It’s Okay to Look Silly

In Telluride, Colorado, I was skiing down a cat track at the end of the day admiring the scenery along the way. The trees were beautifully bare and the sky was crystal clear. I skied over to the side of the track, out of the way of other skiers, stopped and laid down on the back of my skies. Next, I framed the majority of the snow out of the bottom of the picture and snapped the trees and sky. As I was taking the shot, several skiers asked me if I was all right. They were afraid I had fallen and was hurt on the side of the road, but I wasn’t. I was just taking a picture. I waved and said thank you all the while thinking if one more person interrupts me while I’m taking my shot, I won’t be so nice about it next time. Sometimes I jump out of my skin from distraction when I’m concentrating or focused on a single point. I’ve missed shots that way. But, that’s not their fault. These kind citizens were concerned for my health and well being. I can’t be mad at them for that, now can I?

Take Time to Notice

I always keep my little Canon Power Shot in my purse because you never know when you’ll see something beautiful to photograph. I was on my way to the doctor one day and parked around the corner on the street instead of the parking lot. It was a sunny, warm day and the neighborhood gardens were growing. I had a few extra minutes before my appointment, so when I noticed a patch of purple daisies, I took out my camera and snapped a few pictures.

I was low to the ground and angled the camera to see the entire flower while focusing on the center. When I took pictures of the flower directly overhead, it wasn’t as interesting to me as from the side angle. Also, the other branches and leaves gave a natural shade to the flower while letting some light through. That’s why I chose this flower rather than others in the patch because the details in the pedals were lost under the direct sunlight.

It only takes a moment to notice and only a moment longer to take a picture before moving on with the rest of the day. You don’t have to have a camera to remember the moment, what matters is that you savor that moment when it comes.

The Importance of Cropping

 Before

After

While out for lunch in Santa Monica with my mother, birds kept jumping up on the chairs and tables to eat customers’ leftovers or hoping for free handouts. The patio of the Shutter’s Restaurant has several canopy coverings with light coming through the slits between each canopy. This bird stood right in the spotlight of one of the openings, and I was ready. In the moment, there wasn’t time to frame the image with much care. It was later that I cropped and framed the photo just as I wish I had done in the moment.

Can’t We All Just Get Along?

While on safari in Africa, I learned how truly magical nature is and that we humans could learn a few valuable lessons from the animals. One day during sightseeing, everyone on the tour was ready to move ahead but me. I asked the driver to stop and wait just a minute. Thankfully he did and the group was patient with me. I stood on the seat and peered out the vehicle’s sunroof at the animals in the waterhole behind us. I quickly snapped the picture. It was so fast, I didn’t even know I had this shot until I got home and developed the film! To my amazement, I not only captured the zebras, I also got the row of birds in the foreground and the row of antelope in the background. This photo taught me to never be afraid to ask for what I need and to look back because there just may be something wonderful to see.

The Secret of Happiness

Chicago, IL
“To be able to find joy in another’s joy: that is the secret of happiness.”
– Georges Bernanos

Inspiration

Santa Monica, CA
“No bird soars too high if he soars on his own wings.”
– William Blake

Mr. Frog --- Pluck Your Magic Twanger Froggie!

My cousin and I were out at a park in Cleveland, Ohio with her friend one day and she spotted this frog. We all came over to take his picture, or two. I stayed with Mr. Frog while they went off and photographed other things in the area. 

Mr. Frog was such a great subject. He kept still long enough for me to take a picture or two in one pose then he would move and pause again. He posed completely under the leaf, partially under the leaf, one leg showing through the water, and then both legs showing. It was amazing! It was as if he was a model asking the photographer (me) how to sit for the best shot. Mr. Frog was talking to me; “How's this? Or this? What about this? I could do this too. Does that help?” “Yes, thank you,” I thought.

I could have stayed in that one spot all day taking pictures with the changing light, but I was with my cousin and her friend and they were ready to go. Before leaving we thanked Mr. Frog for being so cooperative. He has long since forgotten us, but I won't forget him. I hope he has a good life.