Uniformity

Wow! Its here! 2012! For some reason, this new year feels more special than the others. I cant give a reason why, it just does. But in a good way. A good, new start refreshing sort of way.

So over new years we took our trip to Grayton Beach, FL. I love going to the beach at New Years. It is so different from the summer. So low-key, relaxed, and beautiful weather. 50-60 every day. Perfect!! On this outing from which I provide all of my photographs, my Uncle Larry and Aunt Suzanne took the whole bunch of kids Geocaching. If you arent familiar with it (not that most are), it is a really fun thing where you find some coordinates online, put them in your GPS, and search for a small cache somewhere out in the woods, or something. It is usually a small box or container. Its really pretty fun, especially when youre with fun people. We found one, and attempted another, but to no avail.

So picture number one is of the old, rustic looking road sign that was at the beginning of the dirt/sand road that wound through these beautiful coastal woods. I like that picture a lot, I just wish the sign was brighter.

Picture number two is of the getting-ready-to-set sun striking the pleasing uniform pine trees. This is where I got the title for this post.... these pine trees. I LOVE them. I dont know why, but I guess they strike a chord with my Type-A personality, and I took an insane amount of pictures, trying to capture the beauty of them. Its one of those things that just needs to be seen, but I feel like this picture does it pretty good justice.

Number three also captures the wonderfulness of the pine trees. Now, dont get all in a wad because Manny is shooting a gun.
A) Its a bebe gun, so nothing too serious.
B) We were in the middle of the woods.
Also, I actually just had him pose this way so I could get the shot, rather than taking it while he was shooting. I promise, we arent trashy people who carry guns everywhere, but for some reason we had a bebe gun and we were collecting litter and using it as targets. (fun/enviro-friendly/productive bebe gun shooting!)

Now, this last picture is one of our group. It was taken by balancing my camera on the door of the car and setting a timer. I find few situations to be more stressful and momentarily chaotic as the 10 seconds between setting the camera timer and taking the picture.

From left to right: My Uncle Larry Livingston (he and his family live down there, friend Manny (his family was at the beach with us too) , My sister Caroline, Carolines friend Ali, cousin Emily, Aunt Suzanne, Cousin Lucy, Lucy's friend, and me.

And I promise, I dont look so odd in person. I dont think, at least.

Well its 11pm on a school night, so I guess I should go to bed.

-Rip

The Holidays, The New Year, and The One Year Anniversary!

Well, I must apologize. I have rather neglected this photo blog over the holidays. I have less and less time to take pictures and upload them. But now, as I find time to do so over Christmas break, I must catch up!

So today marks the official 1-year-Anniversary of Lens Of an Amateur! Woohoo! Not that it means much, but still, why not celebrate? We have finally taken a deep breath after the "GO GO GO!" of Thanksgiving--Christmas. First its Thanksgiving, then school and exams, then Christmas, which really keeps all of us busy.

So I grabbed my camera on a few occasions this holiday break. I took this on Christmas Eve. I have found that I am rather obsessed with reflections in photography. Pay attention to the reflection in the ball. I had been trying to take one while on my knees up close to the tree, but finally I tried a different approach, and sat on the couch and zoomed a little bit. So you can see our den, and me sitting on the couch, trying to take a good picture! (Which turned out good!)

So, now, the Christmas rush is through (song reference unintentional.....) and I can sit back and post to my much neglected blog! Well, at least for now. Then I have to get up and get my clothes out of the dryer so I can pack for the beach..... and we're leaving tomorrow.... and its 1:30 am. But hey, what are car rides for? sleeping. and knitting. but sleeping too.

I should get some good shots at the beach! With any luck I can upload them and post while I'm down there. If you remember, some of my first posts last year were from Grayton beach on our (is it annual now?) new years trip.

Anyhow. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! Hopefully 2012 will be a good year for all.... and LOAA!

-Rip

Autumn has Arrived!

Finally!! Fall has arrived. For a period of a few days, I would look out the window to see if the tops of the trees were turning yet. I was impatient for the wonderful temperatures we are having now. This is my absolute most favorite time of the year. The weather, the leaves, the holidays.... I love it all.

So these photos were taken (as I find many of my blog photos are...) in my front yard. I wasnt sure what I set out to get, but all I knew was I wanted the leaves! I love the brilliance of the sunlit color of the first one. The second one, I debated over posting, because I love the sunlight, the leaf, and the lovely fall colors in the background, but I am disappointed in the appearance of the leaf.... it had such wonderful color, I regret that I wasnt shown more.

I havent posted here in WAY too long!! I miss my blog. I hope I still have people that check in every once in a while for something new. Well surprise! Here you are!

I have been so busy with school lately.... lots of homework, studying, reading, and writing. We've had two long weekends in a row these past two weeks, so now we have to make the stretch before Thanksgiving break! I think I can make it.

Tomorrow we are taking this test thing at school.... it supposedly tests what we know as 8th graders, and based on that, predicts our ACT score. I am sort of freaking out, because I feel like the ACT defines the rest of my life. What college I get into, which will determine what jobs I get, which will determine my salary, among other things. I suppose I'm over thinking. Like I over think everything else. But whatever. That was yet another one of my pointless rants.

Well, I must go. I am volunteering at Boo at the Zoo. I would love to take pictures, but I think I'll be too busy for that.

Oh, also, I am kind of looking at DSLRs. I mean not super seriously, but it's just I think I'm ready for an upgrade. I currently have a high-end point and shoot. Its really a superb camera--it takes all the shots I post here! But, it does have limitations that I am starting to realize as I become more experienced. And, my mom has two really nice lenses that I would be able to use. So any suggestions for lower-end DSLR cameras? (Nikon, since my moms lenses are Nikon.) I have looked at the D3000 and the D3100. I dont know... its so confusing.

-Rip

The Alabama: Like Never Before!

Hello friends! I havent spoken to you all for a while through my blog. I have been busy, busy, busy! With school, homework, and other things, its hard to find time to take pictures, much less post them, as I have said before.

A week or two ago, Ms. Virginia Jones gave me an exciting opportunity to come along as she and some photographer friends went to shoot the Alabama Theater, and the nearby Lyric. It was one of the coolest things I have ever done in Birmingham. I got to see the inner-workings of the Theater, not to mention being able to roam around without the crowds.

This is a mirror-reflection shot from the main staircase in the foyer of the Theater.

This one I got when Mr. Tom Cronier, our ever-so-passionate and kind tour guide, took me into the attic of the Theater. This is looking down through a light-hole in the dome at the grand organ. I really like this shot....

And, well, recently I have become rather obsessed with homemade cake baking, and this is one I made a few weeks ago. Two Layer devils food, filled with chocolate ganache and iced with chocolate buttercream! Yum!

I will try and get to posting more often. Gotta get out there with my camera!

-Rip

P.S. Like my new template? Finally figured out how to download a 3rd party template--so many more options that way.

Summer Harvest

Well, school is almost back. On Wednesday, we go back for our first day! I am excited for the beginning. The first, 10 days, maybe; they'll be fun. Then I'll be tired of it and want winter break to be here. Speaking of winter, I am so SICK of summer!!! I detest heat. I hate it. There are no advantages to heat.

I was bored yesterday, so I went outside in the back yard with my camera like I often do. I set out to photograph my dog, like I said before, but gave up after several failed attempts. We have a garden out back with some herbs and flowers,and next to the garden in a pot with this tomato plant, and er.... whatever you might call the iron cone shaped thing that it grows on. I stuck my camera under the cone-shaped-thing and pressed the shutter button. I say, I must have some talent with blindly taking photographs, because I quite like this one, and have liked many more taken with the same (if you can call it this) technique. Maybe I'll change the title of my blog to The Blind Photographer. No, just kidding. That wouldnt go over well....

Well I hope your summer is going well. And I hope you are enjoying the heat even if I am not.

-Rip

Dont forget to visit my Harry Potter blog! http://www.hpadventures.blogspot.com/

Someone's Got The Right Idea.

Our dog Elvis, calls the screen porch in the back of our house his home. We have a ceiling fan out there, but lets be honest. In 100 degree heat? That doesnt cut it. So, we put a box fan out there for him to enjoy. As you can see, he plans on doing just that!

Today, I conclude that photographing a dog is virtually impossible. I made a valiant attempt, but good ole Elvis seemed to hide from the limelight. I dont see whats up. Resee Cup loves it. She will let you take pictures of her all day. Elvis? not so much.

Well school starts in a week exactly. I am sort of looking forward to it. The first week will be great; seeing friends, and actually being productive during the day-- but then it gets really old, really fast. How are all of your summers going?

Check out my previous post about my new Harry Potter blog. www.hpadventures.blogspot.com
Stop By!

-Rip

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy-Warty Hogwarts, Teach us something please!"

Well hello strangers. It seems like I havent posted anything in FOREVER! I have been so busy this summer. Beach trips, mission trips, summer reading--and much more! I havent found hardly anytime to take photos, or make a blog post.

I wanted to post this "Special Post" before I give you a photo today, because I have begun a new project. Please say hello to my NEW blog! http://www.hpadventures.blogspot.com/. Now, if you didnt guess by the title of the post, this new blog will focus on one thing: The magical and wonderful world of Harry Potter! I have been an avid Harry Potter fan for years--seen all the movies, and more importantly, read all the books! But now I have decided to re-embark on the journey through Harry's years at Hogwarts, and take a closer look. I want to share my thoughts, opinions, and questions with everyone, and hopefully readers will share along with me.

I will still be busy photo blogging on LOAA of course, but I decided to take another one of my loves and blog about it. So if youre a Harry Potter fan, please stop by! The link again: http://www.hpadventures.blogspot.com/.

Thanks!
-Rip

P.S: Someone once asked me if I made up that quote in the title when I shared it with them. The answer is no! The quote is the first line of the Hogwarts school song, found in Book 1!