Mossy Moments

These two images were an unexpected surprise today. I was photographing some of my vintage cameras (which I plan to put in my etsy shop for sale in about two weeks, I want to get them ordered first) but after I finished shooting and started away, I spied the little shell and some teeny red berries.

There was some wonderful moss nearby so I set up the shot. The original shot is so rich and green, but since it's winter, I decided to add some red into the image to enhance the muted browns in the scene. I like this, but knowing my preference for forests and greens and the thought of Ireland settings, I'll probably print them in the green version. After I finished with the half shell and berries, I spied the white rock which was halfway in the ground.

I so wanted to take it, but figured it had a home there since it appeared to be in that hole for some time and the fact that it was on the land of a property that is on the National Register of Historic Places, I felt it was only proper to leave it alone.

OKLAHOMA PHOTOGRAPHER | Iced

I'm back in my textured moods.

OKLAHOMA PHOTOGRAPHER | Ice Storm 2010

Just two from last weekend when the storm hit. Just now was able to return home this evening...six days no power..no make that 6 1/2!

evening roses

 

These are at a local B&B, the rains had beat them up pretty good, but they are pretty and romantic with the glow of the light.

Spring Saturday

Just two of the many I shot of this corner blooming shrub yesterday. I saw it in the morning on the way to work and knew it was in the perfect stage for great photographs. Not so many blooms that it would be all you see, but just enough. And I've always thought this fence was fantastic. The homeowners (haven't a clue who they are) but they always have potted plants on the porch timed for the seasons. And a vintage bicycle that leans up against the fence. The dogs in the back barked and barked but either were on a chain or just not interested enough to come to the fence, which I was kind of glad because their barks were kind of boisterous. All I wanted to do was photograph the shrub. I've tons more, will post later sometime. The house across the street also is another photographic adventure but the old guy who lives at it is too friendly. Oh he's a nice sort, it's just when I'm photographing nature, I don't like chit chat in my ear constantly! Kind of spoils the mood, ya know?
Today I am headed out to our local humane society shelter to do dog portraits for their upcoming fundraiser. Wish me luck!

Ice on Tuesday

My favorite. In my front yard early this morning around 8:15 a.m.

See the heart? This was above my head about four feet. Thank goodness for a long lens plus I was losing light.

in my neighbor's yard this morning. at least it didn't fall on houses or vehicles! they just had their yard cleaned this weekend, at least it landed near the pickup pile! hahah!

Yes, we finally got ice. Maybe it clears up tomorrow, doubtful. Managed to get a few shots this morning before work and a few more when I got home this evening though the light was nearly gone. I think that everyone showed up for work today at our newspaper (well they did in the newsroom, and two other departments. And I have to applaud one of the carriers. They are independent contractors so some special rules apply to them, yet this one woman had to drive in from a neighboring town to pick up her papers for delivery. She got there two hours early and sat in her car with it running until the papers were ready off the dock. I only know this as I was headed to the print shop and came back in and found out from the circulation director about her. Now that's dedication. Yet there were some 'younger ones' who weren't quite as dedicated.

For the most part, it seemed fairly quiet for a snow day.

This first one below, definitely low light but isn't that ice drop pretty?

I made my husband stop in the middle of the road so I could photograph this. I think it would have been prettier had I shot it in the morning. It was several feet above my head, again, long lens capture!
1oth Street in front of the newspaper. Screamed for black and white conversion.
Circles of ice on rusted pipes in front of the print shop.

And a few more beautifully shaped leaves coated in ice as night creeps in.

Zen nature

No words needed. Comments always welcome.

Black and White tree fungi

Here's some fabulous tree fungi I found while doing a shoot for a magazine featuring influential people in October. This was in the backyard of Ed and Betty Apple. A beautiful garden with all these wonderful gifts offered by years of nurturing and nature. Ed will be on the cover of the magazine, Influence, a small product our newspaper has launched. It's the second issue and I did the photography. Usually I'm the one doing the feature writing, so it was fun to get to break away from that.
I must admit, I think my images could have been much better of Ed, but considering several 'hurried' factors, they are OK. Ed is a former Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner. I had the pleasure of interviewing and writing a feature on him some years ago when he retired. His wife, Betty, is a nurse who really embodies the caring spirit.
It was worth it this time though not to be the writer, just to be able to find the hidden treasures like this tree fungi. Ed pulled out some photos from more than 30 years ago, I believe, showing the bareness of their yard when they first purchased the home and property. Children and grandchildren later, the yard has all these little things around it that show the work and love of a family.

I was inspired to finally post these images after visiting a beautiful blog tonight, Springtree Road at typepad. All this lovely black and white imagery and nice writings. Plus she includes lots of links in her writings to other blogs featuring black and white photographs. Ummmm..so, is it a photograph if it is online? Or is it imagery? I think it's imagery until you actually print it, then it becomes the photograph. Share your thoughts! I've also included a color/texture version for my fans!
And psstt....I need some blog followers! See below!

Modern Dance beauty

Modern Dance beauty can be found in nature's forms. Tonight I had the rare pleasure of attending an Alvin Ailey performance at the Simmons Center. It was part of the Chisholm Trail Arts Council concert series. I really had been caught up in my own world and this opportunity almost slipped by me. Thanks to some wonderful co-workers who knew I would appreciate the chance to go with a tad bit of encouragement, I took my teenage 'daughter,' Kia and we sat through two hours of inspiring grace. I knew my husband wouldn't want to go, but I just could not pass it up.
I found myself moving to the music, holding my breath as I watched the lighting and drama unfold in the dance and reveled in the beauty of costumes. Energy. Even when they were unmoving, the energy was stunning!

As a child, I loved the drama and story of dance. I really wasn't built for it, so dancing for a career was out of the question. I took dance classes, mostly tap, when I was little. Loved it!

Until tonight, I had forgot how much I loved dance as an art form. The two hours went by way too fast and I'm still kicking myself for not taking my camera and getting some shots early in the show! And it's not like I couldn't have gotten some early in the day, as one of my coworkers is vp of programming for CTAC. It was nice to see such a diverse crowd, ages, backgrounds, ethnicity..cultures blended. That's what is so wonderful about dance. Following the performance, I saw many people I hadn't seen in months. Socializing outside of a work setting is a refreshing change.

If you are interested, you need to visit alvinailey.org or do a Google search for images of Alvin Ailey dance troupe. Everything you could hope to know can be found on the Ailey site, from audition schedules to history and a place to purchase items.
Aside from that, I shot this photo the other day. After watching the dancers, it made me think of this bamboo plant, with the way it is twisted and entertwined. So, in place of a real show photo of the dancers, here is dance in nature's art form.