blog | photography by David Kennedy

For a minute there I lost myself, phew…for a minute there

David — Sat, 12 May 2012 04:35:20 +0000

Summer at Lake Crabtree, Cary, North Carolina, February 2012, Canon 5D Mark II and 70-200mm f/4L IS lens @ 121mm; exposed 1/200 sec. @ f/8, ISO 100, Canon Speedlite 580EX II triggered wirelessly

Radiohead references aside, I’ve gone through a number of life changes, both professionally and with respect to lifestyle since I last updated this blog. I posted last from the coast of Washington as I was in the middle of some significant soul-searching. I was at a crossroads both professionally and personally. Over the next few weeks I’ll be posting images from the last six months–what I have to show for them, that is. There have been moments that I considered packing up all of my gear and selling it off, closing the shutters on a dream. Summer, my partner who has seen me through this transition in my life, has expressed at numerous points a concern that she has somehow negatively influenced by passion for photography. I’m taking stock of life as I recognize that I’m emerging from a state of prolonged shell-shock at the fallout from the end of long and complicated relationship. She certainly has not stifled my desire to make images of the world. If anything, she inspires me.

Summer and a cup of tea, Savannah, Georgia

I have a backlog of images I would like to share with the world, but first I wanted to share this amazing woman. I want to be a better person, a better partner, a better photographer, a better communicator, a better citizen of the Earth because I know that my own life is better for having her as such a central part of it. She shares with me a deep respect for this planet. A visceral connection to the landscape and the flora and fauna that color it in.

Summer on Sanibel Island, Florida

Early in our relationship we spoke of partners creating space for the other to grow. I don’t think either of us had any idea just how much space that would mean as my life changed dramatically. I have a new appreciation for intentional family (to say nothing of my biological family, whom I love dearly). In many ways, I feel like my vision has been fogged for a months now but it’s beginning to burn off. Confidence is slowly being restored to my heart, my head, and pumping in my veins.

Summer in Tower Grove Park, St. Louis

This remarkable woman is the reason that, come August, I can append two letters to my name. In March she traveled with me to Columbia to defend my M.A. project at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. That project, “A River in Reverse: Asian carp and The Great Lakes” was the result of hours of blood, sweat, and tears over the last two years, but especially the month of February and into March of 2012. She helped me to reframe some of my darker experiences in graduate school. She helps me to realize just how amazing life can be. How fortunate I am to be on this path together. How blessed I am with the talents I have.

Summer walking on the beach on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

I don’t have a crystal ball. I don’t know with certainty what my future holds. What I do know is that as I take stock of my life, I cannot help but to feel fortunate and loved at this moment in time. We’re planning to hand-fast so that we might share the joy we feel about the the peregrinations that we will share over the course of our life together.

Watching my step

David — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:44:35 +0000

Fallen Broadleaf maple leaf at Oyster Bay, Olympia, Washington.

One good thing about being slightly less than sure-footed is that I frequently look down at where I’m walking, and see things that I might otherwise miss. As much as I love breathtaking, expansive landscapes, sometimes it’s the small and quiet moments that really affect me the most–particularly on a journey of self-discovery and renewal.

How does anything dry in this weather?

David — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:54:43 +0000

Jeans hang to dry on a clothes line in Durham, NC. | Canon 7D and 70-200mm f/4L IS lens @ 135mm | Exposed 1/400 sec. @ f/4, ISO 400.

20th Annual NCSU Dog Olympics

David — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 03:06:04 +0000

(L-R) Nicole Schnell, Mason Savage, and Christine Park prepare to implant a microchip in Tonia Lutzewitz's dog, Amino, at the free microchip clinic offered by the Raleigh chapter of the American Kennel Club at the 20th annual NCSU Dog Olympics held at the College of Veterinary Medicine on September 10, 2011 in Raleigh, NC.

On Saturday, September 10, 2011 close to 1,000 people turned out on the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine campus in Raleigh, NC to enjoy their annual Dog Olympics. Five days later, after much editing and toning, I am happy to link to my NCSU Dog Olympics gallery at lightsedgeprints.com.

Coming Soon: Dog Olympics!

David — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:50:15 +0000

The medal podiums stand ready for the games begin at the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine's annual Dog Olympics on Saturday, 10 September 2011 in Raleigh, NC.

On Saturday I found myself surrounded by dogs of all forms at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine campus. I had hoped to post my images from the Dog Olympics sooner but a gallery will be up by Wednesday afternoon!

German Johnson

David — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:30:34 +0000

German Johnson tomato from our garden, Durham, North Carolina. | Canon 5D Mk. II and 24-70mm f/2.8L lens @ 43mm | Exposed 1/80 sec. @ f/4, ISO 400

Kitchen knives loom over ripening tomatoes

David — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 20:10:02 +0000

Knives loom over our ripening tomatoes. | Canon 5D Mk. II and 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens @ 27mm | Exposed 1/60 sec. @ f/5.6, ISO 100 | Key: Canon 580EX II Speedlite in 16x16" Softbox on camera right. Fill: Canon 550EX Speedlite in Lumiquest Softbox III on camera left. Triggered wirelessly using ST-E2 transmitter ratio 2:1 key to fill.

Things have been fairly quiet on the blog while I make some final arrangements to be truly “in business” as a photographer in the state of North Carolina. I am contemplating a very large order of roll paper in anticipation of opening up my HP Z3200 to making prints for fellow photographers. Hopefully, that will include some of my dear readers here!

However, most of my new work of late has been around the house, especially Elizabeth’s garden which is now producing lots of tomatoes. This afternoon I made a photo of our harvested tomatoes that are ripening on the kitchen counter…or atop the microwave, to be more accurate. In years past, other creatures have gotten to Elizabeth’s tomatoes before she had a chance to pick them, so this season she’s trying to pick them when they’ve begun to ripen, and allowing them to finish the process indoors. So far, so good!

Equipment Used:

Fourth of July Print Sale!

David — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:02:20 +0000

: Fourth of July Fireworks 2001, Racine, Wisconsin. Canon EOS Elan 7 and Fuji Sensia 100 film.

We’re kicking off a big holiday weekend here in the U.S., so beginning today and extending through the Fourth of July all personally-printed and signed photographs at my store, Light’s Edge Prints, are on sale at 25% off if you use the code “fireworks” at the final checkout screen in the shopping cart. Enjoy your weekend!