These little guys fascinate me, so I point and shoot. Then I have moments like these – the clouds were hanging low, diffusing the light, and the little hummingbird moth was in perfect form, almost pleased to see me.
The shoot stunned me. The colors are perfect and he is soooo beautiful.
This is one of my favorite poses, second only to that moment when a butterfly peeks at me over the top of a flower.
Butterflies are complex beauties, such as this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, with many design elements competing with the surroundings. One of the tricks I have found when photographing them is to simplify the background as much as possible.
Sometimes simplification takes the route of minimizing color and background complexity.
When the background is busy, try to use a low depth of field.
Ok, so that sounds all intentional and designerly; in reality, sometimes you only get a fleeting moment in which to point and start shooting, hoping for the best. But then, wow is it fun when you realize you have a winner!
I was getting all wrapped up in the technicalities of butterfly chasing today when suddenly I realized I needed to lower the lens and simply enjoy them fluttering about my head. That is the true beauty of butterflies.
My childhood summers came flooding back. In that moment I experienced the simplification many of us long for.
So, stop and enjoy what you are photographing. Simplify and enjoy the impressions of life.
This post is a part of a weekly travel theme (Simplify) challenge by Where’s My Backpack.
Where’s My Backpack has posted the travel theme this week and it made me smile. Who wouldn’t smile when they think of something soft?
This photo is of my niece, Clara, who was having a moment and had been crying (she had many “moments” at that early age). Her family was spending a week at Grandma’s and her Daddy’s work jeans were warm in the sun as they hung on the line to dry — they seemed to comfort her and I caught this tender moment before she discovered I had the camera pointed at her.
This week’s travel theme from Ailsa is centered around “brights”. Upon reading the topic, I immediately thought of the warm Florida sun. Everything from the bright light reflecting off the spotless whites of the birds and the sand to the brilliant sunshine bouncing off the water and filtering through the palm trees.
These photos were taken on different trips to Marco Island and the Keys.
How to waste a lot of money lesson #1. Place a billboard at one of the busiest intersections in the city and do not mention the name of the business. Oh, and make the location so small you can’t read it.
Notice: the folks sitting at the light have their back to the board.
The folks facing the board are too far away to really read it, as well as busy navigating the scary intersection or managing the confusing bridge that has various off ramps.
And when curiosity finally gets the best of the passenger in the car and she takes a photo and enlarges it, we still do not know exactly what is being advertised.
Except that Indianapolis has outdoor gear… somewhere… all in one place (the Castleton Mall if you look close enough at the blown up photo.)
A new restaurant, Ocean Prime, came to town about the time I was graduating with my BS in Graphic Design and working at a full-time design contract, so we missed our normal early visit to the new dining venue. However, we rectified the omission tonight and were more than pleasantly delighted.
Our adventure began with their crab cake appetizer, which is exceptional.
Ocean Prime serves steak and seafood, as well as a wonderful experience. Our server, Michael, was more than accommodating, as well as attentive and friendly.
When we ordered our entrees and discussed sharing them, he quickly offered to split and plate them before presenting them to the table. That does not happen at many restaurants, even when requested.
Both their grouper and the scallops with rissoto were delightful and not too heavy, although with the appetizer and wonderfully crusty sourdough bread that we began with, we decided we could have split one meal and felt quite satisfied.
We finished it off with a 10 layer carrot cake… two bites and the remainder was taken home for future savoring. If you like carrot cake, this is delectable but different than what you may be familiar with as there is a pineapple drizzle that gives it a wonderful and surprising flavor enhancement.
Absolutely a top rating goes to this restaurant for both food and service. A pleasant experience we have every intention of repeating.
Ocean Prime was born in Columbus, Ohio in 2006. Visit their national website to see if they have come to a city near you.
They also have a wonderful gluten-free menu. Note: I am gluten-sensitive, but did not follow the GF diet tonight.
Can’t say you were not warned! Once you are in, there is no getting out.
Seen in Indianapolis, Keystone at the Crossing.
Who’s checking out who at the Indy Zoo?
Posted in participation with the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge.
Canvases from old class projects
Today is the day I reclaim my work space and return it to the art and design studio that it once was. It is overwhelming how much “stuff” accumulates during 3 years of design classes.
And having put so much money and effort into it, it is a shame to just throw it out.
Shelves of design related books.
For the past 4 months, since graduation, I have slowly donated it, organized it, sold some of it (eBay and Amazon!), and after grouping what was left, am now down to the point of decision and wondering what to do with the remaining piles on top of and underneath the cutting table.
Glazes, glues, spray paints and finishing sprays are bound for the garage.
As any good artist, I am afraid to throw anything away “just in case I need it one day!” But something has to give.
Fire hazard, anyone?
Now that I am not needing to print and mount everything on the inevitable black boards, I can move my computer workstation back upstairs to the office.
A drawing table was not meant to be an Adobe CS5 workstation!
I should petition that the college have a donation bin set up specifically to accept the leftovers from graduated students! I bet the incoming students would love having a stocked workroom!
What do you do with so much “stuff”?
—————————————————-
Followup: Discovered that Bendi, ever faithful office companion and Cat-Editor, is improving his skill set in assisting my decision making process. Ok, the foam core goes. I don’t know what I would ever use if for anyway.
a vacation in my mind 