About
I am a retired Northern Ontario secondary school teacher (30 + years) with a background and teaching experience in English, Special Education, and Media Literacy. I tend to think in a global structure and find the trends in media technology and its impact on culture, education, and social structure fascinating.
This photography blog is a place for me to display my photographs, both digital and pinhole, as well as any digital art pieces that I have created. Hopefully, by sharing my efforts and what I have learned I will increase my own understanding and skills in the process.
I’ll also use the blog to look at related photography issues that don’t fall under the media literacy and education topics ( See: Dark Pines Media ) .
For a different view of language, culture, media and art see my blog Implied Spaces
You also find me on the web at Art&Media Literacy Teacher Site .
Thanks for visiting my website! (I clicked on your “like” Gravatar.) I’m blown away by the resources on your 3 websites!
John Robinson — http://thedailygraff.com/
June 14, 2011 at 9:03 am
P.S. As a teacher you might like the post “First Day of School”: http://thedailygraff.com/2010/11/05/first-day-of-school/
June 14, 2011 at 9:08 am
Thanks very much. Puns and word play help teachers stay a bit saner. You don’t have to be crazy to teach, but it helps.
June 14, 2011 at 1:13 pm
You’re a genius. x
September 22, 2015 at 8:25 pm
Only briefly. 😀
September 22, 2015 at 9:50 pm
I visited here after your kind comments on my blog. Great images! I am new to semi-serious photography (a retirement avocation) so I have a lot to learn. I especially like the image of the guitar/pond scene – as guitar is one of my other activities these days. I’ve subscribed to your blog hoping to learn some things…..thanks.
Scott
July 15, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Thank-you for dropping by and subscribing. Also check some of the photographers in the blogroll lists. You’ll see some wonderful creativity and examples of excellent compositional skills.
July 15, 2011 at 3:54 pm
Elmediat, *
I just visited your wonderful “Art&Media Literacy Teacher Site.” I follow a Toronto photographer you might find interesting–Daily Dose Of Imagery: http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/
From his extensive ” Archives” I recommend his “Little Planet Series” (example: http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/09/05/28/ )
John [Photoblog: http://thedailygraff.com/ ]
* As much as we trade comments, I’ve searched ALL your sites for your first name but couldn’t find it.
August 6, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Thanks for the tip. Interesting site.
August 6, 2011 at 6:33 pm
Hello elmediat – I thought I was subscribed to your blog but have just realised that your photo blog is completely separate from your media blog – how wonderful to see a whole new aspect of your talent – I have some catching up to do 🙂
August 18, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Thanks for the support and joining in. I have been putting more energy into the photo-blog because of the creative and more personal expression. The media literacy blog is in part an extension of my work as a media -literacy teacher. Unfortunately the Media Studies course in Ontario schools is optional. The assumption is that more media literacy will be apart of all courses – you know what happens when “you assume”. I still have material that I plan on posting, especially as I get into the teacher mindset in the fall. Thanks again. 🙂
August 18, 2011 at 7:37 pm
hello!
great photo blog! looking forward to seeing more of your work.
Thank you for the tutorial…very helpful!!
cheers.
December 3, 2011 at 12:13 am
Pingback: My 100th post is dedicated to all the people who have Liked me so far « Vankleek Hill Photos
Pingback: When it Rains, it Pours… Another “Versatile Blogger Award”! « HoaiPhai
hey darkpinesphoto, i nominated your blog for the versatile blogger award.
cheers,
bruno
December 19, 2011 at 11:21 pm
Thanks for the support, most appreciated.
December 19, 2011 at 11:50 pm
Thank you Elmediat for nominating my blog this year for Versatile Blogger! Happy 2012!
December 30, 2011 at 12:03 pm
You are most welcome and deserving of the award. Best wishes for the coming year.
January 2, 2012 at 12:49 am
“Elmediat”–
I like to address all of my blogger friends by their first names (rather than a Nom de Blog when I respond to their comments on my blog, but after combing through your blog several times, all I can find is that Nia refers to you as “Joseph.” Is that your name (and how would Nia have known that)?
January 26, 2012 at 12:11 am
If you don’t mind telling me, but want to maintain a degree of anonymity, respond to me at robinsoj@ohio.edu and then delete my question above and this follow-up. After posing the above question, I realized that to answer me here, in a permanent comment on your About page, would be to “blow your cover.” –J
January 26, 2012 at 7:58 am
Thanks for visiting my blog and from what I have seen from Today’s post I will definitely be enjoying yours for a great long while.
Cheers!
M
February 14, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Thanks for visiting and commenting. Glad you enjoyed the recent post..
February 14, 2012 at 9:57 pm
I’m glad you stopped-by my blog today, Elmediat. I’m still at the beginning of my journey into photography, and your commentary inspired me to look a bit further. I appreciate the feedback you left on my post…as well as the information you have on your blog about the technical aspects of photography, tips on taking the photos, etc. Your three sites will be wonderful resources…and your photography is compelling. Thank you for sharing it all.
February 16, 2012 at 10:52 pm
Thanks for visiting and commenting. Hope you find the various resources useful. The Reading A Photograph page on the Media Literacy blog has a couple of useful PDF documents on the codes and conventions of photography that you may find of value. Keep taking photographs and blogging; I and many others will be watching.
February 17, 2012 at 11:09 pm
You’re welcome…and I did see the PDF documents you mentioned…thank you for the encouragement. 🙂
February 18, 2012 at 2:03 am
Thank you for calling into my Space today my friend
and I will be returning here whenever I get the opportunity…
Have a most excellent weekend…
Androgoth
February 18, 2012 at 6:09 pm
Hope your weekend has been enjoyable. Thanks for dropping by.
February 19, 2012 at 9:23 pm
Wow. Beautiful blog. Thanks for checking out mine.
February 19, 2012 at 6:26 pm
Most welcome. Thanks for visiting.
February 19, 2012 at 9:21 pm
! what a fascinating chronotope you have here
thank you for taking the time to actually look at my work – one of these days i’ll be back to explore yours
February 22, 2012 at 4:31 am
Thanks for dropping by and commenting. Also thanks for the new word. I had to look up chronotype, even with my background in English Literature, Philosophy, and Linguistics & Mass Media, I had not come across the term. it certainly applies to many of my posts and themes. It has given me food for thought. 🙂
February 22, 2012 at 11:05 pm
Psst, it says chronotope, not -type, but hey, I sense that’s just a … typo. 🙂
Btw: in my ignorance I once thought I had invented the word, only later on I learned where and how it already existed – I was perfectly happy with that.
February 23, 2012 at 3:55 am
Ooopsie. Thanks. Well we now have two extra words, before I Tyed-OH, I was going to write Chronotrope. 🙂 Chronotype and Chronotrope are both medical terms. Considering the words archetype and literary tropes, I think I will need to extended definitions. Must not delay, after all time is passing. 🙂
I have added your blog to my Blogroll list (Art & Design, European Photographers).
February 23, 2012 at 8:34 am
thank-you elmediat 🙂
February 23, 2012 at 11:47 am
Thank you so very much for liking my post! Awesome photography!
March 14, 2012 at 5:14 pm
Thanks for dropping by Becca.
March 26, 2012 at 11:29 pm
Hello, one of my ‘fan’ Mike Reverb, mentionned me in his post ‘Versatile Blog Award’ , from what I do understand it is a nice way to bring bloggers to discover new blogs…unfortunately no big checks are coming with it…:)), but on the bright side, no threats either, like something terrible will happen if you don’t follow….:)), because there is a few things it is suggested to do…., like mentionning seven things about you that are unknown to your blog’s reader, and adding a list of about 15 blogs that you like by putting their addresses, I took the liberty of adding your’s to mine, to know more about this please go to http://jmrart.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/the-versatile-blogger-award/
March 26, 2012 at 11:20 pm
Thanks very much !
March 26, 2012 at 11:29 pm
You are welcome!
March 26, 2012 at 11:42 pm
You have some very interesting images here. Like it. 🙂
April 2, 2012 at 10:15 am
Thanks for dropping by and commenting. 🙂
April 5, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Thanks for visiting and the like. Interesting posts you have here.
April 5, 2012 at 10:19 am
Thanks for visiting and commenting. 🙂
April 5, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Thanks for liking my recent photo post “Broad Creek at Dawn”. You have such a rich and diverse blog, and I look forward to seeing more of your posts. You also use the same theme for your blog, which has helped me to see how I might improve mine. Thanks again.
May 2, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Thanks for visiting and commenting. Glad to share ideas & methods. 🙂
May 2, 2012 at 10:23 pm
Hi, great blog you have here. Love the textures. Thanks for visiting and liking some of my pics on “In My View”. — Rob
May 29, 2012 at 10:29 am
Hi, Joseph. I passed along the One Lovely Blog award to you. You don’t need to do anything about it, of course. I just wanted to link to your blog because you do such fine work here. Half the time I don’t get it, as you know, but I love the images…well, mostly. 🙂
George
June 14, 2012 at 4:54 am
Many thanks. 🙂 Sometimes I don’t get what I am doing till I read my replies. 😀
June 14, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Ha Ha! 🙂 The replies are brilliant. I can see you grinning as you read them!
June 14, 2012 at 4:02 pm
always inspired by your work – thank you
http://manoftheword.com/2012/09/04/thankfulness/
September 4, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Thanks very much. 🙂
September 4, 2012 at 2:28 pm
again – thank you and kudos for all your inspiring and creative work!
appreciated!
http://manoftheword.com/2012/11/23/reasons-for-thanks-inspiration/
November 23, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Thanks very much for mentioning me. I have been going through my November Brown out. I try to use creative expression to fight it. Your support and those of others make it very worthwhile.
November 30, 2012 at 8:16 pm
An easy pleasure for me – I’m glad to hear that we can make a difference – there is much worth in your work
November 30, 2012 at 11:57 pm
Nice site! Like the artwork!
January 29, 2013 at 9:12 pm
Thanks. 🙂 Glad you dropped by,
January 29, 2013 at 11:31 pm
Hello, I just found some great texture work on a Blog that I’d love to bring to your attention – I think you might like 🙂
http://twistedsifter.com/2013/02/turning-rusty-fire-hydrants-into-planets/
Hydrants in to Planets…please! – I love it!
February 22, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Thanks very much. 😀 It really impressive.
February 22, 2013 at 9:25 pm
I like the different things that you have done with some of your photos.
I have Adobe Photoshop, and I did use some filters on the photo in ‘Something about No Thing’ and ‘Dreaming Eyes.’ I inverted (negative ) the colors on both, and then used a drawing filter on one, and an oil paint filter on the other.
Most of the time, I don’t use Photoshop on the pictures that I take though….because once I start playing with Photoshop, hours and hours and hours can go by in the blink of an eye.
March 31, 2013 at 11:03 pm
Thanks very much for dropping by & commenting..
So right about passage of time; So many variations with a few clicks. I try to stay with a goal, but even then, either a surprise variation shows up, or you get caught up in modifying some small detail that consumes your time as you try to get it just right.
I keep in mind how much time my wife will spend on her artwork to get it right and then I do not feel quite so bad, until I realize I forgot to do a chore requested of me. Oopsie. 😀
March 31, 2013 at 11:15 pm
Yes! Exactly.
March 31, 2013 at 11:20 pm
Thanks so much for visiting my new photoblog and for the like of one of my posts.
May 26, 2013 at 12:43 am
Most welcome. Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
June 11, 2013 at 11:28 pm
Hi thank you for stopping by, I shall enjoy looking around your blog. Be well and happy 🙂
June 11, 2013 at 5:19 am
Thanks for coming by for a visit. 🙂
June 11, 2013 at 11:29 pm
Great images and ideas here . . . your experience and ethusiasm shines.
RR
July 9, 2013 at 12:47 pm
Thanks very much for dropping by & commenting. Much appreciated. 🙂
July 10, 2013 at 7:58 pm
got you an award here’s the link http://kintal.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/sunshine-award-nominees/ please accept, thank you.
August 17, 2013 at 7:31 am
Thanks very much. Most appreciate. 🙂
August 17, 2013 at 11:12 am
Hello,
Thank you so much for stopping by blog 🙂
I really feel glad to find you here and it’s been great exploring your posts.
Beautiful images and a different style indeed.
Thanks a lot for sharing and have a great time 🙂
July 9, 2014 at 3:43 am
Thanks for dropping by and commenting. It is much appreciated and I am glad you found the posts of interest. 🙂
July 9, 2014 at 10:27 am
You have some wonderful images on your blogs Joseph. Thanks for visiting mine 🙂
July 27, 2014 at 12:59 am
Thanks Belinda. It is much appreciated. 🙂
July 27, 2014 at 7:09 pm
Your images are absolutely wonderful, thanks so much for sharing.
I’m certainly looking forward to seeing more in the future!
Have a fantastic day xx ❤ Cha
August 13, 2014 at 8:40 am
Thanks Cha. May the zoological force be with you. Great poetry. Hope you found the teeth ( from your latest post). 🙂
August 14, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Beautiful work!
August 25, 2014 at 4:20 pm
Thanks very much. Glad you enjoyed the posts. 🙂
August 25, 2014 at 6:05 pm
Pleased to have found your eye catching blog. Lots to encourage return visits. Regards from Thom at the immortal jukebox (give it a spin).
October 12, 2014 at 2:10 am
Most welcome. Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
October 14, 2014 at 12:12 pm
I’ll visit again. Hope you’ll check out the Jukebox.
October 14, 2014 at 1:52 pm
Retired. Key word. 😉 Me too. Thanks for the like. I ‘like’ your overlay image.
October 14, 2014 at 12:07 pm
Retired teachers keep trying new things – we must communicate & share; it is in our DNA psyche. 🙂
October 14, 2014 at 12:15 pm
Yes. I hope you don’t mind. I’d like to try something similar. It really intrigued me.
October 14, 2014 at 12:20 pm
Great ! I have some tutorial pages that show some of my approaches to layering & processing an image. 🙂
October 14, 2014 at 1:07 pm
Thank you for visiting my blog site. Recently took up photography beside designing and your site is more than amazing. Looking forward to enjoy all your posts.
February 5, 2015 at 1:18 pm
Many thanks. Glad you have been enjoying the posts. Your comments are most appreciated
February 5, 2015 at 1:35 pm
You know, our art/photography editing styles are scary similar. I don’t think I’ve seen in 15+ years of doing this that resembles my own personal style so much. it’s a little bit freaky! But pretty darn cool. :0) And, who likes onions, anyway?! (I do. Haha…)
March 7, 2015 at 5:10 pm
Many thanks . Glad you enjoy the work presented. Lately I have done a bit more monochrome . My other blog, Implied Spaces, tends to feature more experimental work, both written and visual.
Your Onions reminded me of some pieces I did a while back. If you do a search on this blog for “Antique Impressions: The Onion” you will see a similarity in style. For more onion madness there is ‘Surreal Thursday: Lachrymose or Hard-Boiled ?” . 😀
Once again thanks for coming by. Very much appreciated.
BTW If you like very unique photo art vision check out Ashley’s blog Syncopated Eyeball. Somehow, one of her links eventually led me to your blog. 🙂
March 7, 2015 at 6:25 pm
Thanks so much for visiting my blog! I appreciate it very much. 🙂
April 15, 2015 at 2:58 pm
Most welcome. Glad you are enjoying some of my posts. 🙂
April 15, 2015 at 4:15 pm
What you’re doing is very interesting.
I’ll come back soon 🙂
Greetings,
Ulli
April 28, 2015 at 8:14 am
Thanks very much for dropping by & taking the time to comment. Hope you enjoy the visit. 🙂
April 28, 2015 at 8:30 am
very nice digital blog full of inspirations … I’m following you
August 8, 2015 at 7:34 pm
Thanks very much. 🙂
August 8, 2015 at 8:35 pm
What are you creating now? 🙂
August 9, 2015 at 3:15 am
I have shifted my output a bit. This blog is now putting more emphasis on regular photography with greater emphasis on monochrome. My Implied Spaces blog is where I am posting more of my creative & experimental work – a combination of images, digital video, prose & poetry.
A mix of circumstances have also recently reduced output. 🙂
August 9, 2015 at 5:40 pm
monochrome is a great way of expression. So you have another blog, can you give me the link, I’m curious about it
August 9, 2015 at 6:13 pm
Links at the top of page. Media Literacy blog can be reached through Dark Pines Icon at top left of sidebar. Most recent posts from Implied Spaces listed on sidebar just above search box. 🙂
August 9, 2015 at 7:31 pm
thank you for your visit and wow! Great blog you have!
May 24, 2016 at 12:15 pm
Most welcome. Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
May 24, 2016 at 12:17 pm
Excellent! I’m quite pleased to have connected here. Wonderful work.
August 7, 2016 at 2:09 pm
Many thanks.
December 21, 2016 at 12:25 pm
Always refreshing to visit here.
Regards Thom.
September 17, 2016 at 4:23 am
🙂
December 21, 2016 at 12:24 pm