Photography
A Creative Country Pastime
When I was a kid my father had an amateur darkroom. He developed
his own black and white film, and made his own prints in our
basement. We used to drive around on photo expeditions and walk
around taking pictures with our 35 millimeter cameras.
Today, there is a new movement to encourage people to take
"Photo Walks." Photowalks are any walk you take with
your camera for the express purpose of taking pictures. Of course
back in the old days we just called this, "Hey, lets go
out and take some pictures." Today they throw a fancy label
on it but really, all it is is taking a stroll, and bringing
your camera.
Walking in the countryside with my camera is one of my favorite
ways to spend time. I particularly like to go to parks with walking
trails and really get into a gorgeous natural environment. Some
of the memorable shots I have taken are lichen covered trees,
rivers and streams, waterfalls in the North Georgia mountains,
flowers, and butterflies. Whatever interesting thing that I pass
by is fodder for my camera.
When you are walking with your camera it gives you an excuse
to slow down, and observe what is going on around you. Through
the viewfinder of the camera, you see things framed just a little
bit differently than with the naked eye. You can snap the whole
panoramic view, or get close up and look at flowers, buds, and
leaves. If you are lucky enough to be able to capture a picture
of an animal, you may feel like you are on a countryside safari.
Usually by the time I get my camera up and ready, the animal
has run or flown away. But that does not stop me from trying!
The challenge of catching the elusive wildlife photo keeps me
motivated and on the ball. As a matter of fact, I keep my small
Sony Cybershot camera in my purse all the time just in case the
perfect opportunity presents itself. Since I live in the country,
you just never know! One day I was coming home from work and
I saw a deer with antlers, right in my neighbors front yard.
For a second I thought it was one of those Christmas decorations,
and then it moved! I didn't get a picture of that one though.
It ran off towards the backyard before I could get my camera
out of my bag.
Countryside photography is also a great way to get wonderful
family photos. The natural backdrops you will find out in a field,
near trees, or in front of a body of water gives your portraits
a fresh clean feeling. The natural light of the outdoors will
help you avoid using a flash, so no washed out colors or red
eye. Kids are perfect subjects for pictures out in the countryside
too. They will naturally want to run and play, look at all the
interesting things, or sit on a picturesque rock to pose for
a photo.
Just like I have memories of walking about with my Dad, taking
pictures and enjoying the fresh air and scenery, I hope to build
memories for my children by taking them on countryside photo
walks.
|
