Arachnophilia

One of the most unusual attractions in Victoria, BC, is the Victoria Bug Zoo. Inconspicuously located in the heart of the city, the Bug Zoo is not for the squeamish. It features an elaborate ant farm with tubes running through several rooms; many displays of giant, odd, and even dangerous creepy-crawlies. Guides even let visitors handle some of the bugs including a foot-long black millipede.

The crowning attraction, however, has to be the giant spider exhibit. Protected by thick panes of safety glass, even the arachnophobic can enjoy the antics of the mammoth birdeater spider, which in its native habitat of Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela actually catches and dines on birds. (Oh, they can live for up to 25 years.) I love this image of a father and son fascinated by the spiders.

Photos in Public Places

Just saw this announcement, of interest to photographers:

PHOTOGRAPHERS’ RIGHTS: TAKING PICTURES IN PUBLIC PLACES
Photographic Center Northwest, 900 12th Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98122
Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

SEATTLE— Venkat Balasubramani will discuss the legal rights of photographers who take photographs in public locations. Incidents of law enforcement harassment of photographers have increased over the past 6 or 7 years, principally in response to perceived threats following 9-11. The seminar will discuss:
· Recent incidents in the Northwest and other parts of the country
· What legal restrictions exist on photographing public property/infrastructure
· What to do if you are approached by law enforcement
· When law enforcement involvement may cross the line

FEE: In advance: $35 Attorneys and Paralegals; $10 Artists and Students. At the door: $40 Attorneys and Paralegals; $15 Artists and Students

REGISTRATION:
To register, visit Brown Paper Tickets, http://brownpapertickets.com/producer/3042 , or phone 24/7 at 800.838.3006. To pay at the door, RSVP to Washington Lawyers for the Arts at 206.328.7053. Please note that the event is subject to cancellation; visit www.thewla.org or call 206.328.7053 for more information.

Seeing Differently

I've shot photos most of my life. But it was mostly vacation snaps, or perhaps an assignment for a class, or family or friend shots. Only in the last couple of years have I gone looking for images. And the other day when I was waiting for a meeting in downtown Olympia, it struck me how much my vision has changed as a result.

Instead of cooling my heels in a cafe waiting, I strolled through alleys. The rain gave way to a wet sunshine, and the light was magical. I shot some buildings, some sky, some details. Then I looked down. At first, I saw only the puddle. In an instant, however, I saw that it was a doorway to another view, an upside-down planet where I saw buildings and sky through the old bricks beneath the thin veneer of pavement.

Yet another reason not to take me on walks, if you're in a hurry to get someplace.

Welcome!

After some struggles keeping my photo website up to date, I decided to switch to this blog format. Please visit often for updates on my photographic goings-on, new images, and public exhibitions.

You can now find some of my images for sale at Imagekind -- please have a look at my gallery. There you can order prints or greeting cards in a variety of sizes and formats.

And you'll find a scrappy and eclectic collection of my photos -- from the well-composed to simple snapshots -- on Flickr.

If you would like a print of any image you see on this blog, let me know. And while I have not yet delved into the world of digital stock photography, I'm open to talking about selling digital images for the right kind of use.

You can reach me via email at scott {at} earball dot net.

Thanks for visiting!