Yearly Archives: 2014
Photography 101: Architecture
I notice something about my architecture preferences. I don’t have very many shots of modern, abstract, minimalist architecture. I prefer old buildings, old styles which mirror nature in their profusion of contrasting textures, lines and patterns. I suppose I find the clean and “techie” look sterile and scientific. It’s just not me. I’m not Danish modern. I’m Victorian, more likely, all gingerbread and painted lady. My mother would shake her head, “Just more difficult to dust.” Who dusts, anyway? 😉
(go ahead and click on these for a bigger view)
Pendarvis, Wisconsin
Photography 101: A Pop of Color
Not to be confused with a soda of color, say Nehi grape or orange…
Here in the Midwest, ‘pop’ has another meaning. If I happened to have some, that would make a perfect combination for this theme! But the pop I have in the ‘fridge is 50/50, and it’s not even as colorful as Mountain Dew. So… back to the natural world, and natural liquids.
Green stream at the Madison Arboretum
And perhaps a double pop on this one…
Out the window
This one is a gentle, soft ‘pip’…
Old World Wisconsin visitor
May you find some eye-popping delight today!
Weekly Photo Challenge: Achievement
Hoo, boy. This challenge is monumental. What is “achievement”? Stay with me, folks…
It’s rather an emotional concept to me. I was just discussing ‘success’ with Steve yesterday. I am 52 years old, currently unemployed, and trying to venture into an area of work for which I never had any formal education. I feel rather ‘late to the party’ trying to become an environmental writer/National Park Service guide/eco-activist (or whatever it is I will become) at this stage of life. My perfectionist voice keeps talking about how unqualified I am. What have I ever done to merit respect in this field?
Well, here’s what: I’ve grown. Every day that I read more about the health of our planet, every part-time customer service or education job I took, every decision I re-examined over these years is a stepping stone toward living a life I’ll be proud of. I can do better at being the person I want to be. And I can keep working on that goal until the day I die.
Maybe “Achievement” is simply growing into being the best you can be, year by year. Here’s my illustration (and inspiration): sequoia sempervirens.
Now THAT’S something to look up to!
© 2014, essay and photographs, Priscilla Galasso, All rights reserved
Photography 101: Mystery
I can think of no better icon of mystery than the sky. The heavens in “Big Sky Country”, the American West, give plenty of fodder for pondering mysteries of all magnitudes, from “Do you think it’s going to rain?” to “Are there other life forms on those twinkly planets?” I wish that I had the proper equipment to photograph the night sky in New Mexico. The number of stars visible to the naked eye is astounding. We had a new moon night with a view of the Milky Way that was indeed mystical. It put my own life into a different perspective. Here’s a gallery of some mysterious skies:
Bandelier band of light
Rainbows when there is no rain
Photography 101: Warmth
Hmm. The sun does not seem to be cooperating with Word Press today. The skies in Wisconsin are a flat gray, and I’m in bed with bronchitis. Warmth is going to have to come from some stored files. Let’s start with early morning, shall we? There’s nothing like a cat for finding the sun’s first warming light. This is Portia, my brother’s cat:
California Cat
California boasts some dazzling sun. I found that challenging when taking pictures in the middle of the day. I took several shots of a fallen redwood; its roots were spread out like a sunburst. The texture and lines were amazing. In high contrast, it’s rather like an acid trip. (Not that I’d really know…)
California trip
Seriously, that’s not my style. I am a Nature Girl. Here’s a more natural look:
California roots
At the end of a day of dazzling sunshine in New Mexico, the sun slants in at a low angle, warming the red rocks:
Setting warmth
Finally, the sun lights the clouds a brilliant fuchsia at its departure.
Waning warmth
Hey, the sun came out! Guess it’s time to get out of my sickbed and make some breakfast. I hope your day is warm, whether from the coffee in your mug or from the sun itself.
P.S. Later that afternoon….hey! What’s that flaky stuff floating down through the sky? Is it?! Yup! It’s snow. First of the season, too. 🙂
Photography 101: The Natural World
I don’t believe there are any straight lines in the natural world. All is “wiggly” (as Alan Watts would say), and we’re told that the Universe is funnel-shaped, a huge graceful curve. I figure that pine needles are almost straight, but even they exhibit a gentle arc. Nature is the ultimate Art, in my estimation. Shape, texture, line, composition, color…every artistic facet writ large on the world around us. How do I pick one photograph? Or even a few? This is the challenge for me. I have a whole gallery of Wisconsin outdoor shots on one of my pages up there. Feel free to browse that. Meanwhile, I’ll put up a few new ones, taken outside of Wisconsin.
Photography 101: Landmark
Rarely do I have an unobstructed view of a landmark. Typically, those are BIG things, and there’s something in front of them. Well, if that’s the way it is, then I guess that’s my point of view.
It kind of makes you think about focal points and how you see the world. Steve is always saying that he’s ‘holistic’. He likes to see how the whole picture connects. I usually try to organize the world in a more linear fashion by taking out the thread that I’m interested in and laying it out flat for observation. Compartmentalizing, he calls it. So after I’ve drawn out various parts and examined them, he squishes them together again. We’ve gotten over fighting about this; now it’s an exercise that edifies both of us.
Take it apart; put it together. Try to see the world from someone else’s point of view. Yeah, that’s a good practice.
Photography 101: Connect
The prompt says, “There are many ways to interpret this theme: from a gadget to a handshake, from a bridge to a gathering among friends. What’s yours?” Well, I have two. One is quite literal, and I think it’s a strong image:
“Blessed be the ties that bind….”
If you’re a sailor, there’s nothing more important than well-connected lines. This is concrete understanding of the physical world. It means something right away. Here’s one that’s a bit more intuitive:
Sisters
How strong is this image? Well, it is emotionally powerful to me. These are my two living sisters. We had just learned that Sarah’s husband has cancer. I was visiting them in California. We get together; Dharam greets Sarah with a hug, I pull out my camera. How do you connect? (I hugged her, too, BTW)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Minimalist
Yucca curl
scillagrace 
