After the Storm Copyright 2010 Cynthia P. Hunter
A recent visit to Tybee Island in Savannah, GA was an awesome treat. A partly cloudy day overcast with shadows created the perfect setting for creating moody light. The water was marvelous with temperature of at least 80 degrees.
Typically, a photographer is quite cautious with camera equipment on the beach, especially on windy days. Additionally, the midday light is not usually preferred. But on this particular afternoon, there was very little wind or bright sunlight. A few miles south the clouds were threatening a storm.
In the distance, one could see the dark blue-grey clouds. The light had a blueish grey cast. Perfect for creating a moody yet threatening sky.
Most beach goers took the hint and packed up their belongings to head for shelter. I took the opportunity to capture the dramatic color of light in the clouds and on the water. The brown pelicans that were previously diving for fish suddenly disappeared, but to the dismay of my party, I lingered in utter joy as I clicked away.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp bite on my leg and observed an army of ants biting and climbing up my legs. I danced and hopped along the sand screaming in agony while trying to balance my camera equipment and continuing to shoot the fantastic sky and ocean. I guess I could say I was in a Light Mood.
Enjoy!
Tybee Island Gallery
Metal Mailbox in Historic RailRoad Station Museum near Ellis Island, NY Copyright 2010 Cynthia P. Hunter
My Grandmother is 92 years old. On a recent visit with Grandma, she presented a letter, written 26 years ago, by me to her and Grand Dad. The letter was in it’s original envelope and it had a postmark dated November 1984. The upper left hand corner of the envelope was my resident address during the year of 1984 and her current address. I was tempted to smell the envelop, but resisted as I couldn’t explain the urge. As I savored the excitement and anticipation of contents of the letter, I slowly slipped the letter out of the evelop. The letter was four pages long front and back. The letter was handwritten on lavender colored stationary. Back then, lavender was my favorite color. I did not detect a fragrance, but the date and penmanship placed me at the exact place and moment of time long ago.
The conversation spoke of the thrill of independence, demands of a career, the challenges of managing life and settling into my new residence in NYC.
In the letter, I expressed thankfulness and humility for my grandparent’s love and care, and a longing to spend the holidays together. As I read the letter, I couldn’t hold back my emotions as the letter painted a picture of my life 26 years ago. I could no longer hear my voice reading aloud, as the rapid beat of my heart became my voice. I stopped reading the letter aloud and glanced up at Grandma who was also filled with emotion. We took a moment to embrace and compose ourselves without speaking a word.
Grandma kept and cherished every letter I wrote. She may have read my letters a hundred times over. After twenty six years, she decided to share it with me.
Grandma does not have a computer and has never emailed anyone. She patiently awaits my telephone calls as, I have long stopped writing letters. However, I made a mental note and wrote an electronic “To Do” to start writing my Grandmother again. Perhaps I will start today.
Tree Trunk Patterns by Cynthia P. Hunter
Last night it rained. This morning the air was damp and the skies were threatening rain. However, to seize the moment, I quickly dressed and began my daily walk with my dog Missey, the Cockapoo. With Missey on her leash, iPod on arm and camera around my neck, I was doing my nature and techie walk around the neighborhood. I was certain to discover the fresh and vibrant color nature takes on when it rains. The grass is greener, sidewalks are dark with dampness and the trees! Oh the trees! The trees display their splendor, with bright green leaves clothed with sparkling water drops. As I walked my usual path, I noticed patterns in tree trunks, that were not noticed the day before. Other people walking their dogs, stopped to stare at me, as I closely examined what appeared to be an ordinary tree. The expressions on their faces clearly indicated they thought I was a little strange. I peered up and down the tree trunks examining, smiling and marveling how nature reveals itself to the unsuspecting, casual passerby.
There is a saying, “Stop and smell the roses”. There were no roses in site, but the tree trunks and branches dampened by last night’s rain was an easy substitute.
As I thought about the value of trees. I decided, I love trees! Yes, go ahead and call me one of those “tree huggers”. Trees are nature’s providers for most items we utilize for our everyday functioning and enjoyment.
Trees provide the wood for building homes. Our furniture is made of wood. And what about paper? Paper in all forms is essential. Tree wood provides the raw material for pencils, cabinets, firewood for cooking and heat. The list goes on …. but today, I simply enjoyed viewing trees for just being a tree and not a utility.
Next time it rains, check out the patterns on tree trunks and tree limbs. And while no one is looking, go ahead and hug a tree! Tree Trunk Gallery.
Perspective by Cynthia P. Hunter
At the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia I observed a simple glass ball on top of a single black pole. At first glimpse, the glass crystal was unimpressive. Not much to look at. Until, I peered through the ball to observe another person observing framed art on a wall. I enjoyed my new found perspective using the simple crystal ball. My perspective became a self contained image within a glass structure, upside down with rounded corners. Sometimes the ordinary becomes the extra-ordinary depending on the Perspective. Fun!
Butterfly at Wings of Fancy Exhibit @ 2010 Cynthia P. Hunter Photography
What is the fascination with butterflies? The annual “Wings of Fancy Butterfly” exhibit at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland attract thousands of people every year. Although the temperature in the conservatory is always above 85 degrees. I simply can’t resist visiting them year after year. The don’t provide any new tricks to keep attracting new visitors, yet their following increases.
Butterflies aren’t easily annoyed when interrupted by tiny hands trying to capture them or pointy lenses interrupting their meal time. Butterflies don’t chase with menacing stingers. Butterflies take life delicately and lightly. The are simply content at being a Butterfly. Could the attraction be the light and airy flutter of their wings as they fly from flower to flower? Or their beautiful colors and wing pattens? Maybe it is their ability to provide a sense of well being. Whatever the attraction. They can be counted on to provide a sense of wonder, beauty and freedom.
Seems they recognize their life time is short and their purpose is well focused. More Butterflies.
Each time I begin a photo shoot, mostly for pleasure, I hope to get the most original awe inspiring photo that wins loads of contests and recognition. But it rarely happens this way. The image, story, experience usually finds me. I am often caught without warning. In a split second, I scramble to check a series of technical settings…. . Lens selection ?, “check“, exposure?, “check“, aperture?, “check“, shutter speed? “check”, focus ? “check”. This process happens within a split second, but the peak moment has passed in a fractional second, and I have not yet pressed the shutter. On a lucky day, I remember to first see and recognize the setting, observe how all the elements in the image converge, raise my camera to my eye and press the shutter button. ”WOW!” I exclaim, as I preview the image on the camera display.
After the photo shoot, I hurry home to unload the images to my computer only to find 10% of the images are mediocre and 2% might be keepers. But for the remainder of the day, all is right with the world, because I received the story creation wanted to share with me.
