Go ahead, Make My Day!

When you’re checking out at the grocery store, interacting with a teller at the bank, or being greeted by a waiter, look them in the eyes and say “hello”.  Ask how they are.

This is so simple, but you’d be amazed by how much of a difference this small gesture can make in the lives of others.

from – Art Saves, Stories, Inspiration and Prompts Sharing the Power of Art by Jenny Doh.

infrared photo of building in Austin, Texas

If you’re traveling the friendly skies…

don’t forget to look out the window!

Don’t step on the art!!!

Mother Nature at work again!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Wishing you a happy and stress-free holiday!

Goodnight Winter Riverbarge

What’s in a name?

I have no idea.

I suppose it had to do with the fact that the river barge looked to be on its way somewhere…home perhaps.  And because it was late(r) in the day I simply bid it a ‘goodnight’.

The ‘winter’ part comes from the infrared’s interpretation of the scene. A ‘normal’ camera wouldn’t translate this way.

And ‘riverbarge’ because it is a river barge.

I really enjoy naming my photographs.  It seems much more personal this way.  And photography, to me, is a very personal thing.

And I will have to say again – I am in love with my converted camera.  I was just telling a friend the other day…if I had to choose only one of my cameras to keep…my first thoughts would be, ‘grab the infrared!”.

I hope you enjoy it too!

Mississippi River from Natchez, Ms.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

As I mentioned in an earlier post, “Cloudy with a Chance of Bugs”, I love a good road trip.  And it doesn’t have to always be a cross-country road trip either.  I like just about any kind of trip…I just like to go places.

Most people who take road trips take photographs.  And being a photographer, I’m no exception.  But forget the scenic vistas, lakes, tourist spots, etc., etc.,etc., … no, that’s not my thing at all.

I’m the person wandering all over the gas station parking lot filling up a memory card.

And here’s a perfect example of what I’m talking about.

That’s probably the reason no one asks to see my vacation photos!!

Why I love Infrared

Some people love color photography.  I do too.

Some people love black and white photography.  I love it too.

But not everyone loves infrared photography.

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE??!!?

Infrared photography is unlike any other…

I love the detail.

I love the surreal, dream-like quality.

I love the limited palette, the creaminess and the softness and the glow…that you just can’t get anywhere else.

Infrared photography gives you the ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

And that’s why I love it!

I have a Secret Garden.

I have a secret garden.

Its not a typical garden with flowers.

In fact its not really a garden at all.

But I like to call it that because its a hidden place I sometimes go to play…

Desolate Doors

I’m attracted to doors.  Did I mention that?

I know what you’re thinking…’she just told us she had a thing for trees too… hmm…what’s up with her?

Well, I just know what I like.  And the more forlorn the door (or any opening really, for that matter) – the better.  Doors like this seem to evoke such a sense of the human condition (to me) and almost cry out for attention, don’t you think?

I remember several years ago driving past a sweet, old homestead in a beautiful field of wildflowers on my way to and from work each day.  It was especially beautiful that Spring because of the wildflowers.  Every day I passed it I would say, “I’ve got to bring my camera and take a picture of this!” (This was before I really ‘became’ a photographer.  It hadn’t dawned on me yet to always have my camera with me for things like this.)

This place had been there as long as I remembered and I’d never thought to photograph it until then.

And then one day – when I drove past – it was no longer there.  No sign that it had every existed. Completely gone.  Just like that. 

And I felt really sad about that.

And I guess that’s why its important to me to photograph some things…almost with a sense of urgency – in case they’re not there tomorrow.