Irene, You Destructive Lady

Hurricane Irene's damage to people, property and the whole of life on the US Eastern seaboard is just being measured.

Some people's lives were ended and others lives were shattered by the extent of the damage.

There is kind of a weariness people are experiencing because she arrived just days after a pretty strong, but nameless earthquake.

There was a little rescue and human kindness work to do that took me "Down East".

While there I surveyed a field of cotton - promising profit and fiber from our favorite comfort fabric.

However, this field had been lashed by winds and pummeled by rains. What you see is the inside of the not-yet-mature cotton boll.

Hundreds and maybe thousands of tons of cotton are ruined.

There are no denim trees or any decent substitute for this wonderful plant.

We will all be amazed at the cost of the loss of this cotton crop and at the cost of our next pair of Wrangler jeans.

We'd cry, but a tear in a poly-cotton hanky just isn't right.

© tim www.timjohnsonphoto.com

GOTTA BE THERE, PREPARED & LUCKY

Much success with photography comes with a great deal of preparation.

Primary, your mind has to be set to got TAKE pictures. Your equipment must be ready to do the job and then you must SEE the things you want to photograph.

Some of my early blog posts have a lot to do with the technical and mental preparation you must have. Dig through the nearly 140 posts and find a few that ring your bell.

Luck is a wonderful thing to accompany all of your preparation.

It was my good fortune to have a week to spend with my family at a great NC beach location. It was a favorite location, near places I had photographed many times.

Our week had been pleasant, relaxing and fun. On this particular day we decided to take the ferry from Fort Fisher to Southport, a nice trip and sweet destination.

The 5 grandchildren made for some fine snaps but the photos of the day came due to the weather. People started yelling, “There's a tornado!” It is always better to photograph one than be in one and I grabbed my Pentax, polarizer and joined the group taking pictures.

The interesting thing is that the twister was near the place we were staying – but the only thing I could really do was take photos. I got some intersting and dramtic shots. People with lesser equipment snarled, but I gave them my card and told them to look for my images on my website.

Then, about 45 minutes later, Elizabeth said, “Dad, there's another one.” She was right.Off to the southeast there was another waterspout. This one was joined by 3 other downward spirals but they never joined the dance.

So 2 tornadoes on one trip.

Prepared, yes; equipment in hand, yes; I was there and got the images.

People closer got some dramatic footage, but I got what I got.

In September I am teaching a digital phot class for Wake Tech. It is at Millbrook High in the evenings. Come and get ready to get some great phoos of your own. © tim www.timjohnsonphoto.com

BELKS FOOTPAUX REPORTED IN N&O

The N&O is always good for something. Josephus Daniels was a kingmaker and used his newspaper like a hammer.

He was valuable to this city, state and nation.

I still read a paper paper and like the touch and smell to go along with my steel-cut Irish oats or filling Southern breakfast.

I recycle responsibly and today I share this little funny with you.

I read this article and did not have to read any of the comics. This provided laughs enough.

I love Belks, their employees and most everything except their new logo that looks like a collision of letters on a California freeway. The "b" and "e" stopped too soon and the "lk" just crashed into them. Maybe our friends at Haddock Collision could help them out - or a matter of kerning could be applied.

Anyhow, the BIZ article should have everyone looking for the new developments in the Cary Belks shoe department. I'm taking my camera for the opening.

I know that some women looking for comfy footwear will be there to see the new offerings and I just wonder when Belks is going to apply this development to undergarments. 

The math is simple and we gotta see the show. © tim www.timjohnsonphoto.com

BTW - I did take the liberty of softening the appearance of most of the article and sharpening the lovely, funny sentence.