I first took this shot standing on the ground at the end of the rolls of hay but the image looked flat. Then I got the bright idea to climb up on the hay. It made all the difference in the world. Sometimes just a minor adjustment of position or perspective helps us see our world quite differently. It’s an obvious and foundational truth in photography. However, for some reason, in life we always think that our current position and perspective are the best.
This old house sits idly beside Oklahoma State Highway 19 in the southeast corner of the state. Long abandoned, it still holds great charm for me. It makes me wonder about the family that lived here once upon a time. What was life like for them? How did they survive? What were their joys and celebrations? Their defeats and sufferings? What did the cold Oklahoma winter wind feel like as it rattled the siding and seeped through the cracks?
After taking a few shots (okay, a lot of shots) I stepped across the mud and entered the house through the opening in the side of the building. I stood on the old, rotting floor taking in the dimness now illuminated only by exterior light. I woke two large gorgeous white owls who now inhabit the home. I suppose they were Snowy Owls, but what do I know? I do know they were the highlight of my day. One flew around me several times, swooping within a few feet. She hovered for a moment while changing direction, and we stared at each other–man to bird–frightened animal to frightened animal. The house, once occupied by humans continues to shelter life of the most wondrous kind.
I wouldn’t mind walking to work even in the cold if I could enjoy this beautiful park along the way every morning. However, I know that even if this were my route, before long I would stop noticing its charm. My mind would turn to the work ahead of me, and I would miss the shadows, the natural canopy, and the way the morning light reflects off the snow. Although this is not the sidewalk I take to work, I do have my personal routes. Perhaps if I took the time to open my eyes I might find beauty on my morning commutes as well. Unique and wonderful beauty is always around me. Open my eyes and behold.
I realize it’s August and many of us are dealing with extreme heat. What better time to post a picture of a snow covered park bench? I continue to be amazed at the vast variety of weather on this planet we call earth. This year I’ve experienced snow, hail, sleet, mist, rainstorms, windstorms, lightning, and more. The only things I can think of I have not experienced are tornadoes or hurricanes. Since I live in Oklahoma, hurricanes are out. However, our state has had its share of tornadoes. I know that weather is often destructive (just this year, I had over $17,000 in hail damage to my home and car). However, given the option of no weather or weather with all its destructive and beautiful variations, I’ll choose weather. I love the snow covered park benches, the ice cycles clinging to the branches, the dark rolling thunder clouds, the summer rain that makes the overheated streets steam, and the swirling wind that carries away the fall leaves. I love it all.
Continuing with my black and white theme, here’s a shot of the Elk Mountains in Colorado that I took while backpacking there last year. I’m working through John Beardworth book, Advanced Digital Black & White Photography, in order to improve my b&w images. This book has taught me the basic digital b&w methodologies (both historically and currently), it has helped me understand the use of color, masking, dodging, and burning. I highly recommend the book for those wanting to learn b&w. However, I’m also aware that technique is not enough. There is always the artist’s choices of shadow, brightness, cropping, focal points, etc. that make (or break) a photograph. I can’t get that from a book. But I can get it from those of you who view the shots I post here. As I’m learning photography, I would love feedback about what you like and don’t like. It will help me get better. Write me a note. What’s wrong with this picture? What do you like? What could be improved? Where is your eye drawn when you look at the picture?
Check out more of my flickr photos on my Flickr page.