I enjoy a slower pace when walking the streets because you just never know what you’re going to find. If that street is in a tourist area then those interesting sights will increase. This small shop had several of these watering pots along the steps leading into the store and along the sidewalk. There were frogs, cats, dogs, squirrels beckoning people to stop look and maybe walk inside. Great marketing scheme. I like this image the best as it shows the roosters and chickens standing guard at the door. I struggledwith the lighting as the front chicken had more light and is not as colorful as it really was. Hope you have a wonderful day.
Sometimes I like to find a place where I’m pretty much by myself, like this young man. It was a warm and sunny day in Portland, Maine, so we took the bus from our hotel down to the port area. The bus depot is next to Monument Square where this young man found some solitude among the crowd at the base of the statue. Hope you’ve had a good day!
Walked the streets of Portland, Maine today. Love visiting this port town. There was a cruise ship in port so the streets were busy with sightseeing visitors. With it being beautiful day and a weekend we also had the locals out. I found these green doors and just had to take a few snaps. I used my Nikon 18-200mm VR lens today rather than the 35mm f1.8 I’ve been using almost exclusively. Wow, what a difference between those two lens. The color on the 35mm is so much nicer. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!
I’ve really been shooting more portraits lately and have been lucky to have lovely people for models. This is Susan, one of my co-workers, as we met at Inniswood Gardens to shoot a few images of her and her son, Matt and his dog Chaz. I am really liking the experience of meeting and spending time with people.
Prospect Ponds as a series of ponds encircled with trails and located along East Prospect Road. The City of Fort Collins maintains the ponds and trails. It is used by fishermen as the ponds have plenty of small bass, crappie and perch. The natural area is a haven for waterfowl, birds, mice, foxes and raccoons to see in the early mornings and late evenings. As I walked along the edge of one of these ponds on a cool fall morning I had my attention captured by these reeds and the early morning light. After setting up and taking a few images I was given something extra by nature as a fish rose to the surface to make this pleasant splash and ripples, adding more sparkles to the image. Yes, a morning splash with nature.
…to bring something important on a photo shoot? I have and here’s my story. When the alarm clock broke me from my sleep I reach for the snooze button. Man, is it dark. Wonder if that’s because the suns not up yet? Once the annoying sound has been silenced, I rub my eyes hoping it will help them adjust to the darkness. I start to see the dim light coming through my bedroom window from the street light. My mind asks if I really want to crawl out of this warm bed on a cold October morning in hopes of a beautiful sunrise. But, the voice of passion within a photographer coaxes the body to get out of the bed at this early hour!
I dress and pack my gear in the car. Brrr, it is cold. Let’s get that car heater going. There is very little traffic as everyone else with any sort of sanity is still in bed. Since I’m not driving very far and this is one of my favorite places, the Arapaho Bend Natural Area, I arrive in plenty of time. I find my parking spot in the small turnout along the dirt road, turn off the engine and step back out into the cold. I know I will have to walk down to the waters edge for the view I want and hopefully not get too wet from the tall grasses. I do love the quiet of these morning hours. Strangely, I’m not feeling the cold as much. Once I’m at the waters edge I set up my tripod and get ready to shoot. Wait a minute! No way! Yes, I did! I frantically look in this pocket of my bag and then in that pocket but it’s not there. Yep, I forgot to put my L-bracket on my camera and now I cannot place my camera on my tripod. S#@*!!!!
Frustrated and angry at myself, I sit down on the wet ground and stare at the horizon as the sun begins to rise. Look at the colors in those clouds! Their reflection in the water! This is awesome! My senses are waking up as I can hear the geese on the far side of the pond. I’m breathing slower and gently. The light breeze is gently lapping the water along the shoreline. I am realizing the calming beauty of nature is embracing my spirit. I’m enjoying all of this, the sights, the smells, the sounds and I’m not cold anymore. Once again,the voice inside of us that wants us to photograph speaks to me. It begs me to go ahead and shoot. “Why not? You’re here. Go ahead and hand hold that camera. Forget the tripod. Now is the time. So, pull up those knees, prop your elbows on top of the knees, take a breath and press the shutter. Lets’ see what you get.” So, I did.
Another lesson in learning to listen to the voice inside. And, that’s my story.
I noticed a few leaves are turning red and some are falling to the ground in preparation for the coming of Fall. Summer is almost gone so here’s one more flower image, taken last month at Inniswood Gardens. Have a wonderful weekend.
