Essay #55: New life

Spring has come! It's bursting from every branch.

 When I watched winter drape it gray, snowy blanket over autumn's faded glory last year, I never suspected that I'd be watching spring's renewal 250 miles from where I stood.

I'm starting over, too. After a long winter of waiting and wondering, I feel much like the leaves tentatively unfurling, tasting the warm air to see if it's good before fully opening up. I feel sad knowing this growing season won't be like the last, but hopeful that it will be vibrant and full of surprises.

Still here

Hello dear readers!

This is a little update to let you know I have not abandoned this blog. Life has just necessetated a break from the online world.

In the last weeks, I have bid adieu to life as I knew it and moved to a new state to start a new job. I plan to resume blogging soon, chronicling my new adventures. However, it will have to wait until my camera is unpacked and I have internet installed in my new digs.

Stay tuned!

Essay #54: Snowy portraits

Winter's dreary and often inclement weather can be far from ideal for outdoor portraits. However, fresh snow and a cute couple can make for a fun session.

Exposure is the key to snowy portraits. The white of the snow can cause the camera to overcompensate and capture everything as gray, so to make sure the subjects were properly lit, I had to overexpose two stops.

Essay #53: Chocolate, anyone?

What makes European chocolate taste sooooo good? I think this might merit a bit of research. Stay tuned!

Essay #52: Creative Lens Flare

Glenn Lavender, bassist extraordinaire for the band downhere.

I'm usually adamant about avoiding lens flare. I hate those circles that obscure parts of the frame and more often than not fall across the subject's face. But, on occasion, intentionally including flare can add, well, flair.

Essay #51: Boy, am I glad I didn't park there

Wednesday was a record-setting snowstorm. And one big headache for my neighbor.

And to think, my car was parked only two slots away.

Essay #50: Birthday cake

My family recently celebrated my uncle's birthday, with much pomp and ceremony.

Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting: my new favorite cake. Mmmm. The candles may have been a little much, but the little kids were delighted to help blow them all out.