Framers Friday: Get Low

House Panther

Here is what I wrote:

My rescued “wild” cat going crazy with a peacock feather. This expresses her wild side. Speaking of which, she destroyed this one. I’m needing to find a new (natural) one for her.

I took approximately 240 images because, you know, cats! Not exactly cooperative meowdals. I narrowed it down to two that I liked for different reasons. This one received the most votes among the mini-groups. Thanks to one that suggested cropping based on the cat bridge slats instead of the window. It improved the POV immensely.

Note: I struggled immensely this week.  I shot some birds with my husband’s long lens; but, they were not the greatest images.  I’m still learning how to handle the heavy lens.  I figured out that I need to get down on the ground and use my left knee as a tripod/monopod. I’m getting better; but, still far from getting decent pictures.

Everlasting Burning Man II

This was my first attempt in lighting up parts of the landscape. It was terrible. But, after some thought, I think I now know what to do. This is a close alternate to my submission for leading lines (2021).

Fresh {Five Minute Fridays}

 
(Taken September 2018)

The first fresh hour of every morning should be dedicated to the Lord, whose mercy gladdens it with golden light.
~ Charles Spurgeon ~

Mondays are not only a brand new beginning (week); but, it’s also a brand new day for me. It’s the day I begin anew in all ways.

It’s the day I write for five minutes.
It’s the day I review, research, and brainstorm for the 52Frames‘ theme.
It’s the day I do finances for the week — paying bills and balancing the checkbook.

It’s the day I am the busiest doing the things I wish to do.

Mondays are like the breath of fresh air washing off the stink of the past week. I try to discard all things¹ placing the Lord first. Always.

I am consciously renewing myself in the Lord throughout the week; but, Mondays are the day I deliberately put the Lord first in my life for all things. Always.

1. Shaking off the past (week), negative thoughts and voices, and etc.

Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

Lamentations 3:21-24

Five Minute Friday

Framers Friday: Leading Lines

Everlasting Burning Man

Here is what I wrote:

I’ve had a hankering to capture a ghost on camera since I accidentally captured a few when I did star trails quite some time ago. So, I attempted to capture some via long exposures. Much to my surprise, not only did I get a ghost, but I also captured an everlasting burning man walking/running into my image. Ha!

Details: This is one long exposure, 94 seconds. Cropped just a tad.

2020 in a Photo Self-Portrait

My Alternate to my actual submission for 2020 in a photo week.

Time {Five Minute Friday}

Smoldering
A 52Frames’ submission and a favorite of mine.

Like the smoldering matchstick above, a flame lasts but a few moments. In a blink of an eye, it’s gone. Life is the same and, yet different. Time marches on.

I realize this sounds morbid. But, it’s reality. Ever since I was a little girl, I thought differently from others. For example, I once said, “the moment you’re born, you begin to die.” Folks were shocked. However, it’s the truth.

Earthly life is not forever. No matter how hard man tries, one cannot beat death. There is only one exception. Believers will still die an earthly death; but, they will live on eternally with Him.

In the meantime, we struggle. Just because we are believers, it doesn’t mean we do not suffer earthly problems. We do have One who lives in us to help guide us the way (to live).

I wonder why the Holy Spirit is a neglected topic in the Christian world?  He is equal with the Father and the Son.

This writing went in a completely different direction than I intended.  But, it’s five-minute free writing with the flow of thoughts coming out of my fingers.

Framers Friday: Self-Portrait

It’s a new year, first submission for the year 2021, and, as always, the first is self-portrait.

Five Parts of Me

What I wrote:

When you see me, this is what you see — scars, aid, & all. I don’t do makeup except for parts of my eyebrows that have gone bald. I’ve been embracing who I am of late. Nonetheless, it was shocking to see what the camera sees. The mind lies. The camera is glaringly the truth. I’ve never noticed a dark (age) spot on my right cheek or a wrinkle on the right side of the mouth.

Portraits, any kind, are one of my least favorite genres. I did not know what to do for this theme. So, I searched. Two images stood out. I sought to emulate one & failed. I do not have enough knowledge of posing, portraits, or Photoshop. So, I chose to do the second one I liked as it’s straight on truth. It did not turn out as I envisioned; but, time is short. I like the result.

Inspired by: Chuck Close Photography 

Focus Stacking Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cactus

I walked by this new plant of mine and noticed the bud. I thought to myself, “hmmm, this could work for “texture” and set about getting a shot. I did not care about the background as I wanted to see how it looked. This was taken using window light, macro lens, a tripod, and a black foam board behind the plant. I ended up doing five images focusing using live view. I’m pleased with my effort; but, I discarded this due to the feeling it’s boring. But, at least, I feel I am getting better at focus stacking.

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What Do You Say… {Five Minute Fridays}

Taken 12/23/2019 at Lake Livingston, Texas

Five Minute Friday is taking a break.  The next prompt will be issued this coming Friday (January 8).  In the meantime, I decided to publish what I wrote on September 3, 2020.  At the time, I wrote it for a #writephoto prompt that is no longer being done.  I felt it didn’t fit the photo prompt itself; so, I kept it in the drafts folder. 

What do you say to the Maker of the universe?
There’s beauty and order in the world.

What do you say to the Father who resides in Heaven?
He is the I Am. He is and always.

What do you say to the Son who walked on earth?
He came down from the Heavens.

What do you say to the Man who walked on water?
He holds all power and majesty.

What do you say to the Lord who became broken?
Battered, bruised, and hung on that cross. 

What do you say when He calls you by name?
After all that I’ve seen, after all that He’s done,

Here Am I, Lord.

Framers Friday: 2020 in a Photo

This is the last image for the year 2020.  52 Submissions. Three times (3x) weekly warrior.  The new year begins now with Self-Portraits.  Come join us at 52Frames if you’re interested. Submission deadline is Sunday (January 4) just before midnight.

It was always burning…

Here is what I wrote:

Billy Joel released a song, “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” in 1989. The lyrics & the beat appealed to me. It’s a favorite of mine for many years. I may be deaf; but, I do enjoy music at times.

2020 could be an extension of Joel’s song with Australia burning, war, pandemic, violent protests, riots & looting, millions w/o jobs, Kobe Bryant, murder hornets, RBG, Brexit, SpaceX, & so much more. Many of us didn’t light a single fire & the world continues to burn.

The world has become scary. I’m at heart a pacifist. But, I fear many more will have no choice but to join in the ranks fighting fires. I fear in order to save ourselves; we’ll have to help light a fire or two. I hope not. I pray not.