Seasonal Changes

As one who prefers cool weather to hot and mountains to beaches, I rarely venture to the tropics.  I would rather head to Alaska or, as I am doing next month, to Maine.  Although I don't like the heat or humidity of the Caribbean, I must admit that it can provide wonderful photographic opportunities.  I caught the beautiful light of sunset with this image a few years ago.  More than just a pretty picture, this shot provides me with wonderful memories of the trip my mother and I made to visit Puerto Rico.  I was born there but had never returned to visit.  As the years go by I can always pull out this image and stir up love and memories.

Red-WInged Blackbirds as seen by Ron Hutchinson

I have recently discovered a nature photographer from Georgia, a wonderful artist named Ron Hutchinson.  Ron produces images that reveal both his creative vision and the beauty he sees in the natural world surrounding him.  His image of red-winged blackbirds taking flight portrays the way the species exists in large groups.  The image is filled with birds, dotted in places with the bright red and yellow of the wings.  I have witnessed this type of scene in person.  When looking at Ron's image, I feel as though I am standing right in the field, hearing the beat of hundreds of wings flapping, and watching the flock fly off in an enormous black, red, and yellow mass.  Ron's image truly puts me in the scene, while at the same time revealing his own creative vision in a beautiful and imaginative way.  To see this image and other recent works by Ron Hutchinson, take a tour of his web site.  Be sure to visit his recent project, "Autumn Colors in Abstract," which can be found in the Portfolios section of his site.  Thank you, Ron, for sharing your wonderful work!

Dogs Who Love Us

Although I love my 3 cats, this brief post is about dogs.  I say "brief post" because it would be easy to write an entire book about dogs, and many people have.  For those of you who have read "About the Red Leash" on my web site, you know how much my beloved Murphy meant to me.  For those who haven't read it, well, suffice it to say that he was a once-in-a-lifetime dog!


While Murphy can never be replaced, I have learned that I have enough love for more dogs . . . and so we added two more to our family after he died.  (Some days, 5 pets seems a bit much but I wouldn't trade any of them.)  Every day, I continue to marvel at how constant a dog's love is, no matter what my mood or whether I am coming or going.  They meet me at the door when I come in, and they bat their big brown eyes at me when I leave--thinking, I am sure, that they can convince me to stay.  Whenever I leave the house, I tell Darby and Josie that "I will be right back."  They always believe me (I am sure of that) but they invariably greet me as though I've been away for days.  And when we go for a walk they act as if it is a new adventure each time, even if we take the same path.  It is a joy to watch them enjoy life!  For you who are dog lovers, you understand all that I am saying and more.  Dogs add something to our lives that cannot be replicated by anything else on God's earth.


To see a glimpse of Darby and Josie, please visit my Facebook page and check out the photos on the Wall:  Red Leash Photo Facebook. I'd love to read your comments about your own dogs, either here or on my Facebook page.  

A Bit of Texas History

I shot this in 2011 while exploring some backroads.  For the story, please check my FB page: Sam Houston Oak.

December Sunrise

Thought I'd add one more image for today.  I shot this at sunrise in Maine on a cold December morning, just last week.  Without a tripod, I knew I could not make the best photograph . . . but I wanted to capture the memory of this beautiful moment.  And sometimes that's all that matters.

Congratulations!

One of my favorite blogs is Daily Practice by Marcie Scudder (see my links below). Congratulations to Marcie on being chosen "Best American Photoblog for 2011."  Well done! Here is the link to the Photoblog Awards site.  Be sure to check out all the blogs for some great images.  Photoblog Awards

Blue Barn Door

Sometimes, simple subjects work the best.  This combination of blue barn door, red berry wreath, and white snowflakes made for a pleasing composition.  The section of the barn wall adds both both context and contrast with its horizontal lines combining nicely with the horizontal lines of the door.  This simple shot seemed like a good way to start the 2012 version of this blog--it reminds me to watch for simple things!

Happy New Year!

On this New Year's Eve, I am thinking of all that happened in 2011, with photography, friends, family, and travel (not in that order).  Health scares, reunions, exploring new travel destinations, meeting new people, reading new books--2011 was filled with highs and lows and in-betweens.  As the new year approaches tonight, I have numerous resolutions and ideas in mind.  All others aside, I truly hope to make 2012 a year to remember with regard to photography.  Ideas and resolutions abound in my mind, but my number one goal is to shoot with more purpose.  I have written about this topic recently and will not repeat my thoughts here.  But I will promise to share my photographic exploration of purpose with you.  Hopefully, it will prove an interesting and constructive exercise for all of us.  As always, I welcome your comments on this and any other topic.


Wishing each of you a productive and blessed 2012!!

Book Review - Exploring North American Landscapes

I recently purchased "Exploring North American Landscapes" by Marc Muench.  This is one terrific book that any landscape photographer should have.  It includes a wonderful collection of Marc's images, from places as diverse as Monument Valley in Arizona and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.  There are shots taken from Rocky Mountain peaks and from the feet of giant Sequoias.  Images of action-packed snow skiers and placid lakes abound.  One of my favorite shots in the book is of a silhouetted horseback rider set against a North Dakota sunset.  The diversity of subjects is amazing--the quality of the work is typical Marc Muench!


In addition to being a collection of beautiful images, this book is full of shooting and workflow

Moments of Purpose

Lately, I have been stumped by both constant rain (which we desperately need in Texas) and a need for a sense of purpose in my photography.  I can handle the rain, since I know it can provide photographic opportunities.  But it's the sense of purpose that I have struggled with for some time now.   I go out with a plan for the types of subjects I want to shoot and, usually, a commitment to looking at the subject and letting the creative juices flow before I push the button.  I don't think I go out with enough of a purpose for shooting those subjects I have chosen.  This lack of purpose, coupled with my tendency to become easily distracted by what I am seeing (instead of how I am seeing it) generally leads to creative frustration.   


So, my goal for 2012 is to work very, very hard at composing first by stopping for a breath, moving my feet, changing my perspective--all with a purpose.  I am hopeful that this will in turn enable me to better exercise my creativity.  To me, making a photograph is capturing the moment before my eyes--but I believe it should be the best moment (and thus the best and most creative image) I experience in that series of moments at that location.  Otherwise, I will be unable to achieve my dual objectives--giving myself a reminder of the moments I enjoyed and sharing my work with others so they may enjoy those moments and places through my vision.


I recently reread an article in Outdoor Photographer on this very subject, called "Photographing With Purpose."  It was written by Justin Black and can be found on the OP web site in the Oct 2011 edition.  I recommend it to any of you struggling like me with your sense of purpose.