A Few Stops on the Way Home

I have been short on time outside of the studio recently, but have wanted to keep shooting to stay up with my independent work, even if it isn't part of a masterpiece collection. I think it's important to continue your creative passion outside of whatever walls of work you have surrounding you. It may seem like an extra step, and an intrusion on your free time, but usually once you give yourself the chance to do it, it's calming, fun and rewarding.


The marketplace on Market Street, where street vendors are busy throughout the day selling unique, hand-made gifts, in particular woven baskets. I was surprised to see this man with a table covered in tarp at the end of the market showing off some baskets to a few women passing through. It seemed to capture the end of the work day to me quite well, even if he didn't really have a license to be there.


The Old Market House on Meeting Street in downtown Charleston - I really haven't spent much time in this area of town or learned a lot about it, but it is rich in history and fascinating to learn about and to photograph. The main market runs along either side of the Old Market House and is very busy during the day. I will be working on getting some more shots in this area throughout the year.


This couple was staring into the store window on North Market Street, pointing out things to one another and laughing. I found it to be a sweet moment and despite my distance and need to shoot the photo through the wind-shield, paparazzi-style, it was another good "day-ender."


As I drove down King Street, I saw this building on my left and loved the trees surrounding the entrance. It's the Charleston Library Society and according to the website of the society, it is the South's oldest cultural institution founded in 1748 and it "paved the way for the founding of the College of Charleston in 1770 and provided the core collection of natural history artifacts for the founding of the Charleston Museum (the first in America) in 1773." Pretty cool stuff.


As I drove down Broad Street, headed off the peninsula and toward James Island, I stopped for a quick photo of this little lake, according to my quick Google search, it's Colonial Lake. I couldn't find out much information about it, but the park bench, street light, and framing of the tree all contribute to a general nice image of a quiet park area in the evening. It never fails to amaze me what beautiful colors in the sky can be captured with no sun nearby. I just love that deep purple.

Something from Nothing

I like to remind myself, and others, that strong images, and fun photography, can happen anywhere. You just have to really look for it. I didn't have as much time this weekend as I had hoped to do some photography downtown, so instead of bagging the whole blog shoot, I worked in my backyard. Some quick re-touch work, but perhaps with some advanced work, a few of these could make for some strong images.



The fence behind my house - loved the stick leaning there by itself. Pretty basic, but it works in black and white and a fence is always a good subject.


These prickly things are all over the tree branches in my driveway and of course as they fall they cover the ground. I don't actually know what they are, or what purpose they have other than stabbing my toes when I wear flip-flops, but finally I found something to do with them. They add some color and composition to this photograph.


I was drawn to this leaf because it stood out. It was very gray and overcast today, but despite the lack of any light, this set of leaves popped all on its own. It's right outside my front door.


Looking up a palmetto tree - the patterns on the base of the tree were fascinating to me.


A different angle on the Palmetto and in black and white - I'm into both versions.


And a birch tree, my personal favorite tree. Since I was a little girl I was always in awe of the birch tree because I was taught how the bark was peeled off and used as paper hundreds of years ago. The texture, the dimensions and the personal bias toward birch trees made me love these shots. This image could use some heavy re-touch work and gain a place on my wall in my house very easily. I may spend some time on these birch trees soon and see what I can come up with. Perhaps an art gallery collection piece on birch trees? Hmm...


One more of the birch, further away and in black and white. I like the first one better, but still, there is something very cool about this too.

Fresh Air

Today was a beautiful day to spend outside, despite the random clouds, fog and rain showers. When in the sun, it was just one of those days. I'm still adjusting to a southern winter, so perhaps it felt like more of a gift to me than to those who have lived in the Charleston area for a while.

I made my way down to Folly Beach, which is my favorite place in Charleston to go running and walking and to gain general peace of mind. I walked for a ways, searching for images and ideas. These photos are some of the things I saw and represent some of the thoughts I had for the few hours that I walked the beach.


If only there was a couple holding hands in the background I thought; perhaps it's best left alone, so I photographed it this way and was content.


A woman running alone down the beach, with a giant sun shining over her - this was something I felt we could all relate to on a certain day.


Seaweed, scrap wood, shells and dried-up beach grass; not the most exciting subjects yet they make for some pretty amazing and unique patterns in the sand.


I don't know exactly why this intrigued me so, but it did, at the very moment that I was shooting it and still now, I just like it. It feels so inviting, yet the words contradict that feeling and I can't stop wanting to walk up those stairs.


There were a lot of surfers out today because there was decent surf at Folly Beach - this guy sat and rested for a while, smoking a cigarette. I found his resting place peaceful with the waves.



The long stretch of grass and fence seemed rhythmic and inviting as a pattern.


I love searching for shells along the beach - last time Kyle and I went down to Folly we kept finding pieces of broken shells, nothing too solid really, aside from the basic shell. Today I found a few beauties, and I thought of him and felt so proud of my discoveries. They're in my "vase of shells" collection now; it was a good way to end my afternoon walk.

This One is for Dad

After traveling to Massachusetts on two separate occasions and then to Nashville for a week for the PPA Imaging Show, I got to enjoy a weekend in Charleston. My father has been insisting that I try this breakfast skillet dish at a diner down the street from me that he enjoyed while visiting here at Thanksgiving.

Most of the food that my father eats and loves could jack up your cholesterol ten-fold overnight. If you mention spray butter, be prepared to end your conversation immediately. Last night we were talking on the phone and he brought up this American Grill joint and the breakfast skillet, and I just had to go there. I figured it was time to give the American Grill a shot.

Here you see, the breakfast skillet: home fries cooked with green peppers, onions and bacon, with scrambled eggs on top covered in several slices of cheese with a side of wheat toast and coffee. I added hot sauce to get my own flare, and needless to say, it was amazing and I didn't need any lunch, and hardly any dinner after.

And it was quite a deal, so thanks Dad. It's the weekend people, go out and treat yourself to something you might not normally do, you've still got Sunday to have your bacon.