The Black Dog’s PhotoBlog

For the Moment

a collection of fl…

By Vahneesa Norberg

Book Preview

The book is finally done and up for sale! A week before I had hoped. I’m so excited. What a fun yet time consuming project. Sorting through all of those photographs and deciding which ones made it in the book and which ones just weren’t good enough. Choosing the page layouts that work best with what you envision for the book. Reviewing each page for errors. There’s more decisions and options than I had initially realized but now that it’s done, I’m thrilled. I hope you all enjoy it. Check it out at blurb.com (link above).

I’ve also made up a 2009 calendar using 12 of the photos from the book showcased in the collage above. If anyone is interested in picking up a beautiful calendar, this is it with a new flower for each month. Please email me directly at vnorberg (at) blackdogsphoto.com. The calendars are selling for $18.95 each plus 6.5% sales tax within the US (outside the US please contact for additional charge due to higher shipping costs).

I know it’s a cat not a dog but I couldn’t resist. It’s been a long week. Thank God tomorrow is friday!

Taken using the old Minolta and 35mm film.

What could’ve possibly possessed me to make this picture 5 years ago? Well if you can figure that out, let me know. Just kidding. It’s hard for me to even remember what I was thinking 5 years ago.

I do remember posting this picture on a photography forum back then which was met with an awful response from my fellow members. How could I take a picture of such gross garbage and even think about showing it in public? Of course, most of that forum’s highly rated pictures at that time were either nudes or scenery. I guess maybe they were only accustom to seeing beautiful pictures and weren’t ready for stark realism.

My only regret is that I listened to them.

Several months ago I picked up a photography magazine off the news stand (I can’t remember which magazine). Brought it home and sat down to read. To my amazement there was a big huge picture of nothing other than cigarette butts. This photographer had done a series of photographs on garbage. The pictures were not only interesting but also awakening. Did anyone else see that article? If so, could you remind me which magazine and issue? I’d love to give that photographer a plug!

So what have I learned? You can’t always listen to everyone else. Sometimes you have to follow your own vision even if it isn’t a beautiful vision.

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent
To blow up King and Parli’ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England’s overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

~

Several years back a friend of mine over in the UK told me about this celebration called Bonfire Night.

This celebration started 403 years ago on November 5th in 1605 after a failed attempt to kill King James I and blow up the Houses of Parliament. The hope was that in blowing up the Houses of Parliament they would also kill members of Parliament. The plotters were 13 English Catholics who felt repressed and persecuted by the current and previous rulers. This attempt was dubbed the ‘Powder Treason’ or ‘Gunpowder Plot’.

Guy Fawkes was one of the 13 conspirators. Guy Fawkes was caught under the House of Lords with 36 barrels of gunpowder. Within a few days his fellow allies were either dead or captured. Guy Fawkes was imprisoned, tortured and then gruesomely executed. (Publically hung, drawn and quartered.)

That same night, after many Londoners heard the news that their King had been saved, they lit bonfires in celebration. Over the years this celebration has grown larger and more elaborate. Today the event is commemorated every year on Nov. 5th. You’ll see fireworks and burning figurines or dummies of Guy Fawkes and sometimes other contemporary politicians tossed on the bonfires in the UK.

If you’re curious, you can find more detailed information at:
The Gunpowder Plot: Parliament & Treason 1605

Picture of Guy Fawkes capture, Unknown author, public domain.

I personally think it’s ironic that this political celebration in the UK follows our election day and want to suggest that us Americans get in on this. Anything for a party – huh? But seriously, why not? Let’s all celebrate with our neighbors across the pond and have a bonfire. We have plenty to celebrate. I’m thrilled that all the politically charged ads and discussions will come to an end for a while and I can eat my dinner, watch TV, listen to the radio or have a conversation in peace. I’m tired of all the junk political mail being jammed into my mail box and the politicians who knock on my door and want to talk for “just a few minutes” while my dinner gets cold or over cooks on the stove. Lets all have a bonfire to burn all those political mailings we’ve received over the past few months. Lets celebrate the fact that yet another election year has passed! Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact that I live in a country where I have a voice and a vote. However, I hate all the campaigning and propaganda that gets shoved down my throat in the process.

Sometimes you’ve just got to sit back and relax.