James H. Brown Sr. April 11, 1924 – Feb. 25, 2011.

James H. Brown Sr., 86 years old, married to Betty for 63 years, father of 3  sons, grandfather of 5, great grandfather of 2, … my dad, died on Feb. 25, 2011.
He was buried at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.
A “NAVY” guy!

My dad once told to me that he liked this photo that you see above.
He said, “I wonder what it would be like to fly like a dragonfly and sit around a pond?”
It just so happens that my father-in-law who is a retired Rev., carried out the funeral service for the family and had this story to tell during the service.
It seemed so fitting!

The story goes something like this:

A large family of dragonfly nymphs were living in the waters of a beautiful pond, just a foot or so below the water’s surface.
Over time, members of the dragonfly family noticed that some of its family members were disappearing.
Some family members were seen moving towards the surface of the pond, moving to the top portion of the water and into the sunlight, where they vanished, never returning and telling the rest of the family what they had seen, or experienced.
The remaining dragonfly family members were concerned, and decided among themselves that if anyone should happen to go to the other side of the water’s surface, that they would try and return to tell the others about what was there, … what they had seen.

Just a few days later, one little dragonfly nymph had the urge to move upwards, to the surface, to the beautiful light above.
He swam up, breaking the surface waters, then climbed up a narrow strand of grass.
There he soon had wings, and the urge to fly began.
He happily flew around this new world that was full of amazing things he had never seen before.
Then he remembered that he was suppose to return and tell the rest of his family what he had seen, … what he had experienced.
He tried to get back below the water’s surface, but he could not.
He tried over and over again, … but never once could he break below the surface, to return to his family and the world that he knew.
So, … he flew away, never seeing his family again as he once knew them.
He never forgot his cherished family and the love he had for them, … but he was in his place now.
It was a glorious place to be!

This is where I see my dad now. A glorious place.

The night before he died, my youngest son Joseph and I went to the hospital to see him.
He was very talkative, but for the past three days no one could understand a thing he was saying because of the mask he was wearing and the sound of oxygen being forced into his mouth/nose. He had two air embolisms within his lungs and they were trying to get them to move into a filter that was placed within just a day earlier.

We stayed for about 90 minutes.
Little did we know that Joseph and I would be the last to see him alive.
Joseph told him good bye, then I leaned over and kissed him on his head, telling him in his ear that we were leaving and would see him the following day.
I then told him, “I love you daddy”.
Some way, some how, my daddy said very clearly to me, “I love you too son”. Joseph heard it as well.

He somehow had managed to say it loud and clear to me.
I believe now that he knew.
I believe that was the way it was suppose to be.
I believe that was the way God planned it.
I take great comfort knowing that those were the last words he ever spoke to me, … and I heard it.

So daddy, … your sons lifted a toast of old Irish whiskey to you.
We pray that heaven has Grits and RedEye Gravy, good guitars, country music, and that God will allow you to fly with the angels wearing your Zoot Suit!

I love you daddy!

Now On Facebook!

And yeah, … I have not figured out the best way to use it yet!
Just signed up at Facebook, and it is already asking me the “become a friend” questions and I’m not really sure what I am joining or inviting.
Man, … I am way behind the times it seems!

Mike

The Big 25!

© 2003 – Michael Brown
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Red Daylily – Abstract

Yep, … 25 years of marriage and she ain’t killed me yet.
So, … guess I ain’t all that bad!

My wife and I have been away celebrating our 25th year of marriage, thinking about all of the good and bad we have been through together, … thankfully most of it good, and we have just arrived back into town.
We even decided to take our sons along with us to let them get in on the celebration.
It was nice, … fun, … but we are all glad to be home and to relax a bit.
Plus, … our dog “Flash” did not care to much for his sitters, so he is a bit on the happy side as well!

Still trying to get everything back to normal with both of my computer systems here at home, … which turned out to be a real mess.
No loss of images, but client info turned out to be a nightmare along with tax info, etc.
No losses to speak of, but just trying to put all of the pieces back together is a big pain.

Lots of shooting to do starting next week, so not much posting of any kind for a while.
I will get back into the swing of things after some of the dust settles.

Above is a old image shot with some E6 slide film.
I do miss those days, ………. sort of!
This is an abstract of a red daylily, “double”, deep within its throat. “Hemerocallis”

Hope that everyone and their families have been getting along well, and thanks for stopping by gang!

Michael

Michael Brown – Photographer
“Macro Art In Nature” – Website

“Dark” Macro Photography.

© 2009 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited
“Habere”

There is much to be said about “dark” macro photography, or those close ups of various subjects with strong and dark silhouette type areas along with a slight blast of highlights.
I love these types of images, and is another area of creativity in macro photography that I am enjoying even more this season.
Such as these recent posts;
“Late Evening Lily Pads”
“In Their World” Series – Silhouettes

I call it “dark” macro photography, since lately most of my work has been these soft focus pastels or distinct high-key images.
With these “dark” macros, or close ups, … one can take their photography in a different direction when the need arises.
If gives one a chance to see if they can offer up their subject in a pleasing manner, … a manner that they have not delved in that much.
For me, … it is calming!
——————-
I need to go and pass out right now.
My son and I spent a day at Pawleys Island yesterday for some shooting during the day and a good bit at night.
We were up for nearly 26 hours believe it or not, … and man, … do I ever have some processing and editing to do.
But wow, … is my brain ever in a fog.
There was a time where I could go long hours like this and not miss a beat.
Now, … I don’t think I should try that again.
26 hours with no sleep is absolutely killer for me!!
My pillow is now calling!

Take care everyone, and thanks for stopping by.
Michael

Michael Brown – Photographer
“Macro Art In Nature” – Website

“First Cause”

© 2009 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited
“First Cause”

This image was created by sitting underneath and somewhat inside a small Japanese Maple tree, with a large Eucalyptus tree hovering above it with its blue/gray foliage.
It was tight underneath the small tree, using the Gitzo Explorer tripod and using the Canon zoom lens, plus the Canon 500D diopter to explore.
I tried to get the highlight a bit more to the left in the image, but then I lost the composition.
It was nearing 5:00pm, the sun was at the right position with the lens almost pointing straight up, and the light gave me all of the answers I needed to create.

Thanks for stopping by,
Michael

Michael Brown – Photographer
“Macro Art In Nature” – Website

Macro Photography And Digital Painting

I just started back painting some this week. Back to “macro painting”.
Have been looking through some of my older paintings and some of the newer images that I think might work pretty well for what I have in mind.
I enjoy painting within a computer.
To me, … it’s relaxing.
Also, … I have found that art buyers and designers are just as receptive to those digital creations as they are with straight photography.
All is has to be to them is, ………. “different”.
I have also been searching for various canvas textures to print these on now.
There has been some new papers etc. that has come out in the last few years, some of which I have only recently become aware of.
Some cool stuff out there!

The following two images were created in the past few years, … and the one of the frog has been posted before.
The one of the frog has always been one of my favorites!

© 2005 – Michael Brown
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“Old Satch” – The Frog

© 2009 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited
Floral – Abstract

Thanks for stopping by gang,
Michael

Michael Brown – Photographer
“Macro Art In Nature” – Website

Brazil Agate Abstract Macro – Stitching.

The first image is a abstract from a cut slab of Brazil Agate rock.
What has been fun lately within the past few weeks, is to find interesting subjects that I could stitch together.
Cool!

© 2008 – Michael Brown
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Brazil Agate Rock – Abstract

© 2009 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited
Brazil Agate Rock – Stitched

There is always something cool to create in macro!

Take care everyone, and thanks for stopping by.
Michael

Michael Brown – Photographer
“Macro Art In Nature” – Website