An online journal sharing my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, spirituality and asking deep questions.
I found this leaf caught in the tall grass along the Fisher Nature Area. It seemed to be suspended in the air so I took a shot. When we take the time to notice each leaf has a specific look. The shape, color, and size are all dependent on how much light, water, nutrients, insects and weather. I walked past this leaf a couple days after taking this image and it was gone. I assume blown away during one of the windy days or disturbed by someone passing by.
Life was a struggle for me in 1991. Little things like a divorce, a job loss, poor financial choices, let me know how little control I had over my life. At this time in my life I earnestly began to search for some answer to how I felt. I looked into different religious faiths, attended retreats, joined help groups, read the books, practiced their exercises and principles, with no relief or answers.
Over time the needed change found me. I stumbled upon a solution that introduced me to a new way of seeing who I really was and the world around me. I needed new ways of dealing with life’s challenges. I found a resource in quiet times of prayer, meditation and contemplation. I enjoy this inward journey as it helps me to see within and to use the eyes of something deeper to see outward. Learning to see a “true self” rather than a “false self” allows us to be a more interesting person. I’ve heard it said, to create more interesting images make ourselves more interesting. For me, the changes within me have changed my photography.
It’s been raining for the past 4 days or so and they are saying we can expect a couple more days of it. Have not shot an image in those 4 days, either. So, here’s one taken from this past October. It has some red in it.
Last nights walk through Rowland Moore Park allowed me to see nature do, what I thought, was a very strange thing. From a distance I noticed a leaf suspended in mid-air. I stopped and moved closer. It looked like a blade of grass had poked through a hole in the leaf and was holding it up. So, I grabbed a photo and continued on my walk. After loading it on the computer and lowering my exposure, I was able to see that the leaf was suspended in the air because it had fallen on a spiderweb. The sensor saw it but my eyes did not. The walk also included a photo of the setting sun bursting through tree branches and couple huge dandelions, everyones favorite flower.
It was 25 degrees when I left the house this morning. I had to scrape heavy frost off the car windows. Brrrrr! However, it made my hot chocolate a sweeter treat this morning at Cafe Ole. With the cold morning I noticed the yellow, gold and red leaves were falling like snowflakes. A young lady waiting to cross the street was standing in this falling leaf storm. I expect most trees to to barren of leaves within the next few hours. And, with the sun shinning brightly it makes for a beautiful fall day.
Anything that excites me, for any reason, I will photograph: not searching for unusual subject matter but making the commonplace unusual, nor indulging in extraordinary technique to attract attention. Work only when desire to the point of necessity impels – then do it honestly. Then so called “composition” becomes a personal thing, to be developed along with technique, as a personal way of seeing. -Edward Weston
Sitting in a small coffee shop called Cafe Ole. It’s a new place that I just found out about it. I’m also finishing up a breakfast burrito from a local Mexican restaurant that they serve here. We have overcast skies and temperatures is hovering around 43 degrees. I consider it a good fall day. The forecast is for winds to pick up as a front moves into the area. I found this leaf a couple weeks ago while wandering around outside. The weather and the fallen leaf are bringing on a melancholy feeling this morning. I’m back to work again tomorrow for a 4-day trip. Work sure does get in the way of life.