Texas Independence Day

Today is an important day in the history of the Lone Star State - Texas Independence Day.

Rather than rambling about my own thoughts about the day, I'm going to refer you to a great blog by someone who has had a big influence on my photographic eye and is a Texan in the truest sense. The blog is written by Wyman Meinzer, who is the official photographer for the state of Texas. Yes, Texas has its own photographer. In his latest entry, Wyman discusses a historical look back on the Llano Estacado, which reminds you of how unforgiving and wild the area once was.

Never have I met anyone who has such a passion for the heritage and idealism of what Texas represents. His blog speaks for itself - The Blog of Texas State Photographer Wyman Meinzer . 

While in graduate school at Texas Tech, I took the 4300 photography class Wyman refers to in his latest blog entry, and I haven't looked through a camera's viewfinder the same way since. The man has published book after book, each illustrating a look at Texas that no other has been able to capture. He is a true Texan and a legend in his own time. Read his blog, buy his books. 

For another perspective on Texas Independence Day, take a look at the Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner's blog. Commissioner Todd Staples briefly discusses the adventurous story of how Texas gained its independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836.

I'm not a native Texan, but I think Texas represents a little independence in all of us.