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  • People Portraits: Young Love

    People Portraits: Young Love

    A portrait captures a moment that’s gone forever, they are impossible to reproduce. Street Photography: Young Love. My goal in this series is to create a really awesome frame of people existing because they allowed me time to share their world.

    Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. I love it when chance encounters lead to impromptu portrait shoots. This was the case during a trip to Hilton Head Island for a day in the sun on the thier beautiful beaches.  I knew my eye would catch my photo-worthy subjects and so I packed my camera accordingly.

    As to day progressed along beautifully we happened apon Shelter Cove Harbour, a splendid marinea tucked away as to preserve its quaintness. Restaurants and shops lined one side and the Disney Resort on Hilton Head matched the other side to frame in a spectacular view of sparkling water, yachts of every size, ducks and cranes splashing as their reflections rippled on the surface and tour guides lead a small group of adventurers through the cove standing, yet paddling along on surf boards.  Joining both sides of the Harbour was bridge for both walkers and vehicles to traverse water inlet below.  As Neal and I approached the bridge I had already began to see in my mind the shots I wanted to take there framed by the flower pot arrangements and the symmetry of the bridge’s pedestrian walkway.  That was when I noticed a young couple struggling with the proverbial “selfie” shot trying to capture themselves with the harbour as a background.

    I decided to wait as we could get the bridge to ourselves but the couple seemed to have a bit of trouble and asked other people crossing the bridge to take their picture.  After several folks moved past the two young lovebirds, I decided to simply move past them then take my pictures.  The young man saw my camera in my hand and his beautiful partner motioned him to ask, “Are you a photographer?” then, “Would you mind taking our picture?”. I gladly introduced myself, all the while reaching into my wallet to retrieve a blog card.

    I agreed to line up the photo shoot with their phone, an iPhone 6, if they would allow me the opportunity to take portrait shots with my camera. There was such a delight about this couple (Katie and Chris), an aura of young love surrounded my willing subjects as I placed them on the bridge to fully capture to moment at hand.  Their natural at-ease-ness only served to enhance the perfect lighting and gorgeous harbour setting they choose to privately share the love/moment. I invited them to visit the blog and email me for personal copies of the portraits. As I turned my attention to my other photo interest, Neal, I could see just past him Katie lovingly leaping up onto Chris’ back as he “piggyback style” carried her the rest of the length of the bridge. What a joy, Young Love! 


    Young love  

     

     

      

  • Old Glory, New Light

    Old Glory, New Light

    New day.  Morning walk.  Old Glory.  Gaze upon.  New light.  Spirits lifted.  Off again.

    Old Glory

  • Worth Two in the Bush

    Worth Two in the Bush

    “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” That old saying struck me today as I sojourned along St. Julian Street, enjoying my morning walk that took me through Savannah’s beautiful Historic District. “Look there!”, Neal motioned. To my amazement, nestled in the green branches of a bush, was an oddly cute little baby bird. Unlike most young feathered fowl, this one did not make the slightest “peep”, nor attempt to flee as I moved my camera in for a close-up shot.  He tilted his head slightly and blinked those wide beautiful eyes as if to drink in his first and only photoshoot.

    Worth two in the bush

    There is humor in the telling of this tale because I totally got the saying all wrong. I was thinking, “A bird in the bush is worth two in the hand.” I thought this would make a great post, but then I paused … Maybe I’d better look that up to be sure. I wondered if dyslexia was at work in my misusing whole sentences?  Of course, with my luck I did have it wrong but decided to do this post anyway.  Okay, back to the story.

    My mind strangely remembered the children’s story of the baby bird that prematurely left the nest and proceeded to ask every stranger he encountered, “Are you my mother?” I looked up into the nearby tree to try to catch a glimpse of a nest that may have been this bird’s former roost. None could be found, not even the distant peeps or chirps from siblings that had not taken the sudden plunge to terra firma.

    My feet beckoned me, so did Neal. “Gotta get moving Robert!”

    Bye bye birdie, and good luck on your newly started life’s journey!

  • Leafy Reflections

    Leafy Reflections

    Discovery: Cat bowls are a haven for fallen leaves and a reservoir for raindrops. They provide us with a collection of leafy diversity.  I am awed by the simple beauty present in nature!

      
            

  • Urban Scene: Memorial Alley Garden

    Urban Scene: Memorial Alley Garden

    Every city has its hidden gems – one of Savannah’s is an alley tucked away from the mainstream touristy routes. Just off Abercorn Street and around the corner from Colonial Park Cemetery lies a magical place that its residents find a cool breeze after work. Sheer intoxication of fragrance bodes relaxation amongst the floral overload that somehow absorbs the troubles of the busy day which are just past either entrance to the alley.  Never truly having the harsh light of day exposing its contents to hot Savannah, the alley envelopes those lucky few who find her in a refreshing calm most of the day.

    Ferns, flower pots, and tropical leaf plants almost hide the pale blue seats, tables and even the swinging bench that bid on-lookers a closer, deeper investigation.  Pails containing an assortment of bottled “aahhh!” are within reach of the nearest table shaded by another fern plant.  Hanging in artistic fashion, pane-less window frames allow seekers a clear view into a glimpse of an urban Eden not placed here by God but by a lovely Savannah transplant affectionately named “Pinky”. She lovingly tendsthe garden, introducing weary trespassers to her blissful corner of Savannah.


      
      

    What caught my attention as I passed the familiar respot on my way to a favorite coffee spot that morning was the symbol of our nation’s strength and freedom draped splendidly from the flowering vine and plant-laden steel catwalks of the ajoining apartment complexes which share the alley.  I had to stop as I did a double take before being drawn again to the oasis of rest I had shared with close friends and my soulmate. Morning sun rays pierced the flag’s woven polyester and nylon threads that reminded me soberly of the sacrifice given by brave men and women.  Yet that very day other Americans effortlessly, thoughtlessly, irreverently carried out their plans of backyard fun, meat-laden grilling, beer drinking and beach frolicking in the name of “Happy Memorial Day!” Happiness not earned nor in memory given to those fallen.

    Yeah, it gets my goat! But I know true service and the burden it lays upon the families of those who lost loved ones and brothers-in-arms.  As I pointed my camera upward taking the picture, I thanked God and Pinky for my Memorial Alley Garden.

      
        

  • Weekly Photo Challenge: Early Bird, Waiting for Today’s Catch

    Weekly Photo Challenge: Early Bird, Waiting for Today’s Catch

    WordPress weekly photo challenge: Early Bird
    The locals gather for the fresh catch of the day along the docks and piers outside of the Safe Harbor Seafood Market and Restaurant on the St. Johns River, Mayport, Florida.

      
                                      

  • Beignet Love

    Beignet Love

    Beignets? Better go to Huey’s on the River, Savannah, Georgia.           

            

  • Urban Scene: Under Factors Row

    Urban Scene: Under Factors Row

    A city has its own life. Its own circulatory system, skeleton system and nervous system. They are always present although we actually take notice of what is under our feet holding us up or the things support just above our heads keeping services running.

    This is true in every urban setting, even here in under Savannah, Georgia.

      
                      

     

  • Brick by Brick

    Brick by Brick

    Historic Trustee’s Garden, Savannah, Georgia.