May your day and week be as bright and beautiful as this Knock-Out Rose. Here’s to life and it’s possibilities!
Author: Donna Robinson Photography
Dad’s Backyard
Spring has arrived in Atlanta and it looks like it may finally be here to stay! Cool morning temps are leading to warmer afternoons. The tree pollen is EVERYWHERE and flowers are starting to bloom.
My Dad has been in the same house for 40+ years and his backyard is covered with red azalea bushes. He lets them grow naturally (no pruning or fertilizing) and they have become quite large but make a very natural backdrop around his driveway and swimming pool. They started blooming this week and since I’ve been looking for new images for a Spring collection of my greeting card line (“The Art of a Handwritten Note”) I decided to take my camera with me on a couple of my daily visits.
These were taken on Wednesday. It was late afternoon and full sun everywhere so it was difficult getting the right exposure. Look at all of the unopened buds!
There must be hundreds of blooms on this one plant
He’s had this ceramic pagoda for 50+ years. He purchased it for another house we lived in when I was a young child. I remember going with him when he bought it at a local garden center.
This plant is growing on the backside of the fence. A little bare and scrawny, but I love how the blooms look against the weathered wood.
Another perspective of the azaleas growing up the weathered fence.
The Dogwood’s are also in full bloom!
Despite the ivy crawling up the trunk, this Dogwood is still thriving!
An upward shot of the Dogwood. I love how the pine needles and pollen peak through.
This next group I took yesterday. I couldn’t believe how much more they had bloomed in just a few days.
We’ve had a lot of fun in and around this swimming pool growing up!
A different perspective of the pagoda.
Confederate Jasmine growing wild through the fence.
A Macro shot of the Confederate Jasmine bloom.
Growing natural intertwined with the ivy.
Macro shot of a cluster of blooms
As far as it goes with images for my greeting cards here are a few I may use. What do you think?
Another perspective of the azaleas growing up the weathered fence.
Happy Spring!
Donna
2019 Lunar Eclipse
Last week’s Lunar Eclipse/Blood Moon brought a great opportunity to challenge both my photography and photoshop skills. Even the bitter cold (27 degrees) and wind couldn’t stop me. Although, I’ll admit because of the weather I wasn’t as diligent about planning and setting up my equipment (no tripod and I stayed indoors only to step outside every hour) as some of the other more skilled photographers.
After a few days of editing I finally landed on the following collage which depicts my view for the evening.
This was fun and challenging to pull together and I learned a lot both working in camera and in photoshop.
If you didn’t get a chance to experience it in person you might want to check out Space.com to see additional photos from other photographers around the world.
Donna
Week 3 Photo Challenge – Out of Focus
I have to admit this wasn’t my favorite theme and it’s probably because I’m always trying to get really crisp photos. Yes, I have seen some incredible images where the subject matter is distorted. And yes, there are various techniques you can use both in camera and in photoshop to make an image dramatic and really stand out.
For the assignment, I started with a favorite photo I took several years ago on a very cold, rainy, winter day. This was actually taken from inside our car on a trip in the North Georgia Mountains. My husband spotted the building as we were driving past it, did a quick U-turn and pulled into the parking lot so I could get the shot.
I have been wanting to try the technique of shooting through a plastic bag, so I started with the basic approach of auto focus, a few extra lights (no flash) and a zip lock bag over the lens (I also used a tripod). As you can see, it was “just ok.” If I were to take this one again, I would definitely add a bounce flash.
Auto Focus
I then moved to manual focus (still using the zip lock bag), but kept the image blurry.
Close Up, Out of Focus
From there, I decided to adjust my white balance settings inside the camera. I left it on AWB, but applied a bracketing technique for white balance compensation.
0 Bracketing; White Balance Compensation A4, M2
-3 Stops Bracketing; White Balance Compensation A4, M2
+3 Stops Bracketing; White Balance Compensation A4, M2
Then, I opened the images into Photoshop and merged them into one (1). I also used the perspective crop tool to take about the mat. Funny thing the photo now looks like an old photograph that has faded with time. I use white balance compensation frequently, especially when shooting sunrises and sunsets. So it was fun to try the “photomerge” technique with these images.
I’m still not convinced that “out of focus” is a technique I will use in the future. But, you never know what photo lies ahead where this would be good to apply.
I’m looking forward to next week’s theme, “Shadows.” Fingers crossed the weather holds up and I’ll be able to get outside for some really fun shots.
Donna
52 Week Challenge: Week 2 – “My Everyday”
So, the theme for this past week was all about “My Everyday.” It was a pretty good theme, challenging me more to think about “the story” of my everyday, versus really practicing photography skills.
Here’s a glimpse into “My Everyday:”
“The Workout” – I try to make it a priority to squeeze in 5 days a week, either through cardio or resistance training. These are my “indoor shoes” and my “outdoor shoes.”
“The Master Tinkerer” – I had some help with the theme this week from my Dad. He will be 91 next month and is still extremely active. I’m blessed that “My Everyday” includes spending time with him. He ALWAYS has a project to work on and I’m slowing catching on.
“The Workshop” – The three (3) pictures above are of Dad’s workshop. He has a tool for EVERYTHING and every tool has an assigned space. Trust me, if he sends you out to his workshop to find a tool it will be EXACTLY where he said it would be!
The “End of the Day” – This is a pretty good representation of how most of my days come to an end. A refreshing beverage, a cozy fire, good music and long conversations with my husband.
Obviously, there is more to my “Everyday” but the above seem to sum it up the best. I’m humbled and blessed I have the health and the time to enjoy each.
The theme for Week 3 is “Out of Focus.” Wish me luck!
Donna
52 Week Photo Challenge – Time
January has arrived in its usual form….a new year with new (or renewed) resolutions and a fresh, clean calendar waiting to be filled with appointments, birthdays, holidays and anniversaries. Yep! It’s here….2019 another year filled with 52 weeks and 365 days of possibilities.
I keep a running list of goals and projects throughout the year, January gives me an opportunity to pause and review/adjust my lists (yes, I said lists, plural). I won’t bore you with the details of each, but I will share that pretty close to the top you’ll always find “improve my photography skills.”
To jump start 2019, I decided one way to improve was to start a “Photography Challenge.” A fellow blogger, Anne – Slow Shutter Speed, gave me the idea last summer, so I finally decided to go for it. I have saved several “pins” on Pinterest, so I started there and found one that looked like fun: Project 52 Week Photo Challenge. I like the idea of a theme a week so that you have a chance to not only stretch your photography skills, but also your creativity with the theme.
The theme for Week 1 was “Time.” It was an easy one to start with as it seems like “Time” is everywhere and can be found in all shapes and sizes throughout your house.
Schweppes – Made in London
Up close Shot Using Macro Lens
Gold Tone Clock With Weights and Glass Dome
Up close Using Macro Lens
But, my favorite time pieces are the ones I found at my father’s house which he has lived in for 40+ years. So, in his house “time” has a way of documenting history.
The 1970’s “digital” Oven Clock. The oven still works.
There’s the “Golfer Clock” which commemorates a 1984 Golf Tournament Win
There’s also the timer which keeps the swimming pool running:
Notice the faded instructions on the metal box.
The dial has to be manually set and pegs are used to program the start and stop times.
But my favorite is this old GE Clock Radio. It’s one of those items that has always been around. My parents had it on their nightstand and Dad would listen to “Paul Harvey” every night before drifting off to sleep.
Time has passed and it is now prominently displayed in a guest bedroom with the furniture my parents bought when they were first married in 1950.
What I didn’t know about the radio is my mother originally purchased it while attending Georgia Baptist Nursing School in the 1940’s. After graduating, she carried it with her to Batty Hospital in Rome, Georgia where she and Dad eventually met. I just assumed the clock was something they purchased early in their marriage and it just stayed around because it still worked. But now knowing the story it has become a sentimental reminder of life, love and family.
I suppose you could say that “Time” is more than just the instrument which keeps track of the hours, minutes and seconds. “Time” becomes the memories captured throughout our lives as the clock ticks away and the calendar pages are turned.
Week 2 of the photo challenge is “Your Everyday.” This should be interesting………
Happy New Year!
Donna
Giving Thanks Over The Desert Rose
The following is a post from Thanksgiving 2016. As the Holiday Marathon begins, it’s a great reminder that Thanksgiving is more than the food on the table or the anticipation of the “black Friday sales.” It’s about taking the time to pause and being grateful. It’s about putting differences aside and remembering the importance of family, creating memories and showing your appreciation for your loved ones near and far.
My heart is full……..
“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NIV
≈≈≈≈
I have many fond memories of my childhood. And, like most everyone else some are good and some are not so good. But, one of my favorite memories (which my sisters would also agree) is not of one particular event, but rather of multiple events centered around our mother’s dishes. These were the dishes that brought us together as a family every day at dinner time; these were the dishes where we chatted about the events of the day; these were the dishes that remind us of home, family and of her.
“Desert Rose by Franciscan” was the name of the pattern. With four (4) pink and white embossed flowers circling each plate, they were connected by their leaves and stems eloquently forming scalloped edges. The dish set came with everything you can imagine….there were dinner plates, salad plates, dessert plates, cups and saucers and the list goes on. There were even salt and pepper shakers in the shape of unopened blooms.
We don’t know what happened to her dish set. It’s almost as if when she passed away the dishes disappeared as well.
But, something strange and wonderful happened this year……..The dishes found their way back into our family. Well, not exactly the dishes, but a set just like them. As my husband and I were wandering through Tuesday Morning, I stumbled upon a knock-off set, took a picture and sent it to my sister. Within about 10 minutes she sent me a photo from an e-bay email link she had just received of an authentic set of the dishes. After about 20 minutes of texting back and forth with our other sister, we realized that it was the 40th anniversary of her passing. Perhaps our mother was speaking to us through the dishes?
Fast forward to Thanksgiving……Dad’s favorite holiday a time of the year he especially enjoys having the family together. Our typical get togethers are “buffet style, sit where you can find a seat kind of meals” leaving everyone scattered throughout different rooms. And so, this year my sisters and I decided to make Thanksgiving extra special by transforming the living room into a dining room in order to seat everyone at one table. Not a small feat to do, but we did it (thanks to the help of my husband)……..everyone had a seat at the table. And, at every place setting was “Desert Rose.”
With Dad seated at the head of the table and his grandchildren and great grandchildren intently listening to his every word, he proudly told the story of how the dishes came back into our lives. And then, just like the original dishes, they became the dishes we said grace over; they became the dishes we chatted over and caught up with each other about all that is happening in our lives; they became the dishes that now meant family, home and reminded us of our mother and “Giving Thanks over the Desert Rose.”
“The Art of a Handwritten Note”
For quite a while I have been mulling over the idea of creating a line of greeting cards featuring my photography. So, when the opportunity for early “re-wirement” (i.e. retirement) landed in my lap, I knew it was time to put a plan into motion. After all, how many times had I told myself: “When I retire I will have time to do this or I will have time to do that.”
That time arrived in early May and with the “wiring” of Corporate America still running through my veins the planning process began. Having already selected a few designs I was ahead of the curve, but several tasks still needed to be done: selecting the right paper, packaging, establishing a good price point, photographing the cards, building inventory, branding and most importantly finding the right outlet to sell them.
I may not have stayed completely true to my timelines, but I followed the process. Yes, there were weeks when I didn’t lift the camera, or do any research. But, as with any passion that burns deep within us, I was always “thinking” about the collection.
Finally, with all of the tasks completed, I am excited to introduce to you “The Art of a Handwritten Note – A Greeting Card Collection.” Those of you who have followed me for a while will recognize a few photos from my previous posts……below is a sampling of the cards.
I don’t have any wild expectations from this journey, only to have a little fun and perhaps to brighten someone’s day either through my photography or the personal notes written on each card.
If you would like to read about “the story behind the story” or purchase the greeting cards through my Etsy storefront, you can follow this link to my “project page” The Art of a Handwritten Note
Thank you in advance for taking a peek at my collection. 🙂
Donna
Fall Fun With Macro Photography
The Fall colors finally popped this week in Atlanta, but I’m afraid they will be short lived with more wind and rain on the way, tonight. The bird baths are full of both leaves and rain water and the garden (still needing some TLC) is totally covered as well. But, as the leaves have turned and dropped, Mother Nature has given me plenty of photo ops!
I haven’t used my Macro lens in a while so I thought today would be a good day to get outside and take some practice shots. So, I slid my feet into my warm, fuzzy slippers and headed outdoors.
Ugh, this bird bath is a total mess. But, don’t the leaves, water and the color of the birdbath compliment each other?
This little bird bath sits on the ground atop a few bricks…….we like to make sure the “critters” have water, too! And, because it’s on the ground I had to get a little creative to take these pictures…..thank goodness for the display view button!
The Fall colors also gave me a good backdrop for my (still) blooming knock-out roses.
Here’s a snapshot of my garden floor……like I said, it is totally covered with leaves!
Fingers crossed we’ll have a few more days of the Fall colors……..I don’t think I’m quite ready for the snow!
Have a great week!
Donna
Mosaic Landscape
A quick day trip this weekend took us up to Lake Keowee just outside of Seneca, SC. The color of the leaves were so much more beautiful than we have had here in Atlanta. I couldn’t resist taking a quick photo (which doesn’t quite do justice to how beautiful the colors were).
“Winter is an etching,
Spring is a watercolor,
Summer an oil painting,
and Autumn a mosaic of them all.”
-Stanley Horowitz
Donna Robinson Photography 