A photographic journey of discovery.
We'll always have Paris
We'll Always Have Paris
I recently went to Europe for a landscape photography workshop. (More on that in another blog entry.) My husband had never been to Europe, so I dragged him along (he's good at entertaining himself while I'm obsessing over photos) and we scheduled a one-night layover in Paris. As luck would have it, one of my friends was also planning to be in Paris on the day we arrived, so we scheduled to meet up for lunch. I knew we would be jet-lagged and somewhat disoriented, but I also knew I could not spend even a few minutes in Paris without my camera. Instead of hauling all my gear, I decided to take just my camera body with a 50mm lens. After all, the great Henri Cartier -Bresson shot only with a 50mm. And it was light weight enough and unobtrusive enough that I did not feel like I was "working."
I think it's good to work under forced restrictions sometimes. Sometimes it can be hard to let the camera just become an extension of oneself without feeling self-conscious. The 50 mm is a great working lens for practicing what Bresson described: "To take a photograph is to align the head, the eye and the heart. It's a way of life."
The Man on the Metro
As we rode into Paris, a little drowsy and jet-lagged, I envied the man on the Metro's ability to snooze while the world whizzed by.
Paris is for Lovers
After a fabulous lunch of soufflé, Michael and I walked around Paris for a couple of hours before heading back to our hotel to rest for an early morning flight. We had lunched at a café very near the Pont des Arts - known world wide for the lover's locks that cover it. I had not seen it in my previous trips to Paris, so while Michael gazed at the Seine, I walked to the bridge to capture a few shots. My favorite of the lot encapsulates the feeling one gets in Paris - the City of Light really is a city made for lovers.
Here are some additional images I shot while traveling in and around Paris. You will see I loved the signs, the deco designs, the window displays and more.
Direct Ordering Now Available
Direct Print Ordering Is Turned Back On
This is just a note for those of you who have asked to let you know I have turned on direct print ordering from this site again. It is not turned on for a handful of images from my show. If those are images you want, please email me for custom printing prices.
Direct ordering enables you to pick the image you want and order from the site. All orders come to me to review before they are approved. That enables me to double check the cropping and make any changes I think necessary.
If you have been thinking about a particular picture you might have seen on my Facebook fan page, and you don't see it on the site, just send me a note and ask me about it. Some pictures I post to Facebook may not be high enough resolution or good enough quality for printing, but many are.
Thanks for following!
Have some tulips for your trouble.
Spring evenings
It's been a while since I posted here. It's not that I haven't been taking pictures. I have. I just haven't found the time to add images to this site or this blog. I typically have time to post a few quick shots to Facebook these days.
But, now that it's spring, it seems a shame not to share a few recent images from a trip to Victoria, BC. If you have never been, it's a lovely city and a very comfortable walking city. We usually take the Tsawwassen or Anacortes ferry, but there are fantastic deals to be had through the Clipper in Seattle. You can even get there by ferry from the Washington Penninsula.
However you get there, I highly recommend taking some time to walk the city at night. It's quiet, it's beautiful and you never know what you might discover. For me, it was the cherry blossoms under clear night skies. And the Parliament building is always beautiful.
Enjoy.
Artists Supporting Artists - On Being an Introvert
I know a lot of creative people. Most creative people I know are introverts. Contrary to what many people believe, being an introvert doesn't equate to being a hermit. Being an introvert, as this cartoon so clearly illustrates, has more to do with whether one gives out or receives energy from interaction with other people. So, when a creative introvert puts their passion on display, by publishing a book, or having a show of their work, or acting in a play, it's an act of great courage. The introvert knows that this sort of self-expression invites an inevitable come-down afterward.
Author Susan Cain has recently brought attention to the strength of introverts, and her popular TED talk is leading to greater understanding of the value of introverts in a workplace.
Nevertheless, it can be challenging for creative people to get out and mingle. I was reminded of this after my post-show exhaustion last night. It takes a lot of energy to support creative friends. Just showing up makes a big difference. By their very nature, creative friends are often the introverts who balk at the thought of being in a crowd. That's why I am so very grateful to the people who do show up. I get it. I really do.
Just keep this in mind the next time a friend seeks your support in any artistic endeavor. We introverts - it's important we stick together.
And for you extroverts out there - we love you. Now, give us some space.
Out of the Fog
We had the most unusual weather this winter. Two solid weeks of freezing fog. Everything familiar looked completely unfamiliar in the fog, and that got me to thinking about the new year. For me, the fog was a physical metaphor for the changing attitudes of the new year. I always spend time reflecting on the past year and setting specific intentions, or goals, for the new year. For me, this year is about de-cluttering and clarity - lifting the fog, so to speak.
Meanwhile - the fog does present some interesting opportunities for seeing differently.
Here are a few more images from our foggy January. Looking forward to more clarity in February and beyond...
