Several years ago, over a period of months, I participated in a weekly photo challenge, You Capture. It was a fun way to force myself to do something I enjoy, but don’t always have time for.
You Capture was very successful, but it became too difficult for Beth, the host blogger, to manage. Nothing against Beth. She’s a lovely lady, but she also happens to be an entrepreneur AND mother of four. So she has absolutely no spare time.
I met some really cool people during my You Capture days, one of whom is Beth’s Mom, Mary.
Mary reached out to me recently by e-mail, saying…
Long time no speak right? I visit your site sometimes but I just haven’t been a good commenter. I have however missed checking in with you regularly. I go back to the days of You Capture when we all shared pictures and comments and stories and I really miss it.
Know what? I miss it, too. Which means I was really tickled when Mary went on in her e-mail to say…
Although Beth hasn’t started You Capture in the same way where it’s open to everybody, one of the participants is trying to get a photo challenge going. This is only her second week, but so far I’m the only one who’s joined. Others have posted pictures on Facebook, but it’s not the same. Anyway, when I think of the people I miss the most from the You Capture days, you’re right at the top. You’re such an interesting writer and gifted photographer! So I thought I’d send you the link to Nancy’s photo challenge in the hopes that you might join in.
I was touched that she remembered me. AND, her e-mail just happened to coincide with the arrival of a brand-new camera lens. So I decided to join. Here’s my entry for the week.
My Favorite Shot
Folks who know me, know I have a story for everything. That image hangs in a group on Caroline Street in Olde Town Fredericksburg, Virginia. It appears there is or has been an art movement in Fredericksburg — MOREart!. I don’t know if the smallish mural pictured is part of that or not. I will have to investigate further.
Other Images I Want to Share
Photography is art. It’s taken me a while to realize that good photography doesn’t have to mean perfect images. My images don’t always have to be completely in focus. They don’t have to be technically brilliant, i.e., perfect lighting, strong composition, sharp, etc., they just have to please me. I’m not trying to make a living here, I’m just trying to capture images I enjoy.
I like Immortalizing little moments that mean something to me. Here are some of my other favorite captures.
The first two images were also captured in Fredericksburg with my old lens.
All of the images that follow were captured with my new lens, a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens.
That’s it for me this week. I hope you enjoyed my captures.
Visit Nancy’s blog to see the other entries.
Thanks for hosting this, Bacardi Mama.
Kathy:
when I first saw your first photo I was thinking to myself “what a great photoshop user” but then it was a photo of a photo. are you allowed to enter a photo of a photo/poster/another image ?
My eyes would be following “eyes on mama” too. I think I have the first version of your 55-250mm. Mine has very low contrast so I have to “bump it up” or my images are dull. I used to be a Nikon person so I have many Nikkor lenses and not that many Canon lenses. I bought a super zoom last year before my trip and I find it much better for contrast and fast focusing as it had the microsonic motor (DCM motor) it’s the Sigma 18-250mm all in one so I don’t have to change lenses.
Your lens seems to be much better than the one I have. Too bad you didn’t have it on your recent visit to Auburn, or Seattle
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Hi, Bob.
I did sort of have a new lens while visiting. A Sigma 55-200mm f/4-5.6 DC Telephoto Zoom Lens, which Hubby got for me as a b-day present. I’d been saving up to buy one and that completely surprised me as we’re usually a bit less extravagant with birthday gifts. But, the seller shipped me the Sony version. So it had to go back. After that one was returned, I added the money I’d been saving to the pot so I could get the Canon lens. I have an older, lower quality Canon 75-300 zoom, which still works mostly. But it’s on its last leg after I dropped it on a sidewalk several months ago. That was always one of my favorite lenses. I’m very pleased with the clarity so far. Now I need to get out and shoot more.
My first shot is a picture of a mural/painting. If my site was for-profit, use of that image probably wouldn’t be allowed. Perhaps it still isn’t allowed, but my following is small, so I am not overly concerned. I actually did very little correcting to any of today’s images.
Very cool pics, but you’ve always had an eye for it I thick.
Love the noses through the fence. Has to be my favorite.
A few years ago Bobskoot taught me to look for patterns in nature and I still do this when walking around with the camera in hand.
I mean, “I think” in that first line – damn autocorrecting iMac……
I knew what you meant, B. I get auto-corrected on my phone all the time.
Speaking of patterns in nature, I was in heaven in the rain forest with all of the ferns.
Snowmelt…..AMAAZing
Thanks, Kelly Ann. I’m glad to know others appreciate the weird stuff that catches my eye. Isn’t it cool what can be captured in a puddle on the side of the street?
Thank you so much for joining in! I love your captures. The dogs in the gate are adorable. Hope you keep joining in. I’m hardly ever on Twitter anymore, so it’s nice to keep in touch this way. Again, thanks for joining in!
Thanks, Nancy. I appreciate your hosting HMWYBS. I’ll get the timing better in the future. LOL.
Nice stuff. I like not just your talent but also your choices of subject-matter.
Thanks, ShyB!
Boy, I was right about what an interesting writer you are and what a gifted photographer you are but how could I not have mentioned your creativity! Posts like this one are definitely what I’ve been missing! I love your fav – it really made me look twice and I love the snowmelt and I love love love the girls watching mama. How did you ever line up someone’s eyes with the cutouts in the fence. That really caused a double take! It’s so good to reconnect with you!
Thanks, Mary. I’m glad you thought of me. I’ve missed keeping up with you and your family, too. That shot of the dogs was pure luck. I didn’t even notice Belle’s position until my boss said it looked as if she was looking through binoculars! Taking pics of three dogs together is always a crap shoot.