My Model

 
This is Sarah our Terrier mix that just happens to be my most willing model. The term willing my not exactly be right but she is the most available. On those days when I do not want to shoot a still life I can always count on her to give me some expression that is worth the effort. The main thing is that I am able to continue to experiment and perfect this wonderful obsession that we call photography. I am like the rest of you there are times when I just "snap" a picture but like anyone else who is on the quest to improve I am rarely happy with the outcome. I am then inspired to perfect the image and begin to experiment with lighting, depth of field and composition to tell the story that I want.

Shading the Sun

I spent two hours waiting and taking pictures of this sunset. Taken with my Canon Rebel Xti.

Now to some of you that may sound like a lot of work or wasted time but to me it was necessary to help you experience what I was seeing and feeling in the moment. The day had been beautiful but hot and humid. As evening approached the air around the lake began to cool. The animals started to stir again after a day of hiding from the sun and as the days winds began to subside the water became calm and reflective. These were some of the "still waters" the Bible speaks of that restores your soul.

The Early Bird
On a morning walk just after sunrise I saw this young robin perched on a limb above me. It was not until I uploaded the picture to the computer and saw the larger image that the early bird really did get the worm.