I just wanted to say THANK YOU for allowing me to invade your home and yard for a whole weekend.

I realize that I LOVE taking portraits of people. I remember the smell of the chemicals. I remember the cost of EVERY image that I captured in camera. I think about the “instant gratification” of digital. I look at all the scrapbook type effects that I can and do add to images. I remember all the trips to the lab to drop off film when I just simply didn’t have time to process the film myself. I know that I wouldn’t go back given the chance.

I really miss the darkroom. I miss all the tones in black & white images captured on film.

I miss the red glow. I miss the quiet. I even miss touching up dust spots on prints from spots I missed when exposing the images.

I miss the magic of watching an image appear on a piece of paper.

On those days, I take my copy of Edward Steichen’s “The Family of Man” exhibit off the bookshelf. I slowly flip through the pages. I consider selling all my digital equipment and setting up my black & white darkroom once again. I consider becoming a photo journalist instead of a portrait photographer…

I was so determined to show you the beautiful pink blooms that finally showed up. They were only on the trees for a day before the rain. Now, they look like this:

This is part of what was on the trees yesterday…

Why the pink blooms are more delicate than the white, I have no idea.

I know that you just consider it another day. But, Dad, I hope that your birthday was everything you wanted it to be. Love you!