Gravel Walkway – Yakima Arboretum, WA
A straight line is not always the best way to get from point A to point B. The path’s gentle bends direct my interest in multiple directions: a beech grove to the right, a crabapple grove to the left, and a Japanese garden forward. Each bend encourages a little side trip off the path for further exploration.
Beech Grove – Yakima Arboretum, WA
Sunlight on the trunks of a beech tree grove pull my eyes into the tunnel created by the overhanging branches. Filtered light through the upper branches provide a gentle glow on the ground. The natural archway beckons me to walk through.
Mighty Oak, Yakima Arboretum, WA
Over the years, I have taken multiple courses and attended many workshops to help me improve my photography skills. I have practiced, practiced, and practiced. I have experimented with many different techniques and processing methods. Many times my images are only examples of different techniques and processes. Many lack feeling or meaning.
This year, my focus will be to purposefully attempt to create the feeling/story that I am experiencing when I click the shutter. I will attempt to use the different techniques and processes that I have learned in the past to achieve the desired end result. I will think hard each time I click the shutter on what I am trying to accomplish. I will continue to play and experiment in order to see what works and what doesn’t for a specific image. I will continue to create sketch images to explore and find interesting ways to portray what is in front of my eyes. The difference will be that I will attempt to do the above in a much more purposeful way than I have previously.
The above image is from a walk I took on a brisk winter day in the Yakima Arboretum. My friend and I had the arboretum almost to ourselves. Walking along the oak alley, I wanted to record an image depicting the strength, shape, character and size of the oak trees. I took images of the grove from a distance. I took images of individual oak trees showing their overall size and shape. I took close ups of the sun shining on the bark and leaves. Then I looked directly above me and saw everything come together into a single image: a strong trunk, the remnant leaves on the lower branches, the delicate branches extending upward to the sky. I snuggled up to the trunk and shot upward with a wide angle lens setting. I was thinking black and white to match the brisk cool temperature of a winter afternoon.
Sunrise Over Kalaupapa, Molokai
Happy Belated New Year. I thought I had posted this entry, but I did not hit the publish button. Oh well!
I wish you all a Happy New Year full of new adventures, experiences, and opportunities!
This image recorded on a beautiful winter day overlooking Kalaupapa provides me the hope of a bright new future for the former leper colony on Molokai. Soon the old colony will be turned into a National Park. The park will focus on telling a history of the colony’s rather dark past. It should provide an insight for future generations to better care for our fellow mankind.
Christmas Display – Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. It is a time to peacefully reflect on our individual faiths and what is important to us. It is a time to settle back and contemplate on our lives and what is right about this world. It is a time to share our love with our families and loved ones. It is a time to look back and recall the wonderful memories of those who are no longer with us. It is a time to be generous for those in need. It is a time to sit by the fire and Christmas Tree peacefully enjoying the spirit of the season. For me, it is a time to give thanks for and celebrate the birth our Lord Jesus Christ.
I wish all a very Merry Christmas!
“Looking Out My Window”
Looking out my window before the sun came up on the Winter Solstice, I saw some bilious clouds forming. I knew a fantastic sunrise was on the way. I grabbed my camera and just waited. I was rewarded with this beautiful view from my patio. What a beautiful gift and wonderful way to start a new day!
Heather Heights Orchard Overlook
The path through the orchard led up to a little bluff that overlooks the valley below. I am at the end of my “photo stroll” and feel rewarded with the peaceful view below. I catch my breath and start the walk back through the orchard. I look forward to seeing new images as they present themselves to me.
“Tired Branch”
This tired dead branch looked out of place against the bright colors of the autumn leaves. Besides the obvious contrast of the dull brown against the brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds, the branch was also a contest of the dead leaves still hanging and the leaves that had just fallen on the ground. Soon they too will turn to the same brown as the leaves hanging above. We cannot evade the circle of life.
Fungi on Cherry Tree
When walking around, I typically look forward and upward. I have to remind myself to look down at the treasures at my feet. This clump of fungi caught my eye with all its lines and colors. Many of the aging cherry trees had severe scars and wounds, a great place for fungi to start. Such great color was a gift for my eyes.
Cherry Trees – Heather Heights Orchard
Color, Color, Color is everywhere I turn. Greens, yellows, oranges, reds. and even a little brown fill my eyes. It looks like an abstract painting. My mind opens up for creative possibilities. Here is one:
Cherry Trees Abstract
All it takes is a little reverse “C” swipe and imagination!