Celebrating Friendship

Saturday was a special day. We had a retirement drop in for a dear friend. She had been the school secretary at the school where I teach for 30 years and with Anderson District 5 for 35 years. Several of us who love her dearly had a drop-in and invited many of the teachers and adminstrators from years past. We had a glorious time renewing old friendships.

Catch of the Day

Technically this is not the best shot but it is one my favorites. This is my dad and he loves to fish. I was able to capture this shot from his dock as he fished in the cove. The fish wasn't so big and the picture isn't the best but I captured a moment that I will have forever. This is how I would like to remember my dad. Sometimes photos are about what it means to the photographer more than just being the greatest shot. At least that is my opinion.

Taken on Hartwell Lake (when there was water in it), Townville, SC May 25, 2007

Ripples

Reflections appeal to me. When I took this shot, I loved the colors on the water. After uploading it, it wasn't as clear as I had hoped. The trees are a bit too distorted. I do especially like the ripples on the water and the blue in the bottom left corner. I'll keep looking for opportunities to get better reflection shots.

Taken at Clemson Botanical Garden, February 2009.

Glorious Color

Fall colors always amaze me. Each year God paints the landscape with glorious color. I took this shot in the Great Smoky Mountains near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. My husband and I travel there each fall for a get-away. This year I convinced him to take a few hikes. We actually completed 3 hikes for a total of 10 miles. It was both tiring and exhilarating.

Hanging Their Heads

You will probably get to see snow pictures for a few days. We don't get much snow in Anderson so I don't get many opportunities to take photos of snow. My daffodils didn't really like the snow so much. They were really droopy and hanging their heads. I had to get down low to get this shot and it was tough because this snow was really wet.

Taken with a 50 mm prime lens. ISO 800, Exposure 1/100 sec at f/3.2

Snow in March

We had snow. That is a big deal in Anderson, SC. We just don't see much snow anymore. It is also the first big snow since I really started trying to develop my photography skills. So I was outside with my camera, a rain coat and an umbrella (It was a very wet snow!) trying to use my "photographic eye" and capture a special shot. I like this one. I was trying for a shallow depth of field. I have lines like we discussed the week in class and I think the dead leaf adds texture to the shot. Today the snow is almost gone and by Saturday the weatherman says 70's. That is March in South Carolina.

Be Careful and take a tripod!

This is not one of the best shots I have ever taken. It could have been but I did not have a tripod. It does however, have a funny story. I saw this beautiful sunset one evening. I grabbed my camera, jumped in my jeep and headed down the road looking for a place to get a great shot. I saw this pasture a couple of miles from my home and pulled down a side road and overto the shoulder of the road. I took the shot at ISO 800, f/5.6, Shutter speed 1/15. Obviously, the shutter speed was too slow for hand held, but since I did not grab my tripod, I thought I would try it anyway. I tried to use a fence post to steady my hand. I was so engrossed in getting the shot, I failed to pay attention to my surroundings and I leaned right into an electric fence. OUCH! It really hurt. And I did get the shot. At small size it looks okay. I love the silhouette of the lone tree and the cows. The colors are amazing and this is straight from the camera. No Photo shop editing on this one. But next time I see a great sunset, I will grab my camera and MY TRIPOD! And I will watch out for electric fences.