I have missed my blog. I’ve missed writing. I’ve missed photography. I’ve still been taking pictures, but I can’t remember the last time I used my “real” camera. It’s been months. I got a new iPhone a year and a half ago and since then I photograph with it almost exclusively. Why not? It’s easy, it’s convenient, it’s always with me. It does limit some of my creative control, but the iPhone camera is now so much better that I’m satisfied with the results. Mostly. Or maybe I’ve just become lazy.
Anyway, in the interest of prodding my creativity, I’ve decided to take on a couple of photography projects. One is the Summer Scavenger Hunt #Sharewhereyoulive2019, the inspiration of my friend Sarah. She has written about it and posted a prompt list on her blog, here. It’s a fun list of prompts designed to get us out and about, with 28 targets to find between now and Labor Day (June 2-Sept 2). I have not started yet, but I’m looking forward to it.
My other project is to work (and play) my way through the exercises in a book I found recently, Shooting with Soul: 44 Photography Exercises Exploring Life, Beauty, and Self-Expression by Alessandra Cave. It’s not a new book — it was published in 2013 — but it’s new to me. The title sounds inspirational, doesn’t it? I plan to jump around the exercises, depending on weather and what’s going on in the rest of my life. After what felt like a long winter and late spring, I’m ready to get outside, so I’m jumping in on Chapter 4, Wanderings: Taking the Scenic Route.
My first exercise is A Walk in Nature. I didn’t have to wander very far to find it, just over to the little park next door. I love the place, and photograph there often. It seems there’s always something new to discover.
What I noticed today is that almost every flower blooming in the park right now is white.
I was greeted by this bower of tiny white flowers with a sweet fragrance that reminded me of jasmine.
Here’s a closeup. I have no idea what they are, but the scent was wonderful.
These were very pretty, tossing to and fro in a strong breeze. They had no scent, and again, I have no idea what they are.
These flowers will develop in the fall into hanging clusters of bright red berries.
There’s honeysuckle everywhere, mostly white, but some pink, too.
Don’t these look like wild strawberries? But I’ve never seen a single berry on them. (I didn’t discover that little insect until I enlarged the photo — one of those little surprises that make photography so fun!)
These tiny flowers were scattered here and there along the edges of the lawn.
And there are still a few violets. In past years, I’ve seen lots of blue violets there with an occasional white one. This year that was reversed. Nearly all the violets have been white, with very few blue ones. (Or should I say Violet ones?)
Of course there were birds, robins and sparrows and one cardinal singing his heart out. I only saw one duck, which is unusual. Perhaps they’d all gone out for lunch. And then there was this guy:
I really wished I’d had a telephoto lens with me! This is one of the reasons I’m contemplating buying a new camera, something small with a built-in zoom lens. I’m considering the pros and cons of various models and weighing their features against my creative desires and my need for something lighter than my DSLR.
So there’s my first “walk in nature.” There could possibly be another before the week is out. (I still need to find those five leaves for the Scavenger Hunt.) I don’t have any rules, and I’m just kinda feeling my way as I go along.