As a photographer, paying attention to details, trends and styles, is part of the grey matter that matters. It becomes impossible to turn it off, and a seventh sense of sorts. So, when I see the seven hundredth shot of some little model, or big star tugging at their bikini bottom string – up, down, in out or to the side – that’s all I see. The mainstream money making photographers have been doing that move for years now, and I thought it would have run its course a long, long time ago.

If you focus on fly fishing images, there are these same distinct images that apparently sell, which in turn sells photographers on the idea they sell, and we see a flood of shots like; 1) rod held at side pointing at water – reel in focus, long lens, tight perspective on reel 2) desolate flats – boat, fly fishing, big sky, beautiful water – in equal proportions. Then there are the amateur fish porn shots, the ones we all take; wide angle, move that fish toward the camera – YEAH! BIG. I love those shots because it so distorts reality – no one really can tell how big that fish really was unless they were there. And the quantity of these images is staggering, exploding since the digital revolution made cameras part of the standard equipment for fly fishers. It is engrained – take only pictures, leave the fish for someone else to catch again.

For the most part, with the exception of the Simms, Sage and Winston catalogs (there may be others), you will see creative kitsch abounds. Now, with the downturn in the economy, it is probable the big manufacturers will curtail if not eliminate the spending that went into their past publications. Those good times are gone, for now, and maybe forever.

One of the strangest subsets of fly fishing photography is photographing flies. Flies have all the ingredients that concoct heaps of frustration; small size, need for high detail, and what is becoming apparent – no real trends, or distinct styles that dominate the fly photography shown in magazines, on tiers sites, or in advertising imagery.

In my interpretation, fly photography – the photography of flies, is in its infancy, and that in itself is exciting. There are things that have yet to be tried, and from what I’ve seen, there is a complete lack of implementation of Adobe Photoshop in the process. As much as it is a pain to set up a complete studio to photograph something that is nearly weightless, I cannot resist the chance to capture some RAW images, put the ‘Shop on them and see what results.

So, as the world turns, take a glance back here and see how the experimentation in modern fly photography is going. There should be a few new images coming out before the fish distract the photographer from his business.

It is the sunrise of times for those musicians dwelling in the dark for so long. Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan … then decades of good times … Billy Bragg & Wilco, and Jay Farrar / Son Volt for our new hard times. Whoever taps into the angst infected bloodstream of modern economic suffering first – wins.

Of all the songs to close Dan’s Silverleaf sold out show in Denton, Texas, the completely jelled Son Volt closed with Windfall – the lyrics timely now more than ever, “may the wind blow your troubles away”.

Jay took listeners on an adventure Thursday night that traces his history, and at the same time gives us glimpses into the future – with tidbits from the new Son Volt release coming out this June. He finished with the reassurance that the wind will take care of your troubles. All I can say is, if it brought out the mighty Reverend Brandon from my church, there must be something going on.

For all Jay Farrar’s and Son Volt’s incantations, the sound and lyrics remain true to a Zen stream of consciousness sound that turns American road flavored lyrics into some kind of religious chant that transcends the ability to decipher the words, and at the same time grinds listeners in sweet, screaming guitars that bring relief to suffering ears.

Farrar did not miss a note since I last saw him at Stubbs in Austin when he rolled out the new and improved Son Volt. It is good to see him working while working – rolling out new songs on the edge of a new release in June. He seems happy with his band mates, and to see his lead guitarist work again is nothing short of an insight into the future of Alt. Guitar Hero Version I.

The Dan’s Silverleaf show was a “Smoke Free!” show, and the exclamation point says it all. Dan’s is ahead of the curve for the moment because we all know a Smoking Ban is coming to Denton, Texas. It’s not a matter of if, but when. Most venues are so bad, that I as a photographer shooting musicians, can no longer do shoots in shows that are not smoke free. Typically, it takes two days to recover from a shoot that includes smoke, and I could see that it would take even longer in the future – if I live that long! Kudos for Dan Mojica for biting the bullet and making the show a smoke free show. Now if we can just hire a lighting guru, my future is pure platinum.

I can only hope our fearless leaders/spenders are listening to the voices that will re-emerge in the next two years, who will be the voices of the New Depression, the new Hard Times. Sure, it pales in comparison to the 1930′s, but nobody cares about what’s not happening to them right here and now.

I have yet to look at the images from last night, but with well over 400 images shot, I will be lucky if I get one that passes my test. If not, I will run a post on low light and show you the disasters that await.

The only thing I wish for is for The Wind to Blow Your Troubles Away (OK and for Dan to hire someone to do lights).

Coming Soon – Chain Pickerel in East Texas / New Waterproof camera offerings / Sand Bass are running NOW