Welcome!

Linda JeffersIn a world of so many great photographers and writers, I am venturing into some unknown territories, leaving comfort zones, finally very willing to practice the art of seeing. By maintaining the practice of posting daily photos, I hope to continue learning about the possibilities that I trust are out there for the taking.

Come join me on my journey!

Ray’s Buddies.

Greg, Ben, Ray and Matt on the 4th Tee box of the Arnold Palmer here at Mission Hills CC this morning. I ran down to shoot the foursome as I know this game meant a lot to Ray. He loves these guys.

Greg, Ben, Ray and Matt on the 4th Tee box of the Arnold Palmer here at Mission Hills CC this morning. I ran down to shoot the foursome as I know this game meant a lot to Ray. He loves these guys.

Ray and Matt. It's a joy to see how close Ray is to Matt and so many others.

Ray and Matt. It’s a joy to see how close Ray is to Matt and so many others.

Morning Hikes Elevate My Mood.

First full sunrise light on Jen.

First full sunrise light on Jen.

Looking for shots, Jen willingly poses on our morning hike.

Looking for shots, Jen willingly poses on our morning hike.

I like big dogs I told Jen. She replied, "I don't like how they slobber." I added, "I don't like how long haired dogs shed." Lately I seem to have found myself entertaining thoughts of someday having a dog again. But that thought is quickly dismissed after thinking through the responsibility of having a dog.

I like big dogs I told Jen. She replied, “I don’t like how they slobber.” I added, “I don’t like how long haired dogs shed.” Lately I seem to have found myself entertaining thoughts of someday having a dog again. But that thought is quickly dismissed after thinking through the responsibility of having a dog.

I Finally Met Dale!

My friend Tina has been dating a guy she met online and likes a lot. I’ve hoped to meet him and finally did last Tuesday night. I drove in to the San Fernando Valley to stay overnight two nights to have cataract surgery (That Katya drove me to at 6am. xxoo Katya) on my second eye early Wednesday morning, followed by an eye check up Thursday morning with the doctor before driving back home. Tina and I planned a 5pm hike Tuesday night and Dale joined us. Dale isn’t a boy!!!! He’s a man….kind, considerate, responsible, interesting and a gentleman. I approve:-)

Dale and Tina in Tarzana in the Santa Monica Mtns.

Dale and Tina in Tarzana in the Santa Monica Mtns.

Just finishing up Killer Hill that I used to hike all the time before moving to the desert.

Just finishing up Killer Hill that I used to hike all the time before moving to the desert.

Tina and Dale on the fire road just before we hiked down to the Reseda Blvd. Trailhead.

Tina and Dale on the fire road just before we hiked down to the Reseda Blvd. Trailhead.

Photo Link to ADZ Photos.

Click right here to see lots more photos I shot while attending ADZ in April.

Lake Morena at Lake Morena Campground, CA during ADZ 2013 late May.

Lake Morena at Lake Morena Campground, CA during ADZ 2013 late May.

Portrait Practice On Our Evening Hike.

Checking out different light with Jen tonight.

Before the sun set.

Before the sun set.

After the sun set behind San Jacinto.

After the sun set behind San Jacinto.

Yogi And Matt In Joshua Tree Today.

Yogi and her boyfriend Matt have been staying here until they leave tomorrow for the ADZPCTKO annual backpacking event this weekend at the Lake Morena Campground, located on the PCT, 20 miles north of the Mexican border. I’ll be headed down on Thursday, and Melissa and Jen arrive on Friday, late afternoon.

Here is a photo of this year’s Class of 2013 PCT bandanas.

I’ve known Yogi since April of 2002 when I met her at the beginning of our thru-hikes that year. I’ve never known Yogi to have a boyfriend. She’s waited for the right one…..And….she found the right one in Matt when they met, Yogi’s 3rd day doing a thru-hike, on the AT.

Yogi!

Yogi!

Matt!

Matt!

Meet Mother Theresa.

The 6:40am light falling on Jen near the end of our hike was too good to pass up. Jen came up with the idea of posing like Mother Theresa.

The 6:40am light falling on Jen near the end of our hike was too good to pass up. Jen came up with the idea of posing like Mother Theresa.

Practicing Coming In Close.

Yesterday I took a day for myself and finally started looking at Doug Gordon’s Workshop DVDs I’d purchased in March at WPPI. I learned a lot. This morning in overhead sun while hiking I took the photo below of Jen in the shade. I got in as close to Jen’s face as I could to gain focus, using the widest aperture, f 1.2 on the 85mm lens. Tilting the camera a bit is new for me too. I always shoot so literal and linear!

I wanted everything except for Jen’s lips to go soft…out of focus. In the past I’ve had trouble knowing how to use this wide open aperture, but today I liked what I got coming in close on Jen’s face. Lastly, while editing in Lightroom, I brought the photo into Nik Efex B & W software applying (and adjusting a bit) the High Key preset for the final look and feel.

Jen, shot this morning, in the shade, on our bump & grind hike, using the Canon 5d Mark 111 and 85 mm 1.2 L lens.

Jen, shot this morning, in the shade, on our bump & grind hike, using the Canon 5d Mark 111 and 85 mm 1.2 L lens.

Guidebook Reading.

ISO 5000!!!

Jen reading maps in her tent a couple of nights ago on the PCT.

Jen reading maps in her tent a couple of nights ago on the PCT.

It’s My Life.

Sorry Lane, yet another hiking photo:-) Jen this morning.

Sorry Lane, yet another hiking photo:-)