My stepping-back shot of our perfectly delicious meal of food (in the words of Will Ferrell)
I set out on my Thanksgiving week with grand plans of a blog post of how my little Black and Decker AC converter-charger for my camera batteries in the back of my SUV will help you in your photography life, along with an hourly update of my photos along the way to Claudia’s parent’s place in Napa. What I ended up with was 4 pictures that summed up my feelings from my heart, rather than my mind. In short, these are the 4 pictures I really fell in love with and what I wanted to convey to you all in this Thanksgiving week. Don’t feel like you need to be thankful for all the things that are expected of you, but be thankful for all the things that make you fulfilled in your own heart.
I stepped away from my plate of extra-ordinary turkey (made with care by Claudia’s brother Vince) to take the wide shot above. There was just enough sky light to blue up the background, and warm up the table light from the Christmas tree lights under the umbrellas. I selfishly love this shot because I combined tungsten with daylight.
Max, whom I believe will become a Donald Trump, only with personality plus
Max! Claudia shot this picture and I think it’s worthy of framing, as I write I’m printing a virgin 17×22 on my new Epson. She thought it was too blurry, but I think it’s worthy of a Capa war shot, and really shows Max’s energy and laughter (sorry Max, I do rib you alot, but I do love it when you joke). Claudia, when Max is old enough to drive, he’ll be rich enough to take care of his favorite Aunt, so I suggest you continue to put him in a good light whilst he’s impressionable.
An entrance filled with pumpkin passion and love
The grande entrance, made up for the Holidays by Claudia’s brilliantly artistic mother Hildegard. I shot this on the last day there. Sure, the gate is worth a thousand times more than the pumpkins and straw bales, but don’t the pumpkins glow so much brighter than their surroundings?
Kyle and Vinnie, adults amongst adults
Kyle and Vinnie. Don’t they look like adults in the middle of a power meeting? They both act it, and I think I’m witnessing 2 fine young men in the making, Vinnie, at 16, at many times seems like a man older than I and certainly traveled more than I did at his age, and I’m sure Kyle knows more about Final Cut than I do.
My point? Observe the little things, as well as how they may be in the future. These are the things to be really thankful for. In closing, go out and take pictures of what may seem mundane, or too much trouble because you have a turkey leg in your mouth. I for one, know I wish I had more pictures of myself when I was Max, and Kyle, and Vinnie’s age…
Please, do see the forest for the trees!
Lovely thought David! Thanks for sharing with us.
Blessings to you and yours,
Elena
Fantastic stuff, David! Thank you so much for sharing your thought-provoking words and pictures. Glad you, CC, and the family had a great Thanksgiving week
That’s what it’s all about….
Kelly
Mr. Honl,
You really know how to put things into perspective, and I appreciate your appreciation of an un-sharp photo too. To may times we are ctiticized for the technical aspects of a photo, when we should in fact be appreciating the evocation of feeling. My best to you!
Mr. Honl,
I have always admired your work, and even more so now with your touching candids and story for your holiday. You have inspired me to take more pictures of my beautiful wife and daughter. May I ask what kind of camera and lens you used?