Category Archives: Uncategorized
Typical tourist photo
Friends, last summer we had the opportunity to travel the road on the south rim of Grand Canyon. Yesterday i showed you what the raven saw, but today i show you my view of the Grand Hole as i like to call the Grand Canyon. What a magnificent place, words cannot describe my wonder at the sight. I like this photo because the warm colors come forward and the cool colors recede, just like we are taught in painting classes. I shot this photo at f/16 but you can see the focus range ran out before the back wall was reached. til Tomorrow MJ
What the raven saw
Friends, even the raven appreciate viewing the Grand Canyon. He followed me as i moved along the path above the canyon, posing and calling for his comrades. I finally took his picture and he was quiet. til Tomorrow MJ
The mission doors
Friends, this mission near Taos,New Mexico was a challenge to photograph. I had a vision of how i wanted everything to “line up” but the first time we visited, the shadows were way too deep and nothing seemed right. We went back a few days later and i saw the composition that i wanted with the doors lining up and the crosses against the sky. Sometimes things have to incubate in my feeble mind before i can see “the magic”. Hope you like it. til Tomorrow MJ
Do not disturb-Bald eagle dinner
Friends, this time of year we see lots of bald eagles along the road, usually perched on a road-killed deer or in a tree alongside the road overlooking roadkill. They prefer fish but most of the water is still frozen and fishing is not an option. When they have found unfrozen dinner, they are reluctant to leave and are “sitting ducks” for the nature photographer. This one gave me the “eye” and i took his picture from across the road. til Tomorrow MJ
Red rock in black and white
Friends, working again on my black and white renditions. This is Bell Rock just south of Sedona. We visited near sundown and the face of the rock was still lit, but the trees in the foreground were just going into evening shadows. The original image is in color, but too many shades of red made a monotonous statement. So in an effort to simplify the colors, a black and white conversion seemed the right thing to do. I think that the topography of the rock is more vivid in black and white. I can also bring the shadows to pure black to further define the roughness of the landscape. Practicing my Ansel Adams styles. What do you think? til Tomorrow MJ
Weekly Photo Challenge:Regrets
Friends, for this post i had to do some research and found http://www.inspirationandchai.com/Regrets-of-the-Dying.html a website by Bonnie Ware. She gives us the five top regrets of the dying. I summarize in my own words those ways to avoid the regrets of the dying 1) be true to yourself2) don’t work so hard3) express your feelings4) stay in touch with friends5) let yourself be happy
So alonside these major regrets, mine seem trivial in comparison, but here goes. I regret that i didn’t get to know my grandparents better and document their history. This photo was taken by an unknown person sometime in the early 1910s, they look very happy posed in front of their log home . I remember them as happy people and they were married for over 60 years. They raised five children in the badlands of North Dakota along the banks of the Little Missouri river. My grandmother would try to get me to write her husband’s history but in those days i just wasn’t interested in family history. Now i am interested and they are gone. But not forgotten for their family values, courage and dedication to each other. I hope i can measure up to their character and make them proud of me. My grandma was also instrumental in encouraging my photography so i owe her a debt that i cannot repay. til Tomorrow MJ
Hole in the Wall-near Sedona
Friends, this hole in the wall opens all kinds of questions for me. Has this been a former hide-out for Butch Cassidy and Sundance? Probably not, no place to park the horses. Does a mountain lion live in the dark recesses of this cave? Not likely as the cave is very near downtown Sedona. Maybe a giant bird makes this cave a home with a giant nest and eggs. Stories to tell the grandchildren about mythical beasts and birds. Again more questions than answers. I love warm red rock and lots of it in Sedona. til Tomorrow MJ
Blue-sky atttitude
Friends, with the local temperatures below zero (F) this morning, i remember our day at Garden of the Gods when the sun shone to warm my winter body and soul. The red rock was pock-marked with small cavities and the cliff swallows winging in and out near the top. I struggle this morning with a lack of positive attitude and this blue sky image lifts me a bit. I need for today a blue-sky attitude. til Tomorrow MJ
Red Rock-Garden of the Gods
Friends, this red rock place is named, the Garden of the Gods and is located in Colorado Springs. This photo was taken early in the morning just as the sun was rising. I was enchanted by the red rock and as we walked the paths, I shot hundreds of image (thanks to digital capture), but this is one of my favorites. No saturation adjustment was needed, the sun was the warming filter and sunshine the light source. This place was magical, so enjoy. til Tomorrow MJ
Balanced Rock
Friends, this balanced rock sits on a slant in the Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs. Someday it will probably crash from its pedestal into the valley below, but in the meantime the rock reminds us to keep my life in balance. Family ( including a loving husband) , friends and especially grandchildren are first on my list. After that i rank my photography and writing second in my priorities. So WordPress becomes for me an important link to others of like minds. Thank you to all those who are following my blog and sharing my photos. I now have a purpose in retirement, to provide some color and maybe help you to lighten your load. Stay balanced my friends. til Tomorrow MJ
MJ Springett 