Mike

Have you ever been in a creative rut? Been finding myself stuck, for various reasons this summer. Idle as a painted fly upon a painted fly-paper. So I did what any sane laptop-class Big Corp back-office wonk who doesn’t have a social life would do.
I set a SMART goal. 🙄
⭐️ Specific: Take pictures
⭐️ Measurable: 100 of them
⭐️ Achievable: Of my succulent. (It’s right in the same freakin’ room I spend all day in, how hard could it be?)
⭐️ Relevant: I’m trying to bust through the photographic doldrums, so yeah, force it, what could go wrong?
⭐️ Time Bound: In 100 days.
I made it extra-annoying by limiting myself to whatever blather I could coax out of my camera without editing. Some people brag about this. I was more what-ever-ing it.
I’m proud to report that I made it all the way to 20.
Not 20 good ones, mind you, 20. Out of 100. Not counting the ones I deleted because my finger got in the frame somehow. See, I’m telling you, it was a slow-motion train wreck in flip-flops. Sideways like a drunk crab. Full-on Jenga. Kaboom in interpretive dance form. A compost heap of good intentions. And for failing the SMART goal my cubicle got moved over next to Ralph. You know, that Ralph.
Anyway, here’s a sample (the “pros” call this the “establishing shot” which I always thought was “SoCo” but whatevs). Maybe more later.
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/115/143/776/235/572/008/original/68927f4327490271.jpeg

2025-09-01 15:53:20 UTC

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Been there for a few weeks now - sweet relief (& I saw some reddened maple leaves in my yard yesterday).

2025-09-01 15:51:53 UTC

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Thank you!
These things happen, but maybe you can swing by during a future trip. Well worth it, York Beach is such a nice little town overall and the light is well worth seeing in person.

2025-08-31 12:27:08 UTC

#silentSunday
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/115/123/370/428/685/754/original/641c14dfec1b90d6.jpeg

2025-06-23 12:24:31 UTC

Bored at the Plant Store, No. 7
The Globetrotter
#FoundStillLife #PlantsInCaptivity #SmartPhonePhotography #CloseUp
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/114/732/659/714/625/353/original/5399c2a02ebd24d0.jpeg

2025-06-15 17:28:09 UTC

Abandoned relics of forgotten adventures.
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/114/688/556/347/427/977/original/073e6cd1c88a243e.jpeg

2025-05-26 16:14:30 UTC

At the farm stand.
#photography #foundStillLife
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/114/575/019/278/583/109/original/2388c6fabfa9e284.jpeg
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/114/575/019/583/400/467/original/c23b90f516f19ed5.jpeg
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/114/575/020/119/363/755/original/688dca07f010a301.jpeg
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/114/575/020/556/801/884/original/dc9c8d6fb5960452.jpeg

2025-05-20 18:00:32 UTC

You know that kind of hilarious where you're not sure if something is genuinely funny, or if you're laughing because there's no other response to a world gone completely mad?
(Also: The headline writer needs math help.) https://mastodon.social/@arstechnica/114540729215255124

2025-05-09 12:57:04 UTC

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The plaster/stucco falling off and exposing the bricks is SO story book!

2025-05-07 13:16:46 UTC

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Nicely done, really like the contrast and tones.

2025-05-06 02:27:39 UTC

There’s an old man who lives in my neighborhood and for many years I’ve seen him jogging past my house. In the warmer months, with my windows open, I can hear his distinctive, somewhat irregular, shuffling gait as he labors by. As the years have passed, I’ve seen him growing weaker, and just yesterday he came by, more slowly than ever, at more of a walk than a trot. It looked…downright painful. I’m sure nobody makes him run—in fact, I imagine his loved ones urging him to give it up. Yet on he goes, his #determination admirable and inspiring. And there are oh so many like him, who scoff at the difficulties and go on, and on, and on. I know some of you who are like that, each in your own way. Don’t ever lose heart—you are capable of so much.

2025-05-05 19:56:37 UTC

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Well done!

2025-05-05 19:48:08 UTC

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Predictions? (No peeking!)

2025-05-04 18:09:08 UTC

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I’m glad!

2025-05-04 00:32:47 UTC

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Sweet story 🙂

2025-05-04 00:27:08 UTC

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Thanks & likewise. Life…

2025-05-04 00:26:40 UTC

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Thanks & same!

2025-05-04 00:26:24 UTC

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Looking again you do seem like you’re a bit bundled up but sun and coffee both look nice regardless.

2025-05-03 14:38:45 UTC

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Beautiful morning light in these!

2025-05-03 14:37:57 UTC

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Looks like a great start to your day! (And Oscar's)

2025-05-03 14:36:38 UTC

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Thanks Eddie

2025-05-02 17:56:39 UTC

The cherry blossoms come without warning, and are gone before you know it. And since time and tide (and good light) wait for no man, I missed my chance to photograph them this year.
This shot from the archives, 2024.
#Photography #NaturePhotography
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/114/439/526/496/681/223/original/f7a0f39980e537ba.jpeg

2025-04-03 12:12:01 UTC

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Indeed it is … and the simple ones. Nicely seen!

2025-03-02 13:07:22 UTC

#SilentSunday
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/114/092/988/270/521/738/original/7f410360a03402b8.jpeg

2025-02-18 15:14:03 UTC

That One Tree
No. 2
More or Less?
There's always a place for detailed, highly realistic photography, but what if one can say more by revealing less? Sometimes we need mystery. Room for curiosity. A little margin for a personal connection with the subject. An image that meets you where you are.
#NaturePhotography #Landscape #Pictorialism
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/114/025/538/708/656/769/original/3b939eb6acbe190e.jpeg

2025-02-14 13:24:56 UTC

"I want you to do something for me", she said, and unexpectedly laughed. "I want," she said, and laughed again. She put her hand over her mouth and said with a straight face, "I want you to take me to your leader."
- Scott Adams in "Life, the Universe, and Everything"
#photography #NaturePhotography
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/114/002/460/437/048/436/original/5db451bfee875af5.jpeg

2025-02-11 15:57:33 UTC

Another caption contest! Maybe a better image for this than yesterday’s? I still don't have a spiffier prize than bragging rights, haha, but let's see what you've got anyway. Funny, playful, profound, quotes even (😉)--don't be shy & have fun with it.
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/113/986/073/454/824/467/original/8f040ee2b28fcabf.jpeg

2025-02-11 14:23:05 UTC

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Compositionally, if you zoom out or squint, you might notice that the brown grass forms a broad triangle that points to the smaller inverted triangle of blue sky, and the lighter tree further away draws my eye around the darker foreground tree. It's as if I'm being called to walk there. And two minutes of internet time gets me a quote that ties together the elements of the image with the feeling I get every time I have the opportunity to disappear into the quiet places of my own hometown. This is the essence of small/intimate landscapes for me--exploring these little, undramatic, somewhat mundane yet sublime scenes that are everywhere if you have eyes to see them. I just love it when things come together like this.
I'm not saying any of this to toot my own horn, so to speak, because *none of this* was planned, or even noticed until later. So let me encourage you to get out there, play, and let yourself go every now and then. Sometimes magic happens. (3/3)

2025-02-11 14:23:04 UTC

I occasionally like to comment on my own work in a reply but I'm not sure how often it's seen, so I'll try it this way. Why comment? I enjoy the creative process, I like sharing ideas with interested people, and I love hearing about yours!
https://social.vivaldi.net/@SirNameless_1/113985114504810033
Backstory: a blustery day. You know, it's hard to get a sharp photo of plants and trees on a windy day. There's ways: boost ISO, open the aperture, increase shutter...but...why not embrace the conditions instead? (1/3)

2025-02-11 14:23:04 UTC

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So what I was after was showing the wind by capturing dramatic motion. There were a lot--a lot--of flops. Trouble was, it was bright out, the dog ate my neutral density filter, and I abhor using a tripod in the field. So the technique I was trying was to capture several frames a second or so apart (ISO 80, f/13, 1/30) and blend them together in post to convey motion. It didn't exactly work out as envisioned with this image, but I got something else instead: the motion lent a sort of textured softness to the small elements that were moving, while the blending process aligned the non-moving elements and left them fairly sharp. You can see the effect in the two pines--the one on the left has been reduced to something like puffy smoke, while the right one looks soft and somewhat transparent. There's some glitches about, but in my mind, that just lends to the Impressionist feel, helped along a bit with a touch of diffraction from the small aperture and a more vibrant color grade than I'd typically use. (2/3)

2025-02-10 22:19:19 UTC

#ThreeGoodThings #3GoodThings
- I found out today that I was admitted into a 6 month career coaching program sponsored by my employer.
- Slept relatively well last night, after weeks of not really.
- People who understand.

2025-02-10 21:48:50 UTC

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I think we’ll call it a draw, with four rotten tomatoes for the contest itself. 🍅🍅🍅🍅
Next time I need a more captionable photo.
And better prizes! 😅
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/113/981/792/157/689/985/original/bd3dcf4b80abbf76.mp4

2025-02-10 20:39:20 UTC

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The Aristotle quote was a good one btw. If fit well. (😂)

2025-02-10 20:37:56 UTC

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Hey, no fair quoting Aristotle, that’s cheating! 😆
Yours were fine, I was withholding comment until all submissions are in. I’m running a contest here, I have to be sober-minded and impartial 😆🤣😂
They were better than mine:
- I wanna follow in your footsteps (cringe)
- something about finding the long-lost burial place of Leaf Erickson (groan)

2025-02-10 20:09:07 UTC

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Eh, you know, as long as we’re harmlessly enjoying ourselves everyone’s a winner. 🙂

2025-02-10 19:26:37 UTC

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What incentive would make it worth trying harder? 🤔😄

2025-02-10 16:16:35 UTC

Caption contest!
I invite you to reply with what you see, because whatever I could come up with this morning was cheesy.
Winner gets bragging rights. 😆
#NaturePhotography
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/113/980/485/970/675/818/original/d3f9094d223cdd7c.jpeg

2025-02-10 13:17:11 UTC

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Great quote and image to go with it, thanks for sharing these!

2025-02-08 18:44:53 UTC

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Agree! And thank you! It’s an enjoyable part of the process to go find a nice quote to match an image (because you also get to look through a bunch to find just the right one).

2025-02-08 12:47:43 UTC

"Let every dawn be to you as the beginning of life, and every setting sun be to you as its close."
John Ruskin
#NaturePhotography
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/113/968/340/129/745/106/original/00254ee9f167c163.jpeg

2025-02-07 19:43:38 UTC

The day isn’t nearly over yet but #3GoodThings #ThreeGoodThings
- Just got back from spending 2+ hours in the woods
- Bright and sunny with a light covering of snow from yesterday
- Had my camera outside for the first dedicated outing since November

2025-02-05 21:45:23 UTC

“Most people are sealed in un-lived lives.”
Dr. Ellen Langer

2025-02-03 19:58:47 UTC

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I guess my chicken literacy needs an upgrade 🤣 Thanks!
p.s. They do lay eggs right? (j/k)

2025-02-03 13:19:01 UTC

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Good music makes any day better!
Bach was the Goldberg Variations, and Beethoven was the "middle" string quartets. Brubeck was on shuffle ;).
Also, please allow me to introduce you to @npub1hwp…wu2d.

2025-02-03 00:16:51 UTC

#3GoodThings #threeGoodThings
- Bach
- Beethoven
- Brubeck

2025-02-02 01:01:49 UTC

#ThreeGoodThings #3GoodThings
- got a lot of stuff done
- read a little for fun
- spied the diffident sun
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/113/931/590/642/197/524/original/77c4795a086904b3.jpeg

2025-01-28 22:56:53 UTC

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You too huh?

2025-01-24 23:32:33 UTC

#3GoodThings #ThreeGoodThings
- Office day today. I’m finding that since flex working became a thing, I sometimes look forward to the day in. The free fancy coffee does help. 🙂☕️
- Really incredible colors in the cloudless sky this morning, blood orange horizon fading smoothly to aqua above. Made the commute a real treat.
- Had to spend some time outdoors today (below freezing). Long underwear. Can I get a witness?

2025-01-24 13:41:39 UTC

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Sending empathy your way ! 🤍

2025-01-23 18:37:20 UTC

Just a little lunch break exercise.
#IntimateLandscape
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/113/879/118/020/137/420/original/184a80c952648a3c.jpeg

2025-01-20 00:36:35 UTC

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If you can give without announcing it, then you know for sure that your true motive was to help others in need.

2025-01-19 12:08:25 UTC

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No, it’s not! Some people went up and checked—it’s green cheese for sure, just like the legends said.
I think the jury is still out on the others.

2025-01-18 11:55:02 UTC

What if the moon was really made of mango?
#StillLife
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/113/849/224/552/914/315/original/9fbd64daaefa7c0a.jpeg

2025-01-08 17:25:27 UTC

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I can’t wait for someone who is more bigly smarterer than me to study the difference between how people interact on platforms that have algorithms that work to keep people engaged by manipulating powerful emotions vs. this one which is passive in that respect and already only lightly moderated. Controlling for demographics because I think that’s also a factor (e.g., I’ve seen the user age polls here).
In the end, people are people regardless of platform, but how much is the platform responsible for the chaos, both by encouraging it for revenue, and then failing to mitigate what they encourage?

2024-11-30 12:56:02 UTC

The calendar roles around to a new month tomorrow and attention will turn to wintery things. A tribute to my favority mini pumkin of the year before I walk it out to the compost pile, where undoubtably the squirrels will enjoy it.
#StillLife #Autumn #Pumpkins
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/113/572/011/075/796/246/original/dcd0070d9f62e759.jpeg
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/113/572/011/169/017/668/original/5ce3c4e038b119d0.jpeg

2024-11-27 14:45:23 UTC

More Canadian Goldenrod, acting like they're demure. But they're not.
#NaturePhotography
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/113/555/454/259/318/393/original/faf62a2ae498e0ad.jpeg

2024-11-21 12:54:22 UTC

Abiding in hope among the ruins.
#NaturePhotography
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/113/521/043/836/507/262/original/96166f3775ec4251.jpeg

2024-09-02 13:23:45 UTC

When I was a kid my Dad got me into building model airplanes, something he used to do also. I probably built a dozen or two by the time I finished high school. This one came much later, around the time we purchased our first home, chosen to fit our decor, and one of the few I’ve done with wood. It was the last one I built, and the only survivor.
I liked the way the morning sun was bouncing off the kitchen floor and projecting onto it’s shelf, making a double image against the wall.
#MonochromeMonday #PhotoMonday #FotoMontag
https://social-cdn.vivaldi.net/system/media_attachments/files/113/068/153/961/264/609/original/7bd6e53f7d0bc19b.jpeg

2024-08-28 18:14:17 UTC

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There was a fire, unfortunately. It looks like it started in the kitchen of the pizza shop and spread. There are apartments on the second and third floors they had to be abandoned too. I was surprised to see that they left this window unboarded.

2024-07-31 13:41:22 UTC

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No joke. She’s seriously gifted.