For the Love of Photography – Cuban Chicken Night

February 12, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 2 Comments

It seems that Social Media (I.e. Facebook) has caused a phenomenon of people taking photos of their food and posting it out there for friends to “ooh” and “ah” over. Whether it be a gigantic burrito at a favorite Mexican restaurant, or a colorful cocktail from a local watering hole, society is obsessed with taking pictures of food! But, one thing that drives me crazy is to see a post from a restaurant who is trying to entice you to come in for today’s soup special and it looks like……..well…..let’s just say something very unappetizing. They may have good intentions and I’m sure that the special is really good, but the photo is NOT going to entice me to try it!

And so, with that I’ve discovered a need (and desire) to expand my skills into food photography. I’ve always said cooking is an art, so why not try my hand at photographing food?!?

Which leads me to this past weekend when our good friends “JB” and “JB” (husband and wife) invited us over for dinner. The “JBs” love to cook, grill and fire up their smoker. Lucky for Michael and I we are often called upon to be the “taste testers.” It really isn’t a hard job….good food, good drinks, great conversations…..never have we been disappointed!

The menu for the evening was “Cuban Chicken, Black Beans & Rice.” Their method of preparation was a VERY fancy pressure cooker (not your mother’s stovetop pressure cooker with a whistle that blasted like a civil defense siren).

Stand back! She’s going to explode!

As the timer went off and the food rested, I pulled out my camera and flash and began snapping away.

First, the chicken…….

Then the yellow rice………

And, lastly……….the final plating with black beans garnished with a lime…..

And, what’s a great meal without a dog sitting nearby waiting for a morsel or two to drop?!

We’ve had countless “taste tests” at the “JBs” and this one did not disappoint. Not to mention, what a fun way to practice photography!

BON APPETIT!!!

Pic of the Week: February 5, 2017

February 5, 2017February 4, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / Leave a comment

I’m switching things up for this week’s pic by posting something from my archives. Not that I haven’t been taking photos every day, but because they’ve mostly been of the current moon phase and……….the Atlanta skyline. Don’t get me wrong, I have some pretty cool photos of both, but I’ve been feeling as though I need to vary the subject matter a bit.

The picture I chose is from last March during one of our weekend getaways to SSI Casa de Playa. Based on the time of day this was taken, I’m pretty sure we were out on one of our jeep rides.

Why I like this photo….the marshes were still brown and seemed to be absorbing the colors of the setting sun. I also love the reflection of the Egrets (and those other tiny birds) feeding in the mudflats. I call it “Serenity.”

Field Notes: Focal Length 370mm; Exposure Time 1/1000; Aperture F7.1; ISO 400; Time of Day 6:54p.m.

Pic of the Week: January 29, 2017

January 29, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 2 Comments

While this week’s pic may be the same view, The Atlanta Skyline, it’s different in the sense of it’s composition. One morning as I was getting dressed for work and I noticed the clouds were moving in a direction where they were letting in just enough sunlight forming a halo above the city. Many of the city lights were still glistening setting it up to be the perfect picture. I couldn’t resist stopping my morning routine long enough to take a few shots.

Field notes: Time of day 7:14a.m. Est; Focal Length: 135mm; ISO 3200; Aperture 4.5; f stop 5; Exposure Time 1/30 sec

Pic of the Week: January 22, 2017

January 22, 2017January 21, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 1 Comment

Wow! Who knew what fun it would lead to by doing a “Pic of the week!” Several of my friends and family over on Facebook really enjoyed the idea and want to join in. For me personally, I’m enjoying the daily challenge of taking a photo and practicing different techniques. Michael is even getting in on the action by recommending photos to take!

So here it is, this week’s Pic! I call this “Flying a Night.” For those of you who have been following me for a while, you know that our condo has one of the most spectacular views of downtown, Atlanta. On a clear night you can see the planes lining up, landing and taking off.

For this photo I used a tri-pod and long exposure settings to accent the planes’ descending (the long streaks in the sky) and to bring out the Vinings Village lights in the foreground.

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“Flying at Night”

Field Settings: Time of night 7:45p.m.; Aperture f6/3; Time Value 30 seconds; Focal Length 32mm (I used my 24 – 105mm lens)

Pic of the Week: January 15, 2017

January 15, 2017January 14, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 4 Comments

One of my photography goals this year is to stay true to taking a photo every day. So far, I have lived up to it, even if there were days that all I did was grab the camera and take a photo (or 2 or 3) just for the sake of taking a photo!

And so, I start a new theme “Pic of the Week.” There will be no lengthy thoughts or words of wisdom……just one (or two) photo(s) for the week that I really like.

This week, I’m sharing the “Full Moon” which I took VERY early Friday (1/13) morning.

Why I like this photo: It’s crisp, sharp and mystical. Who doesn’t find themselves wishing on the moon?

Field Notes: f 5/6; Exposure 1/640; ISO 200; Focal Length 350mm (yes, I used the BIG lens) Time taken: 6:06a.m.

For the Love of Photography – “From Flip Flops to Snow Boots”

January 8, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 3 Comments

From a weather standpoint the first week of January has been somewhat of a roller coaster. The beginning of the week we found ourselves wearing flip flops, but ending the week bundling up in layers of long johns, gloves and snow boots!

The local Atlanta weather forecasters had the entire city on “Blizzard Alert,” with everyone racing to the grocery stores wiping out all of the milk, eggs and bread. But, as usual, we only ended up with a little ice in the trees and a dusting…..not as pretty as the snow that the suburbs had, but pretty enough to give our little town of Vinings some glitter in the early dawn hours.

The coming week looks like Mother Nature is going to do an about face and the temps will be gradually rising to above average highs. I suppose I should keep those flip flops handy!

Thoughts: Looking Back to Look Forward

January 1, 2017January 1, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 2 Comments

As we were ringing in 2017, my husband and I found ourselves doing what we enjoy the most, watching concert music videos. Our choice for the evening……”The History of the Eagles.” If you haven’t seen this, it’s one of the best rock documentaries out there. With interview clips of each of the band members, it is a well produced history of how they came to be.

But, the one interview that has always stood out to us both is with Joe Walsh and a quote he has about life and being with The Eagles: “You know, there’s a philosopher who says, “As you live your life, it appears to be anarchy and chaos, and random events, non-related events, smashing into each other and causing this situation or that situation, and then, this happens, and it’s overwhelming, and it just looks like what in the world is going on. And later, when you look back at it, it looks like a finely crafted novel. But at the time, it don’t.”

And so, as I look back on 2016 and the “random, non-related events smashing into each other,” I’m humbled by the experiences that came together throughout the year and grateful for my husband, our family, our friends and acquaintances who were part of those events. While the 2016 chapter is closed, done, and finished I embrace 2017 for it’s new beginnings, for it’s hopes of health, prosperity and new “random, non-related events” to come.

Thank you for being a part of my photography/blog journey. My hope to you in the coming year is that through my blogs you find inspiration to do whatever it is you want to do and be as your finely crafted novel evolves.

“Life is a journey, not a destination……….You are the artist, paint what you will.”

A Few of My Favorite 2016 Post Photos

Moss Covered Trees – Flash

IMG_2466 St Ann's Catholic Church Janice Janik_edited-1

Awakenings – Sunrise, East Beach, Gould’s Inlet

Yellow Daisy Floating in Bird Bath

“Contemplation” Settings: TV 1/6400 seco; AV: f/4; ISO 400; Exp.0; Focal Length 58mm

“Big Sur” Settings: TV: 1/1000 sec; AV f/16; ISO 400; Exp 0; Focal Length 47mm

Buckhead, Atlanta Sunrise Settings: AV f/9; TV 1/1600 sec; ISO 400; Focal Length 102mm

Giving Thanks Over The Desert Rose

November 27, 2016January 1, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 10 Comments

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.”

Life In Black & White -“Fancy Honey”

October 30, 2016August 20, 2022 / Donna Robinson Photography / Leave a comment

Today, I’m sharing with you another of my favorite sights along The Golden Isles Parkway (Hwy.341) in Georgia…”Fancy Honey – The Altamaha Apiaries.” We must have passed it about hundred times on our journey back and forth to St. Simons and it wasn’t until our last trip that we finally stopped to take a few photos.

I couldn’t help but wonder about the history of this little, abandoned store, located in Gardi, GA. So, I did a little research and quickly found out this is a very popular landmark to photograph. Built around 1900, it was originally a post office and general store. The Fore family purchased the building in 1941 to expand their honey business.

If you go back and look at earlier photographs (see Buzz Kill below), you can tell that the building is slowly fading away. As we drove around the building you can see remnants of scattered hive boxes peering beneath overgrown vines and brush.

From what I have been able to find out it is still in the family. Perhaps just like my earlier post about the neatly kept, but empty house with water tower and wind mill (For the Love of Photography – “Gone But Not Forgotten” ) the family has many memories handed down from generation to generation that they can not bear to part with it. Whatever the reason may be, I’m glad it’s still around and thankful to have made the stop before it completely faded away.

For more information about this unique building, please visit these links below:

Buzz Kill – Great photo series of other abandoned apiaries.
Sleepy town called Gardi a haven from big-city bustle – Interesting interview with a family member who owns the building.
Vanishing South Georgia – A wonderful blog by Brian Brown from Fitzgerald, Georgia.

Thoughts: “Leaving SSI Casa de Playa”

October 21, 2016August 20, 2022 / Donna Robinson Photography / 4 Comments

The very first blog I wrote was about our new adventures at SSI Casa de Playa. So, it’s only fitting that today, the day we closed on the sale of our beloved beach getaway, I share with you some parting thoughts and memories from this particular chapter in our journey of life:

My first impression of St. Simons Island is still the same. It is a wonderful, quaint place to relax and forget the day-to-day stresses of life. Whether coming over the causeway or driving beneath the canopy of the Live Oak Trees draped in Spanish Moss you will slow down…..you will breathe in….you will exhale….you will relax.
Spanish Moss drapes the overhanging trees of Old Demere Rd.

2. The island is filled with so much beauty…..in my view it truly is the crown jewel of the The Golden Isles of Georgia

Awakenings – Sunrise, East Beach, Gould’s Inlet

Georgia Brown Eagle Settings: AVf/40; TV 1/100; ISO 800; 400mm

Car Carrier Passing the Village Pier

Sunset Over the Sidney LanierBridge

Gould’s Inlet SSI

Walk on the beach at low tide

Bird in Flight

SSI Lighthouse

3. I’m still humbled by the experience of our little island home. As I mentioned in my first post, we were excited, cautious and humbled about this journey. My husband and I did what we do best at SSI Casa de Playa……like an artist with a blank canvas, we carefully and artfully transformed it, leaving pieces of ourselves behind. In a sense it is our way of showing gratitude for being able to experience such a wonderful place.

4. And, lastly…….We will return. Indeed, this passage is bittersweet. But, the friends we met and the memories we made will keep drawing us back to this special place by the sea. Of course, we can’t leave this beautiful place without mentioning our dear friends, Meg and Bart without whom we would have never discovered all of the beauty, the history and the warmth this island has to offer. “Life is a journey, not a destination…you are the artist paint what you will.”

As I close out this post I thought it only appropriate to share with you an excerpt from a poem “The Marshes of Glynn” which was written by Sidney Lanier (2/3/1842 – 9/7/1881):

“As the marsh-hen secretly builds on the watery sod,
Behold I will build me a nest on the greatness of God:
I will fly in the greatness of God as the marsh-hen flies
In the freedom that fills all the space ‘twixt the marsh and the skies:
By so many roots as the marsh-grass sends in the sod
I will heartily lay me a-hold on the greatness of God:
Oh, like to the greatness of God is the greatness within
The range of the marshes, the liberal marshes of Glynn.
And the sea lends large, as the marsh: lo, out of his plenty the sea
Pours fast: full soon the time of the flood-tide must be.”