Become the tree

When I look at this photo I'm reminded of Ralph Waldo Emerson. I don't believe I can explain why either. Here's a great quote from one of Emerson's first essays, History:

"A painter told me that nobody could draw a tree without in some sort becoming a tree."

Peek-a-boo, as promised

Yesterday I was talking to mom about some of my trip photos, and discussing what photo might go up next on the blog. And, she called me out and said, "you said today you were going to post the peek-a-boo photo tomorrow." She's right, I did. So, as promised, here is that shot.

These guys were too fun. They would walk a few steps then look at you. Slowly making their way to the corn. Very cautious and patient little things. I can't say I'd be the same way if I was a deer. If there was corn all over the ground, it would take major amounts of discipline for me to not just go get it. None of this peek-a-boo, take it slow stuff.

Hey Bambi

Look at this little guy, he (or she probably) is so cute. These deer came out of the wood work when the corn got put out. I really wanted to pet one of them, but they wouldn't have it. They were very skidish if you would approach them, yet they would allow us to still be near them. I'll show you a photo tomorrow of one playing peek-a-boo.

Star trails, New Mexico style

If you haven't noticed yet, I love to take star trails photographs. To me, it's a great way to remember a place. And, if you are able to take a star trails photograph where you are, then chances are that place is worth remembering - one of those places that makes you breathe a little deeper.

That is absolutely the case for this photograph. This star trails shot was born in Ruidoso, New Mexico at the Hensley cabin. A crew of us went up there to ski and relax (which we did quite well, I might add). Our last night was fairly clear, so I set up my camera on a tree stump behind the cabin and let the shot run for 26 minutes, facing straight up to the sky. I joked with Shae that this was the most comfortable star trails shot I have ever taken. After opening the shutter I went back inside the cabin and enjoyed the fire and good company (Usually, for a shot like this, I'm huddled up next to the camera in the dark and cold air.)

The trees in the foreground are a nice treat, and it's almost as if that tree stump was meant to be the tripod to this shot. I'm guessing that is a cloud in the right side of the shot, which I didn't see before starting the shot, since it was so dark out. Or, it could have been several small, light clouds, or simply too much light pollution coming from the moon that was off to the right. The moon was approaching its first quarter and put out a fair amount of light pollution that was captured in the shot - which I was thankfully able to reduce in photoshop. This one turned out pretty good considering the moon and cloud influences. However, we've already determined another one worth trying - off the deck looking to the north.

It was an awesome trip and I have more than a handful of photos and stories to share.

In your face

It is almost inevitable that any "photographer" with a DSLR will take a photo of themselves shooting with it in the mirror. I have a two, and this is one of them. I turned this one into a black and white photo just for kicks. So this is what I look like when I'm taking your photo I guess. Intense, huh?

More new photos forthcoming next week. Get excited.

Let your air stream

About a year or so ago Kate and Brian got married in Marble Falls in the country amid a bunch of airstream trailors. I showed you an HDR photo I took of this very airstream trailor soon after their wedding. Well, I've been doing some digging in the photo vault lately, since I haven't been getting many new shots to share. And, I came across this one. I'm probably going to very soon have it framed and at my desk because I really enjoy the color and light in it.

Airstream trailors are beautiful in a rugid sort of way. Some of them travel, some don't, but they are all classic. I remember this one airstream I always meant to go get a photo of in Bryan. I would go for long rides out on highway 47 and right as you made the turn from 60 onto 47 there was an airstream in someone's yard. It was a nice one, too nice almost, like it could stand a few more miles on its rubber. I never got a photo of it, but I imagine if I go for a football game next season it might still be there. In my mind I'd like the photo to be taken as the sun is going down, almost set, when the light will make the metal real blue and crisp.

So there you go, one airstream photo, and dreams of another.

Uncropped stove top

It is highly unlikely that I will ever have a stove top like this again. These guys are slowly becoming a thing of the past. I guess I got bored one night in my old apartment and started taking photos of the burners with my macro lens. I actually like this photo quite a bit. It turned out to be pretty well-composed, and it is completely uncropped.

I'm not sure I've mentioned this before, but I do not like to crop photos. To me, being able to capture a shot in the frame is part of being a strong photographer. Not everyone will agree with me - some might say that we shouldn't let the frame dictate a shot or something to that effect, especially since we have the ability to easily manipulate photographs these days. But, that's part of the challenge in my opinion, creating a nice composition with what you are given. That's not saying I haven't cropped my fair share of photos, I just prefer not to.

Who knew a burner could inspire such photographic philosophy and opinion?

Whale of a time

How about a two-fer today?

Photo 1: This one I call the "pacific life shot" because it reminds me of those commercials. I kept saying how bad I wanted to catch a pacific life shot and eventually I was able to hit the shutter at just the right moment and get this guy. It's not a perfect shot, but hey you can't be too picky when you have about a second to snap.

Photo 2: I almost forgot about this photo. This fella was on our morning whale watch. Lucky for me I have a pretty serious zoom on my lens so I was able to lock down pretty close to him. We learned a few things about whales on the trip. They can apparently stay under water for about 45 minutes at a time, and occasionally have to come up for air - which is when you get the chance to see them. They'll float near the surface, blow out their blow holes, belly flop a couple times then they'll be gone. And when they're gone - their tail goes up and that's likely the last you'll ever see of them.

Deuce

You can't climb by yourself. It just doesn't work that way. And, that's probably a big part of why I love it so much. This photo sort of captures the essence of climbing.

Their license plates don't lie

Check out this photo from the whale watching boat. I still can't believe I saw a rainbow from end to end across the water like this. I'm not sure why, but the sky under the rainbow is lighter than the sky above it.

Blue boards are for rookies

If you ever see someone on a long blue surfboard, they are a rookie. Or, they are teaching a rookie. So, when I went to rent a board on the beach, and the surf dude offered me the 11' blueboard, I scoffed and said with my (now-expired) surfer confidence, "I used to surf a 7'-2" hybrid but it's been awhile" so he kindly said, "well, how about the 10' white one?" (The longer the board the easier it is to catch and ride waves). So, Mr. surfboard-renter-guy could have very well let me run off with a "hybrid" and not catch a single wave, but he didn't. I suppose they can spot an amateur from a mile away.

When I got out there, to the bigger-small waves, I caught the first one (what really happened was it caught me). It felt pretty great, so great I think I actually flashed a hang loose sign while riding it - I'm not kidding, it was just a natural reaction, sort of like when Tiger Woods nails a putt and pumps his fist in the air.

Well, I didn't ride that first wave for too terribly long before falling off. Then I turned the board around to paddle out again, just in time for a rather brutal wave to pound the crap out of me. So much so that my board took off with the wave, then flew into the air, caught some wind then slammed back down to hit me on the head. It was in that moment I realized, I'm too old for this $%#@! So, I drug myself to the shore, thought about it, then walked down the beach to the kiddie waves - where my life was more in my own hands than the waves.

So, there you go, very likely my last surfing story. Or, atleast the last one that involves me surfing a board that isn't blue.