The Winows of Her Soul

   With eyes such as these, how could I ever not give her my all? So innocent and pure, these are the windows of her soul. This is a photograph that my wife and I will always cherish, because we know she won't stay this way for long.  Indeed, they grow up too fast.

Change Your Perspective

   This is one of my favorite type of shots to photograph. Although the composition has a vanishing point that clearly influences the shot, the subject of focus that I would like to draw your attention to is the perspective.  Perspective is very important in photography, as well as in our everyday lives. This is a simple and ordinary walk way of a bridge.  Nothing really too exciting or even really worthy of photographing, unless you change your perspective.  If you compose the picture as just an everyday shot with the predictable perspective, the results will likely not be pleasing to the viewer's eyes.  However, if you try a different perspective to compose the shot, the picture can suddenly become much more interesting to the viewer.
   Perspective in our lives works exactly the same way.  Personally, I have learned that if I go about my days with the same old mindset, things can become very boring and dull. It's as if I'm doing the same old routines and there is absolutely nothing I take pleasure in doing.  However, if I just change my perspective, as in the photo, my life suddenly becomes much more interesting, worth while and enjoyable.
   That is the point of this picture and what I am trying  to convey to the viewer through the composition. What is indeed a very ordinary bridge and walkway with dull shades of browns and grays, becomes a very interesting piece of architecture. Suddenly it's a river crossing with early morning blue sky filling in the symmetrical framework.  The purple tinted chain link fence  guides your eyes through the frame  by way of the horizontal and parallel lines of a vanishing point. The whole subject is transformed from dull to spectacular. So remember when life becomes repetitive and dull, change your perspective and see the beauty that is your reality.

In the Shadows of the Forest

 

   These two yellow beauties were reaching for the sun on a cool foggy morning in early Fall.  These are an example of the wonderful assortment of wild flowers in the central and southern regions of the Appalachian Mountains, known as Senecio Glabellus, or also known as Butter Weed.  I find it interesting that when viewed  up close, this flower's stamen(the upright parts in the center) has a part that resemble the eye of a needle.  Not all of the Butter Weed's stamen are shaped like this but when it's fully developed many have this unique quality.  I found these spectacular flowers hiding in the shadows of the forest floor in Pine Mountain State Park of Pineville, KY.

A Pile of Autmn Leaves Filled with Laughter

   It seems to be a family tradition in the making.  An event that our daughter looks forward to every time the Autumn leaves begin to fall from the trees.  As soon as our yard becomes covered in leaves, we rake them all into one giant pile to be used for play.  This is our daughter Ava Jane, as she played in the leaves this past Fall. I made her a deal that I would do most of the raking, if she would let me snap some photos while she was at play.  I took both, candid shots and a few wonderful portraits.  This candid shot however, was my favorite of them all because  I was able to capture many of her wonderful attributes.  Her wonderful laugh and beautiful smile shows just how wild and free spirited she truly is.  She is my heart and soul. She is my everything. She is my Ava Jane.

These are the Days That We Will Remember

   The most important time in a child's life is the time that you spend together.  We all have our time consuming responsibilities that make it a difficult task to accomplish.  However, no matter how hard it may be, it's something we must do.  We must set aside as much time as we possibly can for the sake of our children.  They are the people of tomorrow.  They will carry our torch when we no longer can, passing down our values as well as our teachings.
   This time does not have to be filled with expensive things or trips, in fact they shouldn't be.  This time we set aside for them should be just that, time .  A walk in the park along with a good conversation is worth more than anything that can be bought.  A hike, high on a mountain trail, where you teach them how to push themselves beyond their limits for the experience of personal triumph, is one thing that could never be found on the shelves of their favorite toy aisles.  Even just a reading from their favorite book would mean much more to them than what you may think.  How you raise your children and the things you do will play a big role in the way they parent their own. 
    I've heard many people with no children say, "I would not bring a child into this horrific, God awful world."   However, I say that it is through having children that we can bring a little beauty back into the world.  So, if you really want to make a difference, but feel as though you are not big enough, important enough, or whatever your reason may be, look no further than your children.  Because, believe it or not, when you spend quality time with your children, you are changing the world for the better, one child at a time.

Seeking Shelter From the Storm

   As any photographer will tell you, nature shots are one of the most difficult to capture. Especially those with insects that are always darting from place to place. As soon as you have your perfect focus , the subject is done with this flower and quickly moves to the next. So when I found this guy I knew I had a chance for a good close up.
  It appeared as if this bee was out collecting pollen and was suddenly caught off guard by a drizzling rain. Having no choice but to wait it out, he tucked himself in and hunkered down under the little daisy. He soon found out that the drizzle was turning to a full on rain.  Slowly but surely he became absolutely drenched as the water leaked through his make shift shelter. I couldn't help but to feel sorry for him as I took this shot, realizing I was photographing his misfortune and misery. It was at that moment I swore an oath to tell every one his story and how he tried his best to seek shelter from the storm.

Farewell, Until Spring

   I was actually at work when I found this gem. I had my camera with me but I had forgotten my tripod. I took shot after shot and couldn't get a one without it being blurred to some degree. I knew that this was a subject that wouldn't last long, so I just had to keep trying. Finally, after many tries I managed to capture this wonderful display of nature's magic.
   Simple and yet complex, this method of reproduction is just one of nature's many wonders. These seeds were being pulled away by the winds as I continued shooting. Sometimes one at a time and then at other times many would set sail as a hefty gust of wind picked them up and carried them away to their new homes. There, many will take root and become bearers of seeds just like the one that they came from, continuing the cycle of life.
   Some people may not even look twice at something like this. I however, can't help but to be fascinated by these special moments in time. These things happen all around us, all of the time and they're there for us to enjoy , if we would only stop to look. This is another example of why I love photography. It's being there in the moment with nothing else on your mind except what is in front of you and your camera. For me it just doesn't get any better than that.