unexpected

words by L, photo by T

The other day T had told me about her first photo assignment and some of her ideas to carry them through. She had a series of 5 images to take. And because it's fun to act like a student again, I brainstormed my own ideas, but felt like my ideas were a pretty conventional and ordinary. I was so anxious to see what she would come up with. She showed me all of them except the one for "landscape" and I knew she was running out of time, even daylight. In my mind I was a little bit frustrated that she waited so late to complete them all. She told me she might go over to the abandoned house. My first thought was "no, that's not what the assignment is" but I kept my thoughts to myself.
here was her assignment:
make 5 color pictures using a digital camera from each of the following topics. you must shoot at least five images per topic, but turn in only one image per topic for critique. you will also have to turn in a digital contact sheet.
1. never again: make a photograph of something fleeting, something temporary. try to photograph an image that can never be photographed again. attention to light and time.
2. monochromatic color: make a photograph containing variations of only one color.
3. landscape: make a photograph that relays the emotional connection you do or do not feel with the environment
4. light and texture: use the ability of light to enhance a subject. make the ordinary extraordinary by allowing us to see something peculiar, obstructed, or intensified.
5. documentary: document a person, a moment, an event, or a place. pay attention to environment and detail. the information recorded should say something about the place, time, or emotional experience of the chosen subject.

When I pulled this image up late that night, I immediately smiled, clapped my hands in excitement, and said to myself, "oh Taylor!". I smiled to think, "why did I doubt her ability, even for a second". I expected her to do well, but it was unexpected just how. I have to say she amazes me – that's a mother talking. But apparently her teacher was astounded as well, and told the other students to take note of how T used light in all 5 of her assigned photos. I also doubt that the teacher expected such conceptual thought.

intricate / delicate

solo post - L

"Nature is the art of God." -Thomas Browne, Religio Medici, 1635

figs / feather

solo post - L

This is my little gathering spot - holds just enough for a little snack. It's getting harder to find the figs - looks as if the birds have been having a feast. It's clear by the holes in the fruit and the evidence at my feet.

happy / blissful

solo post - L

I woke up today and the first thing upon stepping outside I sang to myself, "this is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it". I know that's not just a praise for glorious days weather-wise but a praise we should sing every day. But this day was so exceptional in the weather department I couldn't help but rejoice and I wanted to be outdoors every minute possible. Hm, I think I said this yesterday. Oh well, it held true today too. So... I decided to take Evee, and myself, for a walk at a local park called Big Trees Forest. We walked, and talked (I hope no heard me talking out loud to my dog), she was patient when I wanted to stop and take a photo, we sat on the creek bridge and watched the water flow, we took 'bench monday' shots (well she couldn't take one of me and I didn't bring my remote), we watched the birds and the butterflies, she cooled herself off in the water, she was even nice to the other dogs along the way. I say this because many times she feels the need to bark and carry on. But she was such a good dog today I think I'll take her more often. She truly seemed happy to be enjoying the day right along side me. Hope your weekend was glorious as well.

Here Evee sits beside me on the bridge as I dangle my feet. To me it looks as though she is smiling, seeming to say, "thank you for bringing me along"

new / used

solo post - L

This morning I felt a hint of fall in the air. The sky was brilliant blue and the air felt fresh. I realize we have many more days of summer heat left until the cool days of autumn, but a day like today, with just that tiny taste of fall in the air... it does something to me. I LOVE it.
Wanting to be outside as much as possible today I started out by giving Evee a haircut. Or at least I tried - the blade just was not cutting properly so I had to go to Petco to see if they had a replacement blade. They didn't. But while I was there I decided what Evee needed even more than a haircut was a shampoo, so I bought some sweet smelling shampoo and came home and bathed her. Yeah I couldn't resist a new toy to give her as a treat.
T has a long list of supplies she needs for her Graphic Design class. And when I read over it I was sort of shocked to see that they were teaching old school. She needs triangles, t-square, markers, colored pencils and rapidiographs, etc. So I went on a search for my old tools – have been gathering them up and cleaning them. I couldn't find my rapidiograph (doubt it would have worked anyway), but one thing I was pleasantly surprised about was the markers. I expected them to be completely dried out after all these years but most of them were as juicy as new - after 15 or more years. That's incredible to me. Plus I have about 100 - so that saves at least $200. Sorry T, I know you were looking forward to new supplies - like getting those new pencils in 1st grade, but these will serve you just as well. I'll buy you a new rapidiograph - that's nicer than a new pencil.
Interesting... it seems the green markers hold up the best. I didn't find one green marker that was dried up.

office / home

L - iphone / T - Nikon

I took this photo today at work as the day was passing me by. Collectively I feel like the days are passing me by. Once again, we worked well past dark. Then T sent this photo showing me how her room is much improved now that the closet door is installed. And to tell me again how much she loves her room. Visually I feel there's somewhat of a link in these two photos - the colors and the lines – but I'm not coming up with anything in the way of words. Words escape me tonight. oh well.

tranquil

solo post - L

T is settled in Athens, the twins visit has come to an end, the days are growing shorter... the house is quiet once again - whispering quiet – you can hear the wind chimes tinkle.

aim

solo post - L
My nephew and I have been having a bit of healthy competition. I came home the other day to find my him outside shooting the BB gun at a tin can. You can see he's not a bad shot, especially for an 8 yr old. So of course I had to try my hand at it. I'm proud to say at my first shooting I hit it 2 out of 3. We've been taking turns shooting off and on all weekend. I wasn't a bad aim, but shot for shot he hit the target more than I did.
However, I'm not on target, at all, with my blog. Monday will be our one year anniversary for our Spread Your Wings blog and I had wanted to plan something special. With the late night working, T moving, and family visiting, I just haven't gotten my thoughts together on it. Stay tuned. I aim to have something to share soon - I just don't know what or even when.

"The odds of hitting your target go up dramatically when you aim at it" - Mal Pancoast

ordinary / everyday

L - Nikon/ T - Nikon

Just a very quick post to show you that I haven't abandoned the blog. I can't WAIT to get back to a normal routine of enjoying my blogger friends and posting on a more regular basis once again.

Just so you know, I chose T's photo to go with mine. She is still out of commission - busy with friends visiting, etc. I'm hoping she'll join me here once she gets in her normal routine again as well.

the calm of blue

L - iphone / T - Nikon
I stole a minute to go outside today - not getting one break until 3pm. The days have been stressful lately (too many late nights to speak of), so a few minutes with the sun on my face, and the sound of water, was what I needed to melt the stress right away. Sunshine is as good as a massage to me and it's the break I needed today. / I'm having a hard time getting much (for the blog) out of T these days. I have to admit she has a lot going on with the new home. She's been dealing with the landlord, the cable guy, the electrician, the general repair guy getting locks on doors, leaks fixed, ovens regulated, security installed, etc. I called one day and she didn't have time to talk - on the line with one service person, another one in the house asking questions. She said, "mom this is so stressful". But you know what? I am so proud of the way she is handling it all - getting everything taken care of herself. I do believe her wings have spread, and are strong - very strong. The jobs are complete now and now she has a week to relax before classes start on Monday.

harvest

solo post - L

"Talk unbelief, and you will have unbelief; but talk faith, and you will have faith. According to the seed sown will be the harvest." - Ellen G. White

left behind

solo post - L
She left a few things behind - shoes on the steps, some laundry in the basket but more importantly these cameras that she'll need. She's finally getting to start her photography classes this fall and I know she is excited about that. So the good thing about it is... she'll be back this weekend. And then there's Labor Day – maybe we'll go to the beach. Summer went by so quickly. It seems just yesterday that she was walking through the door with all that stuff and now stepping in her room there's an echoing sound of emptiness. I'm glad she left these things behind. The gently moving out is so much easier to take.

little deer / dear one

L - post / T - photos

I've been holding on to this image for bench monday. So since T is away without internet for a day or two I decided to post her photos myself. I love so many of the photos posted to the flickr group but I always forget about taking my own. I think there's something so mysterious about just seeing the a portion of someone. These little legs, a peek of an eye... These are part of the series of photos T took of my little niece. I did some processing to the one on the chair – gave it a softening effect that is rather fitting I think and posted it to the Bench Monday group. I love the coloring in this series - monotone with a pop of green.

here / there

L - iphone

T's little owls finally found a home today - flying 66 miles to their final resting place in this bright and cheerful room. This vintage lamp was T's first home purchase and she is so proud of it, especially since she bargained with the owner to get a better price. The yellow coverlet was her second home purchase - making this free, but drab, couch a sunny place to sit and read.
For me the move was much easier than I thought that it would. I honestly was dreading it but with the help of her dad, and another strong man, I didn't really have to break my back at all. A bonus – we didn't have to take every load up 4 flights of steps like we did last year. Even the prediction of rain was a false alarm and the weather turned out perfect.
I called her tonight and she already has her room in order; the kitchen cabinets are filled with the pretty, colorful glassware and dishes that she bought; the bathrooms are neat and tidy - she's settled in and loving it.