I’m once again on the lookout for photos that have elements of the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi (imperfect, impermanent, incomplete). I recently gave a presentation to one of my photo groups on this topic, and next month we will all be bringing in our wabi-sabi photos. Here are a couple shots in and by the Drover’s Shed at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, which show the process of weathering and decay over time.
The windmill:
The kitchen:
I love trying to create impressionist effects with my Lensbaby.
I took the photo above a bit farther by editing it in Photoshop and Topaz Impression.
I loved this old eucalyptus from the arboretum we visited a couple weeks ago. There are even initials carved into the bark!
I borrowed a lightbox from my friend, Debbie, and had some fun photographing weeds on it. This is the same photo with different treatments in Lightroom.
Here’s one of the many pathways at the arboretum- this one guarded by barrel cactus.
Some Lensbaby fun. . .
I have a new favorite desert plant- the boojum tree. It is actually not an Arizona native, but it was planted at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. It’s related to the ocotillo, another favorite of mine- but it is CRAZY looking!
It’s REALLY tall! I would say this specimen is 15-20 feet high.
Below is a young one.
And another view of the trunk. . .
There was so much to photograph on our outing last weekend. I loved the contrast between the dark tree (mesquite?), the green leaves, and the yellow blossoms peeking through from the background.
Happy Earth Day! Go outside!
at the Bryce Thompson Arboretum
One of the first areas you walk through at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum is the hummingbird garden. The hummingbirds definitely are attracted to what is growing there, because there were more hummers in this part of the park than anywhere else. This little guy was happy to pose for us.
Like most photographers, I’m attracted to the old and rustic. On the grounds of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a building called the Drover’s Wool Shed. I assume that this is a replica (I’m thinking of an Australian sheep ranch) – although it certainly does look old- and rustic. If there was an explanation, I missed it.
A view of the outside:
And the view looking in:
On Saturday, Lonnie and I got OUT OF TOWN! After a couple weeks of illness- and then a water leak which will eventually lead to our floors being replaced- we were more than ready for an outing. We didn’t go far- just southeast to the town of Superior to visit the Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, where we walked and walked and walked admiring all the different cacti and wildflowers. It is a beautiful spot! I took dozens and dozens of photos; it felt so good to get out and use my camera again.
These rocks form the backdrop of the state park, which is right by the highway. Octotillo was in bloom everywhere!
I brought my Lensbaby Edge 80 along too, which I used on these flowers (along with a bit of enhancement from Topaz Impression).
I had fun yesterday giving this butterfly a painted look with three textures and two different Topaz Impression filters. It somehow satisfies my childhood desire to be a painter.
Yesterday I tried the selfie thing again. My photo club (not the weekly class, but the monthly club) meets next week, and I am forcing myself to take some selfies for the assignment. The examples were all very creative- such as a person reaching out from inside the LCD screen on the back of a camera to click the shutter. I have been working on a (lame, so far) composite for the following month, so decided to just be straightforward about this topic.
So here I am again. Bear with me. . .
I took only 3 shots: one serious (I look mean), one squinting into the lens (also mean), and then this smiley one. I really wanted a serious shot, but I can’t seem to achieve it. And I really dislike the process.
Thank goodness I have some photos that have never seen light of day, because I have NOT been using my camera lately. Here is a shot of pussy willows from last month.
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