I call this a dignity photo, it’s part of a campaign of mine to show small dogs in some positions of dignity, not simply being cute and funny. Our work with Gus in the pasture and as a farm dog has been helpful, he takes these new responsibilities seriously, even as he figures them out.
Gus sits with the sheep, just like Fate and Red, and challenges them, just like Red. Like Fate, he also seems to love them, giving each one a kiss on the nose when he can. When Kim, our Karakul, charged at him today, he just sat still and barked at her. When she charges at Fate, Fate backs away.
Gus rarely backs away, he acts as if he has an important role in the running of the farm, he is determined to be taken seriously. I think he believes he is keeping the flock in check now, Red is usually behind him doing some backup with his border collie “eye.” Gus does not have an intimidating eye. But he has an intimidating bark and bearing.
In the morning mist, sitting right by the sheep, flanking Fate on the other side, Gus looked at home, even though his head is barely visible about the growth. These are good dignity photos, I see rarely images of small dogs working or tending to sheep.
I said that Gus would not be in bed for many months, he is in bed much of the night now, curled up and snoring in some tiny space, in the crook of a knee or right between us. He grumbles when we move him. He is a passionate cuddler.
So my very long and circular concern about whether to sell my photos and now has taken yet another turn, in case you missed it over the weekend. The Blue Heron photo, offered for sale last week as a signed and Limited Edition of 50, for $110, sold out over the past weekend.
That was very nice, and I thank you. I have offered another photo, the one above titled “The Farm On Route 67” (actually, it’s on Route 61), but I like to change the names around on titles). It was taken with an Achromat art lens, the farmhouse is in sharp focus, the surroundings are captured in soft focus to create an otherworldly affect, or something closer like a painting, or even a dream..
Digital photography is more literal. This lens is modeled after the very first optic lens for photography, built in the 1830’s and first used widely in the civil war and for portraits. I like it very much, especially when mixed with the sharper images of modern digital photography. The lens is hard to use, but rewarding. It has no automatic focus or image stabilizer.
it will not replace my usual work, but occasionally supplement it.
This image will be slightly smaller (and thus less expensive) than the Blue Heron print. It’s and 81/2 by 11 print unframed, selling for $60 plus $10 for shipping (more overseas), it will be signed, an open edition printed by the photographic genius George Forss on archival paper. So the total cost is $70. About a dozen prints of this image have been sold over the last day or so. It is an open edition, no cap, but each photo will be titled and signed.
A warning. Some people don’t like them, this is America, everything is controversial.
“Too blurry,” said Deborah on Facebook, “they hurt my eyes.” On the other hand, I’ve sold 60 photos this weekend from people who do like them, far more sales of my photos in one short period for one photo than ever before. “That’s a very nice photo,” said Karen about one of the new lens pictures, “it would be awesome framed.”
George Forss, my friend, the printer of these images,and a world renowned photographer, says the lens is the most exciting thing I’ve done since he has known me, we are making plans for the two of us to out together and take some pictures, I will loan him my lens. George runs an art gallery and sells paintings. He believes this lens has created a new kind of picture, a hybrid between a digital photo and a lens.
George is a tough critic, I have the scars.
I don’t want to be selling photos all the time, I’m only selling images that a significant number of people have said they like and would like to buy. My photos are not copyrighted or watermarked, they are free for people to use in any way they wish.
My friend Cathy politely but firmly suggested to me over last weekend that I might consider selling photographs occasionally to set up a modest revenue stream. Writers who are awake are looking for new revenue.
This reminded me that while I have been doing a lot of fund-raising, it would nice to have a new and modest revenue stream, especially as we approach our first real vacation, an October trip to New Mexico.
Thanks Cathy, I was stunned when the first offering, The Blue Heron sold out.
We will be dining well in New Mexico at least once and seeing all of the museums Maria wants to see.
So I’ll try this again, we are working hard to sell professional quality photos and prints at modest prices. I see these photos as being distinctive, they are not photos that could be taken on most smartphones or with most digital cameras.
I dearly love using a lens just like the first lens used to take a picture in the 1830’s. And I like learning how photography really works, with this lens, I can’t just push the shutter button. I have to really think about it.
As part of this new experiment, Maria is taking over the sales of the photos, she will get a commission in exchange for her work. And some photos will be sold at our Open House in October.
You can purchase “Farm On Route 67” on Maria’s blog, there is a Paypal button there. The cost is $70. The image will sold via Paypal, and also by check to our post office box, Full Moon Fiber Art, Bedlam Farm, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. You can contact Maria at [email protected]
Walking in the deep woods with Gus, I could see the challenge of the small. Much of the ground is covered in leafy ferns, they are about eye level for him, and the brush is constantly scraping against his face. When he can, he hops up to higher ground for a better – and easier – view.
Gus also likes being photographed, like all my dogs, and that is no accident. Sitting up there on the very old rock wall, Gus looked curiously at home, I almost thought he was posing for a calendar photo.
I’m dreaming of a softer land today, I am in touch with several young people the media calls “Dreamers,” and I have not mentioned the refugees and immigrants lately. My friend Ali Muhammed is still away, visiting the Sudan and Egypt where his family is. RISSE is quiet, waiting for the new school year to get going.
Devota and Valentine are doing well, putting their new lives together. Devota says to give thanks to the many people w ho helped her with her loan, i am going to see her in a week or so.
It was a powerful thing to see her with Valentine, who was three months old when Devota carried her on her back across Central Africa to escape the Rwandan genocide. The very dangerous journey took her nearly a year.
Devota dreamed about going to America, she aid, but she never thought she would survive that trip. I have thought more than once that both of these remarkable women would probably be dead if not for the United States.
Mawulidi the carver is working on his wood carvings, and will soon be offering them for sale on my blog. I am scheduled to meet other immigrants and refugees over the next months and the RISSE soccer team is waiting on their spanking new uniforms. They are practicing every week, waiting for Ali to return.
I’m giving myself and the Army Of Good and their pocketbooks a rest, and next week is Assisted Care Week, I am spending a lot of time at the Mansion. But I think of the refugees every day, and am eager to get back to seeing them and talking with them and writing about them, and when possible, helping them.
It is disheartening to see how divided we have become as a country.
Some people say they are fighting for the law, others say our government has become unaccountable cruel and uncaring. Maria S came to the United States when she was three from El Salvador, speaks only English, has been to American schools and is now in an American college.
She is applying to medical school, she wants to work in family practice, hopefully in Appalachia, where she feels the need is great, or in rural Texas. She is very frightened these days. If her temporary work status is canceled, she will have to leave school, and could not find work, and it is not clear if she will even be permitted to stay in the country. The prospect of being deported to El Salvador, where she has never been, is terrifying to her.
“It is so hard to live this way,” she said, “we are in constant fear and uncertainty. I was three when we came here, I have committed no crimes, I am an American, it is a dream for me.”
We are a divided people, we see the world in different ways.
As always, I want to stand in the shoes of the others, to try to see the world in the way they see it, rather than simply assume I am superior and correct.
I dream of a country with a big heart.
In the meantime, I will also stand with Devota and Maliwudi and the soccer kids and Ali and Maria S., as their American dreams threaten to become a nightmare.
