I never thought much of this photo. But I posted it on Flickr and it received thousands more views than 90% of the other images I’ve posted there. That’s good learning for me, all thanks to social media tools. The social media path has had a lot of twists and turns for me over the last year. There’s lots of advice on the web to process: “you should have a blog instead of a Flash-based website;” “you should Twitter more often;” “Foursquare is huge – are you on it;” and so and and so forth. What began as basic photo sharing suddenly started to feel like a huge pile of work. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure what parts of the Internet help my craft — parts that I, personally, find valuable. I’ve focused on three major categories: photography blogs, Flickr and podcasts. Blogs put a face on the photographers and film makers I know and admire. I use Flickr like other people use Twitter and it provides me with valuable insights into what images appeal to other people — the analytics on Flickr are great with the pro accounts. Podcasts work as career development classes — there’s always something new to learn and they make it easy to stay on top of the latest discussion in just about any category. Everyone will find what tools and platforms work best for them online. I think what matters most is that you’re trying to find them in the first place.

Another summer has passed out at Antietam. I shot this image of friends with a very old film camera.  I love the 180mm on my Mamiya C-330. I’m on my second camera body after wearing out the first one which I bought in the 70′s. When you grow comfortable with a camera, it is good to stick with it. I get a lot of teasing from fellow photographers for shooting film. It has taken a long time to get a comfortable with a palette that I love.

Lighting the fire at dinner is one of the sweetest times during our camping trips. Nights in Antietam are always very special after a long, lazy day by the creek. We have not been camping in almost two years and we are anxious to return. I love shooting night photographs when the fog comes through our camp site. Sometimes we do a night ride on our mountain bikes over to the beautiful and historic Burnside Bridge and then meander through the battle ground. We’ve also canoed down the creek in the pitch dark…amazing ride! This June will be our first trip in far too long and I, for one, can already smell the campfire.

Antietam Creek, Maryland. My friend’s son didn’t realize that the dogs smelled the bait in his pocket. He kept moving into deeper water and Mosby and Gizi kept following.

There is quite the feeling of peace when you are beside a fire at magic hour. Time to contemplate the good things this election speaks to the oppressed parts of the world.

Great to vote today. We are crossing a river in many ways. May the transition be peaceful.

I have used this 135mm for over 25 years.

It takes me far out of the space I’m photographing physically while capturing a close up feel that delivers emotionally.