Starting from scratch

2009-04-05T14:21:00.003-04:00

file:///Users/petereisses/Desktop/Still_Make_Believing/publish_to_web/soundslider.swf

Winter..........Again!?!

2009-03-24T21:57:00.004-04:00

It happened again...... Winter.

Embrace it or it may cause you to splinter.

You think its over and ...........

There it is, more snow.

Oh no.

Winter to love.

Winter to shove.

Spring I did smell a few weeks back.

The weatherman will be getting some flack.

Tell the Robins to stay home, don't pack.

The snow will soon go away from here.

Of this I have no fear.

Its near.

But as always there is always a silver lining.

So shut up and quit your whining.

No school to go.

Sledding, skiing, snowshoeing, instead.

All to help clear the head.

From the shovel, and cold hands that are red.

Embrace it I say.

Sometimes till May.

Yah Way....

It happened again....... Winter.

More Fruit Logistica

2009-02-19T19:50:00.004-05:00

What I am seeing!!!

2009-02-19T19:29:00.003-05:00

While I was Europe, I had the opportunity to go to a trade show called "Fruit Logistica".

All the worlds fruit and vegetable marketing groups showing off their goods.

Dragon Fruit to potatoes.

Here is what I saw.......

And More Vienna

2009-02-01T05:43:00.003-05:00

More Vienna

2009-02-01T05:39:00.003-05:00

Vienna

2009-02-01T05:32:00.002-05:00

AHHH Vienna.

The city is captivating.

Not overwhelming.

Entrenched in History.

Rich in beauty.

Walking around and taking in the City is like listening to Mozart Symphony and slowly drifting off to sleep.

turn down the heat

2008-11-16T20:48:00.002-05:00

Where I worked in Connecticut we burned the brush we generated from pruning in the orchard. It was usually done in late Spring. We would have to get a permit and alert the local authorities. They would have to bring an extra person in to field all the 911 calls. We would often have flames 20 - 30 feet high. Raising the eyebrows of many along I 95 northeast of New Haven. Hasn't anyone seen a fire before?

Fire brings attention.

Fire destroys.

Fire stinks.

Fire cleans.

Fire brings life.

Fire reveals.

So many analogies.

I have photographed fire before. I enjoy what fire light does. I was pleased with my results. But was struck with an ........." ohhh " After viewing the photos. Not because I think they are prize winning. But because of what I saw in the photo and my reaction to it.

My belief in hell is real. And if hell looks anything like this I want nothing to do with it. I was taken aback by the thought of " If hell is real and its anything like this..... No Thanks!" I'd rather be where I don't have to worry about ID, dentists, traffic, or the economy. Constant heat, burning, stench and pain..... not my cup of tea!

Celebration of Citizenship

2008-11-15T07:43:00.004-05:00

"Seeing is believing". As they say.

Is that enough?

Hearing is Believing?

Touching is Believing?

Tasting is Believing?

Smelling is Believing?

Thank God for senses. They sure make life interesting!

Thai Food!

Skunks!

Mozart???

Sand paper!

Sunrises.

AHHH its good to be alive. A dually I am. The Red White and Blue I embrace. Along with my Red Maple Leaf. I thought it would not happen. Never always comes back around and forces you into its grips. I have a list.

But I join the throngs ( I think ) of the human race that have crossed boundaries and become another. Allowing me easier crossing, much more paper work, and a lot more responsibility. I'm up for the challenge. The verdict is still out on how my senses will respond. I have never been eating Thai food, listening to mozart, working with sand paper, with a wave of skunk ,while watching a sunrise. Maybe I should try it sometime.

Tractor View

2008-11-13T21:14:00.002-05:00

View From a Tractor.....?!?!?

In the midst of transition. It is always nice to have a few things around that are somewhat familiar. It is sometimes comforting. Usually easy. And even possibly fun.

One thing I have been doing since I was about 8 years old has been driving a tractor. I guess that's what happens when you grow up on a farm. Well drive a tractor I have been doing.

From a seat of tractor. One I have been doing for 30 years. I thought I should show this perspective.

mud

2008-10-29T20:49:00.003-04:00

It rained today. (actually yesterday)

It really rained rained hard today! Add some wind and you have the makings for a miserable day.

To make it worse the rain gear I had wasn't exactly water proof. Soggy was my day. Mud everywhere! In your hair, on your glasses, in your boots.

I remember as a kid the "elements" never stopped my Dad from putting us to work. Especially when the work couldn't wait. Memories flooded back yesterday. When it is harvest season you work no matter the weather. (the break comes at the end) I hope the snow holds off a couple more weeks.

So if you are hot, cold, wet...... suck it up and quit your whining and hope you're dressed for the weather.

2008-10-28T20:18:00.002-04:00

They say....

Home is where the Heart is.

Home is where you hang your hat.

Well we are finally in our new house in Lakeville Nova Scotia. After three months of vagabonding and hanging our hat in many of our friends homes and hopefully not wearing out welcome, we are home, again.

Yes it feels good, although it is already a little chilly in the morning and very soon fires will be necessary. Fall is in full force here and the harvest is wanting to come in out from the impending cold. It is fun to be back farming country. The smells bring back many memories from when I was a kid. The leaves are just starting to turn and frost has already deadened the the cold sensitive plants. Good thing autumn is long here.

We have two acres to rome and around 500 on my Dads place. Far away from the rat race of traffic and road rage. Refreshing it is!!! I can see the big dipper every night and the sunrise & sunsets are spectacular. I forgot how beautiful it is here!!!

Processing

2008-08-23T13:50:00.003-04:00

Back in North America.

Now that I am back in the familiar confines of North America. I am finding myself disillusioned, a little confused, and widely disoriented on what my response "should be" to my two week experience in South Africa. Through a little jet lag in there and you have a recipe for fatigue mixed with potential confusion. Processing digesting and thinking are my new dearest companions.

A camera is a wonderful communication tool. But if you are unwilling " to see " what you are seeing what is the point! I am responsible for what I see and thus must apply the necessary changes to my own life before I can be an effective communicator of my experiences.

For two weeks, I know that I unintentionally hid behind my camera and somewhat used it as a crutch. I don't think this was "wrong" on my part. But, by doing so I was protecting my heart and emotions from scaring, hardship, turmoil, and certain change. That are now begging and plaguing me for attention. ( I feel a concussion coming on, no one warned me about this)

I have slowly and safely been taking down my walls. The eight foot walls of concrete ,razor wire, and electric fence that met us when entered Johannesburg resemble the ones I didn't even realize I had erected myself. Tearing down this " protection " has been harder than I imagined.

I am now asking myself the question. Do I really want to change? Do I really want to implement the change to my own life by the very things I saw? Do I even have the ability to make this change happen?

I have been protected from the pain and suffering of this World by Materialism, Excessiveness, and Greed. Can I get past this? Do I have the stamina to do so?

Here comes that common, oft unwelcome relative of change; Tension. Embracing this friend and foe will be difficult at best but imperative if I am to survive this test of character.

Please don't get me wrong as I share this. I welcomed this into life and thus must reap the consequences of such a welcome. Which is this internal turmoil. Deep down I know it is good. So giving it all a big hug, I am.

Where is the HOPE?

2008-08-21T14:50:00.002-04:00

Hope?

Yes it does exist.

There is a lady in the community of Kabukwenie named Elizabeth.

Her next door neighbors died and their children were left as orphans. So she helped them. And it has grown. She feeds up to 90 orphaned hungry children 3 times a week. And on one of those days she also washes their clothes.

She has gotten the community involved so she doesn't do all on her own. We met about 10 other women from her community that are helping her out.

She saw a need in her immediate community and rose to the challenge. She genuinely loves these kids and it shows. That is hope.

As per usual it is always easier to talk about the negative than the positive. I am still coming to terms and processing all that I saw.

Money obviously is not the answer.

Drugs (ARV's) are not the answer.

Health care is not the answer.

Food is not the answer.

Cultural understanding is not the answer.

All of these ideas will go a long way in helping the global problem of AIDS and HIV. But will not solve the problem.

There is an answer to this Global crisis, that I Know. It is a combination of all these and more, plus the biggest factor.

A loving God.

Care? Who me?

2008-08-21T14:37:00.002-04:00

Why should I care? About orphans in Africa? They are a world away!

Funny you should ask!

Let me tell you why.........

1. Because we are all human.

2. Because we are commanded to.

3. Because you have the ability to.

4. Because if we don't the cycle WILL continue.

5. Because if we don't there will be more Iraq's, Rwanda's, and Cambodia's. (And they will seem a like a walk in the park)

6. Because deep down you do care.

7. Because you have no excuse.

8. Because there is no time like the present.

My people if we do not act. If we do not join the tears in heaven. If we do not care, If we do not embrace one of the biggest problems that faces not just Africa but the world. If we do not play a part in this. We, you, I will have missed the boat to change the world.

This is our problem. It is not only theirs. It is a North American, African, European, Asian, Australian ,South American, WORLD problem. And if you do play a part you are not taking responsibility and therefore you are missing out.

What can I do?

Lots. If you are stuck, e-mail me and I will point you in a direction that may help. And you may not even need to move to Africa. The question is not IF I will play a part but HOW!!!!

2008-08-21T14:30:00.002-04:00

Orphans

A young man or woman has contracted HIV and AIDS through one of many different reasons. And maybe they don't even know or want to know. ( there is a stigma that is attached to AIDS, they will often be tossed out of families and communities because of the infection) They get married. And pass the virus on to their partner and then to their children.

The virus will turn to full blown AIDS and if there is not access to ARV's (anti retorial viral) they will die. Leaving the kids with either no parents, one parent, older sibling (as young as 10) , with a grandparent, or a neighbor. A pretty dismal situation.

What does an orphan do? Your guess is as good as mine. Hopefully they have someone to turn to. They have no ability to get food because they have no money. Many are malnourished and are not developing properly. If they are able to go school they do but are hungry. ( In one of the communities we visited some kids had to walk an hour or more to get to school on empty stomachs.)

As a result many turn to crime just so they can eat. Many of the older girl orphans will sell themselves so they can eat. And if they don't have HIV and AIDS they will get it and or pass it on and often end up pregnant and the cycle starts all over again.

If there is not someone who can fix up the place the orphans live. (broken doors, windows, etc..) They will be taken advantage of in many different ways. (One of my biggest fears is that they will end up being stolen and sold into slavery. There are hints of this coming)

I met quite a few orphans but one little girl sticks out more than others. She came up to me and was hanging on me. (Just like my kids do when they need affection) She lost her daddy and mommy was away working. I don't knows for how long or what type of work. She just needed to be held and loved. There was a longing, a struggle, a pain, in her eyes. She has already been through much more in her short life than I have.

White River, South Africa

2008-08-21T14:09:00.004-04:00

White River South Africa

We are in the country. Rolling hills. Orchards. Dirt roads. Stars. Lizards. Insects. Birds. More my speed

But that doesn't mean HIV and AIDS has escaped this area. The problem is great. A conservative estimate puts one community, Masoi, with a population of around 250 000, at 50%-75% infection rate.

So most of us know how AIDS and HIV happens here in Africa. But those of you that don't, let us have a conversation. And the rest of you should brush up.

How did AIDS become such a large problem here in Africa?

1. Prostitution.

2. The raping of virgins to "cure" AIDS. The age of victims has continually gone down. We were introduced to a 8 month old victim. (Someone infected will go to a local doctor to ask for a cure and they will be told they need to sleep with a virgin for a cure.)

3. Female Circumcision. Dirty knives etc etc

4. Tribal rights of passage. (That have turned into forced orgy type situations.) 11- 15 year old's forced to have sex with each other and tribal leaders.

I am sure there are many more reasons and I am far from an expert on this topic.

All of these things are a basic disregard for life dignity and respect of our humanness.

It is this lack of respect of life that really got to me. It was hard to encounter and even harder to try to understand it. It doesn't enter my world view. I don't really know what to do with it.

More South Africa

2008-08-10T08:38:00.003-04:00

More Photos

South Africa

2008-08-10T08:34:00.002-04:00

In South Africa there are "Settlements" know before as townships. This is where a vast majority of non-white people live. Our guide for the day, this past Thursday took us to see a pastor friend of his in one of these "Settlements". This is a Part of Johannesburg and is 12km by 25km square. This whole area is squared off in sections some have water and electricity and some do not. We visited 2 pre-schools one with running water and electricity and one with none.

These schools are very important because children cannot go further in school if they don't first attend this type of pre-school. The pastor we visited ran one of these in conjunction wit his church. The kids come from the surrounding neighbourhoods. Most from broken families that do not have much.

The homes here are very modest 3 room houses with a covered toilet outside on a small plot of ground, which is usually covered in garden and fruit trees.

The kids were so very beautiful. But you could see in their eyes that they had been through too much already even though they were only under 6 years of age.

I did not have to many words. Just mostly tears. I am wrecked.

Peter

2008-08-10T07:37:00.001-04:00

Unfortunately for part II of this i do not have any photos.

But imagine if you will 6000 people in one place form all over. Mostly South African ( white, black, colored, and Indian )( By the way It is not considered inappropriate raciest or derogatory to use these terms here) Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, the Democratic republic of Congo and more including me all meeting in one place.

What an experience.

Never in all my life have I been with so many people from so many different counties speaking a myriad of languages. Indescribable. My only way to place it is to say that this is what heaven must be like. I prayed with a young man from the Congo who's native tongue was french and a girl from South Africa speaking Africans and English. We prayed fro the city of Johannesburg and South Africa which is know as one of the most violent nations on earth. I am very glad to have been able to be a part of this.

Peace and Unity among the very diverse cultures of South Africa is Paramount to its Survival. If this nation can pull it off, which I think it can, any nation will be able to have peace. I have seen it here. And my words are WOW!!!!!!!!

Peter

A little bit of Heaven

2008-08-10T06:24:00.002-04:00

South Africa ......

Where do I start.......

Let me start with a little piece heaven. On Thursday we were able to "see" Johannesburg. We got an awesome tour from a missionary who has lived here 6 years and knows his around. I will try to explain the day the best I can.

The high light of the day for me was visiting an orphanage. Now it is not a typical one by my estimation. It is in a residential neighbourhood. Nomonde is the lady who runs it, and she runs it out of her 5 bedroom home. There are in between 15 - 20 orphans half of which are HIV + The home was very comparable to a typical North American home. (except for the razor wire, gate, bars and eight foot high stone wall with razor wire on top typical for almost all South African homes)

All these children have been abandoned, rescued, and some saved from death. There parents didn't want them because either they had HIV or they couldn't take care of them. One baby was the only survivor of a house fire.

One of the stories of the little girls broke my heart. Ryfile was 8 months old when she can to Nomonde's home. She was brought to the orphanage because she was gang raped. Her mother and her were sleeping on the street when this happened. She is now 1.5 years old but still cannot talk and walk. She has had 2 surgeries and one more to come to fix the problems caused by the rape. ( As some of you may know rumors are being spread around here that if you have AIDS and HIV having sex with a virgin will cure you, sadistic and evil right? ) We were able to hold her and pray for her. I have never in all my life been so tore up by a story like this.

Meeting a Nomonde, spending time with her, and hearing her story was incredible. She was a nurse at a hospital and would keep seeing these tragic stories. So as soon as she could retire to do something about what she was seeing she did. She spends her retirement on the orphans and what ever funds she can get from the community. At present there is no government funding. Oh I forgot to mention. I think she has adopted some of the children as her own and she her own blood children. All live with her. I was blown away.

This was/is a little piece of Heaven. I leave you hopefully disturbed as I am.

Peter

Madrid

2008-08-08T11:06:00.003-04:00

Madrid.....

What comes to mind is bull fights, spanish music, and maybe soccer. None of these were on my mind as we spent a 15 hour lay- over there.

We arrived in the late morning of Aug 6 and we immediately set out to explore some possibilities. The main thing we were met with .... HEAT . I was not expecting that kinda heat. Baking heat.

But we did see a few things. The royal palace and lots of winding cobblestone streets. Sleep deprivation set because of the overnight flight from Washington. (They don't configure airline seats for a 6 foot 3 frame like mine. Especially if there someone sitting next to you.) After about 8 hours of walking Madrids streets and sweating buckets we decided to pack it in and go and wait in the airport. All in all a wise decesion.

Retering through security in Spain is a little intimidating. I set off the alarm and had to go through the check agian. Then they didn't like the fact that I was carrying on my tripod. But through my broken spanish and the securitiy gaurds broken english we came to a agreement that I was a photographer going to AFRICA photographing for a magazine. No harm done.

So, we had 6 hours to explore the airport. Which is the largest airport I have been to. We also had time to catch up on sleep.

You will be able to see some images from South Africa. So keep checking back.

Peter

Convenience? or Laziness? You Decide! But I have an opinion of course!

2008-07-31T21:29:00.003-04:00

I remember on one of my first trips to the USA. I was with my cousins and we were in Cleveland Ohio in the middle of a trip an extrusion around Lake Erie. We were making a stop and needed some cash. It was there that I saw my drive thru bank. We couldn't get over the fact that you could drive up to the bank and not even have to get out of your car. A wonderful invention for us in the frozen north, where it is often so cold when you breath in your snot freezes.

I have been in the USA most most of the last 17 years and I saw something new to me but obviously not the locals of Defiance Ohio.

I couldn't believe it!!! A drive thru convenience store / package store. And I got pictures to prove it. Cigarettes, Soda, Chips, or Beer. What do you need? Red Mountain Dew or the new blue one a customer was asking for. 6 pack of miller lite at 11 30 am.

Let's try to make our lives even more convenient. Don't feel like getting out of the car because you hate taking the kids in the store. Hey just go to the drive thru. etc, etc, etc

I could really get very sarcastic quick here so I better stop. I think you know where I am going with this.

I don't know if this is poetic, coincidental, or random. But right around the corner from this fine establishment is a bar named "sinners".

Peter

What's in a name? Part II

2008-07-24T08:40:00.004-04:00

I was in Fort Wayne Indiana yesterday. And came across a some interesting signage. All these business's were within a block of each other. Some are a little difficult to read but zoom in and you will get a good kick out of it.

I don't know if the establishments colaborated to come up with intesesting names (I doubt that). Or maybe there are creative vibes running around there. Or maybe one guy started and everybody else tried to one up him. I don't know but kudos to the folks in Fort Wayne. It made my day.

What's in a name?

It sure got me to stop and look.

And got me thinking about names again.!

Peter

What's in a name?

2008-07-20T11:21:00.002-04:00

Places we were yesterday....

Wyoming Delaware

Goldsboro Maryland

Fredrick Maryland

Flintstone Maryland

Frostburg Maryland

Morgantown West Virgina

Beaver Pennsylvania

Windham Ohio

Toledo Ohio

Napoleon Ohio

Defiance Ohio

While driving we came across a small town in Pennsylvania named " Center ".

I thought to myself, "Center of what?" Its not a ville, town, or city. It was just named "Center" ............. Interesting.

We also took Interstate 68 from Hagerstown Maryland to Morgantown West Virgina. A very beautiful drive. Rolling hills, quaint towns, and farms. Half way is a town named Cumberland. I saw it on a map but never been there. It is out of the way, non-decrepit, but made me want to come back and explore. I started to wonder what are the people like here? How did they get here? and Why?

You become your name. The definition of your name should be something we all are familiar with because we are called be our name many times in a day. So you are your name. I believe that you will also carry certain attributes of the place where you born and where you live.

I will never forget a cold day in early spring. And our kids were playing outside. All of them were dressed appropriately except Noah. He just had a t-shirt on. I asked Noah "Noah aren't you cold? And he said very offendedly "I'm not cold, I'm Canadian!" Now, Noah is the only one of four kids born in Canada. And we moved to Texas when he was 5 months old. I don't teach Canadian propaganda in our home. So, read into it as you like. But what it said to me is that he carries something inside him very Canadian. It is something I think on a lot.

The power of a name.

What are you called?

Where are you from?

Where were you born?

What is your names meaning?

What is your meaning?

Peter

Stimulation!!! A day at the Beach!!!

2008-07-18T12:37:00.003-04:00

Ever been over stimulated?

Too much information at once?

A loud concert?

Fighting Children?

A Walk through a museum?

A long day at work?

I think you can tell where I am going.

Yesterday we decided to make a trip to the beach. We went in my Mom in-laws new van. Fully equipped to entertain the unentertainable. Not one but 2 DVD players, Cirrus Satellite Radio, Am/Fm radio, CD player, and if you are bored with that a 110 outlet for whatever you want to do. Maybe mix up some cookie batter for later. Dry your hair. Plug in a extra lamp. Make some coffee. Charge your IPOD or phone. (Of course this was my logical choice)

I was starting to become overwhelmed with the choices. We made it down after few fights (over what movie to watch and he's crowding me) virtually unscathed.

The beach was a welcome escape from the myriad of technological choices I was soon going to have to make for the trip home. The waves were especially large because of Hurricane Bertha churning far out in the Atlantic. I was drug under by an especially large one and had my day flash before eyes. A mouth full of salt water later I was back out enjoying being tossed and bartered. All and all not a bad time

Hunger had set in, so off to Grotto's Pizza ( A Delaware Tradition ) More choices......? Need I say any more....... We finally settled on plain, Hawaiian, and pepperoni. Good Pizza if you are ever in the area I recommend it.

More stimulation of course is necessary at the beach!

Funland!

Highway robbery as my Dad would say. You end up paying $45 by pumping quarters into a game with hopes to win a cheap stuffed animal that nobody really ever wants. Ahhh the thrill, the stimulation the adrenaline rush.

The bells, whistles, sounds, sights, dreams, sugar rush (s) of going to the beach.

Today I am recovering.

Don't get me wrong.

I fully enjoyed myself and all the choices. But it left me wondering. What about that walk in the woods?

Leaving you stimulated

Peter

Wow

2008-07-16T20:52:00.003-04:00

Well You haven't heard from me in a while.

I feel bad!

No actually I don't.

All my creativity has gone to my photography in the last five months. Imagine that! But I seem to have a little more creative time on my hands lately. Good for you, if you enjoy my ramblings, rants, bursts of genius, and utter nonsense. So you will probably hear from me a little more. See I am going to rather nomadic this summer. Dela-where will enjoy my presence first. Then off to O-Hi-O and then to South AFFricca.

Wow.......

W.O.W.

Willing

Open

Wonderment

Wanna see some Wow in your life.

Your Physical. Your Spiritual. Your Emotion.

Are you Willing?

Are you Open?

Are you wondering?

(A little Cold Play sure doesn't hurt)

I am sharing this because I have seen more than usual as per normal in my life. It is exhilarating. Fulfilling, refreshing, certainly not boring, strange, scary, beautiful............I love it.

The Photo sums up my year at school.

until...?

Peter

Prescription???

2008-02-10T18:45:00.000-05:00

When I think of this word.........

I don't like it. It makes me feel like I am supposed to be sick. Or I am sick. Just write me a prescription Doc and I'll be better.

I think there are very few prescriptions in life that work. Now of course I am not refering to the medical profession. ( Although this is very debatable and I would gravitate to the side of the naturalist most of the time)

I am of course referring to photography. But I also think you could apply this to many facsits of your life. Prescription to me means a set way of doing, seeing, processing, or living out parts of life. And this may be indeed the case for you, you, you, and you. Fortunately we are all different and what works for you probably is not going to work for me. The way Ansel Adams saw is different from the way I see. I think most of us would all agree to this for the most part. Right?

For those of you who know me you know this isn't the first time I have been thinking about this. I have been reflecting on this topic in recent days because of school. We have been given a large assignment with 16 different parts that need to fit certain perameters but allow for creativity to be brought in as long as it fits within the assignment. (if the assignment calls for a female you can't use a male) When is it OK to break the rules or the prescription ? This is the path of a creative. There are always rules and guidlines and there are times in which to break these rules and guidlines.

When I am creating an image for myself. I do not want a prescription. Guidlines are good but I think prescriptions are dangerous. They can styifle, pigeon hole, and distort the creative.

Here's to thinking outside the box, getting in trouble with the establishment, causing a raucus and making people think.

Peter

P.S. The pictures are from an assignment. We had to interpret an original piece of art. I choose a piece from 1500's by Caravaggio called the "Card Sharps"

Learning my Anticipation

2008-01-27T09:16:00.000-05:00

Anticipation.......................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................................

What a great word!

Expectation would be a meaning I would put with it. To ANTICIPATE. To look forward to. What is around the corner? What"s next? Of course all of you are Anticipating my next blog

So.... What I am I Anticipating? Deep question. Wouldn't you say? Most of us would reflect on this and would be thinking about, Career, A new House, Vacation, or a Move. But I am going in a different direction. ***Creative Anticipation***

What I am thinking about creatively? Where is my creativity going to take me? When I am photographing a subject. I often don't have a specific parameters in mind. Just a few guidelines. So many times when creating an image the outcome will be......."not defined yet". I am sort of going with a creative flow which can be painful at times. There is an excitement that comes with this. I love it. I don't know what is around the next corner. What is going to inspire me next? A snowflake? A bad dream? The way I saw my son looking at me? Late afternoon sunlight spilling in though a window? Rascal Flatts? Lego? (These are just a few of influences right now)

(let me indulge you with a few I am coming up with as I write) Green peppers. Sex. Dust Masks. Finger Nails. Old Movies. Maple Syrup, Cowboy Boots. Men of the Cloth. Art. Firemen.

I love it! What is next? I don't know. Where is this all going? Creative inspiration! Anticipation!

Creative Anticipation!

Do you know the feeling?

It is like going to the mailbox and not knowing what is there. Maybe you finally won publishers clearance house.

Or How about, When your wife comes around the corner and has that glint in her eye and you know what is next.

And who could forget "Christmas morning".

After nine months of pregnancy finding out Boy? or Girl?

That feeling is what it is like for me when creating my images. What a great life we/I get to live!

BUT... What happens when when this "Anticipation" lets you down. And does not produce the results you wanted or expected. How many times do I have an idea that is *s*h*i*t*. More than I can remember. Dust off, feel, and remember how terrible it is and move on to the next idea. For me it is all part of the creative process.

The pictures are of my friend Dave H. A good looking fellow. Thanks Dave!

(Sorry about the layout blogger and me have a love hate relationship)

Peter Eisses

Re...Re...Re...Re...Re...

2008-01-13T19:24:00.000-05:00

Re-use....

Re-deuce...

Re-cycle...

Re-turn...

Re-do...

Re-place...

Re-live...

Re-touch...

I think you can put Re... in front of just about any word. Why you ask am I bringing this up??? Well, its the last one I mentioned "Re-touch", and I will add "ing" to it as well, has got me thinking. It is a large part of photography and is the last stage of creating an image. Taking out dust or that finger that got in the way of the shutter (I did that today).

We have been learning Photo-shop, extensively. Dodging, burning, layers, spot healing, the magic wand, I could go on and on. I am far from having grasped it. But if I look where I am from where I started. I certainly have come a long way.

Want to loose 20 lb's, gray hair, or that mole... Hey just talk to a retoucher. (it is an actual profession) You don't think all those models really look like that do you?

Re..... and whatever you put behind it. Is signifying "to do again". Negatively, I have been thinking about all the things I have to do again or "re-do-ing". Why I am I doing them over again? Because I was not satisfied the first time. (I am speaking photographically and life stuff) Ahhh the learning process. I learn best by bungling something up. And then trying to fix that mistake.

So......I guess I better start looking at the "Re" as more positive than negative. And you know "R" is my favorite character in our western language types. It sounds funny when other folks from other languages say it. They either can't (which causes barrels of laughs or frustration) or they make it sound better (like the Dutch who rrrrrol it).

Next time you are Re-cycling your beer bottles, Re-using that plastic bag for your lunch the fifth time, or Re-turning that Christmas sweater you always wanted. Think of me and my quest to grasp Photoshop and Re-touch-ing.

Peter E

P.S. You are probably sick of seeing my ugly mug. So I put up a couple of my recent images.

Its A New Year

2008-01-09T21:49:00.000-05:00

2008......

An Olympic year.

A leap year.

An election year. (in the states anyways)

A move of some sort for us.

Lots to look forward to.

Its been a while since I last wrote. Piled up assignments, Christmas, new years, a wedding, and about 650 miles between me and my computer are my excuses. I think valid enough.

Our Christmas was great.

Hockey games...... played, and watched.

Snow storms........ (four to be exact) played in and watched.

Family time......... conversation, catching up, time spent, and hallway soccer.

Games................... Uno, scrabble, settlers and many many more.

Photography........I had five assignments to do over the holidays. And was able to get pretty much all of it done.

A killer view when looking out my parents living room window at our very white holiday.

We got back here to the metropolis of TURNERS FALLS on the 5Th. Only to be met with balmy temperatures and a very "unwinter" feel. (I'll take the cold winter feel any day) I got 2 more assignments to run the total to nine that are due in the next two weeks. And that does not include the ones that we will receive next week. I haven't pulled my hair out yet but I think its good that have full head of it.

BUT, like I said before. "I am loving it" My photography is progressing and I am enjoying the results.

Keep you posted on my hair.

Peter Eisses

projects & opportunities

2007-11-30T21:03:00.000-05:00

The education continues. After a great thanksgiving spent in New Haven School continues to slowly amp up. I needed the thanksgiving break but found myself thinking about assignments due soon after the break and images I would like to create.

The day before thanksgiving break we got back our phase 1 final assignment. I was rather surprised with a really good pay out. ( We are graded on dollar amounts. When we are given as assignment it is fixed with a dollar amount. Such as $500 or $1000. This gets you in the mode of thinking money and value instead of grade point average. And we all know that a GPA will never pay the bills.) Our phase 1 final was worth $10000. I received $9250 for it. I am pretty pleased with this result.

But the assignments continue. We are started to focus on two very large markets, Commercial and portrait. (The weather here is starting to cool considerably which is chasing us indoors where a majority of these photos happen) We are photographing reflective metal, glass, and catalog shots in commercial. In portrait we are shooting lighting patterns and learning posing. The amount of stuff I am learning is lets just say a lot.

On top of our commercial and portrait assignments. We are learning how to make our own web page, design our own promotional material, an aerial assignment, research for a 10 minuet speech/presentation, and learning the intricacies of retouching. Plus there is always the need to just take pictures, because I need a picture fix. The outside contacts that are starting your network that you need to keep up with. And the ever looming question, Where is this all taking me.

How can I forget! My family. Dishes, laundry, fixing that damn dryer, new tires for the van, landlord issues, bills, helping the kids with homework, hockey practice, and of course this blog.

You know what??? I love it. I would not trade this for anything right now. I know, know, know I am where I need to be.

The new photos taken in commercial studio and a shot I took while on my aerial assignment. The portrait was taken by one of my fellow students

Peter E

Random

2007-11-19T22:02:00.000-05:00

Thinking..... Meatballs really do work in soup. When you are going for a walk at night and bump into someone you don't know, do you say anything? Do red and green really make purple? Sometimes when I am driving on a long trip, my hand will just end up in the air. Nose hairs! What's up with that? Can a hyena really break an elephants leg bone? How could da Vinichi write with both hands? What do a farmer and a brain surgeon chit chat about? Is there an end? And When really was the beginning? Don't you ever just want to through a rock in a window?!?! I like snow storms. I have this one particular hair that grows in a rather odd direction on my face. I don't like it. It bothers me. Blog is a gross word!!! Ever milked a cow by hand? Or Burn ants with a magnify glass. Have you ever laid in the grass and stared into the sky to see how far it went? Do you want to go to the Falkland Islands? What do sago caterpillars taste like? 28 is my favorite number. Who got to decide that shit is a swear word??? Leathermans rock! The ? is probably my favorite symbol!

Just want to get off the train sometimes! Bus driver stop the bus! I am getting off. I need a break! This is going to fast. And it is not going where I thought it was. My ticket says Denver but the highway signs read Miami! Explain please!!! I want my money back!

Me and random have a pretty tight relationship. We get along, most of the time. I do have a hard time when random keeps me up at night and wants to talk, talk, talk. We had this awesome time one time though and I was inspired by one word in our conversation. Corners. I am not sure where I am going with it? Just somewhere! Random helps me get through the mundane and boring. What a great friend.

This weeks photo is of an old, long forgotten fence. But not to me! Enjoy your thanksgiving.

Peter

Exposed?!?

2007-11-10T15:29:00.000-05:00

There has been a slight delay in my blog. I skipped a week. But there is good reason. I shall explain!!!

Two and half weeks ago. We got our final assignment for phase #1. (there are 4 phases in all) For the assignment there were 10 procedures which related to the previous two months of classes. (I won't bore you with the details) We had to have it done Friday the ninth at 8.45 am ready to show in front of the whole school (everybody). Really rather intimidating. HOLD THIS THOUGHT BECAUSE I AM GOING TO RABBIT TRAIL FOR A Minute................

Have you ever felt naked, exposed and vulnerable Well, when ever I show my work this is how I feel. OUT THERE!!!! Here I aM!!!!! I am ALMOST screaming inside with teNSion. Because I really really want you to see what I have been working on and how I have been seeing. But do I really want you to see what I am seeing??? Because then you can see what is happening inside me. And I doN"t KNOw if i want YoU there. Because I COULD bE HuRt!!! I Don'T likE BEING hurt. IT Hurts OK!!!!! There is also a big DANGER, DANGER, DANGER, here. The tEnsioN in this vulnerability, can stifle, cripple and even kill creativity. Oh the risk. Oh the TEnSioN. CAn i? WIll i? Do i EVEn wanT to boTheR??? Oh the BATTLe of being a creative. MayBE, Just MAYbE this whOLe scenario wiLL cauSe moRE creaTivitY. HHHMMMM!!!

So yesterday, (Friday the ninth), there we all sat. In the Auditorium with each other. Staff. Students. Photographers. Having battled through the previous paragraph, knowingly or not, ready to be inspired by our work. Which we all were. And the experience was as you would expect. Wonderful! Thought provoking! Dangerous! Beautiful! Scary! Sensual! Tense! Happy!

So as you can see I have a little preoccupied with this whole experience. It is sometimes very difficult for me to communicate what is happening on the inside in a creative sense. I hope this post will do that. To the right is a self portrait that we had to do for the assignment.

Love you all

Peter

2007-10-29T22:40:00.000-04:00

Ever been frustrated by a computer? Or by those that have the "magical" touch on the same machine that will not work for you? Or When you forget to do that "one thing" you were supposed to do running a program? Or if you delete something you didn't really want to?

My thought process is not 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Mine thought process is more 4, 7, 1, 8, 9, 2, 5, 3, 10, 6. Well computers aren't like this. So computers and me have a rocky relationship. This past week I deleted some pictures that I were not supposed be deleted. I imported a lot of my digital files improperly and couldn't find them. ( I am becoming fast friends with one of my instructors, who is a computer smarty, because I am always asking questions on how to get out of what I have messed up. ) So, needless to say I am learning a lot about computers. But I think even more importantly I am learning how to think 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Which when it comes to computers is very necessary.

The photo to the right was taken in the rink where the boys play hockey.

Here's to a week that will hopefully come with no major computer scares.

Peter E

the power of line

2007-10-21T22:41:00.000-04:00

Lines

Lines help us see, Lines blind

Lines lead, lines push away

Lines define, lines confuse

Lines break, lines heal

Lines are old, lines are new

Lines are black, lines are white

Lines compose

Lines compare

Lines suggest

Lines fly, dig, sink

Lines speak

Lines die, and lines LIVE.

Kinda obvious what I've been thinking about. When you are taught new things you start to see in a different light. These are just a few adjectives I came up with that I have been thinking about when it comes to seeing lines. All are important to photography. If you start asking yourself, when looking at a photo or if you are just looking, If the line is comparing? What is it comparing to? If the line dies where does it go? If the line leads where does it take you?

One thought that has come to me while thinking about this; there is a lot of "order" out there, and things are not near as random as they appear. In my own life and life in general.

NYC is a lot fun. We as a class were there this past friday to take in the annual photo expo. To the right is a shot i got while there. Draw some mental lines while "seeing" this week and see where they take you. You might be surprised.

Peter

2007-10-14T21:58:00.000-04:00

The results of hard work are starting to come in. My thoughts on this are mixed... Let me explain.

Learning, relearning and unlearning are very real to me right now. I am learning many things that are brand new to me. I am relearning many things that I new a little about. And I am unlearning some bad habits that I have picked up. Of course I am relating this to photography. But does this sound like life to anyone? Sure does to me!

My work is reflecting all three of these scenarios. And of course I see the glaring mistakes more than I see the good things that are showing up in my work. I am not super satisfied with what I have done to date. Because I know I can do better. So I am at present walking the thin line between, being very hard on myself, and being excited for some of results. (I wish I could show all of you some but can't. So I will tease you with... Stay tuned for a web address announcement.) Ah, those "creative people". I will just say yes to that.

We continue to get lots of assignments. This week we will start to use the large format cameras and start shooting products. We also have to capture "New England Life". A rather broad concept. But a catch comes with it. We are being encouraged to submit our images to photo stock. That means they have to be D___ good.

In other news Joshua Scored his first goal of the season. As the Franklin County Catamounts destroyed the Holy Name Stars 13 -1. Number 77 scored as he slapped a pass home. Josh recorded 2 points early this morning. And was quoted as saying "Hey Dad I scored".

This weeks picture of the week is of my princess.

Talk to you soon.

Peter

Create vs Technique

2007-10-06T13:54:00.000-04:00

Week four just complete....

I have made it through so to speak...

Though, "create vs technique", do compete...

I look forward to the day when they will meet...

On that day, a goal will be of reach, that will be a feat...

Right now "to create" will have to take a seat...

The oft forgotten technique, needs to eat...

Be patient I say, This is not going to be neat!

Oh, the technical stuff....... For most creative people, we struggle with disciplines, technical know how, and numbers. So the creative side of me is having to take a back seat to all the afore mentioned items. Which, if I really think about it, is really why I came to Hallmark in the first place. Their teaching of the technical is awesome and I am learning many things that I did not know. Wow.... All my realisations from last week remain. It is becoming very clear that my technical skill needs to catch up. And I can see it doing that already.

This past week we got several assignments back. I did all right, I guess. None of them were perfect. Deep down this frustrates me. But it gives me room to improve, fix the errors, and fill in the gaps. To the right is an image taken last week. Full of errors and imperfections. But I love it.

So, next time you raise your glass. Raise it for the tension. That we all love and hate.

Peter

Inspired

2007-09-30T14:09:00.000-04:00

Inspiration surrounds me, holds me, captivates me, frustrates me, wakes me, loses me, and shakes me. Being taught "to see" is exciting. Yet, seeing and then translating to film is a another story.

The building blocks "of seeing", that we are being taught, are extremely crucial to success of my education here at Hallmark. And in the midst of that I am experiencing all these feelings/emotions. Wading through them is ................! (I'll let you fill in the blank because whatever you put there would probably describe it.)

I am waking in the night with ideas for photo's. I am dreaming at night of pictures and me photographing them. I am being surrounded by creative people who are pushing and pulling us in a healthy tension. It is forcing me to think and forcing me to create. None of these things have ever happened to me before. And I am loving it.

This week our assignments included photographing colour, lines and outdoor portraits. We also received our digital backs for our Mamiya 645. To the right is one first images I took with it.

Yesterday, A photographer (Michael Yamashita)from National Geographic was here. He has had 3-4 stories published in the Magazine in resent years and is being commissioned by them to do more. He worked on a story about Marco Polo for 2 years. To hear about and see his work was amazing.

So, all in all it has been a great week.

Until next week. Peter

getting in a routine

2007-09-22T12:36:00.000-04:00

Routine is starting to set in (and depending on how you are this is good or bad). For me it is good and bad. I don't want to get life in my school to become routine so I forget why I am here. But I do
like some routine because it will keep me sane. Our schedule is far from routine. But my life is starting to fit into that routine (if that makes sense). Enough babel let me tell you what I did this week.
Monday I had 7 classes and got 5 assignments. Four photo shoots and a speech. I was really overwhelmed to say the least. Once Tuesday rolled around it started to make a little more sense why we got them all in one day. Many of our assignments will be done in class where we are given a lot of instruction and help if we want it or need it. And they all build on one another. So, the things we learned in the first assignment will have to be taken in account for second. And so on and so on. Nothing is random although it feels that way sometime. On Tuesday we went to Clark Art Institute in Williamstown Ma (An absolutely stunning drive). There we photographed art and architecture taking into account composition and lighting. We spent all day there and by the end of the day I was done. A very rewarding and stretching day.
Wednesday we had an assignment to shoot regarding Depth of Field. (if you are really interested in what this means e-mail me and I will explain It) I was able to tag along with three other classmates. One of them new of a real sweet spot very close to school. In many of our classes we are required to have people as our subjects so we use each other in our assignments. It kinda forces us to get know one another. I am developing (no pun intended) some real cool relationships.
On the first day of class we were given a "friendly" competition assignment. The topic was "childhood fears". It was not mandatory and no grades are given. The picture I entered is to the right. I will let you guess who it is!
Well, until next week. Here's to studying hard and having your work in on time.
Peter

a new view

2007-09-16T12:47:00.000-04:00

I woke early Thursday morning excited and a little nervous. My first day
to use my new camera for an assignment we had just gotten in class. Its
like taking out the brand new car for the first time.
(although the"smell" isn't quite there ) We were going out to a nearby
historic town to try it out. I didn't have to be there till 9.
So I had time to take the kids to school. We left a few minuets
before 8.
(they start at 8, as do I so I don't get to take them to school often) I started the van and there was a no so good noise. I decided
to carefully ignore it.
The kids got to school fine. But my attempt to get home was not as
successful. A very loud noise and loss of power steering later, really made me wish my careful ignoring had been more thought through.
My thinking was this.... "I can not be late to my first day of shooting"
What am I going to do?
We don't really know anybody yet that can just drop everything and help us out. A taxi drive, $8.50 and 10 minuets had me back home and on my
way to class.
Thank the Lord we are in a more rural area. The van was fixed by a real
nice mechanic before I got back.  But set us back $300.
One thing that has been drummed into us this past week and a half is to...
"not be late!".
No matter what!
Aside from that, It has been a real good week and I am even more excited
about doing this school.
We already have 5 assignments, from writing a press release to capturing
"side light", "front light", and "back light".
I will keep you posted on some of my results and where you will be able
view them.

Other family news includes, Noah and his new set of eyes. He doesn't have
a site problem, (his eyes are 20/20) but a vision problem. We were able to
get him to a vision therapist and she said that he uses his whole physical body
to visualize.
So his glasses are calming in nature not corrective. He has to go back and
have vision therapy.
He is looking very studious which really fits his season of life.

Our week in a nutshell.
Check in soon
peter

the begining

2007-09-08T11:35:00.000-04:00

So, here I am. My first week at hallmark complete.
On September 5 , 2007 my journey  began.
I walked into the building and had to pinch myself.
It was difficult for me to hold back my emotion.
This really is happening!!! I had to pinch myself.
I remember the my very first photo and when I told myself that photography is what I wanted to do. I guess it is never to late to get the ball rolling.
My class is composed of 230 people from 41 states and 9 countries.
Women outnumber the men 2 to 1. We range in age from 16 to 60.
This is going  to be an interesting time with a lot of information being tossed my way.
This will be my last real free week-end till graduation, on June 20. Officially we start on Monday. My first class is at 8, Intro. digital imaging
So. Why am I blogging this part of my life? Partly selfish. ( so I don't have e-mail all of you that are interested, Because I will not have time) and it will be a good way for me to track my own progress. I am going to try to do this once a week and I will try to post a picture of the week. So, enjoy the journey with me and I look forward to your coments.
Peter E