Saturday, July 31, 2010

Sweet Nectar Of Summer


Ah the golden summer is here. This picture says everything about summer for me. Surrounded by family= my beautiful grand baby. Enjoying time outside= patio chair. Adventure = knee scrape. Sucking every bit of the juice out of summer and letting it run down your arm. Ahhh summer, how I love you.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Pink Stars

I have always loved flowers that grow on stalks. Delphinium is one of my faves.. And these little ladies are my cherished pink Delphs. Purple or blue is a common colour for giant delphiniums but pink is more rare. I think they are just so pretty and old fashioned looking. Very nostalgic.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Sideways Thinking.

I have been revisiting a book that I read a few years ago. It is by photographer Freeman Patterson. In this book " The art of seeing" he recommends some exercises that help you break out of a photographic rut. I have read this book several times and every time I return to it, I get something different from it. I really like the abstract results I got last night. I find this style just appeals to me emotionally.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Photographing white





If you take photos on auto you are letting the camera make all the decisions for you. One of the quickest, easiest, non thinking, non fiddling ways to improve your photography is to over-ride your camera's brain. Your camera's meter will give you the correct exposure if your subject is medium gray. When you deal with a subject that is lighter... it doesnt know the difference and proceeds as though your daisy is medium gray. If you run in "P" or program mode. adjusting exposure levels is the only decision you need to make. Proper exposure will give you plenty of detail but the white will be dark. Over exposure will give you more light making you whites whiter . Too much overexposure will blow the detail in the white and fade the colours.

Perils

As I watched this guy climb this branch... I wanted to say LOOK OUT IT'S A TRAP!!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Two in the moon


Once again I was given the chance to learn the lesson... always listen to that little whisper inside... the one that is barely audible.. or is it even audible? Is it just a feeling.. is it God tapping on your shoulder saying look over there? Some would say it's being in the right place at the right time. Luck .. I have a hard time with that one. I guess I want to beleive that as I become open to the universe.. it opens to me. Anyway I saw the full moon peeking over the trees tonight. Big and orange, the trees just grazing the bottom. My viewpt was a little bland . So I hopped in the car driving down the road to where I thought it was a little more interesting. Something ( little voice) told me to get down in the ditch ( shorts and flipflops) and try to capture some grass siloutted in the moon. How I managed to catch these guys resting is beyond me.. but I am so glad I did, even with forty mosquito bites.

Down the Garden Path

There is a bluff is trees between my garden and the house. I have made a path that goes to the veggie garden. A couple of years ago I started bending the young trees over in hopes that one day they will make a beautiful natural arbor covering my path. My grandkids refer to it as the forest. When I walk through it , it is cool, green and refreshing. Makes me feel like I am in a magical place.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

In a garden

I have been asking around to see if anyone knew of someone who wouldnt mind if I came to their yard and photographed flowers etc. I went last night to meet one of my leads. Little did I know that the hour and a half garden tour, and my delightful tour guide would be such a tonic for my soul. Such a nice lady with a lovely yard. She lit up as she told me stories about bringing flowers from the old place, planting this and that, the old pump that she has moved from her childhood home to wherever they go. It was just such a joy to share that. I think this project is going to be very good for me.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Friends

Today I went for my quarterly blood work. Because I was fasting and in town, breakfast in town was in order. That seems like the only time I ever hook up with my old best buddy anymore. We had a nice brekky and when she had to get back to work, I left. As I drove away I saw two ladies walking together, slowly not really watching where they were going, just enjoying their conversation. All of a sudden I felt lonely. I rarely do. That is one thing about being way out in the country that is not the same. I have a good life and love it in the country but sometimes ..

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Fading Beauty

Not many flowers can compete with the Peony. It always shows up in a fancy party dress. Reminds me of a tutu. I have tried many times to grow peonies, but for some reason I have not had much luck.... it could be this grey thumb. This year my plant gave me 3 .. yes only 3 beautiful flowers. By the time I took this photo all the petals had dropped from the other two, and this one was fading fast. I just wanted to show you her last Hurrah.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

I Love You's

This old kitchen cabinet is a one piece affair with 4 doors up, flour bins and drawers. It sits in my husbands shop to house tools etc. When we were first dating I made him this wire heart, He promptly nailed it to the top of the cabinet and I wrote "I love you" in it. The cabinet is still there, the heart is still there, and I still love my husband very much. Happy Anniversary honey.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Redneck Disco Ball

One of my garden treasures is this mosaic piece made from an old Forestry Dept. gas can. I love the way it glitters in the sun and reflects all the colours around it. Could an old magpie like myself get any better "garden bling"?

Monday, July 19, 2010

More Blue


This morning marked a return to the quiet life. Out this morning in my pj's and a coffee. The delphiniums are starting to bloom, although they are not as strong as before. I wonder if it is the stress of no water or that they need to be seperated.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Still Floating

After we launched we went over the city. It was a beautiful morning, calm and peaceful and most of the city was still asleep. This is east of the city. The little white speck that you might see on Richmond ave. is the chase vehicle following us. If you click on the photo you will see an enlarged view and maybe your house.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Blue


I have been very busy the last few days. My mom has been visiting and besides sitting outside drinking endless pots of coffee and visiting , I have had tons of company. Kids , cards, shared meals, laughs and hugs. Balancing out the side of my life that sometimes gets to be kind of solitary. One of my favorite things in the last few days was my hot air balloon ride. I cant really explain the high, the bliss, the feeling of floating that has been with me all day. Although blue has never really been one of my favorite colours , I gained a new fondness for it today. I did not take this pic but for sentimental reasons it is one I will cherish.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Garden stars


The ornamental onion bulbs that I planted last year did not disappoint. They are one of my favorites. But I think I love them more when they are dried and painted in a bowl in my house.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Angels



I guess yesterday was just my day to photograph sleeping angels.. I wonder if the scrape on her knee is from falling to earth.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

A mother's love


Today was a busy but easy day, we went to my husband's family reunion breakfast. The family had been together all weekend and today was the day when everyone says goodbye for another two years, promises to call and get together more often and gets all the hugs.. my favorite part of the get- togethers. I met a lovely couple from our area that I didnt know before, saw one daughter at the store and hung out there for awhile... and when we got home we were greeted my Julie , Tom and their two girls, just chillin at our house . But my favorite part of the whole day would be the moment that the wind carried barely audible strains of my daughter singing to my ears... Itsy bitsy spider... brings a tear, a memory, and knowledge that the circle of love continues.

Big Sky

The canola is starting to flower. I look forward to this spectacular sight every year. when the bright yellow fields glow against the brilliant blue sky. Is there any wonder why Alberta is called big sky country.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Summer Holiday

Today I got a visit from my family. This young lady is my oldest grand daughter . She is 15 and turning into a beautiful young woman with a really good sense of humour. I am grateful that I got to see her before they leave for Kelowna for almost a month.

Friday, July 9, 2010

The Dance

I have been working at my photo collection.. sorting and backing up. Last year I posted a couple of pics that I took from this photo shoot, set up in my basement. I thought it was quite good and makes me want to try more. I have been pretty busy so I may be posting from the archives for a couple of days.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Little things

I never claimed to be a wonderful writer or an especially good photographer, I am just a gal, doing what I like to do, and sharing it with you. Yesterday I went for a walk down to the creek to let the dogs cool off. I managed to get my husband to come... a rare event.. why walk when you can drive is his motto. Anyway it was nice . Sometimes a girl just likes to have someone to open and close a gate for her.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

I would buy you a green dress, but not a real green dress, that's cruel

Yesterday was a great day for me.. I had one of those infinite joy moments. I was laying in the hammock in my oasis. The breeze was warm and fragrant, the sound of the trees rustling gently accompanied by the birds singing. I was snuggled in a blanket to keep too much breeze off my skin. When it dawned on me that I was happy..... in fact I thought , if I had 50 million dollars ( lotto max limit, and the number I have in my head to make me deliriously happy) I would not be any happier than I was right then. I am so grateful for those moments.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Oh Oh Boy Oh Bokeh!


Normally one post a day would be plenty ... but with the wonderful glittering backlight tonight I thought I would attempt to do a technique that I have tried many times with no luck . Although this is not quite what I had in mind, I was thrilled to have any results at all. The technique requires that you make a cutout shape smaller than your apeture and place it over the lens. I have been very frustrated in the past trying to get it. I am going to study the procedure again .. and try again now that I have had at least one result.

Summer skies

Ahhh another wonderful sunset taken close to 11 pm. Last night I walked a mile to get a good shot of the pending splendor ... I took this photo on my way home about 300 yards from my house. Oh well the exercise wont hurt me. One of the things that is said about people who live in this neck of the woods is, that summer is here for such a short time, that we wring every bit of it out and drink it in. I think this is true . Seems like by the time fall comes we are exhausted from early mornings and late nights and loving it all.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Things To Be Happy About

I have a friend who likes to post her gratitude list for the day on FB. It always reminds me of my favorite book from 20 yrs ago. which has been read and enjoyed over and over. A stream of consciousness type of book with pages and pages of list of things that have made Barbara happy for 40 yrs. In keeping with the aim of expressing my gratitude in this blog I have decided to post things I that make me happy. I am trying to figure out how to make a list on the side.. wish me luck. I think my first one should be.. finding a new copy of an favorite old book. that one is mine ... copyright free.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Early Morning Revelations

A photographer is always burning the candle at both ends in this country. The best light for photography is early just after sunrise and just before sunset. I headed outside this morning in my pyjamas ...again. Barely awake but the golden light beckoning me to open my eyes to the beauty it was showcasing just for me. As I pushed myself to take the required amount of photos.. remember I had promised myself 500 photos a week, I thought... why am I doing this. The answer is partially obvious. My creative side cant resist creating a wonderous dream world for myself. When I loaded my images I thought, Wow I have alot of pictures here even with my harsh editing. I have decided that I am going to 1. Get them backed up properly. 2. Get a little harsher on the editing. 3. Start printing and framing. 4. Start looking for a place to show.
5. Accept that I am a photographer and try to embrace the lifestyle it demands. Phew.. My five step plan for success, sounds easy , huh?! I think putting it out there will help me to accomplish it. Thanks Pat for inspiring me to start a blog.. it has been a wonderful road.

Friday, July 2, 2010

My day trip


Yesterday I decided that since no kids were coming out and my husband was working , I would pack my camera and take off. No idea where I was going.. just going. From a few miles from here on a good day you can see the Rocky mountains. Sooo I thought I would get a little closer. I had a wonderful day driving around backroads like a tourist. And home in a couple of hours. Maybe next time I will plan it out and get REAL close.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Happy Birthday Canada

Whenever I see this particular flag on my way to Grande Prairie my heart swells a little with patriotic pride. I combined it with an excerpt from the fireworks that we attended last night.