This is my submission for Anne-Christine’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #46: Delicate.
Anne-Christine said that, to her, spring itself reveals something of the very essence of the word – Delicate. I totally agree. Spring is finally here in Minnesota (However, the heater is turned back on now.) I’ve found lots of delicate magic in our backyard.
Some, if not all, hearts are delicate.
Among eggs…
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This is my submission for Patti’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #45: Street Art.
In this challenge, Patti asked us to highlight Street Art in any form.
A sculpture in Rochester, MN… I admit I don’t understand it.
Someone’s pet in Tainan, Taiwan… I thought he was cute.
Two lovely chairs and a table in Lanesboro, MN… I walked into the store because I liked what I saw outside.
A sculpture in Whistler, Canada… I think Patti has found one of this guy’s relatives! See Patti’s blog 😉
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This is my submission for Tina’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #44: Harmony. In this challenge, Tina asked us to share our favorite harmonies.
When I think of the word “harmony”, I see Assisi Heights in my mind. Located on 100 acres northwest of Rochester, Assisi Heights was dedicated as the mother-house for the Sisters of St. Francis since October 4, 1955.
Recently, Rochester Meditation Center started renting a room inside of the Assisi Heights. Every Thursday night and Sunday morning, a group of people study Buddhism under the same roof. And that brings tears to my eyes.
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This is my submission for Amy’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #43: Less is More. Join us? Please visit Amy’s blog.
Less is more – I am a firm believer. So… no more words from me 😉
(Photos from my Taiwan trip.)
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I can’t believe it’s been more than 2 months since my last posting. Thank you for those who left me comments during this period of time. Your encouragements make it easy to come back even though it still took me a while.
I was debating what would be a good first coming-back post. Should I talk about my recent Ah-ha moment (which one)? My upcoming class reunion, which we thought would never happen? Taiwan trip in general? Or, seriously, am I two months older? Some topics take courage; some take time. I finally settle down on an easy one: street photos.
My friends in Taiwan don’t understand why I like street photographing. One day, my best friend asked, “Why do you take photos of someone you don’t even know?”
“I want to catch that moment,” I said.
“Whose moment?” she asked.
“Whoever in my photo.”
“But you don’t know the person!”
“My moment, too.”
“But you are not in the picture.”
Hmm… how can I explain? When I don’t know what to say, I don’t say a word. Then I saw a nice looking building. “Okay. Stand over there, so I can take a picture of you.”
“No way!” she said in a loud voice.
“That’s why I like taking pictures of strangers!” I muttered.
All photos were taken in Taiwan, except the last one 😉
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This is my submission for Patti’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #33: Nature.
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
–John Muir
Continue my Amaryllis story… Amaryllis amazes me! I may make a fool of myself here, but before you laugh too loud, please remember this is my very first Amaryllis plant. 😉
First, I googled and read about Amaryllis. From eHow…
Each stem may hold a single bloom or a cluster of two or three (one other article says 3 or 4) blooms which project outward. They are large and trumpet-shaped, each made of six radiating and overlapping petals.
Mine has 4 blooms — I was very happy. Six petals — yes! But I didn’t see them project outward (see above photo). If they stay the way they were, how could 4 large flowers share such a small space?
Not to worry… a few hours later (to my surprise) all 4 flowers were no longer pointing upward – they projected outward! It was a 90-degree turn!
One flower bud, however, was squeezed between a leaf and a stem. I tried to guide the leaf away without breaking it, but it wouldn’t budge.
To my surprise (again), that particular one grew and grew.
Seeing two stems grow from the center of the bulb, I had another concern: if both stems grew to the same height, we (it?) would still have the space issue, wouldn’t it?
Apparently, Amaryllis (Nature) knows what it is doing. One stem is taller!
I see an artist, a computer programmer, an architect… in it. I am amazed. Finally…
Colors are the smiles of nature. –Leigh Hunt
Thanks, Patti.
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My neighbor gave me an Amaryllis plant (bulb) for Christmas. I remember having mixed feelings. I had killed a Christmas cactus (which I loved very much) many years ago because I had watered more than I should. I had killed another two plants: Jasmine and Osmanthus (which I loved dearly), because I didn’t water enough (due to travel). After those experiences, I quit. So… when I saw the gift, I wasn’t sure I wanted it.
To my surprise, Amaryllis grows well… so far. Every morning I jumped out of the bed, hurried to see how much it had grown overnight. It sure grows fast.
I have forgotten the joy of seeing things grow. A plant, a person… Yes, it is a joy to see a person, maybe yourself, grow, too.
Even though I had mentioned about Buddhism, LamRim class… in my blog before, I have tried to keep spiritual things to the minimum, because I don’t know enough to have confidence to discuss it with others. But I really want to share this with you: never give up. Had my neighbor not given me the plant, I would miss all the joy of watching Amaryllis plant grow. That would be a big loss, wouldn’t it?
Who knows what we would miss if we have given up on a person or on ourselves?
(I didn’t plan on writing this; for some reason, I feel I have to… maybe for Amaryllis?)
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Continue on Brenda’s A Photo Study. Today I am working on High-Angle Photography.
First, I want to let you know that I am going to take a 3-4 week break from blogging. If this week’s Lens-Artists challenge is not too difficult, I may be able to participate before the break. 😉 Anyway, happy photographing, or writing, my friends.
Brenda wrote: “High-angle photography is created when the photographer is situated above her subject(s)–upper floors of a buildings, at the top of stairs, up on a ladder, holding the camera above the head–and the camera is focused downwards. It is often used for the group shot as it is the best way to include everyone in an image and brings about a dynamic element not found in an eye-level image.”
I guess “a dynamic element “ is the key thing. To be honest, most of the times, I shoot high-angle because I was up high. I re-read Brenda’s post a week or two ago, and picked a few photos, but I wasn’t satisfied. It took me a while to realize that the dynamic element I was looking for was missing from a couple of photos that I previously selected. 😉
(Alaska Cruise)
(Baltic Cruise)
(SF Chinatown)
(Duluth, Minnesota)
(Roseville Shopping Mall, Minnesota)
I have read that every time you press the shutter release button, you should have a purpose in your mind. At the time I read it, I wasn’t 100% sure what he meant. Can “having fun” count as a purpose? How about “I wonder how this looks”?
I think my shooting purpose will be different from now on (after this study). I think 😉
Thanks, Brenda.
Thank you for visiting my blog. And Happy Valentine’s Day!
This is my submission for Tina’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #32: Shadows.
Just the other day, walking by our living room, I saw shadows of two tripods on the wall. I asked Wei to take a picture of my shadow with those tripod shadows. Just for fun, that was. When I saw this week’s challenge, I had a big smile on my face 😉
I couldn’t stop! Wine glasses, vase, dried flowers… I walked around with a flashlight in hand. Shadows were everywhere 😉
In the next photo, other than the shadow, I added an image of trees to create some lines in the shadow and changed the color of the background.
I enjoy working on this challenge. Thanks, Tina.
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This is my submission for Amy’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #31: Landscapes.
It was fun to see different places through Amy and other’s photos. I also appreciate the quote or story that goes with each photo. Please visit Amy’s blog to find out more.
Here are some photos I took on our Alaska trip. It was wet and cold when we were at Denali National Park, so I don’t have any good photos there. Weather was nice when we were on the cruise ship. The last two photos were taken from the ship.
Last night I asked Wei how much he had enjoyed our Alaska trip. He said, “Not much!”
“Rained too many days,” I said. He nodded.
But we did get a few nice shots, so I’m not going to complain.
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HHC Blog 