iHolga

I've found a new camera.

It's not a fancy-schmantzy camera either. But it's one I have with me almost all of the time.

I love my "pro-gear" but sometimes it just gets too big and cumbersome to carry around everywhere. I'd really wanting to get a holga to play around with, but I just haven't found the time to do that yet. Point-and-shoot? Maybe. I've got a few, but don't always have them either.

So what did I find?

My iPhone. My buddy Chris Williams jokingly calls it my iHolga. The image above was created on a recent trip down Highway 61. Sure, I tweaked it a bit. And I won't be able to make very large prints from it. But I've found my iPhone is perfect for creating spontaneous images -- in part because I almost always have it with me. But I also love the "un-perfection" of it. As I've said many times -- focus is overrated!

So I'm creating a new product line for my gallery. Table Mounts. These are images printed about 3"x4", matted to just over 5"x7", mounted to foamcore, and then we add a little easel back so the finished piece can stand on its own. I've posted a few images below to give you an idea.

So my iPhone works perfectly for this. And I'm having a great time exploring with it.

By the way -- these are available not just for my personal work, but also for portrait and wedding images. And not all of the images are iHolgas. Quite a few were created using my 'real" cameras. If you'd like to find out more, just give us a ring or shoot us an email. I'd love to here your thoughts -- so if you don't mind -- post 'em below!

Now, a few images.




Each matte is signed and titled.




A built in easel is adhered to the back.




All lined up.






Hope you like them! Let me know what you think!

~wj

Even dogs blink during photos!

> I'm still ok the road and my wife just sent me this brilliant photo
> of our "son" Sam.

She came up with the blinking line. Pretty funny considering she was
sending it to her photog husband.

Figured it was so cute I'd share it with all of you.

~wj

Via iPhone
>

on the road . . .

Wedding last night in Clarksdale, MS. Esession today in Pascagoula, MS.

Google Map it if you don't know where these towns are. And find out why I love my XM.

-- Post From My iPhone

NASCAR Chanps?

Brother-in-law Jay and I having a little family fun.

Heading out . . .

From the top deck.

Meetings are over for the day . . . .

. . . . and guess who gets his way now.

Driving home from New Orleans

This is Sam. He's my co-pilot today. Normally he likes to sit on my
lap as we ride, but I've got another appointment before I get home and
don't want to be covered in dog hair when I get there. So I have to
put my computer bag between us to keep him from crawling over. He's
been giving me sad faces like this the entire trip though, so I'm not
sure I can keep this up.

Any ideas on what I should do?

~wj

Barge headed to New Orleans

Via iPhone

Back home

Sometimes we need to remember what it is we love about home. I've been
in LA for the last four days. Tonight I'm at the 60th birthday party
of my friend Dr. Hugh. We're right beside the Mississippi River and
the breeze is keeping things very nice. Hugh swam across this river
two days ago. Just to prove he could.

I hope I'm lucky enough to do that when I turn 60.

Happy birthday Doc. Thanks for reminding me of home.

White Linen. --nola

All the galleries are open. The streets are packed. Good night for one
of my favorite cities.

~wj

------------------------

via iPhone

Halftime

Firemen / Police vs. Tiny Trotters

Guess who's winning?

Happy Fourth of July!

Baseball, hotdogs, and apple pie.

Airport Rollercoaster

Somtimes the simplest things garner the most excitement.

-------------------------------------
Posted via iPhone after hearing The Wonder Twins shout "This is better
than Disney!" for the whole tram to hear.

~wj

The Wonder Twins

Jamie and I will be playing mom and dad to our twin nephews Jacks (L) and
Wilkins(R) for the next five days. It's kinda like looking after the
Tazmanian Devil -- times two!

If you haven't heard from us in two or three days, please call the
authorities! We're gonna have our hands full.

------------------------------------------------
Posted via iPhone, as I wonder whether or not it is safe to fall asleep.

~wj

NOLA JazzFest -- brilliance defined

I first heard the John Butler Trio late one Saturday night while watching an Austin City Limits rerun. This was about a year ago. I was blown away by John's talent and the unique sound of his band. It's a funky, bluesy, caribbean style infused with heavy beats, driving guitars, brilliant musicianship and infectious spirit. And the lyrics are poignant and moving.

I've had their music front and center on my ipod for the last few months and when I heard they would be performing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival I knew I really wanted to find a way to attend. Luckily I was able to do so. And even better was that Jamie was able to head down to her hometown and attend JazzFest with me.

When I say that this man is one of the most brilliant artists I've ever encountered I do not say that lightly. He abilities are tremendous and he displays them in so many ways during his performance. Guitar. Banjo. Xylophone. Stand up bass. Kettle drums. Harmonica. Electric piano. So many incredible sounds blended together to form one of the most moving hours I've ever experienced.

Here is a performance by John that displays just how good he is. When listening to this, keep in mind that this is one man; one guitar. It sounds like at least three of each of not four or five. Give it about sixty seconds. He starts softly and builds into a performance that will leave you with little more to say than . . . "Wow"



Now, if you enjoyed that here's a link to pick a few of his songs on iTunes. While the studio stuff is great, I highly recommend the Live at St. Gallen album. Studio recordings do not do this man justice. The energy he displays in front of a live audience is amazing, and it's just not something you can capture in a studio -- no matter how brilliant the technicians are.

CLICK HERE TO GO THE JOHN BUTLER TRIO iTUNES PAGE

Right at the end of his set, the rains came. Not a hard, heavy rain, but a soft, cleansing one. Rather poetic and fitting I thought, considering the audience. When the first raindrops struck the crowd a celebratory cheer echoed around the stage just as one of the band's songs was reaching its pinnacle. Here's a picture of Jamie I took with my phone just after she covered up to protect herself from the rain. John, of course, is on the screen in the background.



Music is a powerful thing, my friends. I often wonder if it isn't the most powerful artform that we have. Just as any art, it's often done just for the sake of doing it--there's very little purpose behind it. But when the artist has a point, and has mastered his or her craft, music can change the world. One person at a time. John Butler is one of those artists. He has a point. Listen to his, then find yours.

Good luck on your journey. It's a wonderful ride if you'll let it be.

~wj

the Ferg

Odd the way the journeys we embark on are rarely the ones we plan.

At times we become bitter, frustrated.
A delayed plane, a closed road. The ball game we were so looking forward to attending is rained out.

And yet, other times, we encounter serendipity.
An unplanned night out with family or friends. A dollar left in the pocket of a pair of jeans. A Saturday morning of sleeping in and playing with the kids.

Rarely planned. Often lived.

My wife and I have just traveled an unexpected journey. The second week of February her father was diagnosed with cancer. He fought hard and strong, but the result was inevitable. He passed away barely three weeks after the cancer was discovered. He was 56 years young.

We spent almost the entire month of February with him. The photo above was made only three weeks ago. Amazing how quickly life can change.

We've had many people send us their prayers and words of comfort. And they have all been needed. It would be so easy to become bitter and angry over the cards that were dealt to my father-in-law, but we cannot allow ourselves to do that. We were able to spend a glorious month with him. A month of love, of laughter, of happiness, of sadness, and finally, of peace. This was not an awful month. It was a month full of awe. And of beauty.


I wish you all safe passage on your own journeys, whatever they may be. Know that there is beauty all around you, laced with kindness and love. And be good to one another.

Blessings,

~wj