El Camino de Santiago

by Matthew Parker on August 3, 2010

in Adventures,Spain,Ultra Light Packing

This past July, Molly and I traveled to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago.  We were among an estimated 200,000+ pilgrims who will walk the Way of St. James this year.  It was an amazing experience, one that was completely different from any preconceived ideas I had.
One of the many surprises was the foggy overcast mornings that we were treated to each day.  The fog made for some interesting photographic opportunities and some compelling images.

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On several occasions we saw marker posts with worn out shoes abandoned near them.  I really liked the way the pink shoe contrasted with the concrete.

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And then I found this abstract scene.  Any guesses where this is.  I’ll give you a hint, it’s not in Spain.

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Free Food!

by Matthew Parker on June 29, 2010

in San Diego

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Yesterday I went to a free neighborhood meal Hosted at Normal Heights United Methodist Church.  This location always seems to provide a wealth of photographic opportunities and today was no exception. People like the man above come in large numbers to partake in the meal which is provided entirely by volunteer cooks from San Diego First United Methodist Church.

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Pass Strategy | Day 13 on the JMT

February 25, 2010

On day thirteen Molly and I had the pleasure of hiking over Muir Pass and past the splendid lakes that lie in it’s shadow to the north.  Wanda Lake, named for John Muir’s eldest daughter is home to a rare treat, frogs living at 11,500′.  As we walked past Wanda lake we were startled by [...]

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Fountains of Life | Limited Edition Prints

February 4, 2010

Today I am happy to be announcing the availability of a new collection of limited edition prints. The images in this collection were taken during a restorative 20-day hike of the John Muir Trail in California’s Sierra Nevada during July and August, 2009. When I set out to hike, I expected to find jagged peaks, [...]

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Walking Through Paradise | Day 12 on the JMT

January 22, 2010

Finding images that compel me to capture them can sometimes be challenging.  Sometimes I try to force an image or take a picture that does not feel right, those images very rarely turn out to be something that I am proud of.  Other times images come at me in a flood and it takes all [...]

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Weather and Easy Passes | Day 11 on the JMT

January 14, 2010

When We were relaxing at VVR a weather report came in that was somewhat alarming.  The Dweeb Report (yes that is what it is called) was predicting a weather freak-show starting on the sixth.  Predictions were for three to six inches of snow down to seven thousand feet with substantially more on the passes.  A [...]

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Back at It | Day 10 on the JMT

January 12, 2010

Well, Its been way too long since I have updated the site.  First it was mid-terms then it was finals  and then a much needed vacation.  Molly and I spent Christmas in Estes Park, Colorado and New Years on the beautiful island of Kauai.  I have some photos to share from those excursions but first [...]

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Matthew is Hiring | Website expands

January 10, 2010

I am looking to expand my website a little bit which will take me beyond my web programming capabilities and well beyond my desire to learn. I am not looking to do a site redesign but I am looking to add functionality and security. If you know HTML, CSS, WordPress and have a familiarity with [...]

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Defunkification | A Trip To The Beach

November 14, 2009

I’ve been in a funk lately, a funk that has been hard to get out of.  I have been unable to focus on anything really and it has been bugging me.  Then, Thursday night while mindlessly surfing the web or watching TV, I can’t remember which I realized that I needed to get out of [...]

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20 Days On The JMT | A Presentation

October 28, 2009

This Monday November 2, 2009 at 6pm Molly and I will be speaking about our experience on the John Muir Trail.  The talk will be preceded by a potluck dinner.  All are welcome to join us for an evening of reflection and discussion. I will have a couple of prints on display at this event. [...]

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