Why are the colors of sunset so fleeting. One moment, you are overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty of the sky and in literally the next instant it is gone. I get it I think. A day of spectacular beauty would be taken for granted, unappreciated, and offers nothing to look forward to at the end of the day. That makes sense. How clever was the architect that dreamed this cycle up for us. Fuji X100T, 1/1000 second at f/2.0, ISO 200, 23mm - 2192
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When the haze and fog hangs heavy like it did this morning, the difference between black & white and color is negligible. It becomes almost surrealistic yet calming somehow. This is a great spot to catch sunrise. And sometimes, not so much. Nikon D610, 1/180 second at f/13, ISO 100, 55mm (28-300mm) - 3821
The pictures that end up in my camera surprise me more often than I would like to admit. I was shooting the swans as they nibbled on hors d'oeuvres and groomed themselves, no doubt preparing for a date later in the evening. When I reviewed my pictures, the sky jumped out at me and the swans melted into the background. Bob Ross might call this a happy accident. I am not so sure if it is an accident at all. I think the universe shares with your soul more than your eyes can see. Nikon D610, 1/90 second at f/6.7, ISO 1600, 28mm (28-300mm) - 3771
I look at this picture and I think of World War II and the blitzkrieg raids on London between 1940 and 1942. It is hard to imagine what it must have been like. Beginning on September 7, 1940, London was bombed every night for 57 consecutive nights. I imagine you can still find structures like this in England. Coincidentally, this building was used as a color lab a dozen years ago for a photography printing business that no longer exists. Nikon D610, 1/1000 at f/3.5, ISO 400, 28mm (28-300mm) - 3691
I hope you can see how peaceful it was for me to sit on a rock along the shore for a few minutes hypnotized by the thick wind-made waves rolling towards me. Brisk, but amazing for a December morning. If it looks like springtime, and it smells like springtime... Is it springtime? Nikon D610, 1/15 second at F22, ISO 100, 28mm (28-300mm) - 3668
I was shooting outside for more than an hour this morning. Such a spectacular day. So many choices. I'll leave you with this one. It isn't often you can catch the reflection of a church steeple rippling on the surface of the water especially on a December morning in New England. There are those that would rather spend time inside this wonderful white shrine. That's cool. I would prefer to find my Sunday blessings in nature, under the sun and along the shores. 1/350 second at f/9.5, ISO 100, 300mm (28-300mm) - 3585
Few things here... First, Christmas lights are awesome. Second, focus isn't always as important as the lack of focus to makes things stand out. Lastly, when you combine red, green and blue light together, you create white light and the junction of just a couple colors can create magenta, cyan and yellow. Example below. There is a reason people put up Christmas lights. We miss color. So enjoy the color this holiday season. Stare into the lights until your vision blurs. It is food for the soul. Nikon D610, 1/20 second at f/5.6, ISO 100, 300mm (28-300mm) - 3514
Even the drabness of underbrush and prickers at the edge of the river are brought to life by the rising sun beginning to sparkle above the treeline. A very crisp and beautiful morning. I wonder how many people drive by but never see. Sadly, I imagine most. I was wounded by these prickers leaving small wounds -- as if to help remind me of the experience. Little did they know I have pictures to help with that and didn't need their reminders. Nikon D610, 1/180 second at f/11, ISO 100, 28mm (28-300mm) - 3497
Have you ever been out of doors in complete silence and then heard the screech of a lone hawk? Eery... like going back in time, before the roar of civilization. Here, at center stage is a red-tailed hawk at the pinnacle of a lifeless tree. It has a 3,000 meter field of view in all directions. His call was no doubt staking claim to its territory. It was difficult to see with the naked eye yet unmistakeable. I left the house this morning seeking the rising sun and instead found the call of the wild. It is moments like this when I very much appreciate the gift of photography. Nikon D610, 1/30 second at f/8.0, ISO 100, 56mm (28-300mm) - 3446
I am not a good golfer by any stretch of the imagination, but I am always a happy golfer. Sure, it's great to hit a nice shot or sink a long putt, but I don't take the game too seriously and always enjoy going for a walk on the fairways. No clubs are necessary really, especially on this rainy and foggy day in December. I still appreciate the view. Nikon D610, 1/90 second at f/19, ISO 800, 92mm (28-300mm) - 3350
Even on a cloudy and all-around gray day, a walk in the woods soothes the soul. I headed out along the edge of a river for a while. It was quiet and the water was rushing by as if it had somewhere to go. As I have said so many times before, color is hard to find on these monochromatic days. But not impossible! Nikon D610, 1/250 second at f/19, ISO 800, 150mm (28-300mm) - 3275
Not quite the winter wonderland, but it is kind of a cool sight to see them make snow at Wachusett Mountain, especially on a clear day. As you can see, they aren't hitting all the trails yet, just the lower ones right now. Since we haven't had any snow at all this season, it must be hard laying the foundation. For me, this is exactly where I like to see the snow blow (rather than on the roads). Nikon D610, 1/180 second at f/19, ISO 800, 170mm (28-300mm) - 3250
When you live in the woods, appreciating the sun setting at the horizon is simply not possible. Instead, we appreciate the sun as it sets on the trees in all seasons. The distinctive contrast between branches in sun vs. shade becomes so obvious as the sun falls low in the sky. You learn to appreciate it but long to see the horizon in the distance. Something about the grass is always greener I guess. Nikon D610, 1/500 second at f/11, ISO 800, 98mm (28-300mm) - 3238
This is the Sterling Town Hall at dusk in my little town. It is a charming building built in 1835 by some forward thinking people. If you walk down Main Street anywhere near the Town Hall, you will be serenaded by Christmas music. There is something to be said for music on the streets of a quaint town and I am proud to say I had a lot to do with making it happen. It reminds me of when I was a boy. For those of you who can make the trip, I hope you enjoy. Nikon D610, 1/6 second at f/3.5, ISO 100, 28mm (28-300mm) - 3147
On any other day in another season, this scene would be common place. But today, on November 27th when the ground should be frozen and covered with a blanket of snow, it is a rare and unique sight. This little guy came from who-knows-where no doubt confused by the temperature that climbed above 60 degrees. It was bizarre. His color changed from a near black to this golden brown through the course of the day. The patio stones broke out in a cold sweat. No complaints from me. Nikon D610, 1/15 second at f/8.0, ISO 100, 300mm (28-300mm) - 3145
This little project of mine, this year-long escapade with photography has, so far, resulted in more than 31,000 photographs and 328 posts. It has been quite an experience to share a moment of everyday in words and images. A decision everyday of which photograph to choose and what words to say. I rather enjoy it and am thankful that there are those that appreciate the effort. Today, Thanksgiving Day, started a bit gray, but the sun is working hard to make a difference as the moon did last night. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Nikon D610, 1/30 second at f/13, ISO 100, 28mm (28-300mm) - 3095
A perfect setting for a werewolf to head out for a stroll. Not an easy shot to take. Forget that it is in the 20's, There is a fine line to balance the brightness of the moon -- like taking a picture of a light bulb -- and capturing the subtle shadows of the trees back-lit by moon light. One or the other would be fine, but both in the same photograph requires compromise. Nikon D610, 1/45 second at f/5.6, ISO 100, 150mm (28-300mm) - 3083
As winter begins to take hold and the nights fall below freezing, a skim coat of ice begins to crawl across the surface of the pond with webbed feet and crystal designs. It is a task to find color in the outdoors. Angles and reflections become an important part of the window I look through and the eye of my photograph, the I of my Eye. Nikon D610, 1/350 Second at f/6.7, ISO 100, 300mm (28-300mm) - 3079
The beginnings of a children's book I think. Can you see them? Round bubble mouths of all sizes. Mostly perfect. But notice the two larger bubble mouths in the center. You would think they are the only bubble mouths in the world? They have made each other less than perfect - in fact, out-of-round. Yet the majority of the population live in perfect harmony even when squeezed. Stands to reason. It's why we should never pay attention to big mouths. But beware... Nikon D610, 1/125 second at f/38, ISO 100, 300mm (28-300mm) - 3032
Indian Lake, Worcester, Massachusetts. Water level is way down. Just another sign that we have not had enough rain. A mild day with spitting rain and fog, but it is November 22nd and there is no snow in sight. No drama in the skies today but aren't the stones attractive in their photogenic 'S' curve. Nikon D610, 1/30 second at f/11, ISO 100,28mm (28-300mm) -2920
Whispy clouds, a crop of grasses beyond a field and the sun falling below the tree line. It doesn't get much better than this. This time of year, the golden skies of sunrise and sunset rejuvenate the spirit. If for only a few moments a day, the gifts from above are enough to carry us through the day and through the night. Nikon D610, 1/1500 second at f38, ISO 1600, 300mm (28-300mm) - 2160
Last game of freshmen football. Only one touchdown ending in a tough loss. A pretty good season with twice as many wins as losses. All attention is on the coaches final speech. I don't know how they motivate 14 year-old kids, but they do. Kudo's to them for inspiring these young men with the spirit of the team. It is great to see and the experience will last a lifetime. Nikon D610, 1/250 second at f/5.0, ISO 3200, 72mm (28-300mm) - 2725
I shot in the studio today. I love working with a black background. It makes everything pop. I shot a lot of objects man-made and natural. Fans, marbles, statues, globes, milk weed, weeds and this leaf. Ah, this leaf. Certainly it has had a prior life, but how extraordinary the detail. The rivers of veins, the age-wrinkled surface, the pockets of mildew, they all add to the unique individual character of a single leaf. And to think that, at one time, a million of them worked together for the nourishment of a single tree. Are leaves more advanced than man. Nikon D610, 1/125 second at f/16, ISO 100, 135mm, (28-300mm) - 2213
The sun sets around 4:30 pm now, so I need to get out of the office around 4 pm. At least that is how I rationalize it. But I would never catch shots like this if I didn't get up and walk out. I really like taking pictures directly into the sun if I can. It brings life to an otherwise drab and lifeless object. The sun was quickly falling below the tree line when caught view of this while driving. I end up parking in the oddest places and usually have to walk a while because I procrastinate too long before stopping. My bad but worth it every time. Nikon D610, 1/125 second at f/9.5, ISO 1600, 300mm (28-300mm) - 2206
You don't often find white wooden fences in New England like the one in the distance. Kentucky is the place for them. Split rail (foreground) is most prevalent. I like both, but doesn't the white wooden horse fence stand out. The morning mist at dawn is quite lovely as it rises above a pond in Harvard, Massachusetts. Nikon D610, 1/125 second at f/6.7, ISO 1600, 38mm (28-300mm) - 2155
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I am Robert McKay Jones, a photographer from Sterling, Massachusetts and North Fort Myers, FL. I take photographs almost every day. I post my favorites here. |