Salguoddra's PhotoCommentary

Angels of Cave Hill Cemetery

2012-02-18T16:20:00.001-08:00

In the Highlands area of Louisville, Kentucky is an old cemetery that is now a historic landmark. Many former dignitaries are buried here, and many of their graves are adorned with old, decaying statues. Here are just a few samples of what I found in just one small part of the cemetery.

Louisville, Kentucky

2012-02-13T19:14:00.000-08:00

Downtown on 4th Street, corporations have taken over. Few people are on the street on this very cold night.

Looking into a bar/restaurant on 4th Street. The other-worldly atmosphere offers people an escape from their difficult lives.

Inside my favorite coffee shop, I'm playing with my new macro lens. These are flowers in vases on top of the tables.

Reflection in a glass container.

Expressions of Iraqi Children - (Baghdad, 2003)

2012-02-07T05:03:00.000-08:00

Digital Post Processing: Cloning

2012-02-06T00:25:00.000-08:00

I've talked before about my thoughts on photo editing (post processing). I disagree with "purist" photographers who believe that what you click is what you get, that photography is solely about capturing the moment as revealed in the camera's lens. Yes, it's about capturing the moment, but the mind's eye is more important than the camera lens because it's what directs the camera toward a particular subject in the first place. The camera is a tool to paint (with dots of light) what the mind sees. In addition to "capturing," a camera's purpose is to "create."

Digital technology is advancing rapidly to enable photographers to align the lens' view with their mind's eye, both before and after taking a shot. In addition to using lenses with large apertures like 1.4 or 1.8, which enables the photographer to narrow the depth of field to isolate a subject from the background (used in older film cameras as well as newer digital ones), there are now digital cameras that can "defocus" the background to achieve the same result and give the photographers more control of what appears in the lens before taking the shot. After the shot, photographers can crop a portion of an image to remove much, if not all, extraneous objects. They can also adjust the exposure and enhance definition, contrast, color saturation, etc, which helps bring the photo into a closer alignment with what the photographer initially intended to create.

When all else fails and there are still unwanted objects in a photograph, I use the "clone" tool to remove them. Most post-processing programs have this feature, but the one I use is Pixelmator. It's much cheaper than Adobe Photoshop (an amazing program) and easier to use.

Here are three "before and after" photographs I've recently posted after cloning out unwanted objects:

Before:

After:

Notice that the cars in the background are now gone, and there is no longer bird poop near the girl's hand. Seeing the two pictures side by side here, I'm not sure if perhaps I dampened the light too much. I felt the glare from the sun distracted from the girl's face, but perhaps I was wrong. No problem, I can easily change it again!

Before:

After:

The legs of the person standing in the background are removed. I believe this makes a huge difference in the composition of the photo.

Before:

After:

There was no way to take this photo without all the distracting heads and bodies in the background. But I loved the way the girls were posing, so I went ahead and took the shot and then fixed it later.

Amal: Then and Now

2012-02-04T05:36:00.000-08:00

I met Amal in Baghdad in March 2003, when the US was bombing the city. Kathy Kelly, organizer of Voices in the Wilderness - with which I was working, had known Amal's family for several years and decided on Amal's 13th birthday to have a large outdoor celebration for her. The party was held on the banks of the Tigris River, near our hotel.

The party symbolized defiance against US terror by demonstrating the Iraqis were neither "shocked" nor "awed" by the bombing. As Amal and her family cut the cake, played, and danced, undeterred by several large explosions near us, it was clear to me that the dignity and unity of their society could never be crushed, and that the deeper values which emanate from the heart and from Allah are greater than any destructive force.

Amal enjoying a slice of cake

Amal, dancing with her family and Kathy Kelly

As bombs landed near us during the celebration, Amal's mother gently soothed her youngest child while everyone else continued undeterred.

Amal and her family holding the world flag. This is the flag I believe should be hanging above every national flag in the world, starting in the US.

________________________________________________________

Nine Years Later:

Amal is receiving her certificate from the Academic Preparatory Program (APP) at AUIS, qualifying her to enter the university as a freshman. Completing the APP requires four semesters of dedication and is no easy task. She is now fluent in English, can do independent research and write essays as well as any American freshman.

Amal, celebrating with her classmates

A Wider View of Sulaimani, Iraq

2012-02-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

Near the middle of the photo is a cluster of red and white buildings in front of a skyscraper. This is where I used to live until recently.

A closer view. The mountain range in the background encircles the entire city.

I see these houses from my apartment window. Kurds often choose bright colors for their homes to set themselves apart from their neighbors.

A new, slightly upscale neighborhood.

When building the concrete frame of a home, workers will typically use these long wooden poles to support the freshly poured cement.

Man making some kind of chain outside his home.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that a new home is being built on every block in my neighborhood. They frame is usually steel-reinforced concrete and the walls are made from cinderblocks. The outer facade is generally ornate stone.

Sky Over Sulaimani, Iraq

2012-02-01T02:12:00.000-08:00

Bazaar 2012, Sulaimani Iraq

2012-01-29T10:09:00.000-08:00

Colorful candy on display.

The birds have their legs tied so that they can't get away.

A typical scene at the bazaar. It's usually packed with people.

This man jumped in front of me and insisted that I take his photo. How could I refuse?

Graduation Ceremony at AUIS

2012-01-27T15:31:00.000-08:00

For students who completed the academic preparatory program and will now enter the university.

This is not a good photo. I needed my flash, but the batteries were dead! I'm posting it anyway because it's the only group shot I have.

Healing Lepers.... and more...

2012-01-25T13:22:00.000-08:00

Just outside of Jenin, Palestine is an old church built next to a cave where Jesus healed a group of lepers.

The lepers were quarantined here and fed through the hole in the ceiling. According to the biblical historian John Crossan, at the time of Jesus, "healing" was distinct from "curing." Jesus helped the lepers to cope with their illness better and to live with more dignity and self-worth.

Two visitors at a graveyard.

My friends and I paid a visit to Abu Ali's store in downtown Jenin.

Later we went out to eat and Abu Yacoub joined us.

Remembering Nesreen. Rest in Peace.

One day, for no apparent reason, Israeli soldiers shot up my luggage as I was re-entering the West Bank from Jordan. They scored a bulls-eye with this textbook I was using to teach American lit.

More from the Red Museum

2012-01-13T05:49:00.000-08:00

These are photos I took two years ago but never published until now (except for one photo).

Former government building of the Ba'ath Party in Sulaimani before being shot up in a 1991 uprising.

Holding cells where Kurds were kept before being "questioned."

Statue of a mother and child inside a tiny cell used for solitary confinement.

These tanks used to roam the streets of Sulaimani. Now they're permanently displayed in the yard of the museum.

The last bit of sunlight many prisoners ever saw.

A view of the tanks from inside the museum. I've posted this before, but when I found it online on another website, I figured I should show it again.

Traditional Kurdish clothes on display.

After leaving the museum, I went with some of my students to a coffee shop to play chess.

Algunos de mis Alumnos

2012-01-05T14:22:00.000-08:00

A few of my writing students.

Refugee Camp in Northern Iraq (Kurdistan)

2011-12-26T07:43:00.000-08:00

Tens of thousands of Iraqi refugees still reside in the northern (Kurdish) region after being driven from their homes during the war and the ensuing violence that followed. Many still live in makeshift homes with dirt floors and no running water.

Making tea

Daughter caring for her sick father

I've posted this adorable face before.

Cotton candy is popular here with the kids.

A woman welcomes me inside her home to show me her grandchild.

Next to the camp is low income housing.

Bombing of Baghdad (March, 2003)

2011-12-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

Days before the US began launching cruise missiles into Baghdad on March 19, 2003, the Iraqi army began burning large pools of strategically placed oil in order to fill the sky with smoke. The purpose was to create a smokescreen that would obstruct the view of fighter pilots. Needless to say, the bombing of Baghdad continued undeterred.

Almost daily, fellow peace activists and I traveled around the city documenting and reporting civilian casualties, since we knew the US had no concern about civilians. We talked with hundred of local residents who poured into the streets following the bombing of neighborhoods. This was dangerous at times since emotions of grief and anger ran high. The following photos were taken over several days after the bombing had begun.

Local Iraqis confronted us to find out why we were there and to harshly criticize US' policy toward their country.

On this day, an errant bomb landed in a residential neighborhood and killed dozens of people. Residents were naturally very upset. Due to my height and appearance (I was told I looked like a retired soldier), locals eyed me suspiciously, and at times angrily. On this particular day, the government official assigned to watch us (as well as protect us) quickly got me out of the crowd and into the car. Several young men followed me to the car and began asking questions in Arabic which I didn't understand and which alarmed my escort even more. He quickly gathered everyone else and we left.

People are gathering around a shop where the owners had been killed by a bomb. Blood was still lying in puddles around the sidewalk and entryway.

A soldier eyes the remains of a car outside a restaurant also destroyed by a cruise missile.

I've posted this photo before, and it's appeared in websites around the world.

Funeral tents like this one began popping up everywhere around Baghdad. Family members are gathering to begin receiving guests coming to console them for their loss.

Bakrajo, My Village in Iraq

2011-12-22T15:28:00.000-08:00

The American University of Iraq - Sulaimani sits next to the village of Bakrajo, which is where I live. This afternoon I walked around Bakrajo with my camera and took the following shots.

A girl near my apartment

Modern-looking house near my apartment

Two boys burning garbage in their yard

Football field with artificial turf

Another fine home - there are many rich families in Kurdistan

Vendors create mini-stores out of their vehicles and sell everything imaginable, including women's clothing. Very popular.

In the poorest area of Bakrajo I found this wonderful lady sitting on her doorstep.

She enjoyed being photographed.

Many children followed me, but when I turned my camera on them they dashed away giggling.

Seeing me coming with my camera, a father held his son out the door to be photographed.

I fell in love with the woman's incredible smile.

She was determined not to smile but didn't succeed.

American University of Iraq - Sulaimani Campus (under construction)

2011-12-21T12:46:00.000-08:00

Front entrance of the university

Academic Building and Student Dormitory (not yet completed)

Construction workers

Cleaning staff of the Academic Building

Girl enjoying privacy on a terrace outside the library

On a ledge overlooking the new football field, an old man is praying.

Bees and Men

2011-12-18T20:38:00.000-08:00

My Silhouette

2011-12-18T12:33:00.000-08:00

Spring Art

2011-12-10T11:07:00.000-08:00

Wheels of Justice Bus Tour (2003 -2004)

2011-12-06T00:58:00.000-08:00

After coming back from Iraq in 2003, I traveled on a bus sponsored by Voices in the Wilderness, speaking about what I saw and learned of the war. The tour began in Madison, Wisconsin and eventually traveled across much of the US. I did two tours that took me across the northwestern part of the US, then south into California, and eventually to Las Vegas, Nevada. The entourage consisted of two speakers at a time - each serving from a few days to a few months (one speaking about the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and the other speaking about the US occupation of Iraq), a tour manager, and a bus driver.

The following photos were taken between San Bernardino and Las Vegas:

A mural outside of a Catholic Worker home in Las Vegas

Me, talking at a community center

Dave Lippman (aka "The world's only singing CIA agent")

Dave is well-known among US peace activists as a stand-up comedian/musician. During this tour he performed many times and had the audience rolling on the floor. This is one of his more serious moments.

Bill Hill was our trusted bus driver. After doing two tours of duty in Vietnam, he became a hard-core peace activist. Although he wasn't billed as a "speaker," he should have been. While I was speaking about the scourge of war, he would often chime in and have the audience riveted.

Bill in a restaurant in Las Vegas

One of the many groups that hosted our bus tour. That's me in black on the right!

Our lovely bus and crew

Murals of the Lutheran Mission

2011-12-05T13:36:00.000-08:00

In the racially divided city of San Bernardino, California, the Lutheran Mission offers refuge and hope for many poor, mostly black residents. It provides food, shelter, healthcare and activities for young people. These murals adorn the outside walls of the building. I took these photos in 2004 after I gave a talk about Iraq.

Dancing Shadow

2011-12-02T23:54:00.000-08:00

A candle lit a dancing shadow

of a goddess in my window,

casting uncertain desire,

a tenuous fire

past the curtains' dark admission,

that night she came back from break.

My dreams sank into the moving light,

her fathom smile,

her fragile whim.

My heart danced too,

reaching for night,

reaching too soon to let her in.

I've seen it before in perfect dreams,

the goddess eyes,

the breathless gleam.

But never before

has form come forth

and shown my hand her heart's resource.

How could I lose her angelic form,

how could I know her shadow was pain?

How could I know an incarnate dream

would break so soon for home?

That night she came back from break.

Remembering Oman

2011-11-27T10:01:00.000-08:00

Some pictures I took back in 2008:

Dying Pulse

2011-11-27T00:59:00.000-08:00

grieving the loss of love,

a Mother's hope for all

living in the same womb

in the same moment

blinded by reason

I grope for remains

of a pulse
too loud to hear

want to not want,
strip my I
and be one
again

Iraqi Refugees

2011-11-20T09:29:00.000-08:00

Forced to flee their homes in southern Iraq in the aftermath of the US invasion, many Iraqis still live in squalor in refugee camps set up in the Kurdish regions.

Fresh Perspective

2011-11-11T10:40:00.000-08:00

I haven't touched my camera for about 6 weeks, since I left Cyprus. My excuse is that I've been working too many hours, but that's really not a good excuse. There are so many interesting things around Sulaimani to shoot. I'll just start carrying my camera with me wherever I go.

Whenever I look at old photos I've previously rejected as "not publishable," such as the following I'm about to show you, I see one or two that catch my eye and I think "how did I miss that one before?" These are not great, but not bad either. I'll leave it for you to decide.

Poolside in Gaziveron, Northern Cyprus

Little girl covered in sand

That's me in the handle of the kettle.

Pizza in Kerenia, Northern Cyprus. This is the best pizza I've had in at least 20 years.

Guys around a bonfire to stay warm

Car mirror reflection of Aphrodite apartments, Cyprus

Parallel World

2011-09-20T15:24:00.000-07:00

I'll be leaving Cyprus soon and returning to Iraq. I'll miss this poolside restaurant I've been frequenting. I'm crazy about reflections in general because they're parallel worlds waiting to be noticed. Here, it's hard not to notice.

Cypriot Perspective

2011-09-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

I sometimes think I'm suffering from "photographer's block," the correlate of writer's block. I say to myself that I want to take pictures, but I'm "out of ideas." But this is nonsense. What sometimes happens is that when I grab my camera to head outside, I find something interesting to shoot before I even reach the door! I rarely have to travel beyond a 50 yard radius from wherever I am to find decent shots. Everything around you is a miracle if you can only see it. The challenge of any photographer is not to find interesting subjects. It's to step outside your normal perceptions and try to see "ordinary" things from a fresh, original perspective.

View of my neighbor's apartment through my bathroom window.

Shot of artwork in my apartment.

Black and white shot of the beach.

Grassy area next to the pool.

Two lovers. Father Tide just can't keep his hands off Mother Earth.

A child's swing.

Joyful Waves

2011-09-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

When you spend time near the sea, you learn that no day is ever the same. The sea has moods which are expressed through the waves.

Today the mood was joyous. The waves were dancing.

After their long journey, the waves seemed to want to cling to the shore as long as possible before finally retreating.

Some people accepted the sea's invitation and came out to join in the dance.

The sea had fun with me too. By the time I was done, I was soaked.

Seriously, it's easy for me to believe that the sea is talking to us.

A Brighter Future for the World

2011-09-16T06:07:00.000-07:00

I came across this photo the other day in my computer files. I took it at the Al Yarmuk hospital in Baghdad in 2003, as injured civilians, mostly women and children were being rushed in after a US cruise missile landed in their neighborhood.

The thing is, I don’t even remember this woman or even remember taking the photo. I was too overwhelmed with the horrible bloodshed to remember one distraught face in a sea of anguish and suffering. The US has destroyed so many lives in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Palestine that we can’t even keep track of the victims if we wanted to, and certainly most Americans couldn’t be bothered knowing or caring. I pray this woman has a family who loves her and cares for her. She deserves to be remembered.

I am encouraged by one fact: that the taxpayer-funded US war crimes are well documented and thoroughly known throughout the world. As the US economy, its backbone, continues to crumble under the weight of its own predation, the world will finally bring US war criminals to justice, and people like Cheney will almost certainly get “Pinocheted.” Likewise, American citizens will no longer have poor, anonymous dark-skinned foreigners as fodder for cheap fuel. Maybe they will even find they have much in common with their third world brothers and sisters as they join their ranks.

Walk After the Rain

2011-09-16T04:24:00.000-07:00

I posted a similar picture before of the buildings, but not of the man walking.

Photo Editing

2011-09-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

I've shown before the kinds of changes possible when post processing an image. A photograph is made from colored dots called pixels which can be deleted, added, or changed regarding color, brightness, tone, etc. There is no limit to possibilities.

As most photographers know, a common post processing technique is "cropping" - simply extracting a part of an image from the whole and discarding the rest. Often a sliver of extraneous border or peripheral distraction are discarded. Sometimes, however, the majority of a photo is removed to highlight and enlarge an otherwise obscured theme.

Here is a photograph I took last year at the city center bazaar of Sulaimani:

Although this is not a good photograph of a shoe store, there are so many wonderful colors that can be drawn out and emphasized. After my friend Mita discovered the hidden gem, I cropped it from the image and produced something entirely new:

In my opinion, this is a vast improvement over the original. But there is a dark, empty space on the bottom right of the photo that I find distracting, so I used a "cloning" tool to fill it with more shoes:

If you look closely, you'll see that the shoes in the lower right corner are exact duplicates (clones) from elsewhere in the photo. The main disadvantage of cropping an image to this great extent is that there are now far fewer pixels. Consequently, if you try to enlarge the photo to poster size, the resolution will be lower. It's always better to take the shot you want and leave as little as possible to post processing.

Another common need for editing photos is to remove objects that distract from the main subject. Below is an image of a policeman I posted last year.

After becoming more aware (thanks again to Mita) of the distractions around the subject (the umbrella, the person walking), I decided to remove them using the cloning and paint tools. Below is the revised image:

I still find the background distracting, but less so than before. Although I was able to remove the air conditioner to the right, the wall I created looks somewhat fake. Like I've said before, I have to guard against over editing.

Radius of Your Heart

2011-08-29T14:36:00.000-07:00

Beauty is everywhere. You needn't go far to find it. Close your eyes and you'll see it. Clasp your hands and you'll feel it. Infinity embraces you, a microcosm of the divine.

Between my apartment and the village of Gaziveren, just off the narrow road is an orange grove.

I hand picked the first orange of my life. I'm sure the owner wouldn't mind; here, oranges grow almost like weeds.

Next, I came across a bee keeper's collection of hives.

The bees were hard at work making honey.

Yes, grapes again. They're everywhere! I found these on a lone vine just off the road.

A dead grapevine. I took this photo in black and white.

As the sun was going down, I found this crab on the beach. When I moved, he darted into his hole. I had to wait quite a while for him to finally come back out.

I used the flash to get a clearer image. He's raising his eyebrows, so I assume he's impressed.

A young fisherman enjoying an incredible evening.

The restaurant next to the pool. It's late and they're getting ready to close.

Learning to Surf

2011-08-25T15:53:00.000-07:00

I've never surfed and probably never will. I can only imagine how difficult it is to negotiate incoming waves while trying to stand up on top of a floating board. I suspect that once you are actually standing on the board, it gets somewhat easier. Maybe it doesn't.

I watched this girl for over an hour as she either failed to time the wave correctly and was therefore washed under, or lost her balance while trying to mount the board. Finally, she got it.

More from Northern Cyprus

2011-08-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

Ownership is an illusion, an arrogant claim. To say any material is yours is to claim dominion over the eternal, as matter is nothing but undying energy.

Your ego is an eco, nothing more.

What you think you own, owns you. What you think you have, has you. If you try to dominate, you will be dominated. If you submit, you will be embraced. Love, and you will be loved.

A friend came to visit me in Cyprus. We visited many places, including an 800 year old abbey in the village of Bellapais.

We also went to the old city of Lefkosa, a unique place with many restaurants, cafes and shops. We stumbled across this bookstore.

This old church is now a mosque.

Next we visited the ancient city of Soli, near Gaziveren. Soli dates back to the 11th century BC and was named after the famous Greek philosopher Solon. It became an important center of early Christianity. The tile floor of Soli Church in this photograph was built by Romans in the 4th century AD.

Another tile floor in Soli Church, built by the Romans.

This renovated Roman theater in Soli was built on top of the remains of a Greek theater. While we were there, they appeared to be setting up sound equipment for some sort of concert.

Near Soli, in the village of Lefke, is the Naqshbandi Order of sufis. Here, practitioners are resting between prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.

I climbed to the balcony and spied a conversation through the lattice.

I couldn't hear what was said, but I'm sure the message was one of peace and love.

Behind the mosque I found these kittens fast asleep in the cool shade.

The mountains overlooking the sea in Guzelyurt.

Gaziveren's Coastline (Northern Cyprus)

2011-08-13T14:28:00.000-07:00

Beaches and sunsets, like flowers, are over-photographed in my opinion. But when I looked out my window and saw these clouds, I couldn't resist.

A typical sunset, although tonight was a little less hazy than usual.

I like the tree-like shape of the splash.

Our pool next to the sea.

My apartment reflected in the handle of a kettle.

Capturing the Mundane

2011-08-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

Perfection is timeless and immutable. Mundane life is temporary and frenetic. The two opposites comprise the whole and are thus one.

A photograph freezes time and movement, resurrecting the mundane to perfection. It captures the things surrounding us that we take for granted and reveals them as miracles.

While walking along the road toward my neighboring village in northern Cyprus, I saw this pomegranate hanging over a wall.

The tree and shutters are typical, and they're taken for granted in Cyprus.

At the village, I found these two men in the back of a pickup truck playing loud, rhythmic music.

The community quickly gathered for a spontaneous dance.

Onlookers

These men are a daily fixture. From morning to night, they sit and chat with their buddies.

Nourished from All Sides

2011-08-10T16:55:00.000-07:00

I'm spending a few weeks in northern Cyprus, near a small village next to the sea. It's a time to reflect.

Things die and return to the soil. Trees, plants and vegetation die to nourish perpetual life. They cease to live yet live forever. Death journeys toward life and life journeys toward death. The two are inseparable and ultimately indistinguishable.

So it is with people. We give vision to light and sound to waves, and end up as light and waves. We touch, taste, and smell energy, both visible and invisible, and end up as pure energy. We emerge as umbilical fruit and rise to maturity only to fall back into our earthly womb.

We are inseparable and indistinguishable from our environment. The person I know myself to be does not exist. I knew this as a baby but forgot it while rising and learning the words "I" and "me." Our rise leads to our fall. Our rise is our fall. The two are one.

Surrender all to have all.

Northern Cyprus: where rich copper-colored soil nourishes the freshest, tastiest produce in the world. My good friend and I got a tour of a local farm.

Our friend is retired and now grows fruits and vegetables for a hobby. Every day he carts away truckloads for the market. Here, he's gathering a few fresh apples for us to take home.

While my friend and his family were here, I was blessed with the most delicious curry I've ever tasted.

The apartment where I'm staying is a stone's throw from the sea. I plan to do a lot of photographing along the shore.

The pool where I take my morning swim.

The best kids you could ever meet.

HDR - Another Program for Numbskulls

2011-08-02T17:28:00.000-07:00

I never developed photographs in a darkroom, nor did I ever want to. I watched my two older brothers do it in our basement, and it seemed messy and difficult to learn. I watched them dip "blank" white paper into various trays of clear liquid, timing it just right as they moved the sheet one tray to the next, until a watery image miraculously began to appear beneath the glimmering surface. My brothers produced a lot of duds (understandable given that they were around 12 or 13 years old, and their equipment and environment were less than ideal), but when they got it right, the results were astonishing and spectacular.

I can imagine that old-fashioned film-developing, when successful, created a close bond between the photographer and his art. It was more "organic" and required far more dedication than digital processing. I don't know how I'd feel about digital photography today had I delved into film photography/developing. I think that some traditional photographers must feel betrayed by the digital age, lamenting the obsolescence of their expensive gear and hard-won skills while watching numbskulls - who merely aim an auto-focusing lens and push a button - call themselves "photographers."

I am one of those "numskulls," and I'm proud of it. Here's an example of my numbskullery.

I recently downloaded an HDR program called Hydra Express. HDR (High Dynamic Range) programs supposedly help photographers get more "realistic" looking pictures. Normally a photograph will have one exposure setting which determines how light or dark the whole image is. But with HDR, you can take 3 or more shots of a subject, each with a slightly different exposure, and upload them into the program. The program then finds the optimal exposure for each part of the subject and merges all the pictures into one, presenting the subject the way the human eye would see it. After seeing impressive (and sometimes weird) HDR photos online, I finally had to try it. Below is my first attempt at HDR. Honestly, I'm a little disappointed. I expected more. But the program was cheap, so it's no great loss.

Here are three photos that I uploaded into the HDR program. It's of a water fountain beneath an overpass. Each of the 3 images has a slightly different exposure setting.

Here is the what the HDR program produced:

The best part of the photo, in my opinion, is the closeness of the water, which has nothing to do with HDR. Notice how the blue reflection looks fake compared to the three original photos.

Finally, I used two additional programs called "Pixelmator" and "Aperture" to remove the obstructing overpass by painting in a fake sky, and to add color and highlights:

I tend to go too far when I'm editing photos, mostly because I'm having so much fun and don't want to stop.

Is this real photography? Define real. Did I capture the image I initially intended? No, obviously not; otherwise I wouldn't have needed so much post-production. Did I eventually produce the image I initially envisioned? Not exactly, but it's close. And I would argue that that's as valid an art as traditional photography.

Moral of the story: Express yourself anyway that is fulfilling and satisfying, even if you are a numbskull.

A Day in Rania - (Kurdistan, Iraq)

2011-07-25T03:17:00.000-07:00

A colleague and I were invited by an AUIS student to his hometown of Rania, which is two hours outside of Sulaimani. The student, seated on the front left, is only 19 and is teaching a free English course to these students at a community center.

Before the class, we had lunch at his house. It's customary throughout much of the Middle East to eat on the floor.

The meal consisted of chicken, lamb, rice, dolma (stuffed vegetables) and an incredible dish called "mud soup." The soup was made of lamb, yogurt, and onions, among other things.

We also visited a "rap" studio owned by the student's friend. Although rap is not popular here, Iraq is definitely a country in transition, for better or worse.

Various wall murals in the studio

I have not seen or heard about any weed smoking in Iraq, possibly because I am too much of an outsider.

At the park, we found men playing Kurdish checkers. It seems similar to western checkers, except that the pieces can move laterally.

The men take the game very seriously.

More Photos from the Dustbin

2011-07-20T04:37:00.000-07:00

I've taken thousands of photos over the last 10 years, and until now I've had them stored in various locations and rarely looked at the "rejected" ones. Lately, I've been going through the rejects and finding shots that catch my eye, and I've been wondering why I ever rejected them in the first place. I guess it's like everything else in life: relationships, tastes, job opportunities, etc. One thing I love about photography is that a photo - something changeless and static - reflects our profoundest changes over time.

Colors and Tides of Nawroz

Kurdish Wisdom

Awaiting Waves

Omani Beach Sunset

Iraqi Snowstorm

Faces of Jenin Camp

2011-07-17T02:57:00.000-07:00

Contextual Quotes

During the 1948 war between Israel and Palestine, approximately 700,000 Palestinians fled their homes and became refugees, leaving several hundred destroyed and empty villages in their wake. Unable to return to their homes, refugees were housed in temporary camps in Jordan, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and throughout the West Bank.

Moshe Dayan (IDF Minister of Defense) – in an address reported in Haaretz on April 4, 1969 – said:

“Jewish villages were built in the place of Arab villages. You do not even know the names of these Arab villages, and I do not blame you because geography books no longer exist. Not only do the books not exist, the Arab villages are not there either. Nahlal arose in the place of Mahlul; Kibbutz Gvat in the place of Jibta; Kibbutz Sarid in the place of Huneifis; and Kefar Yehushua in the place of Tal al-Shuman. There is not a single place built in this country that did not have a former Arab population."

Under international law, it is illegal for a country to acquire territory by war or occupation. Many Israelis, including Jewish scholars and academics, disapproved of their country’s aggressive expansion. Philosopher Martin Buber, addressing Ben Gurion, first Prime Minister of Israel in 1949, said:

“We will have to face the reality that Israel is neither innocent, nor redemptive. And that in its creation, and expansion; we as Jews, have caused what we historically have suffered; a refugee population in Diaspora."

In contravention of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194, (Article 11) which stipulates that

“ the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date…”,

Ben Gurion responded:

“We must do everything to insure they never do return,” adding that, “The old will die and the young will forget.”

Today, the number of registered refugees waiting to return to their ancestral lands, according to UNRWA, is 4,700.000.

The Palestinians haven’t forgotten.

Faces of Jenin Camp

At the entrance to the Jenin Camp, visitors find this horse made out of scrap metal.

I spent a day with energic boys and girls at a youth center in the Jenin Camp

After the Jenin Camp massacre of 2002, it took several years to rebuild. Residents are overlooking the new construction.

My friend Abu Ali and his wife had their home ransacked and shot up by Israeli soldiers in the middle of the night. Abu Ali's wife is still stunned by the experience as she sits amidst her ruins.

Abu Ali, a polio survivor, is a successful store owner in the city of Jenin. He was always very helpful and friendly.

Construction workers rebuilding Jenin Camp

Construction worker surveying the progress

Taking a break from the hot sun

Palestinian Landscape

2011-07-16T01:39:00.000-07:00

A lot of attention is given to Palestine's problems, but not much is said about its beauty. There is no other place on earth like the West Bank in terms of unique natural beauty, incredible climate, amazing fresh food, and the most hospitable people you could ever meet. If not for the war, Palestine would be paradise. Here are a few shots I took with my old fixed-lensed Olympus between 2005 and 2007. Now, of course, I wish I had taken more shots of the land.

In the village of Zebabdeh, near AAUJ

A road leading to my apartment in Zebabdeh. What you can't see are the numerous orange trees, grape vines, and other fruits growing in almost every yard along the way.

Arab American University of Jenin campus

Taken from the stairway to my apartment at AAUJ

On a clear day, you could easily see the neighboring village of Zebabdeh and beyond.

Me, visiting a student's family. (Obviously, I'm not the photographer!)

Kids' Play and more...

2011-07-14T12:11:00.000-07:00

Tonight is a full moon. Soldiers were recklessly shooting their AK-47s into the air while kids were exploding firecrackers. Tonight was a good time to try something different. On a website I regularly read called digitalphotographyschool.com, I learned that you can get cool effects by pressing the shutter botton at the same time that you zoom in on the subject. After reading about this technique, I immediately grabbed my camera and headed for the door. While waiting for the elevator, I tried it:

As soon as I got into the elevator, I tried it again. This is me in the mirror of the elevator:

When I got outside, I saw a bed of flowers. Again I tried it:

I heard the popping of firecrakers, and headed for the action.

Kids shooting off firecrackers. I loved that they disregarded my presence.

A Lit Fuse

Capturing the CRACK of the firecrackers on a full moon.

Dash of Innocense

Three Princesses of Kurdistan

Nearby, construction workers take advantage of a cool, moonlit evening.

Playing around with multiple exposure. Here, I superimposed 10 rapid shots of a passing bus into one frame.

Deconstructing Construction

2011-07-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

No matter where you go in Sulaimani, you're bound to see construction in nearly every direction. Kurds are making up for lost time and taking advantage of their new prosperity (construction was difficult if not impossible under Sadam's regime). Companies from all over the middle east are investing heavily in Kurdistan; new roads, apartments, houses, hotels, restaurants, and offices (not to mention the new AUIS campus opening in October) are going up at lightning speed. Time will tell how this affects traditional Kurdish culture.

Expanding my apartment complex

Tangled Web of Steel and Stone

Colorful Debris

Our friendly storekeeper. Whenever I say "thank you," he aswers, "me too."

Resisting Shock and Awe

2011-07-10T22:32:00.000-07:00

In late March of 2003, when the US was waging its bombing campaign called "Shock and Awe" against the Iraqi people, a young Iraqi girl named Amal was celebrating her 13th birthday with a party that Kathy Kelly helped organize. This display of "normalcy" amidst the horrifying US onslaught not only served to brighten the hearts of Amal's wonderful family, it also provided peaceful resistence to a war meant to crush the collective spirit.

Amal and her sisters are teaching Kathy a traditional Iraq dance.

Amal and her siblings are cutting the birthday cake while horrifying bombs continued to fall from the air.

What better symbol of unity than a picture of our small, fragile planet that all humans share? We can get along and live in peace, or we can wage war against our neighbors, our planet, and ultimately ourselves. The choice is ours.

Kitty Boy Rules

2011-07-10T10:08:00.000-07:00

I used to worry a lot about Kitty Boy's survival in a country that generally hates cats. If he was gone for a few days, I really got nervous and often assumed the worst. But I have since realized that Kitty Boy has many survival skills that serve him well. He's a good judge of character. He avoids cat-haters who would hurt him and charms cat-lovers who give him food and affection. Kitty Boy has also adapted to the intense heat of Iraq. He disappears to God-knows-where during the day and then resurfaces in the early evening when I usually find him rolling in soft shady grass. He never fails to come running when he sees me and of course I never fail to feed him. Kitty Boy is grown-up now and acts as if he rules the Pak City complex where I live.

I used a 50mm lens at a 1.4 aperture setting and spot-metered on the face.

Kitty Boy soaks in the affection

This is a 3-legged mother cat with one kitten who has been hanging around the area lately. She must have smelled the tuna I gave Kitty Boy and came to investigate. Kitty Boy began to growl when he saw her. Next time I'll have some tuna for her and the baby too.

A Time to Reflect

2011-07-08T08:08:00.000-07:00

Walking into my apartment building today I noticed this relection on the handrail. I played around a bit and came up with some interesting shots.

You can even read the building number on this one.

This cute girl was hiding behind the post and finally stuck her head out long enough for me to snap the shot.

Depth of Field

2011-07-07T01:36:00.000-07:00

My friend lent me his 50mm lens yesterday, something I've been waiting and hoping to buy (but can't in Iraq!). It has an aperture setting of 1.4 which allows for a large intake of light, a much faster shutter speed, and a super-narrow depth of field. It's this narrow depth of field that I've been craving. My first two subjects were a guitar and some chess pieces. Notice the limited focal point and how everything else falls away as you move away from it.

Soft Music

The Lonely King

France

2011-07-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

More Resurrected Images

2011-07-03T02:21:00.000-07:00

Downtown Baghdad - Bookseller's Market - March 2003

Bookseller's Market

A Smile Opens Locked Gates

Curiosity

Kathy Kelly's Irresistible Charm

One of over 80 delegations that Kathy Kelly organized to visit Iraq during the years of sanctions leading up to the 2003 war. Kathy was warmly embraced wherever she went.

Peace in Baghdad

International activists gather in Baghdad in March of 2003 to protest against the impending war.

Downtown Baghdad

In March of 2003, days before the US bombing began

Resurrected images

2011-07-02T02:11:00.000-07:00

I have a better opinion now of these once disregarded photos:

During the "Arab Spring" uprisings, the Kurds also staged numerous, sometimes bloody, protests against their government that were often underreported in the news.

I've posted two other versions of this photo only to now realize that this is better than the other two.

Once I get a 50mm macro lens, I plan to do a lot more micro photography.

It snowed heavily this day in Iraq. To stay warm, these men built a bonfire in the heart of the bazaar.

Embers of Nawroz. I got so close to the Nawroz fire that everything became surreal. It looks more like a painting than a photograph.

This girl just kills me. Is it possible to be any cuter than this?

A typical Kurdish dance by AUIS students.

EWPLI Graduation - American University of Iraq

2011-06-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

After four semesters (two years) in the English foundation program, these students have graduated and can now begin as freshmen in AUIS. Needless to say, they're quite happy.

Some teachers have joined in the mix.

These students are writing their names and email addresses for me so I can send them some of these photos. Notice the intimacy; this will be the last time they see each other for 3 months.

Two American teachers with a student.

A couple of these guys are on my ping pong team

End of an era. When I come back from vacation in October, they will have moved my stuff from this small cabin to my new office in the new university. I spent two years in this room.

More glimpses of my neighborhood

2011-06-29T13:10:00.000-07:00

You still occasionally see horses trotting down busy streets of Sulaimani.

This is a funky blue dandelion-type weed I found at the side of the road.

Girls playing after a rare downpour in June.

AUIS Chess tournament

2011-05-28T11:23:00.000-07:00

I organized a chess tournament that I'm proud to say was very successful. Many of the players, including the two here, were previous participants of a chess class I've given for the last two years. This game is the finals.

The student on the left was the winner. He's intense and has a razor sharp mind.

Kitty Boy on the second floor balcony

2011-05-20T21:12:00.000-07:00

As I was sitting on my 11th floor balcony, I looked to the building across from mine and saw Kitty Boy pirched on the second floor balcony. He got there by climbing the main entry stairs and then jumping to his lofty throne. By the time I got there with my camera, he already sensed my presence and had begun to meow.

He followed me to the usual feeding place where this cute girl was relaxing on the bench. At first she was reluctant to touch the cat.

But nobody with a heart can resist petting Kitty Boy.

Meanwhile, this soldier was watching the cat eat.

He called the girl over and they posed for a picture.

On the elevator back to my apartment.

Long exposure

2011-05-16T09:39:00.000-07:00

I've always wanted to try this. I kept the shutter open for 30 seconds. It's a little blurry because I still don't have a tripod. Instead, I rested the camera on top of the railing of the overpass. Not a great picture, but it's a start.

More colors and reflections of Sulaimani

2011-05-13T13:55:00.000-07:00

Another trip to the bazaar (city center).

Vendors are comfortable leaving large amounts of cash in open view. If someone tried to rob a person, the community would converge to offer resistance.

Birds for sale.

I was told that this is a champion fighter.

The colors of the bazaar never fail to dazzle me.

Honey for sale.

A tea vendor making a fresh batch.

Macho men lining up to buy stuffed toys for their children.

A wall.

The park a few blocks away.

Back home.

Sports day in Erbil, Iraq

2011-05-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

We took an all-day trip to Erbil last weekend to compete in various sporting events: basketball, soccer, and ping pong. I am the ping pong coach. These are some of my team players. Here, they are waiting at 7:00 AM for the scheduled departure at 7:30. We ended up leaving an hour late.

Loading the bus to Erbil. The two in front are the soccer coaches.

Various players.

We stopped at a store along the way. You can see our bus reflected in the window.

A typical view from the window along the mountainous road to Erbil.

My star ping pong player stuck his head out the window and became a two-headed monster.

AUIS takes the field.

The coach rallies the players.

The opposing Sabis University team was dead tired at the break.

Some of my best ping pong players just after winning 9 games in a row and not losing any. These guys are far better players than I ever was.

The basketball team.

Strolling around the bazaar

2011-04-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

This cute girl popped her head out of the window to let me photograph her.

Picking through jewelry.

Every girl's dream.

Notice the soldiers watching me from behind the bookstand. Dozens more were occupying the large square behind this stand to prevent Kurds from holding demonstrations.

A pile of peanuts for sale.

Anyone for some smiling goat-head?

Doing business the old-fashioned way.

A typical scene at the bazaar.

Reflection in a store window.

A Sulaimani night

2011-04-27T11:02:00.000-07:00

A kind man who agreed to stop for a photo along the road. I didn't use a flash for any of these photos.

One of many family-owned "fast food" restaurants.

A typical kabab/chicken stand.

Looking into the window of a modern mall.

Men drinking tea.

Guns and roses

2011-04-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

It's not unusual to see AK-47s left unattended. When the gun's owner saw me photographing his weapon, he quickly came to retrieve it and strike a pose.

Now he's ready for action.

Another soldier guarding the front door of my apartment building.

Another reflection of my building, taken from the lot next door where building debris is piled.

People and things in Sulaimani, Iraq

2011-04-15T12:07:00.000-07:00

One of hundreds of street sweepers. The begin work at sunrise and don't stop for any kind of weather.

A pedestrian underpass that is never used, except for the disposal of garbage. It was very dark so I used a super high ISO setting and took the picture without a flash.

The head of a doll strung up on the metal supports of a street light.

The wall in front of a kindergarden

Men selling watermelons.

An old man in the park. The lighting was not ideal.

Another old man in the park.

When I saw this girl coming, I got my camera ready and then snap the shot from my hip so she wouldn't stop and pose.

This guy saw me walking past his pizza joint and came out to ask me to photograph him. He took me inside and proceeded to strike various poses around the empty restaurant.

A reflection of a mosque across the street. I have a fascination with reflections lately.

Random shots on a rainy day

2011-04-08T05:31:00.000-07:00

Ants frantically at work.

These soldiers called me over when they saw my camera and asked me to take their photo.

Typical construction scene. They use wooden sticks to prop up the foundation of each new floor when they pour fresh concrete.

This shot would have been better if, instead of showing a car, someone had walked along the reflection.

Some stores along Salem street.

A little boy struggling to lift heavy boxes of produce.

A typical scene along Salem Street.

Wandering around.... again

2011-04-06T11:15:00.000-07:00

Constructing a new road.

This is the same scene I shot before, but the lighting is very different. This is after a hard rain last night.

Brother and sister living in my complex.

The little girl was too afraid to touch Kitty Boy until now.

My Writing Students

2011-04-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

This is my empty classroom before my first class of the morning. Students usually arrive early and leave their bags before class starts.

For this lesson, I put students in groups and had them go over paragraphs that their classmates had written the day before. We then went over the paragraphs together on an overhead projector.

After my first class, I stepped outside my classroom to take this shot. You can see that the classrooms are a collection of temporary metal cabins. Next September we will be moving to the new campus which is still under construction.

This student is an actor who has performed in several short movies made by the new cinema department. He shows up every day with a new look. Today he was the splitting image of Che Guevara.

For most students, the AUIS classroom is the first place where they have ever sat together and talked with the opposite gender.

Reflection in a Puddle

2011-03-25T03:58:00.000-07:00

My apartment complex reflected in a large puddle in the street on a rainy day

Random Shots

2011-03-24T23:35:00.000-07:00

My apartment complex reflected in the window of a neighboring store.

Contructing new highrises next door.

My first attempt at long exposure. I left the shutter open for about 30 seconds.

Flight

2011-03-24T03:28:00.000-07:00

I'm experimenting with the 3D tracking feature of my camera's autofocus.

Kitty Boy

2011-03-23T01:23:00.000-07:00

I took Kitty Boy into my apartment for a few weeks after I found him on campus with a mangled rear foot and stomach wounds. Now he hangs around the apartment complex being fed by several families and played with by the children. When he sees me, he literally comes running at high speed, meowing loudly. And it's not just because I have tuna fish for him. He usually sniffs the tuna fish for a second and then jumps into my lap for 10 minutes of petting. And THEN he eats.

I found out today that the Peshmerga soldiers threw Kitty Boy over the railing last night to a 20 foot drop. Today when I was feeding and photographing him, one soldier was looking at me in absolute disgust. He's probably thinking, Americans treat Animals better than people. I can't argue with him.
I'm experimenting with the 3D-tracking feature of my camera's autofocus. I can lock onto any part of a moving object (i.e. an eye), and the camera will follow that eye, keeping it in perfect focus the entire time, even when there is sudden movement. It took me a long time to figure this out, and oh man, it's amazing.

Dripping Water

2011-03-22T11:56:00.000-07:00

Around the neighborhood

2011-03-21T13:29:00.000-07:00

I struggled today getting good shots. My settings were often wrong and the result was that I lost good pictures due to blurriness and underexposure. It was a dark day, and my ISO was set too low. Live and learn.

Graffiti spraypainted on a stone wall.

The store is called "Black Man," the mannequins are black men, yet there are almost no blacks in Kurdistan. This Kurdish worker is enjoying an easy day.

The alcohol stores were doing brisk business today. It's the Kurdish new year.

Traffic police are positioned throughout the city, directing traffic the old fashioned way - with a whistle and hand signals.

A discarded rusting metal bin with a face painted on the side.

When this man saw me walking along the street, he assumed I was a journalist and called me over to photograph him. When I told him I was just a teacher, he seemed irritated.

Notice the little girl with the traditional Nawroz (New Year) dress.

Walking down the main drag in Sulaimani, Iraq

2011-03-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

One of the busiest bread shops in Sulaimani. This bread maker flattens dough onto a pillow before putting it into the handmade oven. Locals rarely eat bread that's more than a few hours old because bread shops like this one are everywhere. The bread is delicious.

These people are waiting patiently for their stack of bread.

A shop where I often go for kabobs. You can see an overpass reflected in the window.

A wide-angle shot showing a typical city view.

Two more

2011-03-12T08:08:00.000-08:00

In the elevator of my building. I'm using a wide-angle lens.

Recent Photos

2011-03-05T09:19:00.000-08:00

I bought a Nikon D700 camera over a year ago, and until recently I had been reluctant to experiment much with its numerous manual settings. I read the poorly written instruction manual so many times that the pages were falling out, and yet so many of the camera's features and buttons were still unclear. When I took the camera with me to social gatherings and events, I needed to get shots immediately so I didn't have time to experiment with settings and often didn't get the results I wanted.

Then a colleague turned me on to the website digital-photograpy-school.com. It has great tutorials and examples of work that have brought my camera to life for me. I've been like a little kid with a new toy. I especially love finding a good shot in the most mundane places.

My apartment building reflected in a flooded planter

I "spot-metered" on the flower and left the background washed out.

Close up of a palm leaf

Bark of a palm tree

Construction next door

Stacks of bricks. I like the texture.

A lamp post outside my apartment building

Autumn colors in spring