Shadows pass beneath,
Cherished thoughts held deep within
Haunting memories.
Haunting Memories
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 100
Again?
Yes.
You’re not getting tired of this place?
No.
Ugh, wake me up when you’re done.
You’re going to miss it all.
Been there, done that. Don’t forget to wake me.
I’ll probably leave you there so you can see what I see.
Not likely…
You’ll be sorry.
Zzzzz!
It is Friday afternoon, the work week shrinking away in the rearview mirror as I head to the botanical garden. I waited until late in the afternoon to visit my floral sanctum. It was hot out, but I knew there would be plenty of shade if I needed it. I wanted to see the gardens once again through my macro lens. Always a wonderful time…
I’m enjoying these extended Friday hours. Although, using the normal hours as an excuse to leave work early was nice, not having to rush over is better. It doesn’t hurt that not a lot of people show up for the extended hours, so I have the place practically to myself. Time for my walk-about.
I tell myself to look for the little things, but in reality I’m letting the them find me. The little things have a way of jumping out and catching my eye. Either the color or the light will stop me as I walk. The camera is coming up as I crouch down to get a closer look at what needed my attention. Hey there, let me show you off to everyone…
I was asked the other day how I decide a title for each image. Sometimes, the title is in my head as I’m capturing the image. Other times, the title is an extension of how the image makes me feel or how I felt when I saw the subject. How each person “sees” my images is different, colored by the lens of their experiences. I believe the title I give each enhances how they are viewed, or maybe they are simply words with meaning only to me.
In the realm of comparison, a poem I share,
A tale of emotions that many may bear.
When compared to another, we often feel small,
Inadequate, lesser, not measuring up at all.
But let me remind you, dear soul, it's not fair,
To judge your worth based on another's affair.
Each one is unique, with a story untold,
A journey of growth, both precious and bold.
Comparison breeds envy, steals joy away,
Drowns us in sorrow, day after day.
Remember, my friend, you're a masterpiece true,
No need to compete or try to outdo.
Embrace your own path, your strengths, and your light,
For in being yourself, you shine ever so bright.
You are enough, just as you are,
A shining star, no matter how far.
So let go of comparisons, break free from that chain,
Embrace your uniqueness, and let your true self reign.
For in celebrating others, without envy or strife,
We discover the beauty in each of our lives.
Uniquely Me
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/60s, f/8, ISO 100
Summer Serenade
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/1600s, f/5, ISO 100
Dreaming of You
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/250s, f/5, ISO 100
Hold My Hand
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/160s, f/5, ISO 100
The Heart of it All
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/1250s, f/5.6, ISO 100
As I had mentioned in a previous post, this past weekend was the Daylily Festival at the botanical garden. The morning had seen its fair share of rain and I was happy for the break in the weather (sitting in the car and waiting included). I’ve been a fan of floral images with water droplets and part of my excitement for the festival was the possibility of finding said images. I won’t pretend this one has that “water droplet” look, more appropriate would be to say it has been drenched by the rain. But, it is one of my favorite floral subjects, a black-eyed susan.
Crying Susan
Nikon Z6 III, Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8, 1/100s, f/4, ISO 100
As I was getting ready to create this post, WordPress threw me a distraction… a Throwback notification for June 4th. I don’t believe there is anything special about this date, especially after looking at the listed posts, so I am curious what algorithmic logic pushed the notification to me today. As I scroll through my notification list I see WP has been giving me the option to view previous posts on each day… huh?
Apparently, I’m not very observant. Maybe this is a reminder for me to slow down. I have a routine in the morning (which could be good or bad), and I think I get fixated on working through the routine and not seeing anything in my periphery. Anyway, this morning I stopped what I was doing and looked through the posts that I have created on previous June 4ths. So, working backwards, for your viewing pleasure (or not)…
Saturday was the Daylily Festival at the botanical garden (I almost wrote “my botanical garden”). Last year I was in the beginning of decline with photography but not this year. I hadn’t fully decided if I would be going (you all know, me and crowds don’t always see eye-to-eye). Mother Nature hadn’t decided if she was going to cooperate either.
I attempted to visit the Market Days in Uptown but the rain definitely kept a lot of vendors, and people, at home. That didn’t stop me from a quick stop at Veri Best Donut Co., we’ll keep that between us, before finally calling it a morning and going to Sam’s Club for a few supplies. After returning home it looked like I might be get clearing skies, so I didn’t bring the camera into the apartment. I quickly put everything away and headed back out (the cats look at me like I’m crazy when I come and go so quickly).
As soon as I parked the car it started raining. Figures! I resisted the urge to return home and waited about ten minutes in the car. Only a few raindrops continued and I decided I definitely will not melt, so changed the lens to the 85mm macro lens and walked over to the entrance. Ten minutes after getting into the garden the sun was shining bright and I could feel the humidity start to bear down on me. No worries, plenty of trees to offer shade.
There were quite an assortment of vendors, organizations and displays. I’m glad I fought my natural urge to avoid crowds, and to be honest, there were not a lot of people (yet!). I spent some time exploring everything on display. I bought a honey lollipop from one local vendor, was in awe at the amount of plantings for sale and avoided buying the beautiful ceramic flower pot (Milo would try to eat any plants I bring home).
Eventually, I walked around looking for the daylilies. The lens I was using was the Lensbaby Velvet. It produces a dreamy vignette depending on the aperture. To say it challenges me is an understatement, but I wasn’t going to improve without practice.
Look closely at the daylily. I didn’t notice as I was capturing the image but there is a ladybug enjoying the shade…
Blending In
Nikon Z6 III, Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8, 1/640s, f/4, ISO 100
MLCreations Photography 