Category: News

It’s Been Too Long

by MHamptonPhoto

Hard to believe it has been nearly a year since I’ve posted on this blog. But then again, I seem to say that every year. We go on a photography trip, I make several posts, and then nothing until the next trip.

I have been busy posting photos on the FaceBook page, usually 3 times a day excepting Sunday. Kind of a daily diary of things I see around the farm with my camera. You can follow along <<here>>.

In other news, Karen and I will be making a trip in the coming weeks to chase waterfalls in the state of Arkansas. Wish us luck and we’ll have photos and stories to share once we get back.

Until then, here is a shot from around the farm.

Fungus

Enjoy, and see you all soon.

Changes Are A-Coming!

by Michael

As the saying goes, the only constant is change. That change has finally caught up with me and my photography. In fact the first change is that it has been so long since I’ve updated this website, the editor has changed and I have to learn how to use it. Shame on me!

For many years now my photography has been focused (pun intended) strictly on nature with the exception of the occasional family portrait session for my family and friends. I have resisted people photography with the excuse that it was too hard to “please everyone”. That is all about to change. No more excuses!

Now for those of you who have been following my nature/bird photography, I am not giving that up. Rather I will be adding portraits to the mix. I still love being in nature and making beautiful photographs of what I see to share. That is a big reason why Karen and I moved out here to East Texas! But the time has come to do more for others.

Thanks to an on-line satirical personality, Missy Mwac (by the way, MWAC stands for “Mom With A Camera” but Missy is MUCH more than that), I have slowly come to understand that photography is about more than just sharing a pretty picture and getting likes on social media. It is about capturing a moment that can be cherished for generations, especially if that photograph is printed! This is never more poignant than at the loss of a loved one. Many times, photos are all someone has left to remember the face that they will never see again in this life. This is brought home even more-so if you have ever seen someone suffering from dementia, clutching onto their box of photos (memories) because they physically can’t remember one day to the next. It was this thinking that made me want to get out of my comfort zone and stop being stubborn about not doing portrait work.

On top of this, I have already been doing sports work for the local paper as well, which actually came first and had a hand in planting this seed in my mind. I realized that my photography meant much more when it was preserving memories of events in the lives of people.

So, as the days proceed, look for more activity here, as well as more variety in that activity as I will be sharing more from all of these interests. Join me on this journey. If you live near me, hit me up and we’ll preserve memories for you and your family.

Michael

Great Texas Balloon Race: Special Shapes

by Michael

It is that time of year. Once again, the Great Texas Balloon Race comes to the local area! I’ve missed it the last two years but not this year!

I woke up early this morning and headed to Longview to get some shots of the special shape Yoda balloon. Being a long time Star Wars fan (let’s not talk about the latest ones), I looked forward to getting some pictures of the venerable old Jedi Master.

I arrived just in time and the balloon crew arrived soon afterwards. They first stretched the balloon out across the field and all you could see was green material. It didn’t take long using a regular fan to start pumping air into the material and then came the fire!

As the hot air from the fire was pumped into the balloon the material began to lift up and no longer needed to be held up by hands.

Soon, the hot air in the balloon began pulling upward enough that the basket was set upright, almost as if by some hidden “force” was at work.  🙂

Soon, Master Yoda was awake and looking over the crowd of those who came to pay homage.

While I was there, one lucky young man got a quick ride off the ground. I’m not sure if he was happy or scared.

As I left, Yoda looked down and gave me an approving smile. At least I think it was a smile.

Then, just as I thought I was done, I looked up to see that there were many more of the “regular” balloons that were flying over Longview, so I had to make a couple of stops to catch them.

And I wasn’t the only one taking photos of the colorful balloons in the sky.

Tomorrow I’ll be getting up extra early as the balloonists will be competing for their accuracy challenge. Stay tuned for more photos!

All words and photos copyright 2018 MHampton Photography 
Equipment used: Canon 1DX Mark II, Canon 24-70L 2.8