Grant :: Jun.10.2007 :: food, recipes :: 1 Comment »

A fellow classmate in my “Mind, Habit, Change, and Conversion” class this past semester did a project on forgiveness. He wanted to expand the paradigm of forgiveness from a way of responding to major transgressions and additionally frame forgiveness as a mindset that we cultivate day-to-day. Ideally, we would all practice forgiveness moment to moment in our lives, forgiving everyone from the driver that cuts us off to the spouse that betrays us.

I find his idea similar to Buddhist notions of mindfulness or the Christian ideal of praying constantly in every moment. Obviously you could take this in the wrong direction and become everyone’s metaphorical doormat, but I find some wisdom in what he was doing.

This is even more interesting when you consider his context: as an independent lawyer who often takes on cases involving tenant rights. He says that one of the common expectations that clients have is that he will be a “tool of vengeance” by helping them win lots of money from people who have committed transgressions against them. These expectations seem to go somewhat beyond the system’s intent, which is to compensate people for damage and harm done to them.

I hope that today you will practice forgiveness and forgive me, as it’s been so long since I posted anything on this blog!

It is now summer, and while I actually do have one more paper to finish by the end of this week before my semester is officially over, I’m looking forward to the free time this summer holds. In addition to much more frequent blog updates, I’m expanding my posting scope, so it’s not just my supposed deep thoughts and photographs, but lots of random stuff I run across that you might find interesting, everything from YouTube videos I like to tips on making cheap photo equipment. It will be a little more rough around the edges and stream of consciousness, which will hopefully make it a little more personal too.

So, if you’re willing to give me a fresh start, check back every couple of days for some random interestingness in my small corner of the web.

Much love,
G

Grant :: Jun.04.2007 :: blog, life update, seminary :: No Comments »

I’m taking a class this semester called “Photography as Ecological Meditation”. The basic format of the class goes like this: we read a meditation written by the professor on a particular topic, we go out and make photographs in response to the meditation, and then pick one to share with the class. Each class session is a slide show where everyone gets the chance to make comments about where the picture takes them. Then the photographer reveals her/himself and gives context and any personal feelings about the image. I like this a lot–it’s giving me a chance to approach the emotional aspect of viewing photographs (instead of just the technical) and see some of the amazing work done by my classmates.

The ecological part is pretty flexible–referring broadly to our surrounding environment. So it doesn’t have to be any specific kind of nature photograph. The picture above was for the first class–the theme was darkness (what I nice one to start with). Thankfully, the next one was light (balance is good).

It’s been an interesting process for me to figure out how to go about making a photograph under these assignments. Do I brainstorm possible images and then go out and make the one that I think will be the best? Or do I go out and explore with my camera, putting on this new filter of a specific theme onto how I see? Do I just try to make what I think will be the coolest photograph that will impress the professor or have the most impact on the class?

This one I happened upon (while not specifically looking), though I saw it because when thinking of images about darkness (particularly personal darkness in the form of depression, something I’ve dealt with) tunnels were on my mind. Will finding themed projects like this spur my creative possibilities and help me make images I wouldn’t have otherwise envisioned? It seems so, my friend. Sometimes structure is good, even for creativity.

By the way, don’t worry about what it is, just let it speak for itself ; )

Grant :: Mar.23.2007 :: creative process, seminary :: 2 Comments »

well friends,

I missed my self imposed deadline to start updating in the middle of January. Life happens, I guess. I’m back in grad school full time now so things are very busy. Admittedly, updating this blog every other day is an ambitious goal, one I probably won’t be able to meet. But I’ll keep trying, nevertheless. Robin and I haven’t even gotten all of the New Year’s cards out yet, and it’s halfway through February!

Though I haven’t updated in a while, I have been thinking about the purpose of this blog: here are my thoughts so far:

1. Sharing my photographs
2. Keeping in touch with friends and family
3. Expressing my thoughts about life as I am living it
4. Sharing random internet material I think is worth experiencing
5. Reflecting on the process of making art, both my creative process and the technical aspects of photography
   

I’m unsure at this point how much privacy should be a concern. I like to be open with the world, but I don’t want the information here to someday be used against me. At this point, I can’t think of a way it would be, but I’m playing it safe for now. So, if I sound a little vague as to the specifics, shoot me an email and I’d be happy to fill in the details.

The photograph above was taken on Valentine’s day from somewhere near the Emeryville/Berkeley border along the SF Bay shoreline. I’ve been wanting to explore shooting some long exposure black and whites (after seeing the work of these two photographers, Michael Kenna and Brian Chapman) and this seemed like a good place. I noticed the ruins of the pier while riding my bike one day and vowed to return as soon as I could.

The softness of the water comes from a 30 second exposure time. I had to wait until just the right time after sunset so that the exposure would be right for this shutter speed. Click on the picture to see some other pictures from this shoot.

Grant :: Feb.16.2007 :: art, Bay Area, blog, life update :: No Comments »

For those who’ve found this site from the New Year’s cards we sent out, thanks for looking! This blog has not quite gone live yet, but check back later (probably around mid-January), when my hope is that I’ll be posting at least every other day.

My intention for this blog is primarily as a platform to share my photographs and thoughts about seminary, living in Oakland, CA, and finding my identity as I search for a vocation in life. Robin’s blog can be found at http://www.xanga.com/rkinney, but she hasn’t been updating recently. Given her job and how hard she works at teaching and getting through to her students, I can’t blame her–she’s very busy. Leave a comment on her blog, and she might be inclined to post more often if she knows others are reading.

We miss all of you! Moving to California has been quite an adventure, and we’ve left too many friends behind. I hope this will be a way for you to keep apprised of what I’ve been thinking about and what Robin and I have been doing (should you be interested, that is). Please feel free to leave comments on the posts, even if just to say hi, so I know who’s reading. Also, if you have a blog, let me know about it, and you’re welcome to link to this one.

Blessings,
Grant

Grant :: Dec.24.2006 :: blog, life update :: 3 Comments »

Grant :: Dec.05.2006 :: friends :: No Comments »

The final of my photos from a friend’s recent wedding; another photographer’s flash fired during the exposure creating a double image.

Grant :: Nov.15.2006 :: friends :: No Comments »