I am trying to do a better job of slowing down and really looking when I take portraits: looking at lines, framing and as always… light.

It is really convenient that I have a built-in model who can really benefit from having fun photos. Arann is always eager to have more photos for his band, The Green String Farm Band. And so when he had a video shoot at the Green String Farm, for the Press Democrat’s Butter and Egg Day promotion, I decided to come along with my Rolleiflex, just in case.

And well, just-in-case, turned into a ‘just-can’t-stop’ obsession. As we were waiting for the film crew to arrive, I just started taking photos… and then I couldn’t stop. Everyone who was in the vicinity became my model, like it or not. Some people multiple times… and some people weren’t people at all.

I was out of color film, and it had been awhile since I concentrated on black and white. For some reason I have been in love with color lately. And so when the fog started to roll in and the diffused the sun combined with the polka-dot and stripe sister duo below, I was really bummed not to have color film.

But after seeing the negatives, I am happy I had to return to the simplicity of black and white film… no distractions, and no relying on color to make the photo… it has to be about the basics and then you can add color… so it’s a good thing I am practicing… lines, framing, light… repeat.

Happy Birthday Chicken Man… I hope your next decade is full of lots of golden egg laying feathered friends and no bobcats.