#rockynook

February 22 2017 - [⚠️: murder] by Rachael Trost #TracyGilpin will forever be 15. And sometimes, for her older sister Kerry, it feels like she too will forever be a teenager. Sometimes, it's as if her whole family is stuck in #1986, the year Tracy vanished. The year Tracy was found murdered. "It's hard to think it's been 30 years without her," Kerry Gilpin told Dateline. "We just hope it can be solved now." Tracy was the middle child, being raised by her single mother with her older sister Kerry and younger brother. The kids' parents had divorced when they were young. Their grandparents had encouraged their mother to move closer to them, so they packed up and moved into a home in the #RockyNook neighborhood of #Kingston, #Massachusetts. Kerry was a freshman in high school at the time. Tracy was just 11 months younger. Kerry describes her little sister as the 'social one' of the siblings. In the two years since the move, the high school freshman had made many friends quickly, and she spent most of her free time giggling and having fun with them. On October 1, 1986, Tracy headed out to a party not too far from her house. She had just been paid from various babysitting jobs, so Kerry remembers her sister wanting to go out and have fun. Around 10:30 p.m. that Wednesday night, Tracy left the party, with two of her friends, to head back home. The other teens were neighbors, and walked with Tracy until they reached their homes. Tracy then continued her walk alone. Not long after Tracy left her friends off, she went into a #CumberlandFarms convenience store. The clerk working that night would later tell police she remembered the brunette teen purchasing a pack of cigarettes before going outside to the payphone. Kerry told Dateline her little sister had called the woman at whose home the party had been held, asking if she would come get her and take her home, as she didn't want to walk alone. "The woman told her there were still people at her house, so she couldn't come," Kerry said. "So the last time anyone saw my sister was as she walked away from that convenience store that night." (at Rocky Nook)

Much to be gained with an open mind... Not two subjects one normally would link together, however when you read the opening chapter the link is quite clear and you have a slight "Aha" moment. I have previously studied Zen philosophy and it continues to interest me and being a photographer I was immediately interested in this title. Personally I believe that a previous encounter with the Zen side of the tile helps, although it is not a must as the author is good to explain the basics throughout. An open mind though is a must. Without this I doubt that much could be drawn from the authors intended message. By freeing our minds and being 100% present in the "moment", the very "here and now", we are free from all distraction and are able to see and experience the atmosphere and energy of our surroundings and as such will "See"and capture images in a whole new way. Using the methods described, one can begin to draw on ones inner nature and create very personal images with a new depth than before. This will not be achievable over night, and the author is very good to describe this. So one must not expect to suddenly become a photo-ninja after the first couple of images. I have to also state, as does the author, that this book has absolutely NOTHING to do with religion and the author is not trying to brainwash us into joining a strange cult. Zen Buddhism, although classed as a religion, is actually a form of philosophy. A way of being and of seeing the world. It is this that is being presented in this book. Just like photography always has been, there is no right answer. And this remains so even after reading this book. However, using these methods, a new form for inspiration and expression can be achieved. So, this is not a "How to" book and it is absolutely not for everyone. But, if you have an open mind and are willing to try something new and different there is much to be gained from reading this title. 

Another point from this book is a spot subject for bokeh lovers. He gave tips how to play bokeh using flash. As you might know, that bokeh is the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus parts of an image produced by a lens. It can give special effect to the background of your photograph. For everyone who want to learn more about strobes and improve the photography skills, to read this book is a must. Photography is about painting the light. Have a Happy Shoot!