Monday, January 26, 2009

Clear skies


I love photography, as those of you who know me, are already well aware. 

The thing with taking pictures is that when the sky is clear and the sun is bright is one of the worst times to take pictures. Shadows are harsh. There is a lot of glare. People are squinting. I'm not saying that you can't get good shots then, but generally it's not ideal. 

Some of your best shots happen when the light is coming or going--early or late in the day and, if you're taking nature pictures, when the sky has texture--when there are clouds.

The picture above was taken during a thunderstorm before dawn at the beach last summer. The noise woke me up, and when I went out onto the balcony and saw those clouds, I ran back inside to get my camera.  Cha-ching! Clouds rule!


Writing is very much like that. The clouds/trials give texture to our stories. They add drama and beauty. Without them there would be very little to tell. As writers our own trials and stormy times help us write them better for others. They may be awful to go through, but, at least, we can look at the positive side and say they help make us better writers.

Hurray for clouds, eh? 

21 comments:

Jodi Meadows said...

This is a lovely post, with lovely photos to accompany it. Thank you.

Kristen, spinning said...

Well said.

Kiersten White said...

I want to know what beach it is, too, because I want to move there immediately...

Gorgeous photos!

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Aww, what a wonderful way to put it! This was my favorite part to put in at the end of The Breakaway - how Naomi explains that clouds are best for pictures, and same for her life, consequently. :)

And I am really impressed with those pictures. I can't wait to stand next to you and take pictures together. Now I really want to move there... it's absolutely splendid.

*I'm gasping with jealousy*

lotusgirl said...

Thanks! I love me a good beach. I grew up in SC and have spent a lot of time on the beach, but these pictures are from NC beaches. We decided that since we live in NC now, we should go to some of the beaches in our own state. The first picture (during the storm) was on Emerald Isle in the Salter Path area. It was gorgeous. Very picturesque! The picture at sunset was on Topsail Island.

Captain Hook said...

Gorgeous photos!

I can't take a clear photo to save my life. Hence why I don't own a camera.

Natalie Whipple said...

Wow, just beautiful. Stunning pictures, and such wisdom. It's all about the clouds:)

lotusgirl said...

Sarah, I would feel at a complete loss not to have a camera with me when I go anywhere cool. Taking clear pictures is a lot easier than you might think. I could teach you. A lot of it is in the camera though. The really cheap ones can't take a good picture to save their souls.

Natalie, thanks. It's like in art the dark areas make the light areas pop.

Alyssa said...

Amazing pictures! I love the beach! Deep thoughts. So true!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful analogy. Thank you!

lotusgirl said...

Alyssa, Thanks! You and me, girl! Peas in a pod!

Beth, thank you, and you're welcome.

Jenni James said...

WOW! you are soo talented! These pictures are gorgeous! My hubby loves to take pictures too! It's so great to have for later, you know?

lotusgirl said...

Thank you. I love having them for later. That's part of why I take so many. I like to relive the experience with pictures.

PJ Hoover said...

What a great comparison! It forms such a nice visual image!

lotusgirl said...

Thanks! I'm a very visual person, so that kind of thing really works for me.

Karen said...

Lois...those pictures are beautiful. You definitely have an eye for it! Thanks for sharing.

lotusgirl said...

Karen, Thanks for stopping by. You know me and my camera. Always together.

Rebecca Ramsey said...

You really are a talented photographer! And I LOVE North Carolina beaches. When I was little we used to go to the Outer Banks, but now we go to Sunset Beach. Your pics are making me long for the coast. Winter is my favorite time to go!

lotusgirl said...

Thanks, Becky, I've never been to Sunset Beach. I did go to Holden once a long time ago. So when you go do you take the trip over to Calabash for the shrimp?

Bowman said...

These are great photos. :)

lotusgirl said...

Thanks, Justus! I'm so glad you finally got my shout out for helping with the name of the blog. Thanks again.