Last look

A late blooming rose set against the autumn color outside of my window. This view often has a negative impact on my productvity... causing severe bouts of daydreaming. I dread the time that the trees will be bare and the view will be boring and a little depressing. But that is something over which I have no control... the world keeps turning.

One, Two, Three, Four

I admit that I'm not afraid to roll down the window when I'm in my car, waiting in line for one thing or another, in order to take a picture. I'm rarely disappointed in the results. I will also admit that I have a problem with landscapes - always have, even when I was painting. I feel much more comfortable with still lifes, portraits and macros. Landscapes overwhelm me a bit... I'm never sure where to end it all, what to include/exclude, what is the focus? 

And I have to say, that with a few exceptions, my landscape images don't "wow" me. Don't get me wrong - I love the landscapes of other, more proficient photographers; those who seem to know how to frame the shot. Which brings me back to the open car window. Not that I consider this image a landscape, but I think in some way, the window frame gives me a reference. Not unlike holding up ones' thumbs and forefingers in order to evaluate a composition.

Another anomaly - I don't seem to have this problem when shooting infrared. Does black and white simplify the scene for me? Allowing me to place the elements in an interesting composition?

Autumnal Palette

Each autumn I am taken over by the color display put on by mother nature. Then, about midway (now) I start to feel as though I'm taking too many photos of leaves. I try to turn my attention to other, non-autumnal subjects but the color outside my window continues to hold my gaze. And later, during the non-autumn months, those images of gold, red and orange still please me as I flip through my galleries.

Another color also caught my eye today... possibly the last rose of summer. A pink rosebud stood out among the golden hues, against the blue sky. 

Autumn

Autumn... it struck me this morning, as I read Monte's post, that with all of its usual meanings (harvest, cooler weather, falling leaves, pumpkins), Autumn also signals the close of the year. Whatever we did or did not accomplish this year is past. The gain or loss is in the books. 2011 is at its end... there may be a couple of months left on the calandar, but for all practical purposes - it's done.

For some, that's a relief. Relax... there's always next year. Too late to start a new project now... with the weather, the holidays, etc. Just sit back and watch the leaves fall, watch as the sun sinks lower in the sky and nightfall comes almost before the dinner dishes have been cleared away.

I'm sure there are some who would say - nonsense! There are weeks left... plenty of time to make something happen. And to them I say "Relax. Tie up the loose ends of 2011 and then sit back with a cup of your favorite hot beverage and let it go."

Autumn or Fall

Throwing "never shoot at midday" caution to the wind, I went out to photograph some of the early leaf changes. Most of the leaves haven't turned yet, but there are a couple of trees in the back yard that have a little bit of color.

These berries on the dogwood branches caught my eye and the shade protected my shot from the harsh sunlight. I caught a bit of the blue sky and although this is a good representation of the day, I might have preferred (compositionally) to not have the blue spots. Oh well... it's a beautiful autumn/fall day!

Autumn, Reluctantly

I may have been trying to avoid this time of year... I dunno. Up until now, I have been able to remember last year and think "At this time last year, we had no idea how ill he was." But by October... we knew and the fight had begun; doctors, hospitals, tests, tests and more tests filled the days.

And so... since July, I have been traveling. I am not under the delusion that I can run away from my grief, I have merely been distracting my attention with the beauty of nature and far away destinations. And it's also been about moving on - I have always faced hard times by putting my head down and pushing forward; trying to get to the other side before this destroys me.

I must keep moving...

fall, falling, fallen

“Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower” ~ Albert Camus

random blue

"Whoever has no house now, will never have one.

Whoever is alone will stay alone,

will sit, read, write long letters through the evening,

and wander the boulevards, up and down,

restlessly, while the dry leaves are blowing." ~ from "Autumn Day" by Rainer Maria Rilke

Here it comes...

Autumn is creeping in... the mornings are cooler and the days not quite as hot. The leaves haven't started to turn yet, but soon.