To everything there is a season

Jenne Farm, Reading, VT - October, 2009

My wife tells me that there is a movement among foodies and health enthusiasts driving home the importance of eating local and in season. She finds it difficult to post pictures of paradise (aka Vero Beach), palm trees swaying in balmy breezes in the middle of fall which has surprised us all with winter like temperatures and conditions (hey, it SNOWED on the mountain last Thursday, October 15).

So I acquiesced posting a recent picture shot a few weeks ago in Vermont. I can't say I was happy with the photo ops during my two day trip to the central part of the state. It was cloudier than I would have liked, the contrast was nil and the colors weren't up to my standards.

Jenne Farm is said to be New England's most photographed farm. It has appeared in numerous magazines, the movie Forrest Gump, a Budweiser commercial and now on my blog.

Never digital- always film and all foliage is not created equal.

Do you wish to delete this photo?

Highland Falls, New York - August, 1997

If I didn't use print film, I'd have a lot more room in my closets ( my drawers, my desk). I have a hard time throwing out prints, even those that don't make the grade.

This shot was most definitely a 'do over'. It was my annual Christmas shot (yes, yes, taken in September, working under variable conditions such as weather and children plus allowing for the turn around time of print film it is most advisable to start the process early) and I had my three posed on the deck hoping for happy grins to adorn our holiday greeting card.

Check out the look on Meaghan's face, really check it out. Somehow she wasn't coming up with that natural spontaneous smile I'd hoped for. Perhaps it was due to the fact that baby Kerry picked that moment to pee through his diaper all over her lap.

Had it been digital that shot would have ended up in the recycle bin and that family story wouldn't hold any water.

Never digital- always film along with an occasional really bad pun.

Sweet Sixteen

Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, NY- October, 1993

Back before Kodak decided they would no longer process film and Fugi became my savior, back before the advent of digital, I used a mail order photo company "Seattle Filmworks" In 2000 Seattle Filmworks changed their company name to Photoworks. I'd given up using them by that point opting instead to work with Kodak. When I pulled out this print I decided to do some internet research on the artist formerly known as Seattle Filmworks now Photoworks only to find....

PhotoWorks is no longer accepting or processing rolls of film

Gee now there's a shock... however, according to their website "With PhotoWorks, you can still capture your memories digitally and showcase, preserve, and tell your stories"

Ahh, who needs them? I've got my print film, an occasional CD rom (but only if the color is right) and my trusty Cannon scanner.

I call this sweet sixteen because it's been sixteen years this week since Cindy and I hiked up Mohonk mountain to get this shot. The mountain resort is part of the Shawangunk region which was awarded the distinction of being named "one of Earth's "Last Great Places" by the Nature Conservancy. Better yet, Cindy was two weeks from her due date when we made this hike.

Mohonk Mountain house is celebrating its 140th birthday this year and Kelsey will be sweet sixteen in sixteen days.

Never digital- always film - 2,200 scenic acres

He ain't heavy...he's my brother

Highland Falls, NY- September, 1997

Although she complains about him we know our Kelsey loves her younger brother. Somehow as she's gotten older she has lost some patience with him but it is evident from the look on her face that she adored her baby brother back then. For his part, then baby Kerry didn't even mind having the squeeze put on him. His expression in this picture reminds me of a Cabbage Patch Kid.

Never digital- always film- cherished memories