Into the Wild.

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Well, that may be a gross over exaggeration. A few days ago, it stopped raining for a few hours (anyone living in the Northeast right now knows what a miracle that is!) So I set out to Mt. Tom, for some hiking and an adventure in photography. Mt. Tom has some very obvious trails, which I stuck with on this day, so this really was not roughing it, by any means.

I find that when I have my camera with me, I pay much more attention to things, than if I just hauled on through. It forces me to slow down, and pay attention to things. It also makes me realize the beauty in everyday things that I wouldn’t have given a second look. Take for example the gate to the trail. Most of the time I would just walk around it, but it made for a fantastic composition, and the burnt orange color drew me in.

This tiny stream made the most soothing and relaxing bubbling sounds. I took a video with my camera, just to get the sound, but it really didn’t do it any justice. I guess some things are better left as memories.

Backyard as Still Life.

Friday, June 12th, 2009

I recently purchased a new camera, with 9 fantastic megapixels and 10x optical zoom, which puts my old camera with its sad, lowly 4 megapixels to shame. I reasoned that with this new camera, I should really figure out how to use it. My friend (and fabulous photographer) Suzanne gave me some pointers, and off I went to take some photos. Where to start? Some local tourist attraction? A park? A beach? No. I headed to my parent’s backyard to put together a little collection I like to call “Backyard as Still Life”.
I find that with a camera in hand, I pay attention to the little things more; the things we pass by everyday. You also have the opportunity to see things in much more detail, and you notice the intricacies of something as simple as dandelion. Once considered a weed, is now a miracle of nature.