What a Muddy Mess

Not So New Sneakers

I'm not sure if these were new or not.  They looked pretty clean when the day started . . . and then we entered the apple orchard.  Boy was it muddy.  There were more areas I didn't want to go in than there were areas I felt safe stepping into.  I was afraid I was gonna get stuck and never come out again. 

The kids, they had no problem getting around in that mud - and have a blast doing it.  I was surprised that by the time we were finished picking and had lunch, most of the mud had already fallen off our shoes, so we didn't bring that much home with us. 

Tonight's quote has little to do with the picture from today.  Just thought you might enjoy it as I did.

A single question can be more influential than a thousand statements.  ~ Bo Bennett

Choices

Choices

A man is what he thinks about all day long.  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Something to Go Round

Going Round

I dug into the archives a little on this one.  Sometimes it takes me a bit to get back to the gazillions of photos I have taken over years.  Okay, maybe not a gazillion exactly - give or take one or two and that might be more accurate.

Back to the whole looking at things in a new way . . . I love the shadow here.  What a terrific image with the different shapes.  Throw in the texture from that tire - and voila, I'm a happy girl.

We must use what we have to invent what we desire.  ~ Adrienne Rich

See Things with New Eyes

Keep Your Eye on the Ball

I love the concentration in watching that ball to see just how many pins will actually be knocked down.  Now, if only we could get that amount of concentration to carry over to other areas. . .

So here is a good quote that not only makes me smile, but also makes me think, and feel very good inside.  Try today to look at things with "new eyes" you may learn something new, or have your heart softened to another way of thinking, or even notice the simple beauty in something you see (and pass by) every single day.  Always remember there will never be another moment just like the one you are living in right now.

The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.  ~ Marcel Proust

Take a Look at Some Borders

Untitled

Having fun while waiting for our food to arrive.  I seem to pull my camera out a lot when we are out to eat.  I'm not sure if it's the texture of the food or the colors, but out it comes.  This was fun.  I really like the look of ice and the air bubbles that sometimes get trapped in the glass, not to mention the condensation that forms on a glass full of cool liquid.  And, really the bright color was what drew me to this glass to photograph.

After taking a few photos of just the glass (for example last night's photo) itself I decided to have a bit of fun.  The first thing I always tell people when they express an interest in taking better photographs - always pay attention to the borders of your image before snapping the picture.  How many of us have taken a photo only to find something very distracting in the background?  It happens all the time.  Just pull out the old family photo album and I'm pretty sure you will see photo after photo of less than stellar images.  Mostly because there is something undesirable in the image.  The best are the kids that look like they have trees or flag poles growing out of their heads.  You know what I'm talking about right?

Well, in this instance, I intentionally wanted to include the person just beyond the glass.  And by putting that person just slightly out of focus, it is not so distracting in the background.  By paying attention to my borders I was able to include more information that helps to tell a story.  I've included what I wanted to, and left out what I did not - the table of people to the left. 

So, practice shooting by only paying attention to everything you see in your image.  Don't worry about anything except those borders, until that becomes habit, and you will find that one simple step will improve your images.

The power of imagination makes us infinite.  ~ John Muir

Refreshing

Aaaah

What else is there to say about this one.  Just some good refreshment on a hot summer day - and we have had plenty of those this year.

Smiley Faces, The Green Thumb and Me Getting Lost In Photography Moments

Smiley

I believe I've mentioned before about my mom and her "green thumb".  She's able to grow just about anything - and I have to add that my dad and brother help her with her current projects.  At my parent's home there are all kinds of things growing - pecans, peaches, apples, grapes, oranges, grapefruit - not to mention all the flowers too!  It's a wonderful place to go as a photographer.  As you have seen and heard about over the past year.

Well, one day after a fun visit to a water park with my son and some out of town relatives, we headed back to my parents house and ended up sitting outside visiting.  And there was the strangest peach I've ever seen.  Just split open like this.  So, naturally I put it on the picnic table and started taking pictures.  Well, what would you do?  I didn't have any cameras with me so I used my cell phone.  Sometimes those things come in handy (although mostly they drive me crazy 'cause the quality is not so wonderful).  My family is pretty used to my weird ways because not one person asked why I was doing that.  And as far as I know none of them even gave me strange looks - but that could have been taking place when all my attention was on this peach.

To me, it looks like it's smiling at us.  Got a happy face on.  Maybe because it knows the chances anyone is going to eat it are pretty darn slim.  I'm not sure what happened to it after it's 15 minutes of fame were over.

I spend shockingly little time thinking about real world stuff.  ~ Trey Parker

Do I Like It or Do I Not? I'm Still Not Sure

Untitled

Texture and light and abstract.  All things that I really enjoy when photographing.  I've been going back and forth on this one for quite some time.  I want to share it and then decide against it.  I like it, but find it a little distracting.  While quickly scrolling through my images that are in my "holding area", I was drawn to this one again.  And, well, that was it.  Tonight was the night I was going to quit talking myself out of sharing it and going with my initial gut instinct.  So, here it is.  Not sure what you all will think.  Is it art, is it not?  I don't really now, and honestly that is for each of you to decide.  For me, there is something about all that texture and the playful light, it just keeps pulling me in.  I'm not going to tell you what it is, at least not yet - can you tell me what it is?

I was also wondering something.  Is there anyone out there that is interested in learning some tips on taking better photos?  Not that I'm an expert by any means, but just some tips.  Let me know if you are.  I'm thinking about setting up some easy ideas to improve your photography.  Nothing technical, just very simple things.  And, I have also been asked to share how to use an SLR camera and am putting that together too.  So, if you are interested in something like that, please let me know.

All art requires courage.  ~ Anne Tucker

End of This Round

The Mountain Top

And, here we are at the end of the Halo dudes vacation. I love this one single guy standing at the edge of the mountain top. I wonder what on earth he is thinking about up there.

The only Zen you find on the mountains is the Zen you bring up there. ~ Robert M. Pirsig

A Little Help Please

A Little Help From My Friends

I love how these guys have such great teamwork.  I mean c'mon, they work together, vacation together and even pull each other up the mountain.  I'm pretty sure if the guy in white would quite posing he would find the climb much easier.

And, wow, how true is that.  Quit "posing" and you will find life much easier. 

Okay, so now for a little bit of photo talk.  The pic from tonight and the one from last night, I just have to comment on that background lighting.  I did take some liberty and worked on them a bit on the computer.  Mostly, the background was pretty neat.

I love shooting in aperture mode and with a zoom lens all the way out.  That creates that wonderful blurred background - putting all the emphasis on the in-focus subject of the picture.  Since this was taken by my pool, the background is actually the decking around the pool with some fun lines created by the pool fence and the setting sun.  How fun is that texture?

Courage makes heroes, but trust builds friendship.  ~ From Star Wars:  The Clone Wars

Climb

Climb

For they conquer who believe they can.  ~ John Dryden

And really there's nothing more to add to that thought.  Goodnight, sleep tight, and see you tomorrow!

Water Slide

Water Slide

Now how is this for vacation fun?  Water Slide!!!

You never know when you are making a memory.  ~  Rickie Lee Jones

Looking for the Sunset

For The Sunset

I've always been a sucker for sunsets.  As a kid, we drove across country more times than I can remember (or care to count).  And back in those days, we didn't have handheld video games or DVD players to entertain us.  It was good, old fashioned reading.  And since I get carsick when I read, I was left with either sleeping or watching the scenery go by.  One of the things I fondly remember was all those gorgeous sunsets - especially when we got out west.  Just outstanding.

And, by the looks of it, I'm not the only one that enjoys a good sunset.  Apparently, our vacationing halo guys stopped long enough atop this mountain to check out the upcoming sunset.  Smart guys really - they know where to relax and what to do to relax.

Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing.  ~ Wernher von Braun

More Water

Taking in the Sun

Now, he really needed some time in the sun...I do believe he is paler than me.  And that really is saying something.  I do like his "pose".  The boys had a great time setting these guys up for me to have some fun with.

The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears or the sea.  ~ Isak Dinesen

Some R&R

Relaxing in Red

Now, to me, this guy is the smart one out of the bunch.  This is how I prefer to spend my time poolside.  Sitting on the edge with my feet dipped in the water.  Helps keep you cool, but does not require getting in the pool.  I'm not a big swimmer myself. 

I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world.  This makes it hard to plan the day.  ~ E.B. White

Aaah Relaxation Time

The Picture of Relaxation

Now this is how you relax.  Can't you just feel the stress fading away looking at how relaxed he is?

Some Vacation Photos

Vacation Photos 1

While I was taking photos of my dog doing various goofy activities - I was actually outside for another purpose all together.  My son and his friend informed me that while they were swimming they would be coming up with some photo worthy activities.  Intrigued, and in need of doing some shooting, I agreed to a photo session in the late afternoon while they were swimming.  I, of course, was imagining great canon balls and such.

It would seem that some of our Halo dudes (from the very popular series of video games) were much in need of a vacation.  And our pool was just the spot that they were headed to for some relaxation and fun activities.  I guess defending the universe gets a little rough at times. 

Four of the guys headed out to the sunny southwest for some R&R.  And, here they are relaxing at the hot spring just above the waterfall.

Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between deep breaths.  ~ Etty Hillesum

Protect the Queen

Protect the Queen

Another view of the battle from last night.  Again, shot in macro mode.  This time I played a little in Photoshop adding a soft glow to the scene.

Is not amusement the very soul of life?  ~ Frances Milton Trollope

Definitely on the Mend, Thanks For Thinking of Me

Boat Battle

First of all, thank you everyone for your well wishes.  I am very much on the mend.  Although most foods are still not appealing to me, I will tough it out and eat.  If I have to.  As a matter of fact, I had some ice cream this evening.  It was torture, but I made it through somehow. 

But seriously, I am feeling much, much better.  And I thank you all for your concern.

Tonight's picture is from a school project for my son.  He had to create a commercial for a product.  They had the choice of video taping it or doing it live in class.  The two boys decided videoing was a better option.  After completing all the hard stuff, we worked on the "fun" things that make a commercial, like background music and credits.  We had a mini photo shoot for some still images to be displayed for the intro and credits.  This is one of the photos from the project.

It's always so dramatic to put items against a white background.  Don't you think?  That background is nothing more than several sheets of 12x12 white card stock spaced out enough to cover the base and the background.  We actually shot this on the kitchen counter.  And, if memory serves, it was done with my point and shoot camera on the macro setting.  I mean why "over think" something if you don't have to?  There are many tools that can get you great results.  The key is getting comfortable with the ones you have so that you can use them to their full potential.

Learn all you can from the mistakes of others.  You won't have time to make them all yourself.  ~ Alfred Sheinwold

I Think I Might Be Changing My Mind Here

Strings in Black & White

Since I talked about this image in black & white, I thought I would throw it out there for you all.  So, lay it on me, what do you think?  Color or black & white.  I love hearing how everyone feels when I give out the same image done differently.  So many different opinions, it's just great! 

The more I look at this one, the more I am liking it.  But, I'm kinda easy to please that way I guess.

I really like this quote, it gives me something to think on, and hope . . .

Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.  ~  Salvador Dali

It was a long time ago that I came to an understanding about perfection and the pursuit of it.  It was just plain silly.  I remember almost the exact moment when I had this realization.  And it came in such a strange way.  I'm an avid cross-stitcher.  I learned how at the age of 12 and have done so ever since.  Creating many, many items.  Some have been framed and hung on my walls.  Some have been framed and given as gifts.  Most just sit around somewhere in boxes or such.  It's all about the process of creating.  In the beginning, when I would get off count - which inevitably happens (right Lynn?) - I would take out every single stitch that had been put in a wrong place.  Only to restitch them all over again.  And then one day, I decided to "work it out" by adjusting the surrounding stitches.  I was able to complete the project and it still looked like the image I was trying to create.  And, here is the "realization" part, now this piece of work is uniquely mine.  Nobody else was going to create that image in the exact same way that I just did, nor would anyone else even know there was a mistake.  To me it became perfect in it's imperfection.  Now, I'm not saying that you shouldn't aspire to better things, that you shouldn't pursue becoming a better person and such.  But perfection?  It's such a relative term.  What is perfection to me is not the same perfection to someone else.  Instead of pursuing perfection, how 'bout we all just pursue being the best that each of us can be?