For so much of my life, I have tried to live in a way that I want to, doing and thinking what I want, experiencing and acting according to my desires. Much like the bustling San Fran traffic, I have figuratively got in my car everyday, driven across that bridge to work where I do the same old thing day after day after day.
There comes a point though that no matter the benefits of your job, no matter the pay grade, it doesn't justify this dull, colorless life I feel forced to live. Society has taught me that this is what I should desire. My culture radiates its reception. When you hear that you have a solid 9-5, people congratulate you. But I'm sick of this 9-5.
Never once did they teach me in school that I can be whatever I want to be. They never taught me to reach for the stars, dream of being on the moon, or anything else that was outside of that box. So I stayed inside. I stayed inside my box. Or at least I tried to, but my soul had other plans.
What is really boils down to is this. I feel like I'm the worker, close-sighted, frustrated, with unrealistic expectations of my future, wishing I could find what I want but not even sure I know what that is. While God is over here sitting on these rocks all the while seeing the big picture, seeing what I so badly wish I could see. So I've decided, after trying all these years acting like I know where my life is going and like I'm totally in control of everything, I admit that I'm not. And I submit to the one and only one who really is.
Tonight I Let Go, and Let God.
Click here to see the image!
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
I Am a Witness
New Photo up at www.davideppsphotography.com <--click to see the image!
For years, I've stood my ground the best I know how. I fallen a lot, but I always get back up. I've watched friend after friend get kicked down, only to learn to enjoy the taste of mud. 'The view is awesome down here!' they say. 'You're missing out!' they say. All the while I stand tall and let the weather do what it will to me. Yea, I've lost my leaves. Yea, I've even got the scars to show from days past. But I'm still standing.
Today, I am a witness. A witness that even when all the other trees in the forest fall down, you don't have to. A witness that when violent winds tear down all that around, you don't have to fall. A witness that the roaring ocean erodes your very roots to knock you down, you can say 'No.'
I am a witness that the sun will rise another day.
I am a witness that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I am a witness. And my roots run deep.
For years, I've stood my ground the best I know how. I fallen a lot, but I always get back up. I've watched friend after friend get kicked down, only to learn to enjoy the taste of mud. 'The view is awesome down here!' they say. 'You're missing out!' they say. All the while I stand tall and let the weather do what it will to me. Yea, I've lost my leaves. Yea, I've even got the scars to show from days past. But I'm still standing.
Today, I am a witness. A witness that even when all the other trees in the forest fall down, you don't have to. A witness that when violent winds tear down all that around, you don't have to fall. A witness that the roaring ocean erodes your very roots to knock you down, you can say 'No.'
I am a witness that the sun will rise another day.
I am a witness that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I am a witness. And my roots run deep.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
White Blank Page - Thinking outloud.
White Blank Page
by Mumford and Sons
Can you lie next to her
and give her your heart, your heart?
As well as your body
And can you lie next to her
and confess your love, your love?
As well as your folly
And can you kneel before this king
and say "I'm clean", "I'm Clean"?
But tell me now where was my fault,
in loving you with my whole heart?
Oh, tell me now where was my fault,
in loving you with my whole heart?
Her white blank page
and a swelling rage, rage
You did not think when you sent me to the brink.
You desired my attention, but denied my affections.
So tell me now where was my fault,
in loving you with my whole heart?
Oh, tell me now where was my fault,
in loving you with my whole heart?
Lead me to the truth and I will follow you with my whole life
oh lead me to the truth and I will follow you with my whole life
Every day, we have the power to decide how the day will go. No matter the wrongs that have been done to us, the wrongs we ourselves have done, or any environmental or conditional factors that try to control what we choose to be. Today. Right now.
Will this day bring happiness and hope? Joy and smiles and love and light? Will we forgive that one person who hurt you us badly we can't stand to look at them? Will we allow ourselves to love freely and give freely to those in need? To choose to love over judge. To choose others over self? To decide to act and not be acted upon?
Just as the waves wash away our footprints in the sand, so too can Christ wash away our sorrows, our past, our deepest and darkest anguishes. Just as the sun rises each and every morning with deliberate diligence, so too can we start each and every day with a renewed commitment to feel of God's warmth as we step into His light and let it fill us.
All we have to choose, is to get up and keep walking.
God, will do the rest.
To see my picture 'White Blank Page' Click Here
by Mumford and Sons
Can you lie next to her
and give her your heart, your heart?
As well as your body
And can you lie next to her
and confess your love, your love?
As well as your folly
And can you kneel before this king
and say "I'm clean", "I'm Clean"?
But tell me now where was my fault,
in loving you with my whole heart?
Oh, tell me now where was my fault,
in loving you with my whole heart?
Her white blank page
and a swelling rage, rage
You did not think when you sent me to the brink.
You desired my attention, but denied my affections.
So tell me now where was my fault,
in loving you with my whole heart?
Oh, tell me now where was my fault,
in loving you with my whole heart?
Lead me to the truth and I will follow you with my whole life
oh lead me to the truth and I will follow you with my whole life
Every day, we have the power to decide how the day will go. No matter the wrongs that have been done to us, the wrongs we ourselves have done, or any environmental or conditional factors that try to control what we choose to be. Today. Right now.
Will this day bring happiness and hope? Joy and smiles and love and light? Will we forgive that one person who hurt you us badly we can't stand to look at them? Will we allow ourselves to love freely and give freely to those in need? To choose to love over judge. To choose others over self? To decide to act and not be acted upon?
Just as the waves wash away our footprints in the sand, so too can Christ wash away our sorrows, our past, our deepest and darkest anguishes. Just as the sun rises each and every morning with deliberate diligence, so too can we start each and every day with a renewed commitment to feel of God's warmth as we step into His light and let it fill us.
All we have to choose, is to get up and keep walking.
God, will do the rest.
To see my picture 'White Blank Page' Click Here
Monday, February 25, 2013
New Image - Seek the Unseen
The story behind this image is beautiful to me. For those who are curious as to how I take the photos I do, I'll let you in on the most important part of my workflow. Prayer!
Before I shoot, I always ask God for the things I desire. In this case, I asked for 1 solid image I could take that night that I could add to my portfolio. I shot with good friend Jason Lucas for at least an hour facing the milky way (as we had previously planned) while it hovered over a patch of trees at the Sand Dunes near Rexburg, ID. For nearly an hour I kept getting a nudge internally that I need to turn 180 degrees around and shoot at the darkness. I refused. There was nooothing there! Just...sand. I felt there was no subject matter and thus no point to shoot that way. But my conscious couldn't last an hour of nagging. I reluctantly pointed my camera towards the nothingness, and shot off a 15 min exposure. While waiting I decided, what the heck I'll take 2 more 15 min exposures to create a solid 45 min exposure. To my great surprise, the last 3 mins of the final exposure, the moon started to rise! I couldn't believe it! I was so upset! I knew it had to of ruined my image of the star trails...I decided I would just combine the first 2 exposures to make a 30 min star trail image. But when I got home and on a whim combined all 3 images, I was floored to say the least. I couldn't believe what I saw! I then realized, THAT was my answer to prayer. That, was the 1 image I was going to add to my portfolio.
On a symbolic note, the picture teaches the concept of seeking Christ. Acting in faith. Seeking those things in your life you feel internally that you should, maybe even get nudged about. This is my image to say, FOLLOW THE NUUUDGE! haha. It's now evident to me more than ever what will happen if you do.
Check out the image larger at: www.davideppsphotography.com
Before I shoot, I always ask God for the things I desire. In this case, I asked for 1 solid image I could take that night that I could add to my portfolio. I shot with good friend Jason Lucas for at least an hour facing the milky way (as we had previously planned) while it hovered over a patch of trees at the Sand Dunes near Rexburg, ID. For nearly an hour I kept getting a nudge internally that I need to turn 180 degrees around and shoot at the darkness. I refused. There was nooothing there! Just...sand. I felt there was no subject matter and thus no point to shoot that way. But my conscious couldn't last an hour of nagging. I reluctantly pointed my camera towards the nothingness, and shot off a 15 min exposure. While waiting I decided, what the heck I'll take 2 more 15 min exposures to create a solid 45 min exposure. To my great surprise, the last 3 mins of the final exposure, the moon started to rise! I couldn't believe it! I was so upset! I knew it had to of ruined my image of the star trails...I decided I would just combine the first 2 exposures to make a 30 min star trail image. But when I got home and on a whim combined all 3 images, I was floored to say the least. I couldn't believe what I saw! I then realized, THAT was my answer to prayer. That, was the 1 image I was going to add to my portfolio.
On a symbolic note, the picture teaches the concept of seeking Christ. Acting in faith. Seeking those things in your life you feel internally that you should, maybe even get nudged about. This is my image to say, FOLLOW THE NUUUDGE! haha. It's now evident to me more than ever what will happen if you do.
Check out the image larger at: www.davideppsphotography.com
Friday, February 22, 2013
Meaning of 'The Cave'
May I first say that I have been hestiant to post my thoughts about my images because I believe art is part what the artist brings to the table and the other part is what the viewer brings to table. But because of many friends who desire to understand my thoughts a little better behind my images I have for you the first of many stories behind my images. May you take it as my thoughts and opinions only and nothing more.
The Cave by Mumford and Sons
It's empty in the valley of your heart
The sun, it rises slowly as you walk
Away from all the fears and all the faults
You've left behind.
The harvest left no food for you to eat
You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see
But I have seen the same
I know the shame in your defeat
But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck
And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again
'Cause I have other things to fill my time
You take what is yours and I'll take mine
Now let me at the truth
Which will refresh my broken mind
So tie me to a post and block my ears
I can see widows and orphans through my tears
I know my call despite my faults
And despite my growing fears
So come out of your cave walking on your hands
And see the world hanging upside down
You can understand dependence
When you know the maker's land
So make your siren's call
And sing all you want
I will not hear what you have to say
'Cause I need freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it's meant to be
And I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck
And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again.
How many of us live in a cave? Inspired by the 'assorted colored lights', awe struck by the flesh, vices, and society of man? Well I know I am, and have been for over a decade.
This photo holds great irony for me. When I was there 80 feet down in a cave shooting heavenward, I felt freedom, serenity, peace, a sublime quiet. At the same time I think of how many times I've been disoriented thinking up is down, right is left, being consumed in this 'cave'. And sometimes we are so close, prideful, blind to the reality we hold up in front of our eyes, that we don't see truth as it is. We don’t let go of OUR reality long enough to see ACTUALITY.
“Of all the beautiful truths pertaining to the soul which have been restored and brought to light in this age, none is more gladdening or fruitful of divine promise and confidence than this - that man is the master of thought, the molder of character, and maker and shaper of condition, environment, and destiny.”
–James Allen (Excerpt from As a Man Thinketh)
You are your own cave. You are your own freedom.
To see the picture bigger, along with all my other photos head over to www.davideppsphotography.com
The Cave by Mumford and Sons
It's empty in the valley of your heart
The sun, it rises slowly as you walk
Away from all the fears and all the faults
You've left behind.
The harvest left no food for you to eat
You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see
But I have seen the same
I know the shame in your defeat
But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck
And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again
'Cause I have other things to fill my time
You take what is yours and I'll take mine
Now let me at the truth
Which will refresh my broken mind
So tie me to a post and block my ears
I can see widows and orphans through my tears
I know my call despite my faults
And despite my growing fears
So come out of your cave walking on your hands
And see the world hanging upside down
You can understand dependence
When you know the maker's land
So make your siren's call
And sing all you want
I will not hear what you have to say
'Cause I need freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it's meant to be
And I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck
And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again.
How many of us live in a cave? Inspired by the 'assorted colored lights', awe struck by the flesh, vices, and society of man? Well I know I am, and have been for over a decade.
This photo holds great irony for me. When I was there 80 feet down in a cave shooting heavenward, I felt freedom, serenity, peace, a sublime quiet. At the same time I think of how many times I've been disoriented thinking up is down, right is left, being consumed in this 'cave'. And sometimes we are so close, prideful, blind to the reality we hold up in front of our eyes, that we don't see truth as it is. We don’t let go of OUR reality long enough to see ACTUALITY.
“Of all the beautiful truths pertaining to the soul which have been restored and brought to light in this age, none is more gladdening or fruitful of divine promise and confidence than this - that man is the master of thought, the molder of character, and maker and shaper of condition, environment, and destiny.”
–James Allen (Excerpt from As a Man Thinketh)
You are your own cave. You are your own freedom.
To see the picture bigger, along with all my other photos head over to www.davideppsphotography.com
Monday, January 21, 2013
My First Photo Website is finally done!
Well, after months of traveling, shooting tons of pictures, living out of my car for the summer, and editing the pictures, I have finally created a website to showcase my photography as well as be able to purchase them if you so please. This has been a big goal of mine for over a year and I'm excited to finally get it done! I'll be posting on this blog often, showcasing one of my pictures and sharing a 'behind the scenes' kind of look about the picture. If you have any requests as to which picture to start with, just tell me in the comments below! I'll share my technical insight as to how I shot it, my settings/equipment if you'd like, but I really plan on just expounding on the journey I took to be able and capture each image. Hope you enjoy! I look forward to sharing my experiences and stories with you soon :) But first, I'm gonna go take a 3 day retreat of just breathing, taking in nature, and shooting some time lapses.
Enjoy!
http://www.landscapephotography.photoshelter.com/
Enjoy!
http://www.landscapephotography.photoshelter.com/
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Teton Sunrise in Jackson Hole, WY
I'm too tired to give the story behind the shot right now. So I'm gonna go to bed and will fill y'all in later. For now, I just hope you enjoy the picture!
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