Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Photography.
Patience, Persistence, and Timing
It wasn’t until this past year due to the pandemic that I became involved and in love with photography. I lost my job of four years and was trying to find ways to lift my spirits and those around me. Photography was always in the back of my mind because we constantly take pictures even with our eyes. I think what convinced me to take pictures was remembering my older brothers who have been invested in photography for years. They always carried a camera on our nature walks and sometimes even into rural or city dwellings. You just never know when you might come across something or someone worth photographing. One could say this was instilled in me long ago and was just waiting to hatch at the right time. The first animal I began photographing was the Red Shoulder Hawk nest in our apartment complex. Boy, it was a delight seeing those babies with their down feathers, watching them grow, and fledge the nest as adults. It was one of the brightest parts of the pandemic for me. After that I became addicted to taking pictures of various woodland creatures and I made it a habit to carry my camera just like my older brothers.
By Stacy Parks5 years ago in Photography
Alaskan Wonderland
I am by no means a wildlife photographer or seeker of extreme experiences, unless you count going for a winter drive in my little corner of the world. Fairbanks, Alaska may be known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun,” but come winter the more appropriate name would be “Land of the Three Hour Sun.” Winter in the far north can be brutal as you fight not only darkness night and day, but also temperatures that drop well below zero and stay that way for months. This past winter we even set a new record, 180 days at 40 degrees or more below zero. That is almost half a year living in temperatures that could kill you in a matter of minutes! If the extreme temperatures don’t get you then the animals themselves might. Having a moose in your yard is not uncommon, and a legitimate reason to be late for work. These gorgeous vegetarian giants may seem harmless, but in reality they injure more people every year than the feared grizzly. I guess with that in mind, I am willing to go to extremes for a picture.
By Viltinga Rasytoja5 years ago in Photography
Back to the Seals
I traveled to California throughout the pandemic. I still do. Not for the fun of it. My daughter lives in San Diego with my ex-wife. 2020 was a hard year, even harder when the miles separate you from your child. When the pandemic began, I went seven months without seeing my little girl. I watched her turn two on Facetime. My ex-wife and I eventually decided that with a plan for testing and quarantine, we could make something work. Even with a pandemic happening, I needed to see her. I yearned to see my baby. I would do anything and go to any lengths to make that happen. My daughter had only seen me for seven months, boxed through the screen of an iPhone. The end of June 2020 was my first trip back there. She laid her head on my shoulder as I wrapped her in my arms. Tears welled up in my eyes. It was heaven from the moment that I held her again. Nine days went by quickly. Nine days doesn’t even come close to enough time. It’s never enough time. My next trip would end up being four months away. In October when I was meant to go, my ex-wife called to tell me that both her and my daughter contracted COVID. I was terrified. I thank God that they were both ok. I flew back out shortly after they had ended their quarantine. Every trip I make to California, I make it a point to just be with my daughter. So, my daughter and I spend a lot of time in nature, outside, together. We often go on easy hikes, walks around the neighborhood of whatever Airbnb I’m staying at, or go to the beach. She loves being outside. One of our most favorite things to do is to watch the seals in La Jolla. It always starts with a run in the open grass, chasing the birds with the California sun beaming down on us. We hear the seals barking in the distance, and we steadily make our way closer. We walk down the flat rocks a bit and look around. We always try to get close, real close, so we can really see them. She wants to touch them; I always insist that we can’t. We listen to them barking and watch them bathing in the sun. There’s small groups of seals all huddled together. Some have their necks arched back, some are fighting, some are just alone. Their smell isn’t so great, it never is. The two of us stand there, giggling at the silly seals while her little hand is in mine. I cherish these moments immensely. Something so simple and so meaningful. I steal these moments of time with photos whenever I can. Sometimes they are all I have. When I’m back in DC apart from my daughter, I look back on these memories. I close my eyes and remember. I feel her little hand in mine, I feel the sun on my face, the sound of the waves, the seals barking, and her little laugh. Some people will never think anything more of the seals at La Jolla. I will always think of more.
By Erica Velasquez 5 years ago in Photography
Meet Tanarak Visessonchoke: A Photographer you should know about
Photography is the art of creating an image by capturing light with a camera, generally using a digital sensor or film. You may even picture wavelengths of light invisible to the naked eye, such as UV, infrared, and radio, with the correct camera equipment.
By sibca awan5 years ago in Photography
Capture the Wild
I captured this picture on my smart phone, I was just lucky enough to have it with me. It was charged and had space available in the memory. No edits needed. Deciding which picture captures him the best... was probably the hardest decision for me during this entire process.
By J.W. Baird5 years ago in Photography
Feeling Froggy? Then don't jump!
I awoke one morning with what seemed to be every muscle in my upper body aching. The events from the previous day seemed to have left me sore and slowly moving to position myself on the edge of my bed. I had worked a full shift at my job which involved heavy lifting. I came home that evening and quickly changed into athletic wear to get a quick workout in. What happened after that workout is what I assume to be me falling asleep and awaking at a little after 7 AM. That was ok, I just knew that today was going to be the day I got my perfect shot.
By Steelo Chris5 years ago in Photography
Hi There My Deer
In Nara Japan, wild deer roam the town, temples, and nearby woods. The Japanese consider them sacred and don't the deer know it! The deer are sacred because of a legend that God Takemikazuchi rode to Nara on a white deer. So, the deers are considered to be messengers from God.
By Katharine Rogers5 years ago in Photography
Capture the Wild
For this writing challenge, adventure ended up finding me in a beautiful gem of an island called Curaçao. National Geographic 4k images always fascinated me, you wonder; those artists and photographers don’t panic, they go out there with camera in hand, and witness some of the most beautiful natural phenomena in some hidden gem of a locale that only Walter Mitty would imagine on one of his daydreams, and for an extraordinary journal no less, and it’s totally worth the money.
By Tamara Tatevosian-Geller5 years ago in Photography
Flying Free
My oldest daughter was home for a visit between two stints with the Peace Corps in Zambia. We decided to visit my sister in Vermont for the weekend. She lives in a town on the Connecticut River, which creates a natural border between Vermont and New Hampshire, so we were able to visit museums and attractions on both sides of the river.
By Natalie Wilkinson5 years ago in Photography
I'm Not Fat, I'm Just Fluffy
I’m sitting on my deck with my camera on my lap. My goal is to capture every moment. I see them coming in droves. Neighborhood families rush toward me in a mad frenzy. Evidently, the word has gotten out that there is a party at our house.
By Sheri B.5 years ago in Photography
A shot for hope
Boredom, lost, anxiety, depression, and mostly, fear. This were the words defining my “quarantine” confinement. As not everyone here in Mexico I´ve been staying home for a year now, we began believing it will be over in just forty days. It now feels like a lifetime, not knowing what day it is or what month. Covid came and finished to destroy my hopes. Even Christmas, that time of the year that restores me.
By Jair Rivera5 years ago in Photography
