Life: Through the Lens

I have this lovely new point-and-shoot, but can't get the photos off of it!  Apparently wireless is the way to go now, so I have to figure out how to follow the directions that make no sense in order for that to happen.  This being said, I can't do my updated "comparison" post yet, so decided to focus on one of my favorites subjects - critters. The title of this post is Paying Attention, and that is what you really have a to do to find the little creatures who live amongst us.  You also have to be cautious, and quiet, and patient...and like to get up early.  Does this describe you?  I can be any of those characteristics, but it is so hard to do it all at once! There was a morning a couple of weeks ago where I said to my husband, "That's it!  I am getting up and going to take photos.  You are on dog duty.  Okay?"  I jumped (6:15) grabbed my camera with the close-up lens, tripod, a sweatshirt...and headed out to the field out ba...

When we planned our family get-together I just couldn't believe we all agreed to travel to the desert in July.  It was the only time which worked for all our schedules, and the location seems central for the younger families to get to.  Since we had a lot of time to work with we really didn't think about the distance for us to travel.   There were pros and cons to that decision! As we crossed the Rockies, which never cease to amaze us, and entered the desert terrain, the geography became quite desolate, and bleak.  Miles and miles of nothing - we imagined the journey of the settlers of this early country and how they must have felt as they worked daily to survive.  Then the terrain began to change, rising up into hills and tall rock structures, the color changing from neutral to a warm red hue. Nearing the town of Moab, we were in awe of the size and drama of the rock faces, and began to really look forward to seeing Arches National Park, and...

By definition a portrait is:   a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person, especially one depicting only the face or head and shoulders.   A portrait is also  usually  considered more " formal" than other photographs. Who would have expected to run into someone you know, so far away from home? This is Allison, a young lady who grew up in our town, our families went to the same church, she was in band with my daughter,  and here she is working as a Park Ranger in Arches National Park! What a stroke of luck it was that I decided to wear my Michigan t-shirt that day.  It initiated the conversation that lead to our reacquaintance! As a photographer, I have been asked to shoot senior photos, business photos, weddings and special events. And I have done all those things.  However, I do not enjoy that process as much as I do creating portraits which show personality, and a sense of time and place. These po...

Getting back in the swing of things.  I began my teaching commitments this week, though my house is not clean, a mountain of postcards, brochures and maps have yet to find a home, and I am not even close to figuring out how I will organize, yet alone display, selections of photographs from our trip.  And that is life, isn't it? The trip seems a bit of a blur, as we work our way toward fall, but it is nice to have beautiful interludes close to home to give us moments of quiet and reflection.  Though we saw many wild animals, and beautiful flora everywhere we went, I love having the same opportunities close to home. It is always good to have that reminder that though travel and seeing new places presents opportunity for growth and adventure, there are also times when looking out your own window, or walking your own neighborhood, are just as rewarding. However, I am NOT sure I am quite ready to give up my summer to the unquestionable beauty and...