chasing the light

Jerusalem, Israel.

2010-08-15T20:19:00.004-04:00

And the children will be children... Ber Sheva and Sderot.

2010-05-31T14:52:00.005-04:00

Indoor playground that doubles as a bomb shelter near the Gaza strip. On the trip we had trouble finding the right words to talk about this place. So I will just show you some pictures now.

Mitzpe Ramon, Israel.

2010-05-28T13:23:00.002-04:00

The desert is the most peaceful place on earth.

Oh Yeah, I went to Israel.

2010-05-28T13:15:00.003-04:00

I went to Israel over spring break. Here are pictures from the journey to the Holy Land and the bus ride to Yerucham. More pictures from the Israel adventures soon.

My Athens... Athens, Ohio

2010-05-06T13:45:00.001-04:00

I realized I have been quite neglectful of my blog this school year. This shall be no longer. As I am preparing to graduate in a few weeks, and my younger sister is preparing to begin her freshman year, I am realizing my Athens and her Athens will be very different. Here are some photos of people and places that are a part of my Athens.

The Dark Art of Description

2010-03-09T21:13:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I feel like my favorite pictures I take are what photojournalists would consider "pictures of nothing", meaning that the photos don't have any content or any value to an audience. I recently read an essay about how sometimes details rather than character development and plot can carry a story. The essay, The Dark Art of Description by Patricia Hampl was about writing creative non-fiction but I feel like I can apply the same idea to my photography. Here is what I came up with.

Botanical Gardens, Melbourne

2010-02-23T11:35:00.000-05:00

Seeing so many vibrant colors in the dead of Winter makes me miss summer in Melbourne even more. Here are a few from the Botanical Gardens.

Our Beach...Barwon Heads, Victoria

2010-02-01T23:06:00.000-05:00

We spent a few days out in Barwon Heads, a beach town south of Melbourne. We arrived late in the afternoon, but early enough to catch the golden hours down on the beach, before the sun sets. Beaches are different in Australia. They aren't as crowded. We only saw a few people that afternoon as we ran past them down the shore. The beach felt like it was ours for the afternoon.

Liv's farm...Templestowe, Victoria.

2010-01-28T16:10:00.000-05:00

Spending a weekend out in the country with wonderful people in a wonderful place- one of my favorite memories from the trip. I felt so lucky to be welcomed into such a close knit group of friends. Here are some photos.

Brighton Beach, Victoria

2010-01-13T13:47:00.000-05:00

Brighton Beach. Two trains away from Ivanhoe. Beautiful. Beach Boxes!

Together at Last...Melbourne,Australia

2009-12-30T05:54:00.000-05:00

It is currently 6 a.m. I have been awake since 3 a.m. and my body is showing no signs of allowing me to sleep anytime soon. So what else to do at 6 in the morning but to tone photos?
I made the journey across the sea once again to visit the most amazing person I know. I was also able to catch up with camp friends and finally meet all of Patrick's friends. See, I do exist.
Stay tuned for more photos in the next few days.

middle picture by Patrick Kelly

The Home of Happieness...Chardon, Ohio

2009-09-07T19:16:00.000-04:00

So I decided to have a real summer vacation this summer, possibly my last "real" summer vacation. I was a camp counselor at Camp Wise for 11 and 12 year old girls. Words cant describe the magic that fills you at camp. It is true that you have to experience it for yourself. Here are a few pictures of a place that has become very close to my heart.

Stormy Weather...Athens, Ohio

2009-09-07T18:59:00.000-04:00

As much as I look forward to warmer weather and the beauty of Spring, this past Spring Quarter managed to get the best of me. I constantly felt pulled to thin by all the things I wanted to do, the things I felt like I should be doing, and things I had to do. Anyway, here are a few shots from last Spring.

Risa...Solon,Ohio

2009-04-12T18:25:00.000-04:00

In a town that’s cold and gray we will have a sunny day...

2009-02-16T20:30:00.000-05:00

Celebrate...Solon, Ohio

2009-02-16T20:27:00.000-05:00

A Warm Day...Hunting Valley, Ohio

2009-01-19T18:00:00.001-05:00

Portfolio Singles...

2008-12-19T12:13:00.001-05:00

What do you think?

I like these two pictures but I think I am going to leave them out of my portfolio...

Patrick is here...Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

2008-12-10T23:41:00.000-05:00

Feels like home...Solon, Ohio.

2008-12-10T19:45:00.000-05:00

An unclear path, going up the down, all of that-and it feels like home. It feels familiar yet different, but I havent figured out how yet.

The end of Fall Quarter.Finally...Athens, Ohio.

2008-12-10T19:36:00.000-05:00

Ruthie could'nt have displayed how I was feeling andy better on this cold Shabbos night. She was exhausted from a long day of play, and I was exhausted from a long quarter.

In the Samara-Tree...Athens, Ohio.

2008-12-10T19:33:00.000-05:00

On my way to class I spotted this tree. I wished I could sit in its branches instead of going to class.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Athens, Ohio.

2008-12-02T18:05:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite things about Athens is that it is small enough to walk everywhere. Every Tuesday, weather permitting, I would walk to East Elementary to pick up Zev from Kindergarten. Then we would walk to the bakery or the playground to explore and experience the afternoon as only a 5 year old can.

Snack time. The Village Bakery, Athens, Ohio.

2008-12-02T18:04:00.001-05:00

A little fiddle. Athens, Ohio.

2008-12-02T17:30:00.000-05:00

To be 5 again. Athens,Ohio.

2008-12-02T17:03:00.000-05:00

I recently completed the first quarter of my junior year. It was busy and hectic, yet fulfilling. There is a magic-like quality in the air in Athens during the fall that ebbs and flows with the Indian Summer tide. The next few entries are pictures from my favorite season and of the people that helped me remember to appreciate the little things in life.

For patrick. North-East, Ohio.

2008-08-28T20:39:00.000-04:00

This post is for my friends. These pictures are all from Summer 2007. I miss everyone.

picture by Patrick Kelly

Lights will guide us home.

2008-08-25T23:12:00.000-04:00

We went to the top of Arthur's Seat for one last adventure before we left Scotland for home.

The Fringe. Edinburgh, Scotland.

2008-08-25T22:04:00.000-04:00

Some singles from the Fringe Festival.

The King and I. The Fringe, Edinburgh.

2008-08-23T19:20:00.001-04:00

This is the King. When he isn't playing the King during the Fringe he is an actor and musician. Completing this story was so fulfilling. I loved spending hours on the high street attempting to capture the chaos and find the quiet moments within the chaos. If you put change in the King's basket he will knight you.

(Photo By Rachel O'Hara) I gave the King some photos on a disc. He hopped off his stand in the middle of his act to put the disc away safely with his belongings. Kind of a silly off moment, but it makes me smile.

Barley. Musselburgh, Scotland.

2008-08-23T19:07:00.000-04:00

There was a magical field surrounding the campus of Queen Margaret University, where we lived in Scotland. Here are some pictures from it.

One day someone planted some seeds and instead of Barley, Queen Margaret sprouted out of the ground.

On the other hand. Victoria Street.

2008-08-22T00:36:00.001-04:00

Sometimes rainbows come before the storm to let you know everything will be okay.

Frustration. Edinburgh, Scotland.

2008-08-22T00:33:00.000-04:00

Sometimes this is how I feel when things aren't working out:

The Eye of the Storm. St. Andrews, Scotland.

2008-08-20T23:44:00.001-04:00

We took a little break after shooting the St. Andrews Highland games to splash around on the beautiful beach. After the pace of our school work picked up, we always looked back at this small amount of time as perfect and carefree. Its moments like these that we realize how important friendships are.

Tea Room. Dunbar, Scotland.

2008-08-20T23:25:00.000-04:00

The tea room at William Smith.

You must try the eclairs. Dunbar, Scotland.

2008-08-20T21:31:00.000-04:00

There is a family owned bakery in Dunbar called William Smith that I was told has been around for hundreds of years. I was honored to be able to take pictures of it in its last year of existence. I have never tasted cakes so delicious in my life.

Blue kilts. Bridge of Allan, Scotland

2008-08-20T20:52:00.000-04:00

I went to the Bridge of Allan Highland games where there was a big pipe band competition. I spent my time with the Johnstone Pipe Band from Paisley. They told me if I got separated from to look for the blue kilt. Most of the time I was taking pictures, I was in awe of the incredible sound that came from the instruments. Its times like these I wish I was a radio documenter/journalist.

Scottish Homedays. Perth, Scotland.

2008-08-03T18:44:00.000-04:00

At first I was a little disappointed that I would be missing the cheesy Solon Homedays. That was until I started going to some of the agriculture shows and Highland games here. They are way cooler. There were moments yesterday when I thought I was back at the State fair in Kentucky. And then there were moments when I was quickly reminded that Toto we aren't in Kentucky anymore. Here are some similarities, but mostly differences I observed at the Perth Show.

Arthur. Edinburgh, Scotland.

2008-08-02T18:22:00.000-04:00

While walking to the Goldenblatt's for Shabbat dinner, I snapped this picture of Arthurs Seat.

Blinkin' young. On the train in between Inverness and Edinburgh.

2008-07-26T12:35:00.001-04:00

Everything is a little more intense in Scotland. The light, the course work, and my basic needs and emotions. When I am tired here, I am exhausted, when I am hungry, I feel like I haven't eaten in a week, but when I am having a good time, I am having the time of my life.

An elderly lady in a pub the other night said to me, "You are only blinkin' young once!" This was after she told Rachel and I to make sure we were having fun. She followed with telling us not to let any boys grab us, but that we should grab them first, ( I took that for what its worth). She also mentioned that last weekend she had one too many and was dancing around the pub with her friends. She is a great-granny. I hope when I am a great-granny I am having one too many with my friends and dancing around town.

A Wee Beach. Inverness, Scotland.

2008-07-26T12:17:00.000-04:00

Inverness is a quiet town in the Highlands of Scotland. The feel and pace of the town is much different than anywhere I have been in Scotland so far. It feels a bit like the Scottish Hilton Head. While I was taking in the quiet beauty of the town I came across some sweet girls who let me hang out with them for a little and take pictures.

Up. Loch Lomond National Park.

2008-07-26T11:56:00.000-04:00

I went up a Munro with members of the Edinburgh Jewish Community. A Munro is a mountain that is in between 2500 and 3000 feet high. There are 284 in Scotland and the one I went up I walked was called Ben Vorlich. Even though I was exhausted by the time I finished, I felt more connected with the land here in Scotland. It was one of the coolest things I have ever done.

(me at the top)

Some Nice Light. Edinburgh, Scotland

2008-07-24T19:16:00.001-04:00

There is some damn nice light here in Scotland.

My new friend Anna-Mae. Dunbar, Scotland.

2008-07-24T19:11:00.000-04:00

We visited Dunbar during the life boat festival. There was a parade and a small fair, similar to Blossom Time in Chagrin Falls. Just imagine the Chagrin River being an Ocean. There was even a life boat queen. My new friend Anna-Mae had trouble understanding my American accent. "You don't talk Scottish do you," she said. Here are a few frames from Dunbar, a town that has become a favorite of the Scotland Field School students.

Emo. Edinburgh, Scotland.

2008-07-20T16:38:00.000-04:00

Some kids I met in the park.

Walking on Water. North Berwick, Scotland

2008-07-17T19:16:00.000-04:00

Anyone who knows me well would know I would be greatly amused by the idea of walking on water. The walls were underwater during high tide and created a wading pool of warmish water for swimming. As the tide moved out it was possible to safely walk across the top of the walls and it gave the illusion that one was walking on top of the water.

Spit on it for luck. Edinburgh, Scotland

2008-07-17T19:05:00.001-04:00

Some picture from my first days in Edinburgh.

surfing with the sunset

2008-07-17T19:03:00.001-04:00

This is what it feels like to go to scotland. We flew with the sunset and it never fully set. before we knew it, the sunset melted into a sunrise.

Unique New York

2008-07-13T02:23:00.000-04:00

Some pictures from a visit with my family in New York.

with you its always summer.

2008-07-03T14:03:00.001-04:00

Summer is here.

shhhhh.

2008-07-03T14:01:00.000-04:00

A quiet moment from a not quiet little girl.

funny little moments

2008-06-27T11:51:00.000-04:00

Some little moments I discovered at home and in Athens.

so much past inside my present...

2008-06-27T11:40:00.000-04:00

Feist is my hero, so of course when she came to Athens, I went to go see her. That night I was happier than a kid on their birthday.

into the wild

2008-06-27T11:27:00.000-04:00

An illustration I did for class.

Prom

2008-05-26T22:50:00.000-04:00

Looking at prom from the outside is a funny thing. This past weekend my little sister went to prom. As I was clicking the shutter I started to wonder where the time went...it seems like only a few weeks ago that I was lining up in the yard in a pretty dress with my friends.

5 grey buckets and 1 red

2008-05-09T00:40:00.001-04:00

some polaroids from the end of winter changing into spring.

Transmogrification

2008-05-07T18:03:00.001-04:00

more of the same from Athens, Solon, and Chicago.

Transformations

2008-05-06T02:03:00.000-04:00

Slowly but surely the cold surrendered to mild warmth and spring began to blossom. I said goodbye to close friends who were starting beginnings of their own, and traded the winter for a new set of challenges. If you cant find me, look outside. I will be basking in the sun.

once upon a moment

2008-04-05T19:30:00.000-04:00

a gloomy winters day was warmed by family. after looking at old pictures of my grandparents and my mom's cousins, we found some unexpected family resemblances. i think that might be one of my favorite things about family. Anyway, here are some funny moments of family during winter break.

Please Do Not Pet The Wildlife

2008-02-21T23:19:00.000-05:00

It is ice/snow storming right now. Looking at these pictures makes me want to be in the warm Australian sun. Here is the last group of pictures from Melbourne and parts of Tasmania.

Above Picture By Patrick Kelly

BIG Adventure

2008-02-16T02:49:00.000-05:00

Some more love from my adventures during winter break. These pictures are from Los Angeles and Melbourne.

i really dont know clouds at all

2008-02-02T23:19:00.000-05:00

During Winter Break I spent a few weeks in Australia visiting one of my best friends in the entire world. The seasons are opposite in Australia-it was summer there. I felt as if I was cheating the system, as if I was getting a few extra weeks of summer sun. The light is different there. I'm not sure I could even put it into words, but its just different. The clouds are different too. Maybe the clouds just look different because of the light. While looking at these pictures I can almost feel the Australia sun that soaked into my skin. I hope it never leaves.

Anyway, here are some pictures of the beautiful clouds and some of the beaches I visited while I was in Melbourne and Tasmania.