Walking Challenge

When I take walks around the neighborhood, I like to challenge myself to photograph things I see along the way that I didn’t notice the last time I walked.  I use my camera or cell phone, whichever I have with me.  These were taken and edited with my phone.  It it an exercise in seeing.  I challenge YOU to try the same.  Try not to repeat what you photographed earlier, unless it looks significantly different.

Signs of Life in Winter

I took a look around our church property for signs of the coming spring.  Here is what I saw when I looked closely.

        Pink Heather Flowers

      Buds

    Red Berries

Life goes in, even in cold weather!

Winter Photography

I thought it might be interesting to share ideas about what to photograph in Winter.  I would really like to get some audience suggestions on this one, so please feel free to comment and add your own suggestions, no matter when you see this blog (next year, next month, etc.)

I did some internet searching and brainstormed about all the ideas I could remember, so from the perspective of a Maryland resident, here is what I came up with for interesting photography:

1. Wildlife is easier to spot in the winter.  Try Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge MD for birds, including eagles
2. Great Falls National Park sunrise
3. Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis WV for winter evergreens
4. Ice patterns on window glass or on water, ice on plants
5. Icicles (I even tried catching the melting water with a star filter, but it takes lots of patience)
6. Red berries on plants
7. Snow photos of buildings and snow in landscapes like mountains, with water, blowing snow (use +1 or +2 exposure or a gray card)
8. Storm photos right before or after a storm
9. Fog photos
10. Snowy buildings with warm light coming from windows
11. Cityscapes at twilight 30 minutes after sunset or before sunrise-see http://www.date-and-time.net/  for  a twilight calculator
12. Caves are usually around 50-55 degrees year round
13. Astrophotography when the sky is clear and less hazy
14. Bryce National Park or Yosemite in snow
15. Florida-Corkscrew Swamp, Big Bend boardwalk at Fakahatchee Strand, off Hwy 41 near Everglades city,  Anhinga Trail near the entrance to the Everglades
16. Indoor studio type shots with a photo tent or flash

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