Category — Photography

nearly bloomed

nearly lilacs

nearly peaches

nearly unfurled

nearly tulips

nearly done

He picks me flowers
Chubby fists, proud smile, bright eyes
Then back to mischief.

I think it went ok today. I ran out of time, and was unable to go through all of the info, but it was all on a handout, so hopefully, people will read it on their own. I was amazed at how fast the time went by!
I thought I would post it here in case anyone is interested.

I began by projecting this picture…

On a trip to San Fransisco with a friend, it was unseasonably warm for January, so we decided to rent a couple of bikes, and ride among other places, across the Golden Gate Bridge.
I was mostly concentrating on not crashing into other cyclists, but I noticed a girl standing on the bridge, palms together, fingers pointed heavenward, eyes closed, face tilted to the sun. She was praying aloud. I couldn’t hear what she said, but I wondered what prompted her to get off her bike and offer up a prayer.
I looked to see the scene that inspired her so much and saw what’s in that picture.

This moment really stood out to me for several reasons. One was, that I was going to ride right past this scene and pay it no attention. I appreciated that another person was prompted by it to offer a prayer. I wondered what her prayer was about.
As I look at this picture, I see the vastness of the ocean. The color of the water, the way the ocean fades into the sky seeming to go on forever. I see how tiny and insignificant that sail boat is in comparison to it’s surroundings. I wondered if the girl was praying because she felt like the boat…small, insignificant and lost… maybe seeking guidance.
Or, she could have been offering a prayer of gratitude. Standing on this amazing feat of a bridge, overlooking such a breath taking view, feeling the sun on her face and smelling the air as it rose off the water.

Whatever it was, she stopped and took notice.

We have been blessed with such an abundance of beauty all around us. In every season, everywhere we look, there is something worthy of, if not a photograph, then at least of our attention.

And that’s what this slide show is about.

If you’re interested in the rest of the class and reading what the handout said, click HERE.

un

deux

I’m getting ready for a photography class this coming weekend, and in addition to going through my files for pictures to use in a slide show presentation, I am taking new pictures to illustrate my thoughts and philosophies. I have those, you know….thoughts and philosophies. I even have theories.
I thought it would be fun to post some of them every day this week. My slide show is about finding beauty. Sometimes in not-so-obvious places.

I am not a good person.

But, I think the fact that I take such good care of the little birds that visit my yard makes up for it in some way.

They are well fed.

I provide water.

And bathing opportunities.

Look at them all! They are so glad that I live here.

After eating and bathing, they congregate in this bare bush to warm themselves in the sun.

Until I release the hound.

And then we are once again alone.

We went for a drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon and spent the afternoon in Albion Basin.


 


 
We took pictures of boys and wildflowers…


 


 


 
We explored and relaxed…


 


 
The weather was perfect! Cool and overcast with a slight breeze. Every now and then the sun would break through the clouds and warm our faces. I love the quiet in the mountains. And the smell of the air; crisp with pine and sweet with wildflowers.

 
Right as we were leaving, a storm rolled in.


 
And we could smell the rain the whole way home…


 
So, no Sunday dinner post. We had Ramen noodles. But, to jazz it up, I threw in some frozen peas. Does that count as a recipe?

Last night Kelly and I shot a Hindu wedding. It was our first one, and it was amazing. I arrived later than Kelly D. and I found him in the Bride’s room photographing the bride and her bridesmaids, all standing in row, dressed in vibrant colored sari’s, stunning faces with traditional adornments including Mehendi/henna tattoos. It took my breath away.
Then, the Hindu priest came in and there was a ceremony with a young coconut that I later learned was some type of representation of the sweetness of purity. There was so much beauty to behold (and photograph!): the rituals in the ceremony, the dress, even the guests. The whole event was so rich in culture.
We have had to opportunity to shoot so many weddings over the years, and I have to say that my favorites are the ethnic ones. The Greek weddings, Mexican, African, and now Hindu. They are so much fun to witness and be part of. Some cultures really know how to celebrate and mark important rites of passage.
I am an American, caucasion girl from Utah. Could that be any less colorful?
Not to slam on my roots or anything, but really… where’s the flavor? Where’s the spice?
I have to admit, I’m a little jealous.

Just before it rained, the light was soft and low. It made everything so green! Vibrant, saturated green. So I grabbed my camera and took a walk.
This is the first thing you see as you enter the gate to the back.

Around the corner, is my herb garden. Something is eating my basil again. I planted extra so there’d be enough for us and the insects, but they have gotten greedy.

Next, we have a three-way light saber battle…

Yellow flowers spilling out of my favorite pots from Ward and Child The Garden Store. Have you been there? You should go! But leave your kids home. Unless yours are better behaved than mine.

The following photo is of lavender about to bloom. I sometimes like the ‘almost’ stage of things better than the bloom itself.

And another almost…

This next one you might think is almost day lilies. But what you are actually looking at is a salad bar for deer.

I have a new peach tree growing in back and I know I’m supposed to pinch off any fruit that forms in the early years of it’s growth, but I just can’t wait that long, so I left this one little peach for myself. Just one won’t hurt, will it?

I climbed the hill to where my gourds grow. I love to sit up there and look out over the whole back yard.

Perennial flowers are reproducing up there on the hill. I’ve planted things that I like to cut and bring inside for vases, and I’m letting them reseed and spread where ever they like. I think it’ll be beautiful in a few years.

I think this next bush looks like fireworks when it flowers…

This little bucket was a feed bucket for calves. I bought it at one of those consignment stores. Can you read it? It says, “Calf-teria”. I think that’s the cutest thing.
I am easily amused.

The tour ends with this next picture. She actually followed me through the whole tour. Quiet, sweet, and sitting by my feet as I snapped each picture.

These succulents in my bathroom window have been stagnant all winter long. They’ve stayed small and tidy on the window sill. Just barely spilling over the edge of their container.
This morning I noticed that one of them has bloomed and stretched her neck as high as she needed to in order to reach the sunlight.

 


 
I think it looks like she’s leaning her forehead against the window, longing to be outside where the sun shines all day long.

 

And it’s just the sweetest thing…

 


 

 
The day is ending
too soon.
His long shadow lingers,
A bridge
from here
to there.
Back turned, he runs
ahead,
always looking for
what’s next.
Stepping on his shadow
I try
To keep him close,
It stretches thin
and pulls
away.

This one is my favorite. I brought one of my old cameras for a prop. I thought Erica (the model) might like it since she is a photog herself…

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Tulips in progress.


 
Daffodils just before dark.