Weeping Reflection

BeckyB’s July Squares: Treesquare
Photo a Week: Reflection

What is it about a Weeping Willow tree? I couldn’t take my eyes off of its massive, yet delicate presence the day I discovered it on the grounds of the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont. Branches reaching down…almost brushing the pond below. I don’t think I’ve even been in a more peaceful spot.
A painting come to life.

Side Views

A Photo A Week Challenge: From the Side

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO (OR THREE…) THAT CAPTURES YOUR SUBJECT FROM THE SIDE.

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I agree with Nancy Merrill, who is hosting this challenge…when you photograph “from the side” you are able to capture the focused look on someone’s face.

It can also provide a unique opportunity to capture a truly candid moment…or two.

One morning, during a June visit to celebrate my grandson’s 5th birthday and meet my new granddaughter, I noticed 5 year old C listening intently to a long Grampa story. It was a rare sitting still couple of minutes. I don’t remember what the conversation was about, but judging by my stealth photos it must have been quite entertaining…as Grampa stories usually are.

Up Close and Personal…looking back

Nancy Merrill’s Photo a Week Challenge: Up Close and Personal

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO OF CLOSE UPS (HUMAN OR NOT).

SixWordSaturday

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How could I NOT post photos for this challenge! Up close and personal – whether it be human or not – is my passion in photography.

I searched through my archives for these two shots. By archives I mean an extensive collection of photo albums (with negatives!) – which take up an entire bookshelf in the living room.

As I mentioned in my last post, I took pictures of my children “at every milestone”…however, I also tried to capture their “ordinary” days. Playing outside and taking a break for a drink or snack on the deck…as was the case for my 1½ year old son below. Or watching daddy play guitar and sing at a local apple harvest festival at the age of 4½…as my daughter was in the second photo below.

Catching my kids in a quiet moment was always a challenge, as they loved to grin or pose or make silly faces when I pulled out my camera. Often waiting patiently while I focused – no autofocus back then. As they got older, they would hold up 2 fingers in a peace sign pose to give me something to easily focus on…quicker.

I really love these two photographs because I can see a glimpse of who they are now. And it makes me smile. The eyes. The expressions. Children are so beautiful in their transparency.

Just a Few Words Wednesday

(This was going to be a Wordless Wednesday post, but pairing it with Nancy Merrill’s vacation memories challenge made the wordless part too challenging…)

Photo a Week: Vacation Memories

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Covidcation 2020
Pocono Summit, Pennsylvania
Four Days of Quarantined Family Fun

From lakeside….

morning lake

To a nearby deserted baseball field one morning…

Back to lakeside at day’s end…

firepit end of day

…three generations gathered.

sunset on the lake
Treasured memories…well documented.

Photo a Week: Tulip Tales

Nancy Merrill’s Photo a Week Challenge: Light and Dark

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO FEATURING THE CONTRAST OF DARK AND LIGHT.

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As we all know, cut flowers do not last very long. After about a week, the beautiful bouquet of tulips I received on Mother’s Day began drooping. The long goodbye to their short stay on my dining room table had begun.

They had done well…brightening my stay-at-home days.

However, aging flowers also have their beautiful side. With proper lighting of course. No shooting from below…the angle is crucial. I carefully moved the vase and set it gently on the record cabinet I use as my photo studio spot. It is right near the window which lets in the afternoon sun.

The petals sagged a bit, stretched out and relaxed after a week holding strong, but no matter. Their gentle lines of color perked up as the sun’s rays streamed in.

A flower barely hanging on, but still a force to photograph.

Lighting up the dark…

light and dark tulip
Tulip Goodbye