By Scott Shephard
Amsterdam is known for many things, including coffee bars that sell marijuana brownies, and young ladies that sell . . . well, I'd just as soon not mention it.
These ladies were selling lingerie and leather goods. I and my friend Billy didn't succumb to any of the temptations of Amsterdam, other than the great art museums.
By Scott Shephard
Is it ironic that I post of picture of words? This is supposed to be a "blog for the right brain." Ironic or not, this is a photo I took on a rainy night in Tokyo. I was struck with the civility of the warning, though in Japan civility is abundant - even in a bustling city like Tokyo. In the US we would say "Keep Off!" In Japan they say, "Since it is easy to slip, stepping on a stone should withhold." Who can disagree with that?
By Scott Shephard
Toledo Spain, not Ohio. El Greco provides a much more interesting version than mine. I have no more words today.
By Scott Shephard
There are many places that claim to be the "Center of the World." As you might expect, the claims are generally ethnocentric. The ancient Greeks, for example, who thought very highly of themselves, erected a monument in Greece called the omphalos. It is Greek for navel (or belly button).
The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul doesn't claim to be the belly button of the world but it many ways it is. Because Istanbul has long been located on the major trade route between Asia and Europe, it became a melting pot of cultures. The Hagia Sophia is an amazing testament to the clash and then mixing of these cultures. Built on the site of a pagan temple, this basilica was first a Christian temple, then converted to an Islamic mosque. Because Islam prohibits representational art in its mosques, all of the mosaics in the dome were whitewashed. But in 1935 Mustafa Kemal ("Ataturk") decreed that the Hagia Sophia become a museum and evidence of both religions are clearly evident, including the Arabic writing and the beautiful mosaic decorations on the domes.
Photographically, this is a very difficult subject - in part because of how dark the interior is and in part due to the expanse of the interior, which my lens couldn't do justice to. You'll have to go there to experience this place in person.
By Scott Shephard
I don't know where you live, but around here there are clear signs that the seasons are changing. Shorter days and school supply sections at stores like Target and Walmart suggest that fall is just around the corner.
This photo was taken in Olympia, Washington, at a nursery. My wife was looking around and I was bored. So, as usual, I took a few photos.
It must be the English teacher in me that makes me use words like this. Sorry. "Ephemeral" means "lasting for a short time." To humans, flowers are ephemeral, to South Dakotans summer is ephemeral and to my cat, Mac, his morning meal is ephemeral. But the Spring Creek Marina???!!!
In this photo, the subjects are here to stay for a while. But the light wasn't. I had arrived just after rain had passed through and as I was getting ready to unload my sailing gear, the sun poked out from behind a heavy cloud and lit up the marina. I reached for my camera, got out of the car and literally had 20 seconds before the sun went back under a cloud. I should have taken a photo when the area was bathed in shadow because then you could see what a difference a few seconds make.
By Scott Shephard
The student tour group I was with had almost a whole afternoon free in Florence and this is one of the unexpected photo opportunities we encountered. I think that doing chalk reproductions of Italian masterpieces on sidewalks would be a tough way to make a living. But you do get plenty of attention from people like me.
I can't help noticing her foot in this photo. Aren't these shoes for tight rope walkers?
By Scott Shephard
Dugi Otok means "Long Island" and I guess that's a pretty good description. It is 5km at its widest and about 50 km long. Deb and I spent 3 days at Sali, which is the largest village on the island. This shot is on the west side of the island, where we happened to be when the sun was setting. And, as I think you can see from the photo, it is a pretty spectacular spot.
I took exactly 65 pictures of my wife's single blooming Star Lilly plant this morning and this was one of the last ones I captured. And I like it best. Is there a lesson for would be photographers in this? Perhaps. For me the lesson is to take photos from many angles and you might be surprised. Photography literally means "writing with light." But for me, photography sometimes offers the opportunity to learn the difference between "looking" at something and truly "seeing" it. Enough of the philosophy! If you want to see two of the other 65 photos I took, check these out:
Star Lilly 01 (click) Star Lilly 02 (click)
Canon 5DII 1/50s f/5.0 ISO400 100mm
By Scott Shephard
I was with a student group cruising the Greek islands when I took this picture and it is another good example of serendipity. I don't know why I was standing on the deck of the cruise boat when I spotted this lone man walking his dog along the quay on the island of Rhodes. Both of us were in the right place and the right time.
Canon 1DII 1/800s f/10.0 ISO320 300mm
How are Deb and I celebrating? I'm in Minnesota at the PGA tournament with my son Brian and Deb's in Sioux Falls. How's that for romance? But she is special and I am lucky. And we will no doubt celebrate our anniversary on Friday. Will I give her an opal, which is the gift you give on your 34th? I doubt it.
Happy anniversary, Deb. You are still beautiful.
(PS: Can you see the shadowy figure reflected in her eyes? He looks alot like this guy.)
Canon 5D 1/320s f/8.0 ISO400 105mm
By Scott Shephard
I was in Florence, Italy, the night the Italians beat the French in the World Cup Football Championship. Needless to say, as I tried to sleep, the Italians partied all night long. The next morning I was wandering around looking for photos, as I often do.
Around the corner from our hotel entrance, I found a newsstand loaded with papers proudly proclaiming the Italian victory. I don't speak Italian but I signalled that I wanted a photo and this was the pose that the news vendor struck. "Tutto Vero!" means "all true!" "Campioni del mondo" means "Champions of the World." Italians are passionate people but they are especially passionate when it comes to World Cup Soccer.
