Something a little different

20140329-212511.jpg Today was two days in one, so please forgive me if this is a confusing.

We had one of those days around the house which makes you appreciate each person in your family and close friend circle a little more than when you woke up.

We had the little boy praying for his favorite pastor, now in heaven, the night before surprise me with the things he learned about faith, hope, love of God, and respect for authority this year in Blue Knights (and his catechism!).

We had a friend race over to help us and another storm heaven with prayers, as Mom and Dad had to make an unexpected trip...and we saw how deeply we love the lives of our children...and the new one on the way...before any saw the first light of day.

I had two big kids step up and grow up just a little more when faced with a challenge. I love them lots. Much more than words or photos could ever show (well no one really gets photos of me with my kids since I'm the photog!)

And then my youngest daughter fell asleep on my shoulder in church tonight while two boys sang in the children's choir (of course now at almost 10PM she just wants to party!).

This photo I played with seemed to fit the day's adventures. A lovely red blossoming flower surrounded by by busy texture. That was today...life unfolding surrounded by the texture of confusion, noise, friends sustainment, and warmth.

All in all it was a day when we could say God is good to us in ways we could not fathom at the first light of dawn. A day reminding me to say thank you to God for all he did in so many little ways and lives to sustain us. A day which makes me say thank you for having one more day tomorrow to recover and praise his name again.

-ehw

Bench Warming Art

20140308-201612.jpg While shuttling the boys around to baseball today I took my camera along. Good old Mr. Pentax K-5 came along so while the boys do their spring training I do mine. Just as they learn the lovely feel of a glove on your hand, I learn the lovely knobs, buttons and dials and sound of the shutter closing to complete my image.

I took some test photos on the field of my boy, and when I was confident the sports gear was working I turned to having some creative fun. I mounted up my favorite Pentax lens still in my arsenal, the D-FA 100WR and went to work.

This photo is a knot on the bench I was sitting on while Kevin was doing a mock game. I made several photos with the intent on pulling texture out later...then I remembered a line from Brian Peterson's recent video reminding us to add an element to the photo to become an accent in it. So in came the leaf to spice things up.

Later I added some effects in post to pull out the texture of the wood and leaf ...I then cropped it ...and added the vignette. When I was done it was what I envisioned when I started.

I must say I really enjoyed this creative process from start to finish. I am slowing growing as an artist, and this is just another step in the journey. I hope you enjoyed the results as well!

-ehw

Wow...twins!

20130729-064038.jpg Today will be a full day...so I am happy to share this simple composition of a little flowers shining in morning light....

-ehw

P.S. When shooting flowers outdoors I highly suggest wind breaks and diffusers. One keeps your subject still. The other helps control the highlights by making harsh light bigger.