Sleepy cat

~ Friday Rant ~

A long time ago I came to the conclusion that drugs mainly weed, pot, marijuana or whatever you want to call it plain out sucks. So many people have died needlessly due to drug abuse. I have zero tolerance for drugs. If you want drugs as part of your life, then don't plan on my support or friendship. I believe drugs give people a high, I believe that in some sickness and disease that drugs can help. I have seen what weed does. As a teacher I had students murdered due to drugs. I am not going to tolerate drugs around me. This is something very personal to me and very recently people in my circle of "friends", and I say that loosely, involved weed around me and put me in a potentially dangerous and compromising situation. Sadly this "group" of friends were "grown ups" and should know better....but they didn't. I needed to just vent and write this.

I don't expect people to live perfect lives, I am far from perfect. I have so many flaws and issues, but drugs just straight out make me mad. It's useless, a waste of life. Life is challenging enough, why throw in drugs? I guess I appreciate that this recent event happened. It gives me clarity and helps me take a stand on my personal beliefs. I have always had a huge respect for the Police and all law enforcement, I even planned being a Police Officer in High School. I really think the abuse of drugs will always be a never ending battle and the Police sadly are the ones that deal with it on a daily basis. Huge respect to the work they do. This is just an all over the place rant, but I am just annoyed and peeved and it's Friday. I think drugs suck is the basic message here. :P

~ U2 Concert in Edmonton, June 1st ~

So we had tickets purchased through a friend to go see U2 live in Edmonton. We left Vegreville, drove in to the big city and had a quick bite to eat and then headed to the Stadium. The gates were open and the concert started at 7:00pm. Our friends were late so we missed a chunk of the opening act "The Fray" but I was happy to be walking in just when they played the one song I really knew of theirs...."How to save a life" and we finally got through the mass of people to our seats.

The stage was impressive and the sound was pretty intense. U2 came out and just kept the crowd entertained. I enjoyed it, the weather for the most part was decent. However a few raindrops fell. As the night arrived so did the problems related to alcohol. People around made choices to ignore the no smoking law and light up various forms of things.....some illegal from the smell of it. It was obvious why there were so many police and security around. That many people + alcohol = poor choices and people acting like morons. I think Bono needs to make his new cause for helping the world should be not allowing alcohol at his concerts. Some of the people at the show were functioning with limited brain cells to start with, adding alcohol to the mix just seems to make the situation worse. Oh well, drugs and alcohol seem like they are never going to go away. Humans seem to enjoy abusing them, and I will continue to smile and wave at the people who make these things a part of who they are.

But I am not going to let people like that ruin the memory of great music and a great band. I will remember a fun night out with the wife and a super start to the summer of 2011 with a great concert.

-Randy

~ Danielle ~

Danielle is a lovely young woman from Innisfree, Alberta, Canada. She contacted me to shoot some Graduation photos for her. When we were shooting the Grad session I was getting some amazing shots with her. So I asked her if she would be interested in doing another photo shoot. I do selective TFP with models and I could see the potential of some awesome portfolio shots with Danielle. She was game so, we did a shoot and tried a variety of locations, lighting and she did an awesome job. She braved the nasty mosquito plague we have had and is just a stunning model to work with. I am hoping that we can do more work this summer.
Here are a few of the most recent edits from the shoot:

~ Grad Photo Shoot ~

I had the pleasure of doing a wedding a few years ago and today got to shoot some Grad photos for the younger sister of the bride. She has moved to Vegreville and is attending the local Catholic High School. We did a shoot in the studio, but I felt her dress was so beautiful and that we needed to do a few shots outside. So we went outside to the backyard where our apple tree was in full blossom. I took a few shots and knew right away they were going to be really fun shots to edit and post. Here are a few of my favourites from our shoot.

-Randy

~ Olivia and Athena Shoot 2011 ~

I have had the honour of meeting and befriending a very talented and beautiful photographer named Olivia Kovios. She has amazing talent and at such a young age has developed some impressive skills as a photographer. She has been so helpful to me, always willing to do some modelling whenever she can and helps me out with advice and just an ear for me to vent to about photography at times.

She does wonderful portraits of her 3 beautiful children and we finally did a shoot with Olivia and her daughter Athena as the models. It was a blast to work with these two. Athena is such a camera friendly kid and having a Mom as a photographer she just photographs so well. I am so thankful to Olivia for allowing me to get some outstanding portfolio shots and being such a great person. I highly recommend you check out her website and blog and facebook page.

~ Elk Island Get Away Spring 2011 ~

I have been seeing the weather out and wanting to shoot some nature shots. So yesterday I came home from work, had a bit of a nap then drove out to Elk Island Park for some shooting. I used my 40D and 70D equally. I feel like a little kid again when I am shooting nature pictures. I love it. I really enjoy working with people, but I do love more then anything shooting the beauty of this earth. I feel so connected to God when I am outside, fresh air, beauty all around.

Here are a few of my captures:

~ Best Photo Bomb ~

Was shooting in the studio when the awesome Joanna Hall popped in!!! :) Joanna is a super model bombing an up and coming model, hehehehe.

-Randy

~ Computer is back running again ~

My HP computer was getting old. So I installed a new hard drive and changed over my operating system to it. Took me a long time, to install windows then all my other programs. Still have lots to do. Good news is I can edit again, SO HAPPY!!! Anyway, it's WAY past my bedtime. I'll post a few new edits then going to sleep. :)

-Randy

~ Lynda ~

~ Lynda ~, originally uploaded by Randy Pond.

From a recent shoot with the lovely Lynda, she is a very cool woman from Vegreville...who is a talented artist and photographer. She agreed to do some modelling for me. I hope I get to shoot with her again.
-Randy

COOL LINK :)

http://irinawerning.com/back-to-the-fut/back-to-the-future/

~ Busy Month ~

I have not had a lot of time for blogs lately. I did my 365 and posted a picture everyday, but was not doing any writing. Personally I have always felt images are better for me anyway, since I feel writing to be a real weak area for me. I wish I could craft words together and make more sense then I usually do.

February has been busy. Coaching Jr.B boys basketball is driving me a bit crazy. I started with a pretty full team now that they see what basketball is like, most are dropping out. Not sure if it's because basketball is not as cool as their video games or probably more like they dislike the work it takes to improve. No one is coming to practice and games it gets even sketchier with their attendance.

Monday is Family Day in Alberta and I really look forward to a restful long weekend. I am looking ahead to Spring Break. I can't wait, some serious time to relax and hopefully enjoy some time with my family. I think my Mom and Dad want to come out and visit. That will be great, have not seen them since the summer of 2010.

Well, I am hoping that once basketball ends my life will slow down a bit and I can do some more photography. I shot with a model named Karenne during my Teachers Convention. She is actually a former student of mine from Saddle Lake. She was in grade 6 the year I was out there. Wow how time flies. This is the 2nd model I have worked with that I used to teach. I hope to work with Karenne again sometime soon. She is a beautiful model and I really think more First Nation girls should go in to modelling.

Hopefully this month is over quickly....March holds hope of some rest and recharging of the batteries. :)

-Randy

~ 365/365 THE END of the 365 Project ~

~ 364/365 Almost Done ~

~ 363/365 Cupcakes ~

~ 362/365 Wilderness ~

~ 361/365 CASIO ~

~ 360/365 Christmas Lights ~

~ 359/365 Christmas Day ~

~ 358/365 Christmas EVE ~