The ability to see

In the spirit of the season, I thought I might do a series of posts about the things I am grateful for. The first is the ability to see. I’m not just talking about having eyes and a sense of sight, although I am truly grateful for that. But, even more, photography has opened up a new dimension and allowed me to really see the world around me in a way that I never did before. For years I was, like a lot of people I suppose, just going through life trying to get somewhere else. Or so focused on the destination that I completely missed the joy of the journey. It was only on rare occasions, like a vacation, that I took the time to pause and really absorb the beauty around me. Now, with a camera as my constant companion, I find that my powers of observation have greatly multiplied. I see beauty almost everywhere I look.

green burrs; plant; macro; sticker; close; closeup; small; detail; nature; natural; Loree Johnson

Green Burrs

teasels, autumn; background; beautiful; beauty; brown; close; close-up; closeup; decoration; detail; dry; flora; floral; flower; garden; green; hot; leaf; macro; nature; outdoors; plant; pretty; prickly; sharp; sky; spike; stem; summer; sun; thistle; thorn; thorny; weed; wild; yellow

Teasels

The old me might not have even noticed these plants. And even if she did, they would have just been thorny weeds to avoid. The new me saw them as beautiful photographic subjects. Okay, I admit the new me is a little weird.

It’s not just the small things either. When I hiked up to Heart Lake, my intention was to capture an amazing vista from high above the lake, like I had seen in so many other photographs. But, when I got there, I saw that the shot I really wanted was from the shore, with the mountain’s reflection in the water.

Mount Shasta; Mt. Shasta; Heart Lake; hike; climb; high; white; snow; alpine; reflection; reflect; mirror; water; mountain; magnificent; high; crisp; cool; steep; blue; sky; cloud; peak; wild; wilderness; elevation; silence; peace; nature; natural; scene; scenic; Loree Johnson

Mirror, Mirror

Sometimes, it’s just a different angle that intrigues me. And many times you will see me in some very awkward position trying to get that interesting perspective. So, if you happen to see me laying down on the ground with my camera pointing upward, don’t worry, I have a plan! It doesn’t always work out, but sometimes being a little crazy pays off.

rose; flower; macro; closeup; petals; yellow; pink; sky; cloud; clouds; roses; flowers; petal; floral; under; below; stem; perspective; leaf; leaves; Loree Johnson

Looking up

Of course, that was shot in my back yard, so only my kids and my dog thought I was crazy. But, in the Stout Grove at Jedediah Smith Redwoods, perfect strangers were treated to a demonstration of unusual photographic capture methods. What? You mean not everyone is willing to lay on their back on the forest floor in order to get the shot?

redwood; redwoods; california; coastal; canopy; tree; trees; forest; floor; up; upward; tall; top; tops; sky; leaf; leaves; green; nature; natural; scene; scenic; beauty; beautiful; vertigo; Loree Johnson; bugs eye view

Bugs Eye View

And, who can walk by a puddle with a perfect reflection and not take a picture? Apparently a lot of people–just not me!

Rogue River; forest; reflection; reflections; water; pool; puddle; ree; trees; treetop; treetops; autumn; sunset; nature; natural; scene; scenic; beauty; beautiful; blue; gold; yellow; green; volcanic; fall; season; Loree Johnson

Forest Reflections

In the winter, when the trees have no leaves, I notice the big raptor nests, which I never even saw until a couple of years ago. I’m constantly annoying the other drivers on the road by slowing down in order to get a better look.

animals; bald; bird; eagle; eggs; feather; female; flapping; guarding; male; nest; parents; predator; protecting; raptor; roost; soar; woodland; american; rare; fly; mate; pair

Off to Work

So, my obsession with photography has given me much more than just something to do with my time. Through it, I have acquired an ability to see things most people don’t even notice. And for that, I’m very grateful–even if it means I’m slightly strange.

 

 

 

 

1 Comment

  1. Love your perspective, you have really grown and matured, very proud of you!!!

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