Thursday, July 13, 2006

CRITTER DAYS THURSDAYS -- Found a Goose That Isn't Canadian

25 Comments:

Blogger micki said...

Today’s scan really has me convinced now that I’m going to buy a film scanner. This little printer is going to cut it for me; and I think I’m going to be a stickin’ with this here bloggin’ game, I need to step up on the equipment I use. Just isn’t worth it to try so hard to get a good photo if I can’t scan it at the same quality as the print. The York scans are good, but always too washed out compared to my prints. So, the quest is on. Wish me luck and a little cash windfall.

Yesterday was my first time being confronted about my photo shooting. I was cleaning up the spilled popcorn from the floor of my van while waiting for the sun to come out from behind a cloud to get brighten up my subjects a little bit…two wheelbarrows, one orange, one yellow, in front of a hardware store. Suddenly behind me stands a man, “Is everything all right?” he asks with an accusing tone in his voice, not one of concern.

I roll my eyes at him. I was covered in popcorn grease and salt. “Yeah.”

“I was wondering why you were taking pictures of my store.”

*quizzical look

“A few people have come in to tell me that someone is out front taking picture of my store.”

“I’m not taking pictures of your store, I’m taking pictures of your wheelbarrows.”

He starts to let his guard down, “Why?”

“Cause they’re pretty, but I’m waiting for the sun to come out. Is that OK, or do you want me to leave?”

He waved me off and told me it was OK.

Funny how when he found out what I was doing, he could’ve cared less. I think I know what happened. There were a quite a few folks coming in and out while I was there. I had the portable DVD player going to keep my boys entertained. They were eating a bucket of popcorn each, but my autistic son has been struggling lately. The only way he expresses himself now is through very loud, ear piercing screams. Happy, mad, sad, glad…he screams. It’s very disturbing if you’re not used to it and don’t understand it. During my short time there, two different women came through and heard him screaming. That probably evoked the immediate “why can’t that mother control her kid” thinking that most of us who have normal kids have until we are blessed with a child who is not “normal.” Now they’re in a negative mindset and see me with my camera. Next comes the, “Someone’s out in the parking lot taking pictures of your store.” Even after I pulled away ten minutes later, the female cashier inside gave me a dirty look. This whole autism ride is teaching me all kinds of lessons. I sure do look at life a whole lot differently than before. As if I didn’t after my daughter died.

On a side note, an older man also came walking through the lot and after he heard the screams, stopped to talk to me about how he had four great nieces and nephews coming by to visit him this weekend. All four the ages of the three kids I had in my van. The noise reminded him how his empty house wasn’t going to be so very quiet this weekend. He wasn’t disturbed by the yelling. He was a few more years older, and a little wiser than the women who felt compelled to “tell on me.”

Camera - Konica Minolta 70
Film - Fuji HQ ISO 200
Shutter Speed - 1/500
Aperture Setting - f-6.7 Program Mode
Lens - Sigma 70-300mm
Scanning Method - My scan from my cheap little hp officejet 5510v all-in-one copy/scanner/faxer/printer

Things I’m Thankful to Cliff For…. Rides on the Harley to my Saturday morning Girl Scout bowling games.

10:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good luck for your search on a film scanner. I don't do a lot of film scanning, so I've settled with my Epson 4990 Photo scanner. It seems to do an okay job with my Holga negatives and the Polaroids.

11:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like this shot. nice DoF good luck on the scanner. I've been escorted out of an outdoor shopping mall because I was taking pictures of a wall and pipes..

11:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had fun. You should have got a picture of him while he was still thinking you were up to no good. That would be great.

11:28 AM  
Blogger Sandy said...

You know Micki...the more I visit your site the more I admire you. Strong, positive and creative. My favorite qualities in a person:).

12:12 PM  
Blogger PlasticTV said...

Or alternatively, go digital! ;)

Ok i'll stop being irritating. The goose seems to be a reflection of your own image - positive and full of strength. Keep looking up!

1:54 PM  
Blogger Carlos Lorenzo said...

Good luck with the scanner. The goose looks quite alright to me, but prints are always better. What about those wheelbarrows? I hope you had a wonderful time with your kids in spite of the admonishing ladies.

2:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sadly, we live a societies where a camera is increasingly seen as a threat so your experience with the store-owner is very familiar to me. Even geese have started to get touchy about it although mine all seem to be Canadian. But you sure found a proud-lookin’ bird here.

3:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We have some of these guys ;) right here in our city-park. They´re looking a bit scary.

4:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

nice shot micki!

4:34 PM  
Blogger Rich said...

Hope he didn't bite.

4:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

cool shot...i like the colors, the shape and composition here:-))

8:12 PM  
Blogger Chris Fry said...

Micki. I'll add my aggravation and say... if you had a digital, you could have shown him what you were doing!! :-)) Are you planning on going back to show him the pictures of his pretty wheelbarrows? I hope the older man enjoyed his visit with his great neices and nephews!

This photo shows me one scary critter. Geese have scared me since one chased and bit my daughter when she was about 3 years old because she had bread in her hand. Give me a spider or bug photo any day! Love the DOF. Chris

8:18 PM  
Blogger Jill said...

Good head shot! He's kind of funny looking. (You must have had a suspicious look about you. hahaha)

8:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

haha. Is that a dig at Canadians?

I like your scans, very rich in colours, but could do with some unsharp mask in photoshop I suppose.

10:07 PM  
Blogger Dave MacIntyre said...

Not Canadian?? Poor guy must be the laughing stock of the pond! ;o)

Great shot Micki!

12:04 AM  
Blogger Rosa said...

I love your story. I'm glad the man didn't mind your taking pictures of his wheelbarrows. Lord forbid you were taking pictures of his store. As if. I'm so happy the gentleman came by and made you feel better. He must have been sent from above.

12:05 AM  
Blogger Laurie said...

I am sorry to hear about the confrontation you had.

I don't think I had known about your daughter. I am so terribly sorry to hear that you had suffered such an unspeakable loss.

This shot is really terrific. I won't add to the others about going digital...:)

12:25 AM  
Blogger Bethany said...

I read with interest your story about your wheelbarrow photography. I have yet to be confronted by somebody who is unimpressed with my subject choice. I am, however, often worried that such a thing will happen. In the past, I have let such worries stop me from taking the photos that I want to take. I am now starting to reach the stage where I don't care what people think. Your story was an encouragement.

As for today's picture, I'm glad to see a plain old goose. I must admit that I have never actually laid eyes on a goose that wasn't Canadian. I know they exist, but where are they all hiding?

1:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

wow, it is so cute!

3:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey how are you sure the goose ain't Canadian? Awww shucks now you have let the other ducks in the Pond know his dirty secret how is he ever going to hold it's head up high :) You wicked wicked secret teller :P

Hi Super Micki brave enough to have the kids with her when doing a shoot. How do you manage woman? The close minded people we all have to deal with each day is soo annoying, so what if you where taking pictures of his shop? Jezz one would think you where robbing these people.

I am liking the shot, what in the world did it have in it's mouth? As they say "Good Bokeh".

One niggle I have though, the minute size of your post, (yeah I know you can click on it to make it bigger), ever thought of having the thumbnail size increased. Or better still, defect to another blog :)

Suby

6:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh the tooth is now out, there is a big hole where it used to be and the gums throb all the time and the side of my face throbs and it is driving me up the wall. Makes one cranky. my sis says she will be putting in an implant in the next few months. Aaahhh I can't wait, I can hardly chew on the left side of my mouth now due to the gapping hole :)

Suby

7:02 AM  
Blogger Azhar said...

Lol I dunno why but this fellow reminds me of a plane :D That bulge rewminds me of the bulge in a 747.
GREAT GREAT SHOT!!!

7:20 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I hope you enjoyed "Critter Day" ~~ what a pretty goose. He's got personality!

Wonderful story, too . . . sending love to you and your family. Have a great weekend!

9:16 AM  
Blogger frame of mind said...

Well, just take a gander at that :-)

12:13 AM  

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