Sea Level 320

Exploring Puerto Rico {Part One}

2012-02-14T01:53:00.000-04:00

On the road again...First stop San Juan.

We always see pickups loaded down with produce when we drive into the city, but I usually miss getting the picture because my camera isn't in my lap.

This time I was ready.

While eating lunch in San Juan this bird kept pestering me.

I don't care for birds up close, and when this one flew within an inch of my face I didn't like it either.

I'm realizing that what I'm passionate about comes out in my photography,

even if it is a passionate dislike for something.

Lunch time view (when the bird wasn't distracting me).

This is a busy time of year for tourist and local business people take advantage of it.

Next stop was Rio Grande on the northeast corner of the island.

The view from our hotel room.

A morning beach walk and then back on the road.

We saw so many of these guys on this trip. One (not this one) was so big that we both thought it was a dog on the side of the road. Only when we where zipping past it did we both realize it wasn't a dog scratching its ear but a big lizard.

After leaving Rio Grande we headed south in the direction of Fajardo.

The mountains reminded me of Ecuador.

I love the simple yet interesting things I see as we sit in an unexpected traffic jam...

and slowly inched along...

wondering what was going on way up the road and glad that we had no schedule.

How'd you like to play your baseball games here?

We slowly found our way back to the El Conquistador Resort, a place

that we discovered by accident over 20 years ago.

We didn't spend the night there,

but we did enjoy an hour or so just walking around and enjoying the views.

Beautiful open air spaces...

and breathtaking views.

It was a mini-island exploration to a very small part of the island.

The main problem is that to explore the island we have to leave the Coastal Casa...

To be continued...

Shifts

2012-02-11T14:54:00.002-04:00

We are doing a bit of exploring on the island this weekend, so I thought I'd share some pictures from home that I took before we left.

I don't think I'll ever tire of this view nor of the ocean.

It changes continually throughout the day.

That is a lot of what draws me to the sea...the ever-changing shifting elements of water, waves, and sand.

It had been so calm and then there was a shift in the wind...

the waves began to build, the rain squalls moved closer.

Can you see them out there on the right and left sides?

That "window" in the clouds and rain just draws me in.

The curve, the spine and detail of each leaf...love it.

I see this everyday, but for some reason on Friday it looked differently to me.

I've been playing around with some free presets on LR 3 from Oh So Posh Photography trying to get a certain look. Haven't found "the look" I want yet...so I'll keep experimenting.

Another selfie...these are difficult...cannot get what I want & don't like what I get.

I'll keep at it.

Plus, I have to wonder how much is age induced. {wink}

I look forward to sharing some pictures of your little exploration on the NE part of the island once we get back home.

Obstacles

2012-02-08T14:00:00.000-04:00

My sister, Patty, is a blogger who loves to help other bloggers.

She is a writer, a thinker, a motivator and often the little birdie on my shoulder.

Her challenge this last week with

was to "zero in on ONE area where you are stopping yourself and clobber it back."

I've realized that I can't clobber anything if I cannot zero in and identify what I need to clobber.

Once my boys grew up my life shifted.

What had defined me for my whole adult life

{married at 18 and first baby at 20 & 4th baby by 24}

was suddenly gone.

My world became very small...I put myself in a box.

In trying to enlarge that box I only made it smaller.

I locked things in and out.

My journey this last year has been one of unlocking.
I've clobbered the locks in multiple ways.
Lots and lots of beach walks...
Solitary time...Reflective time...
Talking...Writing...
Reading

The Artist's Way by Julie Cameron had interested me for years.

I've started and stopped it multiple times.

Then in December I decided I was ready to commit.

I'm on the 8th week of 12.

I do the work and the work is working.
It has been a major tool in helping me overcome multiple obstacles.

Morning pages have become my routine that I daily look forward to.
Through the tasks and assignments I've been able to identify many area and thus "clobber" them.

I'm walking down new lanes in my life.

Discovering more about myself...

I'm enjoying the process, going with the flow, following the curves and lines...

There are doors that I get to observe and wonder at...

Doors that I get to open and walk through...

And doors that aren't open yet...

But that is all part of the process of facing my obstacles, naming my fears and dealing with my doubts.

I am determined to no longer stop myself.

The photos are from a recent afternoon in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
I'm linking with Patty's

Ernst Haekel's Kunstformen der Natur

2012-02-07T19:23:00.001-04:00

Today in one of those wonderful online web-wanderings I found this really great image on Pinterest.

I repinned it and then went to the source of the pin.

On this Flickr page I learned that this is from a book, Kunstformen der Natur ("Art Forms of Nature")

by Ernst Haekel published in 1904.

It is now public domain and the whole book is available, free, to download in a PDF here.

I just love how it looks on my bookshelf.

This photo was processed with Love Couture preset in LR 3 from the Bohemian Symphony Collection

by Oh So Posh Photography. If you pop over to her Facebook page she has some free actions available.

Then I used Kim Klassen's Revolution texture at 58% opacity in PSE 10.

Photo-Heart Connection: January's Door

2012-02-05T19:25:00.002-04:00

Kat's January Photo-Heart Connection began this month.

The challenge:

Pick the one photo that my heart connected to from my January stash.

This photograph of the door spoke to me.

It spoke volumes.

Interestingly, when I saw and photographed the door I didn't understand it at all.

But I was drawn to it from first glance.

I wrote about this door here.

But what I've found even more interesting is the process of it all.

I took 222 pics that afternoon in Old San Juan.

Then I culled it to 88.

Then I picked three possibles for a blog post.

Then this one moved to the front.

This door opened up emotions that I needed to face.

This door spoke to my heart and gave me the means to write and process deeply.

Now, days later, this door means more to me.

It encourages me that strength will be there when need and as needed.

It reminds me that life is constantly changing.

It reminds me that there is more to this door than what I can see from this view.

Each door has an inside and outside.

One door with different sides and different views.

When it is time I'll see the other side of the door.

When it is time...

Linking to Kat's January Photo-Heart Connection.

Kelly Moore Bag

2012-02-03T17:54:00.000-04:00

Oh, I love bags.

The bag that began this love was an LL Bean bag that I used in high school as my book bag.

I still have that beat up bag.

My Kelly Moore bag arrived!

It is a fantastic camera bag/purse that doesn't look like a camera bag.

I used it the other day in Old San Juan and absolutely loved it!

Buying a bag online is a difficult deal.

But after months of looking, thinking and researching I settled on Kelly Moore.

I'm very pleased.

Three adjustable sections inside for camera and extra lens or "things.",

Plus an area for an ipad or in my case my Kindle.

I'm getting ready for a bunch of upcoming trips in March.

This bag and I should get along well.

It's time for an ocean picture.

We've had a lot of rain and wind this past week.

Yet still enjoyed beautiful beach walks...and getting lost staring out to sea.

Storyboard of Doors

2012-02-03T01:50:00.000-04:00

Last night I really struggled with posting here.

I didn't want to think let alone write.

Yet that door picture somehow grasp ahold of me

and drew out so much emotion.

And that helped me.

Having a reason to post was what propelled me to struggle through the process.

Recently I've been impressed with the role that routines play in my life.

My simple routines help keep me grounded.

I like the rhythm that they bring to my days.

My online classes give me routine with flexibility.

Beyond Layers new assignment revolves around storyboards (collages).

Telling a story through photos...bring a collection together...

Storyboards have been a favorite of mine for sometime.

It was a good reminder to use them more often.

Plus, Kim taught me some things that I didn't know about using PS Elements to make storyboards.

Thank you, friends old and new, for your encouraging words and support.

It is difficult to open the door and share such raw emotion.

Yet doing it was helpful in many ways.

A phone call, comments, messages...

I will embrace this part of the journey and walk through each door when it is time.

A Door

2012-02-02T01:38:00.002-04:00

A few hours in Old San Juan on Tuesday.
I love that place.

After a bit of shopping I was sidetracked by the light hitting multi-colored doors.

Sunshine and shadows.

I wandered here and there and time slipped by quickly.

Doors, windows, people...

On another day I'll share some of my finds, but tonight I'm drawn to this somber doorway.

There is construction going on in this old building...
a complete stripping to its bones.

If the building could talk I wonder what it would express.

I imagine it wouldn't like the process.

Today I received a phone call from my parents.

My Dad's cancer is progressing rapidly.

Prostate cancer that's gone into his bones and effecting other areas now.

This isn't a new revelation.

He's been fighting this for some time.

He and my Mom.

A long fight...a difficult fight.

They have decisions to make.

It is a doorway that none of us want to walk through.

It isn't pretty or inviting.

It is painful and scary; actually it is terrifying.

And sad...so awful sad.

It can almost be easy to forget.
To choose to imagine it differently.
He sounds so normal...
His voice, his laughter...
Yet, the truth is there;
it isn't going to change.

I want to hang onto the doorpost~refuse to enter.

I want the door to go away,

and

I want my Dad to stay.

Image textured with
Kim Klassen's Simplicity texture.

{In the Picture} January Selfies

2012-01-30T16:52:00.001-04:00

{Pieces of Me}

I love the sense of accomplishment that I get when checking things off my list.

Checking off my first month of this selfie project by Urban Muser was a great feeling.

What seemed impossible is slowly becoming possible one week, one shot at a time.

#1/52

~Reaching for the sky~

#2/52

~On the Road Again~

#3/52

~Antiquing with my Camera~

#4/52

~First Canvas~

#5/52

~My Favorite Place~

I'm enjoying the process of looking at the pieces in order to reveal the whole.

Space

2012-01-30T00:39:00.002-04:00

Recently during my morning readings

the word and concept of "space" continues to come up.

Space to breath, to expand, to create, to connect, to be still.

"For it is only framed in space that beauty blooms.

Only in space are events and objects and people unique and significant--

and therefore beautiful."

~Anne Murrow Lindbergh in Gift from the Sea.

Here is the shot right out my camera.

I used MCP's Remember When action in Lightroom 3 to soften the colors then

I used Kim Klassen's Plaster Squared texture twice and added my text in Photoshop Elements 10.

I love how the texture lightened the photo.

The cookie sheet is my background in all of these.

The bottle was a beach find.

Once again, I have no idea what type of flower this is.

I love the soft, subtle colors

-----

Here are some other shots from the session.

A Whale of a Time

2012-01-29T00:23:00.001-04:00

My day began with a shout, "Cheryl, the whales are here!"

It was amazing to stand at the above spot sheltered from the wind and watch

the spouts, flops and tails of the passing whales. We'd been expecting them.

I kept on eye on the whales as I worked in the kitchen.

Simple work that I find relaxing and fulfilling.

The light coming through the windows is perfect.

It is what makes the kitchen my favorite place to sit and write, read and take pictures.

Simple things become extraordinary to me.

An old silver spoon handle...

Roasted garlic..

A miniature seashell...

Simple items...

that the light glorifies.

I have to show you my set up and how I worked in the kitchen.

The coconut was the background for the silver spoon handle.

The brown leather notebook is perfect for a deep textured background.

Colorful cutting boards make wonderful backgrounds too.

But my favorite is the cookie sheet.

I love the textured grey and how it reflects the light.

I had a different post in my head for today, but the day unfold differently then I expected.

That is an element that I love about our island living...

Space to move about mentally and emotionally.

Space to enjoy the simplicity of daily life.

"Space for significance and beauty.

Time for solitude and sharing.

Closeness to nature to strengthen understanding and faith in the intermittency of life:

life of the spirit, creative life and the life of human relationships."

~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh

My Creative Journey

2012-01-27T00:52:00.001-04:00

One of my projects this year is Beyond Layers.

A recent challenge to write my creative story was not something I wanted to do.

First I thought, "What creative journey?"

Then I thought, "Who cares?"

Yet, why bother to do the class if I am not going to do the work?

There are times when it isn't possible to complete assignments,

this, however, wasn't one of those times.

My creative story is a journey of bits and pieces like the shells above.

Broken fragments and beautiful pieces, large and small, colorful and dull...

lots of pieces piled together as I've journeyed along.

My Childhood laid a fantastic foundation:

Colors: crayons, paints, a blue eye cup, flowers, grapes, primitive paintings

Tastes: fresh picked raspberries and asparagus, golden ginger ale,

toast with butter AND peanut butter, lobster, steamers, butter, fresh garden veggies, licorice

Textures: rocks, grass, clouds, glass from an old bottle dump, squirrel eaten pinecones, paper,

soft peach fuzzy cheeks, water

Grandparents: Cold Duck, thin mints, colbert blue candy dish, organ music, a conch shell with ocean sounds within it, laughter, imagination, spiral peeled oranges, old family photos, white Christmases

Parents: outdoors, camping, canoeing, boating, gardens, dad's camera, music, snowmobiling, hiking, mountains, ocean, books, games, tasty meal, and desserts

Teen years, young adulthood, motherhood, babies, businesses, little boys...

Cameras, books, and travels; journaling, scrapbooking, quilting and teaching...

Life took over.

Creativity went into making houses homes, homemade bread and meals.

Boys grew, life shifted...

Grandbabies began to arrive.

I rediscover experiencing life from a child's point of view.

Laughter, silliness, swinging, walks and nonsense talks...

All these bits and pieces have been been accumulating.

It's been a journey of discovery full of laughter and tears.

Then an opportunity, another shift.

A year by the sea.

A year (or more?) free to create and absorb.

An opportunity to leap or stay put.

We leapt.

My camera, computer and online classes.

New adventures and experiences...renewed creativity.

And that's my creative journey as I see it.

Glass

2012-01-25T22:01:00.002-04:00

Sea glass...

Old glass...

New glass...

Shoe glass...

Groovy glass...

Broken glass...

Shattered glass...

Hat glass...

Kim Klassen Cool Grunge texture used.

I love glass.

I love how light plays on and exposes it.

So...
when heard Thompson Squares "Glass" song last week I was immediately captured.

It perfectly sums up the symbolic aspect of glass.

Hope you like it.

Story Boat

2012-01-23T23:57:00.001-04:00

"I must down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and sky."

–John Masefield

This boat is resting in a hotel's courtyard area in Aquadillas, PR.

Its days at sea have past.

Yet I imagine it still longing for the sea.

Some of my earliest and most cherished memories are ones spent in boats.

I remember canoeing...

carefully placed in the middle between my parents

on a seat cushion that I believe my dad still uses.

I remember his cabin boat and the St. Charles River.

That same boat had its cabin later removed and made into a fishing boat.

I was so impressed that my dad could do such a thing.

My first terrible sunburn occurred on that same boat.

I remember the day my dad sold his boat and standing next to him watching it leave our home.

It didn't seem right...

Fishing with parents, my husband, my sons...

Fly-in fishing trips...four boys...four adults...four boats.

Weeks spent canoeing, hiking and camping.

Precious stories.

Priceless memories.

The boats in my life signify fleeting moments...swiftly passing years...

childhood & adulthood...

my sons as babies, little boys, young men, grown men, husbands, and fathers.

Friendships, laughter, sunshine and rain.

So as I look at this Puerto Rican boat I have to wonder

about the stories that once filled it.

And I'm grateful for the role that boats have played in my life.

I used Kim Klassen's Simplicity texture.

This and That

2012-01-23T01:19:00.000-04:00

My first Canvas on Demand wrap arrived the other day.

I am really please with how it turned out thanks to Kat's article on aspect ration.

Right before I ordered the 16"x20" canvas I remember her post and made the changes necessary to get the image that way I wanted it. Printing my work is a new step for me, and I have much to learn.

I thought this size would be huge...surprisingly it seems small now.

btw...the above pic is Selfie #4/52.

"The voice of the sea speaks to the soul."

--Kate Chopin

An odd noise stirred me from my desk the other day...

Maggie's house was getting a good cleaning.

The recent rough seas last week stirred up lots of sea glass and shells;

there hadn't been much around for awhile.

The beaches once again changed with sand being washed away and

ledges and rocks exposed that we haven't seen in months.

This favorite jar of mine holds my special sea glass pieces.

I'm thinking that this photo would be a wonderful textured piece.

The cement wall next to our house has been getting a face lift.

I saw this, grabbed my camera and snapped a few pics right before workmen wheeled it away.

I think it too needs some texturing.

It has a timeless feel to it.

Hope your day is blessed~

African Tulip Tree Flower

2012-01-19T20:48:00.001-04:00

"Out of clutter, find simplicity.

From discord, find harmony.

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."

~Albert EInstein

Kim Klassen's Awaken texture used.

Link with Beyond Layers.

Different Versions

2012-01-19T02:28:00.003-04:00

The stately beauty of this vase grips me.

~Textured~
Tall, slender, elegantly interesting.

I had to play around with it...this one above is textured.

~Original~

The distractions annoyed me until I toned the colors down through texturing.

I could then appreciate the contrast in color and shape of the pink piece behind it.

~Original~

~Colors softened~

While antiquing last week in Florida I did take time to stop and enjoy the flowers.

Nature's beauty is still my favorite.

The photo above I toned down the bright colors.

~Softened & Textured~

I've been thinking about how we have different versions of ourselves.

Texturing my photos has been helping me understand this better.

When I take a photography and adjust the colors and light I create a different version of that photo.

When I add layers of texture I am creating yet another version of the same photograph.

One photo but with different versions depending upon the colors, lighting, setting and texturing.

Human beings are like that.

One person but with different versions.

We can be happy or sad, irritated or not, outgoing or quietly reflective.

We are the same but with many different versions depending upon the day or situation.

Selfie 3/52

Antiquing

This selfies project is difficult...it is an exploration of myself inside and outside.

It is examining different versions of me.

Too often the "me" I see in a mirror or from a camera isn't the me I "see" inside.

Do you ever feel that way?

Open for Business

2012-01-18T01:23:00.001-04:00

I wonder how many openings this register saw...

How many items it rung up?

Where did it work?

Wandering through an antique shop creates so many questions about the past owners of the items that catch my eye.
So many stories that I'd like to open and peek into.

Linked to Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday.

I used cool Grunge Texture at multiply 100% opacity.

Antiquing with My Camera

2012-01-17T01:31:00.001-04:00

We are back home--"home" in sunny, warm Puerto Rico.

{It still seems so odd to think and say that.}

~Oddly wonderful~

Okay~onto our Florida trip.

A highlight for me was antique shopping with friends.

It was like Christmas to see the treasures in those shops through my camera's lens.

I was drawn to glass whenever the light hit it.

Taking pics of this lamp's crystals led to a conversation with the owner who has a summer home in Camden, ME. I mentioned the Green Thumb a lawn and garden center in Rockville, ME. She's a gardener and has shopped there. We chatted a bit and I left amazed, once again, at how small the world can be.

You see my parents started and built the Green Thumb back in the 1970s (with their business partners).

She was an unexpected connection with another home from another time.

I discovered just how much I love lamps.

This pile of silverware drew me in.

My friend pointed out this glass shoe with the light playing upon it.

Another lamp...

...and another one with cool glass "things" hanging from the shade.

See what I mean...

Is it lamps that I like or the light that they reflect?

Or maybe both?

It was a good, quick trip. Busy.

Whole Foods for multiple meals {so yummy!}, a bookstore {I truly miss Barnes & Nobles}, new sketchbooks and a few new pens, Eddie Bauer Outlet, IKEA, a chair massage {happy dancing}...

Nice to go.

Very nice to return home.

I woke this morning once again to the ocean's voice calling me awake and the faint scent of honeysuckle that the sea winds blew through my open windows.

Yes, it is very good to be back home.

iFly

2012-01-13T14:02:00.000-04:00

A quick business trip to Orlando, FL were we met up with friends provided the opportunity for me to do something extra-ordinary.

I flew...

At iFly in a wind tunnel.

It was amazing.

I couldn't stop smiling.

Soaring to the top of the tunnel~descending~spinning...flying.

I thought of the birds that I watch soar over the ocean at home.

My legs and arms were my wings.

I'd love to do it enough to learn how to use my wings well enough in order to fly alone.

What an experience!

Embraced

2012-01-10T09:34:00.001-04:00

Textured using "Embrace" by Kim Klassen.

Flower from my front porch.

It makes me think of a page torn out of a sketchbook.

This plant has been a good subject for me; however, it is dying.

Since the ticket with the name of the plant was in Spanish I'm not sure what it was.

To those green thumbs out there {Elaine, Mom...} what is it?

Does it like the sun or the shade?

Lots of water or a little?

I would like to NOT kill all my new plants and flowers.

Please advise.

I will leave you with last night's moon rising. So different from the night before.

Warm~golden~fleeting

It was spinkling...umbrella & tripod kept me out til the clouds enveloped the light.

Link with

New Projects: Selfies & Textures

2012-01-09T15:15:00.000-04:00

Selfy 1/52

One of my projects for this year is to take a self-portrait {selfies}each week.

I don't like being on the other side of the camera. I mean: I really don't like it. It's time to tackle that.

I'm starting small with just a piece or two of me.

This shot signifies relaxing into & connecting with myself, looking upward, daring to dream and reaching for the sky.

Another project I've taken on is using textures in Photoshop Elements 10. Last year I found Kim Klassen's site and love her work, but honestly it baffled me. I couldn't understand it at all. Her free videos & textures are enlightening me step by step. She is a great teacher.

After with Paper Stained texture at 40% opacity

Kim is starting a FREE Skinny-Mini class today.

It is a 10 part mini-course on using textures in PS Elements.
So...which do you like best?
Natural or textured?

I still love the natural colors and fresh look best, however, there is a look and feel to the textured piece that appeals to me as well.

Here's my selfy textured.

What do you think?

Can this count as my 2nd selfy?

Moon Rising

2012-01-08T23:41:00.005-04:00

Tonight after dinner I walked outside and noticed the moon.

It floored me. I have never seen such a sight...the moon rising over the Atlantic Ocean. So expansive and devoid of the colors I've grown accustom to.

The moonlight reflecting on the wet rocks 200 feet below.

Distractions...

Distractions that the moonlight transformed into subjects...

While snapping and standing in awe at the sight and sounds around me, I looked up and saw the most colorful and brilliant shooting star.

The ocean was quiet today...not silent, just quiet and soothing.

Standing on the edge of the island in the stillness of night with the sounds of tree frogs, ocean waves and birds... I felt small and incredibly grateful.

Gratitude for Today's Connections

2012-01-06T23:15:00.000-04:00

Today as we sat and visited with our landlords, who are on the property for the holidays,

I looked out the front doors of our little living room towards the ocean and saw my newly potted flowers reaching towards the sea.

Their simple beauty caused me to pause~

I had a double connection:

one with our new friends and another with the image that I later went back to capture.

In that moment gratitude to be doing what I love filled me.

The ocean today was brilliant and loud!

Daily I struggle with how to capture the shifting colors and textures...in a unique way.

Daily I fail.

My desk had been facing a wall...I sat with my back to the sea.

It bothered me.

A few mornings ago I imagined what I wanted my computer and photo editing workspace to be like...

I wrote it all down. I sketched it out.

I worked through why it bothered me to have my back to the sea.

Then I took decisive steps to creating the space that I will love to be at.

Today I transfered my computer to this new space.

I'm still settling in, but I look forward to sharing my view with you in the coming days.

Another struggle I have is when to share certain pictures.

Do I "dump" too much at one time?

Do I overwhelm the post?

Yet sometimes sharing pieces of a "session" seems to fit. Today while sitting and talking with new friends I noticed the simple beauty of the plants and that prompted me to later grab my camera and play...

I went from one item to another following colors and textures and interests.

I wanted to share a bit of that wonder with you...to show you what prompted me to begin to snap and then what cause me to continue to snap.

In a Word:Connection

2012-01-04T02:14:00.000-04:00

I wasn't looking for a "word" for this year.

Nor was I looking for a "resolution."

However, the word kept showing up during my morning reading time, on blogs that I visit and in my photographs.

I don't believe that I chose the word, instead, it has chosen me.

~Connection~

"I have learned, as a rule of thumb, never to ask whether you can do something.

Say, instead, that you are doing it.

Then fasten your seat belt.

The most remarkable things follow."

-Julia Cameron, The Artist Way

Connection with my work, my play, my relationships.

Connection with my reading, writing, photography.

Connection with others, God, myself.

Linked to:

Storytelling with Photos:It's All about of Focus

2012-01-02T11:45:00.000-04:00

I learn so much from your comments left here.

They give me a sense of connection.

They motivate & inspire me.

They cause to me go deeper and think about things from a different angle.

Donna had a phrase in her comment on my 2012 Prep post that struck a chord with me,

"...as I narrow down the focus ..."

This has stimulated me.

It's pulled together some separate thoughts that have been free floating in my head.

Having a big picture is important...knowing where I want to go and what I want to accomplish is key.

Having a narrow focus on specific areas or items within that big picture is critical.

Yesterday I read an article on telling a story with photography.

A story has a beginning, a middle and an end.

We know that.

Interesting photos can have that as well.

Life is that way.

Life style changes and growth all have a beginning, a middle and an end.

It's the theme of living, I think.

So back to focus...

First, I need a mental or visual snapshot of what I want to accomplish.

Next, I need to "narrow down my focus" and look at the individual items within that snapshot.

Each item, just like the big snapshot, has a beginning, a middle and an end.

I'm big on vision boards that I keep in my notebook or using my Pinterest account. Making the visual "snapshot" helps me and gives me a refreshing reminder when I got off track.

What works for you?

How do you keep your focus? or narrow down your focus?

How do you compose the beginning, the middle and the end of your goals?

Day One 2012

2012-01-01T09:25:00.000-04:00

Happy 2012!

Saturday we went to Shack's Beach which was busy with wind surfers, swimmers, beach walkers, lots of partiers setting up around bundles of wood ready to be lite for bonfires.

{Wonder how that worked when it started raining.}

My sand and surf 2012 shows the messy-ness of my footprints, but I like it.

Our quiet little corner on the sea explored with fireworks at the strike of midnight.

I took this one from our upstairs doorway. It was surprising, unexpected fun.

Then I missed the step...and slipped on the wet steps and spent the rest of the time with my ankle elevated and iced AFTER I shot a couple frames of the fireworks, of course.

Go figure~

2011 Favorites Photos

2011-12-31T19:21:00.001-04:00

A year in review...

As I went through my photo files I was encouraged and inspired...I have grown to love my "eye."

I am an artist...and I love that.

The year took us from Oklahoma to Puerto Rico.

What was to be a month of working vacation in May turned into a life changing move.

We've traveled a lot, spent time with family, worked and played.

We fell in love with the ocean again and deeper in love with each other.

We have experienced pain and growth, surprises and disappointments, gains and losses.

It was a year of second chances and new beginnings.

We've faced our fears and in doing so freed ourselves to live the life we had only imagined.

It changed us.

So forgive my large number of 52 FAVS...

and please enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good-bye 2011...

I'm ready for 2012!

2012 Prep

2011-12-30T00:13:00.002-04:00

I took time today to dream and imagine this coming new year...

Reflecting upon the fresh newness of life...

Overwhelmed with gratefulness for this time, at this place, with this person...

Looking forward to the new year by the sea...

Focused forward and upward...

I didn't spend much time on the hammock though.
Today I bottled 31 kombucha teas and made new batches.

I love the neat rows of accomplishment.

Part of this new year is time to do the things that I love.

Reading & writing for the pure pleasure of it...this has rejuvenated me.

No pressure.

No "I want to, but...."

Nothing to prove.

It is not a "daily" practice.

It has become a "regular" practice that I look forward to daily.

A routine that I've slipped into and now love.

As I sat at the kitchen island and looked into our still sparse living room I picked up my camera to play.

It was one of those moments where everything quietly slipped into place.

I realized that focus is more simple in its complexity than I ever realized.
It shifts and changes...it expands and narrows.
What I chose to focus upon is critical to what I'm trying to accomplish and convey.
It is true in life as well as photography.

I'm looking forward to this new year perhaps more than any previous year.

Discoveries

2011-12-28T01:00:00.000-04:00

While washing the breakfast dishes Coach yelled for me to come quick. This BIG hermit crab was walking about. It was shy and kept hiding whenever I got close to it. This was the largest one we've seen yet.

After watching the hermit for awhile I began to look around. This flower was so small and unusual.

Up close...

After many weeks with my kit lens (18-55mm) on my camera I've gone back to the prime 60mm macro-my favorite.

It was fun to explore and discover with it once again.

The web was fascinating to me...much more than the spider.

So far this week has been one of reflection and looking ahead to 2012. A time to plan and dream about this next year that we'll have above the sea.

~Henry David Thoreau

Feliz Navidad

2011-12-25T18:10:00.001-04:00

Bright sunshine...

Cool breezes...

Rain squalls...

Choppy sea...

Christmas music...

Chats with family members...

Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Colors

2011-12-24T11:54:00.000-04:00

The other day I bought some flowers for the pots I have sitting around here.

This year instead of Christmas lights we have colorful plants.

James Taylor Christmas music playing and foggy, misty rain....almost feels like home.

iMac

2011-12-23T02:06:00.001-04:00

For a week I tried to revive my ailing laptop. It gave me over four great years. After finding out what it would cost for specialists to look at it and "try" to fix it, I decided it was time to upgrade.

Hello again, Mac.

I'm glad to be back online; and I'm looking forward to getting to know the new iMac.

Some Down Time

2011-12-17T13:11:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday I visited the oral surgeon for a minor procedure.

These guys have been my constant companions for several days now.

I enjoyed lots of couch time.

I HATE the cushions on this couch...do you like my solution?

A cotton bedsheet with two comfort pillows. An inexpensive redo.

A little side table is always nice when one is down for the count. Coach bought me the ice little ice pack, and I love it. Audible books on my iphone been wonderful. Also, can you see my Zentangle tile? It has been a fun creative outlet.

My view from the couch...If one has to be down for a bit then a view like this is a definite benefit.

I'm grateful to be back on my feet. I'm looking forward to getting back full force next week. November & December have been tough months. Ready for the new year.

Christmas Reflections

2011-12-12T00:41:00.001-04:00

A trip to the city...

A Christmas tree decorated with tropical straw hats..

A coffee treat as I sit quietly and enjoy the Christmas scenes all around me...

Reflections of Christmas' past...

Happy childhood memories...

Wonderful Christmas' as our sons grew up...

Shifting...Changing...Constantly evolving....

Christmas past, present and future all blur together and create my own special sense of what Christmas is to me.

This year we will spend Christmas here in Puerto Rico. It will be different in many ways.

We'll look forward to our kids and grands coming for visits at different times after the new year begins. It will be an elongated Christmas this year.

A year of blessings...

Contrasts

2011-12-09T11:46:00.001-04:00

Silence and Noise:

Each time along the beach I marvel at the contrast.

At times it is so loud that you cannot hear the person next to you talking.

Each person is wrapped in their own space of noisy silence.

Sunshine and Shadows:

A distortion takes place as the light changes.

Each of us has their own reality distortion field.

How we see ourselves vs. how others see us.

Laundry Day

2011-12-06T14:59:00.001-04:00

“Do what you can,

with what you have,

where you are.”

– Theodore Roosevelt

I have looked high and low here in Puerto Rico for an umbrella style clothes line with no luck. We do have a washer and dryer on the property, but I prefer that fresh laundered, line dried smell. My little line on the upstairs balcony doesn't handle a full load of wash nor does it get the late morning sunshine.

This quote runs through my head almost daily here,

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

I have greatly enjoyed coming up with creative solutions for the challenges that I encounter.

No big clothesline...no problem. The hammock makes a great drying rack and clothes line.

The shirts on the cliff railing dried in record time too.

Solitude

2011-12-05T23:00:00.001-04:00

Tonight the air is still, yet the ocean is loud.

There is a low cloud cover and a beautiful moon.

It feels closed in...nature's strong, silent cocoon wrapped around the sea's loud silence.

'Solitude is the furnace of transformation.'

~Henry Nouwen

Coastal Casa Downstairs

2011-12-04T23:21:00.001-04:00

Yesterday we took possession of the whole house. The last two months we've been living upstairs in three rooms with a kitchenette. The downstairs tenants weren't living there, but they didn't want to end their lease early. I'm amazed how quickly the two months of waiting went by.

We are keeping our bedroom and living room upstairs. The downstairs will be for company and cooking.

Come on it...

At the front door you can see right through the living room and into the bedroom.

I'm standing in the living room looking into the bedroom.

Still standing in the living room with the kitchen on the right & the back door and bathroom behind the kitchen.

I love all the windows in what will be our guest bedroom.

A small, simple bathroom.

A real kitchen! Simple, but workable. After a deep cleaning we quickly settled into the kitchen. Today I made a batch of yogurt and kombucha tea and cooked up some pumpkin. I forgot how wonderful it is to have a big sink and plenty of counter space to work with.

The only room that there isn't an ocean view is the bathroom.

The view from the front door...so peaceful and quiet except on days when the ocean is loud and rowdy.

It feels official that our one year above the sea has really begun.

Photoshop Elements 10

2011-12-01T11:01:00.001-04:00

I have left Picasa for PS Elements 10.

It is sad in some ways...yet after years of happy, free usage I have hit the Picasa ceiling and need more. The learning curve seems big right now; however, I know the rewards will be bigger.

In order not to run back to the comfort of Picasa I won't let myself even open the Picasa program...what takes me seconds to do in there is taking me much longer in PSE. Yet the only way that I will learn the program is to force myself to use it.

Because of all that I only have one photo from my time yesterday at my favorite beach and the glooming spent at Isabel's Christmas decorated plaza.

Patty...this one's for you.

Sunshine and Shadows

2011-11-28T23:39:00.001-04:00

I took a walk about the property the other day. At times it still seems unbelievable that this is our home for the next year.

You often see pictures of the railing...this shows you how close the cliff is.

The other day the seaweed was floating on the sea and collecting on the shoreline.

My self portrait shadow of me sitting on the railing.

Once I had a terrible fear of heights...I'm glad that is gone and I can enjoy the edge.

I love the fact that this sign doesn't apply to me.

Little beauty....

...verses big beauty.

I've learned here that just because something looks old doesn't mean that it is.

The salt air ages things very quickly here.

Everything, outside and inside, is cover with moist, salt residue.

Textures abound...palm tree bark...

...the ocean view seen through a palm frond.

Sometimes the shadow is better than the real thing.

Simplicity...

that is how I could sum up our time here so far.

We live a much simpler life here.

The pace is slower.

Our distractions are fewer.

When we came in May I wondered if once we settled in to our own place if that would change.

It hasn't--and for that I'm thankful.

Rainbows

2011-11-27T23:51:00.001-04:00

On the road to Mayaguez we ran into a rainstorm...nothing abnormal about that.

What was unusual was the fantastically vivid double rainbow that stayed strong during our whole drive.

Many cars pulled off the road, and people were out taking pictures. It was beautiful, but we wondered if there was more to it then what we were seeing. So we pulled over, and I jumped out.

Sure enough-the vivid double rainbows were complete arcs! There was no way that I could get a picture of the vast expanse.

Amazing...

And whenit rains on your parade,

look up rather than down.

Without the rain,

therewould be no rainbow.

-Gilbert K. Chesterton

Kombucha Tea

2011-11-25T13:46:00.001-04:00

Favorite No. 1

I'm starting a new series of my favorite things. Slowly I will build on it.

The first item is....Kombucha.

Amazingly, I never heard of this drink until this past September while at Oklahoma's new, first and only Whole Foods. It is a probiotic beverage that we discovered that we really like, however, it is expensive. Also, here in Puerto Rico we can only find it in one store at a much higher price than back in Oklahoma City. There is debate about the benefits of this tea and concerns as well. Instead of addressing them here you can use the above links if you are interested.

After some research online I found that I can make it here at home. The whole process sounded interesting, like a science experiment. The "SCOBY" (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast)confused and intrigued me.

My first step was to figure out how to start a batch since I don't know of anyone here who brews kombucha. I used multiple sources and combined the information.

I used this recipe:

2 cups of water

1/3 cup of sugar

4 tea bags (2 green tea and 2 black tea)

1 bottle of GT Original Kombucha from a health food store

1 gallon glass container

I set the bottle of kombucha tea out so to get it to room temperature.

Boil water, add sugar and stir until dissolved.

Turn stove off. Add tea bags and left steep for 10-15 minutes, covered.

Let tea cool to room temperature.

Pour GT Original Kombucha into gallon glass jar then add the room temperature sweet tea mixture. Cover with a coffee filter or paper towel and secure with a rubber band (to keep out fruit flies...).

Set in a warm, darkened area and leave it undisturbed. Mine went in the kitchen cupboard.

It took 12 days for my batch to grow a 1/4" SCOBY on top. I've read that the time depends upon your climate and time of year. Since we are in the tropics it went quickly. It smelled vinegar-y.

My first batch of starters on day 12.

See the SCOBY on top? This was taken on day 12.

The texture is so interesting. It is like a rubbery disk, solid and slippery.

I tasted the starter batch: strong vinegar flavor with tiny, little bubbles. It was good, but strong.

After 12 days I fed it (think of it like sour dough bread where you have a starter and have to feed it...).

To feed it:

1 gallon* boiling water (*I used only 2 quarts of boiling water--see below)

1 cup sugar

6 tea bags (I used 3 green and 3 black)

Prepare the sweet tea as stated above.

*To quickly get it to room temperature I added 2 quarts of room temperature bottled water to the boiled mixture.

In a gallon or two gallon glass jar I put 2 cups of my starter tea then added the gallon of new sweet tea mixture then the SCOBY from the starter batch. The SCOBY sunk to the bottom but within two days was back floating on top.

This is the new freshly fed batch. The SCOBY is at the bottom.

Now I am waiting for this first batch to get ready for the bottling. It will probably be 10 days then I'll bottle the tea, let it sit for 5 days before putting it in the refrigerator. We'll be able to drink it once it is chilled.

One common caution that I've read in every recipe...is to make sure everything is very clean. There are a lot of suggestions on what to use for containers, but the one that everyone agreed upon is glass.

So...there's my first favorite.

Tropical island living has forced me to be creative and experiment. I'll let you know how the tea turns out in a week or two.

Do any of you drink kombucha tea? or make your own?

I'd love to hear from you.

Here are some good sources:

http://www.foodrenegade.com/how-to-grow-a-kombucha-scoby/

Small Notebook

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTs6bJ-O-1Q&feature=related

Norgrains

Sea Urchins and Things

2011-11-21T10:57:00.001-04:00

We've been getting LOTS of rain. It is the typical tropical rain though...beautiful weather, a rain storm then more beautiful weather. Repeat that about 2-3 times a day.

The other day I played with my sea treasures again. Just looking at them always brings a smile to my face.

Sea urchins fascinate me with their colors, texture and intricate puzzle-like structure.

Broken shells and sea urchins are so beautiful to me.

Such a beautiful work of art.

These next shots I played around with exposure compensation.

This is one is under exposed with a -2/3 compensation.

Over exposure +2/3 compensation.

Here is one at 0 compensation.

I enjoy experimenting and using different settings to try and create different moods. The b&w in this series is probably my favorite. It simplifies the objects and allows their texture details to shine.

Today we are off to get a Wii, not an easy event here in Puerto Rico. I'm hoping for a successful adventure.

Beauty

2011-11-21T00:46:00.001-04:00

Beauty appears when something iscompletely

and absolutely and openly itself.
-Deena Metzger

Mushrooms

2011-11-19T15:29:00.001-04:00

The other day Coach spotted some mushrooms the had sprung up overnight. They have been fun subject to use for my Finding Your Eye Digital Camera Class over at Kat's Studio.

A previous class that I took at BetterPhoto taught me to choose my focal point for each shot in the view finder then shoot.

However, learning a different way during my present class has been very helpful. I believe that it gives me more options.

With the mushrooms I practiced using the center focal point, depressing the shutter 1/2 way to focus on the subject and then recompose in the view finder before shooting.

For all these pictures I used the "P" (Program) setting instead of my normal "AV" (aperture).

I used a very shallow DOF, choosing to keep the aperture wide open at f/2.8.

After getting some feedback from the class and doing some further reading I've learned that the center focal point (in the view finder) usually auto focuses more rapidly than the other focal spots. Since this has been a problem for me, especially in low lighting, I'm glad to know this know.

This exercise helped me realize that when using lower apertures I probably need to chose my focal point, compose and then shoot.

There is not the crisp, sharp focal point that I love & think is necessary when choosing to have shallow DOF (depth of field) when I use the center focal point, freeze the frame, recompose then shoot the picture.

These underside views remind me to keep looking up and out and all around.

Looking Out and Up

2011-11-16T23:42:00.001-04:00

The ocean and sky today...beautiful!

Once again I was reminded to take time to look out and up.

Today I downloaded the Instagram free app onto my iphone, so of course I needed to take a photo right away. I looked up and noticed a beautiful sky. I took five steps from my chair to the railing and snapped a picture.

The above photo is the Instagram with Sutro filter. The look reminds me of photos taken back in the 1970s which is when I received my first camera.

This simple like incident was like a bell going off in my head. I get so busy with, well...with what? Reading, editing photos, working, walking, doing things around the house...

We are living in an incredible location. The ocean is my backyard. The sea, light, sky and weather change here almost every minute. I get lost in my head and don't look out or up enough.

I miss too much.

After taking the Instagram pic I kept making myself look up and out. Look what I saw...

A fleeting rainbow far out at sea.

How many spectacular things do I miss simply because I don't pause for a split second and look around?

How many things in life do we miss because we become so caught up in the immediate and fail to look around us?

By the time I went out for a sunset walk the ocean and sky had changed once again. There was no evidence of the afternoon's beautiful sky and rainbow--except for the photos I captured.

This is life...a blink and our kids are grown.

Only when we lose something do we really understand what we had.

All that said...today I really missed my family.

I long to take the little ones in my arms and giggle with them.

I long to be able to gather my sons around me and hug and hold them.

I long to let my girls know just how much I love them and appreciate each one.

I long to have a family Christmas with my sisters, parents and all our families once again...

Breaking free and following your dreams takes sacrifice, continued work and evaluation.

All so serious...so on a lighter note:

Rainy Days

2011-11-15T23:04:00.001-04:00

We've been having rain multiple times a day recently.

It is wonderful and calming...

Watching the rain squalls out at sea is amazing...especially as the sun is setting.

"When anxious and bad thoughts come, I goto the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses mewith its noise."

–Rainer Maria Rilke

Slowly I am feeling better. Naps & quiet time reading has been helpful. The congestion in my chest began breaking up today and for that I am grateful.

Opposing Lines

2011-11-11T12:57:00.001-04:00

"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect.
It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections"
(unknown)

A Pointsettia

2011-11-09T23:51:00.000-04:00

I bought my first plant here in Puerto Rico.

Love new growth on a plant...and having a macro lens to capture it with.

Leaves intrigue me.

Can you see the above leaf's reflection (or is it a shadow?) in the water?

We had rain today.

These next pics show the difference camera settings can make.

The poinsettia is on the second floor balcony; I'm pointing the camera down towards the ground fence.

f/22.0 ISO 2500

f/9.0 ISO 500

f/4.5 ISO 100

The resulting bokeh (blur) of a low f stop allows the subject to shine instead of getting lost in the background noise.

f/9.0

I changed my angle and used the green trees on the other side of the fence as my background.

I hope the poinsettia likes its new home.

f/2.8 ISO 100

Negative space bring such simplicity and clarity to an image.

Waves

2011-11-08T21:00:00.000-04:00

The waves have been incredible!

Loud crashing and roaring...all day, all night.

If there is an occasional lull the silence is odd.

I get lost just watching the motion and designs.

The morning light playing in the curling waves.

As much as I like the color shot, the b&w has something timeless about it.

There's a simplicity to b&w, plus it highlights the spray above the wave.

The layers of colors... the lines of coming waves...

This reminds me of lace. There is no way to catch the boiling movement.

The late afternoon brought larger waves and beautiful light.

Then as the light hit the spray what I had been hoping for appeared, and I was ready.

A wave rainbow...love it!

As the day came to a close I played around with exposure, shutter speed and the zoom lens.

Oatmeal Problem & Solution

2011-11-07T22:27:00.000-04:00

Awhile back I told you about my morning oatmeal.

I had been making on the stove until we moved into the Coastal Casa. Twice now I've burned my oatmeal in our teeny, weeny--itty, bitty kitchen. So I decided to save on cleanup and simply make the oatmeal in the canning jar that make up ahead of time.

It sure was a quick cook, BUT what a mess it made.

I tried:

covering the jar with a paper towel,

a coffee filter,

a plate,

a paper plate,

a paper plate with steam vents cut in it.

I tried leaving it uncovered.

I tried using less water, less oats.

Nothing was working.

It was bugging me.

Then I saw a tip on Pinterest.

It was for cooking pasta on the stove top. It said put a wooden spoon across the pot and the pasta won't boil over. And I wondered if it would work for my oatmeal.

It did!

For whatever reason it does NOT boil over...not one drop.

So simple.

Here's my recipe:

I use a pint canning jar.

1/2 c. oats--I like thick rolls oats, not the quick oats.

1-2 TBSP dried cranberries

abt 1 TBSP walnuts or slivered almonds

a dash of cinnamon

a pinch of salt

I make up about a dozen jars at a time.

When I'm ready to use one I add 1 cup of water, stir, pop in microwave for about 2-2 1/2 minutes.

After cooking I add sweetener: for me 2 tsps brown sugar; Coach likes honey.

Then I top it off with a couple of TBSP of yogurt.

I let it sit for a while because its so hot.

Enjoy!

Puerto Hermina

2011-11-07T00:57:00.004-04:00

Did you know that Puerto Rico is on Atlantic Time & doesn't observe Daylight Savings? Until yesterday we didn't know. So know we are one hour ahead of the East Coast, two hours ahead of the central time zones, and I have no idea where we are in relation to Arizona now.

Today summed up our weekend...quiet and relaxing.

We do have a dryer available, but freshly launder & line dried clothes are wonderful.

Saturday we drove off in search of a new beach.

Puerto Hermina is only a 10 minute drive from our house and is said to have been a legendary landing point for pirates after the island was discovered in 1493.

The legend says that pirates built this stone house at the entrance to the inlet.

It is tucked into the side of the cliff and very solid still.

There is only a small sandy beach opening that meets the inlet.

The inlet when I face the south...so quiet and peaceful...

then the ocean when I turn and face the north...not so quiet and peaceful.

The wave action is amazing, and now it is a favored local surfing area.

We were going get a walk in, however I was moving pretty slow because there was so much that caught my eye.

I simply and completely love the sea...it is where I feel the most like me.

Quietly Reading

2011-11-03T23:38:00.001-04:00

Today was a quiet day, well, as quiet as it can be around here. The sea below us has a constant roar going on recently.

Coach is still recovering from whatever he caught while we were traveling. His fevers has finally ended, and he's gaining strength daily...

We have spent lots of time reading aloud the new book about Steve Jobs.

Oddly interesting.

An Early Morning Point of View

2011-11-02T23:51:00.000-04:00

An early morning walk...

Quiet...Peaceful...Beautiful...Reflective...

I love our little lane that we live off of.

The ocean is to the left, about 200 ft down the cliff...

and there are fields on the right.

I've passed this fence many times, but this time, in the early light, it pulled me in...

deeper...

and deeper.

I pulled back and looked again.

The lines, soft colors and textures drew back over and over.

I played with focal points....

and heights.

Normally, the flowers would have been my point of view...the shot I would work to get.

However, stepping back, drawing closer, experimenting with angles and surrounding elements was insightful and fun.

I took time and lingered, found the can in such an odd place and then noticed the twisting vines ...

and discover yet another view that I liked.

I had envisioned a different focus for my walk, but the morning presented a wonderful alternative. The walk was forgotten and I lingered...and listened... and played.

My favorite photo is the second one in this series.
This is different than what I normally would have focused on.

The soft light, the bent rail, the flowers almost washed out...
the scene invites you to enter, to discover, to play...

Written for “Find Your Eye: Journey of Inspiration”

My Shooting Style

2011-11-01T17:02:00.001-04:00

In seeking to define my "eye" more I've continued on with Kat's Find Your Eye series. This week I've been working on defining my shooting style which is truly an ongoing process.

My camera is a Canon T2i and my primary lens right now is a 60mm f/2.8 macro with UV haze filter on it. After several months with the standard Canon strap that was uncomfortable to use and wear, I purchase a C-Loop gliding strap that is amazing! It slings over my shoulder and enables me to"wear" my camera like a purse. Were I go my camera comfortably goes too. With one hand I can grab, snap and go...love it! In my bag I carry extra memory cards, a spare battery, a lens cloth and my wallet. Simple and light.

When on the road I throw my umbrella (not being prepared for rain has cost me big time!) and my AquaPac just in case. I would love to find an over the shoulder sling bag that would hold my laptop, camera and all the necessary items (power cords, mouse, battery chargers...) that are needed when I travel. So far I make due with one of my many bags and pick the bag based on the where the journey is and how long it will be. My tripods and other lens stay home...I have found that I do best when I travel simply. One lens...one bag=one happy traveler.

When shooting I use the creative modes, specially aperture mode is my favorite. Manual is too much for me right now and getting away from Auto was just a personal desire. Since I love being outside morning and twilight is my favorite time to shoot. Recently, I find that I follow the light then look for a subject. I don't mind being with others when I'm out on an excursion as long as they don't mind me falling behind when something catches my eye, otherwise, I'd rather be alone.

Until recently I would have said that I was all about still life, but some gentle urging from family to "add people" to my shots and a growing flock of grands has stretched me. I have greatly enjoyed the challenge and results of capturing people in natural, everyday situations preferably outside. Being "the" photographer at an event is NOT what I want or plan on doing. I like being behind the scenes capturing what others miss.

Written for “Find Your Eye: Journey of Inspiration”

Little Shrimp

2011-10-31T20:53:00.000-04:00

During our October trip we were invited over to son #3's home for some shrimp on the barbie.

I do love b&w portraits!

Avinlea

Now this pic of Lexi needs a bit of background. The girls hadn't had their naps, they were tired. Her daddy and grandpa had gone out to the grill and she needed to get her shoes on in order to join them. The poor little one just had a melt down moment. She rallied quickly, got those shoes on and off she went. But this quick snap made me realize that usually we only focus on the happy or reflective moments in life.Yet there are heart wrenching times too. These moments are just more private yet still important.

A few pics from the little girls' room. Faith has a great decorating and style eye.

Blue eyes with what looks to be light red hair!

She kept this plastic plate on her head for a long time...it's evident she's been practicing.

We had a delightful afternoon. Thanks all!

Capturing Light

2011-10-31T10:39:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I worked on an exercise of capturing light with one our seashells from our trip to the Dominican Republic back in August.

I began with morning light on the balcony railing using the ocean and trees as a backdrop.

A fellow photographer suggested that I use oil on shells that had a lack luster finish.

The simplicity of the b&w draws my eyes to the texture of the shell.

I tried different angles...but didn't like the midday sun at all. Too harsh.

I love living right above the sea...as the day slipped away I decided to throw on my sneakers and take a quick hike down the hill before daylight disappeared. I became lost in the sounds and sights and was startled to look up and see this in front of me. This is facing NE. I thought it was going to be a dull, quiet sunset and was taking pics of some sea snails on a bush and almost missed this incredible display of color and light.

After my walk I took a couple of outdoor pics with the tripod in the fading light. I think the porch light was actually used in this one.

Then I moved inside and played with my table top studio and a mini tripod.

Here is where I completely lost track of time and that surprised me. I love being outdoors using natural light and stumbling upon items that catch my interest.

This takes planing and staging. Although I'm not thrilled with the composition I like the look. I want to try using the set up outside with natural light...and see what happens.

Written for “Find Your Eye: Journey of Inspiration”

An Adventure Walk (with my camera)

2011-10-30T00:33:00.000-04:00

A highlight for me last week while in Oklahoma was a morning walk with the little boys and their daddy, my oldest son.

The crisp weather was perfect.

It was a good excuse to put on some funky socks and shoes and head for the woods.

Well, some of us put on socks and funky shoes...others enjoyed practical shoes.

And one had shoes that kept coming off, but look at those overalls...who needs shoes when you have cool overalls?

Plus, he had a sweet ride waiting for him.

I love our field with those beautiful hay rolls!

Shoes that won't stay on...no problem when dad's around.

Tall grass when you little can be a problem.

We had an exploring adventure...it brought back my own childhood memories and precious memories of our boys when they were this little...

I love this spot in the hollow...it has an old world feel to it.

My class assignment was to take a camera-less walk. Well, I fudged on this one...

I'd recently taken one, on purpose, on our lane in PR...(past the Autograph Tree which is why I STILL owe JS a pic of that blasted tree...because it was an "on purpose camera-less walk").

Plus, through the years I've walked our Oklahoma property many, many times without a camera...

All excuses, I know...still...I chose to fudge the assignment to fit my crazy travel schedule--gosh, no more excuses...promise.

While walking and exploring with the little guys (and big guy) it reminded me of camera-less walks in that one slows down and takes time to see the world from a different angle.

When Markus found a fallen twig full of bright red leaves he was ecstatic! A bug? Amazing! A "secret" deer trail? Nothing better. Scents and colors are heightened. We had no agenda nor time frame...we wondered the woods and explored trails and paths cut by the animals.

I came away inspired & motivated to spend time enjoying the beauty that is all around me wherever I happen to be whether my camera is with me or not.

Beautiful Bella

2011-10-29T00:56:00.000-04:00

A challenge that I have had in my photography is taking pictures of people.

Still life is comfortable and non-threatening for me.

Sticking a camera in someone's face just seems odd, even rude.

Years ago while in London with my original film Canon SLR I took some snaps of a hugely interesting character on the street. When he saw me, he came right at me with his overcoat flapping and his long, grey hair moving wildly around his face. He was not happy with me taking his picture and had no problem telling me how he felt. Honestly, he scared me silly!

Even with that experience, street photography still intrigues me. It takes the personal element out of portraits.

But, I digress....and yet it's related.

People...portraits...seeking to capture the essence of a person as I see them and hopefully as they see themselves, that is what I enjoy.

My challenge has been to become more comfortable with taking pics of people I know.

I realized that I no longer wanted to hide from the challenge back in April when I offer to take some pics of one of our girls and our latest granddaughter. I was not happy with the results...there wasn't one good pic from the session with a girl who the camera normally loves. My inexperience and insecurities came through in all the shots instead of her beauty and love for her new baby girl. Since then I've read articles, books, blogs and talked with others in an attempt to overcome my fears and inadequacies.

What I've learned:

When I relax and my subject will relax as well.

Light is everything...find the right light and get out of the way.

Talk, have fun, play.

Keep it simple...

I use my 60mm f/2.8 lens & keep the f stop at 3.5.

I use the AV (aperture priority) to get that wonderful DOF (deep of field or background blur) that I love.

I snap away as long as we are having fun...once the magic is over, whether 1 pic or 100 pics, we are done.

So here is a recent session with Grand #3...beautiful Bella.

I hadn't seen her since the end of May...so I didn't know if it would be possible to get any shots. The last thing I wanted was to scare her or have the camera create a distance between us. I wanted time with her. What I ended up with was an unforgettably fun, interactive time with the bonus of capturing who this precious child is. I learned so much in that hour...

Take a look, and tell me what you think...

In the beginning I showed her some of the pictures I was taking of her. She loved this and later asked for the above pic to be taken, "take one of D. bunny and me sucking my thumb."

Those of us who know and love Bella KNOW how much she loves D. bunny.

This session was at a Starbucks.

Bella hadn't had her nap.

I hadn't seen her in over four months.

There was no prompting or posing...

And I love the results!

Home Again

2011-10-27T12:59:00.001-04:00

Early yesterday morning we returned home to PR.

(That phrase, "home to PR" still sounds wonderfully odd to me.)

We had a good time in OK and MO...a quick, planned trip...

with lots of road miles.

It was full of fall weather and colors...

Time with some of our kids and grands....

I was able to get in some really fun photo/play sessions with the grands. Slowly, I'm learning how to accomplish getting the snaps I want to. More of that in the future.

Time spent working...

(NCHC Volleyball Nationals went great!)

and playing.

( I LOVE my new Toms!)

I had a ball playing with the camera and outdoor colors.

We are travel weary...but very thankful for the time with friends and family... and now time at home once again.

~Cheryl

Sea Shells

2011-10-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

My new photography tool and toy is a table top studio from Modahaus.

I've just begun to play with it...not happy yet with the results.

These are mini shells...they are about the size of a kidney bean. Every now and then the sea will toss lots of these ashore. I get real greedy when that happens.

It was a good first shoot...easier than hiking down the cliff but not as much fun.

Song of a Shell

I held a sea shell to my ear,

And listened to its tale

Of vessels bounding o'er the main

And all the ships that sail.

It sang of brilliant water flowers—

The bright anemonesThat bloom beneath the ocean waves—

Tossed in from seven seas.

Each time I harken to this song,

I hear the breakers moan,

And fancy that a warning bell

Rings from a lighthouse lone.

No longer need I wish to go

Where foam-capped billows swell,

For I've an ocean of my own

Withing this pearly shell.

-Violet L. Cuslidge

A Jungle Walk

2011-10-17T06:23:00.000-04:00

The downward decent...

My next hike down the hill might be with a broom since I don't have a rake.

I've developed a fascination with palm fronds.

I love their strong lines.

This wooden fence post signals the end of the jungle and the beginning of the coast. It is here that I rest my walking stick when I leave the jungle for the rocks. And when its time to climb back up the hill this post is what I look for to show me the path.

It's simple, but significant.

The recent storms brought lots of bits and pieces ashore.

I love being down at this spot while the sun is setting. As the light fades it becomes a perfect time to play around with intentional blur.

Slow shutter speed, low light and motion...

Now for a technical blog question:

Do you think my pictures are too big?

Of these last two picture which size do you think works best?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

~Cheryl

Sunrise Chicken

2011-10-16T21:21:00.001-04:00

Our day started early with a stunning cloud reflected sunrise.

Recently at Mortal Muses I read,

"When capturing the sky, I like to have something to provide contrast to the sky itself, something to ground the image and provide a frame of reference. "

That statement resulted in this picture.

What do you think?

Sunday's have become our chicken day.

Today was a simple day...my favorite kind.

Our Eight Grands!

2011-10-15T22:58:00.000-04:00

~Mae~

~Avenlea~

~Noah~

~Jade~

~Lexi~

~Bella~

~Josiah~

~Markus~

Eight amazing, precious blessings...

An Old San Juan Afternoon

2011-10-13T20:58:00.000-04:00

Yesterday afternoon we went into Old San Juan...

I began a new book, Kitchen Confidential,

(have I mentioned how much I LOVE my Kindle?)

while sipping my cafe con leche.

The subtitle hooked me, "Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly."

Thanks to Kindle for yesterday's 70% off on this title. $1.99 is a steal!

This book is not for the easily offended or weak stomached...

Anthony Bourdain is direct, crass even and tells it as he sees it.

That said, I really enjoy his writing style and weird take on life.

(and I guess that exposes a lot about me- huh?)

We tried a new lunch spot...

Cafe Berlin.
It's a keeper on my list.

Rice and beans with a twist...

I took a few snaps...

and enjoyed discovering new and old aspects of this wonderful, historic city.

It was an afternoon of delightful sights, smells and tastes.

~Cheryl

Autumn

2011-10-13T01:28:00.000-04:00

The tropics just don't "do" autumn the way I am accustom to, however, I've been delighted by the autumn-ish touches that I see all around me.

How beautifully leaves grow old.

How full of light and color are their last days.

~John Burroughs

Eggplant

Freshly picked papaya

My Eye

2011-10-11T22:12:00.002-04:00

This past week I've been evaluating what inspires, delights and draws me both in photography and life.

I love vibrancy and vitality...

and when I can capture that spirit it delights me.

At first I was bothered that I have such a wide range of favorite subjects. Then I realized that my subjects shift and change based upon where I am. Since I travel a lot it makes sense that my subject matter is in a constant state of motion.

I ~~seem to~~ have a magnetic pull towards the unique and unusual. The subject may be "normal" but an unusual context or lighting makes it interesting to me.

I am mesmerized by colors, shapes and textures.

Macro photography delights me because it allows me to get closer and to expose what is normally missed. Finding the unique within the usual is so much fun for me.

Finally, I love simplicity.

In life I need time and space to reflect and process.

I seek to give that sense of simple space in my photography.

Kat's class, Finding Your Eye, has been a delightful journey.

The lessons have been quietly sinking in and that has been extremely refreshing!

~Cheryl