The Story Behind the Shots.... 2011

Spring 2011.... I was very fortunate to join Nature Photographer Eric Horan and Naturalist Marvin Bouknight, along with a wonderful group of fellow photographers as we spent memorable weekend on Ossabaw Island, the third largest barrier island located off the Georgia coastline, on the Atlantic Ocean. A short19.5 miles from my front lawn.... but in reality, a million miles away... As cliche' as it sounds.... a weekend that changed my life.. and view of the impact that we humans have made on the earth...

I had someone ask me before I departed, "why are you going over there? there isn't anything out there".... but oh, yes there was... it was jam packed.... teaming with activity... and wildlife. You just have to stand still long enough to see it. Something that we don't remember to do much these days it seems... with email, cellphones, soccer games, dinner, etc... who has time to stand still? and I'll admit, I was on my cell phone allot while I was there, taking phone pics, and uploading them to Facebook for my friends to see what I was experiencing, checking the weather, the satellite map of the island etc... (that's how I know it was 19.5 miles ;)...and I felt soooo guilty about even carrying a cell phone....

Yes, it was life changing to stand on ground and beaches that native peoples stood on 4,000 yeas ago, and get the chance now,to see it pretty much the same as it was then... after it has been through the eras of colonial and ante-bellum plantation owners, and the enslaved African Americans and the tenant farmers, and the 20th century northern families. Most of the island is now back to the way it was before, before the ancient oaks were felled by hand saws to make the great sailing ships, before the dark hands planted and picked the cotton, indigo and other crops. These days, most of the "hands" on the island belong to raccoons, sea turtles and other creatures...

To get to the island, we had to drive across Skidaway Island, a private, gated golf and tennis community that bears little if any resemblance to what it once was- really hit a nerve with me on the return trip home, I was slapped in the face with the way I saw it this time... now I know what it could have looked like before it was massacred and sliced into tiny lots and sold. (I'm very familiar with Skidaway, I worked out there for five years over twenty years ago, and little has changed)

Anyway, we launched from Delegal Marina and settled in for the brief trip to Ossabaw. We were a bit nervous as bad weather was rolling in... the wind was whipping and the tornado warnings were issued. We reached the dock, offloaded and headed to the Club House a refurbished late 1800's hunting cabin, to meet the rest of the group and get settled in. It rained off and on the rest of the afternoon. Several of us would attempt to venture out to do a bit of exploring... and take advantage of the amazing golden lighting brought about due to the storm -only to be sent dashing back to "Base Camp" to get in out of the rain with our camera gear. it was a good way to meet the others and plan the rest of the weekends excursions.

The next morning before sunrise, we met up with Cody the resident DNR officer, and we all crammed into the pickup truck for the bumpy10 mile ride to the beach to catch the sunrise. The road under the the narrow canopy of oak trees, that goes from the North end to the South end of the island was amazing all on its own. It is said that this is probably one of the oldest still in use roads in America- dating back to the 1600's

Due to our getting a lateish start to the day, we missed the sunrise by just a few minutes. We didn't mind too much, we got to explore the "Bone Yard" where the beach is eroding into the sea and the trees along the edge have fallen on to the beach. These made for some amazing back drops and great subjects to photograph. Trust me, you have not traveled, until you go to a barren island with a group of excited photographers. At least WE all understood each others enthusiasm !

By mid morning we were getting a bit tuckered out and headed back to the ClubHouse for a wonderful lunch. Our chefs for the trip were Eric's wife Jan, and her good friend Jill... thank you again ladies for the delightful spreads you put on for us! That evening we all gathered back up and rode out to a few other spots to photograph. The Island was three seperate plantations at one point, and we heded to Middle Place to check out some old buildings. the focal point being the Tower House that was built in the 1970's by a group of artist that were part of the Genisis Project. We caught this barn like building and the river as the sun was setting. That evening we had "Movie night" as we all gathered in the main room of the clubhouse to view and critic some of the photos from the day that the guys projected onto a sheet that was hung on the front of the fire place . this worked out nicely, we got to see how the others "saw" the same things.

I "did it".... look out 2010...

Yes, for those of you that are tired of me saying something like “one of these days, when I get a GOOD camera”...well, I did it; I broke down and got what I’d call a mac daddy, a Nikon D700…and a lot of bells and whistles that come with it. I probably bit off way more than I can chew, and this camera is probably way more than I need- good gawd the owner’s manual is about a half inch thick…for those of you with a film background etc, and can remember film speeds.. like 100, 200 or for fast action, 400 (fast but pretty grainy) this new Cadillac can shoot 6400….and not bat an eye. This shot is inside the little chapel of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, on Isle of Hope. The inside of the chapel is all dark varnished wood, and the only light was from the windows. This beautiful banner was standing in the corner. At 6400, I was amazed at the detail, and lack of grain and noise in this photo…I have only had the camera a week, and am still trying to figure out all the buttons and dials… so look out 2010, here I come, I’m gonna make it happen, it will be a good year!

2009... Comes to an End

Another year of my life is on the books now…so to speak. Yes, I have neglected this section of my life, and web page. I promise I’ll try to do better in these upcoming months. As most people do, I tend to reflect at the end of the year….OK just what do I have to show for 2009… well, the economy tanked- and artist as always take, a big hit. Two galleries that I had prints on display folded. OK, bump in the road, not a good year to see the bank account grow…OK, move on, and improve my skills… keep going. I did get some great shots this year; from the dramatic refuge sunsets to fast action polo to seductive portraits…I still continue to receive praise and compliments from my friends, and more importantly fellow photographers. I feel I have grown, and improved, so this year was not as bad as it may seem! I’m trying to think of which shot would be my favorite for the year… wow there were so many… this may not be my favorite, but it sums up ME pretty well…. I call this one, “Dusty Boots”. I spent a week in July at home in Lafayette, Indiana. The Tippecanoe County 4-H Fair was going on and two of my brother’s grand kids were showing their horses. I had spent ten years in 4-H as a child, and those are some of my fondest memories…I hadn’t been back in probably over ten years, and it has been mmm 30 since I participated. My family thinks of me as a city girl now… but my friends here all know I am still very much the country girl inside. I don’t get to see my family as much as I would like, and often feel that I have lost touch with them. This photo came about after I looked down and realized that I was still, very much, “a Sosbe”. One does not get the opportunity living in Savannah, in July, to wear ones Levi’s an Boots! Of course the kids all thought I was off my rocker, when I was trying to corral them in a circle for this shot… the sun was not helping so we ended up with a line. But here we are, myself in the middle, surrounded by Kaylee, Kolbee, Keegan and Koree. As you can tell, I’m still part of the family!

Art in the Garage...the story behind the shot

In early summer, I found myself at The Old Mill Motorcycle Museum in Juliette Georgia, also home of the Whistle Stop Cafe' from the movie"Fried Green Tomatoes" .The Museum originally a Grist mill a huge multi floored concrete building, was in a lot of background shots for the movie... What amazing lighting. Huge widows- would make for a fantastic photography studio...I took lots of pics of several vintage Harley-Davidsons. I was going for more of an artisic view- details etc. After I returned, and had some downtime to Tweek as call playing in Photoshop, I messed around with some different filters. I clicked on >Grain, and this is what I got... and I loved it! I donated a framed print to ths 2009 Harley Owners Group's Annual Bikes, Boggie and Blues Dance- a fund raiser for MDA. A friend won the print and was so excited!... for me Tweeking is a bit like fishing, you just never know sometimes what you might come up with, and it feels great when you get a keeper!

Pets...

Why do pets touch our hearts with so much intensity? They are only in our lives for a few short years, but they stay in our hearts forever. I lost my girl Aussie over two years ago, but I can look at another Cattle Dog, and still cry... This is Shot, and he is so fortunate to live in the country on a lovely piece of property. He gets to be a dog- no fences, no chains, just freedom- all day... like dogs were made to be...no kennels, no highways... just him, his buddy Storm and their farm with the woods, the ponds and little boys... Like Dog Heaven should be....I miss you Aussie....

The Story Behind the Shot...

The" White Dove of The Desert" , is San Xavier del Bac Mission, located outside of Tucson, Arizona. My friend Megan and I were driving down to Green Valley to see my friend Donita. She called while we were on the way and told us to make sure we stopped to see the mission. It was amazingly beautiful- and to think that this was built in the late 1700's -without modern technology. We did not stay long, we still had a bit of a drive to go... but I did get some great shots. It was mid day, in late Januarary, and it is a very white building- adds up to a very bright subject! I used a polarizing filter- and I am still learning with it. I didn't really want the background sky- to be almost black, but it turned out nicely. Of the two towers, they don't really know why the second one was never finished. They possibly ran out of money. No one knows for sure. I could have poked around here for hours, but we only had a few minutes. While we were visiting with Donita, she took us a bit further south to another mission. Tumacacori has not been restored. I'll try to get some photos posted soon. While were were in Arizona, we put almost 1700 miles on our poor little rent-a-car. But we both got some very memorable shots of everything from the Red Rocks of Sedona, to the Grand Canyon to the one time Stage Coach station, now turned outdoor biker bar "Grease Wood Flats'. Thank you Megan for a great trip- where are we going next time?!

..."from the artisit point of view"

I am flying out to Arizona in the morning, and I am wound up with excitement... and that means I won't be falling asleep anytime soon... I am meeting up with my good friend Meagan, and we will be traveling around seeing the sights. Of course, I will have camera in tow... We want to head north from Phoenix to the red rocks of Sedona, and then on to the Grand Canyon... they are calling for snow flurries. I hope it is a dusting- and not a full blown snow fall. The potential for the amazing photo factor is quite high!... wish us luck!

The Melon Bluff Nature Center, in Midway Georgia, is hosting an Arbor Day Photo Contest next month. ... from the flyer..."The focus is on Georgia's magnificent state tree- the live oak- from the artist point of view. Photographs should seek to capture the live oaks unique beauty from minute details to its place in our natural landscape. Former Georgia's State Photographer and 2008 DNR Artist- in- residence, Diane Kirkland, will serve as the judge for this year's inaugural competition." OK- I'm up for that... now just what am I going to enter.... I really don't have any good oak tree shots in my collection... hmmmm. There is an amazing dead tree in the field along the road to the horse barn at work... I just can't get the lighting right for it to stand out from the pack... I'm thinking the contest is looking for wilderness type photos....well... I'm thinking that they are going to have to settle for some - domesticated citi fied oak trees- isn't that what Savannah is known for? so I spent the better part of this past week searching for- my tree shot. Have you ever thought about just how many thousands of trees there are in town and then trying to find the right one- the one that says something... and then trying to get the right angle etc. that is not blocked by a bunch of parked cars, homes etc... like I said- I searched... I was driving down Gaston street at the north end of Forsyth Park yesterday, and looked over... that's it. I made sure I looked at the time to get the lighting just so. There along the sidewalk was the alley of trees and in the back ground was a beautiful blooming Red Bud tree. Sold!. I'll be back. I took today off to pack for my trip etc... was I packing?.. no, I was out twice- tree shot hunting. I got my shots- all 58 of them... try this setting, try this view point .... came back and tweeked them in the computer... had to pull a book out to get a "recipe" for a few things.. and on the other page was the Infrared ... no still not packing- I'm playing with pictures... take color out- put color back... hey that is pretty cool! So- this may not be exactly what they are looking for... but this is what I'm submitting. I can enter two- so I think I will put in this one, and the original- beautiful green colors and then the pop of the red bud in the center- You can see the others on the web page under "Savannah's Oaks"...wish me luck. The opening reception for the contest is Saturday February 21st...now all I have to do is come up with a title for them uuuuugggghhh! As always - I'm open for suggestions.... and I'm thinking this shot is my new favorite of the month...