Phoneography Challenge, the Phone as Your Lens: Nature (and Autumn’s Light and Shadows)

04 November 2013

Lens:

1. An Afternoon Walk in the Park, iPhone 4s, October 2013; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2013

2. Sunlight through the Trees, iPhone 4s, October 2013; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2013

Orchard in Autumn, iPhone 4s, October 2013; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2013

Let me know which you prefer and why.

Pens:

If you’d like to join the fun, please click here for details. If you have any questions about the Phoneography Challenge, please contact me.

Light and shadows of autumn always capture my heart and soul. The sun slowly shifts its position (or so we think) and the earth laughs at our reaction.

Each season has its symbolism and truth for lessons of life. Each depends upon our planet’s spinning on its axis. In truth, I feel particularly blessed to live where four seasons exist.

This autumn has been a quiet entry into the alteration of the landscape. Its November, and last night the first “real” frostline cast its spell.

Leaves remain on the trees, some flowers are still being produced (my rosemary is covered in sweet lavender-colored blossoms), no juncos (small birds that winter here and should have arrived) in sight, and some butterflies and insects linger.

Sunsets have been sensational. Most afternoons the sun is so powerful in its day’s finale that I cannot even pause to shoot its splendor. It’s just too bright. So I head for the woods where the light and shadow join forces to create marvelous abstractions.

For me light is the element of photography that tests my sensibilities and visual acuity. It fosters my way of seeing: what is there, what I perceive is there, what is not there.

Light provides those evergreen possibilities of change and sudden awareness of the blatant vs. grand vs. subtle vs. shy. When the contrast is just right, I am stilled and awe-struck.

In the Lens section are three images taken in the last two weeks. All were shot in the late afternoon with its cunning ways of drawing me into its expected and unexpected performances.

The first two images were taken in a state park that shirts my city. I have so many choices of preserved open space that I make the rounds, being familiar with the landscape in each  of our many parklands (small and large). As I entered the trail, the sun led me into its perfection.

The last image was taken a few days ago. I found an entrance to a local orchard’s additional spread. Rows of apple and peach trees were warming themselves in the blazing afternoon rays. Leaves were afire, and the trees were covered in greens, oranges and yellow hues: not a red in sight.

Tip of the Day: Here is a brief introduction to a marvelous source about nature. iNaturalist (click here) is a Website “where you can record what you see in nature, meet other nature lovers, and learn about the natural world.” The organization assists you in identification of species and also partners with other organizations—both national and international–to provide a deeper understanding about our natural world. Need to identify a bird, insect, flower—this is your site to peruse. Want to help survey a species, this is your place. Want to know the plight of flora or fauna, this is your resource. Want to be more informed about nature, bookmark iNaturalist and get to know its various offerings. Click here and you can download the free app from the iTunes store (for those who do not have an iPhone, use their Website). Hope that you find it informative.

iNaturalist

Here are other entries:

http://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/phoneography-challenge-nature-the-milkweed-paradox/

http://completelydisappear.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/before-the-moon-there-is-the-sun/

http://weliveinaflat.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/s-e-a-aquarium-view-ocean-restaurant/

http://streetsofsfphotos.com/2013/11/04/wallflower/

http://angelinem.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/weekly-phoneography-challenge-nature/

http://watchingthephotoreels.com/2013/11/04/nature-and-my-birthday/comment-page-1/

http://stevemcp2002.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/phoneography-challenge-street-photography/

http://uniquesochic.com/2013/11/04/iphoneography-challenge-nature-pond-plants/

http://nwframeofmind.com/2013/11/04/iphoneography-monday-11-4-13/

http://firebonnet.com/2013/11/04/phoneography-challenge-nature-light-and-water/

http://thepalladiantraveler.com/2013/11/05/phoneography-challenge-nature-3/

http://amarnaik.com/2013/11/04/phoneography-challenge-the-phone-as-your-lens-nature-2/

http://sfchapman.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/phoneography-challenge-nature/

http://ohmsweetohmdotme.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/phoneography-challenge-nature-2/

http://allkindsaeverything.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/phoneography-challenge-nature/

http://walktheselftalk.com/2013/11/05/iphoneography-challenge-nature-winter-wonderland/

http://cassiebeers.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/iphoneography-challenge-nature/

http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/phoneography-challenge-the-phone-as-your-lens-nature/

http://blogagaini.com/2013/11/04/3808/

http://catbirdinamerica.wordpress.com/2013/11/07/phoneography-challenge-the-phone-as-your-lens-nature-autumns-light-and-shadows/

http://mylittleriojournal.wordpress.com/2013/11/08/phoneography-challenge-nature/

http://forestwoodfolkart.wordpress.com/2013/11/10/phoneography-challenge-the-phone-as-your-lens-nature/

Note:

As always I welcome any comment about this post or any part of my blog. Here’s a reminder of the monthly schedule with themes for upcoming Phoneography Challenges:

1st Monday: Nature

2nd Monday: Macro

3rd Monday: Black and White

4th and 5th Mondays: Challenger’s Choice (Pick One: Abstraction, Architecture, Food Photography, Night Photography, Portraiture, Still Life, Street Photography, and Travel).