Caedes

Artist Spotlight #11

Submitted by Piner 02/13/06 8:22 AM GMT

You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension. A dimension of sight... a dimension of mind... a dimension of pixels. You are moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into... caedes' Artist Spotlight. I submit for your approval...Regmar and his gallery.

Hello friends. Summoning up all the false modesty I can find I say, "Who me? Featured Artist? Why I AM surprised!" No I can't pull it off. Really though it is quite an honor to be nominated. I get a lot of feedback on my images, but one never knows whether it really amounts to a hill of beans. Thank you to whoever nominated me for this honor.

I'm 42 years old and firmly established in my software development career. I started in New Orleans, and moved to Austin, Texas, but returned to New Orleans when I began losing the older members of my family and came to realize that my family is more important than my career.

While in Texas I began traveling internationally (usually to the same part of southern France actually), and began to photograph my travels. Family and friends pushed me to do more, so I hit on the idea of recording as much of what I saw before it changed forever. I had never recognized any artistic ability in myself as a child, and was told by my homophobic and abusive father (He's dead now - see what it got him?) that art would not be tolerated among his sons, so I never pursued it. It wasn't until years after I was grown that I realized that a void existed in me that I needed to fill. The interactions of light and color, shapes and movement began to intrigue me. Since my halting attempts at the pencil and brush were so dreadful I returned to my camera, and an old friend named Karly helped me to recognize that I had ability that was worth developing. Thus was born the obsession with photography that has led me to this sorry condition.

Three years ago after forty years of blissful singularity I met my wife, Lourdes who changed everything for me. She pushed me to do more photography, and I quickly outgrew my (wonderful) *** Panasonic Lumix *** digital camera and moved up to the *** Olympus eVolt E300 *** DSLR that I use today. Its 300mm zoom lens has proven invaluable in catching those far-away subjects like animals and mountain-top castles. A job change last year put me in the position of commuting 120 miles a day across the swamps of South Louisiana, and I got the opportunity to see (and photograph) it in its many moods. This is where much of my outdoor work originated, and where my "In Terms Of Light" image was shot, and I only regret that I shot it with my old (lower resolution) camera and not my new one. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita which both hit my home within the same month period increased my feeling of urgency about recording this place before it is destroyed. I'm trying to talk my wife into letting me get a fast 400mm zoom lens and a small open boat, so I can get back into the marshes where the wildlife live, and where I don't have to worry about whether an unwanted house or power line is in the frame.

My wife and I also like to travel, and together we have explored parts of Spain and France as well as several spots in the United States, and we work well together shooting photos. She has a knack for seeing things that would make good images. Since she is a Cuban exile we both look forward to the day we can go to a free Cuba do a shoot there.

Just before I met her I made another discovery that was to change my life. While searching the internet for desktop wallpaper for my computer I saw a site called (inexplicably) "Caedes", and found a place where my halting efforts were encouraged and where the people suggested ways for me to improve my work rather than just giving off-hand comments. Its benign yet distant creator allowed the community of users the freedom to create the sort of place they wanted instead of imposing his will. I discovered the magnificent body of work by Pierre Pigeon which inspired me tremendously, the sadly missed Accipiter, and the amazing works of Photoimagery, fotobob, Mayne, Mesmerized, and Pom1 among the many others who have inspired me and my work. The people here have given me suggestions for improving my work which I have taken to heart and tried to pass on to others also here to learn. Thank you Caedes, and thank you to the wonderful people here who teach and learn and who evolve our art. The quality of work here has dramatically improved over the past two years, and I see it continuing into the future.

Comments

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+ppigeon
02/13/06 8:49 AM GMT
Hey! I'm honored to be the first here to say :Congratulations Regmar!
Your nice personality is a great addition for this site and we thank you for your continuous friendship. You really deserve a place here :-)
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-Pierre-
::groo2k
02/13/06 11:06 AM GMT
Congratulations! I've always enjoyed your photography and I hope you get your new camera and the boat. I also admire you reasoning about capturing places the way they are now before they are changed.
-Rob
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::RobNevin
02/13/06 11:51 AM GMT
Hey Reg, ...I've been waiting impatiently for this. Due recognition for your solid contribution artistically and as a friend-to-many. Your posting "A moment of perfect beauty", is a fine example of your eye, your interpretation and your ability to capture it by camera.

Congratulations and thank you.


Rob
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You're invited to tour my gallery ••• º¹º¹ºº¹¹º¹¹º¹ºººº¹¹º¹ºººº¹¹º¹ººº
::philcUK
02/13/06 2:14 PM GMT
Many Congratulation Reg on your nomination and for your informative bio. greatly deserved.

cheers - Phil
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"Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps"
&trisbert
02/13/06 2:19 PM GMT
Congratulations for this well deserved accolade Regmar. I have always enjoyed your photos and your kind manner of communication. Your photos are as diverse as they are inspirational, I hope that you day I might become as good with a camera as you are.
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There are three colours, Ten digits and seven notes, its what we do with them that’s important. Ruth Ross
.BRIX
02/13/06 2:50 PM GMT
wow, Regmar. Now is your time, U have been one of the most great photographers I have seen in this site. Your photos has always a story to tell, a moment it would never repeat, but it will remain forever thru your images. Congratulations my friend, U deserve it, not just for a week, forever. Thanks for inspire me and get me into your gallery, knowing different views about life. Congratulations again!!!!
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“Suspiros etereos se abrazan con un beso eterno” Enjoy My Gallery
::kodo34
02/13/06 3:21 PM GMT
Congratulations! , Regmar , well deserved.
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have a nice day and read more fantasy. my images
+mayne
02/13/06 3:28 PM GMT
It is always a pleasure to view and draw inspiration from your images Reg. After reading your bio, I get this mental picture of a small camo boat covered with like netting and this big chunk of glass peering through it. A couple hundred feet away is a Egret on a nest with little ones peering back. Congratulations!
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Darryl
::phydeaux
02/13/06 4:05 PM GMT
Well, what do you know? As said before, well deserved recognition. You may have been a late bloomer, as it were, but you've got a great eye. Keep documenting anything and everything you see before and after it changes. You've got a knack for it.
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"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx
::Morwyn
02/13/06 5:05 PM GMT
Congratulations, Regmar.. You know how much I love your work.. You ceratinly deserve to be in the spotlight.. Thank you for all the help you have been to me..
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One bead at a time
::fotobob
02/13/06 5:06 PM GMT
I cannnot express myself more clearly than all of those nice words above. So I will just say,Congratulations!
fotobob
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Annie and I invite you to visit our website. Photography is not a trade - it is an art. It is more that an art. It is a solar phenomenon, where the artist collaborates with the sun. deLamartine 1855
.cgImagery
02/13/06 5:54 PM GMT
Congratulations :D
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.scionlord
02/13/06 6:08 PM GMT
Congratulations Reg.
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'Study the past, if you would divine the future.' - Confucius
.ekowalska
02/13/06 8:16 PM GMT
I am so happy to see one of my favourite inspirational artists to be finally rewarded with the fully deserved AOTW title. I don't think there's any image you've done that I could think of changing in any way, you're amazing and I think all the photographers here on Caedes could learn from you. Your photos have always a strong and thought-provoking concept.

Thank you for the insight you've given us and all the wonderful images you've shared.
Ewa
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If you admire nature for its creations why don't you visit the gallery of its reporter...
::madmaven
02/13/06 11:32 PM GMT
Your story is insightful, much like your work. You are a very articulate and talented man! Congratulations!
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::jds
02/14/06 12:24 AM GMT
Congrats and applause to you Regmar,well deserved honour.....Jim
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ianmacappin
02/14/06 1:05 AM GMT
Congratulations and Very well done. I will have a look around your gallery.
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Don`t cover yourself in petrol and smoke.
.mimi5947
02/14/06 6:49 AM GMT
Congratulations Reg on this very deserving honor! I love your work. You do have a very special way of capturing a moment in time that will never be repeated again. One of your images I kept on my desktop the entire time my son was New Orleans was "waiting for God". The day he left, I needed to find something to give me some peace, some hope because I was frightened & it was your image that did it!! I felt close to him that way since it was shot in New Orleans. I loved those trees reflected in the water with the sun rising.....at that time, I wasn't aware, of course, that you would be displaced and so directly affected by the hurricanes. Thank you for listening to Lourdes though. :~)
Your talent has no boundaries. You are not afraid to think and or shoot 'outside the box' and I admire that quality in you.
I hope that you are able to truly enjoy your time in the spotlight , not only have you earned it, but after the summer you have had, it has to be some welcome relief.
Enjoy Reg, enjoy...... enjoy it as much as much as I enjoy your images!!!!!!!!!!
Peace my friend....
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~ Mimi~
.mesmerized
02/14/06 8:10 AM GMT
Regmar, my friend, congratulations!...this is long overdue but I am soooo glad to see you deservedly recognized here now...as Mimi said, you have a "very special way of capturing a moment"...you bring an emotion and tasteful style into all your images, something that is not always perceived, even in the most visually pleasing images...I have always been a big fan of yours and will enjoy revisiting your gallery this week, knowing I will once again be struck by the beauty and subtleties of your work...I have also greatly appreciated your thoughtful reviews of my images and feel I have grown alot due to your feedback and the examples of quality photography you have shared with us, along with your warm and friendly manner...sit back and enjoy all the attention and accolades these next few days...you have earned it.:Pat.
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Love may not make the world go round, but I must admit that it makes the ride worthwhile. - Sean Connery
::verenabloo
02/14/06 9:54 AM GMT
Hello my dear friend! I am so very pleased you get this special spot of honor for a week....I have always been drawn to your photos...due to my having lived not only in South Louisiana, Cajun country for a few years, and then moving to North Louisiana for 13 years...and your photos have captured many memories. I have looked at your gallery and saved so many photos, but for some odd reason(who knows where my brain was lol) I never made many comments..My favorite photo of yours is "The Frog"...but there are many many more I love. I have enjoyed getting to know you thru comments and many PMs....and now I have learned even more about you here. You are a direct contact to let me know how things are going in the aftermath of Katrina...and that means a lot to me. I appreciate very much hearing things firsthand from you. As an artist, a photographer, you have so much going for you, and as a person, I see so much good stuff...I thank you so much for your wonderful creations here, and I am so happy for you. I know its a good thing..because you deserve it my friend.....Verena
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If you can't make waves, make ripples ~~~~
.nmsmith
02/14/06 2:37 PM GMT
A well-deserved honor for you, my friend. My sincere congratulations. I've always been impressed with the work in your gallery.
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&jojomercury
02/15/06 2:43 AM GMT
Congrat on your AOTW.Your work from down south is superb and especailly your NO images.How do you like the Evolte my friend?
Peace&Respect Jojo
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Laying Easy Somewhere Shade Across My Mind
::heidlerr
02/15/06 1:23 PM GMT
Congratulations Regmar. I've been a fan of your beautiful images for a long time. Your image gallery is stunning and powerful. The old New Orleans will live on through your photographs and hopefully it's rebirth will be documented through your camera lens as well. Enjoy your time in the spotlight.
Russ
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View the world with your mind's eye. Mr. Russ
::bayoubooger
02/15/06 4:58 PM GMT
g'day Nawlins,

Congrats Reg, your work has never gone un noticed, enjoy the limelight and may our paths cross in the backwaters one day...
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Seems like every "imaginary friend" I've ever had, sooner or later I've had to kill them?
::xyccoc
02/16/06 12:42 AM GMT
just wanted to say congrats again on the Artist Spotlight.. very well deserved.. looking forward to the next wandering around our city.. take care my friend..

Dj
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And everytime I feel that my lifes a waste.. I just cant rid myself of your bitter taste.. - Me (Option21)
.Trin
02/16/06 6:33 AM GMT
Congratulations for a greatly deserved honour! Your gallery is a constant inspiration to us all and your detailed comments have more than once helped me with my amateur attempts to photgraphy. I wish u all the best, may u get the camera u want, the boat and visit Cuba all together! My warmest regards,
Maria
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visit an old island fortress ...
.Benroy
02/16/06 12:21 AM GMT
Congratulations, you have a wonderful gallery. I'll enjoy moochin' about in there for the next few days.

Cheers..........
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::J_272004
02/16/06 1:03 PM GMT
CONGRATULATIONS Reg you well and truly deserve it my friend.. your photography is outstanding and always a pleasure to see, one of my favs,(there are so many which are favs) which I have had on my HD for a very long time, is your Blue Angel.. i love that one, how you captured the light hitting the blue at the perfect time.. beautifully haunting..
Once again congratulations, take the week to sit back with your feet up and enjoy all the wonderful comments that are on here... Well done Reg.. looking forward to seeing more of those fantastic photos.. =)
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"I cannot change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination" / Jimmy Dean
.sansoni7
02/16/06 1:48 PM GMT
Congratulations Regmar, to your work and your «article».
Very much appreciate, both.
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Look around and catch it ; the Art is there !
.kiciaczek
02/16/06 2:32 PM GMT
Congratulations! it's well deserved,there's no doubt you are very tallented photographer. I really like your gallery, it's outstanding.
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"Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought." Albert Szent-Gyorgi
.Inkeri
02/16/06 9:04 PM GMT
Congratulations..!.Well Done.!
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.foofoo
02/16/06 11:20 PM GMT
Well done Regmar. Just to let you know that your photos were an inspiration to me since the first time I logged onto Caedes. You have taken me to parts of this world that I will never have the opportunity to see through your eyes. You have shown all of us that beauty can be found where least expected. Well done Remar and much deserved.
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Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares
.monkeypuzzle
02/18/06 10:03 AM GMT
congrats regmar, well deserved place indeed :~)
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Regards . Avi . Beware the anti-cinnamon stare!!!
::arneh
02/19/06 7:42 PM GMT
Congrats, Regmar ! Your photos are always interesting.
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-- Arne --
.sammorgan
02/20/06 5:26 PM GMT
Great wonderful and as Bizzare as always Regmar.
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Your ever so clever but if your not clever you will never get into heaven again
.cuddlebuddy48
02/23/06 1:00 PM GMT
Just viewed your gallery...and must say..hats off to you and your inborn talent! Good luck!
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.starats
02/23/06 5:53 PM GMT
a bunch of congratulations to you for being nominated!
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Salvation Spring up from the ground, Lord rend the heavens and come down; seek the lost and heal the lame, jesus bring glory to Your name
+photoimagery
03/07/06 5:29 PM GMT
Regmar: I'm sorry to jump in here so late. I've been down with my back for two and a half weeks and am just making it back to the site. Your images have always been up there in my favorites and I'm glad to see you made it here.
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