Brad Pitt and I share the exact same birthday (month, day, year) outside of that, our stories diverge considerably. Mr. Pitt went on to become an internationally famous superstar, while I have led the much more interesting life of the starving artist. I come from a long line of storytellers (whose gift for gab stretches back through the mists of time to our native Ireland) and professional malcontents who were seemingly born to create something in the arts, be it music, writing, sculpture, painting, or photography. I started writing at age 12 with a screenplay with my cousin Ryan about a planet where everyone looked like Elton John entitled "Don't I Know You?" More screenplays followed, several of which received epic Super-8 production with budgets that sometimes ran up to $10. A few even had sound!  More writing followed: songs, poems, short stories, numerous unfinished novels, etc.. Somewhere in there was an attempt at being a rock star...
Still living at home, at age 22, my father dropped an elderly Nikromatt 35-mm film camera into my lap, in the hopes that I would "make a go of it" as a photojournalist. That didn't happen, but I did develop an abiding love of photography that along with writing and archival work have been among the chief passions of my life. When it comes to my photography, I try to be as creative as possible while at the same time striving for a documentary/archival quality. The only set rules I adhere to, when it comes to making pictures are: 1.) Try not to make the picture blurry, and 2.) Don't drop the camera.
Comments (14)
auntietk
It's okay ... all mallards are ducks, but not all ducks are mallards. You're on firm ground, here. Oh. Well ... maybe not. You're on course, smooth sailing, with the duck jokes. :D Marilyn and I have a standing line that everyone has to have an obligatory duck shot in their gallery, and I'm so pleased to see you've got one! I think it's a law or something. Nice shootin'!
Chipka
I like quackers and this is a good one. I love that there are so many of them in Chicago...especially in the Lincoln Park area. They're a lot nicer than the geese, but not too much nicer...well, at least they won't try to chase you! I really like the colors in this; the water is hypnotic and I love the ripples that aren't really overt until you've looked at this a bit...they're shy ripples, very polite. Excellent colors and the duck, just off center really makes the whole image pop. Of course he doesn't care, but I like the way he's forming a tiny little wake and water ripples but they're only behind him. Humans looking at art make big deals out of stuff like that, but ducks, not having human concerns, couldn't care less...and in not caring, they usually do such interesting things. Funny how that works. But as Pavl always says, if you want to see something in the right perspective, make sure there's a duck involved. He likes ducks, you know, he's quite fond of them, and this is an excellent shot. Of course, now I have Lemon Jelly playing through my head: All the ducks are swimming in the water/fal-da-ral-da-ral-da/fal-da-ral-da-ral-da/All the ducks are swimming in the water..." Oh...you know that song.
mgtcs
Very cute image, marvelous capture, the colors are amazing my friend, congratulations!
durleybeachbum
That water is a most ICY colour....There is something very peaceful about this.
tony25v
Nice shot
blinkings
'A fuss is what I don't want to make, but I guess he's really a Drake'!!!!!!!! Sorry my poetry's not free either....I'll send you the 'BILL'!
Lashia
Great shot- thanks for sharing! :) By the way, have you checked out the Halloween Photography Contest! "Zombie Apocalypse!"
npauling
He looks a little lonely cruising along this waterway but it makes for a great shot with the reflection and the colour of the water. They really are beautifully marked aren't they.
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.
dakotabluemoon
Very nice capture and they are such a colorful duck great job.
annie5
So cute..fabulous capture! :)
beachzz
I so wanted to say, "this quacks me up", but well, yeah, I guess I did!!
flavia49
marvelous picture!!
jmb007
bonne photo!