Meet My Hawaiian Alarm Clock

As I have been reviewing previous images by the thousands, I came across the photo of this fellow who also functions as my wake up call while in Hawaii.  He takes it upon himself to make sure I don't sleep in beyond the 0600 hour.  Shortly after awaking to his call, my grandson knocks on my door to make sure I don't go back to sleep.  So much for being lazy in Hawaii.  I will look forward to renewing a friendship with my buddy when my family returns to Hawaii on December 15th.  I must consult with my grandson and give the rooster a name.

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you just may be the world!"

Cheers
Dennis

The Fiery Heart of a Lily

I have often said that when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. I find that personally very empowering. The image is an extreme closeup of a lily taken at the Monet Estate in Giverney France. I always loved this abstract as it reminded me of intense flames emanating from a star or large sun. I think this is much more interesting and thought provoking than a simple image taken of a flower.

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

What is Reality???

I have posted two images here, and both are very different renditions of the same image. It always amazes me that an image taken with a camera which should be what the camera "sees" and in fact "reality" is not always the case. In fact the images you see are were taken with the same click of the camera shutter. Obviously the image on the left is more dreamy and romantic if you will, while the image on the right is much more lively, energetic and impactful. So is there any conclusion that can be drawn from this paradox? To me it says several things. You cannot trust what you see as the "truth" or "reality", beauty or lack of it is in the eyes of the beholder, and possibly "truth" or "reality" is different to different people. So if I can create "reality" in different forms using Photoshop or some other editing software with these images, is it such a far "reach" to assume I can create my own reality with the software in my head aka "my brain"? And if such is the case, and I come to the realization that I can create my own reality, isn't that the ultimate freedom? If I do not like the reality I am currently experiencing, all I need do is change it using the ultimate software in my brain and its ability to visualize and thereby create another reality? Fascinating Stuff Eh???

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

Hillside Farming in China

My daughter and my grandson have a garden plot in downtown Vancouver which they faithfully tend to almost daily. Although their plot is quite level, it reminded me of seeing people along the Yangtze River tending to plots on the side of a hill. I took a boat cruise from Chongqing to Yichang which was a journey of 3 days. I always remembered the steepness of the hill these "farmers" were working, and wondered how the plants felt about growing up sideways:-)

Live well and prosper

Dennis

An Iceland Waterfall

As you know, lately I have been revisiting some of the images I have taken over the years. This evening I came across this waterfall scene that I took in Iceland several years ago. The actual photo is not as vivid and saturated as the above. I wanted to make a bold statement and needed an image that was more "painting" than photo. The above is the result. Enjoy the image and the summer weather.

Live well and prosper.
Dennis

The Eurasian Oystercatcher

Every so often as the mood strikes me (or I am bored at work:-)) I review some of the images that I have taken in the past. The above image is of an Oystercatcher taken on Flatey Island in Iceland. The Oystercatcher or Haematopus Ostralagus are obvious and noisy plover-like birds, with black and white plumage, red legs and strong broad red bills used for smashing and prying open mollusks such as mussels, or finding earthworms. Despite its name, oysters do not form a significant part of its diet.

Thought you would like to know, just in case you are a contestant on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader??

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

More Creative Ideas Than Time

As my readers know by now, I have been experimenting by making my images into "works of art" and simulating paintings. As the above image shows I have taken that even further. The images of the butterflies was taken from previously alive butterflies, and the image of the dinosaur is from a photo of a small plastic toy. As I was composing this image I thought of my grandson and how he might be interested in a book on dinosaurs of different types. I thought it would be relatively easy for me to compose images using my photos as artwork and then telling a story that kids may enjoy reading.

This became a new project for me. I now only have about 6 projects on the go. I either have to learn to prioritize my activities or find more time to work on the ideas my sometimes overactive imagination comes up with. And always remember that a preposition is a word you should never end a sentence "with".

Live well and prosper

Dennis