G.T. Barnes | Photographer and Composer » 2010

Articles Archive for January 2010

The Value of Life
Published on 22 January 2010

Money is a strange and annoying topic of conversation. For the older generations, it is something left unspoken, with a sense of faux-pas that is hard to match. For the younger generations, it adopts a more leisurely attitude. Though specific figures are still left out, everyone tends to assume that everyone else is poor like themselves. It makes things easier, albeit only slightly. Nevertheless, financial wealth is left to high regard in our culture driven by mass consumerism and the need for independence and a world economy where that ideal no longer exists within easy reach. But why should this matter? Attitudes can change, and in many cultures, poverty is both tolerable and embraced. Though within the confines of my current situation my finances are not a relatively major concern, I still have an inkling of hope that I might be able to someday live happily knowing that in many ways, I do not control the ultimate destiny of my financial wealth.

The photograph above caught my eye the other night, and made a startling impression. Though the first copy of it I saw was in a LOLcats comic stating "Money not importants, love importants," the image truly moved me. Here was a man, possibly not much older than I am, living on the streets with his dog as his sole companion. Aside from the fact that I've always wanted a dog, I truly do admire this man. He is cut off from the things in life that generally stress most people out. He doesn't have to worry about bills, expenses or consumerism in the slightest. And he has a companion to care about. Though he most likely gets by on the compassion of others, which is not sustainable in the slightest, it seems as though he somehow makes everything work out for the best.

Within my own life, I've gotten over the fad of always wanting to have "stuff." At one point in time, my bedroom was lined with drawers holding random unimaginable trinkets and paperwork to fill just about any desire. But eventually, I got sick of it. What could be digitized was moved onto my computer, and everything else was either sold off, given away, or just thrown out. I personally don't enjoy the idea of having things hold me down. If I could fit all my possessions in the space of the trunk of my car, I would be truly happy. The latest and greatest gadget always breaks or becomes obsolete. Expensive clothes get faded, stained and worn, and books simply gather dust. I want to experience all the freedom that life can offer. The true wealth of a man isn't measured in money or possessions. It is measured in experiences, friendship and love.

Another Sunset
Published on 19 January 2010

A strange phenomena called "rain" happened today in San Diego, and it left a sight to behold. I almost missed this scene entirely, and were it not for a quick trip to the kitchen, I would have never glanced out our large windows and seen the majestic beauty of the sky. Sprinting for my camera and quickly switching to my ultra-wide lens, I ran back and snapped as many shots as I could before the clouds shifted just moments later, and the saturated pinks and oranges of the setting sun disappeared into ordinary gray clouds once more. For a few minutes today, my world was bathed in a shimmering and surreal shower of gold and red light, a scene usually reserved for a painter's imagination. But it was real, and it was beautiful.

Sunsets have a bad reputation in the photography world. Just about anyone can pick up a camera and take a half-decent sunset shot that's sure to impress both friends and family. Serious photographers, however, stay away from them like the plague. Nevertheless, sunsets have a special place in my heart. And if done correctly, it's still possible to photograph them in stunning and unique ways.

Photographed on a Pentax K-x body with a 16mm Zenitar lens.

Into the Fire
Published on 14 January 2010