My Retreat~Perkins Cove

The winter weather woes continue here in Central New York State. We are suppose to get freezing rain and sleet tomorrow night. I hope and pray that the weather report is wrong and that we are spared from this next round of wintry weather.

I am weary from all of this wintry mess. So, I try to cope with the situation by imaging one of my favorite places to visit. Perkins Cove, Maine is one of my special places. This quaint fishing village is located along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean (southern Maine seacoast.) Visitors can see the fishermen coming back with their lobsters and other treasures from the ocean. Sightseers can go to the Cove and take boat rides or participate in deep sea fishing. The Cove also boasts delightful shops and art galleries.

Of course, I love to visit Perkins Cove during the summertime, but it is still an enchanted place during the winter, too. I took the photo "Winter at The Cove" last winter. The sun was just beginning to sink below the horizon when I took this photo. Sunset came early on this winter day along the Maine seacoast, but there was still a warm glow to the sunlight.

So, when the winter days here seem endless, I imagine being here at my special place. I can hear the rhythm of the waves,the smell the salt water and feel the sea breeze through my hair.
"Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think." ~ Robert Henri

I Spy

I took my camera with me while doing an errand in our downtown area today. I spotted this dragon-like creature at the edge of a driveway, so I took a photo. Unfortunately, the back of the dragon was cracked, so I decide to do a close up shot.

The dragon is located outside of a building which was probably constructed during the 1920's. The building has an Art Deco type of design and the dragon fits right into the period details. I have never seen such an elaborate sculpture such as this one outside of a building!

It has been a bit warmer here with the temperatures about 0 degrees C (32 degrees F) during the day. We still have snowbanks and streets lined with brown and gray looking snow. So, I am still looking for object to photograph during this dull, dreay days. (Fortunately, I didn't get snow in this photo.)

I may try some more floral shots inside soon. What have you been photographing lately?

My New York

I am really thankful that I had the opportunity to visit New York City once again with my friend Mare. I try to visit The Big Apple at least several times per year. There is always so much to do there: shopping, sightseeing, visiting museums and attending Broadway plays and baseball games. And it is so much fun to visit the City with a dear friend.

Our journeys to The Big Apple begin here in Central New York State. I have always lived in this part of New York State, and it is very different from New York City in many ways. Much of my state is dotted with small cities between several larger ones. We are surrounded by natural resources and farm land. The beautiful Adirondack Mountains are just to our north. Utica, the small city where I live, is in the scenic Mohawk Valley. We are fortunate to have many lakes in the area, too.

Usually, I travel to New York City on the train. I love taking the train because the ride is usually a relaxing one. I look out of the window and see the farm land and small towns. We usually pick up more passagers in Albany, the capital city of New York State. The train ride from Albany to New York City takes about two and a half hours. The train runs along the banks of the Hudson River. Last Saturday, the Hudson River was frozen near Albany. The waters were flowing the closer we got to The Big Apple. The train stops at several small towns along the Hudson River.

The train roars into New York City's Penn Station after I have been on the train for about four and a half hours. Penn Station reminds me of a city within a city. There are many stores and restaurants there. Madison Square Garden, a sports complex, is just above the station. And the station is usually bustling with people. The Big Apple, of course, is alive with the rhythm of the city and its diverse people.

After a quick ride on the escalator, it is time to explore the city once again. And there are always so many landmarks to see: The Empire State Building, The New York Public Library lions, Times Square, Central Park, and Rockefeller Center. (The photo above is Rockefeller Center.) Time to explore! (It was wonderful to be able to walk the streets of New York City last Saturday because they did not have any snow, slush, or ice there at all!)

I certainly enjoy my visits to New York City, but I really won't want to live there. I would miss seeing the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, summer days spent at the local lakes, and the countryside.

Give My Regards To Broadway!

Yesterday, I traveled to New York City with my friend Mare. We took the train to the Big Apple and visited Times Square and the Broadway Theater district. I took this photo of Mare with my Canon point-and-shoot camera. (She is standing next to the poster for the play "Wicked". It is one of her favorite plays. I saw it with her a few years ago.) Mare took some photos of me, so I will try to get copies and post them here.

I didn't take the DSLR and all of the photography equipment because we were just visiting NYC for the day. So, I have several photos for my scrapbook. (Some time I will stay in New York City for a few days and bring the DSLR in order to take some "artistic" shots.)

The hightlight of our day was attending the unforgettable play "Les Miserables". Mare and I were very fortunate to see this play in 1991. (I will never forget seeing Colm Wilkinson playing the lead as Jean Valjean!) I have to say that it was wonderful to see the revival of this classic play on Broadway again. I knew all of the songs by heart! Here is the link to more information about Les Miserables: http://www.lesmis.com/index.htm

It was so uplifting to be able to experience the sights and sounds of this remarkable play once again. This classic tale of good vs. evil still has so many lessons for us to learn today. And many of the lessons which are woven through this play speak to so many hearts. As Victor Hugo, author of this classic once wrote, "It is from books that wise people derive consolation in the troubles of life. "

It was so good to spend the day with my dear friend. I will post more about my impressions of New York City in my blog tomorrow.

Waiting for Spring...Again!

I am definately ready for spring to arrive in this part of New York State! Yesterday, the temperature was just over 0 degrees C (32 degrees F.), but we had some snow last night. Today it was sunny, but colder. The temperature was about

-7 degrees C (20 degrees F) with a very chilly wind.

The high snow banks are everywhere, even though they melted a bit yesterday or the city has begun to cut them back. I feel like I am living in a gigantic igloo that is never going to melt. (Well, the snow banks may start to disappear in June!)

So, I went back through my photos again. This is the photo of the waterfalls that I wrote about yesterday in my blog. The falls are used by a company in order to harness hydroelectric power. This is why the falls are on private land. However, the company allows the public to visit the falls during a few weeks in the spring and fall.

I really enjoy visiting this area during the spring and autumn. There is usually more water flowing during the spring, but the autumn colors are beautiful in this area. I enjoy walking the trails and lugging my camera equipment around. I usually end up meeting members from my local camera club there.

So, I am looking forward to the spring weather so that I can go and visit Trenton Falls again at the end of April or in May. I know that I have taken photos here before, but it will be wonderful to get out, hike, and take photos. It always amazes me when I can go out and take different photos of the same subject with a fresh prespective. As Marcel Proust once wrote, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."

Hopefully, I am going to New York City tomorrow with my friend Mare. (I am praying for a safe trip!) We are taking the train to the City. We will see "Les Miserables" on Broadway. I am going to bring my Canon point and shoot camera, so I will try to take a few photos. (I only bring the DSLR when I stay in NYC for a night or two.) I hope that everyone has a great weekend. I will check in on your blogs again on Sunday!

Creative Eyes

It is another snowy evening here in Central New York State, so I thought that I would go back and look at some of my photos. I was looking for photos that showed ordinary objects in more artistic ways.

The photo that appears to the left is call "The Old Barn Door". I spotted the old barn one fall day while I was walking along a path heading for another destination. In fact, I was going to see a local waterfalls. Now , Trenton Falls is by no means comparable to Niagara Falls. However, it was worth the hike in order to see it. (Trenton Falls is on private land and the public is allowed to come and view it a few times per year.)

The barn was on the same private property. I really liked the contrast in colors and textures between the old barn doors and the goldenrods (which are actually weeds). The old barn doors were actually one of my better shots that day. (I am draw to old barns just like our friend Pat.)

So, I tried not to limit myself that day and take only photos of the waterfall. Hopefully, I will be able to visit Trenton Falls again in the spring in order to take photos of all of the surrounding area.

Sources Of Inspiration

Recently, I have been looking for sources of inspiration for my photography projects. Nature usually provides me with an endless supply of creations to photograph, but it is difficult to find anything during this time of the year.

So, one thing that I like to do is to look around at such things as architecture. I look around familiar places using a creative eye. This creative game is very good for discovering objects that I may have missed in the past.

The above photo was made using this creative game. This photo is call "Guardian and Protector". I rediscovered a beautifully crafted iron gate outside of the local museum in my hometown. Now, I have walk past this very museum many time in my life, but I finally took the time to really look and see the wonderful artistry of this old gate. (The building in which the museum is housed in was built in 1836.)

As these late winter days continue to linger on, I think that I will go out into the city and just look around me. Old buildings, the railroad station, statues, and parks covered in snow could serve as places and objects to photograph. And I am going to remember this quotation by Leslie Grimutter, " Sometimes imagination pounces; mostly it sleeps soundly in the corner, purring. "

Things Are Going To Get Easier

I really miss nature's awesome colors during these drab February days. The trees are bare, the snow banks are a fine shade of brown and it seems like it will be weeks until the spring flowers are in bloom.

So, I have been spending time just photographing bunches of flowers that I purchased from the floral shop. I continue to work with natural light. The photo to the left is another one of my experiments.

I really look forward to being able to take long walks at the local nature center when the flowers and spring breezes appear once again. Some day ...

Of course, I have song lyrics in my head that match my mood. Here is the refrain from the 1970's one hit wonder for the group The 5 Stairsteps. It's called "Ooh Child".

Ooh-oo child, things are gonna get easier,

Ooh-oo child, things'll get brighter,

Ooh-oo child, things are gonna get easier,

Ooh-oo child, things'll be brighter

Here is some simple wisdom from the 1970's!

Signs of the Seasons

I try to appreciate nature's marvelous creations during each season of the year. "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous." (Aristotle) I even manage to discover nature's beauty during the long winter months. This teasel is just one example. I love its different textures against the icy snow. (I took this photo with my trusty Canon point and shoot when I was just beginning to learn about photography.)

The four seasons bring an array of fascinating sights and sounds in the natural world. Here are just a few of my favorites: the sweet smell of rain, fresh berries, mud puddles, glorious shades of autumn leaves, spring wildflowers, the crunch of newly fallen snow, the sound of an approaching thunderstorm and geese visiting a pond.

I am especially appreciative of nature's gifts during these cold and blustery winter days. (It was -6 degrees F this morning.) My photographs help me to remember that there will be brighter days to come soon. And so I remember the sound of the crashing waves along the coast of Maine,the sight of the majestic Adirondack Mountains and walks through a local nature park. I am reminded that spring will come once again.

Wildflower

I have heard some songs lately that have cheered me up during these snowy and blustery days. One of these songs is "Wildflower" by Skylark. (I really like some of the songs from the 1970's!) I can related to the lyrics. Here are some of the lyrics as well as a link to the Midi song version:

"Wildflower"~ by Skylark (1972)

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/wildflower.htm

She's faced the hardest times you could imagine
And many times her eyes fought back the tears
And when her youthful world was about to fall in
Each time her slender shoulders bore the weight of all her fears
And a sorrow no one hears still rings in midnight silence in her ears

Let her cry, for she's a lady

Let her dream, for she's a child

Let the rain fall down upon her

She's a free and gentle flower growing wild

Sometimes I want to be just like a free and gentle wildflower. (I took the wildflower photo last spring at my favorite nature park.) I would like to use the creative side of my personality more instead of worrying about little things in life so much. I want to stop and experience the beauty of nature during every season. And I want to learn about my life by thinking about the symbol of the wildflower growing in the spring.

A Ray of Beauty

I have had a difficult week due in large part to the snowstorm. We have received 35 inches of snow here in Central New York State since Wednesday. The Valentine's Day storm was due to a nor'easter that came up from the southern states. The rest of the snow on Friday was courtesy of the Lake Ontario snow machine.

So, I spent a lot of time digging through the snow. I have my driveway plowed, but the steps and sidewalks still need to be cleared. Now, there is now where to put the snow. I have a snow mountain in my front yard and I am waiting for an avalanche!

Driving is such an adventure, too. I am only 5 feet tall and there is no way that I can see around the corners due to the gigantic snow banks. The streets are so narrow now due to the snow banks, so some streets are one way now. And, it took a long time to get the snow cleared from the streets.

The good news is that the sun made an appearance today and the temperature was 32 degrees F (0 degrees C). This helped to melt a little bit of the snow and ice. The roads were clear for the first time in days (but the snow banks remain.)

I ventured out to the local stores today. (Of course, all of the stores were very busy because other people were out and about, too.) I wanted to purchase some flowers so that I could take some photos this afternoon, but I didn't have a great selection from which to choose from at the floral shop. The selection was limited because Valentine's Day was this week and because the shop wasn't restocked due to the snowstorm. So, I ended up with a small pot of tulips.

Fortunately, I had enough natural light to work with this afternoon. I used some blue fabric for the background because I liked the contrast with the tulip colors. The aperture was set at f25 this time. I tried experimenting with the composition, too.

It was wonderful to see these gorgeous tulips when all I see are mountains of snow outside of my window. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world." And indeed, these beauties made me forget about shovels, snow banks, and lake effect snow.

Happy Anniversary To My Parents

My parents are celebrating their 44th wedding anniversary today. They were married before family and friends on February 16, 1963. My Mom said that it was a very snowy day. Guests had difficulty traveling to the church as well as the reception.

They honeymooned in New York City during the week after their wedding. They went shopping and sightseeing. However, the newlyweds got the flu while on their honeymoon. They said that they still tried to have a good time.

Their marriage has been an inspiration to me as well as my siblings. Of course, they have had their trial and tribulations, but they have built a solid marriage. They are the parents of six children and grandparents of five grandchildren. And they continue to guide each member of our family.

And so I offer them this quotation in honor of their anniversary, "An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow." (Anonymous)

Snowstorm!

A little light, fluffy snow can look so pretty across the winter landscape. Two feet of snow, on the other hand, is just too much! I live in Central New York State and we got hammered with two feet of snow. The snow started to fall on Tuesday night around nine and never stopped until last night at 10pm. You can see the results by viewing the photo to the right. (Please excuse the lack of quality of this photo. It is very difficult to take a photo while standing in a snow bank with the wind howling.)

Why did this area get so much snow? The storm is called a Nor'ester. Moisture from our southern states comes up along the Atlantic coast and brings impressive snow fall totals with it. (Luckily, these storms only occur about one time per winter season.)

Schools and businesses were closed yesterday (and some where still closed today.) It was very difficult for the snow plowing crews to keep up with the snow, so the public was told to stay off of the roads last night.

Now, I have lived in this area all of my life, so I am used to our snowy winters. However, the two feet of freshly fallen snow fell on top of the 15 inches that we received last week. There is just no place to put the snow!

I just over 5 feet tall, so the snow banks look gigantic to me. I had to sit on the phone book in the car this afternoon just so I could see around the snow banks while I was driving.

I am feeling a bit discouraged. I have spent so much time shoveling and digging the car out of the driveway that there hasn't been much time for anything else. I feel like I am living in the pioneer days instead of the 21 century.

So, I am longing for brighter days of spring. It may take until June for all of this snow to finally melt, but I can still have hope.

I hope that everyone is doing well. I am a bit behind in leaving blog messages, but I will get caught up soon. Now I am off to take some aspirin because my whole body hurts from shoveling snow.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! I am a hopeless romantic and this day is no exception. I love antique-looking greeting cards, heart shaped boxes of chocolates, romantic dinners and red, red roses.

For me, love is expressed in so many ways every day of the year: a kind word from a friend, the sound of my mother's calming voice, my nephew's tiny finger wrapped around mine, and the way S, my forever sweetheart, makes me laugh. I am surrounded by wonderful friends, faithful family members, and S~the love of my life!

The symbolism of this day reminds me of this beloved Bible verse: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8).

Yes, true love never fails. "The Rose" is one of my favorite songs. It also expresses what I am feeling on this day:

The Rose

Click here for Midi music http://wilstar.com/midi/therose.htm

Some say love, it is a riverthat drowns the tender reed.

Some say love, it is a razorthat leaves your soul to bleed.

Some say love, it is a hunger,an endless aching need.

I say love, it is a flower,and you it's only seed.It's the heart afraid of breakingthat never learns to dance.

It's the dream afraid of wakingthat never takes the chance.

It's the one who won't be taken,who cannot seem to give,

and the soul afraid of dyin'that never learns to live.

When the night has been too lonelyand the road has been to long,and you think that love is onlyfor the lucky and the strong,

just remember in the winter far beneath the winter snows

lies the seed that with the sun's lovein the spring becomes the rose.

(performed by Bette Midler)

And so I hope each of you had a day filled with love of family and friends.

My Valentines

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I have been thinking of my own special Valentines - my nieces and nephews. They bring such joy to my life. I love to spend time with them doing such activities as making craft projects, cooking, reading, and playing outside.

I also like taking photographs of them. Ray (age 5) and Kay(age 8) are my favorite subject. (I took the above photo of the girls last summer.) They are patient when I have the camera in front of them!

I wish my nieces and nephews a very Happy Valentine's Day filled with lots of love!

Celebrating with Heart

I had a lot of fun photographing these popular Valentine's candies. I smile whenever I see these conversational hearts (with witty messages written upon them). The candies remind me of my childhood. My parents always made sure that each holiday was special (including Valentine's Day). My sister, brothers, and I would always find little treats at the breakfast table on Valentine's Day from my parents. They would even give each of us a Valentine's Day card, too.

My parents taught us to celebrate life, even the simpliest joys. And I still remember these simple joys: hot cocoa on a cold winter's day, watching fireworks, sipping cider and eating popcorn in the fall and baking Christmas cookies.

Now my parents are celebrating with my nieces and nephews. It is wonderful to see the next generation learning about life from my loving parents.

And my parents are still treating me to life's simple pleasures!

(I am sorry that this post is late. I had trouble uploading the photo last night.)

Bear With Me!

This afternoon I had another photography session which involved experimenting with the camera settings. My "subject" was this cute little teddy. My camera settings were as follows: f/32, 13 sec., RAW, and an ISO set at 100. I used my Canon 60mm lens again. The camera was on a tripod, of course! Natural light from my window was used to make this photo.

Again, I was pleased with the results with the aperture set at f/32 with a slower shutter speed. The photo seem to have some depth to it, and the details are fine. The colors seem rich, too.

I like using natural light with ISO 100. I think that this combination gives this photo rich, saturated colors. I have also been working with the histogram in order to get the exposure just right.

Fortunately, I feel that my practice is really paying off now! I am going to continue to work with the aperture around 32. So, please be ready to "bear" with me as I continue to practice my photography techniques!

Winter Rose

I was able to spend some time experimenting with my camera today. My goal was to work with the camera's setting in order to create an image that showed creativity and effort.

Here is the photo from today's photo shoot that I liked the best. I used a dried rose against a black foam core board background. I used my tripod and natural window light. I shot in RAW and the ISO was set at 100. My 60mm lens was used for this shot. I experimented with the aperture today and was able to make an image using f 32 with a shutter speed of 30 sec.

I was pleased with the results. I think that setting the camera at f32 (with a slower shutter speed) made a big difference. The image of the rose really seems to "pop".

Now I am definitely going to make other photos with the aperture around f32. I hope that similar photos will also stand out. Photography truly enables us to pay close attention to details while creating memories. So now I have a memory of making this rose image on a cold day in February, even if I cannot go outdoors and enjoy walking in a rose garden. The author J.M. Barrie wrote, "God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December. " (We can also have roses in February thanks to the photographic process!)

Let the Music Play, Let the Inspiration Begin

I often listen to music in order to find inspiration for my photography work. One of my favorite classical pieces is Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel. This piece is so soothing and reminds me of a lullaby.

I created "Glorious Trio after listening to this masterpiece. The simplicity of the calla lilies reminded me of this classical piece. The flowers are regal in nature and their soft pastel colors reflect nature's amazing hues. Canon in D is the perfect piece to listen to while viewing "Glorious Trio".

Here is a link to hear Canon in D. http://www.jasononline.com/music/canon.mid

I photographed these calla lilies inside using natural light. I used black foam core board for the background. I really enjoyed arranging the flowers and working with the natural light.

Now, I would like to make more photographs using music as my inspirational starting point. There are so many possibilities! "Music cleanses the understanding; inspires it, and lifts it into a realm which it would not reach if it were left to itself. " (Henry Ward Beecher)

Do you listen to music to gain inspiration for your photography work? It would be wonderful to know what kind of music other photographers find inspirational.

Timeless Treasures

My friend J and I are taking an embroidery class at the local quilt shop. We are stitching lovely floral patterns on cream colored wool. The preparation for the stitchery was a bit tedious as we carefully traced designs, cut patterns, and transferred the patterns onto the wool. But I have been enjoying the process of doing the embroidery work. The needle slides so easily through the wool as I do the stem stitches, French knots, and lazy daisy stitches. It is very relaxing to sit and stitch, especially on these cold and snowy days here in upstate New York.

I thought that I would create an image in order to capture the enjoyment I find when stitching. So, I used vintage buttons and thread against a fabric background. I was looking for an old-fashioned look to show the timelessness of embroidery.

I view this photo and think about how embroidery is like life. Oliver Wendall Holmes wrote, "Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that - one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery. "

Photography reminds me of working on embroidery projects. It takes time and patience to get a photo just right, but I find the editing processes to be relaxing. And the results can lead to timeless images that capture the imagination. "A photograph is memory in the raw. " (Carrie Latat) And so I cherish these photographic memories just as I do a piece of heirloom embroidery.

Pillars of Faith

I made this image during the fall season, but it is symbolic of what I am feeling now. Life has a way of getting me down lately, but I am almost back to my old self because of some wonderful people that I have in my life. Friends and family members are the "pillars" that God has graced me with.

It is so encouraging to find such kind messages posted on my blog! Photography really does join us together, no matter where we live in the world or what is going on in our lives.

My family (especially my Mom) is a real source of strength. I cherish my nieces and nephews and they are so loving. My dear friend, Mare, is always here for me. And S, my sweetheart, is always around to listen to me and make me laugh.

And I have some special friends at work who are there to help me. Thanks so much T and C! You are so kind, even when others at work are inconsiderate.

"Gratitude is the memory of the heart." (Jean Baptiste ) I will cherish these memories of kindness in my heart!

Better Days To Come

I thought that I would post a floral photo that I took at a local nature center last spring. Flowers always seem to make me feel better, especially when I am feeling down.
I have the heating contractor coming on Thursday to install a new furnace. I am glad that I am switching from oil to natural gas. However, I am worried that I won't have any heat tomorrow night. And that is a big worry here.
It seems that it has been one thing after another lately. I guess that is life. Photography does help to lift my spirits and brighten my days.

Proud As A Peacock

It has been a extremely cold and blustery day here in Central New York State. The wind chill temperatures were around -25 degrees F. The snow started to fall, courtesy of Lake Ontario. So, now we have blowing and drifting snow.

I didn't have to work today because the schools were closed due to the weather. So, I stayed in and worked on photography projects. One of these projects involved photographing a peacock feather. (I actually purchased the feathers at the local grocery store.) I used my Canon 60mm lens and a tripod, of course. The photo was made using natural window light.

I am drawn to objects that are rich in colors. (This may be because the only color I see outside my window now are painted in shades of gray.) As the photographer William Albert Allard said, "In my photography, color and composition are inseparable. I see in color."

The Master painter certainly has certainly given us an incredible palette from which to choose from in nature: robin's egg blue, rose bud pink, delicate lavender, and buttery yellow-just to name a few. I find myself turning to this palette again and again, especially on bleak winter days that are dressed in shades of gray.

Care Free

Recently, I entered an online photography competition. The theme of the competition was "expressive faces". So, I decided to enter this photo of my niece Ray. Here is the story behind the photograph.

One of my photography-related goals is to learn more about photographing young people. I started by taking an online course last summer through http://www.betterphoto.com/. The instructor was professional photographer Vik Orenstein. She owns and operates studios which specialize in child portraits.

I was nervous about taking a photography co use from a professional photographer, but Vik was helpful and supportive. She provided her students with ideas for creating, editing, and producing photos of young subjects.

I used natural light for the course projects. Ray made and excellent subject. She always has such a natural looking smile. She played in my parents' backyard while I made photographs of her using my 75mm-300mm Canon lens. The late afternoon sun worked so well for this types of photos, especially with the skin tones and backlighting.

My sister prides herself in keeping Ray's long hair very neat, but I love the way her hair falls on her face. It was such a pleasure to take this photo of my niece in an informal environment. The title of the photograph is "Care Free".

I am definitely going to make more portraits using natural light, especially when the warmer weather returns. I would also like to learn more about using flash as well as studio lighting.

My online instructor was pleased with this photo, especially with the backlighting, composition and the way I captured my niece's expression. I just found out that I came in sixth with this photo for the online competition. I am thrilled!

Purple Passion

I often find myself spending winter afternoons photographing flowers inside using natural light. Fortunately, I can usually find pretty flowers to photograph at my local grocery store or florist.

Usually, I use simple backgrounds for the floral shots. I like to use foam core board or fabric as the backgrounds.

The good thing about this kind of photography is that I can go back and experiment with the same kind of shot. I would like to go back and redo this photo of the iris. I will try to use reflectors in order to work with the natural light. I would also like to get a better depth of field. What do you think about this image?

"Practice, Perseverance, and Patience - Win always. " ~Charles Atlas

A Little Help From My Photography Friends

I attended a local camera club meeting tonight. We meet twice per month from September through June. One meeting per month is devoted to workshops and the other is reserved for photography competitions.

I enjoy attending the workshops because I always gain new ideas. Tonight's topic was about using histograms and next month's workshop will be about informal portrait photography. In addition, I also have the opportunity to meet and chat with local photographers.

Although I tend to shy away from the competitions, I learn so much from viewing other people's work. For example, I continue to develop my "photographic eye" by viewing the photos and observing the judges critique the photos. This has helped me so much.

The members of my local photography club are helpful and offer supportive suggestions. I worked on the above photo after receiving some tips from a member (who is now the club's president. )

Hopefully, the club will offer more opportunities for members to meet with our cameras at various locations around the area. I know that this would be very beneficial for me.

Do you belong to a local camera club? What kind of experiences have you had with this type of organization?

A Closer Look

I have to say that I have really been enjoying creating my blog entries each day. And now I have another month of blog entries to look forward to!

I am finding that the process of maintaining a blog helps me to stop and look at everyday objects as well as the art of photography a little closer. The photo of the buttons (above) is just one example of how ordinary objects can become subjects for photography and exploration.

The buttons caught my eye and I decided to take a closer look. I like their different colors and patterns. I really like the fact that I could use my 60mm lens and get a close up photo. And with photo editing software, I could do a sepia version as well as a color version of the very same buttons.