Cowboys And Indians

I hesitated for a long time to write anything about the Cowboys And Indians January issue...thinking at first that I might curse it. Then, just got very busy.

For starters, I have been reading Cowboys and Indians for quite a few years now. I think I read my first one in the Dr.'s office. Then I bought one with Robert Redford on the front. I've always liked the photography in the magazine, all the way from the ads to the featured photographers that have 10 page spreads. I've looked forward to the January issue, which features the photography contest.

I've entered 3 times now. And this year, one of my photos got chosen as a finalist, and therefore got printed. I was very thrilled!

Below are the shots I entered this year. The last one, of my son Garrett, is the one that made it to the finals. Already working on ones for next year.

A Few Reasons I Love Being a Photographer...

While driving home in the VERY dreary, VERY gray weather today, I found myself looking forward to getting home and getting at the computer, and.....playing with flower photos! I know by the calendar that Spring is just around the corner, but it doesn't make it any easier on dreary days like today. So that got me thinking about reasons I love taking photos.

There's one! You can pull this up and gaze at it when it is 43 degrees out. Soon enough I'll be out "chasing wildflowers" every chance I get!

During a stressful day, you can pull up a photo like this.......

....and remember how peaceful that morning was at Lake Brownwood with good friends, good stories, and the whole day of laughter to look forward to!After every event, where I've served as the official or unofficial photographer, and everyone is saying what a great time they have had and we need to do it again soon....I am usually feeling lucky because I WILL get to relive it again by going through the photos one by one!

Enjoy the MOMENTS...

Basketball

I am happy that the gym that my son plays in this year has better lighting than the elementary gym. Still not the greatest of lighting situations, but not too bad. Thought I'd share a few pics from Saturday's game.

This is Ben. Seems like I've had him in one shot or another since we moved here to Lorena. Great kid! Great parents!

I love the determination on this shot.

And, of course, my boy! I had to throw in some special effects for him.

My Grandpa

Still creating new photos out of old photos. This is my Grandpa. He passed away 9 years ago this March. When I shot this photo, he was at a stage where he didn't want me taking his photo. He always thought we were "wasting film" on him.

So for this shot, he and my husband were sitting on the front porch, with the dogs all around on a lazy hot afternoon. I had just pointed the camera at him, and he fussed at me, so I pointed the camera at my husband and said, "Oh, Grandpa, I'm taking a picture of Mark, not you!" Took the shot of my husband, then quickly turned and shot the one of him above. In the originals, you can actually line up the door frame behind them, and you have a great image of two men chatting away the day!

Here is the shot of Mark the same day.

Always take the shot! Even if you have to be a bit sneaky to do it! These may be my most cherished photos!

Colorful Capitol

Playing around with some photos I took a while back. I love doing this.

Patterns and Such

In the past few years, I have a fascination with photographing Christmas lights in various ways, using the zoom lens, etc. Last night we were at the German Restaurant in Walburg and I had some fun with their Christmas tree. Then I came home and put those results into another program of mine, to make even more designs. Just having fun! Below are two examples!

What I'd Do If I Didn't Have A Day Job....

The title for this entry came to me one morning this past week. My daughter had walked past the dining room window and said simply, "PINK". Random words coming out of a 14 year-old's mouth is not really unusual. Then she pointed to the sky and it was the most beautiful color of red/pink/purple that I've ever seen. As the morning routine progressed (I was the only one that had to get out the door since school is out for the holidays) it got pinker/redder/purpler....(New word!).

All I could think of was, "If I didn't have to get to work, I'd go 'chasing the sunrise'!" I have taken a few days off in the past few months, and I did get the chance to find out what I would do if I didn't have the commitment of a day job.....Below are some examples....