Category Archives: Photography
the peace-bringers
I appreciate an unlocked church. I like the silence and the way everything is still, as if waiting for something important to happen. I like seeing the simple things, like the stack of church newsletters on a table in the foyer or the place where the collection baskets are stored when they’re not needed. I like the statues and the saints, and the statues of saints. I like the lighting and the shadows. I like knowing that the place represents local traditions and beliefs, even when I don’t quite know what those may be.
And I mostly appreciate the trust of someone who decided to leave the church open, in case someone needed to be in it that day.
Presidio Chapel of San Elizario
San Elizario, Texas
photographed 12.15.2025
sharing space
I saw an interesting store display in El Paso last month. It was like a “compare and contrast” essay about the differences between European and Mexican versions of Catholicism.
On a side note, this sighting did increase my annual “white baby Jesus” tally by one.
El Paso, Texas
photographed 12.14.2025
arms full of jesus
I really can’t understand why I actively avoided doing street photography for a really long time. But I guess I got to it when my brain was ready. Or whatever.
At any rate, here’s a woman I saw in downtown El Paso last month. She and Jesus were out taking a bit of a stroll and they were kind enough to pause for 1/480th of a second.
El Paso, Texas
photographed 12.14.2025
trailer/house
There’s not all that much to see in Orogrande.
But I did see this place, which seems to be aging itself out of existence. The circumstances of small-town New Mexico have already aged it out of usefulness.
Orogrande, New Mexico
photographed 12.14.2025
something on my sensor
I guess I need some technical advice from camera people. From time to time I get stuff like this on my camera; I’m wondering if it’s something on the sensor and if I need to send my camera in for some kind of deep cleaning.
Have any of y’all experienced anything similar?
For background, the first time this happened was in Sicily (in couple of different locations), then in happened in Scotland, again in Sicily, and then this time at White Sands. The first two times I noticed it was when I’d left the table to go to the restroom. This last time I handed my camera to someone so I could tie my shoe. And one more thing – which is probably complete irrelevant – Don Toothaker was in the immediate vicinity every time.
Anyway, I’d appreciate any advice on the situation and/or any jokes or ridiculous comments.
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
photographed 12.12.2025
One Day | One Image 