Facing excuses head on.

For as long as I’ve been engrossed in photography, I’ve stood in a spot and thought to myself, “If I only had this type of lens, I could get the shot I want.” I now have one less excuse to ever think that.

There are many schools of thought on the topic of editing and processing photos. Frankly, I don't believe any are right or wrong. Photography is an art. We all have our styles, preferences, and personal beliefs. I'm not here to play up one and trash another. More so, my intent in writing is to show where I've grown in my thinking and development of this craft.

Boy, has it changed.

Photography is art.

Art is subjective. Subjective is difficult to define. There is obviously a Merriam-Webster definition. What I mean is that approval based on an individual's personal feelings is the consistent challenge of anyone who works in the arts. I think most of us can agree with that. However, there is this idea that certain photos are great while others are, you know...

Not great.

Summer is in full force right now in Western, NY, and it is fantastic. My fondest memories growing up revolve around days spent mostly shirtless and chasing ice cream trucks.

Fireworks are cool. If you spent any time this Independence Day weekend around these explosive OSHA violations, you’d likely have a similar sentiment.

There isn’t enough money on this planet to convince me to be suspended by fabric propelled by fire while standing in a waist high wicker basket.

Driving South on 15A down the East side of Hemlock Lake, as you approach the Southern end you will begin a ear popping descent down a hill. Near the bottom of said hill you will see a sign for a boat launch. Instead of turning right into the boat launch, turn left into a small gravel parking lot. You’ve arrived.

Anxiety sucks. How does photography relate to my mental health struggles?

New York State weather is often … Unfortunate.

Some people look through my gallery and quickly note the lack of winter-like shots. This is by no means a mistake. You aren't seeing them because they don’t exist.

It was a Monday. I took the day off from work to give myself a long weekend and spend my day venturing out in search of waterfalls. I love waterfalls, however, due to anxiety I often never made it to my destination before having mild panic attacks.

Ok, it’s time for the full story. Good photography is relative. Nothing had communicated that to me more than the hundreds of photos I posted on social media.

Loons, one of the most elusive creatures to ever step foot on this planet. Ok, maybe a slight exaggeration.

As a life long resident of Western, NY, Letchworth State Park is a well known gem of the area. The Genesee River cutting massive gorges through a hilly terrain, it is known as the Grand Canyon of the East.

This is a flower. Yes, just a flower. It is pretty in its own right, but that doesn’t make this image come alive.