

2008-01-22T10:39:00.000-08:00

I think Paul is a pretty sparkle-shine princess, must be the fact he's not in Iowa...

Lovely Mears is princess of the firehouse...

yes, Perez, it is a beautiful life, now get over it and get happy dammit!

Dan giving Eddie a lil photog/editor love.

Photo Night 2008!

2008-01-07T15:55:00.000-08:00

Photo night break break by David G. This photo has two strikes against it, i didn't shoot it and it shows my post-holiday stomache...however, i couldn't resist! After 5 hours of looking over end-of-year photos i thought things would look better upside down, not to be outdone, Dan joined in with a chair. (Yes, it was shot upside down, but Dan is amazing nonetheless!)

zee snow angel...

2007-12-16T17:43:00.000-08:00

So my roommate, Tomasz, was just talking about how they don't really get much snow in his corner of France, and he's been waiting for a good snow to do his snow angel. Since any snow we've had this year thus far has melted within the day (and before i got home with my camera) he's been a little disappointed...but not today! So, in our winter snow storm and at least a foot of snow, he didn't hesitate and jumped right in....because you know, if there are footprints to the angel, it's not really an angel...

On the day Elena was born...

2007-12-11T12:24:00.000-08:00

Photos of John and Sara's hospital stay waiting for the birth of their baby girl... All are doing well...

All smiles early in the day...

Sara dealing with others taking over her body...

John modeling the take-home outfit...

how else does a photographer deal with stress?

Or not...

a long day, but sticking together...good job mom&dad!

Personification of inanimate objects

2007-12-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

I think I confused a friend of mine while chatting about the first time we had met. After a night of photos, bottles of champagne and a night walk on the beach, my room key ended up lost. Instead of trying to find it, and with the front desk closed (this wasn't a Holiday Inn, or the U.S.) it seemed best to just climb in through an open window in my room. I think I lost him when i started talking about how when i think of that beach, i think of a lone room key stuck in the sand smiling, if it could, at the thought that two people were more into eachother and remembering the last unopenned bottle of champagne then the room key. I know it's just my (your adjective here) way of wanting to assign and share the emotions with inanimate things, and i'm okay with that...perhaps that's why i like rocks so much (how's that for an introduction?) Fisherman Island's State Park south of Charlevoix, one of the best rock-hunting areas in lower Michigan. Although it looks like i was too late for dinner, i did find a petoskey for Louis' bday. Happy birthday Louis!
The Mackinac Bridge. This bridge freaks me out every time, so i just try to ignore it by photographing it as i cross, had a driver this time...which is probably best for everyone.

Halloween @ The Comet Bar in Detroit

2007-11-04T19:00:00.000-08:00

The Comet Bar in Detroit, it's a year-round Vet, Christmas, Marlyn Monroe bar...perfect setting for Prince to spin a lil old school Detroit techno on Halloween night...

Kentucky People

2007-10-22T18:13:00.000-07:00

Tonight's wallflower is played by Jon...good job Jon, way to look longingly into the sea of dancers...I think this is the only one where he isn't smiling...
ladies or video camera, Brian was working the room with both!
photo "students" that were in my group, under the direction of Bob Lynn. Left to right, Yanina & Jacob K., Gen & Jacob K., bacardi & Jacob...
I forgot how much fun it is to hang out with people who like getting their photo taken...and will even take yours! left w/ Jonathan Y. right w/ Jacob K.
One of these peeps won the Pulitzer this year...hint? she's a she...

Subjects I photographed
while in Kentucky.

Kentucky Things

2007-10-22T17:51:00.000-07:00

The longest time I've spent in Kentucky, here's a couple things from Boyle (pronounced 'bowl') and Casey Counties.
According to most meteorologist, this has been the driest year for Kentucky since the dust bowl. Carroll and Doris remember this creek over-flowing, now it's just dry rock...and a few things that were left behind.
Carroll's uncle died in a farming accident almost 50 years ago. Carroll drove his truck until it wouldn't work, now it's becoming a flower pot.
A very cool shack, my guess is it was a holding place for tobacco, right next to the railroad track, painted and decorated with lots of art work.
Hand guns at the door...in sock drawers, in cabnets, bedside and scatterred throughout the house.

Tobacco dries in a barn, according to Carroll, when you hang tobacco the best place to be is on top, you have less work to do.

I asked Doris not to bother to make breakfast, but I had a feeling Carroll wasn't going to eat all that ham...

Horses hang out along the county road.

Tobacco stalks dry in a barn painted black in Casey County.

Alec & Kristee

2007-09-23T14:45:00.001-07:00

Favorite subject of mine & amazing friend, Kristee, finally got her son to agree to get some photos taken for his senior portrait. He was a little awkward initially, didn't work it like his momma, but ended up getting the hang of it near the end...now if we can get him to put on her white wig!

New backdrop!

2007-09-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

My mom poses with her latest birthday gift, some sort of electric wrinkle zapper. she's actually laughing under the mask, which makes it kind of weird...uhm...weirder...

a man and his possessions

2007-09-18T17:32:00.001-07:00

Rick takes a Friday afternoon nap in his living room amongst the last of his possessions. He was a little tired after couch moving, martini's, tom collins, gyros, police, and me dragging him out of bed for a 9:30 bikram class. I think we were giving everyone in the class a contact buzz from our sweat.

I mostly shot this photo because i was jealous...i wanted to nap!!!

Another weekend in TC

2007-09-09T20:04:00.001-07:00

(left)Hot in the sun, cool in the shade, amazing with a breeze, what great weather for tasting wine at the 1st Old Mission Wine & Food festival.
(below)Emily in a slight food, but mostly over-worked coma...
(second down)From left, Chris, Jody, me, Pete and Karen, late night work at getting the Higher Grounds Coffee Bar completed...although at 1am after a day in the sun, I think i just added an extra 6-pack and comic relief...

(bottom photo) On the ride back downstate, the sun shines through the clouds. A friend of mine recently wrote about his mother's recent passing and the blessings of a rainy/cloudy day, how it makes one reflect more on oneself and makes you realize every day is a gift..I didn't read about his experience until after i shot this, i was just thinking how beautiful it is and reflecting on the weekend, all the blessings i have in my life...

Another weekend in TC

2007-09-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

So I was back in Traverse to work on Friday, but made lots & lots of time for play on Saturday...
I'm thinking Rick was getting tired of having a camera in his face...
New thing this year, white netting to increase heat...and make the photogs happy!

Okay, so i'm not really sure where he was going with this, but at least he was committed...
Higher Grounds coffee bar...organic, fair trade and their counter tops are logs that were found in Lake Ontario from the early logging days...

Northern Michigan continue...

2007-09-02T20:55:00.000-07:00

Do you ever see a large gathering of birds and wish you had your camera as they dodged around? or at least wished you weren't in your car on the way to a job, but rather on your back in an orchard chomping on a long blade of grass and watching silently with a smile on your face at this gift...

Northern Michigan continue...

2007-09-02T20:38:00.001-07:00

light from a bonfire, a ripe vineyard and a waxing moon....fall is on her way...
another sure sign of fall is Caleb's allergies...
Rob taking a break from the harvest...or is he?
moon shadows...and RG's car's dome light....
Caleb, RG and moon shadows...

One day & night in Northern Michigan

2007-09-02T20:31:00.001-07:00

Labor Day photos from a quick trip to TC and area for, of course, labor...when I get a day off I'll really enjoy this...memories of the quick visit will give me a warm-fuzzy feeling inside...
1st party at Sean O'Keefe's, which is never complete without the family business..high marks for the Pinot Grigio!

jon's visit

2007-08-28T14:12:00.000-07:00

I don't think I've ever seen a game from so far away, and without having to file a 5th inning gallery...and drinking beer!!! no wonder people go to ball games!!! This of course, was the only game in the series the Tigers lost to the Yankees...But I didn't even have to pay attention!!! Go Tigers! & thanks Jon for letting me play tourist!