Treats — no tricks

My Halloween wish for my blog friends — May your day be filled with lots and lots of TREATS and no Tricks!

Happy Halloween!

The view outside my back door yesterday afternoon.

Good Lord, Deliver Us!

From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!
~Scottish Saying

Absorb…….

“A tree uses what comes its way to nurture itself. By sinking its roots deeply into the earth, by accepting the rain that flows towards it, by reaching out to the sun, the tree perfects its character and becomes great. … Absorb, absorb, absorb. That is the secret of the tree.”

– Deng Ming-Dao, Everyday Tao

Creativity

Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties. ~ Erich Fromm

Brian Walter, aka Ptchfork of Grasp the Moment, is responsible for turning me on to some new software and new photo processing techniques. This image is my first experiment using Dynamic Photo – HDR. He even pointed me in the direction of this cool video that was very helpful to me.

Now I must say that my reaction is based on processing only a few images, but so far I am finding this software considerably easier to use than Photomatix, a software popular with the HDR crowd. I think I will be adding Dynamic Photo – HDR to my repertoire of software I use and look forward to more fully learning its capabilities.

This post also speaks to my personal need to have courage to move out of my comfort zone and experiment with new techniques and types of images; continue on my journey to learn new things.

Thank you Brian for your photography influence, support, assistance, and friendship. Our friendship is a virtual one; I’ve never personally met Brian. But I know in my heart that Brian is a giving person who is willing to share. And that’s one sign of a good person. And, on top of everything, he is a darn good photographer! (I really wanted to say damn!….but being a Southern Belle; well, you know)

A note about the above image — In downtown Paducah there is a building that is covered with hand made ceramic tiles. This image is just a small “slice” and representation of the unique and creative, hand-crafted decorative building siding material.

Two more examples of my experiments with the new software: first one and the second one.

Autumn Air

“A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air.”
- Eric Sloane

Days Grow Long

The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I’ll hear old winter’s song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall.
Johnny Mercer

Images again made at Oak Grove Cemetery located in Paducah, KY.

I was nearly finished with my afternoon shooting when the magnolia tree captured my attention. It struck me how the fallen leaves and seed pods looked like floral offerings that might have been left for one who had passed on.

Perhaps having just returned from visiting my Father, and knowing the deep, deep loneliness and emptiness he still feels as a result of Mother’s death over two years ago, has made me more aware or observant while visiting the cemetery.

This series of images (presented in the past few posts) that were made in the cemetery might be considered grim or “dark” by some. It is my hope you feel the beauty, reverence, and respect that was intended.

The Angel

“An angel of Paradise, no less, is always beside me, wrapped in everlasting ecstasy on his Lord. So I am ever under the gaze of an angel who protects and prays for me.”
- Pope John XXIII

Image made in Oak Grove Cemetery located in Paducah, KY.

Loneliness

When everyone leaves you it’s loneliness you feel, when you leave everyone else it’s solitude. ~ Alfred Polgar

Image made at Oak Grove Cemetery located in Paducah, KY

The Mourning Bench

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. ~ Buddha

Image taken at Oak Grove Cemetery in Paducah, KY.

Spokes on the Wheel

“There are many spokes on the wheel of life. First, we’re here to explore new possibilities.” ~Ray Charles