THE SEA RANCH, CALIFORNIA

BLACK DOG, BLUE SEA // Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 24mm 0 ev ƒ/9 1/200

FLOWERS OVER EMPTY BEACH // Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 26mm 0 ev ƒ/10 1/200

LAUGHING LADY WITH DOG // Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 39mm 0 ev ƒ/9 1/160

SEA THROUGH FENCE // Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 24mm 0 ev ƒ/10 1/200

WOMAN, DOG, AND SUN // Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 24mm 0 ev ƒ/9 1/160

These are photographs I took on a morning walk from Jessie’s father’s home to Black Point Beach. We have taken this walk quite a few times over the time we have known each other. Both Jessie and Ramona are usually tolerate my efforts to learn to use the camera. This morning was pleasant weather and I felt clear and light. While taking pictures, and subsequently making this document, I feel free from the grim reapers, and temptations that present themselves in the form of missed opportunities and regrets. It is enjoyable for us to be detectives, even when we can’t remember what we’re looking for.

THE SEA RANCH, CALIFORNIA

A FENCE + WILD FLOWERS ABOVE THE PACIFIC OCEAN IN THE SPRING TIME // Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. EF24-70mm ƒ4L IS USM. ISO 100. 24 mm. 0 ev. ƒ8. 1/160 s

This is a place holder. I am feeling my way through the past to figure out where I was why and how. The fact that I chose, inadvertently, or perhaps not, to focus on the fence post, as opposed to the flowers grabbed my attention as I attempted to fulfill the self imposed obligation of producing this document. Also, nature seems flawless at producing a harmonic color scheme, at least insofar as I experience vision. Thank you. Good bye.

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA

These photographs chronicle taking Ramona for a walk to the beach and back on the morning of March 10, 2021. The clouds appeared to be photogenic and the temperature was agreeable. Jessie looked after the dog so that I was able to practice using the camera.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 32mm 0 ev ƒ/7.1 1/100

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 28mm 0 ev ƒ/7.1 1/125

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 24mm 0 ev ƒ/11 1/250

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 24mm 0 ev ƒ/10 1/200

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 24mm 0 ev ƒ/10 1/200

THE SEA RANCH, CALIFORNIA

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 70mm 0 ev ƒ/7.1 1/250

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 24mm 0 ev ƒ/9 1/160

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 24mm 0 ev ƒ/10 1/200

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM ISO 100 33mm 0 ev ƒ/8 1/160

The first photograph is of a morning walk, and the other three are of an afternoon walk. For the afternoon one we walked all the way to a beach that is north of the house, near where there is a building that has a sauna and there’s an outdoor pool with a tower sculpture made out of wood. The design of the locker room looks like it could have been done by a Scandinavian sculptor for a modern art museum. The beach is accessed by a narrow path with a rail road tie tiered staircase through the cypress trees.

The tide was very low so there was a part of the beach open that normally is covered in water. Claire and Jessie picked up a large piece of kelp and played tug of war with Ramona. Ravi swung a different piece of kelp around like a comic book character would. I went swimming in the Ocean. There was little wave forming around one of the rock islands, and I was able to body surf several before I heard Ramona barking.

I swam in, and ran back to where she was straining at the leash in an effort to eviscerate a small white dog, and medium sized white person. The person, who had superimposed its attitude upon in its animal, thought both me and Ramona had not met the unwritten credentials for being at this ipso facto exclusive location. The white dog and person were correct. Ramona and I did not meet those credentials. Furthermore, we didn’t care, and weren’t ashamed. There was a man boldly taking my photograph as I ran to intervene. I don’t believe he was affiliated with the party Ramona wanted to murder, but it was the same attitude; that we were exotic, and assumed we’d know our place.

I sprinted past the photographer and reached Ramona. I picked her up in my arms. She squirmed and licked my face. She did not like how freezing cold my body was, but did enjoy the taste of dripping salt water. I put Ramona down and Jessie and I ushered her off the beach. Claire and Ravi followed. There was much discussion as to what caused Ramona’s aggressive behavior on the way home. It really wasn’t a mystery to me though. It’s just gets you in trouble to say out loud. I’ve learned this, and Ramona has not.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

When I used to be a school teacher, I’d give the children drawing assignments. They would be asked to draw representations of external subjects like a jack o’ lanterns, sharks, and flowers. When the children submitted the drawings to me for review, I often observed that the drawings looked less like the intended subject, and more like a poetic self portrait. I have also noticed that dogs adopt ways of being and looking that mirror the people they live with. This photograph is a persuasive argument for that assertion.

THE SEA RANCH, CALIFORNIA

These are photographs of color, texture and light. Someday I’d like to photograph penguins in their natural habitat.

ISO 100 85 mm 0 ev f/4 1/200

ISO 100 85 mm 0 ev f/6.3 1/400

ISO 100 85mm 0 ev f/5.6 1/320