Wanted to pass on a personal link from Donald Miller’s blog.  If you’re not familiar, he’s the author of Blue Like Jazz and Searching For God Knows What, as well as several other books.  I really appreciate his point of view, and his sense of humor.

He recently posted about how Apple does a masterful job of manipulation, and even though we realize it for what it is, their ads still work. His points skewered me on a couple of levels.  First, this was particularly convicting for me as I recently bought a shiny, new Mac Pro.   I could try to convince you that my purchase was completely practical, and how I’m returning to my unix roots (you realize that MacOS rides on unix right).  Because of my experience with real operating systems, and open source platforms, I’ve never been a windows fan, so this move was inevitable.  It’s not just because all the cool photogs are mac. Yeah well, that’s mostly true.

But then he went and said this, “If you think about it, the most confident of counter-culture heros aren’t talking on i-phones, wearing designer jeans or jumping in the air in their facebook photos (why are all the hipsters suddenly jumping in their facebook photos? Why didn’t anybody call me to say we were doing that?) but instead are the people most of us might not notice.”

Ouch! Now, if you’re not a wedding photographer, then you may not realize that the “jumping” shot has become sort of the bane of our existence.  Everyone wants to have really fun wedding photos and over the last 5-6 years this shot seems to have become a cultural phenomenon.  Thanks Toyota.  Photogs make fun of other photogs for showing them; they’re so 2004.  Okay, I’ll admit that I’ve done them, there were even times I may have suggested it.  However, I’ve been through counseling and now realize my moral failure.

I’m pretty easy to get along with so if you really want that, I might accommodate.  But over the last couple of years I’ve met with clients who’ve said, “please, no jumping photos!”

So, what should I feel about all this?  I guess guilt.  I’m a product of the 80′s and used to pride myself in being alternative, back when it meant something.  I was front row at the Psychedelic Furs concert, and I’ve still got my Primus cds. Now I’m buying Macs and taking jumping photos? I’ve laughed along with the mac vs. pc ads cheering at how the truth is so refreshing.  I’ve also had some fantastic clients that I love, who were “jumpers”.   I’m so confused. In the end I’ll just have to agree to disagree – uh with myself.

I guess the most biting humor usually holds a chunk of truth.

I’m really excited that I placed four images in the recent ISPWP wedding photo contest, and that Line 11 is recognized in the top 20.   It’s a little surreal when I consider that I’ve been recognized along with other photographers that I really, really admire.  Here are the images…

Just wanted to make sure and wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  May you have a peaceful and joyous holiday.

Dave

Chris Rice is going to be performing at DePauw on April 12th! I’ve been a fan for several years and I’m excited to see him live. My kids are excited to go since this is their first concert – yay! I don’t think he bites any small animals or anything so they should be ok.

In April I had the privilege of spending some time with Second Helpings and their volunteers. Their motto is “Eliminating Hunger. Empowering People.” and they have a really great model for doing both.

Second Helpings rescues perfectly good food that would otherwise end up in the trash, and turn it into meals for deserving people. Often this is simply food that legally can’t be sold or served because it’s past its “sell by” date. I was able to ride along with Greg to do collections from some of the various food donors. Trader Joe’s, Wild Oats, Starbucks (twice), and St. Vincent’s hospital were some of the places we visited and it really hit me just how much is getting thrown out every day. Later I visited some organizations as meals and other food were delivered.

Below are just a few images from my time with them, but visit their slideshow for more.

These ribeyes aren’t spoiled they just can’t be on the shelves any longer.

Meals are cooked and loaded into trucks for delivery.

The end result is that people get fed. Missions, shelters, daycares and elder care facilities receive much needed hot meals.

In addition to food rescue and meal delivery, Second Helpings also operates a culinary training program that teaches a select group of applicants skills that can lead to jobs. Many of the students come from the same agencies that receive meal support. By giving them this chance and these skills it can lead to careers and better lives.

It takes a lot to collect, catalog, store, prepare and deliver all the food and meals every week, and much of this is done by volunteers. If you’d like to share the love and care that this organization is spreading in Indy, please contact them and volunteer your time to help prepare a meal or whatever they need you to do.