Thursday, June 29, 2017

The Snacking Squirrel



(A photo paragraph: a photographic story in only two or three shots)

I sat propped up on the bed in the RV, reading and enjoying the quiet. I glanced up frequently to check on outside activity, all natural thanks to the nice trees and bushes left between campsites for some privacy. My eye caught movement, and I watched this squirrel climb up a tree just outside the window. I moved slowly to get the camera, and very slowly opened the window and screen. Though he seemed to watch me, he never ran. I suspect being a campground squirrel in a state park he is used to people.

I took a series of shots watching this squirrel eat his mushroom. I will no doubt be accused of trying to anthropomorphize the situation, but he truly looked like he relished each bite! Take a look for yourself.

Munching Away

Smiling at his good fortune





















Continuing to eat

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Using a Window as a Frame for a Photograph



If you plan to visit St. George Island State park for vacation, check first with me on our plans. In the past year we spent two weeks at the park, and both weeks saw some of the worst rain of the season for the area. Rain drove all the vacationing families from their hotel rooms, camping accommodation, or condos into Apalachicola to escape the driving rain. We all ran from overhang to overhang trying to keep somewhat dry.

Orman House, a beautiful antebellum home on the river and now a state park escaped most radar screens. Karl and I enjoyed a wonderful personal guided tour by the ranger on duty. We spent some time in the house, and in between raindrops looking at the gardens around the house and the Chapman Garden next door.

While touring the house I noticed a garden just outside a window. The old-fashioned water pump kept my attention, and I pulled out my camera. I did several shots from inside the home, then outside of the small garden itself. I intended the shot through the window as the introductory or establishing shot, and then moved outside for a more detailed look. I found that the PVC pipes for the watering system appeared in every shot regardless of where I moved. I finally came in closer so only one appeared in the shot, and that turned out the best. The overcast sky really brought out the greens, and the water pump anchored the right side and provided the focus for the shot.



I hoped to get a few detail shots of the pump and some of the garden plants, but another cloudburst sent me running to the car, camera covered to protect it from the rain. Overcast skies and rainy days really make colors pop and the green distinctive, but pouring rain can put a damper on things (sorry about that pun!).

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Looking Out the Window: Trees and branches

Looking Out The Window: Trees and branches in the sun
Sitting in a restaurant with Karl, chatting and waiting for our meal, I glanced toward the window and around the room briefly. Something about the scene outside the window intrigued me, and I looked over several more times. Karl finally turned and looked, wondering what I saw.

I couldn't explain it, but I liked the view. My personal project, the "Looking Out the Window" series, goes in fits and starts as most personal projects. As if reading my mind, Karl suggested if I wanted a shot I better take it. We entered the restaurant early, and the lunch crowd started to come in. Any moment, those empty chairs might fill. I took a few shots, put the camera away, and as always thought maybe one more from a different angle. Too late, both tables had diners sitting down.

I chose the best of the series. I liked it, but did it convey my theme of the difference of the worlds from the comfort of inside a window to the reality of outside. Finally, I realized it did.


Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Introducing The Photo Paragraph



Following in the tradition of Brevity, which features very brief (750 words or less) non-fiction essays, and Flash Fiction, which includes all the very brief fiction forms, my focus has turned to a brief version of the Photo Essay, called the Photo Paragraph. The Photo Paragraph shows a complete action, thought or concept in three related or consecutive photographs.

For the last few years I considered the concepts of telling stories with photography. My curiosity prompted me to take several art courses in photography dealing with art history and early photojournalism rather than craft or technique, and to read extensively in the same areas. During this time I noticed an increase in photo essays, those stories told usually in a minimum of 5 and up to 20 photographs. They included setting the scene, closer views, detail shots, action shots, and concluding shots with brief captions and very little narration. Since my platform for publishing includes retail (one at a time) or the blog, I wanted a shorter form.

 My writing in recent years turned me in the direction of personal essays and short stories, which curiosity again drew me to very brief essay forms such as Brevity and Flash Fiction. It also renewed my interest in Haiku, from which I borrowed the concept of three.

I started looking at some of my work in photography as a story in threes. I shoot far more than three of course, and sometimes the direction in which I started veers off another way when I examine the resulting photographs. This first Photo Paragraph is a beginning. I will be posting others as they are created, and I expect the form to change and evolve as I move forward.

This is a first attempt: Heron grooming while hikers watch
Checking out the people staring

Deciding we were no threat and going back to what he was doing

Bit awkward, but it works

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Relaxing in the Water



We walked by this pond on a hot, sunny day. I noticed several somethings floating in the water. As we approached, they all moved away, and we saw then that the turtles found the ideal place to relax. I waited patiently until they decided we were harmless, and started swimming around and then floating again. This one caught my eye, and with the camera I not only caught him but the sparkle of the water. And yes, I wish I could have joined them, the temperature passed 90 degrees that day!

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Garden Photography – Fun and Challenging




For years, whenever we purchased a new camera or lens, or had friends ask for some help with their cameras, we headed to one of two places for a test shoot: A local botanical garden or a local animal park. Both give us plenty of subjects, lighting, angles, and scenes to take plenty of shots to test our new addition, or show and explain to others techniques for using their cameras.

Lately we have been exploring the specialty of garden photography, and approaching it from a more formal perspective. When we travel we not only look for parks and preserves for nature photography, but local gardens. I didn’t realize that garden photography morphed over the years from a small specialty practiced by few to a popular segment of photography on its own. Not surprising, I found more professional garden photographers in England, also the home of the Professional Gardener Photographers’ Association. Link here: https://www.professionalgardenphotographers.com/

The basics of garden photography remain the same as any other area of photography done primarily outdoors. The most important question to ask yourself: What is my purpose? Is it to show the overall design of the garden, either yours or another? Do you want to show off a specific species of flower or bloom? This guides your shooting. Nearly all the experts advise an establishing shot first of the garden. A few break away from the crowd, and comment that the establishing shot of a garden generally appears very ‘busy’, and they tend toward more detail shots immediately.

I like the concept of sectioning. If I feel the garden is too large, or just contains too much (in my opinion of course) to do justice in an overall establishing shot, I focus on sections and try to overlap my photos to establish a cohesive picture without overwhelming.

In this case, my overall shots of this gorgeous rose garden at the Dothan (AL) Botanical Gardens simply overwhelmed. The curved path leading to the arch gave me the leading lines I wanted, but the roses became lost with the tree background. Unfortunately, I did not have a ladder or step-stool with me as this was a fun shoot rather than a work shoot. The height (I think) would have made that shot work. Instead, I moved over several feet and shot this on an angle.


Naturally, I moved in after that for some close-ups of the roses themselves. On a future visit we plan to arrive earlier to give us more time before the light becomes too harsh.