It was an interesting visit on many levels to me.  First, it’s a compelling subject as a photography story.  Most Americans don’t give a second thought about the people behind the casualty statistics.  This facility is top-notch, and the good work happening there needs to be recognized.  Next, I am a supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project (whose presence is everywhere in the Center), so it’s always good to see my donations at work.  Finally, I’m a retired Army officer, with an Army officer son in a combat unit, so soldiers and their welfare are important to our family.

I wish I had the ability to make that in-depth photo study, but I wasn’t being sponsored by either the Army or Wounded Warrior Project.  I was there for a couple hours of snapshots – recording images for a Family Readiness Group.  You can learn more about the Center for the Intrepid here.  You can volunteer to assist the Wounded Warrior Project or donate to their mission here.

I went to the Center with my son to meet and photograph some wounded soldiers from his brigade.  He spent both days at the Center on an official visit with them and some of their family members.

These unit visits may seem trivial to civilians, but they are important to soldiers.  Teamwork and unit cohesion are crucial to the military.  They foster a closeness and camaraderie that are hard to explain, but strongly felt by members of the unit.  The visits help maintain the bond and let the wounded soldiers know that they are still members of the unit and not forgotten.  In fact, these soldiers were looking forward to returning to Alaska when the brigade returns from Afghanistan.  The First Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division, “Arctic Wolves,” will be home before June.  These troops want to be back with their team for the homecoming festivities.  If they are fit to travel, the Army will send them there.

I was in the main lobby, not in the wards, so I only met soldiers well into their recovery.  These soldiers were no longer self-conscious of their prosthetics.   One just plopped down on the floor for a conversation, like we were at a Saturday afternoon picnic.  They don’t want your pity – just a chance to move on with their lives.

It was a visit all Americans should make.  As you can see, I didn’t make any great photographs in the few hours I had with these soldiers.  That wasn’t really my goal on this trip.  I was just there to provide a simple task for these young soldiers.  Anyone could have done it, but I was lucky enough to be asked.  Thanks, guys.

There are places to volunteer to shoot portraits of military families to send to their loved ones deployed overseas.

http://www.pmdaportraitsoflove.com/families.php

Each year thousands of animals are dumped off at shelters and, if no homes are found, are euthanized.  Many animal shelters have been hit hard by the economy and are struggling to get by.  The photos they post of their guests are grainy and unlikely to draw in a new owner.  There are now shelters getting photographers to donate their time and produce studio portraits of the animals allowing them to be adopted more quickly. 

http://animaltracks.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/30/10271873-professional-portraits-reveal-shelter-animals-true-selves#

My own personal project has been Operation Photo Rescue. http://www.operationphotorescue.org/

This non-profit group goes in where disasters have struck to try and salvage the damaged pictures.  Few of these images are great photographs, but each of them is a precious memory.  I really enjoy restoring old pictures.  It is time consuming and challenging trying to undo the ravages of water, mold, scratches, etc.  As a volunteer, you download scanned images and do your best.  The restored photos are then uploaded back to the website, printed, and returned to their owners.  http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/gallery/888_06_05_08_8_20_18.jpg

Last year I didn’t get to help much, but this year I will do better. Get out and give back.

Every time I can, I wander into a farmer’s market on the weekend.  You can find them all over the world, filled with tables and booths, bursting with flowers, crafts, and food.  There are people everywhere – shopping, playing instruments, and selling merchandise.  Tell the story by blotting out the commotion, and  make images without those distractions.

I missed this year’s Fun Run for St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children because I was shooting a wedding.  I hope to be able to help them again soon. (Please donate to their fine work here. They can use the help, and you’ll feel better.)  Last year, however, I was surrounded by all the runners, kids, and pressure of trying to tell their story.  The kids and volunteer runners are the most important shots, but I also needed to get supporting images that their media representative could use in advertising brochures.  Time to focus in on some details, like the medals and the kids signing of the big donation check.

You don’t own a macro lens?  No worries.  Just get in close, and shoot a small part of the scene.  You don’t have to capture everything there.  This is another time you can look for shape and texture.

A detail doesn’t have to be small, either.  Here is an image from the Washington Nationals ballpark.  That clock is probably three stories high, but sure looks small when you’re at the ballpark watching the home team blow another game.

The next time you are out, look for the details of the scene.  Make a special effort to capture them.  Most people never bother, so, if nothing else, it will keep you more interested and work your creative muscles.  And you’ll have fun creating more unique shots than most other people who have been to that location.

Photowalks have been happening for years, but they got more organized in the last few years as advances in the digital camera made photography much easier for everyone.  One of those who helped popularize the movement is Jeff Revell, one of us Northern Virginia boys.  Mark and I have had the pleasure of attending many walks organized by Jeff.  You can find out more about him and read his blog here.  Scott Kelby went along with Jeff, a few years back, and started up this Worldwide Photowalk thing, and it has grown larger every year.  Of course, as with everything Scott, there is the NAPP connection.  And, to add a touch of charity, t-shirt sales (optional) help support the Springs of Hope Orphanage, in Kenya. You need to be in on this one.

Photowalks are free and open to anyone, with any camera.  Beginners and seasoned pros will be there.  I’ve seen 1950s press cameras, 35mm film SLRs, point-and-shoots, camera phones, and modern digital SLRs.  You’ll spend a couple of hours and 1-2 miles of walking with other photographers (each walk is limited to 50).  Everyone shoots whatever they find interesting.  Usually, the ending point is a restaurant where we all meet and look at photos that our walk group took.  

As we’ve discussed in previous discussions of our personal photowalks, the goal is to get out and shoot things that you might not otherwise go after.  This is an excellent time to photograph things that challenge you.  If you need some help, you’ll have 50 friends there for advice.  You can shoot great shots that everyone likes, or be happy with your vision of something different.

So, sign up today, and mark your calendar.  You’ll have a great time; make some new photo connections;  and create some new photographs.  How can you go wrong?

In March (23-26), it’s time, once again, to wander down to Orlando for Photoshop World – an entire week of photography and post-processing fun.  There are two conventions every year.  The east coast is in the spring and usually rotates between Orlando and Boston.  The west coast version happens in the fall in Las Vegas.  The exhibition floor will be packed with great deals and new products.  The classrooms will be filled with lots of photography-related education.  There are several must-attend parties and discussions that occur throughout the week.  Yup, a regular photo-geek fest.  Here’s the link, so you can register now.

On the 23rd, we will be spending the day in a pre-con session with Joe McNally and Moose Peterson.  We’ve raved about Joe before.  He is an incredible photographer.  Moose is an extremely talented wildlife and landscape photographer.  This will be the highlight of the week for me.  Hope to see you in Orlando.

On a personal note, the post office delivered several of copies of The Guardian, newsletter for St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children.  In October, I photographed their annual fund-raiser fun run in Virginia Beach and wrote a blog about it.  They used two of the pictures in their newsletter and gave me the photo credit for the pictures.  It’s always nice to start the year with a new photo credit.  You can support them by sending a donation here.  It only takes a few minutes to help them with their work.  If you haven’t given to a deserving community group yet, this is a good one to recognize.  I hope you can give them a hand.  We’ve been talking about how to start the new year off properly, and this is just another good idea.

Here is one of the pictures from the run.