In My Back Pocket – Photography

In My Back Pocket

Welcome.

If you’ve found your way to this photo blog, you’re likely someone who loves photography, or who simply appreciates what a well-made image can do. Either way, you’re welcome here.

My first photo-a-day project began in 2011 — one photograph every day for a year, born from a belief that daily practice builds something that intention alone never quite can. That project has since grown into an ongoing commitment: learning by doing, day after day, year after year.

The Practice

What drew me to a photo-a-day project in the first place was its insistence on showing up. It creates a productive pressure — to work through a concept or skill, to post the result, and to reflect honestly on what happened. Day by day, that kind of discipline builds something lasting.

The best analogy I know comes from a friend who talks about fitness. He’s serious about strength training, but he also keeps a 5 km run in his back pocket. Every morning, alongside his regular training, he puts in fifty minutes of long, slow cardio — not because he’s preparing for a specific race, but because he never wants to be caught underprepared when life presents an opportunity or a challenge. His point is simple and worth taking seriously: daily practice maintains the strength, stamina, and readiness that matter when the moment arrives.

Photography in My Back Pocket

That’s the spirit that has carried this work forward since 2011. Practicing steadily, year after year, competencies deepen, understandings become more instinctive, and quality results become more consistent. The way I talk about photography has shifted over time, and so has how naturally I reach for a camera within any given day.

The best images come from photographers who are genuinely prepared — who understand their craft and their intent well enough that when the right moment appears, they are ready. That readiness is what daily practice builds, and what I hope to carry forward.

The invitation here is simple: stop by when you can, look around, and say hello. Share a thought, leave a comment, or ask a question. The dialogue has always been as much a part of this as the photographs themselves.

Thank you for stopping by.

Lumens Borealis

Lumens Borealis

21 responses to “In My Back Pocket”

  3. Lovely photographs and I really like to read about your thoughts and what music you where listening to while the photographs where taken (edited?). Will def come back here again! Thank for visiting my blog

    Reply

    • Hello, hello …

      Thanks for looking in; the music is more about what’s being listened to during editing. But, curiously I should start posting about what was going on at the time the photo was taken. The Soft Solder photo, for instance, was taken while listening to the audiobook of Susan Sontag’s On Photography. For editing I’m using Adobe Lightroom.

      Your photos reveal warmth of location and delicious spicy/sweet foods. Take care,

      Reply

    • Hey there, Homer:

      Thank you for nominating towards Reader Appreciation. I’m intending to respond and open-out a little more of what makes me and my blog tick with a post; I’m caught just now in one of the hectic weeks of the school year that takes our grade 12 students towards and through their graduation ceremonies. I will be providing the photography (and moral support). That does not take away from the gratitude I owe you and others who check in regularly to view and read what’s posted. Thank you and thank you as well for your blog which enriches me, too.

      Take care, 🙂

      Reply

      • God bless you, you teach! I really enjoy seeing your part of the world. It is such a different world than mine having grown up on the gulf coast. I have traveled to Canada but only in the summer and do have relatives south of Edmonton in Lacombe. Thanks for sharing your world with the rest of us.

    • Hello Colleen:

      Thank you for the Kreativ Blogger nomination, for connecting with my images and posts and for taking the time to pay things forward. Well done!

      Take care ….

      Reply

      • You’re welcome; it’s my pleasure to introduce people to your wonderful blog!

  7. Thanks for visiting and the like of my post “Strange Footprints”. I was very interested in what you have in your camera bag. I upgraded from a Canon Xsi to a Canon 60D as a Christmas present to myself. I am still learning all of the various aspects of this camera. I suspect your learning curve is much shorter than mine because you have a 30D. Your photos are nice.

    Reply

    • Hey there, …

      It’s great to read that you’re working with the Canon 60D. Beyond use of a Manfrotto tripod, the key feature of the 60D that helps is focusing in manual mode and using the Live-View display with the + button to refine the focus and draw greater clarity. In terms of learning curve may I recommend PhotoPlus Magazine … a magazine devoted to develop Canon DSLR users skill base; have a look at http://www.photoplusmag.com/ and consider a subscription. You’ll be able to find the magazine at any good bookstore. You can also work through an e-zine and iPad if that is your thing.

      We bought my son a Canon XSi two Christmases ago.

      The camera bag … it’s been evolving through the last ten years and maybe that’s the thing – it grows as you can afford equipment. But, the other truth is there too – you don’t need the best equipment to make a good photograph; you need to know how to use what you have to work with.

      Take care … and thanks for looking in. 🙂

      Reply

      • Thanks so much for the suggestion about a magazine geared to the Canon user. I will definitely take a look at that. Thanks as well about the tip on how to refine focus and get clarity. I appreciate that so much.

    • Hello Leo:

      Thanks for looking in and your interest in some of the photos presented here.

      At this time, I do not have a medium/forum for selling images.

      I am looking into Smug Mug, Fine Art America, Red Bubble and Deviantart as venue.

      Reply

    • Thanks for looking in ….

      You’re doing very well to reach 200 posts in 200 days. I’m close to or perhaps over 295 posts in and rounding out year two.

      I appreciate your encourage and zeal. 😉

      Reply

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