Exploring what I see by chance and unexpectedly

            Our last snowfall (6 inches here in northeastern Kentucky two nights ago) was unexpected, and, for some reason, it set me thinking about how much the unexpected is part of my photography. I notice things, I like working with available light, and I wonder at what circumstance so often provides.  I have been amazed so many times that I was where I was, that the light was right and, of course, that I had a camera with me.

            I looked through some of my photos to find images I had no idea I would get.  Some of these I have already shared over the past ten years and others may be new.   

            I actually love the unexpected in general. It's sort of like having a really good idea that someone would never have thought of otherwise.  

This view is close to home, so having my camera nearby is not that unusual.  However, a reminder: It never works to say "Oh, I will take that photo tomorrow when I have more time."  Ha! No way!

Guess what - this is all about the light, fleeting at best.  I was in Maine for a cousin reunion, last July.  I had stepped outside for a moment, but I quickly had to put visiting on hold while I got my camera... in a hurry.

This light looks simiilar, but it is near home in Kentucky, and again this just happened. I think my camera was nearby in the car --- i.e. I didn't plan the timing, but I was delighted.

This is a moment, but there will likely be others like it  --- though there's never a guarantee. I don't always need spectacular unusual light to feel engaged by something I see.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

This rooster is probably one of my best known photos. I had just happened to stop by the barn area belonging to neighbors, and this guy decided to strut his stuff. We didn't have an appointment, but I did have my tripod in my car  and made this photo -- back in the days when I used slide film.

This photo also started as a slide.  It was getting dark in the woods, but I wanted to show my daughter this nest on the ground that I had discovered.  I NEVER expected 1) there would be a bird on the nest or 2) that she would not fly away.  I only took 3 photos so as not to scare her away -- I later talked to a Fish and Game person who supposed she was protecting newly hatched chicks. She made it into the book Counting on the Woods, by George Ella Lyon. The bird is a worm-eating warbler who actually may not eat worms.

an unexpected gift!

I wasn't looking for a writing spider, but there it was, near the pond.

There is a car in that mini-pond -- this photo made it into the newspaper.  UNEXPECTED!

This fire tower is in Central Kentucky and I wanted to go see it. Since no one seemed to have time or interest in going with me, I went by myself.  I didn't know I had to climb  part of the side of a mountain to get there, and then no one was around.  So  of course I climbed up almost to the top to see what I could see. It was worth it, though I should have known better! 

 

                                     That whole afternoon was unexpected......!!!!!!!


          I think I'll stop this for tonight. I can already see that I want to do another unexpected post.....This has been too much fun.  Thanks so much for coming along --   Ann