Open Sky

Confession: I used Gimp to edit this one and take out a white thing that was on the roof. Other than that small detail the sky really did have these amazing colors!

Buildup

Monsoon season has arrived. Storms roll in bringing their dark clouds which stand starkly against the bright colors of the evening sky. If you get out your magnifying glass to this small image you'd be able to spot the plane flying overhead.

Growing Up

I took this image inside the chapel or shrine constructed and painted by artist DeGrazia. I couldn't help but notice the twentieth century child resembling the caricatures painted on the adobe brick wall.

Dios Mio

Oh my god seriously! I never thought I'd see a tarantula walking out in the open only a few feet from me. Yikes! It stopped for a rest and didn't seem to mind the spotlight, so I had the chance to take some pics very close up. But when it started moving again I felt my heart stop. I kept thinking to myself, tarantulas can't jump can they?

The first dead animal I ever took a picture of was a porcupine in Washington State where I convinced my mom to stop the car. I don't think I'd ever seen a porcupine up that close before. I was in awe. I don't know where those pictures are...but recently I've been inspired again by a friend/photographer I met in one of my Duke photo classes. He took a photograph of a bird lying in the street. Its round body and colorful feathers direct your eye in a circular motion; an around and around peaceful way like the lapping of the ocean waves or of a rocking back and forth that gave me a sense of calm, a simple death. Death is a sensitive and controversial topic...one that some ignore and constantly deny, while others contemplate and even embrace. Wanting to explore these animals and photograph them intimately comes from a love for animals and a curiosity about death.

Kitty Meets Magazine Cutout

So...when there's not a whole lot to take pictures of I usually gravitate toward photographing my cat. (It's slightly embarrassing. Don't tell anyone.)

Kidney Soak

A Start

So I've decided (in an effort to keep myself busy--the Virgo calling) to create a visual experience of the things I see and photograph. It is also another way to motivate myself; to habitually take images, have my camera on me always, and improve my skills. So this is where I am starting and if it becomes something more than that...if it can become an avenue for sharing and critiquing then I welcome that as well.