Oklahoma

Oklahoma, a set on Flickr.

Started working on my photos from when I went to Oklahoma last week. Please let me know what you think of them.

Thank You

Shotgun

Shotgun, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

New cinemagraph I just created.

A cinemagraph is a photo with motion in it.

Let me know what you think.

Please follow the link back to the original image on flickr.

Keep an eye on the shotgun.

Watch the image in the comment section on flickr for the movement.

The Prayer

The Prayer, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

This photo is actually of Mammoth Rock on the Western Side of the Franklin Mountains in El Paso, Texas.

Only that once I was done it resembled more of a person leaning against their bed in deep prayer hence the title "The Prayer".

The Prayer

The Prayer, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

This photo is actually of Mammoth Rock on the Western Side of the Franklin Mountains in El Paso, Texas.

Only that once I was done it resembled more of a person leaning against their bed in deep prayer hence the title "The Prayer".

Old Revolutionary Vignetted

Old Revolutionary Vignetted, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

This photo has also gone International.

It was bought along with the second printing of my photo titled Pistolero.

It'll be going to Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico as well.

Pistolero has gone International.

Pistolero - Sold, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

This photo just went International. I was informed today by the Sunland Art Gallery that a gentleman from Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico wants to purchase a duplicate copy of this photo. So I am in the process of re-printing and framing this photo so I can have it ready for him by tomorrow afternoon.

Pistolero has gone International.

Pistolero - Sold, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

This photo just went International. I was informed today by the Sunland Art Gallery that a gentleman from Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico wants to purchase a duplicate copy of this photo. So I am in the process of re-printing and framing this photo so I can have it ready for him by tomorrow afternoon.

Made the Newspaper today, 07/17/2010.

Pistolero - Sold, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

Well my photo came out in the El Paso Times today. It was a photo of me holding my photo that won 2nd place. The article was on page 3D of the Living Section in the El Paso Times.

The photos were taken by Fernie Castillo.

Here's what is said in the article.

"Sunland Art Gallery at Sunland Paark Mall on July 9 hosted its July show, "West 'n Southwest."

The show sponsored by the Bowen family in memory of Bucky Bowen, runs through July 31.

Artist William Herring judged the show.

Participating artists include Candy Mayer, Bob Adams, Frank Garcia, Krystyna Robbins, Judy Hampton, Bassel Wolfe and James Pritchett."

Continueing with technique.

Balloon Reflection WC Final, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

I've continued using the new technique that I learned earlier this week to turn my photos into Paintings in Photoshop.

I think this is an incredible technique allowing me to expand on my photography.

Learning new technique in Photoshop.

Overland - El Paso WC Final, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

I've applied a new technique I learned today to four photos I took today.

Basically, it takes the photos and turns them into a style of watercolor art work.

It works out pretty good.

Judges Comments

Pistolero - Sold, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

This is the judges comments that was also placed on the envelope with my prize for 2nd place in the Bucky Bowen Memorial West and Southwestern Exhibit.

"The image is universally attractive, I commend the photographer for selection of classic subject matter, it should sell well over the world, deeply compelling, touches the soul of Mexico, liberty oppressive tyrants."

Surprised by tag.

Pistolero - Sold, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

I was totally surprised when I arrived to pull my shift at The Sunland Art Gallery today.

I expected to see the 2nd place ribbon, but I was surprised to see the tag added on the bottom of the photo.

Pistolero = 2nd Place in The Bucky Bowen Memorial West And Southwestern Exhibit.

Pistolero = 2nd Place in The Bucky Bowen Memorial West And Southwestern Exhibit., originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

I was just informed informally, to ensure my presence at the official anouncement, that my photo titled "Pistolero" had won 2nd place in The Bucky Bowen Memorial West and Southwestern Exhibit.

The Official Announcement is Friday, July 9th at the Opening Ceremony for The Bucky Bowen Memorial West and Southwestern Exhibit to be held from 5:30pm - 8:30pm, at The Sunland Art Gallery inside The Sunland Park Mall above The Greenery and In front of Sears.

Please stop by for the Opening Ceremony.

Art work from the exhibit will be exhibited and available for sale until July 31st.

Art work from the memeber artists of The Sunland Art Gallery is also available.

The Bucky Bowen Memorial West and Southwestern Exhibit.

Pistolero, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

Recently I was asked to enter an exhibit here in El Paso. This photo was the one that was asked for. So I entered it and two more.

The exhibit is called The Bucky Bowen Memorial West and Southwestern Exhibit.

It is being held at The Sunland Art Gallery located on the second floor of the Sunland Park Mall above The Greenery in front of SEARS.

The exhibit runs from July 2nd until July 31st. It is also a judged exhibit.

Visiting the Grand Canyon

RB130007, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

Well we made it to Williams, Arizona. Son came down with headache, gave him Advil.

Dinner at Cruiser's Cafe 66 Bar & Grill. Beef tips in a barbecue sauce. We each ate a plate. Meat melted in mouth.

Getting up around 7:00 am to go to Grand Canyon. Planning on spending 2 nights here. Chance for sunrise photos over the Grand Canyon, Tuesday.

Posting photos here and on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/druid64/

Brush Fire Carlsbad Caverns National Park

RB250129, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

Photo taken on 5-25-10.

This is a copy of the news release that is put out daily at 08:00am in reference to the Carlsbad Caverns National Park Brush Fire.

You can find this info as well as others on their website:

http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com/

New Fire Update
Posted on May 27, 2010 by npsnmfireinfo
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM—- Firefighters on the New Fire located near Carlsbad, New Mexico continue to work on containment lines around the northwest perimeter of the fire to protect oil and gas facilities on BLM lands. Fire crews continue to patrol and monitor existing fire lines on the east side of the fire. On the west side the fire is burning in steep, inaccessible, rocky terrain and the fuels are mostly a mixture of grass and shrubs. This fire was started by lightning on May 16, 2010. The 450 acre Yucca Fire remains inactive.
The New Fire is currently 17,235 acres total and is 50 percent contained. Personnel assigned to the fire total 399 and include 9 hand crews, 4 helicopters, 9 engines, 15 water tenders, 149 overhead personnel, and 2 camp crews. Many of the resources supporting the fire are volunteer fire departments from throughout New Mexico. Park Superintendent John Benjamin stated, “Volunteer departments play a vital role in the support of wildland fire fighting efforts. I would like to thank all of the firefighters, the local community and the cooperating agencies that assisted us in the support of this incident.”

The main cave at Carlsbad Caverns remains open for visitors. All backcountry trails, including Yucca Canyon Trail, Slaughter Canyon Trail, and the Rattlesnake Canyon Trail remain closed for public safety due to fire activity. The Sitting Bull Falls Day Use Area is open on the Lincoln National Forest. Open fires including cigarettes, camp fires, and stoves are currently not allowed.

For fire information, please call 575-644-9678 or 801-928-7040 or visit www.inciweb.org.

0800 May 27, 2010

Sold first Photo at Sunland Art Gallery.

Ready to Rumble, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

Sold one of my first photos at the Sunland Art Gallery yesterday,5/15/10.

It was a 8.5" X 11" photo in an 11" X 14" Matte and Frame.

Accident on I-10 prior to Exit 155 (Berino/Vado?)

Accident on I-10 prior to Exit 155 (Berinao/Vado?), originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

Truck driver loses control on I-10 East just before Exit 155.

Around 5:15pm on 5/04/2010 Truck Driver loses control of his tractor during afternoon traffic along I-10 East just before Exit 155 when traffic along I-10 had slowed down.

His tractor rear ends a white 2 door Ford.

Emergency crews from local areas as well as the New Mexico State Troopers and the Las Cruces Police Department arrive on scene within minutes of the accident thamks to a local resident in the area had called 911.

The local resident was sitting in her house when she heard the squeal of tires. When she looked out her window she saw the white 2 door Ford roll to a stop as well as the tractor trailer roll over.

Michael Farrar Interview Part 4

Michael Farrar Interview Part 4, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

(Part 4) Interview of Michael Farrar with the UTEP Miners Football Team. This was a class project. This was for a part of the class dealing with Interviews and one requirement was doing what is regularly done at these events. Students were required to give their names and the name of the News Organization they supposedly belonged to. This is just to advise that if a news association is mentioned it was only as a requirement for the class and no news organization was involved in this interview.

Michael Farrar Interview Part 3

Michael Farrar Interview Part 3, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

(Part 3) Interview of Michael Farrar with the UTEP Miners Football Team. This was a class project. This was for a part of the class dealing with Interviews and one requirement was doing what is regularly done at these events. Students were required to give their names and the name of the News Organization they supposedly belonged to. This is just to advise that if a news association is mentioned it was only as a requirement for the class and no news organization was involved in this interview.

Michael Farrar Interview Part 2

Michael Farrar Interview Part 2, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

(Part 2) Interview of Michael Farrar with the UTEP Miners Football Team. This was a class project. This was for a part of the class dealing with Interviews and one requirement was doing what is regularly done at these events. Students were required to give their names and the name of the News Organization they supposedly belonged to. This is just to advise that if a news association is mentioned it was only as a requirement for the class and no news organization was involved in this interview.

Michael Farrar Interview Part 1

Michael Farrar Interview Part 1, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

Interview of Michael Farrar with the UTEP Miners Football Team. This was a class project. This was for a part of the class dealing with Interviews and one requirement was doing what is regularly done at these events. Students were required to give their names and the name of the News Organization they supposedly belonged to. This is just to advise that if a news association is mentioned it was only as a requirement for the class and no news organization was involved in this interview.

Border Patrol Museum

Border Patrol Museum, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

My first interview for a show I created on Youtube Titled Rediscovering America.

Border Patrol Museum Information.
www.borderpatrolmuseum.com
Telephone: (915) 759-6060

Photos of the Museum can be seen and/or bought via my website:
www.gsps.lifepics.com

Border Patrol Museum

Border Patrol Museum, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

My first interview for a show I created on Youtube Titled Rediscovering America.

Border Patrol Museum Information.
www.borderpatrolmuseum.com
Telephone: (915) 759-6060

Photos of the Museum can be seen and/or bought via my website:
www.gsps.lifepics.com

Art Exhibit Opened

I have recently acquired a spot at an Art gallery here in El Paso where I can exhibit my photos that I take.

The art gallery is the Sunland Art Gallery located at the Sunland Park Mall on the West side of El Paso. They have even placed one of my photos in the window display. Need to provide a short bio-profile for them ubt that will be relatively simple.

One requirement was joining the El Paso Art Association, which was relatively simple. They even have studios I can rent. Rent starts at $88.00 to $195 per Month with Utilities as well as a Photo Lab I can use for $30.00 per month.

Need to acquire a Sales Tax number which I'll be acquiring on Monday.

Things have slowed down with my street photography portratures due to the cold weather, but I'm still moving forward.

Right now my main concentration is to take, process and print more photos to place on exhibit at the Sunland Art Gallery.

Let's see how it goes.

El Paso, Texas - A Winter Wonderland

Well it's official now.

The Christmas Season is now officially here.

Just four days after filling our stomachs with Turkey and all the delicious trimmings that comes with a Thankgiving Dinner and within a short time frame El Paso has been covered in snow.

There was nothing more surprising than going to school on a cold and rainy day and walking out of class to find that about an inch of snow had fallen.

Students at UTEP wasted no time in creating small snowmen and engaging in impromtu snowball fights between classes as they enjoyed the freshly fallen snow.

Mexico's Independence Day Celebrated at the University of Texas at El Paso

Mexico's Independence Day Celebrated at the University of Texas at El Paso, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

Being on the US Mexico Border and with students of both Nations involved in academics at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), the University celbrated Mexico's Independence Day with the traditional "El Grito".

After students from one of Mexico's Military Highschools located in Juarez, Mexico performed Mexico's National Anthem the Consul General of Mexico, Roberto Rodriguez Hernandez performed the traditional "El Grito" while students, professors and local media were in attendance of the event.

Open for business

Greek Food Festival 8-28 to 8-30, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

After losing my job recently I needed to find something which would not interfere with my schooling and that would help me generate an income at the same time.

Having most of the equipment already, I have created a Portable Photo Studio.

This is a unique business as so far I have not seen anyone in El Paso promoting this type of business and it has helped me generate a small income already. This Photo Studio is a Green Screen Photo Studio in which I take photos of people in front of a green screen and then place them into different background images.

The first night out I placed this photo studio at a location with 5 different bars in the area and was able to make some money.

The next time out, which was the following Wednesday, I set it up at a venue I never thought I could generate an income from. There was an event being held in memory of John Wesley Hardin, the Old West Gunslinger, and I asked if I could place my studio there. I was given permission and although the income wasn’t as much as my first night out it was a decent amount considering I made the income within 2 hours. The venue? The Concordia Cemetery.

The following weekend was more of a bust. I had gone back to the first location and made only 1/4th as I had the first night. This I attribute to either being the middle weekend between paydays or because as classes began the following Monday people were saving their money in order to ensure that they had enough money to buy books and school supplies.

This last weekend was my best yet. I was allowed to place my studio at the Greek Food Festival held by the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on the West side of El Paso. This was a three day event and in those three days I sold 194 photos of people I placed in Greece.

This may not seem like much, until you consider that in three days I generated almost the same amount of income I was earning after working a week and a half at my old job.

It seems that I have found a Niche Market for which my type of business could benefit from. Now all I have to do is locate more of these types of Special Events in which I can place and promote my business and I may just make a decent living.

Do my photography on the weekends at bars and special events and during the week I can concentrate on my schooling as well as on another business project dealing with Biomass Fuels I plan to work on as well.

When one door closes a better one may just open up. All you have to do is be willing to take a chance and walk through it.

Bouncing Back with a Bang!!!!!

In my last blog titled "The Last Gasp..." I wrote about how my current employer, AMA Freight USA, LLC will be closing its doors on July 24th, 2009.




At the end of my blog I wrote how I would do as always and bounce back even though it may not be in the same direction.




Well today, while delivering paperwork for the clearance of a shipment in which AMA handled the movement, at a company which branched off from one where I was once employed with, I received a job proposal.




The boss there is a former co-worker of mine when I worked at a different company and he knows the quality of my work, he has just offered me an employment offer. He will be forwarding it to the CEO of his company and will be letting me know by the end of the month if its been accepted. He stated how he knew how I worked and what I am capapable of as well as the reason I had left a previous employment.




I get the same pay, work for less hours and I'll be allowed to continue school as it stands, allowed to continue my sideline as a photographer of which he already knew I was doing, the only difference is that I'll be working from about 1:00 or 2:00pm to 8:00 or 9:00pm and contingent on the workload I'll get time to go pickup my son on Friday and drop him off at home.




And all I did was inform him that my current employer was closing its doors on the 24th.



Now how's that for cleaning myself off and bouncing back?

The last gasp…

P6297798.2, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

They all start life in the same manner, some grow and learn faster than others, but in the end they all wish for the same thing; to grow, become strong and live a long, healthy and prosperous life. Although as much as they all wish for a long and prosperous life, some do not make it. Yet each one living and hoping to make their mark in the business world.

I’m talking about businesses, the dreams, hopes and aspirations of entrepreneurs and business men and women, as well as the sense of security, well being and hopes of the employees who make up the life blood of these businesses.

I once read that for a business to have a chance to succeed it must survive beyond the 5 year mark. This was during a period in which the economy was in a good condition. Now with a Global Economic Downturn where businesses are seeking to cut costs or fail, what chance does a new business have? There are no Congressional handouts for these businesses, so they gasp for air, scratching and clawing for their right to exist until the end in which the plug is pulled and they are closed.

Unfortunately, another business falls along the side of the road in business and on July 24th, 2009 they will close their doors forever more.

My current employer for the last 3 years 8 months, AMA Freight USA, LLC is now dead. The finger can be pointed and excuses given, whether it was because the Sales Rep couldn’t sell, or the owner with the most power didn’t push the Sales Rep hard enough, a Marketing Plan was never created and initiated or warnings and warning signs were ignored, but in the end run the result never changes. A business closes and people’s hopes and sense of security are shredded.

Myself? I’ll just do what I’ve always done; bounce back, clean myself off and continue on. It may not be in the same direction, but at least I keep on charging and never let it hold me back or down.

Can there really be a piece of American Space History here in El Paso?

1969 Moon Landing Guidance Computer?, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

During a recent photography outing I came across the above piece of equipment photographed above.

It is claimed that this 1969 computer was used in the guidance of the Moon Landing. Although it is admitted that there was no documention to prove this claim or if it was for just one moon landing or all of them.

I have out of curiosity sent a query to NASA in reference to this. I was able to acquire the information off of the computer as to serial numbers, and other information etc. and sent it to them as well.

So now I guess we'll just have to wait and see if they respond or not and whether they are able to confirm the information.

Hopefully we'll be able to answer the question;
Can there really be a piece of American Space History here in El Paso?

Space Shuttle Atlantis - In El Paso, Texas

Space Shuttle Atlantis, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

Monday, June 1, 2009 - The space shuttle Atlantis had a layover in El Paso, Texas on its return to Florida after having landed in Eduards Airforce Base in California on May 24th, after having completed a Hubble Telescope Repair Mission. This was the Shuttle Atlantis' 30th mission. Due to bad weather in Florida the landing had to take place at Eduards Airforce Base.

Miss Photogenic Contest

Miss Photogenic Contest, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

Sunday May 31, 2009 - The Miss Photogenic Event was held at Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas this past weekend.

Contestants were entrants from the Miss El Paso and the Miss Teen El Paso Beauty Pageants which are currently being held.

Results of the Miss Photogenic Contest are to be anounced on Friday, June 5th at the Abraham Chavez Center located at the El Paso Civic Center in Downtown El Paso.

Click on link below for a press release article and on the Title of this blog to be taken to the Miss El Paso Organization Website.

http://newspapertree.com/press_releases/455-miss-el-paso-usa-and-the-miss-el-paso-teen-usa-pageants

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

The day is done, the swimming pools are empty, the barbecue grills have been cleaned and put away and the travellers have returned home. So ends another Memorial Day.

I wonder, during the barbecues, the swimming and the traveling were our soldiers that have passed away been remembered. Was a moment of silence observed in their honor? Was a prayer even said for them?

Myself, I took my son to the Ft. Bliss Cemetary, just so he'd learn and understand exactly who the Memorial Day Holiday was for. As we drove around the cemetary I had him take notice of exactly who was at the cemetary paying their respects to the departed. One thing we noted was that the only people there were elderly.

After a quick discussion on the difference between values and valuation I asked my son what difference he could pick up between the values of the older generation and the younger generations in reference to this holiday.

To paraphrase a 12 year old, his response was " The younger generation sees the holiday as a time for barbecues and roadtrips while the older generation sees it as a time to honor those soldiers that have passed away."

I know it might not be much, but it does give me comfort to know that at least there will be one person in the future who'll truly understand the meaning of the Memorial Day weekend and hopefully pass it on to his children.

And for those soldiers that have passed away, as well as those who are willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice while standing guard over this nation and the principles of freedom and equality for all I offer this humble prayer.

"May you rest in the bossom of the Lord's Heart and may his Love hold you steadfast. You may be gone, but you are not forgotten."

Gas Prices on the rise – AGAIN!!!

P5192181 (2), originally uploaded by Robert Brown...

It’s that time of year again. Starting with the Memorial Day weekend and with summer around the corner, we have the cookouts, the swimming and the vacations. Some members of the older generations can remember the once popular road trips where families would pile into the family car and hit the highways for either a far away destination like Disneyland or maybe, if you lived in El Paso, just down the road a few hours away to some attraction like White Sands, the Space Museum in Alamogordo or maybe even Ruidoso, and if you were lucky enough, all three destinations or more.

Unfortunately, as it turns out, just about the same time, with the return of the swimsuits, the barbecue grills with hot dogs, hamburgers and steaks and children running out of their schools ready for summer vacation, so too returns the “higher gas prices”.

Like a swarm of locusts it attacks. It eats away at people’s hard earned money turning road trips that older generations remember with fondness into a simple 20 to 30 minute drive to the nearest park with a swimming pool and/or barbecue grill if not just a drive to the local supermarket for supplies for a backyard barbecue with maybe some backyard camping for the kids.

Memorial Day weekend is barely upon us and for approximately the last fifteen days gas prices have increased by approximately 27 cents. That comes out to roughly an increase of about 1.8 cents per day. So maybe we shouldn't’t be surprised if by the time the Memorial Day weekend arrives, gas prices have increased another 10 to 15 cents higher. But that’s not what worries me.

What worries me is that since 2005 gas prices for each subsequent year have increased higher than the previous year. When you consider that last year gas prices in El Paso almost topped off at $4.00 per gallon, or even more in some other parts of the country, at what point should we wait to start to complain about the gas prices? After they surpass $3.00 per gallon or should we wait until the gas prices are 50 cents higher than last year’s highest prices?

http://www.elpasogasprices.com/retail_price_chart.aspx

Starting out.

I am interested in Photojournalism so I thought I'd start in this manner by creating my own Photojournalism Blog about events in My Life as well as in and around my Home Town of El Paso Texas or where ever I may visit.