tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65212773814962205452024-03-12T21:29:03.745-07:001000 WordsPhotoblogLizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-88296632583964594102011-05-28T13:30:00.000-07:002011-05-28T13:30:45.855-07:00Essay #79: Red & Ripe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The farmer's market is open for the season! And it seems the outlook is very rosy indeed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OmoLxz9mnqU/TeFaLE4EuhI/AAAAAAAAAoo/h6mJIewzveg/s1600/P5204855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OmoLxz9mnqU/TeFaLE4EuhI/AAAAAAAAAoo/h6mJIewzveg/s400/P5204855.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Llq_rzJUTw/TeFacXeaLBI/AAAAAAAAAow/PZd5alwN5-8/s1600/P5204883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Llq_rzJUTw/TeFacXeaLBI/AAAAAAAAAow/PZd5alwN5-8/s400/P5204883.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qciZiiVhIbA/TeFaWkaZFaI/AAAAAAAAAos/-vQdGH8fOEk/s1600/P5204872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qciZiiVhIbA/TeFaWkaZFaI/AAAAAAAAAos/-vQdGH8fOEk/s400/P5204872.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-85326264344593656112011-01-25T17:08:00.000-08:002011-01-25T17:11:03.546-08:00Essay #78: In loving memory<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>"In our grief, we know that death must be liar, when no goodbye is ever good enough." </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Jason Gray</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TT9vSM2zUpI/AAAAAAAAAgA/r18eUSJ2wvI/s1600/P7073065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TT9vSM2zUpI/AAAAAAAAAgA/r18eUSJ2wvI/s400/P7073065.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Rachel Hecker Kirchner, 8/3/1983-1/24/2011</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My dear friend Rachel went to be with the Lord yesterday after a nine-month battle with cancer. Rachel was an amazing woman filled with life, love, laughter, and joy. We lived together while I was in grad school and she was finishing her bachelor's degree, and she was the sunshine of our house, always warm and welcoming. I will always cherish her friendship.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had the immense honor to photograph Rachel's wedding to her husband Matt. My favorite shots from their wedding are actually not the pretty portraits that I gave to the couple on the CD, but all the tiny, sparkling moments that are just so very Rachel. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TT9vT27VBNI/AAAAAAAAAgE/kTv8C3LNkc8/s1600/P7073311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TT9vT27VBNI/AAAAAAAAAgE/kTv8C3LNkc8/s400/P7073311.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TT9vZplKnXI/AAAAAAAAAgM/DAL5mvGr4T0/s1600/P7073325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TT9vZplKnXI/AAAAAAAAAgM/DAL5mvGr4T0/s400/P7073325.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TT9vaRXkOUI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/QWmAL2dfcrU/s1600/P7073442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TT9vaRXkOUI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/QWmAL2dfcrU/s400/P7073442.JPG" width="285" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rachel was also an amazing woman of faith, with great confidence in the God she loved. To read more about her prayer-filled journey with cancer, please visit her blog, <a href="http://forthewarriors.blogspot.com/">For the Warriors</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"As I wander the streets of gold,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Talk to all the friends I've known</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We'll go adore the Master King</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Then, only then, I'll be breathing in."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">-Downhere</div><br />
</div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-21365689888200828712011-01-17T19:24:00.000-08:002011-01-18T06:41:59.151-08:00Essay #77: A book by its cover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TTTw6bJT7MI/AAAAAAAAAfY/Et7qm3O7K-0/s1600/P1000138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TTTw6bJT7MI/AAAAAAAAAfY/Et7qm3O7K-0/s400/P1000138.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another thing I love about used <a href="http://thousandwordsproject.blogspot.com/2009/09/essay-24-bookstores.html">bookstores</a>: Rows and rows of beautifully bound old books.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TTTxAa9dNgI/AAAAAAAAAfc/887V5yLLtp4/s1600/P1000145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TTTxAa9dNgI/AAAAAAAAAfc/887V5yLLtp4/s400/P1000145.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spine artwork is making a resurgence, but publishers insist on covering it with dust jackets. But I think there's a real beauty in an embossed volume, and it only grows with age and wear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TTTxJjEDVBI/AAAAAAAAAfg/W6VeYw4i15A/s1600/P1000146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TTTxJjEDVBI/AAAAAAAAAfg/W6VeYw4i15A/s400/P1000146.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A well-loved book is a story in itself. I look at this worn set of "Popular Travel" and imagine a child spending the long, snowy prairie winters sprawled in front of the fire, poring over tales of far-off places and dreaming of becoming a world traveler. </div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-46827274298815742542011-01-02T08:11:00.000-08:002011-01-02T16:33:04.250-08:00Essay #76: New Start to Start<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TSCebzJLbkI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/R3vxpA2hlBA/s1600/cheers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TSCebzJLbkI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/R3vxpA2hlBA/s400/cheers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy New Year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>"Blank page, clean slate, new beginning, paths to create.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Let's get a move on, we've got a new start to start." </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> -</i><a href="http://www.harktheherons.com/">Hark the Herons</a><i> </i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A new year. A fresh start. Time for resolutions, goals, evaluations. Perfect for an introspective overthinker like me. 2010 was a year I wouldn't care to repeat, but I'm glad I lived it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not much for resolutions - they're usually broken nearly before they're made - but I am a goal setter. My goals for 2011 are pretty simple: Take more photos, get in shape, actually use my vacation time and not feel guilty about it, travel just because I can. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What kinds of thoughts does the new year inspire in you? </div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-52742782047815535182010-12-25T06:39:00.000-08:002010-12-25T06:39:41.590-08:00Essay #75: So this is Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TRX_HbhgBbI/AAAAAAAAAe8/vlNH-8fq48E/s1600/PC244206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TRX_HbhgBbI/AAAAAAAAAe8/vlNH-8fq48E/s400/PC244206.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
"Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth, pace, goodwill to men on whom his favor rests."<br />
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Peace and goodwill? Have those angels ever tried to find a parking spot at the mall in December? <br />
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But as I sit here surrounded by family, snow falling outside, Christmas brunch in the oven, all of the stress and craziness leading up to this point are overshadowed by the simple truth of the angels' statement. Peace on Earth. Emmanuel, God is with us. Arise, shine for your light has come! <br />
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1/125 f/5.6, flash bounced of walls behind the cameraLizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-38370646581862508322010-12-16T21:08:00.000-08:002010-12-16T21:08:31.348-08:00Essay #74: Christmas concertI haven't updated this blog in a while. Sorry about that. I promise I'll have a holiday-themed post or two, but for now, I'll give you this merry little photo from the downhere Christmas tour.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TQrwG_BhXQI/AAAAAAAAAeg/EP7JOR6uSA4/s1600/PC188039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TQrwG_BhXQI/AAAAAAAAAeg/EP7JOR6uSA4/s400/PC188039.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-57663106207037607742010-10-22T17:48:00.000-07:002010-10-23T11:03:32.690-07:00Essay #73: Concert drama<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TMItmCHenZI/AAAAAAAAAYc/ahwkG3S0fN4/s1600/PA173008e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TMItmCHenZI/AAAAAAAAAYc/ahwkG3S0fN4/s400/PA173008e.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think that one of the reasons I love concert photos is that they're so dramatic. With all the lights and fog and showmanship, there are easy ways to add drama to the shot.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">If the lights are bright, <a href="http://thousandwordsproject.blogspot.com/2009/12/essau-52-creative-lens-flare.html">lens flare</a> can be nearly inescapable, so you might as well work with it</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TMItOFNnjSI/AAAAAAAAAYU/CVumLhGdPa4/s1600/PA173015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TMItOFNnjSI/AAAAAAAAAYU/CVumLhGdPa4/s400/PA173015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">The extremes of light and shadow can be a bane for metering, but high contrast makes for high drama</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TMItbHvdKwI/AAAAAAAAAYY/Tv26_7UOiio/s1600/PA102621c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TMItbHvdKwI/AAAAAAAAAYY/Tv26_7UOiio/s400/PA102621c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">And then there's my personal favorite: the camera tilt. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TMItpCf3OhI/AAAAAAAAAYg/zgQET88ORRw/s1600/PA173084e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TMItpCf3OhI/AAAAAAAAAYg/zgQET88ORRw/s400/PA173084e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The third photo is <a href="http://www.downhere.com/">downhere</a> (yes, again); the rest are of the band <a href="http://www.rushoffools.com/">Rush of Fools</a>. Taken at a concert last weekend.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-6709150477215264742010-10-16T06:25:00.000-07:002010-10-16T06:25:39.260-07:00Essay #72: Fall colorsThe trees here haven't changed much yet, but we've no shortage of fall colors!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TLmnW013OhI/AAAAAAAAAX8/BdbQq_Gc_9M/s1600/PA022061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TLmnW013OhI/AAAAAAAAAX8/BdbQq_Gc_9M/s400/PA022061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TLmnaYi654I/AAAAAAAAAYA/JHI7T8HlHY4/s1600/PA022143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TLmnaYi654I/AAAAAAAAAYA/JHI7T8HlHY4/s400/PA022143.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TLmndHnUWRI/AAAAAAAAAYE/_QyUCfAqwss/s1600/PA022194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TLmndHnUWRI/AAAAAAAAAYE/_QyUCfAqwss/s400/PA022194.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TLmnfLgqkoI/AAAAAAAAAYI/Acx6N0hMX1Q/s1600/PA022208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TLmnfLgqkoI/AAAAAAAAAYI/Acx6N0hMX1Q/s400/PA022208.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TLmniqbLyqI/AAAAAAAAAYM/EDCwgfDmLdg/s1600/PA022214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TLmniqbLyqI/AAAAAAAAAYM/EDCwgfDmLdg/s400/PA022214.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TLmnlbfpnFI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/QuK2FFlRyNg/s1600/PA022262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TLmnlbfpnFI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/QuK2FFlRyNg/s400/PA022262.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-35846761746136604052010-09-26T16:20:00.000-07:002010-09-27T20:29:20.912-07:00Essay #71: Spice of Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TJ_P37r0zeI/AAAAAAAAAXc/7AZwFkxP9aA/s1600/spice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TJ_P37r0zeI/AAAAAAAAAXc/7AZwFkxP9aA/s400/spice.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Peppers were ubiquitous at the farmer's market this week. All shapes, colors, and degrees of heat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was a very interesting <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/science/21peppers.html?_r=1&ref=science">article</a> in the New York Times this week about hot peppers and why people love to consume these barely edible little bundles of fire. Pleasure in pain seems kind of masochistic to me. I've never understood the appeal of food that makes you cry, but I've never ventured much beyond medium salsa. What I found interesting about the article was the science of how a vegetable can mimic the sensation of setting one's tongue ablaze. Capsaicin, the chemical that makes peppers "hot," triggers the heat receptors in the mouth, making the brain think you're chewing glowing coals regardless of the actual temperature of the food. Here's another fact that a spice-wimp like me learned early on: Reach for milk, not water. Water won't dissolve capsaicin or lessen the burn (although the ice may feel good while it's in your mouth), but milk proteins will tame the flame. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I haven't done this in a while, but here's the specs: 1/60 f/4.4 28mm ISO200</div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-33052841831003923992010-09-02T18:08:00.000-07:002010-09-02T18:08:53.227-07:00Essay #70: How much is too much?One thing I'd forgotten about Photoshop is how easily time is frittered away tweaking tiny details that only I will probably ever notice. Yet I'm never entirely satisfied.<br />
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For example, I spent about an hour piecing together this photo from three different frames:<br />
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And I could have spent more by pulling the obscured bridesmaid from another shot. But at some point you just have to say enough is enough. <br />
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This is my love/hate relationship with Photoshop. I like playing with some of the special effects, and I like that I can make adjustments when the original shot wasn't as optimal as I'd like. But it's easy to get sucked into trying to make every shot "better" when my year-long hiatus from software showed me that I was more satisfied with the end product when shooting without the safety net of post-processing. When does it cross the line from optimization to obsession? Ten minutes? An hour? When does it turn from tool to crutch? When I'm too lazy to take a picture right the first time - or worse, forget how?<br />
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Oh, Photoshop. Blessing and bane wrapped up in a slick Adobe package.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-53904957735245874182010-08-21T18:04:00.000-07:002010-08-21T18:04:36.463-07:00Essay #69:Today was the Downtown Festival of the Arts, a street fair for local artisans to sell their crafts.<br />
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I was hoping to find a painting to liven the barren walls of my living room, but didn't find any that both appealed to me and matched my furniture. Ah well, the quest continues! <br />
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I love seeing the sheer variety of creative talent represented in any art fair. To see others' passion, skill and unique vision expressed in all sorts of media is both humbling and inspiring. Art can be a communication between the artist and the viewer, although a piece rarely says the same thing to both parties. That's part of why I enjoy comments on my own photos, as well. It's always a bit surprising to look at my own work through someone else's eyes.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-31698548889220966182010-08-18T18:53:00.000-07:002010-09-14T20:09:41.396-07:00Essay #68: Make way for ducklings!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The end of July is a bit late for hatchlings, but it seems nobody told the ducks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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These were actually taken last summer. I was going through some files looking for a concert I shot, and found these. Another case of the forgotten files. It makes me wonder how many of my current photos I dismiss now but will discover later with new appreciation? Sometimes fresh perspective isn't only found through the viewfinder.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-27816128371018231082010-08-08T18:26:00.000-07:002010-08-08T21:13:37.860-07:00Essay #67: Summer sunflowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TF9TR5bZWwI/AAAAAAAAAVk/eITQS2BchHY/s1600/P7241142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TF9TR5bZWwI/AAAAAAAAAVk/eITQS2BchHY/s400/P7241142.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Sunflowers are such happy flowers. Not that the flowers themselves feel emotion, of course, but that they symbolize happiness and bright, sunny summer days.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TF9UbHdDGEI/AAAAAAAAAVs/DokjjdIKPBE/s1600/P7241160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TF9UbHdDGEI/AAAAAAAAAVs/DokjjdIKPBE/s400/P7241160.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>I'm not much of a "flowery" or "frilly" girl, but I do appreciate fresh flowers. I'm considering decorating my dining room with sunflower photos to give the space a kiss of summer sun even in the midst of winter. I'm expecting better results with photos than my attempts at keeping houseplants that unfailingly meet tragic ends after a short time in my care. I could make a centerpiece from artificial flowers, but silk just can't replicate the life, character, and perfect imperfection of real flowers.<br />
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</div><div>For example, I can take this portrait</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>And turn it into a lovely black and white (which I like better)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TD_Lh0Gu5tI/AAAAAAAAAU4/WMR6sT7e9_M/s1600/closeupb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TD_Lh0Gu5tI/AAAAAAAAAU4/WMR6sT7e9_M/s400/closeupb.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div>Or do some "special effects" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TD_Lp8ZZcsI/AAAAAAAAAVA/b9hF0x7wqLI/s1600/closeupbc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TD_Lp8ZZcsI/AAAAAAAAAVA/b9hF0x7wqLI/s400/closeupbc.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Although, with this kind of effect, less is more, in my opinion. It works better with small splashes of color than large swaths. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TD_MZvOBWpI/AAAAAAAAAVI/tL500Bce6XE/s1600/P6260905b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TD_MZvOBWpI/AAAAAAAAAVI/tL500Bce6XE/s400/P6260905b.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><div> Like so. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Do you have a favorite Photoshop effect?</div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-47650572587157972392010-07-06T19:36:00.000-07:002010-07-07T11:09:34.744-07:00Essay #65: Fireworks on a windy nightI don't dabble much in the abstract. But fireworks + high winds =<br />
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Yes, those are the bridesmaids waiting patiently in the chairs while I got the bride in position. I wanted to achieve a kind of light silhouette on the bride, so I had her stand on the edge of the stage and I turned around to face the lights. Result?<br />
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There's a little bit of glare on the floor in the background, but overall I think it's a cool picture.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-31709275010527138732010-06-23T21:33:00.000-07:002010-09-14T20:14:58.367-07:00Essay #63: Lost in the shuffleI took some pictures a couple of weeks ago on a trip back up to Wisconsin and dumped them on my hard drive <i>s</i><i>ight unseen</i>. I never do this. I often do stumble across photos I'd forgotten about (in fact, I recently found photos from not one, but two downhere concerts that I never uploaded anywhere), but I've at least looked at them before. Tonight, while putting files into folders, I realized that I need to pay better attention to what I've got and not just dump them and move on. Because otherwise I'm prone to miss things like this, and the learning opportunities that they present.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TCLfqOId2oI/AAAAAAAAATw/s80VdKj7_rU/s1600/P6119896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TCLfqOId2oI/AAAAAAAAATw/s80VdKj7_rU/s400/P6119896.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-41863540535104616262010-06-22T15:50:00.000-07:002010-06-22T15:51:48.449-07:00Essay #62: PeachesI went to the farmer's market on Saturday in search of fresh spinach to make a salad for dinner. To my great disappointment, there was not a single leaf to be found. However, one vendor had something I'd never seen in a Wisconsin market:<br />
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Peaches! Fresh, warm, and juicy. The perfect summertime treat.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-71860115062508553342010-06-10T22:10:00.000-07:002010-06-10T22:10:17.412-07:00Essay #61: Time to play!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Summer just seems more relaxed than winter. It's time for everyone to get out and play!</span></span></span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Take a walk in the grass.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TBG2QRPKFII/AAAAAAAAAR0/nAgXi3a2_rc/s1600/P6059406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TBG2QRPKFII/AAAAAAAAAR0/nAgXi3a2_rc/s400/P6059406.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Get started on your summer reading list.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TBG8afqJ-XI/AAAAAAAAAR8/LWJnYCJvwEo/s1600/P6059853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TBG8afqJ-XI/AAAAAAAAAR8/LWJnYCJvwEo/s400/P6059853.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Laugh</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TBHE90pWatI/AAAAAAAAASs/CjXmtFipq0M/s1600/P6059729e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TBHE90pWatI/AAAAAAAAASs/CjXmtFipq0M/s400/P6059729e.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">And enjoy life with a good friend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TBHAQAbG2II/AAAAAAAAASc/g7g24f-RRrA/s1600/P6059511e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TBHAQAbG2II/AAAAAAAAASc/g7g24f-RRrA/s400/P6059511e.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TAPwCLcVZPI/AAAAAAAAARA/sHTzwpNNFlc/s1600/P5289368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/TAPwCLcVZPI/AAAAAAAAARA/sHTzwpNNFlc/s400/P5289368.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Mmm, strawberries...<br />
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I decided to explore the area farmer's market this weekend, and I was a bit surprised to find it significantly more stocked with goods than produce - especially since this is, after all, a predominantly agricultural region - and not a single <a href="http://thousandwordsproject.blogspot.com/2009/10/essay-38-cheese-curds.html">cheese curd</a> to be found. But I did find these gorgeous strawberries, one of my favorite summertime delights. I wonder if there are any pick-your-own strawberry patches around here?Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-38732075455018019342010-05-28T17:50:00.000-07:002010-05-28T17:50:11.133-07:00A little help?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I haven't posted here in nearly three weeks. I've been trying to figure out why blogging has become such a struggle for me to keep up with. Yesterday I had a revelation: I'm afraid - though not of sharing parts of myself on the internet or of any criticism a post might inspire. I'm afraid of mediocrity.<br />
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Why would anyone follow a photo blog of pictures that aren't creative, or if not entirely original in concept at least aesthetically interesting? I feel like there's nothing in my mundane routine right now worthy of capture, so my camera sits in its bag. If I do manage to take a decent image that I'm not too embarrassed to post, then I have to write something insightful to accompany it. After spending my day as a science writer, teasing beauty from the technical, I fear I have nothing left worth sharing. And so I say nothing.<br />
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I'd lost sight of my reasons for blogging. I started this blog to challenge myself to see my unemployment situation in a new perspective: possibilities, not limitations. I need to approach this new phase of life in the same way. Because if photography has taught me anything, it's this: If you decide that there's no wonder in the world, you'll never encounter it; but if you go out expecting to meet it, it will greet you from even the most ordinary places.<br />
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Here's where you, dear reader (if you're out there), can help me out. Remember when I had themes that spanned over several posts? I'd like you to throw out thematic challenges for me. Song titles? Abstract geometry? Feet? Hopefully the exercise will lead me to explore and appreciate this strange new place. </span><br />
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</span></span>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-84623109616512435472010-05-08T13:06:00.000-07:002011-01-02T21:57:05.288-08:00Essay #59: Acoustic Storytime<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/S-WlGjbN1NI/AAAAAAAAAQI/2aQ7u1eDokA/s1600/P5079093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/S-WlGjbN1NI/AAAAAAAAAQI/2aQ7u1eDokA/s400/P5079093.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The fantastic <a href="http://www.jasongraymusic.com/">Jason Gray</a>, an incredible singer/songwriter/storyteller. This is a combination I truly appreciate. For me, there are two categories of music: There are catchy little tunes that make nice background noise, and then there are the songs that spin stories that draw you in and invite you to stay a while. Every time you visit, you see something you hadn't noticed before, and as you look around you glimpse your own reflection. And suddenly you're not quite sure if you've entered into the song's story, or if it's become a thread woven into your Story.<br />
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Thanks for sharing your stories and songs, Jason.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-26013874081551577042010-04-25T19:05:00.000-07:002010-04-25T19:05:41.998-07:00Essay #58: Japanese gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/S9Tylfv2LJI/AAAAAAAAAPY/bc59I2jidjc/s1600/P4238940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/S9Tylfv2LJI/AAAAAAAAAPY/bc59I2jidjc/s400/P4238940.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Botanical gardens are havens for still-life photographers, but Japanese gardens have a flair all their own. Meticulous yet relaxing, they seem to strike the unattainable balance between sun and shade, man-made structures and nature's wild elegance, bright colors and muted neutrals. And they somehow always have something blooming. Plus, bonsai-pruned trees. You know the lame personality question, "If you were a tree what kind would you be?" I would be a bonsai tree.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/S9T0UHvxXSI/AAAAAAAAAPg/QblLyx1tc1Y/s1600/P4238990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/S9T0UHvxXSI/AAAAAAAAAPg/QblLyx1tc1Y/s400/P4238990.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-55307023323947966992010-04-21T06:37:00.000-07:002010-04-21T06:37:43.513-07:00Essay #57: Play ball!I've written before about my enjoyment of live sports. My favorite is baseball. I don't have any interest in televised baseball, but I love going to games.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/S878QcwgWTI/AAAAAAAAAPI/qvn4NYBpHmE/s1600/P4188915c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/S878QcwgWTI/AAAAAAAAAPI/qvn4NYBpHmE/s400/P4188915c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Baseball can be tricky to photograph. There's a lot of waiting between short flurries of action, and you never really know where the ball is going to end up so it's hard to set up a shot ahead of time. If it's a brilliantly sunny day, the shadows preclude certain angles. <br />
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And yet, I'm a sucker for it. Especially those daring moments of stealing bases or racing for home even as the ball streaks toward the catcher's mitt. It's all about patience, persistence, and strategic timing--much like photography.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/S87-selKVdI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/VxmKMaQpdG4/s1600/P4188912p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/S87-selKVdI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/VxmKMaQpdG4/s400/P4188912p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521277381496220545.post-8975919614320434002010-04-18T07:22:00.000-07:002010-04-18T07:23:23.241-07:00Essay #56: Tulips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/S8sSJHiYcKI/AAAAAAAAAPA/nnS4Z9YcZx4/s1600/P4128720c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ozRTHKJTkzU/S8sSJHiYcKI/AAAAAAAAAPA/nnS4Z9YcZx4/s400/P4128720c.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Spring has truly overcome winter when the drab, gray ground suddenly bursts into riotous color of all shades and sizes: Tulips! <br />
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I think that tulips may be one of my photographic muses. A patch of big, tall ones--like these red and yellow beauties--simply demands to be explored. Each new perspective unveils new beauty. Photographing tulips is truly a study in color, light and shape. They inspire me to explore other scenes and subjects from new perspectives as well. A tilt of the camera, an upward angle, direct lighting versus side lighting...so many possibilities!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410324505865548656noreply@blogger.com1