Photography

Travel Theme: Roads

/ Pat / 14 Comments

In the US we have a special love for roads – because we have a special love for cars. Decisions were made at a critical time, by powerful men, to put money into car production and road building instead of public transportation. This is unfortunate for our environment, but it is what it is – and I have to admit that although I love traveling by train in England & Europe, I still love the “road trip.” I love hitting the open road to see all there is to see. I love getting off the beaten path, to take back roads through small towns and farm country. I’m not afraid of the “road less traveled”.

Here are some of the roads I have traveled.

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Road through mountain pass – Kyrgyzstan

Son Kul, Kyrgystan

Son Kul, Kyrgyzstan

Cabot Trail, Road between ocean and mountain.

Cabot Trail, Road between ocean and mountain.

Road to Meat Cove, Nova Scotia

Road to Meat Cove, Nova Scotia

Sharing the road - outside Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Sharing the road – outside Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

City Road - Christmas in Dublin

City Road – Christmas in Dublin

 

To travel more roads, visit Ailsa who has found her backpack and its all packed.

Travel theme: Roads

Tagged I – Invigorating Beach Walk

/ Pat / 17 Comments

I haven’t been very involved in life the past couple week. Haven’t wanted to get off the sofa, haven’t wanted to take photos, haven’t wanted to blog. That’s bad. I’ve exercised so it isn’t that kind of sluggishness – it is more of a mental sluggishness.

Our son and his significant other are visiting and come back from their morning walk on the beach saying the waves are really big. That gets my juices running. Most of the time we go to the beach when the surf is very gentle – and I’m currently focusing on becoming more competent at controlling shutter speed. The big waves call to me and I respond.

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I step out on the beach and am instantly INVIGORATED. The wind is blowing, and the waves are crashing. The tide is coming in so it is taking over, reclaiming the beach. I take off my sandals and stand on that high point where the waves don’t seem to be washing. Within a few seconds I am wet up to my knee. I am wet, I relax and go for it.

It is INVIGORATING. My eyes are continually pulled to all the unique forms the waves take and how water and sand interact to structure each other. And I click, and click – wanting to capture it all.

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I am further INVIGORATED when I return home to do the post-processing. What fun to see how my lens captures each unique wave. How stimulating to think about what I did and what I can do different next time. Is being eager to do it again a definition of INVIGORATED? To try again? To see if I can get better images next time?

I am excited to share the results in a post. I feel my creative juices flowing as I pick out my favorites.

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There is a lot of energy on the beach and because I bring home lots of images, the energy continues.

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Maybe tomorrow I will need to be calmed, and maybe tomorrow the beach will be calming. Today I am invigorated.

To visit more “i’s” and to add your two “i’s” worth, click here:

http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/tagged-i/

Forward: Weekly Photo Challenge

/ Pat / 22 Comments

There are two ways to demonstrate forward with photography. The first way is to compose an image so that it leads the eye forward. The content of the photograph helps us to think about moving forward. This image pulls me into it forward toward…

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It is also possible to have images of things that are in the act of moving forward – like these birds that were on the beach this morning.

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On the other hand, the birds in this next photo don’t seem to be listening to the command, Forward March!

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Com’ on you guys, listen up. Please look at me! I’m moving forward, are you with me?

To see more interpretations of “forward” or to join the fun go to:

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/forward/

Two Cents Tuesday Challenge: Brilliant

/ Pat / 5 Comments

Here is my two cents worth for Across the Bored’s challenge to be brilliant. I love water and sun and the combination can be brilliant.

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For more brilliant submissions go to:

Two Cents Tuesday Challenge: Brilliant

Beauty Through My Lens – Patience

/ Pat / 2 Comments

I love to watch mothers and children. In another career I received training in infant mental health which focused on the relationship between caregiver and infants. I loved the work of helping mothers overcome emotional blocks that stood in their way of relating to their infants in a way that nurtured growth. We all need relationships to help us grow.

While at the Botanical Garden photographing water lilies, I watched this mother taking pictures of her two sons. The first one was a little older and had learned how to pose. This wonderful fella was trying hard to sit on the post but it took a lot of work. He had to circle it, climb over it, turn around, kneel on and… move. Constant moving.

During this the mother patiently waited and clicked. And I patiently waited and clicked. This is so sweet, I wish I could send her a copy.

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