Pictures in the Snow

I've been practicing taking some photos of children outside in the snow. It can be difficult when it is sunny. This little guy was playing in the snow on the beach, and was using his toys as though he was playing with sand. He enjoyed filling his dump truck with snow. It was a pleasure taking photos of him. 

When I took this last photo, he opened his eyes wider, and the reflection of the snow helped to make his eyes show up better. This is the part I'm concentrating on right now - making sure there are catch lights (light reflections) in a child's eyes. I'm trying to improve in this area.

Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power, 

for You created all things, 

and by Your will they existed and were created.

Revelation 4:11

Looking out a Window

I haven't had the same time and freedom to take photos as I've been used to, but I have been looking through different tutorials on the internet. I've especially been looking at Family Photography and Lifestyle photography compared to "posed" photography. I have a lot to learn in both of these areas.

This past weekend I had the chance to take some photos of a young boy looking out a window. This was a chance to challenge myself to see if I could get a good exposure, and take a sharp enough picture. He was quite involved watching what was happening outside - birds at the bird feeder, and other children playing.  Some of my pictures didn't turn out as sharp as I wanted, but it was fun trying.

Children are a blessing from the Lord, and it is wonderful how He has made each one of us.

So God created man in His own image, 

in the image of God He created him; 

male and female He created them.

Genesis 1:27

Oil Drops?

When I was doing water drops last week, I thought I'd try dropping some oil into water. This seemed very different. I had a harder time with my focus, and am not sure when I look at the drop in the picture below whether it is a focus issue, or does the oil "separate" as it drops? I'll have to try this again, and really concentrate on making sure I have a sharp focus. You can tell in this first photo that it is oil because of the droplets on the water.

This next photo isn't sharp all the way through, but I thought it was interesting because you can see the dark red of the food coloring I put in the water showing through the crown.

Being able to take sharp photographs can be difficult sometimes, and it takes a lot of practise. I'm hoping to improve in this area.

In life, we need a focus. When our focus is on the Lord Jesus Christ, He helps us as we go through life on this earth.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:2

Exploring Water Drops Again

I had the chance to do some more photography of water drops a couple of days ago. It's been quite awhile since I've done any, and I didn't try to get any drops colliding. However, I played around with some gels for colour. I used a plastic bag again to hold the water, and put a pin prick into the bottom. I find that you need a really fine pin or the drop is too big, and comes out too fast. I usually end up having to use some tape to slow the drop down.

This is one of the ways that I relax ... taking new photographs. What do you do for relaxation?

Casting all your anxiety on God, for He cares for you ...

Foggy Days

Lately we've had a lot of fog because of the warmer conditions and the cold snow and ice. There are times when it is beautiful to see and other times when the fog makes things dangerous, especially when you are driving or out on a lake on a snowmobile. Our lake has water all over the ice.  Not nice for the fishermen with their ice huts, but  it can be pretty in its own way.

I took the following with my smartphone yesterday. The fog was lifting off of the lake which was surprising to us because all around our area there was heavy fog, and we expected our lake to be heavy in fog.

I've often enjoyed taking pictures of fog on the road around our lake and decided to look back at some of my previous photos. During the fall we get a lot of fog, and the next two photos are from last September.

This last photo of the road we live on has been my favourite, as it looks like this is quite often, and I like the way you can see the sun rays shining down through the trees.  We can be thankful for all of the scenery around us. 

I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing praises to You among the nations ...

Psalm 57:9

A Marten in our Backyard

Martens are small and rarely seen in our area. They are members of the weasel family, and are curious, fierce, and lightning-fast. They are solitary animals, and the males have about a 3.5 km range that they guard against other male martens. They easily climb trees, and move very quickly. Although they are cute and interesting to watch, they can also be pests, especially to farmers.

A few weeks ago we looked out our kitchen window and saw a marten in the back yard. This is rare, as we have never seen one there before. Our children and grandchildren were quite excited to see it too. When one of the grandchildren squealed, we were able to see how lightning-fast the marten was.

We knew that we couldn't open the window because the noise in the house would scare it away, so I tried taking pictures of the marten through the window.  I was using a 70-300mm lens, and found it difficult to make sure the marten was in sharp focus. I never succeeded in getting it as sharp as I wanted. I'll have to practice more with this lens. 

Just as God made the marten unique, He has made us unique also. We are "fearfully and wonderfully made". 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14

God Supplies our Needs

We have been going through a time of difficulty since before Christmas. My father, who is 82, had a heart attack and had to have a 3 way bypass. This has kept us very busy, but it has been good to see God working in and through the situation.

We walked into my father's house just as he was having his heart attack. He lives alone in another town, and we had decided to go up to visit him for the night. This meant that we were able to take him to the hospital right away. God's timing!  

We didn't have to think about our jobs, as both of us are recently retired. This meant that we could be with him as he was transferred back and forth between hospitals until he finally had his surgery.  

God has provided in many ways. He has brought the right people at the right time(s). He has not taken this trial away from my dad, but has helped each one of us through it, and is continuing to do so. He has blessed us with children who stepped in and looked after Christmas celebrations for us. 

As we adjust to our new life of having him live with us for awhile, we know that God will continue to provide for us. We are certainly blessed. I will be continuing my blog as much as possible, and look forward to spending some more time doing photography.

The photo below was taken at a maple sugaring off last spring. Our children and grandchildren were able to go to the local museum with us to see how it is done.