Essay #60: Summer's sweet

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions (and do keep adding them!). A couple of you mentioned trying a summer theme. Summer is in full swing here, and you know what that means: the farmer's market!

Mmm, strawberries...

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 cheese curd 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?

A little help?

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Essay #59: Acoustic Storytime

The fantastic Jason Gray, 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.

Thanks for sharing your stories and songs, Jason.

Essay #58: Japanese gardens

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.

Essay #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.

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.

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.

Essay #56: Tulips

Spring has truly overcome winter when the drab, gray ground suddenly bursts into riotous color of all shades and sizes: Tulips!

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!

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.