i cannot explain why i really like this photo and that is probably why it reminds me so much of when and why i first picked up a camera. i do not despise where i am, but i do miss those days at times. i was in love with shooting decay, trash and anything that seemed a bit "grimey". i was not very concerned with technique, how people viewed my work or really anything other than taking pictures of things that i was into. i did not care if i posted pictures of trash and rubble ten days in a row. can anyone relate?

with that said, i am glad to have learned all that i have over the last few years. i remember a time where i thought everything had to be shot in high dynamic range ... ughhh. but you know, that was part of the path that led me to today. no regrets. lots of laughs as i look back on all i have done, which is a good thing.

this is the last day of vacation/holiday for me. i had big plans to shoot thousands of photos, but ended up just chilling with the family a ton. well worth it. i hope you all have a great week.

listening to: explosions in the sky - day three

• Yes, yes, yes. I totally understand what you're saying. Completely.
  dawn @ June 16, 2008 @ 12:11 PM (MST)
• Of course I can relate -- pictures of decay imply a long and rich back story. Like you, I miss those opportunities here (except for the occasional mine picture). When I was in Memphis, there were great 5,6, & 8 story abandoned buildings to picture. Wahoo!
  GrannyJ @ June 16, 2008 @ 4:03 PM (MST)
• @dawn & @grannj i am glad i am not alone!
  mikeb @ June 16, 2008 @ 6:29 PM (MST)
• I love the fact that the background is blurry! Nice work!
  SanFranciscoPhoto @ June 16, 2008 @ 8:18 PM (MST)
• Fantastic composition, like the framing pattern and the background blur. The sign and colors really grab your attention, nice job!
  John Maslowski @ June 20, 2008 @ 8:43 PM (MST)
• I like this image a lot. I have no idea what it means, but I like the graphic style of it. The DoF is great with a sharp, colorful foreground.
  Mike @ June 23, 2008 @ 8:17 AM (MST)
• I really like the perspective here - Nicely done.
  Ian @ June 24, 2008 @ 1:43 AM (MST)
• Very nice. Great use of color, DOF, perspective and shapes. Everything is working in this one.
  Jesse Moscoe @ July 7, 2008 @ 11:44 AM (MST)
• Hey Mike. Loving the photos, top knotch imagery. Keep em coming! *Bookmarked*
  David J @ July 8, 2008 @ 7:01 PM (MST)
• absolutly wonderful photo!
  Fero Volar @ July 16, 2008 @ 11:35 PM (MST)
• nice dof!
  BW by sly @ July 19, 2008 @ 2:00 AM (MST)
• sick!
  steven @ July 23, 2008 @ 11:03 PM (MST)