2013 Project 52, Week 16 - Charm City

Week 16: April 16-22

I mentioned that I had been in Baltimore for an entire workweek for a series of meetings. I took the Amtrak to and from, which allowed me to pack a bit more cavalierly than I otherwise would- train travel means neither any of the usual TSA hassles nor any of the ghastly baggage fees of today's air travel. It. Is. Great.

Initially I thought I might bring my camera and more than one lens with me, since I would probably have time in the evenings to walk around. But, having to pack for a week meant that my bags were filling up with clothes and overflow for work related notebooks, I put my money where my moaning and groaning mouth was and packed only the 10-20mm lens.

I had a few evenings to wander with the camera and one evening at the Orioles' wonderful ballpark at Camden Yards. I went shutter-happy at the ballgame and came away with a few that I liked, though it wasn't until Sharon looked over them and was able to verbalize what was compelling to her about the images I took that I was able to pin down and file away some more notes on compelling storytelling via photography.

10mm (DX) : ISO 200 : f/4 1/25s
On his own

This was not originally the one I was going to pick; but after taking to heart Sharon's explication on the lines leading towards home plate, stadium curves, and focus on the solitary man in the outfield (Baltimore's Nick Markakis), I was convinced of its post-worthiness. There is so much to learn and keep in mind when I'm out shooting- to say nothing of the settings and technique- that have very little to do with the mechanics of arranging the camera to take a shot and very much to do with the mechanics of creating an image and crafting a story. This is my real struggle, to engage all parts of my mind equally (or perhaps, learning how best to apply it unequally) between the analytical and creative.