Mary Presson Roberts“We only see what we look at. To look is an act of choice.”
least an hour longer than anticipated to reach my destination.
A scene that caught my eye along the way made me take the next exit and turn around to take a closer look.
Those who know me know that the color red will make me stop in my tracks for a number of reasons. A large patch of red poppies was far too enticing to pass by. I have learned, from the past, never to think that I will be able to photograph something on my way back. Conditions always change. The light will be different, or something else will change the scene completely from when it was initially spotted.
Once I found a safe place to park, I began exploring this magnificent field of red poppies.
Realizing that I needed to create some images for upcoming lessons for a private client studying foundational photography skills, I started by making some images using different apertures and shutter speeds. First, I chose which I preferred, a horizontal or a vertical composition for these images.
After creating images for my client, I began exploring for myself.
Within the field of poppies, I noticed a patch of yellow. I explored photographing the layers in the field using different points of focus and apertures. I also examined including and excluding the strip of grass at the top of my composition.
One of the things I explored was working to isolate one flower among many.
Content, I made my way back to my vehicle and continued my drive to the Biltmore House.
Of all of the photography I did that day, the photographs I made in the field of poppies were, by far, my favorite photographs.
This year has been an incredible opportunity to combine my passions for both teaching and photography.
Please consider joining me for an upcoming workshop:
If you, too, love the color red, you will find it in abundance this fall during the Georgia Gardens & Grilles Plus Workshop that I will be co-leading with Jamie Konarski Davidson. You can get more information about that here.
In June, you can stay out of the heat and explore the Power of Personal Projects with me online. You can get more information about that here.
If you would like something specifically created for you, please consider private instruction with me. You can get more information about that here.
Your blog today encapsulates the patience and inquisitiveness needed for a skilled photographer to capture a great image. But beyond that it is a life lesson in pausing to appreciate the world around us and recognizing that life is most often about the journey and not the destination.
Thank you, so much, for your very kind words, David! Greatly appreciated!
Mary these are stunning images. I love each and every one.
Thank you, very much, Cathy! Happy Spring!