patricia emerson mitchell photography
the way I see the world
We took our first ever trip to see the colors in New England. It’s going to take some time for me to go through what I shot and what might be presentable. This first shot from my Canon camera (I have a few earlier things from the phone and the Fuji) is where I’ll start. We’ll see what else I come up with later.
I can’t say I’m thrilled with this shot, but I can say it’s a First Shot!
I’ve not felt like using my camera for quite a while. Aside from a couple of insect “record shots” (nothing worth printing but just interesting to post on Facebook or Instagram), I have not used my Canon since August 11th. Yes. Really. Between our very smoky days, Covid, and just the general yuckiness of the times we are living in my interest in doing photography had pretty much disappeared.
But TODAY … well … today is the day my Farmgirl Flowers will arrive! (I bought myself a little present with my fun money: a monthly flower delivery!) And that somehow spurred me on to take the camera on my 6+ mile walk (it was longer than I’d planned: when I looked at my watch I thought it said I’d gone 4.3 when I guess it really said 5.3. Oh well … better too many miles than too few!) and see what I’d find.
I didn’t shoot a lot, but I at least did a bit. This first shot isn’t perfect, but you know me and my “first shots” … I can’t lie about those! This was made at a house that I’ve visited frequently: they have a natural garden in front — with a sign and all from Nature Conservancy verifying the garden. They also now have a for sale sign in front. We have TONS of those now. People are escaping this area. I would too, but there are a few things that keep us here. At least for now.
In any case, here is my first shot … and hooray, the Farmgirl Flowers have arrived so off I go!
With my new “try to at least shoot one thing!” notion (which I will skip if it’s too windy), I worked with an interesting Bougainvillea today. I saw this one last year and wondered what kind it was … and I’m still wondering. It grows like a cone, very similar to Echium. I’m going to run it past a Facebook group today, as they have identified all but one flower I’ve put on their page.
I’ve decided to try and take at least one shot each time I go on a walk, wind permitting. This is today’s first shot. I only worked with this patch of Agapanthus today, but did take fourteen images. We’ll see if I like any more. First I must race to my studio to teach!
First Shot: Little Purple Flowers, 7.7.20
I had a nice walk today, despite it being somewhat breezy. (I feel as if it’s terrifically windy, but that’s only because I’m trying to shoot flowers!)
While shooting some beautiful iris (I hope to share something later from that house, but we’ll see how the photos turned out) a very nice couple stopped and we chatted for a brief moment. Silly me didn’t even think to get their names … so dear couple, if you did manage to find this website and read this please leave a comment with your names! It was delightful to talk a wee bit.
We are living in a very difficult moment of history, but the friendliness of people is a joy. The chalk messages on the sidewalks — the friendly waves as we avoid getting too close to one another — the brief chats. It all means so much right now.
I also had a short conversation with a mail carrier and thanked him for his work. I asked him if they are worried and he acknowledged that they really are. I was sorry to hear that USPS provides them with gloves but no masks. He said they are on their own when it comes to masks.
First Shot: Blossoms, 4.2.20
… do NOT get me down! (And if you know what this refers to you must be old. 😉 )
It rained here this morning. After my rather busy past five weeks I knew a long walk was probably out of the question, but so was skipping a rainy day walk. I only managed four miles, and I didn’t shoot a ton, but I did shoot a bit. This is my first shot.
Raindrops on a White Rose, 9.16.19
I’ve named the bug on this plant a “skeleton bug”. Agree? Below the full image is a cropped one so you can see the bug more clearly.
Skeleton bug on a Leonotis Leonurus, 6.13.18
