So, this post isn't going to start with a photograph.

I just returned home to my beautiful girlfriend and our dogs last night after 3 (almost 4) weeks on the road. I took off on my motorcycle a while back, headed north, stayed with my buddy Pete (arguably one of the best friends anyone could ever have) and his lovely fiance (and also a friend of mine) Julia. They just moved in to their first home. It's beautiful. I was so honored to have such an amazing place to stay, with such wonderful friends.

A few posts will follow, starting with this one.

A thought on random strangers.

When travelling north, I stopped in Gadsden, Alabama and found myself past night fall with no scouted location to set up a tent. I've made this mistake before, it's really quite a pain in the ass. I rely on having some light to be able to see hilltop churches so I can find off street church parking lots to sleep in. Always works until I pull off the highway realizing I just missed the last of the sunlight.

Well, I rode down a street for a few miles, no luck, went back to a gas station and was looking at a map when a random guy hopped out of a car. He had a bit of a limp and platinum white hair. He mentioned that he liked my bike and went into the store. On his way out he asked me where I was going and where I was from, followed by where I was staying. When I asked him about any local churches, he offered his home. At first I wasn't so sure about it, but honestly, what did I have to lose, any negative thoughts that come to mind, consider that they're only there because of horror movies, real life horror is rare at most. So I decided to give it a shot, I could always tell them I wanted to get another hundred miles on the day before calling it quits if things were weird.

So I followed Mike and Deb to their place and ended up having a wonderful evening with two incredibly wonderful folks. They were well travelled, often hitchhiking, friendly, old school hippies with a love for life and all things beautiful, they are collectors of native american artifacts that they find themselves, they're both half native american... Upon my departure they gifted me with a medicine pouch and a feather to keep me safe on my travels. The feather is now hanging on the front door of my house.

What's even more awesome is that I told them I was going to wake up at 6:30 and head out by 7am.. Mike beat me and woke me up at 6:25am. He was up and had already begun making me breakfast. It was one of the best omelet's I've ever had. Turns out he has years of experience working at a late night diner. Go figure.

"Never talk to strangers" is horrible advice. I had one of the most wonderful experiences with two of the most interesting folks as a result of a random meeting in a random town.

a face...

Anon02, originally uploaded by M.Prophet Photography.

a face that represents many..

A Louisiana landscape

Lake Maurepas, originally uploaded by M.Prophet Photography.

I was out on the water recently and brought my camera along to try and get some photographs that illustrate the natural beauty of the area where I live.

We rode down the Diversion Canal and through a few smaller bayous to get to Lake Maurepas. On the way I shot a handful of photos and took a few short videos. I don't do much video, but I am playing with it here and there. I will include a short clip in this blog.

Once we arrived at Lake Maurepas I was really excited about the still water and hazy skies. At the same time it was approaching 100 degrees and we had anchored the boat at a sand bar to go swimming. 3 of the 4 of us were already in the water when we heard "alligator!" from a nearby boat. I never did make it in the water day day, however my girlfriend, Jen, and two friends were in the water (around 3-4 feet deep) when they turned their heads to see this guy approaching.

Back in the boat we sat and watched the curious gator check out the area. Meanwhile I took advantage of the beautiful landscape and shot a few photos. These photographs really summarize one part of what it's like living in southern Louisiana. With swamps and bayous in every direction, you can't live here without having some closeness to water. We're surrounded by it.

I would really like to get out and shoot more, there is so much natural beauty worth seeing and photographing here, it's really quite amazing.

Here's a short video, riding around on the waterways of southern Louisiana, skip to a minute and 30 seconds for a gator sunning himself on a tree.

I caught a rabbit!

Houmas House, originally uploaded by M.Prophet Photography.

Well, I caught a rabbit with my camera. This cute little guy is a resident of Houma's House, where I was photographing a beautiful wedding on Saturday. While taking some portraits of some groomsmen this little guy started making it's way through a garden, eating a lunch of fresh grass.. I waited for it to pop out of the flower bed and into the lawn to grab this shot. Two more photos at the following links:

One

Two

'tis the season...

Crawfish II, originally uploaded by M.Prophet Photography.

The best time of year in southern Louisiana is this one right now.. Crawfish season. Coincides with the best weather, it's been beautiful out daily for the past few weeks. Anyway, anyone who's from the area knows all about these little critters...

Here's one more steamy crawfish photo:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mprophetphoto/5659902095/lightbox/

figures dansantes...

figures dansantes 01, originally uploaded by M.Prophet Photography.

I am beginning work on a new series of photographs. The series is comprised of abstract figure artwork. I am toying with the idea of different print options.. something more organic with less gloss. we shall see..

I'm really excited at the expressive nature as well as sculptural qualities of these photographs.

I hope to complete the first collection of photographs over the coming months. Not placing a deadline but would like 9 photographs in total.

Houma's House

Houma's House I, originally uploaded by M.Prophet Photography.

Was shooting at Houmas House recently and took the opportunity to grab a long exposure night shot. Though I didn't have a tripod, so I placed the camera on the ground and propped up the lens with the camera strap to get the composition as I wanted it... Houmas House has some beautiful grounds and this amazing chandelier: