Life’s Sweet Ordinary — through my lens

You know there are some real advantages to working from home. One advantage are the obligatory breaks outdoors to walk my three dogs — actually they walk me. It gets me away from the computer and outdoors where I can take in all the natural beauty that surrounds us.

When the dogs get me outside for their romp, I take my camera along more often than when leaving it inside. I couldn’t resist the warm autumn light illuminating this dried grass. I also took some of that old grey log but it’s the backlit grass that really grabbed my attention.

Those who live in warmer climates will expect this to be an apple that fell from the tree. The reality is, although it’s possible to grow about a handful of hardy apple varieties way up here north of the 55th, at the time this was taken we had already had numerous severe frosts and any apples that might be on the ground would be pure mush at the time. This was one I took with me for our walk and thought it would make a nice subject in the golden autumn light.

apple nest

“If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

In that spirit, since I’ve just begun to share tips on photography, I would love to know if there are particular aspects that any of you might like me to include. Also, if you have an apple photo, share by leaving a link to it here!

When taking photos of pets or livestock, one of the challenges is as simple as catching them at the right moment. Often that means following along walking, half-jogging, and with the lens stuck firmly in front of your face! 

Pearl and Maggie, autumn

That way, when the dog or dogs are in a position you think works,  you’re ready to snap away. It’s often easier taking real action shots of animals because they’re usually performing in a confined space. That way, as the person on the other end of the lens you can set yourself up in a spot or easily move around and reset … then simply snap, snap, snap.

I laughed when I took this photo and realized a large poplar leaf was stuck on the hip of Maggie, the Springer. Although Pearl is the focus of this photo with Maggie intended as an echo, the laugh is on me with that leaf creating a new focus. Sometimes we get it right and sometimes life has a laugh on us.

Sure I could erase it out in Lightroom2 or Photoshop but I like it there as a reminder of the serendipity of life.

Show me one of those shots where you thought you had it right but then something surprising showed up in the final image. If you don’t have an image to show me, tell me about one.

{Pet photo taken in natural light NW of Hythe, Alberta – Canada}

Most of these photos were taken in September and early October NW of Hythe, Alberta although one or two are near Grande Prairie, Alberta. The colour is long gone up here now and we’re hunkering down with heavy sweaters, parkas, and gloves awaiting the depths of winter.

With this shift in seasons, it’s now time to enjoy comfort food, oatmeal, hot chocolate, nights around the fireplace, and weekends curled up with a great novel. What do you look forward to as the season shifts?

As some of you know, I love Shutter Sisters and am continually being inspired, encouraged, and challenged by this great online venue for women passionate about photography. Today Andrea Scher, in her Superhero Photo Challenge urged us to get down with our camera on the ground and take some photos of leaves. Well, way up here in northern Alberta the leaves are all gone but I had already done this in early October. Here’s a few of the photos I took that lovely autumn day a few weeks ago … the leaf perspective:

I also posted this one at Flickr for our (Canadian) Thanksgiving in early October though I admit for that particular one I had lifted the camera a couple inches off the ground.

Do you have a favourite among these four? Please let me know and tell me why! PS: this template, unfortunately, requires you head back to the title bar to leave a comment — sorry if it’s inconvenient but I am so grateful for your feedback

Horses symbolize power, vitality and freedom. Cave art from the Ice Ages depict wild horses and cattle as the most important subjects. In fairy tales horses embody prophetic creatures with magical powers. Psychological symbology interprets horses as noble and intelligent (which they are), though easily frightened or disturbed.

I’ve always loved horses and miss having them in my life. The beauty now is that I can capture other people’s horses with my lens for them to treasure. Autumn has slipped away up here so today I put together this simple mosaic remembering the warm but windy day these friendly equines allowed me to mingle among them, inhaling their earthy scent and pressing against their soft, yet prickly muzzles.

If you have horses or livestock you’d like me to capture through my lens, give me a call. If you live near Grande Prairie, Hythe, or anywhere in the Peace River region of Alberta, I welcome a drive through this beautiful countryside. I also have gift certificates available if you have someone with a horse who would love to have special photos taken of their equine steed.