Daydream
Nikon Z6 III, Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8, 1/60s, f/2.8, ISO 100
Calm the Mind
Nikon Z6 III, Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8, 1/100s, f/5.6, ISO 280
I’ve been all over the place with this one…
The original image is very vibrant, but I couldn’t see past the color. The ethereal tone was lost, at least to me, with the bold assault on my senses. So, I simplified it. And then the words started forming…
It has been some time since I wrote a haiku. Hopefully, I haven’t forgot how to do it…
Not floating, dancing
Not isolation, freedom
Learning to be me
Dancing
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/1000s, f/4, ISO 100
As part of that learning, I’m over at the cafe again this morning. I decided to be part of the community as I write this post. Still on shaky ground, as it is so far out of my wheelhouse, but, I’m learning. Maybe learning isn’t exactly the right word. How about embracing this experience? Still probably learning… 🙂
You can’t walk past a reflection can you?
Me? No! Why Should I?
It’s a mirror, nothing special.
Are you sure? Each one holds something different.
What?
A reflection can be the mirror image of what you are looking at, but it can also show you a different side.
Stop playing with me!
I’m not. Take this lily, the image in the water is not a mirror image but a highlight of the unseen parts. It’s showing the hidden.
Uh huh. So? What are you hiding?
Nice try…
It is probably good that only one lily at a time is making an appearance at the botanical garden. An observer can immediately tell when I spot one. My whole focus changes. I’m not seeing anything else until I have grabbed a few views of the floating princess. Tuesday was no different.
Well, maybe a little different. Although it was early in the afternoon, I was at the garden between the raindrops. The light was filtered through the clouds and I didn’t have to fight the bright white. Made it a lot easier to show the detail in the flower.
Lily Reflecting
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO 100
Of course, I couldn’t leave it alone. Lily was calling to me to ‘electrify’ her. I didn’t want to disappoint her.
Electric Reflection
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO 100
I think it is fascinating how this photography thing works for me. I know I have made this comment in the past (of course, I couldn’t find the post), but deciding to learn photography changed how I travel through my day. I was almost oblivious to my surroundings. Now, “I see”… the pattern of light, the shapes, the little details, the incongruities, the shadows, etc. At times, I’m amazed I’m able to get where I’m going.
It generally isn’t what I am looking at that captures my eye, it is the light or shadow, the brief movement of a critter or the splash of color on the periphery that draws my attention. After finding the little frog in yesterday’s post (Shelter Me Susan), I was wandering the garden walkways waiting for that unexpected “thing” to stop me in my tracks (hey, it happens, sometimes). Lately, it has been the bees.
This one was focused on the pollen to even notice me…
Working It
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/2000s, f/4, ISO 100
Shelter Me Susan
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/125s, f/8, ISO 200
I’m trying something new today!
I took today off to give myself a long, four day weekend. I had no plan other than an extra day to the weekend.
The something new, you ask… well, I’m sitting over in my favorite weekend coffee shop writing this post. The coffee shop is part of my Sunday habit (ritual, if I’m being honest). I go for my groceries and stop on my way home to get a coffee. This last Sunday I really broke with my routine. I had forgotten my coffee mug (they allow you to bring, even encourage, your own cup), so I went home dropped off the groceries and returned. Rather than walk back out I sat down at one of the tables to enjoy the atmosphere. I liked it.
This morning, as I was working on a few images, I decided I would take my Microsoft Surface over to the coffee shop and write this post while I enjoyed some coffee. If you are curious, check out The Brick and Mortar Cafe (it is a FB page). The proprietor is really nice and I like supporting a local business.
Also, another part of the something new is seeing how this “not working” thing is. I have really had retirement on my mind for quite a while. My brother-in-law retired a couple years ago and he is a year younger than me. And then my Mom informed me one of my friends growing up retired a couple months ago. Those thoughts start to worm their way into my brain and I have a hard time turning them off. I could get use to this… 🙂
Anyway…
I mentioned in my Sunday post that on Saturday, as part of my Market Days adventure, I walked the Chattahoochee Riverwalk again. I went in the opposite direction then I did a couple weeks ago. I walked along Front Ave. until it met up with the river trail, and then I headed back toward Uptown. I found a few interesting views along the way. The first that stopped me in my tracks is this reflection.
Reflection
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/160s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 100
Frequent visitors know, I can’t pass up a good reflection. The water had collected in a low spot on the trail and getting the camera practically into the water allowed me to remove most of the ground. I had to dodge a few cyclists but it was totally worth it.
A few steps further along the trail I spotted this view of the train bridge over the river. This bridge is the continuation of the tracks I captured in a post about a week ago (From 9th Street). I liked the split in this view, the water and bridge on one side with the tree lined path on the other.
Respite
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/200s, 47mm, f/8, ISO 100
And then we come to the bridge proper. I wasn’t so much interested in the bridge but was trying to capture the blossoms in the tree while using the bridge as a backdrop. Not too sure I succeeded, but hey, I gave it a try.
Tracks
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/160s, 49mm, f/8, ISO 100
Although the image above didn’t turn out like the one I had in my head as I was capturing it, I did grab a view of the blossom. From what Google Lens tells me, the tree is a Persian Silk tree, or also called a mimosa tree. After reading about this tree, I’m not so sure I’m happy to see one (they are highly invasive)… 😦
Mimosa
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/640s, 70mm, f/5.6, ISO 100
Now we get to the different section of this post, or maybe better, different images. These remind me of the images I captured more of as I was learning photography. A little abstract. Eventually I had to pass under the train bridge. I remembered to look up.
Look Up
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/100s, 29mm, f/8, ISO 100
Cross the Sky
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/125s, 28mm, f/8, ISO 100
We are almost back to the waterfront in Uptown. The day was heating up and it was almost time for lunch. I grab one last image of the trail before heading to Waveshaper Island and the post with the herons (Saturday Ritual).
Up Around the Bend
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/320s, 38mm, f/8, ISO 100
Back to my something new… I probably should not have done this! The rest of this week will be tough at work after enjoying my morning, relaxing with a cup of coffee at the cafe. Yeah, those thoughts of being done with work are going to continue…
Edge of a Dream
Nikon Z6 III, Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8, 1/200s, f/2.8, ISO 100
Can it be called a ritual if you have only done it two weeks in a row? I believe it will become my weekend ritual. Last weekend my excursion to Market Days on Broadway combined with a walk along the Chattahoochee Riverwalk was so enjoyable I decided to brave the potential rain to do it all again.
We are in a stretch of forecasted rain but Saturday morning appeared to have a chance at clearing skies and I really was looking forward to another walk around Uptown. I packed the camera bag, put on my walking shoes and took off. As I drove toward my destination the sun was working hard to burn through the cloud cover. By the time I parked the car I could see blue taking over the sky.
It was going to be a good morning.
I usually feel a little self conscious carrying my camera through the street even if I would have liked to capture the atmosphere of the farmer’s market. One of these days I will overcome these feelings and share why I enjoy this part of summer. So, leaving the camera in the car with no objective other than to browse the various vendor’s offerings, I headed out.
To be honest, the wares on display by most vendors are not something I would generally purchase. I guess, for me, it is the experience I’m craving. Walking the tree-lined street, seeing everyone having a good time, and occasionally finding something that catches my eye. I stopped and talked with a gentleman selling handmade pottery. I ended up getting myself a mug for my morning coffee. The mug was a bonus, the conversation with Joe of Joe Dallas Pottery is what I will remember.
OK. I’ll admit it. I stopped at Veri Best Donut Co. again. I’m weak. I went with a simple choice this time, a glazed twist. Holy crap! That thing was enormous! Practically a foot long donut, and it was still warm. I’m not ashamed to say it took all my will power to not go back and get a second one. It was delicious.
The Market Days occupy both sides of Broadway between 10th and 13th streets. I park along 1st Ave near 12 St and begin my circuit heading toward 13th St. When I reached the turn-around point down at 10th St I spotted the sign for the Gallery on 10th. I stopped into the gallery last year but had forgotten that it is open early on Saturdays.
When I entered the gallery I met the artist “on call” that day, Susan Dolan. It was a pleasure to talk with her about her work as well as the work on display at the gallery. The displays rotate every three months (next in July), so I will make it a point to return. The idea floating around in my head now is the Columbus Artists’ Guild. Susan was very persuasive about the guild once she knew I think of myself as a photographer. Something to chew on for now…
Well, I assume if you made it this far you are curious if I will be sharing any images in this post. I did go for a walk with the camera once my time on Broadway was done. I headed South along Front Ave thinking eventually I will meet up with the Riverwalk trail. I found quite a few areas to explore more on another walk. The Coca-Cola Space Science Center and the Chattahoochee Amphitheatre are two I will be returning to see.
It was getting close to noon and like last weekend I had plans to enjoy lunch in Uptown. I returned along the trail with the idea of stopping at Waveshaper Island. I brought my messenger camera bag which included my zoom lens. I had hopes of finding some water fowl. I was rewarded for stopping. There were a lot of great blue heron. I sat down on one of the rocks and enjoyed the show.
Look! Up in the Sky!
Nikon Z6 III, Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD, 1/2000s, 300mm, f/6.3, ISO 200
Landing Gear Down
Nikon Z6 III, Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD, 1/2000s, 140mm, f/5.3, ISO 140
Do It Like This
Nikon Z6 III, Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD, 1/2000s, 300mm, f/6.3, ISO 400
The Stare
Nikon Z6 III, Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD, 1/2000s, 300mm, f/6.3, ISO 360
The High Ground
Nikon Z6 III, Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD, 1/2000s, 300mm, f/6.3, ISO 640
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