Here are a few more images of our trip to upstate New York. I didn't initially post these because I feel like something is 'missing' in them. I wish the cow's eyes popped out just a little more; I don't particular care for the wine glass shot, but it's the winery that carries my new favorite wine; I like my other shot of the corn fields better (the one I first posted on "Upstate New York Part I") but I do like something about this shot too - it's just not 'complete' in my eyes. I decided to post these three anyway because honing in on a craft takes work. I'm open to comments, constructive criticism and suggestions. And you never know... one person's trash is another person's treasure - someone might fall in love with one of these shots. That's the beauty of photography... everyone sees it differently.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
The "Not-So-Sure-About-This-One" Set...
Friday, October 26, 2007
Miscellaneous images...
Just a couple of misc. shots. Two are from night/slow shutter speed attemps at Belmont Shore, one of our little Mist-Dog, and one of some clothes pins at mom's house. Just playing around the camera...
Monday, October 15, 2007
Upstate New York - Part 3: LOLLYPOP FARM
I cannot even describe in my own words what a beautiful place Lollypop Farm is. It's a humane society and animal shelter and the place is huge and beautiful. We arrived to take a look at it on the Sunday before we left and it was closed, but we were still able to walk the grounds. Almost every type of animal is there for adoption: horses, goats, pigs, ducks, geese, emu, dogs, cats and probably a lot more that we weren't able to see. They have a pet cemetary and when I think of it, I just think of "silent and beautiful".
The walk that leads you into the shelter is paved with bricks that share memories of love once known. I wish our animal care center was as beautiful as this on the outside. I just hope that their shelter is as beautiful as ours on the inside - staff and volunteer-wise. I know far too well that you can't judge a book by it's cover. Our care center might not be the 'prettiest' you'll ever find, but it's filled with tremendous love for our animals. I hope the love and affection touches our animals lives as much as their love and affection has touched mine. :)
Check out upstate New York's beautiful shelter at www.lollypop.org and then feel free to look at local animals in our care center that need homes: www.sbacc.org
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Upstate New York - Part 2
...curious horses, the abandoned house, beautiful "barn star"'s on numerous homes, bees going about their bzzzness ;), and yet, more images of the haunting, but 'beautiful' abandoned house. I love the peacefulness and beauty of upstate New York. It's like nothing I've ever seen while living this city girl life.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
HB Blessing of the Animals
What a wonderful day! Al and I took Abby to the Blessing of the Animals which I believe was put on by Animal Hospital of Huntington Beach. They help most (if not all) of the animals at our care center. It was their first attempt, so it was kinda quiet, but also peaceful. I'm not sure what the title was of the man who blessed the animals, but the blessing was so sweet. He led everyone in a prayer, then had us repeat a blessing for our animals. He asked us to use our pet's name twice during it. He closed with another prayer and my eyes teared up when he asked the Lord to bless the homeless animals and something to the effect that 'all animals should have a home, love, and care and that all people should have love and care from an animal'. :)
Abby and the other dogs from the care center wore "Adopt Me" vests. One lady asked where we were from and then she asked if it was a no-kill shelter. We told her yes and she said that it must be hard. I found that an odd response, but it was probably because she felt bad for the animals that wait there for a long time until they find the perfect home. I told her it is hard but if an animal needs to be in a shelter, ours is the best place to be - that every dog gets walked twice a day (sometimes three), and every dog has a bed, blankets, and toys. That's not even mentioning our wonderful staff and loving volunteers. I know I've met some great people there and my life has been enriched by meeting them. It's definitely called Seal Beach Animal CARE Center for a reason. :)
Abby was a great girl! Well behaved for what I believe was her first time out of the care center since she's been there and she laid her head down on the center console of my truck on the way there and the way back. She was so cute! And thanks to Quacky for being a trooper and sitting in the back so Abby could have "shotgun"! :)
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Negative = Positive!
The results (grade) of my photogram came tonight. The instructor warned us that he doesn't give 100% and that if we wanted to re-do our photogram, we could. I figured if I slide out of this project in the "B" range, I'd be happy.
Imagine my excitement when I looked on the back of my photogram and read some very nice comments from my instructor. Then imagine my excitement when I saw the 96% - "A"!!!! :)
Here is the final product. Again, we had to choose objects that would produce black, white, and shades of gray. We had to produce the negative (the black result) and then use that and lay it on the emulsion side of another piece of photo paper to produce the positive (white) result. We developed our own work in the dark room and then were taught how to mount properly. This was my first college photography project and I'm thrilled with the result and grade. My instructor also commented to the class that it had "a nice message", which (in an odd way) meant a lot to me. :)
