I still don’t have time to blog, but I’ll take a moment to say hi.
I wanted to share one of my new favourite photos of myself. Taken just a couple days ago while visiting Pedro’s home city of Guanajuato, Mexico. The Presa de la Olla is a historic dam inside city limits. You can’t see the water, but it’s just on the other side of that wall. You can see the old Atalaya, the watchtower, behind me.
I love photos of me being a photographer. While holding my camera (it’s heavy, so after a long day I often carry on my shoulder as you see above), I shift the way I see things. I use my eyes, but I change my perspective and look at things how my camera’s lens might reveal them. It helps. When I’m ready, I pull my camera to my face and look through the viewfinder to see how close my guess was. That also helps.
I move the camera around slightly while looking through (I don’t use the screen on my DSLR, to save battery), and see if I can improve the framing. If I like it, I’ll take the shot, if not, I walk on. I’ll check the tiny screen on the camera to see if I got what I was aiming for, and sometimes I think I did.
It’s not until I get all the way home, pull up the images on my big computer screen, and see it for real for the first time, when I find out what I really have. That’s when the poor exposure, the strange hues, the random stranger in the background, the blurriness will show up if they haven’t already. It’s also where the ones I suspected were great photos will resolve themselves into just what I had wished for. When that happens, it’s pretty fun.
I’m an artist, but not really a photographer. I say that because I do not take the time to learn anything about photography or my fancy camera. I set it on auto and wish for the best. But still, I like the role of photographer. I like how, in a gathering, people make way and acquiesce when I’m the only one holding the photography equipment. It’s like they give me special status. I like how, in the city, people see the big lens and stop so that I can finish before they walk through my view. I like the almost instant reward of photography vs. painting. One can paint intentionally with a camera, and it’s challenging to do it well, but even amateurs get lucky and that’s a little thrill. And boom – it’s there to use as soon as you upload the image. Compared to oil painting, which takes me months for a single image.
We just got back from our Mexico trip. I leave Sunday to fly to Annapolis to teach for a week. I need to fly to Reno soon to be with my family after a death.
October, maybe. I’m thinking in October I may be able to return to my blogging community. I hope you have all been well and I miss you. ❤
Conscious Engagement 
Totally love this. What a wonderful shot. It’s how I think of you!
Thanks Bonnie! I love being thought of with a camera in my hands. ❤
My thought on photography, Crystal, is that the eye is much more important than the equipment, although the lens can make a significant difference. And you have a good eye. So call yourself a photographer! Grin. The other secret is to take lots of photos. I carry extra batteries so it is never a problem. The various photo processing apps more than make up for anything the camera might do. And you made it to Pedro’s village! What fun. Sorry about the death. I know you and your camera will enjoy your trip east! –Curt
I’ll take the compliments, Curt! ❤ Yes! Finally spent time in Guanajuato. I highly, highly recommend it for some future trip for you two. Just beautiful and the weather was a million times more pleasant than the Yucatan peninsula, heh heh. Also- family, so much Rivera family. I have many stories to tell.
First, as you should. Second, Peggy and I really do want to get back to Mexico. We had so many wonderful times in PV. I’ll be sure to check out Guanajuato. Of course it would be good to have a guide like Pedro. “Also- family, so much Rivera family.” I chuckled at this. I suspect you met a lot of them. Grin. Looking forward to the stories. –Curt
I have to ask, who is taking care of the hussies? You are ever the gypsy and that is a outstanding shot of you. Accolades to Pedro for that one.
I’ll let Pedro know you said so. I am a gypsy and I’ll take that as a compliment. I’ve always sort of wanted to be a gypsy as much as a faery. Did you ever read the Golden Compass books? I want to be one of the gypsy-type people in that series. When we were in Washington, D.C., my neighbor in Rainier took care of my chickens – not the ones right next door, but the next one over. He had never cared for chickens in his life but fell in love and decided to get some of his own. ❤ In this last case, Pedro and I got so lucky. For our two-week trip to Mexico, an old co-worker of mine (and cat lover) lives 5 minutes from our house and begged to be allowed the opportunity to care for Racecar. He also had never cared for chickens before, but also grew to love them – especially Mathilda who jumped onto his back. Anyway, all my girls are much loved while we are away. Luckily, the next two trips are just me, so Pedro can stay home and mind the farm.
I consider being a gypsy a good thing, Crystal. I’ve been one all my life. It’s been part of passwords so often since it’s such a large part of who I am. The Universe is smiling on you to provide such wonderful help when you are away. Keep finding the joy and ignoring those that don’t get it. Hugs and love.
What a brilliant shot. I love your travelling dresses so much. And I can only imagine the weight! This pose seems to relieve some of it. Sorry about the death. And yay for teaching.
Thank you Manja! I really do enjoy wearing dresses and summertime is finally when I feel warm enough to do so. Putting the camera on my shoulder was something I came up with years ago, and I now I don’t even think about it till I see a reminder, like this photo. Teaching went well. I just got back last night at midnight. I need to finish up my Cherokee newsletter, start the Great Spirit church newsletter, then go to Seattle to visit my brother Ian before he and his girlfriend move to a different city in Washington, then I’ll go spend some time with my cousin who just lost her twin brother. The weather has been brilliant for all of it. That makes all this running around so much easier to deal with.
great… photography is an art… a photographer is an artist.
Agreed. Thank you for your comment.