It’s not a photography joke, but I had to laugh the proverbial body part off when I read this:

The recent hurricanes, gasoline issues, and other
recent situations are proof of the existence of a
new chemical element. A major research institution
has recently announced the discovery in 2007 of the
heaviest element yet known to science named
Governmentium.

Governmentium (Gv) has one neutron, 25 assistant
neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons, and 198 assistant
deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by forces
called morons, which are surrounded by vast
quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.

Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert.
However, it can be detected, because it impedes
every reaction with which it comes into contact. A
minute amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction
that would normally take less than a second to take
over four days to complete.

Governmentium has a normal half-life of 4 years; it
does not decay, but instead undergoes a
reorganization in which a portion of the assistant
neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. In
fact, Governmentium’s mass will actually increase
over time, since each reorganization will cause
more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.

This characteristic of moron promotion leads some
scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed
whenever morons reach a critical concentration.
This hypothetical quantity is referred to as
critical morass.

When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes
Administratium — an element which radiates just as
much energy as Governmentium since it has half as
many peons but twice as many morons.

This is one of my favorite photographs that I’ve made.

I met this family through a networking group - his mom represented a wonderful bank (I know, it seems strange to think of a bank as “wonderful”, but these guys were really passionate about serving their clients, I’ve missed them a lot since I moved) - and I had a great time photographing them.

He and his father had attended a hockey game just prior to our photo session, so the kids were both a bit tired and a bit wound up. I was working with his little brother near the large window to the left of this view, when I turned my head and and saw this:

It was one of those “oh wow, I gotta get this on film” moments, and I think it worked out pretty well for me.

People often ask me what camera I use. While that is a legitimate question, it’s not as important as you may have been led to believe.

How often have you heard someone comment that “Wow, your pictures came out great! You must have a really good camera!”? In truth, that’s like saying that the chef in the restaurant where you just had that magnificent meal must have great pots and pans. While it’s true that professionals in all fields tend to have the best tools, that’s exactly what they are: Tools. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s a lot more about how those tools get used, than how fancy they are or how much they cost. Puting the best torque wrench in the world into the hands of a master accountant, doesn’t automatically render him capable of repairing your car.

Cameras are much the same. Case in point: A quick search on Flickr will generate a list of photographs made with a $20- “toy” camera from Russia called the Holga. Some of the images are, indeed, quite masterful. So you see, it’s a lot less about the camera (which is, at it’s core, just a dark box to hold film - or, these days, a digital sensor), than about the photographer’s ability to get the image in their mind’s eye into the camera.

The short answer to the question “What’s the best camera?”, is “The one you have with you.”

There’s more to it, of course. But before you go out and buy the latest and greatest camera technology, remember the lesson of the Holga: the most expensive camera with all the bells and whistles and technological wizardry, isn’t necessarily the “best” one - ask yourself whether you’re getting the most of the camera you already have …

Found this on Traci Bisson’s “Kids in NH” blog, a wonderful resource for New Englanders with kids. Traci also hosts “The Mom Entrepreneur”, full of great resources for moms who own businesses.

Thought I’d pass this on to my readers as well:

Shaw’s supermarket has some great offers for family activities this summer, if you have one of their reward cards:

http://www.shaws.com/pages/docs/SummerRewardPartners.pdf

“Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” — Dr Seuss

A painter in his studio one day, answers the phone and hears a woman’s voice: “I’ve seen your paintings and I think they’re very beautiful. I would very much like you to paint me nude. I’ll pay you five thousand dollars.”

The photographer answers, “Well, that’s quite a tempting offer ma’am, but I’ll have to talk it over with my wife. May I call you back tomorrow?”

“Yes, of course.” replies the woman.

The next day, he calls her back: “My wife and I have decided that it would be inappropriate for me to paint you nude. I’m afraid I’m going to have to decline your offer.”

“But I really, REALLY want you to paint me nude. I’ll pay you ten thousand dollars. Won’t you please reconsider?”

On the third day, he phones her back again: “We’ve discussed your new offer, and I must inform you that I feel I must decline. My wife, you see, is very uncomfortable with the idea of me painting another woman nude, and because I love her very much, I feel it best to honor her wishes in this matter.”

“I see.” replies the woman. “I still very much want to be painted nude by you, so I will offer you fifty thousand dollars, and beg you to reconsider.”

Somewhat flabbergasted, the painter stammers “Wow … fifty thousand dollars is a LOT of money … you must really want this very much … and we sure could use the money … um … alright, I’ll talk it over with my wife.”

After discussing this outrageous new offer with his wife, the photographer calls the woman back, capitulating: “Very well. We’ve thought it over, and considering your latest offer, my wife has agreed to allow me to paint you nude. I’ve found the perfect place with the perfect light, so if you’ll be here at eight o’clock on Saturday morning, we can get started. There’s just one condition.”

“Yes?”

“Well, I’m going to need someplace to keep my brushes, so I’ll have to keep my socks on …”

The title pretty much says it all. This young man is something else with that basketball. Even at the tender age of seven years, he has a remarkable focus and dedication. He stood for nearly an hour, showing me how he practices his free-throw form, and throughout the entire session, he never tired of talking about his dream of becoming a great basketball star.

In a few short years, he may very well be the next Michael Jordan.