A Photo Geeks ups and downs through words and images.
Though our area has seen it’s share of rain. When it clears. The signs that Spring is right around the corner are becoming evident. Our first trip to the beach and more walks around the courtyard have offered many returns. While I admit to not being much of a nature photographer. It’s given me a chance to use my Canon 100 – 400 millimeter lens and practice using maual focus mode.Looking forward to allergy season, extreme heat, and historic humidity. Until then.
As much as I’ve benefited, and love the process of coming home, uploading the day’s images, and applying the basic editing tools I’ve learned over the years. Those skills are basic at best. Removing objects is something I’m pretty heavy-handed at. Thankfully, when the need calls. I have a long-time friend who is kind enough to step in and apply his magic. In this case, a recent thunderstorm interfering with our trip to Philadelphia’s Woodlands. My focus on the middle figure was crashed by two uninvited figures. I was incredibly grateful when this friend agreed to work his sorcery and twice as impressed upon seeing the results. Slowly, but surely, I’m learning new applications in Adobe Lightroom. And while I try and hope to get things right when shooting. Know how to use the tools at my disposal.
I’ve been lucky enough to experience the Fall season on opposite coasts and abroad. Each one being slightly different, yet largely the same. The cooler weather, the falling leaves and the beautiful colors that highlight each day. Despite it’s march to Winter and colder days. It’s a time we enjoy some of the best things life has to offer. Though I’ve never carved a pumpkin and detest punmkin spice anything. I have been known to roll around in piles of leaves and create life threatening shortages in apple cider donuts. As I look out my window and see the colorful trees and foliage. I know that no matter where todays journey takes me. It will be a colorful one. The pictures below were taken on the roof and in the park behind my apartment in the Rainier area of Seattle a few years back.
As I exited my patio and turned to close the gate behind me. I spotted a rather large creature attatching itself to my second bedroom window screen. Although I hadn’t encountered one since I was five years old. I immediately recognized it was a praying mantis. “My God. What a beautiful and rare moment.” I stood there paralyzed. I wanted to run inside to get my camera in order to capture the moment. But the risk and fear of scaring it away was more than I could overcome. Instead I reached for my iPhone and managed a few shots while marveling in its presence. A few hours later, I was back on the patio and guess who was still there? Yup. that same praying mantis. This time, with no fear of scring it away. I went back inside to grab my camera and attempt to capture the moment. Living here in Viirginia has presented many first encounters I won’t soon forget. Though I often miss the pigeons and squirrels that populate the city I lived most of my life in. Virginia has gifted me with some of the most colorful birds I’ve ever seen. This recent gift, however, completely blew my mind.
Side note: Did you know the praying mantis is known for devouring it’s sexual partner after intercourse. It is said, that the term “One night stand.” originated form the praying mantis’s practise?
Recently, while out and about, we stopped at a farm stand to pick up some fresh groceries to take home and enjoy. Like with most farm stands, there were some animals and a small area for feeding. I was lucky to capture a moment where a couple of goats were checking me out rather than ignoring me while going about their business. For as long as I can recall, I’ve always savored the moments I had out of the city. Having images to take home and enjoy are priceless. This was definitely one of them.
It’s pretty rare when I adjust my camera settings to shoot in color. With my wife now accompanying me in the majority of my outings, Her insistance that I switch to “landscape” mode is really the only time I shoot color. Right or wrong, it’s just my preference. However, when I raised the shades on this wintry morning and saw these colorful leaves showing life on an otherwise bare tree (My wife calls it “The Charlie Brown Christmas tree.”) adjacent to our patio. I jumped into action to capture what will soon be gone.
I’ve made a lot of positive changes to my life. Starting my day by watching the sun rise before I start my first of two daily workouts is one. Though we haven’t had many sunny mornings in recent weeks, my will to get out and start my day with some fresh air is strong. Here’s to starting the day on a good note.
No matter where I travel. No matter where I live. Nothing comes close or compares to watching to sun come up or go down over the horizon, as one that often fantasizes but rarely gets out of bed early enough to enjoy the sunrise. I am more than willing to chase a sunset as it disappears over the horizon., often doing a google search to find the exact time the sun is scheduled to set in my area. Since moving to Belltown in Seattle, I’ve been spoiled with a view of Puget Sound to the west and South Lake Union to the east. In the months that have past I’ve seen myself taking the picture I first stumbled over my thoughts to describe. I still find myself racing to the balcony to admire. The one and probably most admirable factor are that no sunset looks precisely the same. Whether the sun is peeking through the clouds or shining bright, it continuously proves to be one of nature’s most beautiful aspects.
When we arrived at the beach, I was amazed to see a stable of horses assembled on the sands just steps away from the ocean. It was my first trip to the Pacific Ocean since my last trip to Japan in 2012 and my first ever glance from the United States. The horse were bused from a local stable and were close to ending their work day by the time we arrived. While I was eager to capture some images before they began their sojuorn home. I couldn’t help but think how cool this image would look without the rope that kept them from rushing forward. Upon arriving home, I inspected the photos I took before reaching out to my old friend and neighbor. (The one who basically taught me everything I know.) and asked him to magically remove those barriers that hold us back. While we’re here, I’d feel remiss if I were not to include a link to his work. I’ve attached before and after images below as a link to Kevin’s photography, Here
While I had plans to share images of the sunset taken at Gene Coulan Park over a three day cycle. Unfortunately, I just haven’t had the time or energy to do so. So instead, I’ll share several of my favorites from last night. Though I do plan on returning and finding new places to chill out, watch the sun set and possibly get back into a good mediation routine. I’ve decided to just stay home and cook something tasty with the help and supervision of my wife. The pictures below are posted in the order they were taken. (Between 7:00 and 8:00 pm) Enjoy.
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