The lucky shot

I have always loved the nature photography in publications like National Geographic. Those stunning images give the sense of being right there with the animals, plants, events, and places with a crisp immediacy and vitality. These amazing images have proliferated and are easy to find with a simple search; it gives the impression that those moments happen all of the time, that the shots aren't hard to get.

Ha.

As you may know, in recent years I've become more and more interested in photography. I have Kevin's good camera and use it often. My most frequent subjects are the birds and animals I see in our backyard and the woods beyond, though I'm also terribly fond of abandoned buildings and close up shots of things. Despite having a good camera, Annie Liebowitz' comment that her favorite camera is the one she has with her at the moment does me good to remember. It's a matter of timing and luck, not just equipment.

A few days ago Charley and I were watching a spectacular sunset from our back porch. I didn't have my good camera with me and was just present in the moment, watching the sky shift and the colors change. I'd been there for at least 30 minutes when our local owl flew by and landed on a nearby branch. I didn't have my camera, I had only my phone, and with it I captured what may be the best photo I have ever taken. Sure, it would have been better had I used my good camera with its wonderful zoom lens, but that wasn't what I had and sometimes you just have to leap for the lucky shot. Here it is, with no filters or post-production magic save trimming and a watermark.

The advent of digital photography means I take literally thousands of photos a month. Of those maybe a hundred are acceptable and a small handful are good. I'm sure those National Geographic photographers would say the same thing. It's a matter of being in the right place, at the right time, with the right mindset.

Is there a metaphor here? Hmm... something about using what you have at hand, being present in the moment, being patient, leaping for the lucky shot, failing again and again and still trying? Maybe. Yes, there is, but for right now? I'll love whatever camera I have at hand, I will watch, I will forgive myself for the poor shots and missed moments, and I will be present in the world. The lucky shot will come again for me, as it has over and over.

It will for you, too.

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(c)2019 Laura S. Packer

50 for 50 day 34: The World through my eyes, part II

This is the 34th of 50 posts celebrating my 50th birthday. You can see them all here.

The world through my eyes. Some of the things I've noticed in the last few weeks.

All images (c) Laura Packer, licensed through Creative Commons.

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(c)2017 Laura S. Packer

The world through my eyes: Early autumn

30th Street Station, Philadelphia

Renovation/Self-portrait

Untitled

Is there anybody out there?

Patriotism

Small homes

Peppers 1

Even more than tomatoes

Peppers 2

Untitled

Open and closed

Icon

Flight lines

Even here, they watch

(c)2015 Laura S. Packer

The world through my eyes: Summer 2015

A few images from around Kansas City, Philadelphia and Atlantic City. As always, images are not adjusted. I'm starting to play with Lightroom so that will change. 

All images and text (c) 2015 Laura Packer

I loved the contrasting colors here. 

Windows

Fish out of water

Peeping Jesus

This is the angel in 30th St. Station, Philadelphia.

Walking ghost

I am lucky to live in a house where the landlady plants flowers. 

"And the caterpillar looked at that beautiful flying thing and wailed!"

His name is Philip.
He lives in Atlantic City and sits by the war memorial everyday, watching people. His hat is sparkly and silver. I asked him what he did for work and he said it was so long ago he didn't remember. When it was time for me to leave he kissed my hand.

His name is Leslie.
He sells flags and asked people to remember veterans. He wouldn't let me pay for a flag but gave it to me and told me to tell everyone that he's proud that he served.

Nothing sexy here. Move along.

All images and text (c)2015 Laura S. Packer

The world through my eyes: February 2015

Here are a few pictures I shot in February 2015, random things that caught my eye.

Ride away

Do fish cry tears of light?

Moons

Good to the last drop

Ride away 2

(c)2015 Laura S. Packer

The world through my eyes: Abandoned

There is a perceived romance to urban decay, to the abandoned, to that which is being reclaimed by wildness. The forgotten and left behind is one of the places where possibility begins to grow.

All images (c) 2015 Laura Packer

Light breaks through

Blue

Power

Home, reflected

Iron

The light breaks through

This way up

Cojoined

This way down

Art maker

(c)2015 Laura S. Packer