Wednesday, April 30, 2008

spring's battle.



I recognize my repetitive theme, but I've got to work with what I've got, and that is rain, hail, clouds and sunshine, in 15 minute rotations. The color shot helps point out the current array of weather. The blue in the water is the blue, post storm sky reflecting.
I am amazed that no matter how many shots I take of rain drops they are all so different, and uniquely beautiful. Due to a new telephoto lens I was able to hunker under the protection of our apartments car port, at a safe distance, while getting much closer shots than the last time I shot this subject. I'm sure our neighbors also enjoyed watching me as I laid on the ground. Only one comment was made, i think he said, "so that's interesting." I also think he meant this as a question.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Dirt roads and local pictures.



Although the calendar says it should be spring, Western Oregon has decided otherwise. We had one really beautiful day two weekends ago, but otherwise it has remained cold, and hail storms are not unknown to be a normal part of every day.
I was recently hired to shoot some local pictures of Newberg, which has given me a good excuse to drive on dirt roads and spend hours taking pictures. This has been wonderful. I love both dirt roads and pictures. These are a few pictures that I took on my journeys. I find that nature photography gives me such a greater appreciation for the intricate world we live in, as I spend hours staring at the tiny shapes and colors on spring blooms and blades of grass. Watching landscapes searching for a pleasing composition I am met with the wonders of the world, so beautiful, and plentiful, they are everywhere. There are times in my life when I am aware of the wonder all around us, those are the times when I see God everywhere in everyday. When I forget to see, photography helps me remember.
(note: this blog is very good and taking beautiful colors out of pictures and putting them somewhere else.)

Friday, April 18, 2008

AND THE WINNER IS....

Jessica Gardner and friends! Jessica, email bryan at bryanruppphotography@gmail.com to set up a time on Monday!
Congratulations!

P.S. The word from our judge is that everybody deserved the shoot, and it was a hard decision to make!

Thanks everybody for entering, it was really fun to read all of your stories.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Friend Photo Shoot Contest (GFU)

We're giving away a photo shoot to a group of friends who are graduating. The shoot will be on dead day (the Monday of finals week), and will be a chance for you to document the bond that you've shared for four years.
To Enter:
Write a comment for this post, telling us

a
. The names of your friends (approximate maximum of five, minimum of 3, but no we
wont make one friend stand out in the cold if you have six friends). You don't all have to be seniors, as long as the main point is that some of you are graduating.

b. Why you deserve to be photographed together before you graduated. This is where you
get to be creative. You can tell the story of how you met, or tell us why you've shared a
special bond. Funny stories are welcome. Or, you can make us feel sorry for you (i.e. you're all moving far, far away and will never see each other again). Do whatever you have
to do to convince us that you should be the winner.

Note: No, you may not use our sister as a claim to fame :). Actually, go ahead and try. But this is an equal opportunity contest and will be judged by someone outside the George Fox community.

Post your entries by Wednesday (4/16), and the winner will be posted by that Friday (4/18).

Go.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Rained.
It is certainly time for spring. The problem is that I got my hopes up when we had a week of sunshine a few weeks ago and naively thought that spring had arrived. Today I found the rain beautiful though. It poured down on our roof as I wrote my papers which are due tomorrow and I found it kind of comforting. Seeking a break I grabbed my camera and stepped outside in an attempt to capture the water splashing down. Here's my favorite one.

Friday, April 4, 2008

A Hike in Dundee.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

This week has given me a lot to think about, as a friend was killed in a car accident this last weekend. I have thought of many memories with him, and despite my deep sadness especially for those closest to him, I am inspired by his life. It's too bad that it takes something so drastic to give me a little perspective, and I hope I can cling to it for a long time. Thanks for the inspiration Ben. Thanks for living a beautiful life.