Monday, November 28, 2011

Stumbling Down a New Path

A black and white Instamatic started it back when I was 8 years old...
with the first click, I was hooked on photography.

But never did I imagine I would - or could - make money from it.
It just proves that even when you hit your 50's new doors may open that you weren't expecting. 

(Take it from me... do not be afraid to step through them.)

Two photo shoots are behind me now. 
I hope there are more, but even if there aren't, 
I'm grateful for the experience and the chance to learn more about photography and myself.

Here are a few photos from my first shoot (taken at Flat Creek Estate) plus some lessons learned along the way...



My computer is even slower than I thought it was.



I don't have a lot of patience. (See #1)




I like Lightroom more than Photoshop Elements, but I see the need for both.



I take too many photos.



That wouldn't be an issue, if I didn't have decision-making problems.



My inability to stop editing isn't limited to my writing.



Photographer/blogger friends are lifesavers!



Listen to your clients - they have great ideas!



Hearing your clients say they love the images is a wonderful (relieved!) feeling.


Having great model/clients is a huge blessing!


I love playing with photos!


My second shoot was supposed to be outside in a park, but the gale force winds nixed that option and although we managed a few outside in a sheltered area between houses, most of them needed to be taken indoors, stretching the ability of my equipment.

But despite the challenges, most of them turned out really good, with a dozen sets of eyes all open and a dozen mouths smiling, all in relatively good lighting. 

From that shoot I learned there's still so much I need to learn. 
(And that luck has a lot to do with it!) 




Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Grateful

I'm grateful for glimpses of the world through a child's eyes...



...for things that make me laugh...


...for curiosity and cuteness...


...for helpful hands...


...for my mother's laughter...


...for a grandmother's love...

 

...for breakfasts by Daddy...

 

...for fried eggs and cast iron skillets...

 

...for cats...


...for giving hearts...

 

...and grateful hearts...

 


Thou hast given so much to me,

give one thing more-a grateful heart;

not thankful when it pleaseth me,

as if Thy blessings had spare days,

but such a heart whose pulse

may be Thy praise.


- George Herbert

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Morning Light

I ended my last post with this image, 
but felt it should start this one about morning light.

Each morning the sunlight splashes over the hillsides into the Hollow, 
pouring over the sides until it fills completely.

I've never been able to capture the splash in my camera until now.


This is the second best so far, similar to what I normally see walking along the road...
...but I just can't quite capture the magic of it right side up.


Walking through the woods, however, 
it's easier to capture the fingers of morning sunlight pointing at leaves...


...spider webs...


...yaupon holly berries...


...the tiptop branches of oak trees...


...oak leaves...


...oak leaves...


...oak leaves...


...and oak leaves.


Reflections

Mornings have always been a time for my thoughts to wander, sorting through the tangles in my mind,
preparing myself for the coming day,
but lately, even my eyes (and camera) have been drawn to reflections.





I suspect it has something to do with the magic of autumn light...


For light I go directly to the Source of light, not to any of the reflections. 
~ Peace Pilgrim

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Butterflies and Sycamore Trees ... a Walk by the River

our friends took us to one of their favorite spots, 
a path along a river that runs a short distance from their home near Houston. 

They were disappointed because the river was up from recent rains, 
preventing us from following their normal route.

I wasn't disappointed at all. 
Take my hand and I'll show you what my drought-weary butterfly-and-wildflower-starved eyes beheld...














Uh-oh! 
Watch out for poison ivy!








This butterfly kept posing... I kept snapping.

Sigh.




It came in November, but I finally got my Spring!