Wednesday, December 29, 2010
fenced in
So I have this big new piece of glass that calls for me to be really quite far away, and this horse just wants to be close to me. She follows me everywhere I traipse--around the fence and the pasture (getting all kinds of icky burrs in my boots)-- so I finally back up across the road to capture her. But once I leave her, she sulks and doesn't want to lift her head no matter how much I tsk and call. But that's okay. Something about the fence plank in this picture that I like.
Monday, December 27, 2010
all is tangled
Took the "Vibrant Colours" category at Pinnacle--one I'd tried unsuccessfully to win before with a different photo. I tested these Christmas lights in the kitchen, and had pulled about half out of the plastic storage bin in the process of reaching the outlet. Just thought they looked cool, so I took some shots, keeping the other light really low. I did no post-processing on this at all, and I like how it turned out sort of surreal-looking.
shadow play
This was a winner in "Available Light," where you've used no flash but have relied just on the existing light to make the picture. My flutist sculpture was in the dining room against the Benjamin Moore Jack O' Lantern paint color, and the sun slanted through the blinds, casting a nice shadow.
frosted
This one won in a "concept" category, where they run through various themes, like "haunted" or "leafy" or "dark." This challenge was "frosty," and I think mine might have beat out the others--various frosted leaves, berries, etc--mostly because it's a bit surprising to see a frosty horse.
I took this one afternoon between classes that I taught, when I didn't have enough time to go all the way home but needed a little break. I'd drive around the rural areas after lunch and just snap stuff along the way. On this particular day, what had been a fluffy, gentle snowfall became driving and icy. When I came upon a farm and saw this horse sort of bracing himself against the wind, I rolled down my window but kept the camera inside the car. Amazingly, he looked up at me right when I wanted him to. I love his icy little chin.
at water's edge
Another Hall of Fame winner in the Water and Other Liquids category. Not an especially creative shot, but I think the photographer to the left of the frame makes it more interesting. It was a soft-lighted, dampish night in May and we rode down to the trestle in Hamilton on the Rabbit River for my first try at these "creamy water" type shots. I've gone back two or three times since then and found it to be beautiful no matter what the season.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Spectators get a leg up.
I took this shot of spectators watching Charlevoix's Venetian Festival parade in the summer of 2009. A fun Hall of Fame win in The Pinnacle's "Life in General" category.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Piano, retired.
I was recently invited to play in a Flickr challenge group by an admin I knew from a previous one. I haven't been involved in the groups for awhile, but went over to peek--and decided to join. It's called The Pinnacle, and they run challenges a bit differently from some of the others. I really like it.
Two photos vie in pre-determined categories and, if you win, you go to the next round. You need to win five consecutive rounds to ten points in order to be named to the Hall of Fame. There are other levels beyond that (see my next entry), but posted here--and over the next few posts--are the photos I've submitted that have won.
The very first one I put out there was this one--in the "Non-Nature Macro" category--and I held out for five rounds to enter the Hall of Fame. I took it last winter after Jeff Beird got a new piano and told me he planned to take the old one apart in his basement. I headed over with my camera and got some cool photos of the inner workings of an old, beloved instrument. I really like these old hammers and can only imagine how much lovely music they've played.
Two photos vie in pre-determined categories and, if you win, you go to the next round. You need to win five consecutive rounds to ten points in order to be named to the Hall of Fame. There are other levels beyond that (see my next entry), but posted here--and over the next few posts--are the photos I've submitted that have won.
The very first one I put out there was this one--in the "Non-Nature Macro" category--and I held out for five rounds to enter the Hall of Fame. I took it last winter after Jeff Beird got a new piano and told me he planned to take the old one apart in his basement. I headed over with my camera and got some cool photos of the inner workings of an old, beloved instrument. I really like these old hammers and can only imagine how much lovely music they've played.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
clinging
What's better than early morning sun after an earlier morning rain? These grasses are in Hope Church's garden; just couldn't believe how the water clung to them and--bonus--how the sun hit all those amazing beads.Truly a gift.
It was the start of a really good day all the way around.
This was the second photo I played at The Pinnacle, this one in "Water and Other Liquids." It won the Hall of Fame and then played in the weekly Kanchenjunga Challenge--the week's Hall of Fame winners vying against each other--and it won 2nd place. Here's a link to the competition--which was formidable, no doubt. I felt honored to be among some really talented photographers. Love this group.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/thepinnacle/discuss/72157625544402970/
It was the start of a really good day all the way around.
This was the second photo I played at The Pinnacle, this one in "Water and Other Liquids." It won the Hall of Fame and then played in the weekly Kanchenjunga Challenge--the week's Hall of Fame winners vying against each other--and it won 2nd place. Here's a link to the competition--which was formidable, no doubt. I felt honored to be among some really talented photographers. Love this group.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/thepinnacle/discuss/72157625544402970/
Death in light and shadow
Here's this one again. I played it in "Ambience"--which the Pinnacle Group describes as any photo that reflects a mood.
under cover
I walked over to Dave and Doug's garden on a cold winter day and saw this red against the snow way over in their far north corner. I'm pretty sure this is the Michigan Holly I had photographed earlier in the year. I like the simplicity of this shot and how real it is. I think this is one that a sheet music company bought from me; I'd have to look it up. I asked them for a copy of whatever the song was that they were using it for, but never saw it. Sort of wonder what it is.
Won in the "Plants/Flowers/Trees" category. I could tell Maneesh thought I should have played it in "Minimalism," but hey, it's a plant. And it won. Neener.
For some reason, when I post right from Flickr, it sometimes cuts off part of the photo. In this case, the branch of the berry is truncated to the right. Original crop can be seen on the link back to the Flickr photo page.
Won in the "Plants/Flowers/Trees" category. I could tell Maneesh thought I should have played it in "Minimalism," but hey, it's a plant. And it won. Neener.
For some reason, when I post right from Flickr, it sometimes cuts off part of the photo. In this case, the branch of the berry is truncated to the right. Original crop can be seen on the link back to the Flickr photo page.
Class of 2012 Song
This photo won in the "Repetition Repetition Repetition" category 50:7, which is a pretty good score. It's pretty different from the usual architectural entries--which are always amazing, for sure--but I'm thinking it's pretty unique to see a photo of humans in this category.
This is Hope College's Nykerk competition, where sophomore girls compete against freshmen girls in Song, Drama, and Speech. I was on assignment here for the Holland Sentinel, and this is the photo that ran.
This is Hope College's Nykerk competition, where sophomore girls compete against freshmen girls in Song, Drama, and Speech. I was on assignment here for the Holland Sentinel, and this is the photo that ran.
sunkissed
I think this is one of my favorite photos--of my own work, anyway. I love the play of the sun on the focused leaf; I love the colors; I love the dimension. I did okay with the composition, too. And I love fall, so there it is. The full package.
It was also fun and easy to capture. A branch had fallen into my yard from a neighbor's yard; was just sort of hanging over the fence. I tried to snap it off, but it wouldn't budge, so I left it for another day. Another day became another day, and later it became fall and I had the turn of leaves right at eye level--and even lower. Not often that you can take a tripod and snap hanging leaves.
This one won in the Pinnacle "Plants/Flowers/Trees" category, 50:29. Tough rounds, as you might imagine. I am proud, even though pride comes before a fall. And after autumn.
It was also fun and easy to capture. A branch had fallen into my yard from a neighbor's yard; was just sort of hanging over the fence. I tried to snap it off, but it wouldn't budge, so I left it for another day. Another day became another day, and later it became fall and I had the turn of leaves right at eye level--and even lower. Not often that you can take a tripod and snap hanging leaves.
This one won in the Pinnacle "Plants/Flowers/Trees" category, 50:29. Tough rounds, as you might imagine. I am proud, even though pride comes before a fall. And after autumn.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
In the shadows
I took these pictures last year, drawn by the light and shadow of the cemetery.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Least favorite question
When I taught Jr. Great Books, at the end of the school year I'd always ask my kids to tell me what their favorite stories were. Some of them were so stricken by that question, and I'd be quick to say "ONE of your favorites." I'm with them: having to name a favorite is such pressure.
But when Emma asked me what my favorite Emma 365 shot is, I think I knew right away. With lots of runners up.
But when Emma asked me what my favorite Emma 365 shot is, I think I knew right away. With lots of runners up.
Emma 365/365
It feels right that the last one in the set is my favorite. Not much more I can say except it's her. Beautiful her.
Emma 226/365
A really really close runner up to my favorite. I love the light and shadow and the way her glasses fade into the darkness. If I had to say "favorite dramatic photo," this would be it.
Emma 236/365
Such a nice night in early fall, and she was contemplating whether to go swimming in her jeans. And she did.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Mom
My mom is 78 and sick again. She believes she’s nearing the end, and I know the power of her thinking, so I’m afraid she could be right. She sees nothing to live for, and has deemed it so.
My mom is a really beautiful person, inside and out but, riddled with fear and insecurity, is the last person in the world to see that. I can so easily understand how that happens, but it makes me sad. Sad that she’ll die thinking herself lesser, undeserving, defeated. Sad that she won't acknowledge her own strengths: her generosity, her sensitivity--even her sense of style. I know she has her reasons--mostly rooted in childhood--but, to be honest, in my darker moments, it also makes me resentful. I think I’m disappointed that she couldn’t show me by example one of the most important things in life is to believe in yourself.
That sounds so harsh, and I don’t mean it to be. I hope these pictures show that I see my mom’s internal beauty—much more than she ever will, unfortunately. They're also a reminder to me to see my own. If only I had any. Just kidding; I do. Sort of. Well, not really. No, I do. Sometimes. On a good day.
My mom is a really beautiful person, inside and out but, riddled with fear and insecurity, is the last person in the world to see that. I can so easily understand how that happens, but it makes me sad. Sad that she’ll die thinking herself lesser, undeserving, defeated. Sad that she won't acknowledge her own strengths: her generosity, her sensitivity--even her sense of style. I know she has her reasons--mostly rooted in childhood--but, to be honest, in my darker moments, it also makes me resentful. I think I’m disappointed that she couldn’t show me by example one of the most important things in life is to believe in yourself.
That sounds so harsh, and I don’t mean it to be. I hope these pictures show that I see my mom’s internal beauty—much more than she ever will, unfortunately. They're also a reminder to me to see my own. If only I had any. Just kidding; I do. Sort of. Well, not really. No, I do. Sometimes. On a good day.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
My friends, Deb and Tim, have access to a family cottage on Lake Michigan near Port Sheldon, and are most generous in sharing it with those less fortunate. I am fortunate to be one of those. Last winter, during a "women's retreat," I took my camera for a long walk along the frozen shoreline and marveled at the wonderful drama that season lends to the lake. Last weekend, during a Mary-Emma retreat, I took my camera for a long walk along the sun-slanted shoreline and was grateful to not be wearing Cuddl-Duds, turtleneck, wool sweater, down jacket, face mask, hat with earflaps and, mostly, those incredibly ineffective gloves without fingers. Drama is good, but a tank top--and summer breeze lifting your hair--is way better. The best.
A little juxtaposition work here, as I took duo-seasoned shots of two of my favorite sights along that stretch: a penguin and Stonehenge:
A little juxtaposition work here, as I took duo-seasoned shots of two of my favorite sights along that stretch: a penguin and Stonehenge:
penguin contemplates fresh water living
He's thinking about it. Likes the tundra; temp is good. Not sure yet if he's ready for a low-sodium diet.
A world onto itself
Same pylons in winter, and Lake Michigan takes on an other-worldly feel. A Star Wars planet.
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About Me
- Mary
- I'm a photographer with little focus. I love taking pictures of nearly anything and everything.