Seagull, May 26 2017

ABOUT THIS PHOTO

Canon T5i, 18-135mm, no other data available

This is probably my favorite picture of the whole lot. It captures everything I love about the beach in one shot. Sand, surf, and seagulls. I very rarely make prints of my own shots, but I made a print of this, and it’s on my wall.

Picnic Umbrella, Outer Banks, July 1, 2016

ABOUT THIS PHOTO:

Taken with Canon Rebel T5i

18-135mm @135mm f5.6 1/4000 ISO 400

I can’t lie to you about this: When I saw this shot, I said “this is going on my desktop”. And it stayed on my desktop for years. Sometimes it’s OK to take a shot just for you.

I like this a lot more than that Windows XP Default hillside screen, I’ll tell you that much.

Self Portrait, June 4, 2016

ABOUT THIS PHOTO:

Taken with iPhone 6s, No Other Data Available

I don’t remember the exact circumstances behind this photo, but based on the fact I have headphones on and my hand is on my chin, I’m fairly sure I was editing audio and listening as intently as I can. Most times, when I have to dive deep into the weeds on a piece of audio and work on the tiny little things, I get into this posture. I can’t see for certain, but I’m pretty sure my eyes are closed. Nothing but the sound exists when I’m in this state.

One reason I know that this is 2016 is what I’m wearing. That Fall and Winter I was on a kick that I needed to look more my age, and my wardrobe was more on the business side of business casual. I’m the kind of person that finds something he likes and buys five of it in different colors, because I hate standing in front of the closet wondering what to wear that day. That year it was exactly what you see: Oxford collar shirts and V-Neck sweaters. I also decided to let my hair—what there is of it—grow out after having a buzz cut for five years or so.

I used this photo as my profile picture everywhere for a long time until I decided that people needed to see my face, for which I’m dreadfully sorry.

Stormwater Pump Station, 16th VB Oceanfront

ABOUT THIS PHOTO:

Taken with Canon T5i

18-135mm f/5.6 1/2000 ISO 400

These Silos were built in 2001 to help move storm water away from the boardwalk to prevent flooding. They built this in 2001 to protect against hurricanes.

That is not what I see. Because I am of a certain age, I remember watching “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century” and this reminds me so much of what their vision of New Chicago looked like, and it looks so out of place with everything surrounding it, to include the vision the people who run this city and what they (think they) want.

Lost Hat, First Landing State Park, April 17th, 2016

ABOUT THIS PHOTO:

Taken with Canon Rebel T5i

18-135mm @85mm f5.6 1/800 ISO 400

I was walking the trail at First Landing State Park when I came upon this lost hat, and I had to take a picture because it was so odd to find a stray hat out in the middle of the woods like that.

Since I’m reasonably sure that there are no migratory patterns for ball caps that travel from Moab to Virginia Beach that don’t involve a person, I want to know the story of how this hat came to be lost and the person that lost it.

Lisa, March 31, 2016

ABOUT THIS PHOTO

Taken with Canon Rebel T5i

EF 18-135mm Lens, Focal length 44mm, f/5.6, Exposure time 1/6 ISO 800

As I recall, this was just after I had purchased the T5i and was looking for any excuse to use it. At the time, we were playing Bar Trivia at various places in the area pretty regularly. This night, I didn’t feel safe leaving my gear in the car, so I brought it in with me. Since it was right next to me, my friends at the table asked me about the camera, and I offered to take pictures of everyone. Later, when editing these photos, I decided to see what this would look like in B&W, and I was stunned.

I find the light on Lisa’s face and the reflection in her eyes fantastic, but more amazing to me is the expression on her face as she intently listens to someone else at the table. This is who Lisa is, and she’s an excellent friend.

I still think this is one of the best pictures of people I’ve ever taken.

Paolo and Mark, January 31, 2015

ABOUT THIS PHOTO:

Taken with Canon 7D

50mm f/1.8 1/500 ISO 2000

When we first started the pilot program for what became the Multimedia Department at Canon ITS, I took it upon myself to learn photography. I was initially tapped for being an audio guy, but if this department was going to take off, it seemed that I should level up on skills. I decided the best way to do that was to grab a camera and just start documenting what we were doing. Mark (foreground) was our supervisor, and Paolo (background) was a professional photographer and videographer. I credit these two for everything I’ve learned since 2015. I wouldn’t be doing this if I had never met them.

One quality these two possess that I don’t is their ability to remain calm. I find it admirable, and I work on this every day. I’m far from a perfect record, but I’m better at it today than I was when this picture was taken. A notable set of bookmarks to my time in this department is that Paolo had to tell me to calm down only twice: Once at the beginning of 2015 and once at the end of 2020. In retrospect, it was a fitting beginning and end to this role.