Simple Pleasures

52Frames2022 Week 08 "Rule of Thirds" 

When the world seems to going to heck in a handbasket ... take a deep breath, and remember the simple joy of popping bubbles. 

Gigi and I were lucky enough to have our 2-year-old grandson while his parents took his older sister to Disneyworld. I can now report that Hurricane Austin is back home and FEMA is at our house assessing the damages. If Gigi and Papa took a shot of booze each time Austin said, “Where’s Mama?” … we would both be attending an AA meeting today. (If we were conscious.) Thanks, Austin for a most excellent, fun week. 

I used the "rule of thirds" focal point on the popping bubble in Austin's hands. Lucky shot you say? You would be correct! Many times I would rather be lucky than good.

Note: Many bubbles were harmed during this photo shoot.

The Haunted Attic

52Frames2022 Week 07 "Unexplored" 

So, it’s been over a year now since we moved into our new home which is located about one-half mile from Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Since I have read a few books about the Battle of Atlanta, I am pretty sure that there were troop movements through the area where we’re now living. Which brings me to this. I heard a sound, as though something fell, coming from our attic. That would not be that unusual since I do have the habit of randomly stacking things on top of each other. I decided to investigate. Now, most of you, who listened to me on the radio, know that I’m not one to embellish or fabricate stories. (Okay, I have been known to do that on quite a few occasions. Matter of fact, former NBC news anchor Brian Williams takes a back seat to me when it comes to inventing amazing tall tales.) Anyway, as I slowly opened the door to our attic, I was confronted by what I can only describe as … a spirit from beyond. Was it a soldier from the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain? Was it a former land owner from days gone by? Or, was it me attempting to finish my weekly photo challenge which is … “Unexplored?”

How we view the world today

52Frames2022 Week 06 "Depth of Field" 

Step one: Take a photo of one of my Corgis. Display the photo on my phone. This is Jenny (sister to Forrest.) I took her photo this week (200mm – f2.8 – 1/200.) Hey, that would qualify as a nice DOF photo itself. But wait, there’s more! 

Step two: Hold my phone with Jenny’s photo in front of my Nikon Z6II camera and take an even narrower DOF photo (40mm-f2.2-1/50.) Apparently, this is how we view our world today, on tiny screens that we hold out in front of our eyes. Amazing! 

Step three: Post the photo on 52Frames minutes before the deadline. Apparently, that is what I do each week. 

Step four: Tuesday or Wednesday go to 52Frames and view my submission on my phone screen. What a wonderful and tiny world we live in.

Break on through to the other side

52Frames2022 Week 05 "Black and White"

"You know the day destroys the night … Night divides the day … Tried to run … Tried to hide … Break on through to the other side" – The Doors

I noticed this elderly couple hiking a trail in Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.  They were near a monument and walking a path toward the forest.  I quickly (as fast as an old man can) set my shutter speed at 1/13 of a second using auto ISO and deliberately moved my camera up and down.  In post processing, I converted to B&W and made adjustments in Lightroom and Nik filters.  I liked the final look of an almost watery trail, with web-like tree limbs, mysterious white blocks and a chain fence leading line.  This photo can be interpreted in many ways, but I immediately thought of The Doors song.  Let me know what you see.