tim mcmurdo

photographer’s block

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

Writers get it. Can photographers get it? I think I have it, the “it” being photographer’s block. For the last two years I have been working very hard to improve my photography skills. I have had a vision of where I wanted to take my photography. I have worked very hard over many long hours to get me to where I wanted to be. More or less, I have arrived at my destination. 2012 was in incredible learning year for me and as I look back at the images I created, I am very proud of my work.

However, since the beginning of the year, I have been feeling a general malaise about my photography. I feel as though I am at a standstill or perhaps it is a cross roads? Consistently bad weather has kept my photography to a minimum. What little I have produced this year feels as though I am just repeating what I accomplished last year. I keep finding myself asking what is next? Where do I go from here?

I have some time off next week as I visit my family and my son in Atlanta. Besides the anticipation of seeing many people that I love dearly, I am looking forward to the change of location and routine. Perhaps I will gather some new inspiration.

I’ll be sure to let you know as my thought progress. However, I would like to know if you have every found yourself at a cross roads or with a block in something you’re passionate about. How did you overcome your issues and move forward?

Tim

dawn drama

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

This morning I took a chilly walk along the lake shore as the sun rose up into the clouds. I was there to try a graduated ND filter for the first time (more on that later). I used the filter for this image and I am pretty happy with the results. In spite of the cool wind, It was a really nice experience.

trillium trio

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

Down in Clifton Gorge, (where you can have the entire park to yourself if you get there at the crack of dawn), the trillium are at their peak. The trillium and bluebells have become an annual pilgrimage. One that I eagerly look forward to. It's a right of Spring. This year, the blue bells are not very spectacular. However the trillium is just fantastic.

Do you have annual or regular events that you look forward to and plan every year to see?

Every year, I look forward to the sunflower fields just south of us. they bloom spectacularly in September. I also look forward to other types of events like the State Horse Plowing championships that have been hosted the last few years at Carriage Hill Farm.

Let us all know what events you are anticipating this year.

falling for spring

woodland flowers

water and shadow

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

I had been on a long hike along the river and through the woods when I became interested in the reflections of the trees. They seemed to be living on the surface of the fast moving current. You never know when a good image will present itself. This one has a nice painterly effect that I find appealing. I wasn't so sure about the B&W conversion at first. However, it's growing on me.

Tomorrow is Friday, so enjoy your Friday Eve.

Tim

have you seen my chicken?

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

Charlie was all in a huff as he walked up to me. "I can't find Clara" he sputtered. For those of you not in the know, Clara is Charlie's favorite chicken. He dotes on the bird, though I am not sure that Clara returns the favor, as she seems to regard Charlie as she would anybody else that fed her and snatched the eggs out from under her.

There in lies the crux of the problem between Charlie and Clara. You see, Clara is just a chicken and likes to do chicken things. While, Charlie seems to regard the bird as you and I would a cat or a dog. Call as he might, Charlie will never get Clara to come running when he looks for her. She is too busy looking for bugs and worms to worry about Charlie. I'm not sure that Clara even knows she is named Clara.

So, while Charlie looked and searched for Clara, she kept on scratching and pecking. It's a tough path to go down, having a chicken for a pet.

betty grace mcmurdo

the moon, the tree, the bird, and the fisherman

fungus on a log

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

Some photos are what they are. there is no trying to make them out to be fancy or deep in meaning. They just are. This photo of fungus is one example. Of course, I have the same log in color as well.

Nothing like a little fungus on a Friday to ghet you ready for the weekend. have a wonderful Friday all of you fine folks.

oh my darlin clementine

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

Yeah, I'm kind of crazy about clementines, one of the few citrus fruits that I encjoy and look forward to. I like a little lime from time to time,a nd a glass of cold lemonade ona hot summer day is something to savour. A clementine, however, is wonderful. From peeling to eating, I love them. They are… darling.

grape hyacinth

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

Every year, this patch of grape hyacinth appears in front of our picket fence ( I know, I am a walking, blogging cliche). Every year, I photograph this patch of grape hyacinth. Partly because I love the colors, and partly because they become the perfect laboratory to practice depth of field.

Just as easily, my excuse could be because they are just plain beautiful in the early morning light. This year, due to rain and cold, I had only one marning to get out there wheil they were at their peak. I hope you enjoy them. The colors of Spring are good for what ails you.

Have a great day, folks.

spring is springing up all around us

the 11:20 from indianapolis

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

Sixty three year old Betsy Thompson sat in the waiting room. The 11:20 bus from Indianapolis was due to pull up any time now and she was very excited to board. This was her first trip away. She'd spent her entire life in Gary, never venturing far from home. Until Rick had unexpectedly passed away last June, Gary had been enough. She and Rick were happy, had built a home and raised a family. Now, however, Betsy wanted more than anything to escape. The last year had been tough on her. Rick's death, the funeral, and even worse the pity she could see in the eyes of her friends and neighbors.

Soon that would all be behind her. As soon as the 11:20 arrived, Betsy could leave all of it behind. First was a week in Chicago with her brother Bill’s family. Then she would make her way by train and bus to San Jose. California! She could hardly imagine what California would be like. When her sister Ellie’s letter came, asking her to join come west, Betsy immediately pounced upon the invitation as the solution to all of her problems. California and Ellie. Would there be palm trees? Did you see movie stars in California? She supposed that they were probably so common, that nobody paid them much attention. Maybe she would get to see Gary Cooper? If only that bus would get here. Where was that 11:20 from Indianapolis? Betsy wanted to start living again.

hard frost

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

Although the days have warmed up fairly well, the nights are still very cold. I woke up and dressed early Sunday morning so that I could go to the lake and capture the sunrise. I have a new 2 stop graduated ND filter that I am itching to try out. One step outside and I quickly changed my mind. The temperature was hovering around 28 degrees F and I just don't like shooting in that kind of cold. Between the wind and the temperatures, I decided that just sitting in the warm car and watching the sunrise would be the way to go.

I must not be very dedicated to my craft.

cold winter stream

cold lake sunrise