What is it about cemeteries that catch my interest. I’m not morbid. There is something about them that is artistic. We have patterns, shapes, colors, and shadows, all of which my photographers eye is drawn to. On this specific morning I was not headed for any cemetery but as I turned the corner and saw the light, I had to pull in and spend some time there. Starbursts can change the feeling of an image. Without this starburst it would be a simple and dull image of a tree and grave stones. By using an aperture of f11 I was able to attain the star effect but not the lens flare. Oh well, the image works for me and hope is does for you.
It is almost the end of June and many of the cone flowers have almost come to the end of their season. Their petals and stamens are not a perfect due to rain, hail and wind. Yet, I wanted an image of one of my favorite flowers, so what could I come up with? I walked among and around this clump looking for a flower that was in good enough shape to photograph. None to be found. As I walked around the back side of this fence I had an idea (those do happen once in awhile.) I thought I would focus on the fence and leave the cone flowers out of focus. A different view…of one of my favorite flowers.
Out for a morning stroll. He’s a bit shy, in case you hadn’t noticed, as he made sure to stay close to the plants. After a hard rain the night before there is a wonder in the air the next morning. Don’t know about you but the freshness that is around us when walking among nature after a rain sure can perk up my senses. A smile comes to my face, well maybe a smirk. Wonder if it’s the same for the turtle. Do you think he’s smiling or smirking?
I could hear the frogs croaking along Frog Pond. I could smell the moisture and rain. I could feel the dampness in the air and in my clothes. For eye candy I had rain droplets hanging from leaves and flower petals. There were sun beams breaking through the trees. All these make for a good morning stroll.
After a night of rain a blue sky and bright sun greeted us in the morning. We had several inches of rain and some strong winds. I headed for Inniswood Gardens in search of images as well as spending this wonderful morning among nature. In my mind was a vision of raindrops hanging from leaves and flowers, so with camera and tripod off I went. After a couple of hours wandering around I did get few images of raindrops. However, I was not expecting to find these wonderful beams of sunlight coming through the trees.
I read a blog by David deChemin on the definition of a photographer. I resonated with his thoughts and perspective and had to rethink about using that title on myself. Am I a photographer?
There was a time when I struggled with calling myself an engineer. I worked for 27 years in engineering and was paid the salary of an engineer, whatever value a company may place on that job. Yet, I am me, an individual with so much more than just a title or label. I now work as a flight attendant so does that make me a flight attendant? Yes, while working at that job I am a flight attendant as well as being me. I’ve been called a son, brother, husband, father, a grandfather, a friend and even a few unprintable labels. Am I any of those? Yes, even the unprintable. Yet, I am still me. So what defines me as a photographer?
I have made money with my photography so does that make me a photographer? I carry my camera with me almost everywhere I go, does that make me a photographer? At this juncture of my photography, I believe when I take the time to create an image rather than take an image, I am a photographer. When my eye sees an image within the mundane, I’m a photographer. We don’t have to make money with it. We don’t have to have a business name or business cards. Although those sure won’t hurt. In the above image, my eyes noticed the solitude of the trees and the windmill against the western clouds while driving on a farm road in the Texas Panhandle. I stopped the car and worked my way around the scene to find a view that fit my vision of the trees and the windmill. This view works for me and hopefully for others. What about you, are you a photographer?
Another hotel room. I guess we all will take images of what we see around us. In my case it’s a lot of hotels over the past two years. For some of you that may seem boring but I must say I’ve stared in wonder at some views from windows. That’s even been swimming around in my head for theme gallery. I am also taken by some of the light and colors we can find through windows. In this image the orange shade gives off a warm glow to the whole room. It’s simple and what I experience.
“Living in the moment is more than just a principle upheld by the enlightened, it’s solid photographic wisdom.” from Within the Frame by David duChemin
