Photo Walk - Lancaster

Many of you have joined Andy with Visual Realia on previous Photo Walks in York and Hanover. Now, he's leading a Photo Walk in downtown historical Lancaster on Saturday, May 21. If you love the history of our old cities and the unique architecture that fill them, you don't want to miss any Photo Walk with Visual Realia! Andy is awesome and you'll learn so much and get some fabulous photos for your collection or future gallery exhibit. I hope you can make it! Click the Visual Realia links above for more information.

Grace & peace,
deann

PhotoChallenge: First Signs of Spring

Today's beautiful weather prompted me to slowly investigate any signs of life on the surface of my garden's soil. To my surprise a few slivers of greenery are poking up through the salty cinder remnents, decaying leaves, and last springs retired mulch. While spending a few moments snapping photos of the first signs of spring, one thing really hit me - the fact that my heart is much like the soil - thawing and somewhat ugly because of the harshness of winter - yet, fertile and ready to spring forth with abundant life. Through this quiet practice, God reminded me that I am alive and He longs to bring new things of beauty to life through me, just like He does every single spring since the beginning of time. I found myself deeply humbled in His presence. It's amazing what we can experience through our creative nature when we are open to His voice.

With all that said, how about a photo challenge? With your camera in hand, head out to your yard and look for first signs of spring. While you do this, consider the ways in which God is sprouting (or longs to sprout) new things of beauty in your life. Send me your photos and I'll post them on this blog.

Grace & peace ~

deAnn

VR PhotoWalk ~ Hanover

Any time Andy Smith of Visual Realia has a local PhotoWalk, I like to get the word out! These PhotoWalks are very informative and well organized events for photographers of any level. No matter what style of camera you have, all you need is a curious spirit and a desire to be with others who also love photography as much as you do. These events are so much fun!

The PhotoWalk on Saturday, March 6 is a special one. Here is the email I recieved announcing this event. (Note the deadline to register is Feb 28th):

Two weeks after announcing the photowalk, we're 40% booked, with numerous other folks on the probable list. We have two weeks remaining until registration closes, so consider contacting me to reserve your spot for great sounds, sights and wonderful desserts.

On Saturday, March 6th at 10:00 AM, participants will meet at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hanover, Pennsylvania for a demonstration and brief background on the church's Austin organ, one of the top ten largest pipe organs in the world. This magnificent musical instrument has 14,341 pipes and 231 stops/instruments, allowing a combination of over a million possible sounds. We'll be given a back stage look at the instrument and have a chance to photograph it and the beautiful church.

At 11:00, we'll walk less than a block to Hanover's Sheppard Mansion for the second stage of shooting. The building is a Hanover landmark, and the wonderful food and restaurant led by Chef Andrew Little and his staff are a fine dining experience that is unmatched for its great taste, support of local ingredients and visual appeal... that we'll be able to photograph. Chef Little will have a table set up for photographing a wonderful layer cake and two plated desserts, allowing us a unique photowalking subject.

But how could we look at that food without wanting to try it? Each of us will receive a sampling plate of the desserts, which we can eat for our own pleasure.

If the weather cooperates, we'll follow these indoor shooting scenes with an optional mini-walk around the downtown Hanover area. Afterwards, we'll once again share our views through our own Flickr page.

The new twist to this walk is our ability to help support a worthwhile goal. Eight of the ten largest pipe organs have full-time curators to care for the instruments. While the Hanover organ has received around $2,000 per year in repairs and care, and more recently $20,000 per year, age now requires a larger renovation. Depending upon decisions yet to be made by the congregation, the instrument may undergo work spanning three years and expenses ranging in the area of one million dollars.

For this event, I am hoping you'll join me with your $35 registration. You'll receive the organ and church tour and photo-shoot, the Sheppard Mansion dessert photo-shoot and dessert sampler plate, iced tea, gratuity, tax and the knowledge that all net profits will go to the St. Matthew Lutheran Church Organ Fund.

For more information, visit: http://www.vrphotowalks.com/

Be sure to visit the "Desserts" and "Church" pages on the site to read about the experiences ahead, and check back again for additional information to come. Contact me to register, and prepay using personal check, cash or credit card through the trusted AmazonPayments system. (I'll email with information, if interested.)


Join me! I hope to hear form you soon. ~ Andy Smith

Click here to email Andy Smith about registering. Registration and payment deadline is Sunday, February 28th.


I hope to see many Living Word Faces there!! Pray the weather will be more spring-like than winter-like. :0)
Grace & peace ~ deAnn

Snow Photo Challenge by Lisa Wagg

Doesn't the bird look real??

Here's a squirel that moved into a bird house.

Dessie and Flake pleading to be let in.

A lamp post out front of Lisa's house.

Thanks Lisa for submitting your images from the near-blizzard snowstorm we had a few weeks ago. Makes me kinda wish for another big storm. :0)

Grace & peace,

deAnn

Snow Photo Challenge by Beth Smith

Christmas Decor

by Beth Smith

I dig this image - like a Christmas tree covered with snow, so unlike the one in my house. But I do remember the flocked trees of my youth. I prefer the real thing.

Thanks Beth for sending in your image!

grace & peace, deAnn

Snow Photo Challenge from Austin Fitz

Junko

by Austin Fitz

I love the shallow depth of field of this image. The bird just pops off the screen!

Thanks Austin, for sending in your image!

grace & peace, deAnn

Snow Photo Challenge by deAnn Roe

Festive Entrance

Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Dallastown, PA

Snow Laden Ladder

Our backyard

Snow Drift Mountain Range

Bethlehem U.M.C. Dallastown

Now, waiting for the next big snow to hit our area.

Grace & peace, deAnn

Snow Photo Challenge by Jutta Stallman

I really love the dog shot, nose in the snow and I'm wondering why.

Thanks Jutta for submitting images for the Challenge!

Grace & Peace ~ deAnn

Snow Photo Challenge by Chris Gold

Merry Christmas!!

The above images were taken by Chris Gold.

Thanks for submitting your images, Chris! I hope it snows again like this before spring!

Grace & Peace,

deAnn

Snow Photo Challenge by Deb Williams

Sunrise by Deb Williams

Bird in Snow by Deb Williams

Wintery Scene by Deb Williams

Thanks Deb for your images, they are nice! I particularly like the last one. It reminds me of Narnia - the light post and all! Thanks for participating in the Snow Photo Challenge.

grace & peace,

deAnn

Snow Photo Challenge by Chris Morgan

Suspension by Chris Morgan

Snow Castle by Chris Morgan

We Jump by Chris Morgan

Great images, Chris! Very creative and it looks like you guys were having lots of fun. Thanks for submitting your images for the Snow Photo Challenge.

deAnn Roe

Inspiration for Photographers

I came across this beautifully done website for a photography studio in downtown York called, "The Susquehanna Photographic." If you want to be inspired, as I certainly was, look at their portfolio.

This Christmas season, instead of the typical holiday snapshots, re-image your subjects and be creative with your photography. Try snapping the photo from a different vantage point (instead of standing and taking the photo) or play with lighting, use a tripod for low lighting situation instead of flash (that is if your subject isn't a 2 year old zooming across the room!). This would be a fun PHOTO Challenge too - we've not had one for a while! More to come on that, but be thinking beyond the box when when you have your camera in hand over the holidays!

Happy Creating!

Grace & peace ~ deAnn

Congrats Photographers!

Here is some EXCITING NEWS! Tony Schlies and Jutta Stallman of LW's photography group, APERTURE, had photos published in the recently released "Capture York" hardback and very beautiful book. This is so awesome! Congrats to our published photographers!

I was at Borders Bookstore the other week and saw it there in the Local Area section, near the coffee bar area. It's a gorgeous book and is on my Christmas list. Obviously you can pick up your copy at Borders or you can order it online. I'm not even a York native, but I sure want a copy.

Grace & peace,

deAnn

PhotoWalk @ Cordorus-TODAY

Check out the Aperture blog to hear that the Fall Scatter PhotoWalk sponsored by VisualRealia is still happening today at 1pm. Click here for the details.

Grace & peace,
deAnn

Fall Scatter PhotoWalk

Some of you joined the York City PhotoWalk in July, sponsored by Andy Smith of Visual Realia. It was a great time with lots of people, some of which traveled from MD and DE.

I just got email from Andy regarding a Fall Scatter PhotoWalk at Cordorus State Park. The leaves will be near peak, what a perfect time for photography. Below is all the information about it. I hope you can make it. I know several of us from LWCC plan to go. Hope to see you there!

Grace & peace,

deAnn

Fall "Scatter" PhotoWalk

Sunday, October, 18, 2009
1:00 PM
Codorus State Park, Near Hanover, PA
Sponsored by Andy Smith of Visual Realia
http://www.visualrealia.com/

From the event web site:
"Join other photography and outdoor enthusiasts as we explore the marina area of Codorus State Park, located near Hanover, PA. We’ll meet at 1:00 for a group photo and basic info, then split into groups as we look into the nooks and crannies for great photography finds. We’ll gather back at our starting spot around 3:00 and share photos, light snacks and conversation. Later, we’ll share our photos online for all to see."

Following the successful photowalks in Gettysburg, Harrisburg and York, I wanted to find a new spin or two for the next walk. Here goes:
1) Instead of a preset two mile route, we'll cover the marina area of the park in small groups, heading whichever way we'd like. Walkers can be aggressive and cover a lot of ground, while families with small children can follow the whims of the kids. We'll also always be within a reasonable distance of the public restrooms, and our date selection should put us fairly close to peak color in the lower portion of Pennsylvania.
2) We'll gather at a set time to share photos, stories and just enjoy each other's company. If everyone brings a small finger-food snack to share, we can eat during our gathering without requiring a lot of utensils and make clean-up an easy task. More on snacks later.
It doesn't matter what skill level you are as a photographer, and any camera is fine from an top-notch SLR to an inexpensive point and shoot. This is a perfect family event! Encourage the kids by giving them a disposable camera of their own.

Never participated in a photowalk before? Check out the Previous Walks page on the web site:
http://www.vrphotowalks.com/
(Check back… the site will grow as we add more info.)

I don't wish to spam anyone with unwanted emails, so email me to join the Codorus Fall Scatter Photowalk email list if you'd like to receive future updates on this walk. If you have any questions, email.

Note: I'm announcing this with a little less notice than usual, so if you have the ability to share the info online or with friends and family in any way, I'd appreciate your help in spreading the word.

Thanks! Hope to see everyone there.
Andy
---------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew Smith
ostman4200@comcast.net

Where You Least Expect It

I recently posted about noticing beauty where you least expect it on the Vertical Creativity blog. If you'd like to read, click here.

"Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man." ~Edward Steichen

grace & peace ~ deAnn

Crazy River Hike

Okay, so I've been sick with bronchitis and a wicked sinus infection for the past three weeks. I've taken so many sick days from work that I had to tap into my vacation time. Needless to say, I was crazy tired of being cooped up in my house. So, Saturday, my husband and I went down to the Holtwood Dam area for a little fresh air and sunlight. Of course I took my camera, with anticipation of a leisurely walk along the river bank. However, my husband, the mega-adventurer, dragged me all over the place - through thick brush, over walls made of rock, across water, and up gigantic rocks. Before I knew it - we were on a rock island in the middle of the Susquehanna. I was exhausted from the wild hike. He kept on going as I perched myself on the sun-slathered hot rock, absent of any shade. The good news is that there were countless photo opportunities!

The photo above is from a little pool of water on TOP of this super high rock. Either the river gushed with flood waters recently or this is a gathering of rain water. I don't know. As I pondered this, a siren blared down the canyon. It was then that I recalled all the "DANGER" signs on the way in. Yes, when you hear that siren, you MUST exit the low lying areas of the river because they are about to release water from the dam. Being paranoid that I was going to die on that rock, my common sense kicked in, "This rock is too high, I'll just be stranded here, surrounded on all sides with raging river water. All while my husband is God-knows-where, hiking on other mysterious rock islands."

A little punch of life growing out from the solid rock. Intriguing how plants can find ways to take root in materials other than the forgiving soil.

A view from my rock island - looking upstream to the Holtwood Dam. The siren was correct, water began to pour over the spillway... not a good feeling. But it makes for pretty photo! The road above is Route 372.

Inside one of the rock-top pools were these ity-bity lillypads (or something like that.) They were so cute and delicate. Taking advantage of the direct sunlight and growing happily.

Standing on the river's edge, I snapped this shot. I really like the bold colors of the green grass and the bluest of blue on the bridge. It was a gorgeous, yet HOT, day. It was fun watching my husband jumping from rock to rock, as if he was reliving moments from his childhood. And good thing - the sirens for the water release - I never noticed a difference in the water levels...

OH, I don't have the image here, but we did see a beautiful bald eagle soaring overhead. I was so mesmerized by it's grandeur that I forgot to snap a photo. But after a few minutes, it graced us with his presence again, and I have an image of it. Albeit, it's not great - but you can see clearly that it's a bald eagle. Maybe I'll post that photo later this week.

Never stop getting out and experiencing the beauty that surrounds us.

grace & peace ~ deAnn

All photos in this post are copyrighted (c) 2009 by deAnn Roe of Vertical Creativity.

Digital Photography Class

York College is offering a Digital Photography class as part of their Community Eduction program. After reading the class information, it sounds really awesome. Click here to read the details. Here is the blippet that is in their print material:

This class is designed for those who want to learn about the digital camera and how to use it creatively, how to communicate with the computer, edit, create video/slide shows, and much more.

But you can get way more info on their website. Check it out! The price seems to be good, too.

grace & peace ~ deAnn

Reflection Image by Carolyn H.

Carolyn took this image inside the Luray Caverns, VA. If you've not been there - you must go, it's so awesome! The image above is little pool of mineral-saturated water that, honestly, looks like part of the cave, stalactites and stalagmites. Meaning, it doesn't even look like a reflection = it's that perfect. The water is still and as flat as glass. It's stunning.

Thank you, Carolyn, for sharing your photo (which brings back to my mind the beauty that cavern possesses.)

grace & peace ~ deAnn

Reflection Images

I've received some awesome reflection images as part of our July Photo Challenge. Head over to the Aperture blog and check out the last several posts.

Keep the camera handy, you never know what you might see...

grace & peace ~ deAnn