Quacker Photography

Since I rarely post anything here...

2008-06-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

check out

www.rebeccajducker.blogspot.com

for recent work.

me

2008-05-06T21:34:00.000-07:00

who knew my 5 year old nephew would take the best picture of me ever...

At Ten...

2008-03-13T16:15:00.000-07:00

My Larkin turns ten soon. I am not really sure when he was born (but it was sometime in March) and I don't even remember the exact day he was put in my arms when he was just 12 weeks old. But I totally fell in love with him that day, and he's been with me ever since. I have started to see him slow down a bit lately and it worries me because I know he won't be here forever.
Aside from a few friends and my family I have never had anything in my life as constant as him. I have buried my face in his fur and cried my eyes out. I have hugged him with joy. I have even had many a conversations with him, when I was so lonely moving from place to place that I thought I'd loose my mind. He has lived with me in four states, nine houses, and stuck with me through too many 15+ hour road trips to count. He has forgiven me for leaving him behind, missing walks, and working 15 hour days when he was stuck inside. For ten years he has greeted me with a smile, after a long day, long night, or long trip away. I am so very lucky.

Zabe Shot both of these...

2008-02-18T17:45:00.000-08:00

Headed up to Roanoke to see family for 20 hours.. here is what Zabe got. It amazes me how much he loves my cameras
and I can't believe how big miss Lil is getting

Its back

2008-02-09T17:33:00.000-08:00

Thank God...
I had my first chance to shoot baseball this year I love love love the ball field... I wasn't assigned to it but after chasing a bunch of things today that didn't happen I needed the ball field. Here's Marcus, our new intern, and I and my shoe... photo by Marcus Sabini

Why I love living in the south...

2008-01-05T19:33:00.000-08:00

I have wanted to use words to tell a little story so here goes...

On Christmas eve eve my Mom came with me to shoot an assignment in the small SC community of Pamplico. It was simply a few building mugs. Anyway being the antique/junk shop junkies that mom and I are we stopped at the Olde Junque Shoppe in Pamplico on the way back to the office and met the owner Maxie Bazen. Mom and I wandered around for the better part of an hour looked carefully at the tons of wonderful stuff Maxie has in his shop and selected quite a few fun relics for our respective collections. we found a cookbook from the '50's my mom had been looking for since she lost her copy in college, a great fairy tale book for Zabe, a really cool needle point for me and many other neat things...

When we went to pay for our wonderful relics Maxie told us that he only takes cash and checks... needless to say mom and i were caring no cash and only credit cards. Maxie totaled up our finds, as the grand total came to $59.00 he said don't worry about it just mail me a check....

This is something that would never happen in New England... it amazes me, with no reason to trust us aside from the fact we spent time in his shop this man trusted us. He hasn't cashed my check yet but I'll be happy when he does. I can't wait to go back, Maxie Rocks !!!!

Trust is a wonderful thing we are all too often missing in our daily life..

Fires suck

2007-12-31T14:41:00.000-08:00

Melted knives in the kitchen of the Carolina Sandwich Company....
It smelled like toast.

personal christmas...

2007-12-30T13:48:00.000-08:00

a few of Mom, me, and the kids over the holidays. Zabe love, love, loves my new Mark II, I got stuck with the P&S but it worked.
Bless the Christmas fairie who came and cleaned my windows while I was at work all week....

Just when I needed a little pick me up...

2007-12-15T22:31:00.000-08:00

my photo was the front of the APAD Web site today...

Hands...

2007-12-15T10:49:00.000-08:00

2007-12-10T08:17:00.001-08:00

Random thought of the day...

2007-12-07T20:24:00.001-08:00

I need a new Coldplay album to be released.

My head spinning...

2007-12-05T06:15:00.000-08:00

from the overwhelming Atlanta PJ Seminar. I get back to work refired and ready to go.. work hard work because it matters to me, learn something new every day, talk to a person I may not otherwise ever talk to, make a few photographs, and relish the glory of knowing I am lucky...

only to have my enthusiasm crushed (temporarily) by people who truly believe that "good enough is good enough"

so I awoke this morning, took the dog out, made coffee, and hit the internet for something, I thought to myself "I can't be the only one who feels this way, how can I be more creative, how can i keep my fire going?" even if those around me feel like dousing me with water will put me back in my little box of show up, do what you are supposed to, challenge nothing, go home drink wine and drown..

Anyway for fear of a longer rant here is what I found,

http://www.changethis.com/6.HowToBeCreative

It's a 49 page manifesto, and over my morning coffee and cigarettes I read the whole thing on my computer and I feel better knowing it's not just me...

its filled with little gems like

"you are only as good as the love you have for other people"

"nobody cares, do it for yourself"

"The price of being a sheep is boredom, the price of being a wolf is loneliness, Choose one or the other with great care"

and I realized I have always been and will always be a wolf...

I do this because I love it and I will not allow anyone to drown me....

After a...

2007-11-25T09:30:00.000-08:00

very frustrating USC/Clemson Game, 1 broken camera (sort of), 2 dead batteries (why they died I don't know), A computer that took 45 minutes to dump 350 photos, and NO Photomechanic I found this in my take, and I cropped it square because I felt like it ( and there was a white cooler in the right side of the frame which I failed to notice as I tried to recover from my state of panic...)
Here's to two real day's off....

The joy of hiking...

2007-11-24T06:51:00.000-08:00

I spent the day after thanksgiving hiking 8 miles with my dog and a bunch of family/ friends sans camera.

Larkin and I lead the pack, we stayed pretty far ahead of everyone. Many times I would just look around and think I wish I had my camera... but I was able to listen and see more clearly without it. Inspired by a children's book called "The Listening Walk" belonging to my nephew I have been trying to hear things a bit better. Not just while out in nature but when talking to people on a daily basis, sometimes I feel as if I am a bad listener. So as much as I regret not having a shot of my wonderful dog full of the joy of being out in the woods, I am happy I was able to pay attention to my ears and hear the sounds surrounding us.

While looking down walking back to the house I found a beatuiful smokey quartz in the shape of a heart, and the lower jaw of a long dead fox. I would have missed these two treasures had I had my camera with me, I would have been looking up, looking for photos, instead of listening to the sounds of my feet on the earth and seeing what was just under my feet, and instead I was able to bring home two very real pieces of evidence.

random stuff...

2007-11-19T18:35:00.001-08:00

going through the recent archives... and i like them... but they are just for me

2007-11-18T12:36:00.000-08:00

the coolest thing about working with a paper attached to a TV station is the people you get to meet and work with.. this is my friend Brian one man banding on Sunday, always end up at the same assignments together..and I always take his picture, cause he hates it...

More hands..

2007-11-17T14:48:00.000-08:00

I seem to very focused on peoples hands here of late...

My what a big

2007-11-11T20:17:00.000-08:00

flag you have... I have a motor drive sequence of this kid wresting with the giant flag at the USC/ Florida game last night. It really makes me laugh..

Hands

2007-11-02T11:37:00.000-07:00

a belly dancing balancing act....

2007-10-27T21:27:00.000-07:00

Lisa, our much loved, will be very much missed, graphics desginer/ visuals editor/ creative genius is leaving us and tonight we all said a sad but well hydrated goodbye...

Saturday Bluegrass

2007-10-27T14:04:00.000-07:00

2007-10-25T07:05:00.000-07:00

my new friend Artie took this photo of me working the other day it made me alugh when he emailed them to me...

How I feel about my...

2007-10-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

quickly approaching 32nd birthday....

my fourtune

2007-10-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

from a powderpuff football game... 475... I wonder?

From Hillary's visit...

2007-10-13T19:24:00.000-07:00

puppy love..

2007-10-13T18:56:00.000-07:00

Yes I shoot too many kids with their animals... I can't help it.

The Beginning

2007-10-04T13:27:00.000-07:00

I started my homebirth/midwifery story today here are four from the take.

Nursing Students

2007-09-26T13:42:00.001-07:00

On my quest to shoot a photo for me at every assignment .. here are FMU nursing students from this afternoon

Homesick

2007-09-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

This is my 100th post here.. a photo of Mom knitting at my old house in Asheboro.. I miss family and friends..

Friday Frustration

2007-09-21T19:37:00.001-07:00

after weeks of frustration here's a FNF shot I'm happy (ish) with ...

Recognition is cool...

2007-09-13T06:58:00.000-07:00

I won a honorable mention in the feature catagory of July's clip contest for the NCPPA, and it feels really good. Here's the photo.. it is one of my favorties, ever..

Green Light

2007-09-07T21:22:00.000-07:00

I once remember hearing something about the sun throwing off a green band of light just before it sets. I am not sure if this is it but I was playing at the football game tonight and alas the green ray.. It doesn't show up in the frame before or the frame after and the the camera works fine. It think it is strange that the green light passed behind the tree if you look closely. Maybe this happens all the time.. but It's new to me..

I finally made it to the beach this year...

2007-09-03T16:57:00.001-07:00

and I can't wait to go back it has been really hard for me to be so far away from the water but an hour is not feeling so bad..

It was only a matter of time...

2007-08-30T20:19:00.000-07:00

before something strange involving animals happened here in Florence.. tonight I came home as my landlords dogs were in the process of killing a Opposum... and it's babies... these photos are not pretty and the on camera flash make them worse.. and me finishing the job on the babies was less than lovely, I felt bad killing them but the landlords puppies were playing with them like toys and that was less ok.. why on my porch ??? here are the dogs post killing and the babies pre- smothering....

New House...

2007-08-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

count down to moving... 2 days to go. I am almost packed.

A lighter moment

2007-07-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

for playing mom..

This is what happens...

2007-07-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

when I play Mom for a weekend. Thank God they have my sister.

I never really

2007-07-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

let anyone take my picture but when a little boy asked me at an assignment tonight if he could take my picture I said yes and handed him my camera.. It's better than anything I shot all night and it is the first photo I have of myself working...
photo by Keivon Gelascoe...

self portrait

2007-07-18T19:51:00.001-07:00

people are always asking me if I photograph myself, no is usually the answer, until today at the Richard Petty Museum. Perhaps I have been inspired by a recent discussion

Baskeball Art

2007-07-16T21:02:00.001-07:00

Trying something at the game tonight...

Larkin kills Barbie...

2007-07-15T13:49:00.000-07:00

and he's very happy about it....

How I am feeling...

2007-07-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

photo © Jon C. Lakey

Why I don't..

2007-07-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

want to be a portrait photographer.. kids are great but staged shots of them are really hard.. "Zabe look here, Sarra smile, Lilly you are making this look far too easy"
This is Lilliy, Zabe and Sarra, their cousin from northern Virgina who is spending part of the summer with my sister and her family. I think it is interesting that the background looks fake.. but it is real. I wonder what I did with my exposure to make it look like that...

Lillian at (nearly) 9 Months...

2007-07-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

when Zabe, Lil's brother was about the same age i took a photo of him that is very much like this one. I can't wait to hang this one on the wall next to him...

A bunch of random stuff...

2007-07-01T20:03:00.000-07:00

I have been really bad about keeping my archive up to date.. here are a few I found while backing up and doing a desperately needed portfolio image hunt... not that these are portfolio images just a few I like... or I can't decide on.

Girlfriends...

2007-06-29T14:24:00.000-07:00

Again.. I am super nostalgic lately, and missing my friends. Here's on from the opening night from a fair...

Baseball out take

2007-06-27T06:28:00.000-07:00

I really like eyes in photos... and I am trying to get better at putting them in mine. This is one I kind of waited for as Rowan played Lexinton last Saturday night. Lovin' the baseball...

More Slugger...

2007-06-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

He's still looking for a home... I had to go back to get more photos for our story and again he tried to adopt me... if you know anyone looking for a great dogg Slugger's the man...

Girlfriends at twenty

2007-06-16T22:45:00.000-07:00

Oh how I miss my girlfriends...
and sometimes....
my twenties.

Detail from tractor pull....

2007-06-15T18:29:00.000-07:00

that has nothing to do with a tractor pull..ever notice how young people are constantly touching eachother?

While I was...

2007-06-13T07:28:00.000-07:00

shooting this game a man came up to me and asked " are you with the press or "just" a mom with really nice lenses? " since when is anyone "just a mom"??? I was nice and told him I was with the press, and that I have the best job in the world.

SLUGGER...

2007-06-09T06:40:00.000-07:00

This is Slugger, he is a Red Sox fan.. he tried to adopt me at a animal rescue assignment on Thursday. He is a three year old Austrailian Shepard, he is very loving, sweet, and extreamly energenic, if anyone is looking for a truly great dog drop me an email and I'll tell you where to find Slugger.. He ROCKS!!

more with my family...

2007-06-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

Sima and Umar graduated from high school today and only half of their enormous family came to the party, There were over 30 people at the party, all relatives except me... here are a few.

number 3

2007-05-31T19:48:00.000-07:00

for those who know the story, monster spider number three showed up in my bathroom today.. lucky me. ready to move.. now

I like the black and white

2007-05-28T20:26:00.001-07:00

and the D2H at 1600 makes it look like film..

Lessons from a bottle

2007-05-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

The cap read "Seek to inspire and lead others Higher" feeling a bit home and Vermont sick. Magic Hat = Good Beer

kindergarten cowboy outtake

2007-05-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

To see the shots that made the cut check out my other blog www.rebeccajducker.blogspot.com

What's in there??

2007-05-22T12:19:00.000-07:00

...wide angle.

I just wanted to be outside

2007-05-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

I miss summer. It feels like these last 2 years I have had no summer. I miss crickets, bats, and the smell of freshly cut grass. Tonight after work I laid in the grass looked up and stared. What a beautiful world... we are all so very small..

Wood peckers

2007-05-19T08:09:00.000-07:00

I spent this morning with coffee, shooting the wood peckers attacking my landlords steps.

Feature Hunt 1

2007-05-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Out on my own learning the county... what do I shoot strawberries. It is May isn't it. I think the strawberry shot is a right of spring... I never expected a duck in the berry patch... her's two from the field... lucky me, I love my job...

Camping and Fishing

2007-05-09T19:18:00.000-07:00

Feeling like a kid again...
camping, S'mores, catching Sunfish with hot dogs (too easy)... this was the first time I got to take Zabe overnight and it was so fun.. I wish I was 12 again....

Miss Lil's getting bigger...

2007-05-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

A few of my favorite things...

2007-05-09T18:26:00.000-07:00

Zabe, Larkin, and Water... Vacations Rock!!!

Graduation season begins....

2007-05-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

My first real assignment for the Salisbury Post. I covered the Livingstone College Commencement ceremonies. The best part about this assignment is that I graduate this year too and I could feel the excitement within myself...

and this would be a ???

2007-05-03T05:55:00.000-07:00

Working in the yard this morning... watering my plants and I found this, what is it?
I think I need a field book on reptiles...

yet another from the jungle in Asheboro

2007-05-02T15:32:00.000-07:00

Yet again.. on my way home from the store this little beauty was happily sunning it's self in my driveway. Last summer the Copperhead this summer, ummm what kind of snake is this?? I couldn't get the whole thing in the shot little bugger was hiding it's head in the trees, but just so you all can see how big it was. It let me take it's picture, and I let it live. I will be re- thinking that as I fall asleep tonight..

2007-05-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

I miss 4x5

wall art..

2007-04-25T19:30:00.000-07:00

the things people write in bathrooms is really cool... do any of us "sin" without conscience?

Wondering around..

2007-04-25T19:13:00.000-07:00

As I wonder what is next to come, I find myself more and more just needing to shoot, it does't matter what I am shooting or even what the end result is.. I need to play and see what it feels like to NOT be in front of a computer all day building websites( the old way) making indesign portfolio pages or soundslides.. from this evening in Greensboro, summer is here and somehow I think I may miss this place... an attempt at photographic impressionism...

this is ronnie's photo...

2007-04-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

not really.... this is my photo of a scene that Ronnie saw and I would have missed. Thanks to my friend, constant source of artistic inspiration, sounding board, and sort of near by drinking buddy... check out her work at
http://photomanyphoto.blogspot.com/...

Finally

2007-04-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

I finally spent some time with my landlords. they had me over for a BBQ Sunday night. they moved here from Pakistan in 1999. I have wanted to do a photo story on them since I moved here a year and a half ago and finaly did it. I hope to continue to spend more time with them before I move.

Rodeo Saturday Night

2007-04-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

I love to shoot rodeo.. it is challenging, even more so once the sun goes down. I had a 285 with me for light, this is the best I got. Flash or no flash you cannot freeze the action of these horses at less than 1/250th. Next time I shoot rodeo I am bringing alien bees.

Tornado Saturday afternoon

2007-04-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

I haven't seen a tornado in 20 years. I have never seen one in bright sun.. This one was blowing through a sand lot in Asheboro by the time I turned around it was almost gone.

Pig Picking Saturday afternoon

2007-04-22T09:23:00.000-07:00

The Bethel Friends hael their semi- annual pig picking Saturday afternoon at the church. The event, held twice a year in April and October to raise money for needy members of the community.

Laying in the sun Saturday morning

2007-04-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

I found these really cool folks at the Caraway race track about 11:45. I spent over an hour hanging out with them in the sun, got a little sunburn and learned a lot about racing.

The Circus

2007-04-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

I have really been missing the daily newspaper assignment work so this weekend i gave myself an assignment to shoot as much as possible in a 48 hour period. I started with the circus Friday afternoon in Winston. I wanted to shoot everything but the performance. Here are few behind the scenes shots.

On the way to dinner

2007-04-17T04:30:00.000-07:00

On the way to dinner Thursday night.

The First thing I saw

2007-04-17T04:22:00.000-07:00

The View from my hotel winow when I awoke at 7:00 am Friday morning.

The Good

2007-04-07T15:46:00.000-07:00

Here is what went well... Canon 70-200, can you say sharp... :)
It is way harder to shoot this than I ever thought it would be but a good lens and a camera that focuses where you tell it to really helps...

The Bad

2007-04-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

I shot a steeplechase today and some went well and some did not ... here's what went bad... Nikon 300 P.O.S. lens.... can you say back focus??? :)

More Donkey Basket Ball

2007-04-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

I shot a Donkey Basketball game about a month ago, and I made a soundslides out of it. After having several people watch it I found there were too many "holes" in it. Not enough of the fans and things like that. In other words I didn't tell the whole story. So when I heard that there was another game at South West Randolph High School I decided to go and "shoot for the holes" Since we have to do an "event" sound slides for John's class I thought this would be a good one. Feedback Welcome...

More from the issue story

2007-03-28T18:05:00.001-07:00

I spent last Friday and Saturday at the Moore County Animal Center. "Last week was a good week, we were able to adopt out 7 dogs." Paul Tillman told me. They had to euthanize about 35. Many of the dogs and cats euthanized at the shelter had been hit by cars, had mange beyond control, or other issues that deemed them unadoptable. However many would have also made great pets had they been given the chance. I was impressed by the cleanliness of the facility, the dedication and compasion of the staff, and the care the animals recieve. There are few things sadder than holding a dog that's wagging it's tail as you have to euthanize it simply because no one wants it. There were many sad moments while I was there however there were also many moments of hope for some these animals.

More from the Grip and Grin

2007-03-28T17:51:00.000-07:00

Carolina Blue sky

2007-03-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

A beautiful day in North Carolina.... driving home from Southern Pines this morning I was mezmerized by the fact that spring is here and I almost missed it. It seems like in the past few days everything has turned green and beautiful. I have been trying to slow down lately and with all the work that has to been done for school, and my job at the resturant I feel like I am running around crazy. I am so grateful I slowed down enough to notice spring.

Grip and Grin Glory

2007-03-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend in Pinehurst N.C. shooting a benefit event for the N.C. Museum of History. These events are often boring and I used to think they offered little by way of opportunity to get really nice shots. But as my "mentor" has been telling me look for light and wait for moments to happen in the light... this is what I got. I also got a lot of shots of people mugging the camera, but I'll keep them hidden...

The Farmer's Hand

2007-03-20T05:10:00.000-07:00

I know it doesn't tell the whole story but this is still one of my favorites...

St. Patrick' Day Horse Camp

2007-03-17T18:16:00.000-07:00

I have loved horses all of my life, and have missed them greatly in the past few years. So when I found out that a local stable was doing a horse camp to celebrate St. Patricks Day I had to shoot it. The day included lessons, horse painting, and lunch. It was great fun. Here are a few of my favorites.

Musical Donkeys

2007-02-24T20:32:00.000-08:00

Alex Montgomery won the half time musical donkey show at the Donkey Basketball game!! Again how lucky am I???

Donkeyball

2007-02-24T20:21:00.000-08:00

Donkey Basketball!!
How lucky am I??
I have the BEST JOB IN THE WORLD!! I can't wait until I am getting paid fot it!!!

!

Issue Photo Story

2007-02-23T17:35:00.000-08:00

It has been estimated 80- 100 dogs and cats are euthanized each week in Moore County. Add to this a huge feral cat population, dog fighting, and abandoned animals, you have an enormous problem. I am working on a long term photo project with several animal welfare groups who are working together to slove the proble. Today the NC State School of Veterinary Medicine held a spay/ neuter clinic in Robbins specifically for feral cats. The cats are trapped, fed, and then under go either a spay or neuter proceedure. The cats are also given a rabies vaccine, flea and tick treatment, and have their ears notched they are then cared for overnight by Animal Advocates of Moore County. The feral cats will be released tomorrow to their original colonies. I am looking to work a few of the photos from today's clinic into my final story and would love feedback. Some of these photos are graphic.

More Food

2007-02-16T15:39:00.000-08:00

Worked on more food today. These are stright out of camera, I will be working on them a bit. I thought, however I'd put them up and try and get some feedback. Thanks all

Desserts

2007-02-15T20:48:00.000-08:00

I spent this afternoon shooting three types of cobbler for Jones Foods in Asheboro. These are tweeked just a bit in the raw window, but otherwise as shot. I will play with them a bit to bring them up but overall for my first "real" food job I am thrilled. It's funny the way everything you've learned works. I love shooting food!!!

Which One ?

2007-02-08T14:22:00.000-08:00

I am working on my business portrait for the Photojournalism class. Fred Love is the new General Manager at Smokey Bones in Greensboro. These are my three favorite shots. I can't decide which to turn in for class. I love the outside shot, however I feel the indoor shots at the bar tell a little more of the story. These are digital but, I also shot on 645 chrome and when that comes back I think I'll have a few more to choose from. I would love some feed back.

More Basketball

2007-01-30T05:58:00.000-08:00

More Basketball. This time I shot at Asheboro High School. They had two games last night, a great opportunity to shoot a lot in a small amount of time. I am not as happy with the strobes in these, I feel as though I should have put them a bit closer, or bounced them off the walls. This gym is much bigger than the last few i have worked in and the light just isn't as nice. I ould love feed back.

more flowers

2007-01-26T17:38:00.000-08:00

More
from the
kitchen table

Flowers

2007-01-26T15:20:00.002-08:00

Trying to find a little inspriration, I decided to fall back on a little of what I love to shoot. Flowers, on my kitchen table. I feel that I need to work on my studio style lighting, so I've put it high on the to do list for the next few weeks, along with high school basketball.

First Two Basketball Games

2007-01-22T19:19:00.000-08:00

Tonight I had a chance to shoot my first "lit" Basketball games. I shot a freshman boy's game and a girl's varsity game. I was much more fun than I thought it would be. Getting the lights right was a little tough but over all I am very happy with the results on my first try.

Rodeo Stuff

2007-01-20T10:44:00.000-08:00

l

I have so much fun shooting rodeo. I still am not getting the exact shots I want. I think a 300mm would help. Next time I shoot rodeo I am going to light it from the rafters. I hate the way that the animals eye'ss get that "glow" when using flash from the side. I am hoping that by mounting the lights above this will eliminate the glow, and ugly shadows that are too often seen in rodeo shots. We'll see, regardless it's something to work towards.