Running around Town Shooting

It’s been a while since I really got back into photography, but this year seems to be perfect for it; or rather, this summer. So I’ve been trying to be more conscientious about bringing my camera with me to places, and just plain planning time to go take photos. The nice thing about having stepped away for a while and just looking at the world, is that I think I improved because of it. So, when I went out with Pete to take him around town and help him learn his camera a bit, I took a whole new look at things through my lens. Not only that, but I challenged myself to use only my 50mm prime lens. I love it so much, it’s such a sharp lens. <3

Without further ado, here are some photos!

This waterfall is something that I’ve photographed before, but now that I was able to go back and photograph it again with the input from my fellow photographers, I think I’ve created a better image overall. I really like how the warm colors of the leaves in the foreground contrast with the cool colors of the falls that are our main focus. And the lighting was just plain spectacular, our timing was perfect for this area. I couldn’t have tried for better this day.

This stream is what you see if you turn around from the above waterfall and look behind you. Like the waterfall, I’ve photographed this before too. Unlike previously though, I chose to compose the stream differently, so that it flows from one side to the other. In the past I had a more centered approach, and I’m really glad that I took this new approach with it. And, like the waterfall, I really like the contrast of colors in this.

Pete and I are both really into graveyards, which is why I ended up getting this photo. When I saw it, I knew immediately that I was going to do selective color and make just the flag stand out. To me, this sends a message of the cost of war, even if this might not be a soldier’s grave. Regardless, I think it makes for a powerful image because we often forget the human sacrifice that comes for our freedoms, our rights, and our security. Be it from military or other first-responders. So, this image is for all those who would put their life on the line for us, and in memory of those who gave their life so we may have peace. I hope it speaks as powerfully to you as it does for me.

This stream is in a much quieter area of my town, and due to not being directly fed by a waterfall it lends for a much calmer appearance. Thanks to having a bridge to stand on and really position myself for this one, I could get a much more noticeable angle on it. I’m really loving this new composition idea, if you can’t tell. Haha. And the foliage was just spectacular to behold here, so hopefully this does it justice in your mind too. By now we were into golden hour too, so that only served to enhance all the bright colors of the foliage, which I adore.

So, it took a little bit of a climb to get to this one, because it’s protected by rocks essentially, but I’m glad I did. I had never been over to this area before, and what I found was really pretty. The light was coming through just right, and the way the path seems to have “steps” makes me feel like I’m looking at an area where fae often cross. Who knows, perhaps they do. 😉 It was just a magical area, and I’m glad I could capture it.