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Friends and Alien Lifeforms in East TN
Aug. 6th, 2009 03:02 pmI took a trip with ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
nonspecific and her father up to Beauty Spot near Erwin TN. We also spent quite a while at a nearby meadow, where the alien lifeform was discovered. More of that in a minute. It was a GORGEOUS day for shooting, with good light, enough clouds to keep the sky interesting, and perfect temperatures (for this photographer anyway). The theme of the day was orange. I didn't plan it that way, but that's how it turned out.
Onward.
( Approximately many photos follow. )
nonspecific and her father up to Beauty Spot near Erwin TN. We also spent quite a while at a nearby meadow, where the alien lifeform was discovered. More of that in a minute. It was a GORGEOUS day for shooting, with good light, enough clouds to keep the sky interesting, and perfect temperatures (for this photographer anyway). The theme of the day was orange. I didn't plan it that way, but that's how it turned out. Onward.
( Approximately many photos follow. )
Queen Anne's Loss
Feb. 8th, 2009 09:16 am
This past weekend I took Lorelei, Hannah and Storm up to Roan Mountain. We had intended to head to Cloudland but the gate was closed. We instead parked and went up into the balds of Carver's Gap. In the summertime this would probably be a low meadow full of Queen Anne's Lace, but now everything is dry and dead and flat. The Queen Anne's Lace stems have turned stark white, and are all bent in the same direction by the wind. They looked like the bones of a forgotten, spindley alien. I liked the stark white contrast against the darker trees and rocks.
While down at ground level, I also shot this silhouette-ish shot of the weeds against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Apologies for the lack of posts lately
Feb. 2nd, 2009 11:13 amMelanie has pointed out to me that I seem to be in a bit of a depression, and I think she's right. My voices become more internal than external. I have things to say, but I only say them to myself, because they don't seem worth sharing, or because making the words takes what seems like an enormous effort. I find myself killing time until I can sleep.
Over the years though I've developed some coping skills that help me keep a relatively even keel. When things become too difficult, I recognize why, and instead of beating myself up, I try and shift gears a bit. Roll with the punches, so to speak. If I'm not feeling like shooting, don't stress over it. Just shoot less, until the muse comes back. It will and does come back. Sometimes in short guest appearances, sometimes for an extended booking. Whatever. Just roll with it.
Rest assured, behind the scenes, I'm still me, still doing what I do, just not being as vocal about it.
Anyway, just thought I'd post that bit of an update addressing my absence, and also share a few things with you.
One is this article by Ken Rockwell entitled "Your Camera Doesn't Matter". It echoes my own feelings, namely, that it's not the lens, it's the person behind the lens. It's the not the camera, it's what you do with it. Any camera can take great shots, if you use it correctly. That doesn't mean any camera can take any shot. It means that within the limitations of any camera, you can produce good work. Know the limitations and either compensate or work within them. If there are faults, avoid them or exploit them to your advantage (think Holga). A camera's job is to get out of the way of the photographer, and actually this is the reason I have found myself upgrading my cameras each time I have done so. It's not that I can't get the photos, it's that the camera is slowing me down, getting in my way, and if I have the money, I'd rather avoid that. When I can't afford it though, I use what I have, and do what it takes. That's why I ALWAYS used to shoot on tripod, except in the brightest light. Because that is what I had to do to get the quality I wanted.
Anyway, enough rambling, here's the link. Your Camera Doesn't Matter
The second thing I wanted to share is some photos from a trip to Abrams Falls in Bristol TN. I went with fellow photographer Cheryl Dancy from Abingdon VA. We had a good time, despite the VERY slippery trails and ice. I decided to do mostly detail shots this time... I am already quite happy with the wide view shots I have of this fall.
1
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Over the years though I've developed some coping skills that help me keep a relatively even keel. When things become too difficult, I recognize why, and instead of beating myself up, I try and shift gears a bit. Roll with the punches, so to speak. If I'm not feeling like shooting, don't stress over it. Just shoot less, until the muse comes back. It will and does come back. Sometimes in short guest appearances, sometimes for an extended booking. Whatever. Just roll with it.
Rest assured, behind the scenes, I'm still me, still doing what I do, just not being as vocal about it.
Anyway, just thought I'd post that bit of an update addressing my absence, and also share a few things with you.
One is this article by Ken Rockwell entitled "Your Camera Doesn't Matter". It echoes my own feelings, namely, that it's not the lens, it's the person behind the lens. It's the not the camera, it's what you do with it. Any camera can take great shots, if you use it correctly. That doesn't mean any camera can take any shot. It means that within the limitations of any camera, you can produce good work. Know the limitations and either compensate or work within them. If there are faults, avoid them or exploit them to your advantage (think Holga). A camera's job is to get out of the way of the photographer, and actually this is the reason I have found myself upgrading my cameras each time I have done so. It's not that I can't get the photos, it's that the camera is slowing me down, getting in my way, and if I have the money, I'd rather avoid that. When I can't afford it though, I use what I have, and do what it takes. That's why I ALWAYS used to shoot on tripod, except in the brightest light. Because that is what I had to do to get the quality I wanted.
Anyway, enough rambling, here's the link. Your Camera Doesn't Matter
The second thing I wanted to share is some photos from a trip to Abrams Falls in Bristol TN. I went with fellow photographer Cheryl Dancy from Abingdon VA. We had a good time, despite the VERY slippery trails and ice. I decided to do mostly detail shots this time... I am already quite happy with the wide view shots I have of this fall.
1
( +6 )
Photos from LEAF, part 3
Nov. 24th, 2008 07:51 pm1. "Web of Hope" interactive art installation. Children and adults were encouraged to weave yarn, string, fabric and what have you into the structure. You could also write messages on pieces of tin and attach them. More of this later.
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