Interesting People At Work - Photo No. 1

Modern Day Cowboy and Custom Saddle Maker

Calico, Nevada

"Interesting People At Work', Photo No 1. Those of us who enjoy photographing different subjects often tend to post mostly landscape and nature images on social media, because those seem to be the most popular. A long time landscape photographer who switched to street photography once said he became bored with yet another beautiful sunset or mountain, and when he made the change he found for him, that photographing people was much more interesting, interactive and rewarding, plus it was challenging to try to capture personality, mood, and circumstances of the people he met around the world. And the bonus was he made new friends everywhere he went. Through the years I have had a little photography project that I call, 'Interesting People at Work'. The first rule I follow is that I try to capture part of their work environment in the photo, and the second rule I occasionally bend, is that I try to interact, visit with, and get to know the people I'm photographing. This is a bit intimidating and challenging for me to speak to strangers, and gain their trust until they relax enough to be photographed. So for the next little while, I will post some of the interesting people with interesting jobs that I have met over the years, and a few that I didn't meet but who knew and gave me a nod that I could photograph them. Here is a true modern cowboy and custom saddle maker from Calico, Nevada.

Cedar City, Utah Temple

Cedar City, Utah Temple

This is the Cedar City, Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the most recent of 159 temples world wide and opened in December 2017. Eleven more temples are currently under construction and 12 more have been announced. Temples are sacred places to worship and make sacred spiritual covenants for members of the Church and are different from chapels where weekly services are held, of which there are over 30,000. (Note: I removed some very distracting power lines that were glowing in the light of the setting sun.)

Winter at Gunlock Resevoir, Utah

Winter at Gunlock Resevoir, Utah

I took this last year at this same time when there was more snow on the mountains.

Roses From My Sweetheart

Roses From My Sweetheart

Taken with a Lensbaby Velvet 56 soft focus lens.

A Simple Photo, A Memory Forever

A Simple Photo, A Memory Forever!

A sweet memory and a different kind of post for today, inspired by an article I read by Skip Cohen. It was a reminder to me, (and I'm passing it on to you), that photography isn't just about capturing gorgeous landscapes or being an expert photographer/artist. It is for all of us to take the time to capture a feeling, an event, a moment, that at the time may not seem very important. A quote attributed to Dr. Seuss says, "“Sometimes you’ll never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” And photos keep those memories alive and close to the heart as the years pass. This had me thinking about photos I've taken that would never get a bunch of 'likes' or 'hearts' on social media, but I cherish just the same. I want to tell you about one such photo. Several years ago my husband and I were on an assignment for our church in New Caledonia. After our meetings we were enjoying visiting with these wonderful people. Out of the corner of my eye I saw this couple at the far end of the walkway coming toward where I was standing. I noticed how happy they looked, arms around each other, laughing and talking and enjoying being together in their own little world. They looked striking to me with their beautiful brown skin in contrast with their white clothes. As they walked towards me I snapped a bunch of photos, just so I could remember that happy moment. A few weeks later I received a call from our friend and colleague who was with us at the time. She reminded me of the photos I had taken of this couple and wanted my permission to enlarge this one to present to the wife, because just a few days earlier her husband had died suddenly with no warning. I had the impression they didn't have many photographs together and no recent ones. What a joy for me to think that this lovely lady has this happy photograph of the two of them. Just a simple moment became one of their last moments together, and a simple photo to help her remember forever!!

Far Away Places

 I Would Love to Return to Savaii, Samoa!

"Far away places with strange sounding names
 Far away over the sea

Those far away places with the strange sounding names are
 Calling, calling me"

(Sung by Bing Crosby in 1948)

                                 

Winter Twilight

Utah Lake in Winter Twilight and Soft Pastels