What are you lookin' at?

If you participated in the advertising hypathon that has become grey Thursday, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, you probably wanted to say to someone you encountered "Hey, what are you lookin' at?"

In photography, that look of surprise from human or beast frequently is just that.  A look of astonishment from your subject.  Here are three of my favorites.

I hope you have the time to enjoy the season, and that it will be full of good surprise moments!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image

Environmental portraiture...of a different sort

Most of you know that I published a book in 2002 titled A Place Like No Other:  people of an enchanted land (Sunstone Press, Santa Fe).

I am about to embark on another environmental portraiture project, and I did a shoot on Wednesday that, in an odd way, might be considered environmental portraiture.  The subject this time was chickens (and a rooster named Big Daddy).  The place - Casa Gallina - a wonderful set of holiday rental properties in Taos.  This is not a bed and breakfast inn, but guests can have as many eggs from owner Richard Spera's chickens as they can eat.  You cannot find fresher eggs than those found in the nests.  Richard encourages his guests to visit with the chickens and reconnect with how real food is produced.  The chickens and rooster Big Daddy have an incredible vocabulary and I had a great time on the grass, following them around, and trying to make their "portraits".  Strange, yes, but the patina, patterns, and colors of the feathers are quite incredible.

What a collar!

Try to put these puzzles together!

stained glass?

Big Daddy in all his finery

until next Monday (and the rooster crows)

DB

a passion for the image

The girls are at it again!

Signs of spring are everywhere - flowering and leafing trees, and birds that are sporting colors so bright they could put your eye out.  The deadline for filing income taxes in these United States also is a sign of spring.  It marks the traditional arrival of the hummingbirds in the high country.  Shorts and tee shirts emerge from storage.   I gauge the relative outside temperature by a friend who is the very first to shed her socks and boots, and don sandals.

Those who are lucky enough to either have chickens or know people who raise them also see an explosion of eggs in the nest.  Beautiful colors are tucked under those girls' feathers.  Our friends Richard and Andrea both have chickens, and we are extremely lucky to have their eggs in our pantry.  The egg is one of nature's perfect packages, and I absolutely cannot resist photographing them.

Look at these colors and textures.  And they make the most delicious meals.  Who could ask for more?

Thanks to Andrea and Richard, and kudos to their girls!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image