See Rock City

It’s Finally Fall!

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Happy Autumn everyone!  My favorite season is finally here, and to celebrate, we present you with some fun fall photos. First up is one of my favorite pictures, inspired by Karen Hutton and taken in Chattanooga at Rock City.

The swinging bridge at Rock City.

My photo of the Rock City swinging bridge. I have a metal print of this hanging in my office that allows me to escape every day.

I confess—I have a fascination with bridges. And doorways. And fences. And with bends in the river and turns in the road. I enjoy the in-between-ness of the space, exploring boundaries and transitions.

From the Oakland Cemetery website:

The “Flying Dragon” fruit (Poncirus trifoliata) becomes golden in the Fall and hangs out near the bell tower at Historic Oakland Cemetery.

Maybe that’s why I love the Fall and Spring seasons so much. Standing at a threshold, my imagination engages, and I find myself drawn to both mystery and possibility. In these moments, I see the promise of adventure and the potential for newness and transformation. In capturing the moment on camera, I hope to give color, shadow, and form to the liminality.

Apples

Dave’s shot of our crop of apples from Mercier Orchards last Fall.

How will you embrace the mystery and possibility this Fall?  What are your favorite spaces, places, and activities?

Corn Maze

Dave’s shot of a sunburst at Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze from last year. We hang a canvas wrap of this print above our mantle every year to usher in the season.

Dave’s note: If you are looking to decorate for Autumn, prints of the above images are available. Just click on the photo!

You See, but you Do Not Observe: Why I love Sherlock and Macro Photography

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Sappy

Last year in the early morning at the Grand Canyon, this tree sap caught my eye.

I adore Sherlock Holmes. Truly. I fell in love with the stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as a child and then, later, the BBC television show starring Bendedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. I continue to be intrigued and captivated by both the mysteries themselves and the secret of Sherlock’s power of observation.

Grand Canyon

A cool device used to point out the different geographical elements at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I was drawn to the textures of the brass, as well as the initials carved on the sides.

Of course, as Sherlock would state in no uncertain terms to his friend and colleague, Dr. John Watson, there is no “secret.”  Shortly after meeting Sherlock, John Watson, the reader/viewer’s entry point into Sherlock’s world, admits his consternation and delight in Sherlock’s abilities.  Watson then grants the audience access to Sherlock’s thoughts and echoes the question we all have at some point—how does he do it? Holmes, in response to Watson’s query, responds, “You see, but you do not observe.” Huh. Ok. But what does that mean? Continue reading →

Children Flying

Who Wants to Send us on a Scavenger Hunt?

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Children Flying

On the Date Night scavenger hunt, the leader asked us to find children flying in Decatur. Dave went back and reshot this iconic sculpture for the “silhouette” category for his Arcanum scavenger hunt.

Who wants to send us on a scavenger hunt?

I must confess, I love scavenger hunts. I enjoy the mystery, the competition, and the creativity. It’s like a quest, but with a list instead of a map. And you use a camera instead of a sword (but I like swords, too!). There’s a focus and a purpose with scavenger hunts, but still plenty of room for improvisation and imagination.  What’s not to love?

Kissing Couple

Michelle’s interpretation for the “couples kissing” category for the Decatur Date Night scavenger hunt with the Showcase School of Photography

Photo scavenger hunts can make fun date nights, party games, or family activities. The captured photos offer interesting insights into people’s thought processes based on how they have interpreted items on the list. A photo isn’t always just a photo! When making a list, try to think outside the box and allow flexibility in interpretation. Think of items that could be interpreted in several different ways. Dave and I went on a fun date night scavenger hunt in Decatur with the Showcase School of Photography this summer, and we pursued themes like “patriotic,” “something cold,” and “something that makes you laugh.” Of course, Dave was a bit grumpy being told what to shoot (he’d make a great 12th doctor). The evening’s activity encouraged me to see the familiar sights of the Decatur square in a new way, paying attention to details, such as patterns, colors, and out-of-the-way spaces. Continue reading →