Time to start posting again!

I have not posted to this blog in some time as you may be able to tell from the posting dates. I will begin again by posting an image taken a few weeks ago that my wife liked. Easy photo to make. I only wish it were more original. Moving forward, I will try to post more challenging work and images that I feel of interest to others and worth some discussion on reflection. Enjoy...

Where would you rather study...

A New Found Muse...

Sometimes we all need to clear our heads and step outside of our daily lives. I have trouble doing that sometimes, as we all do I'm sure. In a recent photographic exercise, I spent some time photographing at the lake near our house. So, after the snow had melted, I took another journey. I took just a little more time to explore and have some artistic fun. I found myself coming up with some new ideas for personal projects. Thus, my new muse is born. Stay tuned....

Winter Practice...

There are so many times during the week when I know I should be brushing up on certain photo skills. Since most of my work deals with people, I rarely take the time to make images of landscapes and seasonal changes. An art professor once told me that in order to develop as an artist, you must practice everyday. I express to my students at CUA the very same sentiment. However, I am a terrible practitioner of my own teachings. So, my wife, said that I should be out 'practicing'. She, as always, was right. Ever since my frostbite incident, I do not like being out in the cold as much. Well, that and getting older... So, here are some photos from the lake by our house. Not a lot of effort, but still a needed exercise!

Black and White v. Color...the compositional fight.

BW v. Color...

After teaching at The Catholic University of America for going on 20 years now, I continue to have this talk (discussion, fight, agreement to disagree, etc.) with my students. Black and white v. color and the photo of the sunset. I was once told by one of my mentors to view sunsets for what they were, pretty colors. Not to put into one's portfolio. I still advise my students the same way after all these years. Sunsets are very pretty. Pretty to view. Pretty to experience and even pretty to photograph. But when it is all said and done, in true compositional edification, the sunset photo is just a collection of pretty colors. Now with that said, it can have compositional merit as well. Not often, but it can. So in order to find out if your pretty color sunset has what it takes to make the cut, turn it into BW and see if it holds up to proper compositional criticism. If made into BW, does the image still have merit based upon it's compositional elements in order to make a good, solid image.

So, with that said, my daughter wanted me to come outside in our back yard on Friday evening to photograph what she saw as a beautiful sunset. Indeed it was! She wanted me to get my camera and make an image. So I did. Afterward, I asked her to come into my office where we would edit the image. I told her that we would only incorporate proper edits of the image (no enhancements using Photoshop, etc.) So I told her that she was only allowed to brighten, darken, crop, dodge, burn, vignette and/or turn the image into BW. No colors were enhanced or altered, etc.

My daughter liked the final result. I, on the other hand... I still hold to my "change it to BW and see if it holds up" rule. I still don't care a great deal for it. Anyhow, it was a beautiful sunset. One which I enjoyed. I would still prefer to watch sunsets rather than photograph them. However, I still bring out the camera whenever I see a beautiful sunset. Who can help themselves.

Here is the image that we chose and edited. You be the judge...

Loretta Lynch Hearing

Sometimes photos don't make the cut...

Loretta Lynch, nominee for the position of Attorney General, testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, January 29, 2015. Her father, Lorenzo Lynch (left), and husband, Stephen Hargrove (right), look on in the background.
BarrickPhotography.com

The photo above is one taken yesterday at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for the nomination of Loretta Lynch for the appointment of Attorney General. On the left side is her father and to the right is her husband. I waited on this situation in hopes that it would play out favorably. I like the shot for the most part. However, the photo was not picked up anywhere and will remain in my archives until needed. Just as in waiting for the image to happen, you must be patient for the photo to get noticed.

Winter in DC

Making something of a deferent intent...

While working a meeting in DC on Wednesday, someone said that I should get my camera and grab a couple of shots as the snow was so beautiful. This was taken at the corner of Mass Ave and 9th street. You would have no idea that this was in the heart of DC. And that was the intent...

Wishing for summer...

Couple of warmer weather photos. I was doing some editing and ran across these images. Another 5 to 6 months to go...

Lunar Eclipse

Patience seems to be the key!

On my way down to Charlottesville, I drove through a rainstorm and discovered a rainbow upon the rain's passing. As I watched and photographed the rainbow, I noticed lighting off in the distance. I waited and waited and waited...then I finally got the shot. I love the "happystance" moments!