JulieMariePicsChance
Posted on July 31, 2013
“Chance favors the prepared mind” is a quote attributed to Louis Pasteur. I don’t know if he was a photographer, but his words should ring true to every serious photographer. Read all you can. Practice all you can. And then be ready for whatever “chance” throws you way. Here are a few happenstance photos of mine.
The first one is of trees in my oldest son’s backyard. I was experimenting with a new 35mm lens, saw the trees, and wondered how the lens would work on them. I was thinking black and white all the way, but really not looking for this kind of picture. I like the drama of the image.
The next two were taken during a visit to Cascades Park in Jackson, Mi.The heron was standing right in front of me as I approached the walking path. He (she?) tolerated a couple of shots before taking flight. The other shot was of a duck taking flight. I tried to track the duck and let the background and wings blur.
The final shot for today was taken on a country road. In some ways the picture is smore than a little disturbing, but shooting road signs seems to be a Michigan pastime. Farmers be safe. Viewers post your thoughts.
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Portraits
Posted on July 26, 2013
I enjoy taking portraits when people are not aware that their picture is being taken. I think you have a better chance of portraying the personality and character when they are not posing for a picture. Here are an almost handful of my favorites. Their vocations are a middle school teacher, a brilliant civil rights activist, an author preparing for a book signing, and a Michigan icon (with a University of Michigan building named after him). These are all good friends that have used the captures of them I sent them. Hope you enjoy the pics. As always, your thoughts and comment are welcome.
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Camera as Paintbrush
Posted on July 22, 2013
The last butterfly picture from my previous post was a lucky accident. I happened to take the picture just as the butterfly was flying away. I posted the image because I liked how it captured the flightiness of butterflies.
When using our cameras we often use verbs like take, capture, or shoot to describe our actions because they accurately describe the approach we use to get an image. We forget that the camera can often be used like a paintbrush to create images. In addition to using the various settings available on our cameras to create impressionistic images, we can also simply use the camera. The three pictures below were taken in sequence.
The first is a “capture” of pretty flowers in rather dull lighting. The next picture was created with moderate, deliberate camera movement, and the third creation used the camera as a paintbrush to create an impressionistic portrayal of the beauty of the flowers. Happy painting.
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More Butterflys
Posted on July 19, 2013
Here are some more pictures from the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
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Flutterbys
Posted on July 18, 2013
The Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls, Ontario is home to nearly 3000 butterflies representing 45 species. The lush tropical climate is navigated with a nearly quarter-mile walkway through various levels. A small waterfall and stream add a gentle sound as well as beauty. My spouse and I stopped there Tuesday on the way back from a visit to my mom. She lives in upstate New York.
Taking pictures of butterflies is never very easy. If the wings aren’t moving, the antennas are or the plants they are resting on are blowing in the breeze. The fans in the conservatory created a gentle breeze which helped mitigate the humidity but didn’t move many of the plants. The gentle lighting (on a sunny day) through the translucent windows was wonderful for pictures.
Stepping into the room was a breath-taking experience as the entire area was aflutter. In addition to their beauty, there is an almost magical quality in the presence of these creatures which appear so fragile but are really quite strong. Hope you enjoy these. More tomorrow.
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Bugs
Posted on July 12, 2013
Insects are often seen as pests, but there is beauty here too. Of the 90 million species roaming the earth, sky, and sea I am sharing five images today: a fly on a chair, a butterfly, a grasshopper, a dragonfly, and a spider web (with some captured insect prey). If you feel like something is crawling up your arm, it is very possible as there are 300 pounds of insects for every pound of you. Enjoy your day and your bugs.
See http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmnh/buginfo/bugnos.htm for more on bugs.
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Blades of Grass
Posted on July 9, 2013
In Leaves of Grass Walt Whitman wrote, “I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars.” For photographers, Whitman’s words are a call to be mindful of the beauty in simple things. In seeking the “grand image” we may overlook a gentle glory in the simple. Hope you can see the beauty in my brief homage to Whitman’s words in these images of grass.
Did you see the spider thread in the last picture? As always, your thoughts, comments, and critiques are welcome.
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No Worries
Posted on July 8, 2013
The wild areas between farm and road seem filled with wildflowers this summer. I have loved wildflowers since grade school days. I find the natural, uncultivated beauty of these flowers captivating. The sowing of seed by wind and birds creates a randomness that can surprise. On a photo excursion last Friday, we came across a huge field of day lilies; overwhelming in both quantity and quality. Being a preacher’s kid, I thought about Jesus’ words about considering the beauty of the wildflowers, and God’s care for them, as a reminder not to worry. Glorying in wildflowers all morning, I had no worries.
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2 Queens and 2 Vultures
Posted on July 4, 2013
I couldn’t resist putting these together with the above title. These were all taken on the same day as yesterday’s post. The detail from a building picture is from Wednesday’s post about the rundown – but still majestic – Victorian house; the style named, of course, for Queen Victoria. Notice the mold and moss and deterioration of the detail. The other queen is a picture of the wildflower called Queen Anne’s Lace. The vultures are Turkey Vultures, one of which is eyeing me ominously with a very hungry look.
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A Victorian Lady
Posted on July 3, 2013
I love Victorian houses. While the Victorian period is typically listed as mid 19th century to 1900, most Victorian houses still standing in the United States were built toward the latter half of that period.
While driving down a country road near me, I came across a sadly rundown Victorian house that still presented herself with hints of her former beauty. The house has three porches that all appear to be original. One porch is on the northwest corner of the house, one on the southwest corner of the house, and one facing south. I took other pictures, but these are all from the porches.
The first three pictures are of the front porch. Note the two doors to the porch. The next picture is of the front porch railing and the third picture is from the wood detail under the porch (probably intended to keep animals out).
The fourth picture is from the corner of the south-facing porch. And the last picture is a black-and-white image of the detail in one of the northwest porch posts. If the porches are still sound, any one of them would be a great place to sip a cool beverage on a hot day.
