BEARDS 'N BUDS & X-RAY VISION

The little orchids in "Beards 'n Buds" are some of my favorites and always a challenge to photograph. Between my low-end quality camera and lack of tech knowledge, things as white as those "beards" tend to wind up very indistinct or just plain blank shapes. But I passed these orchids the other day when they were in semi-shadow and took some of the best shots I've gotten yet this season. I could wish the centers in this one were a little clearer but still enjoy the contrast between the old(er) "beards" and the brand new buds.

"X-Ray Vision" below is of a bigger bunch of the same type of orchids. I still have the un-reversed color version, which is rather nice but needs a bit of clean-up that I'm just not up to dealing with today. (All that painstaking use of a stubborn mouse to color out a couple of obtrusive spots in the photo background.) So I'll just share this fantasy version today, which tickles me:

NOTE: In most browsers you can click on a photo to view a larger version. And here’s the link if you wish to read an Introduction, Background, & Technical Aspects post about this blog.

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‘til next take, may you enjoy life in the ever changing light,

[aka: Patricia Kelly] **** If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or photos, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”) ****

PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AT WORK

This photo's title is actually meant as a question. At quick glance that figure painting on the wall can be seen as real. But then one might wonder is that figure how the painter who did it actually looked while painting? Did that painter also do the mural/painting to the right? And the flower baskets beneath? In a way, that question is meant to call into question our own memories and perceptions of "reality." In dealing with this title for the photo I finally realized why my titles tend to be rather "heavy" and I suppose some might say pretentious. My picture names tend to be like seeds for poems. I.e., they are often more like jumping off points for a verbal exploration that I feel vaguely perking inside me, than identifiers of the photos.

In any case, I came across this 2-1/2 year old picture when looking for a photo to go with my daily dream poem post. "Portrait of the Artist at Work" was clearly taken in Art Alley, which is in Lompoc, CA. I only got to enjoy a small portion of the murals in Lompoc that day and would love to take another photography trip there some time.

NOTE: In most browsers you can click on a photo to view a larger version. And here’s the link if you wish to read an Introduction, Background, & Technical Aspects post about this blog.

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‘til next take, may you enjoy life in the ever changing light,

[aka: Patricia Kelly] **** If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or photos, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”) ****

WHICH WAY NEXT?

"Which Way Next?" is of that same agapanthus bud I posted pictures of on May 16 and 17. Each of it's little flowers now are now almost totally open. The stalk is top heavy and bending over, which often happens with these blooms. I stopped a couple times yesterday thinking to get a photo but it's leaning into a bunch of other sorts of flowers (e.g. one I believe to be some sort of bright pink begonia) and I just can't get any kind of decent angle on a shot.

In any case, I sort of like this photo. It's been color reversed and cropped.

NOTE: In most browsers you can click on a photo to view a larger version. And here’s the link if you wish to read an Introduction, Background, & Technical Aspects post about this blog.

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‘til next take, may you enjoy life in the ever changing light,

[aka: Patricia Kelly] **** If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or photos, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”) ****

OVER THE HILL (with quote on it)

Today's post is both for the humor and the truth of it. The photo was taken in November of 2009. I put it my haiga/note file because I figured it would only be useful if text were on it; in fact, this was the only crop for the photo I could come up with at all. It was taken with my first camera and cropping it smaller lost too much resolution. So when I came across the Will Roger's quote I realized they were a perfect match. I had a print of the above on my front door for quite some time. And given how I've been feeling it may go up again.

NOTE: In most browsers you can click on a photo to view a larger version. And here’s the link if you wish to read an Introduction, Background, & Technical Aspects post about this blog.

* * * *

‘til next take, may you enjoy life in the ever changing light,

[aka: Patricia Kelly] **** If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or photos, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”) ****

I'LL CATCH CATCH UP! & MORNING LIGHT

"I'll Catch Up!" is a 2011 photo of a type of orchid that we've had some of this year on The Promenade. But none in quite as nice a display as this one.

"Morning Light" is an even older photo, from late 2010. That's the door on to a second floor overpass from the Adminstrative building (with our theatre, library, a couple offices, and a meeting room) toward the D-Building residence. I'm rarely up early enough to catch this view in such a subtle light. For me, it has a meditative feel to it. I occasionally consider putting a haiku on it, but ultimately decide not to mess with that lovely soft blank space. A haiku on it would be redundant, in a way.

NOTE: In most browsers you can click on a photo to view a larger version. And here’s the link if you wish to read an Introduction, Background, & Technical Aspects post about this blog.

* * * *

‘til next take, may you enjoy life in the ever changing light,

[aka: Patricia Kelly] **** If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or photos, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”) ****