Life Choices

Faith is Tolstoy’s theme for today. “If people believe that they can please God through rituals and prayers alone—not by deeds—then they have lied to both God and themselves.”

Over the years, I’ve often been referred by the nickname “Switzerland” due to my tendency to be neutral. I prefer not to “kick the beehive” as one of my previous employers was known to do on a regular basis. I think I was likely born this way because I’ve never been one to create drama or pick fights. That’s not to say that I wouldn’t stand up for myself, though.

I was actually sent home from elementary school for punching a boy in the nose during second grade recess. His name was Ross, and on a wet winter day just after Christmas he ran by me and pulled my brand-new wool hat off my head, throwing it into a puddle and soaking the pom-pom.

I retaliated by chasing him down, jumping on his back and giving him a bloody nose just as red as the bright rainbow colors on my muddy hat. I loved that hat, and it was a cherished possession of my childhood, along the same lines at the powder blue JanSport backpack I also received for Christmas one year around that time.

I recall being punished for fighting but not for standing up for myself. My parents asked me to apologize to Ross the next day, which I did. We were again friends but did give each other a wide berth for a while. I learned a valuable lesson, though, and never again hit anyone (other than my brother) in anger.

Much later in life I did punch people again, but it was on the way to achieving my black belt in Taekwondo. I was faithful to my pledge to not hit with anger in my heart but to learn how to defend myself with honor. It was a bad deed that turned into a valuable life lesson, and Switzerland was born.

Wise Thoughts for Every Day

Leo Tolstoy’s wise words have been cherished by readers all over the world for more than a century. While going through my father’s books after his death, I found a small, red hardcover titled “Wise Thoughts for Every Day.” The subtitle is: On God, Love, Spirit, and Living a Good Life.

I set it aside to keep, and eventually it landed on my own bookshelf. As I was reorganizing my office at the end of the year, I pulled it out and sat down with a cup of coffee to find out what prompted my dad to have it in his library. It didn’t take me beyond the introduction to understand.

My father didn’t believe in religion, although he would say to anyone who asked, he was a Druid. As a child, we did attend a Unitarian church briefly, which in retrospect was most likely because it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and a beautiful place to visit and meditate in the gardens.

After my elementary school years, we were on our own. My father encouraged us to explore faith and attend church with our friends if we were invited and curious. Our next-door neighbors were extremely religious and often asked me to their Baptist church with them and to summer Bible Camp, which their mom hosted. I don’t remember much about it other than the craft projects we did, which often focused on friendship and memorizing Bible passages for colorful patches. It obviously didn’t stick.

During high school, we invited a friend of mine to live with us for a year so she could be closer to our horse trainer and her horse. She was Jewish, so I learned about her religion through osmosis. My dad made her feel most welcome in our home and even celebrated Hanukkah with her, lighting the menorah he purchased for the occasion. I also attended my neighbor’s bat mitzvah around that time in a gorgeous temple and was impressed by her recitation of the Torah and the mesmerizing tradition of the ceremony.

But over time, organized religion has never been a part of my life. As with many horse people, we work and show on Sundays, and attending a church service just isn’t on our schedule. Do I believe in God? That’s a good question. I believe that there’s a higher power out there, but I don’t think it’s one god. There are countless gods in history, from the Greeks and Romans to the present day. How can one be “the one?”

With that in mind, picking up Tolstoy’s book and reading through it brought me back to those days of curiosity. It’s not so much choosing one religion to believe in but instead living a good, honorable life and having faith in always striving to be the best person you can be. And that’s why I believe my father kept this book on his shelf.

As I learned, this was the last project Tolstoy embarked upon before his death. The third book of a trilogy, it offers readers a sequence of thoughts for each day of the year. In his introduction, he hopes “the readers will experience the same benevolent and uplifting feeling that I experienced while working on its creation…” I’m going to keep this book front and center on my desk this year and read a passage each day as Tolstoy intended to discover if his thoughts will help me also live an even better life.

My ChatGPT Year in Review

I began using ChatGPT and other AI software last year, and I have to admit it’s been a game changer for me. In addition to using it to design a coloring book that I sold on Amazon, I also dabbled in editing photos, condensing interviews and fact checking. It’s also come in handy when decluttering to find out what’s worthy of donating, selling or trashing.

During the holidays I received a ChatGPT year in review, which was generated based on my use of the program. It’s quite interesting that it captured so precisely my life in 2025 in such a creative rendition.

Yes, I asked a lot of questions about our Alaskan cruise while researching which excursions to do in the various cities we visited. I also purchased two new FujiFilm cameras this year (as well as a new lens after accidentally breaking one in half), spent ample time visiting my new favorite bookstore, The Archive, where I walk Poppy to peruse the new releases, grab a latte and chat with friends.

And, of course, what year would be complete without attending and reporting on various USHJA events around the country, including the International Hunter Derby Championships. While I haven’t competed in the championships, I admire those who do and interview and photograph them each year. For many decades I did dream of competing there, but that goal has slowly slipped away as time, money and other commitments have curtailed such major ambitions. These days I’m content to enjoy the horses at home and show at a lower level simply for the enjoyment and camaraderie. The ribbon ChatGPT placed on the desk reminds me of past achievements and that I’ll always strive for more of those blues in life!

So, what did ChatGPT miss? Well, I enjoyed judging horse shows around the country, from Aiken to HITS Chicago to Paso Robles in California and many places in between. I checked off South Dakota on my list of states, as well, when judging for South Dakota State University (in a blizzard, of course!). I’ve now visited 42 states and plan to add a few more in 2026 with the ultimate goal of seeing all 50.

One aspect of my year it also overlooked was the loss of my dear friend and business partner. Michelle passed away on March 3, and I felt her loss profoundly every single day. I considered continuing Ink Horse Publishing to keep her memory alive, but after about six months I realized the joy I found in the business was gone along with her. I struggled to pick up the pieces that Michelle had so effortlessly handled, and it was hard to ignore the reason for my procrastination— it just wasn’t fun anymore.

I’ve built my life around deadlines and achieving them, but without Michelle by my side, the Ink Horse projects just sailed on past, and the guilt I should have experienced simply evaporated. So, as December 31 turns into January 1, I will formally lay Ink Horse to rest. We had a great run, Michelle, and I’ll be forever grateful for your support, creativity, enthusiasm and, most of all, your friendship of 30+ years. ChatGPT may follow my online movements with ease and accuracy, but it can never truly know what’s in my heart.

Goodbye Poochini

Nearly 14 years ago, we took a road trip to rural South Carolina to pick up a puppy. My mother had recently lost her Miniature Schnauzer, Mozart, so it was time to bring another canine family member into the house. Along with my 12-year-old son, the three of us drove three+ hours to the middle of nowhere, where we traversed a long gravel driveway to a double-wide trailer.

It wasn’t what I was expecting, since this was an expensive parti-colored Miniature Schnauzer puppy my mother had found online from a breeder. I pictured we’d be driving down a tree-line driveway with four-board fencing and maybe a few horses grazing in the well-tended fields. Nevertheless, this tiny bundle of fur they handed to my mother was just what my parents needed to keep their house a home.

My father, an opera aficionado, named him after Puccini, but spelled it the “dog” way. It was a perfect fit.

Poochini spent the rest of his long life sleeping on the tops of furniture, taking long walks around the neighborhood with my mom and generally running the household. He welcomed most people but was territorial about his home and yard with other dogs. He also had a penchant for running off to explore whenever a door was left open or he could slip out the backyard gate. Fortunately, he was always found and mostly wanted to mark the nearby houses to let them know he was boss dog.

Poochini was a super picky eater, especially toward the end of his life when congestive heart failure required four pills twice a day be administered. It was frustrating to try and hide his pills in his food. You had a 50-50 chance of him spitting them out on the floor, where hopefully you would find them before someone crushed them when walking through the kitchen. The last six months of his life he ate warmed Publix fried chicken almost exclusively, requiring us to keep the fridge stocked at all times. He would sometimes accept a rotisserie chicken, but his true love was the fried skin.

When I took him to the cardiologist back in 2023, he was given six to 18 months. Thankfully, he didn’t listen to the veterinarian and stretched it out to more than two years. As it turned out, he was born with a heart murmur, which we monitored and controlled until December 30. While he always bounced back with a double dose of medication during his bad spells, the night of December 29th was different. When we woke up the next morning, it was obvious that he was too tired to continue the fight.

Poochini was faithful until the end, letting us know through his deep brown eyes, slightly gray from age, that his time on earth was concluded. I’m thankful that Dr. King at PetVet fit us in that morning, and Pooch was relieved of his struggle and left us peacefully but with broken hearts. We will miss you Pooch…and hopefully you and Hal will enjoy listening to operas again together in Heaven.

It's Another Clean Start

Life certainly has a way of muddying the waters of living. It’s hard to believe that a decade has passed since I regularly wrote and posted photographs on my blog. So much has transpired in that time that I’d be here for days to try and even recap major life changes.

Nevertheless, I’m sure that bits and pieces will return to mind as I resume reclaiming some personal space on my website.

So, what prompted me to restart, you might ask? As 2025 wound down I looked back on my year and what I’d accomplished, what I hadn’t, major changes and small victories. There were so many moments that flew by without me taking the time to really absorb them. I wish I’d jotted down what I thought was important at that time to see if it really was lasting or was just a moment in passing that was better to watch glide on by.

This year, in 2026, my goal is to take a few minutes each day to reflect and think about my days as the calendar pages flip over. I may have nothing profound to report, but then again I may discover a hidden gem or two when I look back six months or a year from now.

That’s one major New Year’s Resolution. I have two others, which I’ll also focus on: taking my camera out for the pure enjoyment of being creative; and bringing fitness back into my life.

For the past decade (and really much longer), my son has accused me of failing at the “work/life balance.” And he’s not wrong. There are some weeks and months I probably deserve an F, but others when I’m solidly in the B range. Do I ever hit the 90th percentile? Maybe twice a year, once being right now during the holidays and again in mid-Summer when my deadlines are wide apart and the days long.

So, here are my bulleted resolutions for 2026:

• Write for myself a minimum of 30 minutes per day, and blog what I feel comfortable sharing.

• Spend at least one morning or afternoon per week being creative with my camera.

• Make time for two workouts beyond walking the dog or riding.

• Read at least one book per week and write a book review.

• Post at least three social media updates per week on the book’s Facebook page.

I hope sharing these goals will help me strive for an improved GPA in the “Work/Life Balance” 101 class. I’ll keep you posted as the first quarter gets started on January 1st! Look out 2026, I’m planning on acing this course :)

A Clean Start

I'm not usually one who sets resolutions at the start of a new year, although I do enjoy the concept of a fresh start. Maybe it's the clean air and crisp winter weather here on the mountain in Virginia, when December ends and January begins, that inspires me to think about starting fresh new projects and bringing closure to those in the works.

But after having a quieter than usual holiday season this year, I had more time to pause and consider what this new year might bring. It was wonderful to take the time to reflect on last year and consider ways that I might improve some of the things that didn't quite go as planned and continue to expand my knowledge and enhance my creativity.

One small step I took last week was to sign up for the Merriam-Webster Word of the Day email. Fittingly, today's word was Rejuvenate, which is defined as to make young or youthful again; to restore to an original or new state.

Under the "Did You Know" section, M-W provides an explanation of the word's origin and its use in language:

Rejuvenate originated as a combination of the prefix re-, which means "again," with a Latin term that also gave us the words juvenile and junior—juvenis, meaning "young." Rejuvenate literally means "to make young again" and can imply a restoration of physical or mental strength or a return to a more youthful, healthy condition, as when you try to rejuvenate your skin with moisturizer. You can also rejuvenate things that are timeworn. For instance, a lackluster brand can be rejuvenated by a new marketing campaign.

I intend to rejuvenate my blog this year and hope that maybe some of the new words that cross my path will rejuvenate my vocabulary and reinvigorate my creativity in writing. Who knows? Maybe some will show up here, as well!

A 2016 Recap

I never intended to drop the ball on my blog, but I guess that’s how most players feel when they miss a shot or a pass goes awry. With so many balls in the air during the second half of the year, my timing just wasn’t in sync with, well, myself, and I put my blog on hold while I fed those balls to others.

This blog, which was started almost six years ago, has been a wonderful way to keep in touch with relatives and friends, meet new people and connect with those who share similar interests. I’ve missed spending time here, sharing my adventures, thoughts and images, and I do intend to change my routine in 2017 so I don’t lose my creative self as much as I did this year.

Showing with Maplewood Stables, Inc., in California.

As I look back upon the latter half of 2016, I miss reading the day-to-day and week-to-week posts that would have documented some of the important or inspirational times that shaped my year. While I chose to blog years ago to primarily share and document my photography, I’ve discovered that in looking back my posts often became a personal journal that was my way of remembering those moments that meant a lot at the time but may be forgotten later in the fast-paced world we live in now.

One achievement that stood out during the second half of 2016 was my return to the show ring after a four-year absence. I traveled out to the West Coast to show with my friend, mentor and client Julie Winkel of Maplewood Stables, based in Reno, Nevada, and it was so much fun that I plan to continue showing with her in 2017.

With many talented homebreds coming up the ranks through her successful breeding program and a busy sales business, there’s always a hunter or jumper for me to ride and show, and right now that’s ideal as I don’t own my own horse. A highlight was showing the sale horse Dardam Q, pictured above, to the Children’s/Adult Jumper Championship at the Central California Classic Horse Show in Paso Robles in November.

My business, Cameron Green LLC, continued to thrive and grow, and I added several new clients to the roster and have others on the horizon to begin in 2017. I’ve even taken that huge next step and hired an independent contractor, allowing me to share the workload and expand my offerings into new areas. I really look forward to seeing where this new path takes the business in the coming year.

After focusing on nature and wildlife photography for the past several years, those subjects have taken a backseat recently to other, work-related commitments, and my camera lenses have been filled with horses again. Despite missing the birds and landscapes, I’ve enjoyed seeing some of my equine photography return to the spotlight, with published images not just in my own magazine (USHJA In Stride), but also on the covers and within the pages of many others. I also explored different types of equine photo shoots this year, from documenting educational clinics, seminars and camps, to working on projects for specialty magazines and even playing with light during senior portrait sessions (with horses, of course!).

A successful return to the show ring with Dardam Q and Maplewood Stables.

I’ve retained my connection to nature and wildlife this year through my continued volunteer work for the Virginia Working Landscapes, a program of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute that promotes the conservation of native biodiversity and sustainable land use. My role as a citizen scientist and bird surveyor began in 2010, and I’ve learned so much through the opportunity and met so many wonderful people that it’s become one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences I’ve ever had.

Similarly, I was proud this summer to join the Board of Directors of the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, research and educational center near my home in Clarke County, Virginia. I’ve been a fan and supporter for many years, and to become more involved as the center expands its footprint (unveiling a new building with state-of-the-art hospital at the end of 2016) and mission within our Commonwealth is exciting and gratifying.

Although, overall, I’ll remember 2016 with fondness for the many great experiences I had and achievements accomplished, it hasn’t been perfect. The year also had its share of setbacks and disappointments. Being an optimist by nature, though, I tend to see the glass as half full most of the time. In fact, when I had a bad day a few months ago, I remember reading a post on Facebook that made me laugh out loud and set me back on track: “If the glass is half empty, pour it into a smaller glass!”

Dardam Q featured in The Chronicle of the Horse magazine.

I’m thankful for the year 2016, to have enjoyed spending time with family, friends and living a wonderful life here in the United States. I look forward to seeing where 2017 takes me, and I wish the best to you all and a Happy New Year! Talk to you again soon!

National Pet Day

I’m not one who regularly follows these special days that seem to pop up on social media, such as National Grapefruit Day or Wear Purple Day, but I couldn’t help but notice all of the cute pet photos that inundated Facebook, Instagram and Twitter yesterday.

So, after I finished work, picked Cam up from school and shuttled him off to the golf course, I thought it might be a nice evening to take Peppermint out to search for bluebells. After all, since it was National Pet Day I felt a certain obligation to have her enjoy it as much as my spirits had been lifted seeing all of the cute animals featured online and loved by their owners.

With hundreds of acres in our backyard abutting the Appalachian Trail, we’re fortunate to have nature at our doorstep. We took off down the trail toward a nearby patch of bluebells I’ve been photographing for years, and, indeed, they were there and in bloom. The partly cloudy skies allowed me to get some interesting light, although most of them were in the shade.

We continued our walk that led us over a small stream and into the dense woods, where she sloshed through the water, marched in the mud and chased squirrels through the crunchy leaves. It was a dog’s paradise.

Rather than taking our regular route, I tried some other trails I hadn’t walked in several years, and we were richly rewarded. Two new areas of bluebells awaited, one in a large clearing that offered just enough sunlight to create some backlighting opportunities with the pollinators still at work.

We spent a couple of hours meandering through the woods—me taking photos of wildflowers and nature, and Peppermint taking in all of the scents and following them wherever they led. It was a perfect way to celebrate National Pet Day, and I’m not sure who enjoyed it the most, which is just how it should be!

Memorable Moments From The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show

One of the highlights of my year is my annual trek to Texas for the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show just outside of Houston. This year marked its 71st year and my third year in attendance producing daily coverage in words and photographs.

This is one of the few multi-breed, old-fashioned horse shows left in this country that’s still run by volunteers and for the benefit of charity. Pin Oak has now donated millions of dollars to the Texas Children’s Hospital and associated charities, with almost $250,000 donated in 2015 alone!

Each Saturday night during the Grand Prix festivities, the show celebrates an Honored Hero, one of the children who has overcome great odds with help from Texas Children’s. It’s amazing to witness the smiles and joy that emanates from them and their families as they meet and greet the horses and riders and take their “victory lap” around the arena, with the capacity crowd cheering them on with a standing ovation.

I’ve attended horse shows all my life, from coast-to-coast and around the world, and Pin Oak truly stands out. Yes, there are moments when the drive to succeed and win that blue ribbon take center stage as happens at serious competitions, but that’s not the predominate atmosphere at this show. It’s the camaraderie between competitors and the compassion for others. From the grand prix riders in the stands who didn’t make the jump-off, gathered together whooping and cheering on those who did, to the hunter rider offering an apology at the out-gate to all in earshot for a brief moment of poor sportsmanship—it’s all about gratitude and acknowledging how fortunate we are to spend our brief time here on earth doing what we love together.

Welcome Spring

Yes, spring may have arrived today according to the calendar, but if you looked outside this morning and up to the Blueridge, you’d believe you were in a winter wonderland.

Up here on the mountain, we received about 3 inches of snow yesterday, although “down below” the snow fell but didn’t appear to stick when I drove down late in the afternoon.

While the large snowflakes gently floated down last night outside the picture window, I sat by the fire and enjoyed this last gasp of winter. In spite of a record-setting 3 feet of snow last month in one storm, it was a rather benign winter season. None of my trips were canceled or even postponed due to the poor weather, and I was able to slip away to Florida twice and soak up some sun to help get me through until spring.

Other than my affinity for skiing, I’m not really a winter person, so the fact that spring is right around the corner brings me great joy. I love the birds that spend their summer here in our yard, especially the Eastern Towhees, Brown Thrashers and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds. We’ve already seen some at the bird feeders and even had an unexpected overnight guest this weekend when a Phoebe flew into the basement Saturday night,  most likely attracted by the lights. We waited until daylight to release the bird, which is probably one of the many we’ve seen raised underneath our deck over the past decade.

Peppermint is the one family member who embraces the snow. She loves to run through fresh powder and had one last romp yesterday. So long winter! See you next year!

A Winter's Tale

Today in Virginia the mercury hit 80 degrees, and I’m feeling hopeful that the winter is finally in the rearview mirror.

It’s been a challenging few months for me as I continue to recover from past illnesses, but with the warmer weather, spring flowers peeking out and horses shedding their thick winter coats, I feel like a fresh and vibrant start is just around the corner.

Sadly, regular posts to my blog this winter were set aside while I focused my energies on work-related projects. In a way, having to take some time off from photography when the temperatures were below freezing and we had three feet of snow on the ground wasn’t all bad! I did escape to Florida last month to spend a week on the Winter Equestrian Festival, and it was a great way to reenergize and get those creative brain cells working again.

I hope everyone had a fantastic winter, accomplished those goals you made and have planned for a great 2016.

I’m looking forward to getting back on the social media platforms, spending some quality time outdoors with my camera and revisiting the blogs that I’ve missed reading the past few months.

Today, I spent some time working on projects and editing photos, so I opened the window, listened to the birds announcing spring and picked out some favorites from my time in Florida.

Ravenel Walk

I took my trusty iPhone for a walk on the Ravenel Bridge between Charleston and Mt. Pleasant yesterday. While I worked on burning some calories, I kept myself motivated with some photos along the 4+ miles I traversed.

These were edited in Lightroom, with a variety of different presets and filters just for fun.

Fuji Meets Fox

When Cameron suggested we walk the White Nine yesterday afternoon at the Shenandoah Valley Golf Course, I couldn’t say no. It was a lovely, unseasonably warm November day, and there won’t be many more this year.

So, I grabbed my Sony X-T10, picked him up at school, and we headed out to the course. Surprisingly, we only saw two other players the entire time we were out, but, as it turned out, the wildlife was abundant. In addition to the resident squirrels, crows and chipmunks gathering food for the approaching winter, we crossed paths with a young red fox.

After Cam’s tee shot on the sixth hole, we walked up the fairway toward his ball and noticed a fox trotting out of the woods. As we stopped to watch, it meandered toward us, regularly marking its territory and sniffing around. It finally noticed us, but instead of turning away as I expected, it studied us and then approached.

I crouched down to take some photos, knowing that it would still be a speck with the short 18-55 mm lens I had on the camera. But after a few shots, I realized it was still edging closer, so I quickly changed the settings on the camera from the bracketed .jpgs I had been taking of the fall foliage to RAW, so I could have more latitude in editing and cropping.

To our surprise, the fox was so curious that it began to circle us, all the while marking its territory and stopping to sit and stare. Finally, it walked right up to me, pausing just 10 feet away. It cocked its head at the click of the shutter and then seemed to pose for a moment before turning toward Cam, who was setting up for his next shot.

The fox intently watched Cam hit the ball and then sat down on the fairway just behind him. We turned and continued toward the green as the fox observed us.

It was certainly an unexpected and exhilarating meet up. It was as if we were all respectful of one another’s reasons for being out on the golf course on this fall evening. And while Cam had an additional spectator to cheer him on to making his par, I was able to simultaneously test the Fuji’s low light and wildlife capabilities. It was a win-win for everyone!

Afternoon At The Arboretum

The falling leaves that floated outside my picture window today beckoned me to join them. How could I decline the invitation? The perfect autumn backdrop for nature and landscape photographers lies just outside my door here in Virginia in October.

So, I ventured to the State Arboretum of Virginia and took a walk with Peppermint and the Fuji X-T10. It was the Fuji’s maiden voyage to my favorite local hangout, and, again, I was smitten with the results, even on a day I wasn’t at my best.

I’ve spent most of the past month indoors, recovering from an illness and working to catch up on all of the projects that have slowly slipped by me, their deadlines fast approaching and some gratefully extended.

While I gazed out the windows of my office last week I appreciated the resident doe and her fawn, now without spots and sporting its first winter coat, that regularly grazed on the tender shoots of new grass we seeded last month. I’ve also enjoyed the huge flock of turkeys that have strolled through a few times, once even stopping traffic as they sauntered along the road. It was fun to see the VDOT workers in their big, white work truck grab their cell phones and take photos out the windows.

Unfortunately, most of the time I haven’t felt up to joining them. Today it’s been exactly a month since my hospitalization, and I’m not nearly as far along as I’d hoped. I wish I were 10 years younger, because back then I seemed to rebound without effort. I was sick, then I was well, and that was it.

But, I guess that’s the nature of life, that the passing of time does change you and not always for the better. However, I look back on that person of 10 years ago and am so thankful that she’s changed and evolved into who she is today.

OK, back to first person where I’m more comfortable. I went to the local bookstore yesterday where I love to browse new magazines and soak up inspiration for my own projects. There, I discovered a Dutch publication called Flow Mindfulness. It’s following along on the current trend of mindfulness, but what attracted me to it was the diary-like structure and the day-to-day goals that seemed perfect for me at this time and place, where short-term memory challenges still remain. I look forward to exploring this publication and its associated website, where the editors stress the joy of doing one thing at a time and focusing on the present. I think I can handle that!

Each time life throws you challenges, it opens new doors to explore different solutions. I’m planning to take advantage of this opportunity and step into a few new places and see where they take me. And, after today, I intend to spend more time at the Arboretum with the Fuji this fall!

The Arcanum - Leveling Up

Several friends and blog followers have recently asked me about my experiences in Sphere 2 of The Arcanum, so I wanted to take a moment for an update. I’m one of the fortunate apprentices who were selected early in the process of The Arcanum and then graduated from the Foundation and Sphere 1 levels with Master Laurie Rubin and into Sphere 2.

Unfortunately, my Sphere 2 progress has been slower than I’d expected this summer and fall due to time constraints and my recent health challenges, but just this week I did finish my Level 23 “New Works” project. I’m now looking forward to my first one-on-one critique with my Master Robin Griggs Wood next week.

The first three levels in Sphere 2 (21-23) involved more intensive interaction with my fellow apprentices, which has been a great experience. The 20-some individuals in this cohort are amazing artists, with a variety of talents in different genres of photography and compositing. I quickly realized my limited background in Photoshop would need to be addressed, so initially I spent time taking tutorials to expand my knowledge and gain more confidence.

One of my primary goals in Sphere 2 is to let go. I’ve spent most of my life in editorial and sports photography where the emphasis is on reality (as it should be). Now, I want to take those raw images from my camera and create something more, whether simply enhancing the colors and textures to adding and subtracting components to enhancing the composition and embracing a vision that may just be in my mind. It will be a challenge to escape those constraints I’ve lived with throughout my creative life!

One of Robin’s strongest themes for her Sphere 2 members is to be yourself and escape the feeling that you’re creating work for someone else or based on someone else’s expectations or ideas. This fact has truly been the core of my being throughout my life, so immersing myself in my art for myself is a completely new transition that has certainly already proved to be a huge undertaking.

The beauty of stepping (OK, really more like leaping) out of my comfort zone, however, is that I have no idea where I’ll land. It’s taken me a couple of months to really grasp this concept, and I think that’s maybe why my progress stalled. But now that I’ve had some time to digest this key finding and spend more quality time in the Sphere 2 community, I’m hopeful and expecting that The Arcanum experience will continue to push me forward into new and magical places. Stay tuned!

Falling In Love With Fuji

Thanks to Karen Hutton and her KHutt caption contest, I ended up receiving the FujiFilm X-T10 in time for my trip to Yellowstone National Park with the Find Your Focus Photography Workshop several weeks ago. It arrived from Karen in California, lovingly packed in its cushioned box, just three days before I departed for Montana.

Initially, I had planned to take it with me in conjunction with my Sony A7 as my mirrorless bodies that would back up and supplement my Nikon D810 for wildlife. However, after packing all my equipment and stepping on the scale, I realized that I had to cut out some poundage, so the Sony gear was returned to the storage cabinet. I immediately downloaded some Fuji videos and went on a crash course to learn a new system, but, as it turned out, absorbing the nuances of the Fuji wasn’t nearly as challenging as I expected.

I’ve long been a camera gear aficionado, and I enjoy following the new technology blogs and the announcements of the breakthroughs in sensor size, pixels, focus speed and the like. I’d read great things about the Fuji cameras through the years and admired many people who created with them, but I’d never picked one up. I think, like many people, I considered myself a sensor snob, and full frame has been my mantra over the APS-C sensor.

Me with the Fuji in Yellowstone

Now, after spending a solid week experimenting with the X-T10 in the field and working with the many different settings, shooting in Raw and JPG in various film simulation modes and with custom settings employed, I simply fell in love. The feel of the camera in my hand reminds me of my first childhood SLR, the Pentax K1000. The balance, the dials and even the look of the silver-and-black body transport me back to a simpler time, when the joy of shooting and creating art was first and foremost over anything technological.

My friend and traveling companion Laurie Rubin observed I was like a commercial for Fuji as I worked on creating photos in Yellowstone. I admit that I would get so immersed in the moment that it would just be me, the camera and the subject. Everything else melted away. I rarely, if ever, had to fiddle with finding buttons or menu items to make the changes I wanted to see because the camera was so intuitive. I immediately loved the electronic viewfinder, and the XF 18-55mm 2.8-4 kit lens was perfect for traveling and a lovely complement to my Nikon and long zoom lenses.

I’ve never considered myself a landscape photographer, but with the X-T10 I felt my competence and confidence grow and improve throughout the week. The visions I created in my mind and the compositions that resulted as I explored the park resulted in images I was excited to download and work with back on the computer.

I really didn’t expect this little camera to alter my photographic path so abruptly, but I have to admit it has changed my direction more than I could have imagined. I initially fell in love with photography 40 years ago because of the joy I found in the process of creation, and returning my focus to that singular intent has been a truly remarkable gift. Thank you so much Karen!

A Most Amazing Experience

It’s been a week since I returned home from the Find Your Focus Photography Workshop at Yellowstone National Park, and I’ve finally spent some time with my images today. It was one of the most amazing trips I’ve ever taken, and it was the first time I’ve traveled solely with others who share this same passion for nature and wildlife photography. I met some incredible people and made some very special new friends, and it was an experience I’ll long cherish.

An unfortunate health issue on the way home mandated a trip to the hospital in Bozeman, Montana, but I’m slowly regaining my strength and getting back into the daily routine, including this rather overdue blog post.

I had planned to document my experiences in detail, but I now see that goal may be a bit too daunting at this point. I’ll just encourage anyone interested in my experience on such an adventure to check out Cris and Deanna Duncan’s website where they describe their primary goal: “Find Your Focus hosts an annual photographic experience for photographers to refresh, recharge and renew their passion for photography.”

Unlike many other workshops, this one is geared toward the professional photographer. While there were those whose primary roles were to help educate those of us with less experience in some areas and lead the way, it was a true collective experience where everyone was encouraging and supportive of one another. I quickly discovered I was among super talented photographers from a variety of genres and from throughout the country, and it was an honor to stand beside them this week.

During the final evening’s awards program and image celebration, there was abundant laughter and tears as everyone celebrated the week’s accomplishments, which were many. From challenging hikes surmounted (affectionately dubbed “slight inclines” by some!) to exceptional wildlife experiences to new skills mastered, there were so many special moments that it was rather overwhelming.

I wish I could remember more details about the week, but, unfortunately, some of them were erased at the end. I hope they return at some point, but I have many special photos to remind me of those moments and experiences and, of course, the many new friends I made.

Late Summer

With summer winding down, I’m seeing more and more visitors that remind me that fall and winter aren’t far away.

I’m glad I spent last weekend working in the yard and garden, because this week the spiders have come out in full force. Their webs cover the bushes, deck stairs and the front porch railings, where they’ve spun beautiful designs that seem to glow in the early morning sunlight. The spider above was in the process of weaving her web when I was out watering and didn’t seem to mind the shutter clicks of the camera.

The milkweed is in full bloom now, and I’ve enjoyed the many butterflies and pollinators that regularly visit. Last weekend I counted six Monarchs, which is more than I saw all of last year. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera at hand, but these fritillary butterflies are another favorite I’ve enjoyed this summer.

With Labor Day weekend now a recent memory, it’s time to think fall. I hope the cooler temperatures don’t arrive too soon, though, for there are many industrious insects that still have a lot of work ahead of them, whether laying eggs or taking on that long migration. And, I’m not ready to bring out those mittens and snow boots any time soon!

Inspiration Abounds

There are days when you wake up and you just know something good is going to happen. I’m not sure why that happened to me today, but even when the alarm went off in the middle of a dream, I woke up feeling energized and happy.

Maybe it was because I had a meeting scheduled with the contractor and designer who are collaborating on a renovation for us, or perhaps it was the conference call I had made with a new client and IT guru on a major website project. Or, maybe it was because I looked forward to photographing Cam’s high school golf match this afternoon.

Whatever the reasons, I just had a feeling today would bring lots of ideas and inspiration. Wow, was I correct!

I received an email early this afternoon from Karen Hutton, one of the most amazing and talented photographers I follow. The subject line was:  “You’ve Won!”

I discovered that a limerick I’d written last week had won Karen’s caption contest, and she was sending me this very day a new Fuji X-T10 Digital Camera! Wow! How cool and how equally awesome for the limerick to appear in her blog!

I grew up shooting film, and Fuji was the maker of my favorite Velvia. When digital came along, I happily moved out of the darkroom, but I’ve always missed the look of certain negative and slide films that are hard to replicate on a computer. The Fuji brand of cameras is well-known for the ability to mimic that look with their unique sensor, and I’ve always toyed with the idea of trying one.

So, when I received the email alert about Karen’s contest, which was to tell her in 25 words or less why you want a Fuji camera, I wrote this below:

I once loved a film named Velvia

Liked it more than Provia,

Then it was censored

Replaced by the sensored

Now Fuji X-T10 is euphoria.

Even though I did pen this particular limerick, the credit for this winning entry must go to my dear father, Harold Booker. It was he who started me on the path to writing and wordsmithing. He’s created poems and limericks, among other forms of writing, for nearly all of his 80+ years, and, thankfully, through osmosis I’ve soaked up a wee bit of his creativity.

So, I’m sending out a huge thank-you to my dad and to Karen Hutton for making this an even better day than I could have imagined! My only regret is that these two creative geniuses will never cross paths, because I’m certain they would have enjoyed each other’s company and had a lot to say and share with one another.

I will keep you all posted on the arrival of the Fuji X-T10 camera next week and the images that we take together. For photographic inspiration and to view some awesome images, please visit Karen’s website.

2015 USHJA International Hunter Derby Poster

It was great fun to arrive at the 2015 International Hunter Derby Championship in Lexington, Kentucky, last month and see that the United States Hunter Jumper Association had selected my images of Brunello and Liza Boyd for this year’s limited edition poster.

This was a particularly challenging event to photograph in 2014, because just as the top horses and riders were set to return to the show ring the rain went from a sprinkle to a deluge.

Thankfully, I had access to a tent for cover, but the angles weren’t ideal, so to photograph the jump in the poster (below) I covered my camera with my raincoat and darted outside. I constantly had to readjust my camera settings as well, and I finally switched to manual focus due to the raindrops. As one who has worn glasses all of my life, focusing manually isn’t my forte’, but I managed to get lucky for this image.

While my shiny new Nikon D810 huddled in the camera bag, the workhorse Nikon D3s served me well once again, taking the bulk of the evening’s images. The one above was shot at ISO 8000 at 1/800 of a second at f3.2.

Without the inclement weather in 2015, the D810 had its chance to shine. Likewise, so did Brunello and Liza, winning their third consecutive USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship with an amazing performance under the lights.

It was a privilege and pleasure to document and join in their celebrations yet again, and to be a part of the Finally Farm family as their website designer and content provider.