A Bird Flies Into the Clouds
June 18th, 2008Heather and I took a walk along the beach. I was transfixed by this cloud formation and in the middle of shooting it 30 times, this bird flew into frame. This is the only frame with the bird, but when I previewed it on the beach, I knew I’d want to share it. You’ll have to view it large to see the bird more clearly. It’s pretty tiny.
Heather’s surf crashing shots are infinitely better than mine, which is something I’m proud to admit. It’s that dynamic that I love about being with Heather—it’s not so much about competition as it is about, hey, that’s a great way to see that shot. It’s been going on for seven years almost, and something I’m continually excited about creatively. I hope we can keep it up over the years, because one of my favorite things is to make photographic art.
I’ve got a half dozen or so prints I need to add to the shop, when they are added, I’ll do a quick post about it. I can’t thank you enough for your support! o
Tags: bird, clouds, destin, florida, summer, sunset
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June 19th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
At the risk of sounding like a sycophant, I would just like to say how brave I think it is for anyone to share their creative efforts.
The cool thing about art is that there is something out there for everyone, no matter your taste, and that is because people are brave enough to put it out there in the first place even knowing that some people won’t like it.
The cool thing about being a thinking human being is knowing that it is okay not to like something, being able to dislike something without being rude about it, and moving on to whatever it is you prefer.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I love this picture. I love the way the light was hitting those clouds, making it absolutely GLOW. And yes, I see the bird.
People like Doug and other who say “big deal it’s a cloud” just need to wander over to flickr or photobucket and look at OTHER peoples cloud pictures. Do they glow? Are they framed just right? Did they adjust the settings for the light? No. There is more to photography then just finding something to take a picture of. People like Doug are just those without any artistic insight. Too bad for them!
June 19th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I love this photo, reminds me of many that I have taken in Florida; clouds, sea, surf & sunsets alot different in FL You captured a little extra something that you just cant get.. in say… Cape Cod!! Plus the water is a lot different in color!
Thanks for the Photos keep them coming.
June 19th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Photo is ok, nothing spectacular. Could use some cropping. Doug was somewhat rude, but if you post your stuff on the net, be prepared to take the heat and defend yourself. I also see the trail of “happy, happy, joy, joy” comments as well. Instead of all the pats on the back and atta boys, truly look at this photo and analyze it. Then offer some constructive criticisms that would help anyone take better photos. ‘Atta boys’ and ‘pats on the back’ are great for low self confidence, but not for producing works of art.
June 19th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I happen to love your work, Jon. Got my print today and it’s even more wonderful in person. It will be framed this evening and be hung in my house and enjoyed fortnightly.
Thank you for getting it to me so quickly! I really do love it.
Melanie
June 19th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Jeeze, Jon, the whole shitting gold thing would be a handy talent to have. Instead, you’ll have to be satisfied with being a good writer and photographer (and musician and husband and father and doggydaddy and etc. and etc.). Which ain’t a bad gig either, at least until you can develop the colonic alchemy skill.
We do have some spectacular cloud formations over the Gulf here in Florida, and I often just sit on our dock or the beach and just watch them build and change. People may debate its qualification as Capital-A Art, but your shot captures the splendor and beauty, and I for one appreciate your vision.
June 19th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I think it a great picture. But I think that $40 unmated is a lot of money. So unfortantly I will not be buying a print.
June 19th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Great writers. Great photographers. The talent you and Heather possess is astounding! I’m adding the Gulf to my list of places I must visit before I die.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
You and Heather are lovely, and I like both of your blogs (and your work) very much. In fact, for whatever reason, I’ve read Blurbomat on a more consistent basis, so coattails my behind.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Er, and the REST of your work. Blog-insult not intended.
June 20th, 2008 at 4:15 am
I really like the range of colors as I pan down and across. The sharpness of the elements is stunning. I eagerly anticipate this one being in your Etsy shop!
June 20th, 2008 at 5:16 am
Sometimes people don’t think before they act. And sometimes it feeds the trolls. And then it turns them into trolls. And then they feel guilty about causing a ruckus as a guest at a website of a person they adore and respect. And then they wonder if they can show their faces here ever again. Lesson learned.
The photo is nice. I like the sharpness of the water’s ripples and especially the colors. It’s great you caught such a tall cloud in Florida. I wonder if Utah might lend itself to your playing with more clouds. I remember the sunsets being quite fetching.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Ok, so here’s where my confusion lies…if you don’t appreciate the photos, why come to the site. There’s got to be something that keeps you coming back.
I’ve been hooked on Dooce and Blurb from the first moment I read them. Just because you read one, doesn’t mean you HAVE to read the other.
There have been some photos on here that I haven’t connected to, but that doesn’t mean someone else doesn’t. We all have a different view of the world. I see these pictures as Jon’s way of looking at the world. I am always fascinated when someone can see art in something that I view as ordinary.
We all have a right to our own opinions, but wasting time posting nasty comments on someone else’s blog and then criticizing the people who actually enjoy it, well that’s just pointless. Doug, you tell other people to stop reading blogs and go live their own lives. Well, the same can be said to you. You’re actually sitting there reading a blog you don’t even like! You should take your own advice. Go take a picture of a cloud.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Doug is being overly harsh, but I have to agree with his comments. Not the rudeness of them, but the ideas behind them. Jon, some of your work is really good, and some of it is just plain ordinary; the same can be said for any photographer. Art is a personal thing and not everyone likes everything. But what irritates me about your site is all of the people who, even if it’s an overly processed fire hydrant, kiss your ass and worship at your feet as if you’re Ansel Adams reincarnated. And if they don’t and dare to tell you, you call them a troll and delete their comments, as if your delicate self esteem can’t take a little criticism. I’ve seen you do this a number of times. Granted, it’s your site and you have every right to do with it what you wish, but opening comments so that people can heap praise upon you but deleting the comments that don’t makes you seem petty and self-important. As much as I enjoy Heather’s writing, all the people that comment to say the same thing over and over again (sometimes 800 people in a row, all saying the same thing; makes you wonder about the collective intelligence of her audience) - “Heather, you’re so wonderful, and everything you do is wonderful, and… blah, blah, blah” - all that worship turns me off to what Heather is creating. I realize she can’t control the comments she gets, but the very fact that both of you sensor your comments makes you seem cowardly, unable to take the little bit of constructive criticism that might be gained from those you label “trolls”.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Having fed the trolls myself without knowing there was such a thing until I read it today in the wikipedia link, I still want to make one more point. As far as I know, Jon Armstrong posted his blog and his photos just like millions of others, to share them with the internet. He did not advertise them to sell, or refer to them as art, or tell us that he has the best clouds, or birds, or anything else. Well, maybe he thinks he has the best wife, but you can’t blame him for that. My impression is that offering his photos for sale was in response to the great demand to do so. Like the Chuck calendar. I have never heard him call it art. But many many people want to look at it and to own it. Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. “Doug” sneers at the photo and then sneers at the people who praise it and/or want to own it. Every single person who made a name for himself or herself in history–artist, writer, musician, composer, you name it–has had admirers and detractors. Jon doesn’t seem too interested in “Doug’s” opinion. Why should he be? “Doug” is obviously not a fan nor a customer yet he spent his time and energy to comment over and over on this site. For Jon, it’s all good (a phrase I’m personally tired of but, hey, if it applies why not use it?)! My two cents. And in the future I will know better than to be lured into the net of a troll. Never too old to learn.
June 20th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
P.S. Did I just say I wouldn’t again be lured by a troll? Well just this one more time! How many people think “Doug” and Lynnie are the same person? Haha. Maybe not, because “Doug” uses a lot of big words correctly and Lynnie doesn’t know how to spell censor, so chances are they are just equally bitter about something. What I have to say is: Check back, Lynnie; no comments have been deleted. All Jon has done is have his commenters register so that they have to use their true identity and not spit their venom from a cowardly undisclosed location. Probably the same for Heather, although if she gets 800 favorable comments in a row my assumption is that the people who comment are fans and the rest of the people in the world have something else they prefer to do. If you have taken the time to read 800 comments in hopes of finding someone who isn’t a fan, perhaps it is not Heather’s audience whose intelligence you should be wondering about.
June 20th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Lynnie aka Doug - dude, you need to change up your language if you’re going to persuade us you’re not the same person…and whoa, lame dude, lame!, coming in here posing as someone else. Haven’t the guts to stand on your own, I see.
Though I can’t speak for Jon about the ordinariness of some of his photographs, my response to you in this regard has to be SO WHAT? This is a blog and Jon is merely sharing photos he’s taken. Get a grip. This isn’t an art gallery to which you paid admission. You can like or not like a picture of a cloud, that’s your business, but Jon doesn’t have any obligation to you. He’s also not claiming - and never has - that his photos are masterpieces. Indeed, he merely provides a short caption or describes the context for them, that is all. I don’t get where you’re seeing undue or any ego on his part. As for his Photoshop tips, he shares because people ask. His instruction has utility whether you like it or not.
If you’re wanting Jon to start hammering on his readers and tell them not to compliment him - if you really think Jon thinks we kiss his ass and worship him (laugh) - you’ve got a screw loose, dude. Let me have at your blog and I’ll be happy to tell you you’re a complete fucking hoser. Let’s see how you like that.
Btw, I’d like to see your photography or art. Show us your superior skillz man.