Friday Foto: it's getting colder...

Ahh, it's in the air. I know it before even getting out of bed. Fall is knocking on the door. Fall on St. Simons is probably my favorite time of year. The colder it gets, the happier I get. It puts me in a great mood really. I'm in such a good mood. If you see me, ask me to buy you a beer and I will... that's how good of a mood I'm in (limit one (1) per friend). I can hear Kelly now... BEN!!!

So September is over. I know, not really until Sunday, but let's be realistic here, it's over. October is a great month. Lot's of football and GA/FLA weekend. But you know what else I like about October/cooler weather? The sky. Since the earth is turning farther from the sun, the sky is bluer. It's a great time to take photographs. The sky always comes out so blue and saturated. Throw a couple big puffy white clouds in there, and you have some great photos.

Speaking of photos, today I have a fresh one for you. Excited? Let me tell you the story behind it. A couple of weeks ago my computer screen cracked. I bought a new screen off eBay and, yep, tried to install it myself. So, Monday I wound up leaving early to drive up to Savannah to take my, now not working computer, to the repair shop. Savannah because it's a Mac, it was the closest place. Anyway... I haven't heard back yet. So I left Savannah and took the scenic route home, traveling east on US 17. If you've never done that, I encourage it. It's a great little drive. I stopped in Darien at the Shrimp docks and took this picture. I literally got molested by mosquitoes, but it's worth it. Hope you like it.

I'm shooting another wedding this weekend and more cheerleaders on Sunday (BHS this time). So my weekend is pretty much booked. I'm gonna find a time to seal my deck and drink some beer though, so don't worry about me. Hope y'all have a great day.

P.S. All you fanboys of the Christmas Soiree we throw, this year we have a great deal in the making. A WHOLE pig to bury and cook!!!

Friday Foto: flyin' by.

It never ceases to amaze me how fast the weeks fly by. So last night I started the process of repairing my deck in preparation for the next soiree (coming up the Friday after Thanksgiving, mark your calendars!). What's wrong the deck you may ask... Oh nothing, just a little hole that somehow was burned into the back of the deck. Anyway, I'm fixing it and refinishing the deck this weekend. It is going to look mucho nice when I am done.

Today's foto comes to you straight off the beach this very morning. I know how last week I pulled one out of archives for you, so I had to give you something a little fresh this week. This is a horseshoe crab, for all that don't know, that was washed up on the incoming tide.

I know this is short this morning, but that's all I got. Have a great weekend!

Friday Foto: Archive edition

Yeah, so I've been so busy this week, I didn't get to shoot anything. Last weekend was the Cheerleader shoot, and that went very well. The other High School has me for the last weekend in September, the same day as my next wedding. I might post one of those pics on here when I have them all processed.

This photo was taken towards the beginning of the summer on Jekyll. I love Jekyll Island, it is so peaceful and untouched. I really like this photo. It has encouraged me to strive for more B/Ws and duotones. A duotone is simply a photo with two colors. Since White is the absence of color, it's black and one other color. For example, sepia is a duotone, black mixed with a little light brown/yellow color. I made this one with a hint more red in it. Why? Because Kelly said that if it was going to be over our fireplace, it had to match the couch. I like this idea. "Come to Ben for all of your custom color photographic needs."

So tonight, another night filled with Friday-night football. To actually tell you the truth, I really enjoy going to the games. I watch the games now, instead of throw things at the cheerleaders and band.

I'm trying to work out a new show. I'm trying to get a show up at Rafter's here on the island. They have that back room where I can hang my art. We're talking about it right now, but I don't know what weekend to do it. I was thinking either opening reception on Thursday before GA/FLA or opening reception Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Which one do y'all think is better? I want to try and maximize all the people being down here. I could hang the photos without glass, so it wouldn't be too dangerous or something. I'm thinking GA/FLA, but I don't know. I know the last guy that had an art show there didn't want people in that room at night. I don't think I would say that. People buy stuff when they are drunk. It's like drunk downloading. You wake up in the morning and can't figure out why "Baby Beluga" is on your computer.... oh wait, is that just me?


Speaking of music... John Mayer has a new CD out. Before you go sizing me up as a Starbucks-sippin' yuppy, listen up... I used to HATE John Mayer. Why? Because I really liked him when the material for his first CD, "Room For Squares," was floating around the internet. It was raw and uncut, acoustic and smooth. When it busted out on the CD it was, simply put, popified. I turned my eyes/ears from him. However, his new CD "Continuum," which came out this week, is different. I heard he covered a Hendrix tune, so I had to pick it up. His tribute to Hendrix in "Bold As Love" is right on. Mayer is an amazing guitarist, and while it still has a couple of "made-for-radio" tunes (read, poppy) on there, the music itself is very good. Check it out.

Y'all have a great day.

Friday Foto

You know, maybe I should turn this blog into more of a Friday Foto thing, that's all it is right now. I apologize to all you out there who actually come here more than once a week on Friday morning looking for something do while you sit at your desk and procrastinate. I wish I could better accommodate you, really I do.

Today's foto was actually intended for last week, but when I got that foto of the docks on Thursday evening, it was bumped back. Thanks for the name suggestions, however I don't think "Pink Surprise" is going to really work. I do like "Sailor's Delight" though, I'm going to use that. A beer to whoever came up with that name. This Friday Foto is of a fountain in Vernon Square in Darien, GA. The square is located across from the St. Andrew's Episcopal church. The square is very nice, lots of plush green grass and park benches. I like Darien... it has taken me a long time to say that.

So tomorrow I get to shoot the cheerleaders, weather permitting. We are all meeting at the beach bright and early to do group and portrait shots. It should be fun. They are bunch of good, crazy girls. I tend to forget how young they are. You want to level with them because you remember being in HS like it was yesterday, but in reality, it was close to seven years ago. Ouch.

Now, I'm not one of these crazy-about-Facebook-and-MySpace-people, but I have noticed that a lot of things have changed with them, Facebook in particular. I really don't care. The only thing I want to comment on is this. If you are reading my blog through the "Notes" section of Facebook, you are not doing yourself justice. Go to the actually link, this way you can see the Fotos I refer to each week and read and post comments. It's so much more interactive. The link is: www.islandprofiling.blogspot.com.

Yeah, so that's about it for me today. You all have a good weekend. UGA's at SC huh. I'd be there if I could afford the gas, beer and ticket. My couch will be just fine.

Friday Foto

Another Friday has passed, and I really can't believe it is September 1st. I had a great birthday the other day. Thanks to all those who wished it to me. If you didn't, shame on you.

Last night I was out, in the storm, trying to peddle my photographs to a local store. I have a couple of friends that are opening up a maternity clothing store here on St. Simons. They want some local art to hang in there, and I'm helping them out. The store is great though. If you get a chance to stop by, it's "Fit for Two" in the shopping center across from the Ace Hardware. Tell them Ben sent you, you might get a discount on one of their famous breast-feeding bras.

Anyway, after leaving there last night, the light in the sky was perfect. I got in my car and drove towards the causeway hoping to find a spot to capture the yellows and reds that were being burned into the evening sky. I pulled over into the docks just before the causeway, where they keep the Sea Tow boats. It was perfect. I hope you like this shot. I haven't figured out what to call it yet. Any suggestions?