Autumn Mornings

The Arcata Post Office, September 12, 2010

I understand that autumn does not begin for another week or so, but it sure is in the air. This is surly a beautiful time of the year here on the north coast. The quality of the lighting is just superb. I went down to Arcata before sunrise today, and experienced the sun's creativity as it painted the town with its best light.

People's Records, Arcata September 12, 2010

I only used the 17mm tilt/shift lens today. I am impressed with the contrast and clarity that this piece of glass transmits. I am starting to get the feel for the movements, and perhaps the eye for the wide field that this lens provides.

So far these images represent the ones I like best from today's shoot. I do wonder what images of mine that others would chose as their picks.

Green Beans, Bicycle, and the Jacoby Storehouse, Arcata, September 12, 2010

I worked at the Redwood Artists Association's gallery Friday as the gallery attendant for the day. While I was there I really looked at the 147 images hanging on the walls, and made my own selections as to the "best of show". In most cases my selections were different than those of the judge. This caused me to wonder "why did I select the piece that I entered?" Is my judgment of my own images somehow askew? Would I be better off collaborating with others in the selection process? Did I pick the cream of the crop for this post?

Ladakh Update

Thupten and a Friend in Leh 2008

I got a call  from Thupten a couple of days ago (he uses a borrowed cell phone). They are well, but it is getting colder, and living in the tent is becoming more difficult. The good news is that they received the second package which contained more clothing and toiletries. "The toilet paper is very useful."

I urged Thupten to buy a cell phone so that we can have a reliable method of speaking to him. I think he worries about costs of things, and I think he is reluctant to spend the money we sent him. I assured him that he should spend the money as he sees fit, and not feel that it is ours any longer (yes he can now access the funds). I told him about the third package that is now in route.

Thupten is considering taking his family to eastern India for the winter. He said the name of the place, but I could not understand. It is a holy place.

He expressed over and over his gratitude to all the support that they are receiving. I too thank you for all the assistance. This very real family is directly benefiting from all of our generosity and support.

Tenzin Angmo 2008

Continuing the Eureka Project

In the Quiet of the Morning, Eureka

The primary reason I bought the new Canon 5dMII was so I could use a Canon 17mm Tilt/Shift lens (A tilt/shift lens is one that has built-in tilt, shift and rise movements). This allows for perspective control corrections similar to those of press and view cameras. I recently obtained a Canon 17mm T/S lens, and I was able to go out this morning to give it a workout.

I owned and used a wooden Korona 4"x5" view camera for years, and understand what various movements can accomplish so using this lens was not entirely new to me. Nontheless, it is going to take me awhile to "get it down".

Ragg's Rack Room

The Ritz taken with 24-105mm lens

I know that as with anything, it will take awhile for me to learn the ropes with this lens/camera combination. One thing I realize is that I am going to have to learn how the lens focus works when I use the tilt function. Some of my images are very sharp where I focused, but soft at the edges even though I had the lens stopped down to f 11 or f 16.

The Ritz taken with 17mm TS

The lighting at this time of the year in the mornings and evenings is of the quality that I most appreciate. That light brings out some of the qualities of the buildings that I photograph. I think too that the light brings something in me that helps me become more centered. Maybe this has to do with the Earth being near equinox. Maybe I am at my own personal equinox.

Carson Block

RANDOM THOUGHTS ON A WARM SUMMER EVENING

Fern in the Community Forest

My friend Steve Catton heard from Thupten the other day. Steve reported that Thupten and his family are still living in a tent. They cook with sticks and whatever they can find. It sounds like they are roughing it. Their wounds are healing, and it has not yet turned cold. We think that Thupten is now able to access some of the funds that we sent him, but we are not positive about that. We do know that he was able to open a new bank account. The phone connection did not last long, and we did not get many more details.

Steve and I decided that we should get them a multi-fuel backpacker's stove because kerosene is available there. So I got them a stove, some light weight cooking pans, a donated water filter, some LED headlamps, batteries, more toiletry items, water bottles, duct tape, light rope, more clothing items, a Leatherman tool, water purification tablets, and other items. I shipped that package yesterday, and I hope it will get there next week.


A friend of Steve's is buying three zero degree sleeping bags. They were ordered, and should ship out by early next week. I am hoping that they will be able to buy warm clothing for the winter.


I want to thank all those whom have sent prayers, money, and items for our Ladakh friends. Every bit of this outpouring is appreciated by myself, and is fully felt by Thupten, Lhamo and Tenzin Angmo. The packages and monetary support lifts their spirits, and it does so for me as well.


Thank you, thank you.

This Week

Moon Rise at Prairie Creek

I had a fun and interesting Wednesday. I spent the afternoon with a reporter from The Voice of America. He is in Humboldt County to do stories on Betty Chinn and about the local area. I sort of just walked into the situation, and soon became a tour guide for the reporter. His name is Jeff Shu.

The Elephant Tree taken in total darkness at ISO 6400

I took him to the lagoons, and to Prairie Creek State Park to show him the wild Elk and the giant redwoods. I took him to my favorite tree - "The Elephant Tree". He was shooting a video travelogue, and soon had me wired for sound, and was video taping me. I found out immediately that I don't like being the subject. I much prefer being the videographer or photographer.

We stayed out until quite late so that we could catch the moonrise over the giant redwoods. I think he got some nice video, and I will be curious to see if any of it is actually used in a report.


I spoke with Thupten yesterday. As of then he still was unable to access his bank account. I gave him some information that may help him establish his right to access the funds. He does think that once he has money that he will be able to purchase most of what he needs. Right now he is borrowing money to feed his family. For what ever reason the military is no longer supplying food.

I thank everyone who has contributed funds and prayers for Thupten. As soon as we know if Thupten can get to the money we sent we will  then know what we need to send (thank you for your trust in me to do the right thing for them). We all agree that it is best if he can buy items there because of the expense of shipping from here (the second package still has not arrived - I suspect that it went by surface mail instead of air). The really good news is that their spirits were lifted by the package that did make it to them. They received shoes, clothing, jackets and toiletries. All of which made them feel loved and not forgotten.

I will post an update when I hear back from Thupten. The phone system and his access to it are limited at best, so I may not know for awhile.

Ladakh Update

Happier Times

We received donations of cash and clothing for Thupten's family. I met with several people today, and we chose some basic clothing for each family member. We were able to get them boots, socks, under garments, pants, shirts, fleece pull overs, and jackets. We also shipped some basic toiletries. The shipping cost to Ladakh via airmail was over $300.00, but we felt it was necessary. Regular parcels take up to three months to get there, but these should make it in ten days. That is if they are even hauling mail to Ladakh. We were gifted with money to pay for the shipping. Thanks to all for your donations, and gifts. You are actualizing the business of "paying it forward". Thanks too to those who told me they want prints.

I try to imagine what my life would be like if some morning I am forced to run outside in the cold evening air with nothing on but bed clothing, and then to watch everything I own disappear. I wonder too what it must feel like to know that your neighbors were missing and likely at the bottom of huge mud flow.

The bigger picture for me is that Thupten and his family are three out of at least 17 million people in Asia who are affected by floods this year. There is a lot of misery to go around.

Ladakh Flood

Lamo, Tenzin Angmo, and Thupten in Their Home Before the Flood

I just got off of the phone with Thupten in Ladakh. He and his family are all alive, but bruised and battered. They were awakened at one in the morning by the sound of the flood washing down at them. They ran from the house in just their underwear as it and all their belongings were swept away. They lost everything. They are currently recovering from their bruises and cuts while living in a tent.

Shops Like This are Gone

The two things that they have going for them is that Thupten thinks he will be able to access his bank account (we can deposit money there because we use it to pay for Tenzin Angmo's school expenses), and we can ship items to Lamo's sister at the college in Leh. I will also accept donations. I don't know what is the best way to help them. I don't know how long it will take to get items to them, and I don't know what they will be able to purchase there. That is why I am taking this on two fronts: cash and goods.


I am trying to raise money to send to them, and am now offering any photograph (except for the edition prints at Gallery Chartreuse) for $100.00 matted or $150.00 framed for 12"x18" images in 18"x24" mats. All proceeds will go to either their bank account or for the purchase and shipping of clothing and other essentials. I have about a dozen framed pieces here, and more that are matted. I will make a special album on Face Book with many of  the offerings.

Tenzin's Grandmother and Tenzin at Thiksey

Print Sale for Ladakh Releif

Here are examples of some of the prints that I will custom print in an effort to raise funds for Thupten's family. I am offering these at an image size of 12.5" x 18.5" mounted and matted at 18" x 24" for $100.00 each plus shipping.

Alchi

Matho Gompa

Spituk

Thousand Stupas B&W

Thousand Stupas

Thiksey

Thiksey

Nubra Valley

I do have more to offer for this purpose. Please contact me for more information.

IT NEVER RAINS IN LADAKH

Tenzin Angmo


I found out this morning that there was severe flooding in Ladakh. You may know that I visited Ladakh two years ago. I stayed with Thupten Sopa and his family in Cholomsar near Leh, the main city in Ladakh.

Tom and Thupten at Stakna Gompa

View from their roof

Tenzin's School on the Indus River is probably flooded.

I ask for your prayers for the people of Ladakh. They are one of the last strongholds of Tibetan Buddhism, and the town of Cholomsar is a primary refugee area for people from Tibet.

I was unable to contact anyone in Ladakh, and don't know of my friend's situation. I do know that his home does not have a water-proof roof, and is right next to a "dry" wash. When I was there Thupten told me that "it never rains in Ladakh". Well it did while I was there, and it did so yesterday with a vengeance.

I am pledging the proceeds from sales of my series "Ladakh Meditation" toward relief for the Sopa family. Please contact me directly or through Gallery Chartreuse if you feel compelled to own a print. I am open to more creative pricing on these prints.

Please feel free to contact me at thomasbethune@sbcglobal.net You can see examples of the works at www.galleychartreuse.com or at www.thomasbethunephotography.com

Jullay, Tom

The Tao of Smoochie Skin

SMOOCHIE SKIN APRIL 2010

In yesterday's blog entry I posted that I rephotographed "Smoochie Skin" (a small shop on Ninth Street just off of the plaza in Arcata). I first photographed it April 7th of this year. That was the first time that I ever knew of its existence. I was drawn to its small size, and pleasant colors in the early morning light of that Spring morning.

Yesterday while photographing on Ninth Street, I noticed that the sign was gone and that the shop was empty, and likely closed for good. That got me wondering. Who were the players involved, and for how long did Smoochie Skin exist?

I did a search for it on the Internet, but came away empty-handed. That helped to increase my curiosity about this little shop. I don't really know why I am interested in this story. I doubt that I would ever have gone into the store unless I was searching for something to buy for a present, and then I would have had to have known that the store ever existed.

This is an example of why I like the project that I am working on - documenting the store fronts of our small city. I am sure that most of us will live long and fulfilled lives without having ever known what happened to Smoochie Skin. I think that this story could represent some of our lives. Some of us make a big splash, and others just come and go.

Anyhow, I am grateful for this opportunity to learn, and to digest the lesson that Smoochie Skin has for me - once I find out what that lesson is.

THE TOMB OF SMOOCHIE SKIN AUGUST 2010

The Arcata Project

I hit the streets of Arcata again this morning to continue photographing the early morning city scenes. It was overcast, drippy, and dark. The light sources were the street and store lights, and a small, but ever increasing amount of ambient sky light. This mix of lighting created a unique pallet of color that I think typifies the Arcata mornings.

I started with longer shots, but it did not take me long to go in closer on some of the subjects. I am quite pleased with this shot. It makes me think of the Laurie Anderson song "The Day The Devil Comes To Get You".

I made it over to G Street, and to the Arcata Theater. I did some portrait shots of the theater before going in closer. I worked with the composition of the doors, but did not realize that there was more to be extracted from the scene until I got home to edit the photographs. I found a crop that I love, and I will go back soon to retake the tighter shots, but for now here it is.

This is another reason why I love the new camera. This shot is a very small part of the original shot (about 1/3). I still believe in getting the full frame for edition printing, but this would do in a pinch.

On Ninth Street I revisited "Smoochie Skin". I see that the building is now vacant, and I assume that Smoochie Skin is history (I do hope the people involved are doing well). I took some shots of the Arcata Fire Station and some more business on the south side of the plaza.

It was a quiet morning on the plaza today. A semi truck making deliveries to Brio, some travelers taking the Amtrak Bus out of town, a few parked cars, and not much else - just some old guy with his camera and tripod trying to be creative.

Sunny Beaches: That's Fun

For the last two weeks my photography has been mostly focused on Alexis and Sydney. In fact, almost all of my energy has been devoted to them. I find that I am "always on". They have me wrapped around their fingers, and they know how to charm, and cajole me to achieve their individual and collective wishes.

Not that I am complaining, but it is work. I know that they are having a really great time, and that soon the bliss of childhood may be gone for them as the pressures to conform increase. For now they are still relatively free to be free as they lose themselves in play and activities.

Maybe I am envious. I wonder how can these beings have the freedom to go so easily to that state of bliss. Why do I have to sit, chant, pray, meditate, pray to achieve moments of that "Oneness"?

I answer that question with a prayer of thanksgiving as I am reminded of what the great teacher said "that we are to enter the Kingdom of heaven as children". 

Here are my teachers.