Posers.

Literally.

Give Thanks.

So the rocks won't have to, in your stead ...



And as He was now approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, saying,

"BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD;
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to Him, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples."

And He answered and said, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!"

Luke 19:37-40

Finally!

A wind-free bbq zone. Bring on the breakfast!



Remember how we decided a mere 90 minutes before we left the house that we would be camping that night? Somehow, in that quick get-ready, Big Dude pulled together a breakfast buffet of coffee, hot chocolate, bagels, bacon, and ... s'mores. ;-) Breakfast never tasted so good.

More Exploring …

more flare, more freezing our tushies off, more driving, more beauty, more searching for a wind-free bbq zone …

and finally, finding a wind-free breakfast bbq area.  Whew, hot coffee’s on the way …

Orange County Family Travel Photographer

Exploring at Sunrise ...

and giving a little lesson in "normal" view. Y'know how 50mm [on a full frame camera] is called "normal" view? In case you've wondered what that meant, observe:

In these next three photos, I stood in the exact same place. This first photo is "normal" view. This is how your eye would naturally see this image, standing in this place. The lens is not "magnifying" the view (except, that in my image, it is magnifying just a very little, because I'm at 60mm, not 50mm. but, it's close).



Second image is shot at 105mm. It "magnifies" the view. Pulls it closer to me. "Zooms". Not normal.



Third image is shot at 24mm. It pushes the scene AWAY from me. Far enough away that it captures my shadow. Wide angle. Not normal.



Oh, and don't be fooled by all these lovely warm tones. It was COLD outside. Freezing COLD. The rising sun was NOT heating things up.



Which is why after this picture, I ran back to the truck to defrost my frozen hands. Ouch.

Living Spur of the Moment …

The abbreviated story:  We decided 90 minutes before we left that Saturday would be a good day to camp overnight at Joshua Tree.  So we loaded up the truck and hit the road …

We arrived near the end of the afternoon.  Drove around a bit. 

Climbed around a bit.

I couldn’t get Dog Dude to smile at the camera, because he was fixated on the other dudes…

We saw a gorgeous twilight sky …

And then did our best to find a wind-protected campsite so we could start a fire and bbq our dinner.  Mission: Failure.  And the wind and the sheer C.O.L.D. made the decision to blow off bbq dinner a pretty easy one.  We retired to the truck for a dinner of Powerbars and an early bedtime.

When we awoke (and I use that term loosely … methinks none of us slept), this is the scene that greeted us:

I left the truck in 15 minute increments to explore for as long as I could before my fingers started stinging.

It was gloriously beautiful outside.  And COLD.  Have I mentioned that fact previously?

We drove to the Western end of the park where the sun was shining and the wind wasn’t blowing.  And there Big Dude made us all a scrumptious bbq breakfast.  Yummm…. coffee and bagels never tasted so good.

With full tummies, we hiked around a bit …

and hit the road to go home.  Because one night in the COLD is more than enough.

Joshua Tree, version 2011

all Joshua Tree, all week. :-)



b/w? or color? sometimes I cannot decide.

Give Joyful Thanks.

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will
through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way:
bearing fruit in every good work,
growing in the knowledge of God,
being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might
so that you may have great endurance and patience,
and giving joyful thanks to the Father,
who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light.
For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves,
in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:9-14

Five accomplished goals …

Following thru on my 2011 goals that I talked about here and here ...

#1&2.  I intentionally “framed” my picture while shooting wide.

#3.  I left all sorts of “distracting elements” in the picture.  (in this case including the suggestive Guild Wars babe, the fish food, the tacky plastic cup, the fish tank,  the Teen’s current school book, Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People, and the hanging electrical cord from the reading light above).

#4.  I’m being intentional about exploring b&w more …

#5.  Despite all those “distracting elements”, still capturing pretty cute images of Littlest Dude as he focuses on his game of choice for the day.  :-)

Orange County Family Photography

Littlest Dude + Backlight + Flare ...

How I love thee, let me count the ways ...



in both color AND b/w ...



Doesn't it look like it's raining sun flare?!?

Give Thanks.

But I am afflicted and in pain;
May Thy salvation, O God, set me securely on high.
I will praise the name of God with song
and shall magnify Him with thanksgiving.
And it will please the LORD more than an ox,
more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
The humble have seen it and are glad—
You who seek God, let your heart revive!
For the LORD hears the needy
and does not despise his captive people.

Let heaven and earth praise Him,
the seas and everything that moves in them,
for God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah.
That they may dwell there and possess it;
And the descendants of His servants will inherit it,
and those who love His name will dwell in it.

Psalm 69: 29-36

Fairies, flowers & butterflies ... Laguna Niguel Baby Photographer

and a whole lot of love have welcomed Chloe's sweet arrival.

Orange County Baby, Child and Family Photographer