When composing an image to photograph, often times, I close my eyes to see the image without focusing on any one focal point. I look for the presence of the scene.
Washington DC Architecture
I begin to feel the color of light and how the surrounding areas absorb the light. This process produces a visual image often not seen by those who only look. It may sound a little confusing, but it works. These images of building reflections in Washington, DC, appeared after I closed my eyes for a few seconds and erased all the previous images I saw while looking at the buildings. The building reflections were there all the time, but I noticed them only after re-opening my eyes. The building reflections appeared more interesting than the actual buildings. Enjoy!
Solomon’s Island, MD
On a recent visit to Solomon’s Island, Maryland, I arrived under the disguise of celebrating a birthday of a close friend of a friend. Arriving mid afternoon, did not leave opportunity for photography, but I scouted the park for the ideal photo shoot for the golden light hour. Often described as 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset.
In the meantime, I ate everything my heart desired, including strawberry short cake, corn on the cob, salads of every variety and anything non-meat oriented. After an hour of eating, and eating and tasting…. and checking the angle of the sun every 45 minutes, my promised golden hour arrived.
I grabbed my camera and skipped to the fishing peer… The same pier I visited three times earlier that afternoon.
It was exhilarating to witness yet another sunset and continue to have the same breathless sensation as when I first recognized God’s Pallet. Captivated by the pink, orange and yellow hues, accented by blueish gray clouds, my heart skipped a beat and I had to remember to breath.
I wasn’t the only person guided by the light. As I walked back to the pavilion of my party, fishermen and their families skipped with a pep in their step as the sunset promised another great evening of fishing. Solomon’s Island Sunset
A recent visit to Tybee Island in Savannah, GA was an awesome treat. A partly cloudy day overcast with shadows created the perfect setting for creating moody light. The water was marvelous with temperature of at least 80 degrees.
Typically, a photographer is quite cautious with camera equipment on the beach, especially on windy days. Additionally, the midday light is not usually preferred. But on this particular afternoon, there was very little wind or bright sunlight. A few miles south the clouds were threatening a storm.
In the distance, one could see the dark blue-grey clouds. The light had a blueish grey cast. Perfect for creating a moody yet threatening sky.
Most beach goers took the hint and packed up their belongings to head for shelter. I took the opportunity to capture the dramatic color of light in the clouds and on the water. The brown pelicans that were previously diving for fish suddenly disappeared, but to the dismay of my party, I lingered in utter joy as I clicked away.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp bite on my leg and observed an army of ants biting and climbing up my legs. I danced and hopped along the sand screaming in agony while trying to balance my camera equipment and continuing to shoot the fantastic sky and ocean. I guess I could say I was in a Light Mood.
Metal Mailbox in Historic RailRoad Station Museum near Ellis Island, NY Copyright 2010 Cynthia P. Hunter
My Grandmother is 92 years old. On a recent visit with Grandma, she presented a letter, written 26 years ago, by me to her and Grand Dad. The letter was in it’s original envelope and it had a postmark dated November 1984. The upper left hand corner of the envelope was my resident address during the year of 1984 and her current address. I was tempted to smell the envelop, but resisted as I couldn’t explain the urge. As I savored the excitement and anticipation of contents of the letter, I slowly slipped the letter out of the evelop. The letter was four pages long front and back. The letter was handwritten on lavender colored stationary. Back then, lavender was my favorite color. I did not detect a fragrance, but the date and penmanship placed me at the exact place and moment of time long ago.
The conversation spoke of the thrill of independence, demands of a career, the challenges of managing life and settling into my new residence in NYC.
In the letter, I expressed thankfulness and humility for my grandparent’s love and care, and a longing to spend the holidays together. As I read the letter, I couldn’t hold back my emotions as the letter painted a picture of my life 26 years ago. I could no longer hear my voice reading aloud, as the rapid beat of my heart became my voice. I stopped reading the letter aloud and glanced up at Grandma who was also filled with emotion. We took a moment to embrace and compose ourselves without speaking a word.
Grandma kept and cherished every letter I wrote. She may have read my letters a hundred times over. After twenty six years, she decided to share it with me.
Grandma does not have a computer and has never emailed anyone. She patiently awaits my telephone calls as, I have long stopped writing letters. However, I made a mental note and wrote an electronic “To Do” to start writing my Grandmother again. Perhaps I will start today.
Last night it rained. This morning the air was damp and the skies were threatening rain. However, to seize the moment, I quickly dressed and began my daily walk with my dog Missey, the Cockapoo. With Missey on her leash, iPod on arm and camera around my neck, I was doing my nature and techie walk around the neighborhood. I was certain to discover the fresh and vibrant color nature takes on when it rains. The grass is greener, sidewalks are dark with dampness and the trees! Oh the trees! The trees display their splendor, with bright green leaves clothed with sparkling water drops. As I walked my usual path, I noticed patterns in tree trunks, that were not noticed the day before. Other people walking their dogs, stopped to stare at me, as I closely examined what appeared to be an ordinary tree. The expressions on their faces clearly indicated they thought I was a little strange. I peered up and down the tree trunks examining, smiling and marveling how nature reveals itself to the unsuspecting, casual passerby.
There is a saying, “Stop and smell the roses”. There were no roses in site, but the tree trunks and branches dampened by last night’s rain was an easy substitute.
As I thought about the value of trees. I decided, I love trees! Yes, go ahead and call me one of those “tree huggers”. Trees are nature’s providers for most items we utilize for our everyday functioning and enjoyment.
Trees provide the wood for building homes. Our furniture is made of wood. And what about paper? Paper in all forms is essential. Tree wood provides the raw material for pencils, cabinets, firewood for cooking and heat. The list goes on …. but today, I simply enjoyed viewing trees for just being a tree and not a utility.
Next time it rains, check out the patterns on tree trunks and tree limbs. And while no one is looking, go ahead and hug a tree! Tree Trunk Gallery.
Solomon’s Island, MD
