Been a while

Well it has been nearly a week since I posted. For that I apologize. It has been quite a busy week. Trying to get a lot of contacts in line for stories and what not. The stress is setting in. I have 3 weeks left here. I have 20 singles, one documentary, and 3 stories to shoot. I have started one story.... thats it. Terry tells me not to worry, and that it will all fall into place, but how could I NOT worry. O well, I will figure it out.

Was going to shoot a guy that makes swords Tuesday, but that fell through. Apparently we are traveling to Dundee. Sounds fun, but wish I would have known about that BEFORE I scheduled a shoot with a guy, especially one that is so essential to my documentary. Starting to prepare for my adventure to Aaran this weekend, and that is stressful as well. I cannot find a place that is cheaper than 25 pounds a night, or $50. There is no way I can afford that. So we will see how it works out, whether that means I only eat pasta for a week, or if I find something a bit cheaper.

It will all work out, it always does. But that does not mean I shouldn't worry, because I am really good at worrying. The bowling pictures, or the guys that look like they are playing really intense boccie ball, is the story I have started working on. I like the start, but I still have a lot of work left to do to it. The o so fabled stress of the Scotland adventure is beginning to set in, and I am not a fan of it. I will probably put these up again later when I have time to tone them better.

On a side note, Matt Smith died Saturday night, he was a high school buddy of mine. Rest in peace Matt, and my thoughts are with you and your family in this sad time.

Take it easy

Arthur's Seat

Yesterday was amazing. One of the best days of my life. The four of us, pictured above in our album cover, climbed Arthur's Seat. It was a bitch, and the wind was absolutely crazy when we got to the top, but it was well worth it. We got a great view, and goofed off up there for a few hours before coming back down. So many ridiculous things, I am loving it out here.

Take it easy

Inverness

Haven't gotten the chance to post for a few days. I have been busy doing some research for my long term documentary, and lining up contacts. It has been a bit stressful, but I know that I have not even started the stress.

But we went to the Highlands a few days ago, on a train for 8 hours total, and in the town we went to for about 2 hours. Kind of sucked, but I want to go back and stay. I really loved the scenery, and no Grandma I did not get a good landscape shot of it, sorry.

However, I did eat some haggis, which is what that food is. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Top 5 best meals of my life, for sure. It was fantastic.

Take it easy

'Merica day

All I have to say about my family is that they are absolutely nuts, and I would have it no other way.

Take it easy

North Berwick

Got two landscape shots for you Grandma, hope you like them!

Well, today was yet another intense and great day. I had some fantastic fish and chips, climbed the Law of North Berwick, which is just a huge ass hill. It only took me about 15 or 20 minutes, but it was hard. And the view was great (last picture). After that I took it easy for a while since I was absolutely beat. Met a few kids playing on the beach with rocks, and climbing around on some big boulders.

All in all, it was a pretty slow day, and I needed it. Didn't really bust my ass too hard today, and the breather was much needed. Tomorrow however, we are going on an adventure to an undisclosed location, and I am a bit scared. But now I have learned how to approach people in Scotland, and have gotten a pretty decent feel for the place. So hopefully with that knowledge I will be able to get some really great shots and start to get some good frames.

Take it easy

Violet

Had an amazing day today. We had to pair up into groups of 2, and find 2 people to follow. One of us had to photograph, the other do audio. I walked the oldest golf course in the world today, as well as hang out with one of the nicest ladies I have ever met named Violet. I walked the oldest course with Jim, an ex-everything. He has done it all to make a living, and now plays golf to pass the time. Violet walks dogs, and pals around to pass time.

Josh and I got a ride from Mussleburgh all the way to Queens Ferry, which is about a 45 minute drive each way, from Violet. She was so much fun, and I might go have dinner with her some time later while we are here. It was a fantastic day, I got to see an amazing bridge, an old golf course, learn my way around Scotland a bit, a bit of history, and Violet's personal favorite beers.

O yea, and the picture of the half-pipe, that is for you James. Thought you might get a smile out of it.

Take it easy

Day 2

So today was the first day that I completely got to experience Scotland. I tried something new, and only used my 105mm all day. And needless to say, I did not like what turned out. But I am much more comfortable with the city after a goofy scavenger hunt wandering around with my team. It was a lot of fun. Still trying to figure out stuff that will work for long and short term stories, and hoping to get a handle on that tomorrow.

The bed in my room feels like sleeping on a slightly upgraded floor. It is terrible. But I think that the amount of exhaustion that I feel every night will help greatly to get to sleep. Tomorrow I think we are going to get our first look at the course work and everything, which is really relieving. Because right now I am kind of blundering around aimlessly around Edinburgh not knowing what I am supposed to do. I think tomorrow will really be the kick in the pants to start the trip, and I am excited and scared for it at the same time.

Take it easy

Arrived

So I have arrived at Scotland, and survived my first day. It was an EXHAUSTING day, and fell asleep multiple times on buses and what not. But I got through it, loved it, and can't wait to go out tomorrow. I have a few story ideas in mind, but nothing too definitive yet. I think tomorrow I will start doing some serious digging, as well as lining stuff up for my stories and what not. This is going to be an amazing, and draining summer.

Summer

Not very summery shots, but I haven't been doing much photography lately. I write to you sitting in Columbus airport waiting for a plane to go to Scotland. I am really stoked, and really bored. I am going to try and update my blog every or every other day. Hopefully I will stick to that resolution.