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Weekly Photo Challenge: Story

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“For this week’s challenge, do some visual storytelling with your photography.”
Once upon a time…

Sand Canyon, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, Colorado
Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, Colorado

I am terribly afraid that this story will end in mining and development and that the places where these photos were taken will be forever altered. However, there is always a chance to re-write the ending. 

Story

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Out of This World

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The Earth is a vastly fascinating place! You may think of rocks and trees and animals as familiar things, but they are often as unknown and otherworldly as specimens from Mars.

Here’s an example of a cave formation in Wind Cave National Park known as “boxwork”. Could be the surface of a distant planet, don’t you think?

Could these be aerial photos of alien landscapes? Or the skins and bodies of alien life forms?

Does this structure look like something you’ve seen before? 

turkey feathers

This one could be a satellite image of life on a distant moon. caterpillarThe startling discovery of unfamiliar living things is possible in your own back yard. Go take a look!

Out of This World

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Weekly Photo Challenge: A Face in the Crowd – Anonymity

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“Explore the use of anonymity to express both that which is common to all of us and the uniqueness that stands out even when the most obvious parts of us are hidden.”

I feel that monochrome is the perfect format for this idea. So, what can you tell about these subjects? 

“Explore silhouettes, shadows, orientation, and other ways to mask your subject.”  

Back in the 19th century, before photography was available to the masses, silhouettes were a very popular form of portraiture. How distinct is a black profile?  What can you tell about this subject? Male or female? Young or old? 

“If portraits aren’t your thing, get even more creative with your use of shadows, reflections, animals, and patterns to represent a sense of anonymity.”

My thing is mostly about nature photography and about the impact of one dominant species on the planet – humans. I like to think of myself as a Wilderness Advocate. This is my idea of a self-portrait, taken very near to Bears Ears National Monument and Canyon of the Ancients. It makes me think of the possibility that homo sapiens will be just a shadow in the rock some day, as we were at one point in the past. Sunrise at the canyon edge is a very peaceful time. I enjoyed blending in to the surroundings and finding a quiet place of anonymity.  

In case you missed it, I’m the shadow sitting cross-legged  on the bright part of the rock in the upper right, elbows out, taking the picture.

A Face in the Crowd

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Weekly Photo Challenge: SWEEEEEET!

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You don’t like sugar because it’s sweet. Sugar is sweet because you like it!
It’s all about brain chemistry and evolution…and out-dated adaptations for survival.
Today is Valentine’s Day and the beginning of Lent. There’s a dividing line for you! Do you indulge in pleasure or do you fast?
We certainly are complex organisms, with all of this to consider: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
So, here are some visual temptations to ponder while you consider your choices. 

Sweet

 

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Wisconsin Tour Guide

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“Share with us an image, or two, or three, (or more!) of where you live.” 

If you look up over this post title, you will see two links to separate pages labelled “Wisconsin Historical” and “Wisconsin Outdoors”. You will find quite a few more than three photos there!

I moved to Wisconsin 7 years ago from Illinois, and have absolutely fallen in love with my new home state. I used to summer at Girl Scout camp as a child in northern Wisconsin, but I’ve come to feel like I’ve always belonged outside, here, even after living for 15 years in California. When I first moved north, I worked for 3 summers at Old World Wisconsin, a 575-acre living history museum that recreates 19th century farm and town settlement. Last year, I moved onto a property that is owned by the land trust that employs me. I have thoroughly enjoyed being surrounded by 56 acres of Wisconsin woodland, wetland, and restored prairie. 

Wisconsin is a ridiculously photogenic state. It can take your breath away, fill you with pride, and surprise you at every outing. When we’re out hiking, my partner Steve very often just flings wide his arms and remarks (to nobody in particular), “Ladies and gentlemen — Wisconsin!”

Yes, it deserves your attention and applause. Here’s why: 

Mineral Point
Photo credit: Carol Toepke
Old World Wisconsin

Tour Guide

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Beloved

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A kiss, a hug, interlocking arms, smiling side-by-side, a loving glance, a delicate touch – these are tokens from a beloved. 

And to witness, record, and return these tokens, oh best beloveds, is my love gift to you.

— dedicated to my family. 

Beloved

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Variations on a Theme

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In my mind, there can only be one theme for today. Today is my daughter Susan’s birthday. I’ve been photographing her for 33 years now. She is one of my very favorite subjects, not simply because she has a beautiful smile and is ridiculously photogenic, but also because she is an extraordinarily caring person. You can see how her warmth touches the other subjects in these photos. 

Engrossed in escape

Happy Birthday, my darling daughter! May your endlessly creative variations continue for many more years. 

Variations on a Theme

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Silence

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Silence.
I am at the end of a 12.5 hour work day. The very word ‘silence’ speaks healing and restoration to my soul. I long for silence.
I imagine a muffling snow falling on a wilderness landscape, and I project that onto this view from my front door…

I think of contemplatives in monasteries, reading and meditating… I remember the peaceful silence of still waters…I hope I’ll retire tonight and sleep in dreamless silence. What could be more restful? Good night! 

Silence

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Growth

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Growth can be experienced in many dimensions. All around are things that are growing deeper, broader, wider, higher, inward and outward. In this culture, though, a dominant expectation says that growth is “up and to the right” – as in a chart of profit over time. This single story spreads a kind of growth retardant in other areas. My focus has never been on increasing my wealth. I’ve had paying jobs at a nursing home, a summer camp, a school district, a children’s theater company, a few museums, and a land trust. Most of them are non-profit organizations that measure their success in benefits that are not easily quantified.

Surely, though, multi-dimensional growth can be captured in snapshots over time. There is always a beginning point……any number of midpoints……and some final outcomes. Whatever you are nurturing this year, be it a new skill……a deeper relationship……a broader viewpoint……or an inner journey,I wish you joy in the process and peace and contentment in the end. May 2018 be a great year of growth for you! Cheers!

Growth