Sunday, September 11, 2011

The Beauty That Surrounds Me

In the adult Sunday school class this morning we talked about different types of prayer. Pastor Jeff also talked about it during the sermon. I pray, I talk to God but there are so many different ways to pray. I like to think of my photography as a way of prayer and worship. Not the photos themselves but the act of taking them and how grateful I feel when I'm taking them. It's the beauty I see through the viewfinder, whether it's a bird, a flower, my dogs or my family I am so grateful for it all. When I see things that make me happy I know they are gifts from God.
When I don't take the time to reflect on the beauty around me and appreciate all that surrounds me I become anxious and stressed. When I take the time be aware and conscious of it, a peace surrounds me. A peace that is a gift from God.
Take time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. And know Who to thank.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Time well spent.....

I was able to get away for 5 days over the holiday weekend. Of course with camera in tow. I LOVE my camera. I LOVE trying to be creative, whether it's peaches or people.

Remember those old cameras we had when we were kids? Mine was a 110. I'm sure I got mine as a Christmas or birthday gift. If I was lucky I was able to take 12 exposures to be developed once every 6 months or so. I would be so particular and stingy with those 12 photos. I would have to have just the right subject as not to waste a one. I can specifically remember wanting a photo of myself and only having my younger brother who didn't have an artistic eye for anything to snap the photo of me. I'm smiling right now as I remember myself instructing him to not stand too far away and make sure I was in the center of the viewfinder. Then I would have to wait weeks, maybe even months until my Mom got the photos developed for me. Torture I tell you! Gone are those days! Now I have instant gratification. Just snap away to my hearts content, hundred of photos, not just 12 every 6 months, then stick the memory card in the computer and VOILA! What I wouldn't have given to have this technology when I was a kid. Surely kids take it for granted these days having never known any different.
We camped up north in the Silver Lake area. We've been camping there now for some 25 years. Don't suppose we will ever stop going there... hope we never do. Craig LOVES it and I love it because he does. We stopped at a farm market/petting zoo and you know I loved having my camera there. Do you know why I loved this photo? Look at Craig... he was laughing. Craig always smiles when I point the camera at him but rarely do I ever capture him in a true belly laugh. There was some joke going on between him and Jordan. I don't even remember what was so funny, I'm just happy to have captured it.
This is the typical pose I get from Craig. I know that inside he's saying I really don't feel like smiling but I know it's important to my wife so I'll give her what she wants. Another reason I love him so! And look how cute he is. He's irresistible.
What a great carefree weekend. I tried to get Craig and Jordan to climb in the spiderweb with me. They don't know what they were missing.
We took Fiona and Zoe camping with us. They are get camping dogs. Who doesn't love having a puppy curled up in their lap when sitting around the campfire?
And of course no trip to Silver Lake would be complete without time spent in the dunes.

These weekends are so special to me.