• clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes

    Beyond the Horizon

    Clouds over Pineridge Natural Area this past Saturday

    “Some people close their eyes to the horizons; some people sit and watch the horizons; some visit the horizons and some incredible people go beyond the horizons!”

    Mehmet Murat ildan

    As a photographer I am fascinated with horizons. I find something powerful in seeing an open, vast, and inviting horizon. And over the past 20 years I have been fascinated with the horizons we have in our lives, and for the same reasons. For me these horizons can be dreams we’ve carried for many years or one we had last night. They could be a vision or goal we’ve discovered. Maybe it’s a new relationship in our life or re-establishing a damaged one. And, what about a new challenge in life we need to face. These are only a few that quickly come to mind but I’m sure you can add to the list. What I pray for is that we be one of those incredible ones who moves beyond the horizons.

  • Fujifilm X-T3,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  quotes

    What else have I not seen?

    “I don’t have a philosophy. I have a camera. I look into the camera and take pictures. My photographs are the tiniest part of what I see that could be photographed. They are fragments of endless possibilities.”

    Saul Leiter

    Fort Collins Natural Areas have become the place for me to go. I started going primarily because the coffee shops were not allowing dining in due to state mandates. So in March of 2020 I began making coffee at home and going to Pineridge Natural Area to journal, read, connect with nature and get in a walk. My first explorations of Pineridge were made in 2014 but then lost touch with it until March. Then in June of 2020 I discovered Reservoir Ridge which is only about 4 miles away. When I look at my archives there are twice as many images at Reservoir Ridge than Pineridge while only exploring it in half the time. I seem to be drawn to it in a more photographic way.

    For the past 5 months I’m out to Reservoir Ridge at least once a week. Yet, this past week was the first time I saw this old water pump, I mean really saw it. It sits along an irrigation ditch and a row of trees so I’ve seen it many times, but never really saw it. As soon as I saw the pump this past week something in my mind kicked in, I really saw it and envisioned the above image. I walked out there to it and accepted the gift. So, I wonder what else I’ve not seen out there. I’ll keep you posted.

  • Documentary/Street,  Food,  lifestyles,  Photography

    An Apple

    The Apple
    The Apple

    “The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange

    As Eric and walked through the Behavioral Science Building on our way for coffee I noticed this apple sitting on the desk of a couple young girls. I found it intriguing so I asked if I could take a photo and was given permission. I took only one as I was in a hurry and didn’t want to disturb the two girls, after all finals are next week. I was even more intrigued by the image once I loaded it on my computer. Those are are not teeth marks but she seems to have used some tool like a scoop. Eric, as are many who do not have a camera hanging around their neck, commented how he would not have noticed the apple. 

  • musings,  Vision

    What are we thinking?

    Two Green Windows

    I had someone ask me if I wrote down my thoughts and feelings at the time I take my images. My answer was no, but that’s a good question to ponder. I’m not sure I go through such a process. I’m just moving along with my gut and intuition. I watch the light, the shadows, texture, color and of course the craft part of the exposure. We need a good exposure to help us communicate what we are seeing. But, I’ve never written down any thoughts or feelings at the time of exposure. So, I’ll ask you the same question, “Do any of you take notes at the time of exposure?”

  • architecture,  doors,  quotes

    Let me have it.

    Door and Window

    “By managing the attention of your viewers, you guide them to the heart of the story and free them from the difficult task of wading through an ambiguous image and its distractions.” Vision and Voice by David duChemin

    Found this door walking along the streets of old Richmond near Virginia Commonwealth University. I was in search of a coffee shop called Rev It Up. I found the  shop and met the owners, Dave and Sharon, who are from Colorado. I enjoyed my mocha and she even gave me the extra shot (decaf).

    Anyway, the streets around the campus are loaded with wonderful architecture and bright colors. The distraction I find in this image is the reflection in the window, other than that I like. I would love to hear your critiques of this image. Is it too busy? Does it tell a story? Or am I just focusing on the colors? Let me have.