Life: Through the Lens

I'm not big on taking my photographs and tweaking them much. I try to recreate the image I see before me and not depend on gimmicks to make it "better." However, I am trying to learn how to have more fun with photography, and maybe create some unique images for competitions, cards and family fun. Tonight my daughter sent a couple of photos taken during Spirit Week, where she teaches, and I decided to make them true "spirit" week photos. I simply imported the photos into Picnik , and used their special Halloween effects. This type of tweaking may have possibilities!

Otter Lake, in the Upper Peninsula The wind has been blowing, the rain has been falling, and the colors are found more on the ground than on the trees. I love fall, but it just doesn't last long enough. It also seems like I have to work so hard that I'm missing the color and excitement, the smell of burning leaves and the feel of the fresh, damp breeze blowing my hair. Work has also kept me from blogging, but my schedule is starting to ease a bit. I am looking forward to grabbing my camera again and getting outdoors - well, at least until the really cold air hits. I think that's next week. One of my favorite views of our yard. Color and Texture in Nature Enjoy the color and vibrancy of the last of autumn, and welcome in the dormancy of winter. It's supposed to be a time of renewal, time to reflect and enjoy the silence. Is this what winter means to you? What is your favorite season?

There are so many decisions to make when deciding the angle from which to take your photo. Is it a horizontal or vertical image? Sable Falls, Upper Peninsula of Michigan Do you want a fast or slow shutter speed? This means, do you want to show texture and action, or smooth, veil-like water? Do you take the photo of the falls in it's entirety, or just a portion of it? What is your message? What do you want people to know about your subject? These are all photos of Sable Falls , taken from different postitions and angles. You be the judge. Which of these photos strikes you, and why?

When you take a photograph, do you take the time to look around? To look at your subject matter from a number of different perspectives? While meeting up with friends this week, we took the time to "work" a subject, the Crisp Point Lighthouse, on Lake Superior. Which one do you prefer? Have fun with friends, and photographic subjects!

Scott Falls Have you ever entered a magical world, a world which surprises you? I have seen this waterfall before, and have photographed this falls before, yet I have never gone behind this waterfall until this year. And when I did that, and looked out from behind that veil, I felt like a little girl again. I used to have a hiding place, where I could perform magic and feel creative and airy and light. I solved many a mystery, and played the piano like a virtuoso. This waterfall brought that memory to life...and I was entralled. When was your last dance with a waterfall, even metaphorically?

Funny how that song title came to mind. We listen to music quite frequently, and today's overcast and rainy day was a Vivaldi day. Running the backroads of the upper peninsula, rain tapping on the windshield, vivid colors criss-crossing our vision, Vivaldi danced with our spirits as we gathered photographs and memories . You musn't put your camera away when it rains. Some of the best photographs are made on the type of day in which you don't want the sky to show, but the colors just pop. Fall is a perfect season to play with color, shape and form. . I must work tonight, but wanted to share a sampling of the last couple of days of our annual color "tour." Enjoy.

When I am away from my writing and photography too long, I start to become stressed. There is something soothing about taking pictures, writing, editing, sorting, matching photo to text...it's all part of the creative part of me which needs to be nurtured a bit. I do love my job, but it's so time-consuming. Each year it feels like it takes me farther from where I should be..., whereever that is:). I trust I am being guided on this life's journey, and will work to keep my eyes open, ears tuned, and all senses on alert so I can gather the beauty along the way. Though I am away from the blogosphere more than I want to be, physically, I think about it a great deal. I compose posts in the car. I see something I feel I should take a photograph of so I can share it here. Fortunately, I am on a mini-break this week, of my own design, and am busy gathering fall sights, sounds, tastes, smells and touches as fast as I can. It should be a good week for pictures...and sharing! En...