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           

Light

Eastern Standard Time makes it feel very dark very early.  

The raw antics we hear about -- sometimes called politics-- are also dark, and have been for years.

I figure since I work with photos -- which usually require a decent amount of light -- I can record how, for me, light can do its thing when it's not ignored or taken for granted. 

I remain fascinated by what I see -- and by the way light changes, every minute. I like to work with it, like to leave it alone until another day, like being surprised by it. I even like writing about it.

Sometimes it's the light that hints or insists it is almost ready, and, other times, the show's all over in an instant, to be savored as a memory and a gift.

I've decided to find some recent photos that have been part of my dialogue with the outside.  I don't usually talk about my fascination with natural light, but it regularly willingly works with me and intrigues me. I'm so grateful for its companionship.

one day

another day

It really was this bright and beautiful in the Skaggs' back yard.

Meditation on a tree, as it dances in the changing light:

I can't resist including this photo of the grandparents of the bride, and good friends of mine, The wedding had beautiful weather even in late October, and a delicious home-cooked feast.

These last four photos are from Wednesday night, in Bath County, where there are these mounds, and lots of flat land, and a farm where my granddaughter has been going this fall, after school, to learn to ride a horse. I went with them to see the scene, but the light made it too hard to not make at least a few photos.

LEGS

into the light

        To end this week, I want to share a photo my dear daughter made on the way home from the riding lesson -- in the public library restroom where we changed into "our civies" for the drive home. A quick generational photo, for fun, AND with plenty of inside light!!  I love that it makes me laugh.