Quiet Hope

This little beauty was nestled in the grass at water's edge. I'm sure many walked past it and thought nothing of it. After all, it's just a common weed.
I see hope. The hope of a new day to come with more beauty to bestow upon the careful observer. Beauty that is evident as the sun graces the delicate petals with a last kiss of light before nightfall. Hope is like that. It is quiet, yet determined. It is delicate, and unassuming. It may leave, but it comes again.

(click image for best view)

Quiet Hope  ©Pamela Reynoso 2012

Calming Strength (photo)

I went out one night several months ago and drug  took my husband along with me. He was a great sport, as he often is. Being the academic that he is, he brought a book and hung out underneath a nearby streetlight. He loves me. :)

I wanted to explore taking shots near the river that were at about sunset, and even well past dark.  This is one of my favorite the long exposure shots taken that night.

I love the richness of the colors from the blues to the amber's, and how the the strong silhouette of the draw bridge divides the warmer colors from the cooler ones. This shot was taken just after 7PM in the winter and it was well after dark.

(click image to view in lightbox)

© 2012 Pamela Reynoso

Dana

My lovely friend, Dana, recently cut off her waist length dreadlocks and needed a few updated photos. Her dreads were awesome, but I think it was due mostly to who's head they were on then the dreads themselves. :)

Here are her updated photos:

(Click to view larger)

Serenity

Today is a dreary and damp overcast day so... I'm posting a photo that brightens my mood. :) I love the colors (green and purple are my favorites!) and I find water in a photo typically adds a welcome touch of serenity.

...of paper flowers (photo)

I took this photo today in my back yard. I suppose there are benefits to be had for not having mowed in months. I was playing with "depth of field" or DOF for short. All that was required was a scrim and two children. One child would have sufficed, however the first bailed out on me complaining about getting bit. I let him wimp out as he had secured a replacement child. (Good thing I have a few spares around here.) I realized I may be a tad obsessed and lacking in good sense upon noting the humongous mosquito bite on my forehead after I went in.  I knew one had landed on me, but I was framing a photo, dang it. Thank the Lord for Ledum. :)

Here's the pic:

"...of paper flowers"

I'm enjoying the various flowers that are popping up. :) I have put my husband on warning that there is one plant I do not wish to be mowed this weekend. It is a small purple wildflower. It's lovely! Purple and green are my favorite colors- so I'm in heaven, even if I have to walk all the way to the 'back 40' to get to it. Ok- it's not really that far, it just feels like it as it needs a good cut. I'd better get more shots. Fast.

Center Stage (photo)

I've been culling photos today and organizing them. OK, Lightroom (my editing/cataloging software) has been doing the heavy hitting in the organizing aspect. I LOVE Smart Collections! I also love that I can any one of my nearly 12,000 photos in less than 30 seconds.

I happily rediscovered this macro photo and thought I'd share. :)

Center Stage

Floral Friday (photo)

This is one of my favorite images thus far taken of my neighbors tulip tree. I have been slipping into their yard (with permission!) nearly every day to take shots. This photo was taken during the only 5 or so minute period when early morning light touched the tree in the last week. We've had cloudy mornings ever since and I'm ready for less clouds and more light!

(click image to view in lightbox)

ISO 100, 30mm Macro, f/16

Floral Friday (photo)

I have been eyeing this tree in my neighbors yard for the last few days - looking longingly out my window watching the blossoms open higher up on the tree and slowly unfold towards the ground. There are many of these trees in my neighborhood that are blooming and, happily, this tree is one with the richest color which I'm quite drawn to. It also happens to have low hanging branches which is perfect considering my... uhhh...lack of height. :)

I was finally able to connect with my neighbors today and beg ask for permission to stand in their front yard and photograph their tree. As it turns out they had entertained thoughts of taking some pictures for themselves as they love it.  I happily told them I'd pass along the good photos. It's a win/win! 

(Click image to enlarge)

Tulip Tree 

Clouded Composition (photo)

This week's theme in the G+ Project 52 is "Rule of Thirds".

Clouded Composition

(Click photo for a better view.)

Following the "Rule of Thirds"  is viewed as a generally accepted and aesthetically pleasing way to compose one's photos. The goal is to have the main points (or point) of interest intersect where the lines of the grid cross each other, or to follow one of the two horizontal or vertical lines as shown below. Very rarely do you want the subject to be smack in the middle of your photo.

My photo gridded to illustrate the Rule of Thirds.

For further reading: http://www.digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds 

Winter in the deep south. (Photo)

This weeks Google+ Project 52 photo:


 Theme: Winter


Living as I do, in the deep south, I struggled to find an image that I thought would depict winter adequately. When thinking of winter my mind envisions frost, ice, or even snow. Can you tell I'm not from here? :)


These are the leaves of a banana tree all withered away due to brief 'cold snaps' we've had. In the summer banana leaves enchant me with their subtly ribbed texture and flowing leaves clothed in alluring shades of green. Strangely, I find myself compelled by their current state - drawn to their texture, color and even the mottled pattern of decay on what were once vibrant leaves.

(Click image for better viewing)

Wasted Winter

Portraits Are More Than Paper.

We've oft heard it said that a picture is worth a thousand words.

A photo can reveal a lot about someone...about a family. One can see the daughter who has her father's eyes, the son with his mother's smile, or the granddaughter with her grandfather's smile.  Through a photograph one can observe the love between a couple, or the playfulness within a family. Photos provide not only a sense of place, but also a visual, historical record that can answer a child's questions such as "Do I look like anyone in my family tree?" or an adult's query of what the house their parent grew up in looked like.

Through moments captured digitally (or on film) our departed loved ones live on in a tangible way. We can still touch them, and they us, if only through a photograph. Photographs tell stories, they spark our memories reminding us of the shape of one's mouth, the curve of their smile, or the textures of a person's hands after a life of toil.

I have precious photos of my mother-in-law with my children in various situations, the usual birthdays and such, but also in quiet moments as she was snuggling a sleeping baby, or helping a child with a task, or rather letting a child 'help' her.  I have never been so grateful of my penchant for photography as when the memories call me back in time and the photos vividly bring back those fleeting, precious moments.

I wish we'd had the opportunity for professional portraits with my mother-in-law. Some were attempted, but fell far short in execution. I'm still sad about that, but remain forever grateful that I  had used my own camera liberally over the years.

The blog title is not mine. It is taken, in part, from the blog post linked below. Please, read it.

A letter on my doorstep. Portraits are more than paper.

As I've been typing this I await news on the results of emergency surgery of one dear friend with an unknown tumor, and later today another sweet friend must hand her infant over for necessary open heart surgery. Life can turn in an instant. Make and record memories.

**Always make certain that any photographer you choose for your precious memories has more than just a fancy camera- make sure they know how to use it and even how to focus it properly with a group. If photographs are to be taken inside- make sure the photographer is knowledgeable in how to properly light the area in order to ensure the best possible results and proper exposure. View their portfolio!**

The Embers of Yesteryear (photo)

I am participating in a year long photo project on Google+.  Below is my submission for this week's theme: New Year's Day.

(Click photo to enlarge within a lightbox for better viewing.)

May your New Year be filled with hope, happiness and faith!

Christmas Photos 2011

I know I have been notably absent from my blog...well, to me, anyways. :)

I thought I'd post the photos I took yesterday of my children. I had been wanting to corral them all to attempt some portraits and they all finally co-operated. It was a wonderful present to me. :)

(Click on photos to enlarge in a black lightbox.)

 My 3yo- T.

 

T. and my 6yo, C.

No surprise- nothing happened- besides the fact C. was determined to keep me from seeing a smile. :)

M., my 9yo. He was determined to hold a present in his lap for his photo.

No- M. did not blink. He's actually loving on his little sister. Love it!

T.

E., my 15yo.

K., my 18yo.

Photo of the Day

In honor of the Google+ theme for the day- Floral Friday-I submit: 

Cana  10/2011
(Click to enlarge- recommended) 

With the exception of a slight exposure adjustment- this image is straight out of the camera (SOOC).

The Faces of Ground Zero photography show: Time Warner Center in NYC

If I still lived in NYC I would make tracks in a hurry to see this fantastic looking show. My husband and I lived just outside of NYC on 9/11. I can't think of a more deserving group of people to be the subjects of this show by such an accomplished photographer as Joe.

Photo from Joe Mcnally's blog linked below.

Joe's blog:

http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/2011/08/26/scenes-from-a-show/