My First Photography Challenge

I’m learning that to create art, you have to play

March has meant learning my camera settings, so I thought what better way than to get involved in the photography challenge. The above photo is of Lake Austin, though it’s really Texas’ Colorado River.

№.10 — Read between the lines

To survive, we often have to “read between the lines.” We have to determine what it is visible and what is invisible — where to go, what to avoid — and make our choices accordingly.

There is a lot to be said about the snail in this photograph. Where is it going? Where did it come from? If it were on the sidewalk, I may not have noticed it, but here it is perched in a spot of relative safety. The rust-red of the bars made the snail’s shell stand out amongst the gray, rainy day.

№.11 — Out of Place

It seems to me you think I don’t belong here my backstory my ugly truths do not mix with the idealism of who you wish me to be

You can throw coins away as wishes into water but I am permanent ink on a well-stained wall

Never the flower never the belle of a fabled royal ball

— if graffitied walls could talk

№.12 — The Mystery Zone

I’d never heard Spoon before, so I listened to “The Mystery Zone.” Thanks to this challenge, I now have a new band I enjoy.

When this bird landed on the chair in front of me, I carefully brought out my camera. The texture of the chair and the wall contrast with the bird’s smooth feathers and create an interesting effect.

Though science reveals a lot about birds, they are mysterious creatures to me. They have an uncanny ability to alert us to changes in nature — if we listen. Their songs are as widely varied as their species. When it rains, they go to mysterious places, and they can fly.

Oh and, they evolved from dinosaurs.

Sometimes, I wish I were a bird.

№.13 — A Movie Title

I know this photograph is a bit dark. I was playing with my f stop and ISO settings. While I’d like to get better, I am pleased with how the image turned out because I think it’s befitting of what my son was pretending at the time.

Sith Lord Spider-Man. If my son could be whomever he wanted to be, it would be Darth Vader combined with Spider-Man.

In our house we’ve seen every Spider-Man film and every Star Wars movie. My son is his own superhero and sometimes villain — inspired (in order) by Spider-Man, Vader, and Luke Skywalker.

I can learn a lot from my son’s imagination — not the least of which is that to create, you have to play.

All photos were taken with a Sony a7 II.

Thank you to Rodrigo S-C for the challenge and the editors of Full Frame for working with me as I figure out the art of photography.