Ramblin’ Frank

Trying to make a living and doing the best I can. That 1973 Allman Brothers / Hank Williams song is old but helps define my perception of blogs. Get out there, write, find a voice in the things you do and enjoy the power of words and images of the internet. There are lots to be said for structure, grammar,  and good execution of words. I find one of the great things about blogs is it’s easy to post and say what you mean without the general scrutiny that you may face on a formal web site. Thoughts and ideas may not always be said in the best way, or as eloquently as possible on a blog but writing and blogging is fun. I think it was meant to be fun and that anyone who writes, blogs, or creates probably knows what I mean. I also feel as a photographer blogging is great as part, or in addition to any website. Many of my own thoughts and ideas are often inferred by brief mindful feelings which I find easier to blog about than write onto paper. The entire process of expression is a miracle in itself. As I develop and grow as a blogger and writer I find joy in the words and movement of my fingers as they strike the keys of my keyboard. I think this is the Artist in me coming out.

The ability to create a story is as old as time. Storytellers have always used many tools to help them convey their interpretation of the meaning of the tale. Adding images to enhance the copy is something I find fun and relaxing. Often times it seems hardest for me to just write without the use or addition of a photographic image also describing a part of the subject. Video images are another aspect of storytelling that has a place reserved for more limited use. I am probably saying this now as I just finished a video with me in it trying to describe my web site etc. The video of me took about five hours to do with the help of a friend and professional videographer. All this netted me a resulting clip of about forty seconds long. It was quite odd being in front of the camera, rather than the reverse or my usual position with and behind the lens.

Most of today was spent editing images from a wedding I did for a friend of mine on new years eve 2010. It was a fun small wedding and I only had to do the ceremony and a few family pictures afterwards. Lancaster was blasted with a snowstorm yesterday morning into the night which is now gone and out of the area so today’s none editing time was spent behind the handlebars of my trusty snow blower. I love snow and the beauty it brings for about a day, after that most of the beauty gets muddled in a muck of dirt. Feel sorry for anyone with a large area like me that does not have a snow blower or plow or service to remove the driveway mess. I just got an email from the Wedding Wire saying that I was selected one of the best wedding photographers in the area. The email says “Congratulations! We are excited to announce Franklin Tunis Photography has been chosen to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards^™ 2011. This award recognizes the top 5 percent of local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate quality and service excellence in the wedding industry.” I consider this an honor, especially with the few wedding events I did last year. Still it is nice to be recognized in any way for any type of photographic work that I do.

I decided to once again participate in the Lancaster Newspapers Mothers Day and Fathers Day photography sessions. I never seem to get do a lot of these sessions, however the ones I have done were fun and almost all the Mom’s and Dad’s who participate purchase some extra reprints from me. The program has been going on for several years now and in a nutshell the customers get a picture of them and their kids placed in the Lancaster Newspaper around the time of Mothers Day. I believe this year the pictures will be published on Mothers Day May Sunday May 8th and then for the Fathers on Fathers Day Sunday June 19th. The cost is only forty dollars so it’s very affordable for most anyone. This type of promotion is more a community service and does help to continue to keep my studio in front of the public’s eye. The deadline for Mothers Day sessions is March 21, and Fathers Day sessions is April 25.

1.27.11 Ramblin’ Frank

Once again we were awarded the Wedding Wire Brides Choice Award for 2011. We are happy to be selected. Thanks Wedding Wire, congratulations to all my clients, friends, and fellow Lancaster Wedding Photographers who also won this award. It’s always nice to get recognition for providing quality professional photography service and images to the clients we all serve.

1.29.11 Ramblin” Frank

On rare occasion I get to chill and relax with some buddies, this is usually on one of the Lancaster golf course’s, however last week I took my first ever “guys” trip to Myrtle Beach South Carolina and was able to enjoy three rounds in three days playing one of my favorite sports – golf. We had a great time and though it was a long trip and the weather was much cooler than anticipated we managed to have a great time. Here is a few pictures I got in while I was playing.

3.9.111 Ramblin ” Frank

If ever there was a time to enjoy life now would be it!

3.14.11 Ramblin’ Frank

I like golf, I guess I would go as far as to say I love it. This week is the week of The Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Ga. It always has been one of my favorite tournaments for a lot of reasons. I think the main reason is that it always  arrives this time of year when the outdoors can be enjoyed with temperatures just starting to feel normal again in this part of the country. I usually watch all four rounds with careful attention to the leader board and of course my favorites like Tiger, Freddie, Ernie, Phil, and many other great players.

I know for a lot of people golf is boring to watch, my sister once told me watching golf was like watching paint dry. I can see how non golfers would be able to view golf as boring, for anyone who loves the game, like me golf is very fun to watch or play. Today marked the end of the third round of The Masters with Rory leading the field. Tiger had a great day in round two, but today was disappointing for his putter. I predicted Tiger would be in first place after today’s third round – I was wrong. Without a doubt Tiger is striking the ball very well, there are moments where his swing and presence remind me of the man who could not be beat.

Whoever wins The Masters this week will have no easy task ahead tomorrow with the field rich in seasoned veterans, and some of the greates new talent out there. My hat goes off to anyone who can compete at that level and show the world what they re made of on that great stage and venue The Masters.

4.9.11 Ramblin’ Frank

I love to travel, for work or pleasure and when I do of course the cameras are clicking away. I made a trip to the Smithsonian in Washington DC and the Zoo in the same city. The Washington Zoo was the most fun with the panda’s, elephants and lots of cool creatures milling about. We stayed at the Omni for this visit and it was very cool to know the Beatles, Sinatra, and many famous people had stayed their as guest at the Omni.

We attended the U.S. Open yesterday 6/17/11 at Congressional Country Club outside of our Nation’s Capital. It was a fun day and we witnessed a historic first by seeing Rory McIlroy blitz the field and setting a new record of the lowest ever U.S. Open score under par after 36 hole in the Open’s history. It was great to see some of the players I had never seen before live like Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Retief Goosen, Angel Cabrerra, Sergio Garcia, and others. Except for a few showers and a passing thunderstorm we had a great day, not to hot or windy.

Not attending this event as a hired photographer, I was not allowed to bring in any type of image creating device which is typical for these type events. It would be fun to shoot this professionally, but it was also nice to just sit back and enjoy the golf.

6.18.11 Ramblin Frank