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Category Archives: Photographs
Mineola Journal – The Movie
This movie a compilation of photographs and video I have made in my backyard on Phillippi Creek since the spring of 2011. The movie is 17 minutes long, so if you do not have time now, you may want to bookmark it for viewing at a later time.
All the photographs and videos were made with a Panasonic GH2. I have never made so many photographs (and videos) from just one spot. My backyard is about 40 yards wide. There is always something happening, whether it is wildlife, changing light or patterns on the water. Enjoy!
1972 to 2009
From 1970 to 2000 I was photographing and printing in the darkroom constantly. Around 2000 two things happened: 1. I began a business with my brother and 2. The digital revolution hit photography. The business relationship with my brother did not work out (I am still running the internet based business). The digital revolution forced me to reconsider photography and I stopped using my darkroom and started exploring the computer.
A Different Way
Well….it has been some time since I have made an entry in this blog. A few weeks ago I got a great deal on a used Mac G5 computer which has opened up many more possibilities for editing and presenting my photographs. I had an old G4 computer that was 10 years old and whenever I tried to work with video, the computer would groan and than go into major slow down mode. So I have been spending the last few weeks learning programs that enabled me to create what I am showing you here.
Sarasota Sam’s in Style
About 10 years ago I was at an art opening in my neighbor’s studio. My friend Bob Ballou was showing some work in this studio and his wife Bronwen and stepson Nicolas were with him. I was taking some snap shots with a digital camera and Nicolas (who was not quite 5 at the time) came over to me and asked what I was doing. I told him I was taking photos of the people and asked if he wanted to see what I was doing. He ended up making a few photos himself. After awhile he looked at me and said “I want to be like you”. I asked him if it was because I had a cool camera. He said no, then said “because you’ve got style”. As you can imagine I was a bit startled by his comment, coming from a not yet 5 year old. I asked him to repeat what he said and he said it again, “because you’ve got style”.
Well Nicolas it has taken about 10 years, but now I can say I am in Style Magazine.
In Debbie’s Backyard
I go out to Debbie’s backyard to have a smoke and late in the day play my xaphoon. Here is a list of all the animals I have seen in Debbie’s backyard since being here for three months: squirrels, rabbits, soft shell turtles, always lizards, bats, vultures flying overhead, osprey, all kinds of herons, egrets, red-shouldered hawk, sandhill cranes, and yesterday (July 9) a Bobcat sitting in a tree. No alligators yet, but I am still looking.
Three Moons
In response to my friend Bob Ballou’s comment of asking me to provide more information on my process of discovery, here goes: Mari and I have been in Sarasota for 3 moons now. We left Waltham Massachusetts during the full moon and last night (July 7th), we were atop the canopy walkway at Myakka State Park (with Mari’s sister Debbie) to watch the sunset and the moon rise. On the canopy we met a very interesting man, Michael, who was there for the same reasons as us, to view the full moon and too charge his magical stones.
Summer Solstice 2009
Mari and I attended a Summer Solstice celebration at the Unity Church of Sarasota. It was held outside in the Unity Labyrinth. We have been told that Sarasota is one of 22 Crystal Cities of Light in the world. Here is a link to Jo Mooy article Prism of Light and Crystal City of Light.
The sound file you are hearing (if you have your sound on) was played and sung during the Solstice celebration and also sung around the world on the Solstice: The One Song Project. The chant is “OMA, KA, OM” pronounced “OM-AH, KA,OM”.
Birds on the Beach
Terns, Gulls, Egrets, Herons, Pelicans, Pipers, Osprey, etc..etc..etc. And I can see why from all the schools of small fish in the water. One time the water was so dense with small fish that I thought there was a deep impression in the bottom creating a shadow. It was hundreds of thousands of small fish.
The Egrets are very bold, walking right by me intent of catching it’s next bit. That’s all these little fish could be, and so the birds keep hunting after swallowing their last catch.
When I am swimming, the Pelicans will dive right next to me and then take off right over my head. Usually I am at the beach early or late in the day and the light on their feathers as they pass over me is stunning.
Why Sarasota Sam?
Let’s say, I meet someone on the beach and take their photo. If they would like me to email them the photo I realized that telling them to email me at sam@samlaundon.com was very forgettable.
Before Mari and I moved down here I registered sarasotasam.com, because every time I mentioned Sarasota Sam to a friend or acquaintance they would smile or laugh, so I knew I had something memorable.