More Farm

Grades are done

So I took my prep period today and did some exploring. There is a farm off of 5600 West and around 3500 south, and I had driven past it each time I went to volunteer at the DI this month. I stopped by today and I asked the elderly guy there if he minded me taking some pictures. He was a very interesting guy, probably in his 70's, but I was not brave enough to ask if he minded if I photographed him as he worked. I had my small card, and I took the equivalent of a roll of film while there. There was this old, greyed dog, who clearly had been abused. Each time I reached down to pet him, he cowered, until he felt kindness, and then his tail would wag. When it came time to leave, it broke my heart to see him finally get brave enough to play bow with me. I plan to go back when I sub in this area again. My long term job ended today, but I hope to be back soon.

And another...

American Fork Canyon

Sunday, we took Spencer with us to American Fork Canyon. We'd went with the intention of taking some pictures, and we stopped to do that just before the split for the Alpine Loop and Tribble Fork. I took lots and lots of pictures, hoping for just one or two that were fantastic. I feel like I have lots and lots of learning to do, because, quite frankly, I just wasn't thrilled at my pictures. However, I did sort of like some which I then improved on with Elements. I'm reading several books which will hopefully improve my craft, and so this little entry is set for the purpose of bookmarking where I'm at now on this journey of photography and then as a point of contrast for where I go next.

Love my porch

great view. :)

Snowing

This weekend it snowed 5" at my house, and I have a view of the whole valley, so I got to see lots of angry clouds. This one is taken from my front porch.

Yesterday, I went to Mueller park, which is a tiny baby canyon in Bountiful. Nobody was there as I drove the short little loop, and so I went back to a spot on the road that I liked and pulled my bike to the side. There were no signs saying I couldn't park there, and there was plenty of room for folks to get by, when this guy who had a maintenance truck from the forestry service pulls up with his yapping little dog saying I can't park there. I refused to move, and he finally grumpily went on his way, but what a jerk! I was not bothering anyone, and there's nothing saying I can't park there, and I think he felt I was not to be there at all, seeing as it's his canyon. ERG. Anyway, I got this picture and was wishing I had a wide angle lens so I could have got more of the area. It wasn't quite what I wanted but I still like it.

Back to work tomorrow...sigh.

More Black Dogs

Freecycle is a wonderful thing for those of us who are poor. I was able to get a free minitripod, and was able to experiment some more with my dogs (since they'll sit still for a treat - kids...not so much) My mom gave me "The Digital Photography Book" by Scott Kelby, and I've been reading it. One of the things it talked about is about how you never can get a crisp picture without a tripod. I'd really thought that I was doing a great job holding things still, but wow...the picture is just so sharp.

Black dogs are so hard to photograph. My dad was talking about doing black and white in winter since the color was gone, and I thought that might apply to dogs as well.

Wildflowers

At least I think they are, because I didn't plant any of the plants in my yard, and so therefore wild they must be. Anyway, this is a little blue thing, again playing with DOF.

First Post

I'm trying my hand at photography. It is unfortunate that I waited until it was late fall, and missed out on many of the best colors. I also am interested in photographing people, and lucky for me, faces don't fall off just because it gets a bit nippy.

The title photo and the trees photo were taken last weekend with my mom. I'm hoping to learn more from her about photography. It is quite an infectious hobby. I've been looking at so many things, wondering how it would look in a photo and been kicking myself for not having my camera.