Fall, Fog, Frost - thoughts in the walk

Sunshine is still beautiful but the temperature is way down. Fall chill is definitely here.  There have been many foggy mornings.  The fog was so dense that I could only see one car ahead of me, not further.  This reminds me of my days living in Sacramento in winter time.  The density of the fog is so intense that I had no clue what’s in front of me driving on freeway.  I wanted to get off the freeway, but I could not find the exit. Traffic signs and exit entrance were completely fogged. Other than that, I love fog, particularly in colorful fall days.

I have tried to catch a right moment to go out and take some foggy shots. Being a computer addict, it is so easy for me to forget time. One moment I think the fog is too dense to shoot anything and the other moment I am too late. Finally I just took off early in the morning and I am so glad that I did.

The smoked and fogged woods bring me to think of traditional Chinese painting, the understated style. Maple leaves are more a burgundy color, but they look orange under morning sun. Maple tree is the focal point, the attraction. If not for the fainted background, the orange won't look so distinctive.

I read a book titled Quiet. It does a thorough analysis on introvert people and how our society functions with both the introvert and extrovert. Introvert tends to think more and more resistant to act while extrovert is inclined to talk more and more daring to adventure. So there are thinkers and there are adventurers. We need the introvert to plan and we also need the extrovert to act. I think it is our Creator's work of art to piece two together.

Asian immigrants are often categorized as introvert, the quiet background. Native speakers are generally the extrovert, the center piece. I think it has definitely something to do with the comfort level of being an ESL (English as second language).

It is hard for me not to brag about Oregon. But if you can look at what I got in a simple and short morning walk in the park, you will be with me.  Everything is supposed to turn yellow, dry, faded and scattered, but I am seeing colors, life and vitality in a subtle way.

I walked by the river path. Steaming fog on the river created a milky background. If it is just a regular sunny day, these trees would never catch my eyes.

Ducks are everywhere here in Eugene. I stopped taking their pictures since last year. But when the fog layered fallen leaves on the pond, I saw this ducky sitting on an embroidered fabric. He was of course lifting his head and wondered why he suddenly became my interest.  He is free and lucky to be here.  If he lives in a China country town, he may sit motionlessly on a gourmet dining table now.

Speaking of embroidery, how that tiny spider weaves this intricate thing is beyond me. The frosted webs look like a superfine crystal necklace. I have learned again and again, not to ignore a small existence around us. There is a reason why they are co-existing with us. Either they are teaching us a lesson to be persistent and industrious or simply provide me a chance for a shot.

If not for the fog and the frost, I would not frame this shot for my simple pleasure. It is the variety of the elements make the image interesting. The vitality and energy of our society come from the combination of our differences and our co-existence. I am no longer thinking that I want to get out of the background. It is just fine to be wherever I am, there is always a purpose for whatever turns out to be. 

I have set myself a goal to dive in Photoshop and be able to share what I learn in my blog. But not until I am there, I don't want to make any promise. I am the Quiet and I would rather speak when I am ready.

Mushroom - Surviving through football season

It is November in Northwest and it has been sunny every day since last week. I feel guilty if I don’t take my gear out and shoot a few. 

 

Fall colors are so attractive here because of the massive forest and big varieties of trees. Spring and summer are of course brightly beautiful.  With her stunning outlook, fall is romantic in sunshine and mysterious in foggy and frosty days.  How would nature weave layers of colors without yarns and needles? And, the color palette of this organic tapestry is constantly changing. You can shoot the same spot in different time and day and come home with varying images each time.

Colors, colors everywhere, but I am singing blues because it is now college football season. If you are a football fan and you enjoy watching every game with your husband, good luck, you are doing well. This post may not be for you. If you are suffering football phobia syndrome because of its home invasion, like me, then read on.

First of all, I want to say that I have occasionally watched football games at home and also made it to the stadium. I even hosted the gathering for fans to watch games in our house sometimes. Because I feel I should try to participate and be nice about it. However, when your house starts to become second football field and your large TV screen is constantly showing running players and helmets, I found that very annoying.

Sports is such a big business in this country. If you live in a big city where diversified resources are offered, you have many other things to engage and sports is only one of them, great, life is interesting and balanced. If  you are in a small town, there is not much choice for leisure and sports event becomes the single significant event. I think that’s why football teams from less-populated states (and rich schools who provide large scholarship to recruit ‘the’ players) perform better because they have only one focus and they have die-hard hometown supporters.

Deep breath with my flower before I go on....

I live in Oregon and Ducks have been outstanding. As a matter of fact, I even have my emotion attached to the team and the players.  There are many nice kids and they work so hard. And, I love to take pictures for my family when they are all ducked out, fully dressed in Duck outfit. But,....

Football season begins in September and ends in November, then, there are playoffs. By the time when you think you are getting a break and you can finally use that large screen to watch a movie. There are still Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and BCS National Championship. And, there are endless reruns. It is endless, forever. Scheduled tournaments and their affiliated bowls have taken up too much space in my home and my life. I am football phobia.

If you research online, you will find all kinds of Survival tips for women during football season. This tells you how many women are suffering and sacrificing while their guys can only hear touch-downs. Grab your credit card and out for a shopping spree? Watch games with your husband and become a tailgate buddies? Shut your eyes and doors? Turn on the other TV in the house and have a volume contest? Be an old-fashioned obedient wife, swallow it and shed tears behind the door? None of the options sound tempting to me.

I came across an article. One lady was upset at her man that she stopped cooking his favorite dishes. Sound like an unharmful idea, but I think I should bring it to the next level, i.e. cooking something he does not like. My husband does not like mushrooms. Period. Every once a while, if I sneaked in a few tiny sliced pieces into his plate, he would find them and pick them out without fail.  If I make a Chinese multi mushrooms veg plate with lots of chili sauce, I think I will certainly get his attention. He does not eat mushrooms nor the spicy food.  I laughed and laughed like a devil, and thought it is a great idea.

I walked out of the house to get some fresh air and remembered that I have been wanting to sweep the leaves in the yard. There is whole truckload of fallen oak leaves, where do I begin? I cruised the yard trying to figure out my work load and strategy. Having been working on my trip photo book and going through thousands of photos, I cannot remember when I was last working in the yard. Mushrooms are literally everywhere and quite a few varieties, too.  I have not seen so many mushrooms in our small yard. I decided to take some pictures.

These wild mushrooms are growing down the ground, on gravels.  They are so low that I can not hang my camera low enough for the angle I wanted and the gravels are so rough that I was not willing to crawl down to break my skin. I tried to shoot them from above, but they all just look like mini umbrella, no distinction. There is no tree stump or other interesting backdrop to make the mushrooms pop.  I would not use these un-tested and un-certified mushrooms to make dinner, but I wanted to shoot them before I get rid of them.

I pulled them out of ground and turned them upside down for my shots. Strong oder of raw wood and dirt was overwhelming when I flipped them. The fine texture under the umbrella looks interesting for photos, but the bottom packed with sand and gravel grossed me out. I cannot explain why, these mushrooms suddenly looked like rotten wood or fungus to me. I cannot believe that this is the stuff that I have loved so much. I could not wait to get rid of them.

I racked them into a big pile and dumped them in garbage can. I did not touch them with my hands, I wore my garden gloves.  And, you know, there won’t be any spicy mushroom dinner any more, I was mushroom out.  I was like a devil and now an idiot.  

Can you tell even that creature is questioning my wisdom?  He came to munch my flowers and I would usually chase him away in a heart beat.  But today I looked at him seeking for his approval.  

I learned a lesson from the mushrooms. The thing I loved turns into something I despise just in that split second. Love or hate, it is all in your mind. I think change is my mood, not mushroom. Mushroom, the stuff my husband hates, came to rescue him from eating a nasty dinner and future torment because I have the feeling that I won't buy fresh mushroom for a long time.

Can you believe this?

Sun is smiling at me sarcastically. It is the most gorgeous fall that I have ever experienced since I moved to Oregon. It is worth the celebration. Below is the sun-bathed maple tree. I love the color contrast. 

So, what's the conclusion about football addiction and football phobia?  I am going to chase sunshine for more images before I come back to answer this question......

A side note:  Spicy mushroom dinner is fictional, for your entertainment only.

All he needs to do is not to eat. It is not a good idea, but devil thinks he is smart. LOL.

Thoughts from the Garden

My first post for this blog was Simplicity. It was the beginning of the year, and I was minding my new year resolution to simplify everything. Now it is less than three months going into another year, I am still fighting to reduce my clutter. I am still carrying a big to do list.

There were days that I went over my photo library and simply could not find anything to put into use.  On other days, I have taken much and ended up with many favorites that I could not let go; consequently, I am swimming in my photo pools.  I have tried to establish my editorial calendar and plan ahead, but I have not been able to catch up.  Too much going on and not enough time to do it all.  Photography is meant for pleasure but I am catching pressure.  However, whenever I am onsite to shoot, I am relaxed and easily wandered away.

On a photography project to shoot some outdoor home space for the representation of Oregon outdoor living, I aimed two friend’s houses with intention to capture some outdoor shots.  I purposely not to choose new and large houses, for I like the established houses with down to earth kind of ambiance.  I meant to shoot outdoor space, but I found myself kept being side-tracked by garden decors. So I launched my treasure hunt....

These garden decors become so interesting to me because they represent the find mind behind, my lady friends in the houses.  Meanwhile, I discovered an interesting contrast  between vegetation and metal.  Tender and fragile vegetation (nature) actually gets along well with metals (artificial), the solid and the unbendable. I realized that harmony does not have to result from the same cord, when the extreme notes collide, they are neutralized and harmony takes place.

'As the garden grows, so grows the gardeners', it is so true. I love it. Below this gardener's sign, there is a S which is the initial of my friend's family name. Instead of a factory made letter, I believe that she made it with some small rocks. This small handwork has the signature of the gardener's heart who takes pride of her work in the garden.

As long as the door handles of the green house is being used often, the garden remains thriving. These are the coolest door handles I have ever seen. What a creative and fitful door handle for a green house!  I have been in this house so many times and this is the first time that I actually noticed this.  If not for my camera, I would not see it either this time.

Fall is here. The ever-changing fall leaves have brought us colors after colors. We are so fortunate to live here in Willamette Valley. The greens stay with us almost all year round till it frosts or even snows. Frost and snow barely stay more than 2-3 days. By the time frost is lifted and snow melted, the green acre shows up again.

If it is not the maple leaves, you may think this image (below) was taken in spring or summer. The tin flower hanging vase is attached to the tree in fine strings. The pointed shape goes so well with maple pointed leaves and the star gives a nice touch-down (thinking football? no) the ground while bell fuchsia are dancing around it. 

This is what I am talking about, a slight touch, a bit of artistic flare and loads of colors. Spring and summer are gone, and we still embrace fall regardless falling leaves and inactive growth in the garden. Nature provides in all seasons: I took flower close-up shots when flowers are blooming, I chased fall colors in the wind and I love to photo frosty leaves and twigs on snowy days.

It is quite unusual that I was manufacturing solid brass home decorative hardware for my previous business. Metals were what I touched every day and my office was often filled with raw casting pieces, semi-finished products and finished new products. I did not choose metal products for my business, they landed on me when initial business opportunities surfaced. I enjoyed the work because I built the entire product line and the creative process kept me interested. But I am certainly glad that I don't have to get my hands rough and dirty again.

How would I ever imagine that I am now enjoying these metal decors?  I can tell you exactly how these products are made and if I know the cost of the materials now, I can give you the price to manufacture in the offshore factory, too.  But what a luxury that I can now just kick back and relax in the environment where I am living.  Oregon living is simple and yet stimulating because we are constantly nurtured by nature and our mind is being purified at all times.

The other garden has a large collection of metal decors. There are metal flowers, leaves, bugs, pots... all the bells and whistles.   The pieces are all so dramatic that I felt challenging to take them all in and be able to create some artistic shots.

It took me a while to figure out how to shoot this large windmill with the lens I have. I have tried different angles, but it did not work till I finally decided to break the rule - shoot two's instead of three's. And, instead of rule of thirds, I chose the diagonal balance.

As a 6 years old, I have never been in a country and seen an owl. I was shocked by their large eyes in a dark night when I was first brought to the countryside. That shock still remains in me to this day and I am glad that they are now just metal castings, immobile and I can stare at them to my content. I have broken the rule of 3, why not more? But I focused on the little 'one' and blurred the other just to take 'two' out of your mind:-)

It was close to the end of my shooting, I was metal out and looking for something that I can get some fresh air and call it a day.

Wood gazebo structure is always nice. Hanging flower baskets with coconut fabric has always been my favorite because they look natural. Though there are wrought iron framework, I seemed not to mind because I was led to the skylight, the nice wood structure and the blue sky beyond.

What can it be better to have a warm sunny day while fall leaves are falling and sunbathing? The metal flower is guarding the fence, keep the deer out.  (The last image was shot AS IS. I was surprised to see how beautiful the fall colors are.)

An Ordinary Day

I am retired and should have lots of time, but I have not been able to find enough time to accomplish what I want.  My to-do list still grows and I have items there since last year. Distant photography outing is always inspiring and rejuvenating, but it cannot be done every day, in my case anyway.

I want to be faithful to my blog in respect of being truthful and non-fictional. I believe there is something to share when you have lived more than six decades on earth, so I am either flipping through my history book or adding new pieces to it as I discovered something vintage becomes new again or something purely undisclosed in my life and I have not had my foot prints on.

People get depressed when there is overcast for days or weeks or if there are 7-8 cold months in a year like in Scandinavia or Alaska. But  Norwegians (and some says Danish) were elected to be the happiest people on earth. How then? I guess we just have to make every day a new day, and make the ordinary day a special one. I found myself still so easily excited about every little discovery I encountered, just like a little child. 

I often receive forward emails with golden mottos that you should live by and if all are executed, your earth life will be as good as in heaven. The question is, how long it will take you to realize and live to the fulfillment of these golden rules. I am afraid life is approaching to the end when I am not stirred up by a tiny bubble any more. I prefer bubbles after bubbles and all over the places.

Routine is boring. But sometimes routine is good when I am too lazy to make the twist or turn. I have walked through the same path hundred times. When I don’t have my camera with me, everything looks the same. But things start to look different when my camera eye is wide open.  This was an ordinary day when I got up earlier than usual and the sun was peeking through the trees….

Walking up the hill, I have often looked at the glass decking on back of this house. I like the transparency and semi-openess of the glass. The plants inside the glass were shown through and morning mist added a frosty layer. And, warm morning light brought in a gold touch. A rear corner of this ordinary house has suddenly glowed in my sight.

Art Corner

I love birds because they come and go, and I enjoy the same freedom, too. I would not want to take care of them on top of everything I want to do. 

There are four animals that I don't particularly care for. (Please don’t get defensive if you happen to love them.)
Dogs (they bark too much and disturb my concentration sometimes), Turkey (they are Occupy Street, 52 of them at one time), Deer (oh, dear, they munch many live things and drained my pocket at nursery) and you all know Squirrels (the master destroyer). 

I stay away from them or chase them away. But, out of my character, I took couple shots that you would not believe. Instead of wrinkled face and aged neckline, it looks

Turk

upbeat, clean and alert. Its eye expresses emotion and its feather shining under the sun. I have liked this lucky Turk. And, after this encounter, I may not enjoy Thanksgiving turkey on the table any more.

Sun is moving beyond the roof line and going up higher. I did not have my sunglasses on, subconsciously I moved towards the shady side of the street. Not getting the protection, contrarily this dramatic sun burst shone right in my eyes. The first word came to my mind is Glory, glory of God. I don’t want to sound religious, but I am a Christian and I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy His divine design in everyday life.  

Can you see why I was Wow’d and thinking glory of God? In front of this scene, I felt speechless. Any more human language is obsolete if I try to describe how beautiful it is and how the impact was on me. A skinny tree trunk was in the way and I decided to leave it alone. I have wandered through the woods.... 

I know my friends would laugh at me, you take photo of a dog?  But… she is too cute to resist and she actually made me break my rule.  As long as they do not bark, don't try to lick all over you (overly passionate), stay clean and don’t leave ‘dirt’ all over the park, I am fine. (This was taken mid-day.)

A Toy or Puppy, Chihuahua

Cold chill outside in the evening, but I had urge to get some night flower shots on my deck. Unfortunately it is the time of the year that almost all the flowers have come to life end except this multi color grass and fuchsia.

There was dim light on the wall and I used a flash.  Night shots have  rich and deep flare that I cannot accomplish during the day.  I have not seen my grass looking so pleasing in my eyes, and it can easily be an abstract image, how about ‘Shades of Memory’? It resonates my intertwined mind stream whenever I am going through my history book…

Late Night Glow

Shades of Memory

Call it an ordinary day, a nice day, a productive day or another day of discovery. If not for photography, I would not appreciate life so much. I am sure of that.