Terri Webster Schrandt who hosts Sunday Stills invites us to post our favorite landscapes. Amy from Lens-Artists shared her photographic journey and invites us to do the same.
Childhood Photography
My dad didn’t get much credit for doing good things in my life, but one thing I appreciated was his love and talent for photography. He started taking me with him on photo shoots when I was ten.
“You’ve got the eye for what makes a good picture, Marsha.”
I was over the moon with that compliment for the rest of my life.
Neither my brother nor I have his expertise, but we share the love of photography. I don’t know who took this picture of my dad and brother but it came from Dad’s slide collection.
Before Blogging
Shortly after Mom died, Randy and I took our first vacation alone together. We started out at one of our favorite stomping grounds Cascade Locks, Oregon. We at at our favorite hamburger joint looking out at the Bridge of the Gods.
The Bridge of the Gods is a toll bridge spanning the Columbia River to connect SR-14 in Washington to I-84 in Oregon. The bridge is owned and operated by the Port of Cascade Locks in the city of Cascade Locks.
As I picked out my favorite landscape pictures throughout the most prolific years of my life, I noticed I have a propensity to take pictures of bridges. Our next stop was Depoe Bay on the Oregon Coast. Much of the time the Oregon coast is cloudy and gray. We couldn’t have had a more perfect day for taking photos.
After Blogging
Until I started blogging, and taking digital photos, I did not take the volume of pictures I take now. Leanne and Carol, two Australian bloggers made a huge difference in my photography and my writing. I went to see them in December of 2016-January of 2017. These next pictures may not be landscape photos, but they are part of my photographic journey.
By the way, Russel Ray taught me about how to do frames and create a signature. For some reason, the size I’ve been using forever seems huge in comparison to my photos. You’ll find a few less annoyingly narcissistic-sized signatures. I am lazy and didn’t want to redo all my photos a third time.
For one photo shoot Leanne Cole picked us up at about 4:00 and drove us to the Docklands. The weather that December day was cool and breezy, a perfect summer evening for taking pictures.
Primarily a waterfront area centered on the banks of the Yarra River, the Docklands was originally swamp land that became a busy dock area as part of the Port of Melbourne in the 1880s. It fell into disuse by the 1990s and was revived into the bustling entertainment area in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The Webb Bridge in Docklands, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia is my favorite bridge in the world. It felt like we were walking on the inside of a slinky. Everywhere Leanne stopped, I stopped and clicked about a third of the number of pictures she took. Carol and Christine, another photographer with us, found their own way. Leanne taught me the rule of thirds, keeping my pictures straight, not chopping off people’s feet, keeping the shadow’s off people’s faces and many more basic composition tools.
The U.S. Journey
As is probably evident, I have not had much photographic training. I took a wildflower class where I learned to take macros with my Canon Rebel and how to use a tripod. This picture came from Tulare County at Norris Ranch east of Porterville, CA. Tulare County Office of Education owns this property and uses it for student research.
Since we’re in Tulare County, where I called home for 35 years, let’s continue our virtual journey there at Bellavista, the name we gave our home in Woodlake, CA. where we lived for twenty years. In the background are the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Twelve miles east of us, Kaweah Lake, provides a beautiful prelude to the Sequoia National Park. Terminus Dam created the lake from one of the steepest inclined rivers in the U.S. Built in the 1960s it controls floods and provides water for the many acres of farmland in the valley.
Almost everyone has been to Yosemite, National Park in Fresno County. I had the fortune of going here with an artist. I noticed what pictures she took and I aimed in the same direction. Hers turned into beautiful paintings. Mine are here.
This is another photo I like taken at Avila Beach when Carol and Glen came from Australia to stay with us for a week.
This is a favorite landscape of mine in Maui, Hi. The place to eat there for a special occasion is Mama’s Fish House. This is the view from the open windows. The light ocean breeze feels just as scrumptious as the ocean view and the food they serve.
Come on now, you can’t stay in Hawaii for ever. But I’m not going to bring you back to reality just yet. Let’s go to Sedona. The first picture, one of those golden hour shots, showed up right at our resort, Los Abrigados. I’m not sure of the name of the rock formation.
One of the reasons we moved to Prescott, was the beautiful rock formations in Arizona. I will have photo shoots for years to come.
This will be my last shot for the post. It comes from Wilmington, Delaware where I visited my mother’s first cousin, Hal. He spent his career working for DuPont as a chemical engineer creating plastic that is used in car engines. In Delaware, DuPont is all over the map.
By 1802 DuPont had begun making the explosive in a mill on the Brandywine River near Wilmington. The DuPont company became a major supplier to the U.S. military. After a tour of the museum/factory. We roamed around outside where I enjoyed the placid-looking Brandywine River.
Announcements
- This month our Story Chat features author Anne Goodwin and her short story, “A Post Card from the Past.” Summary coming up Friday. Enough time for you to get your quotable thoughts in.
- Coming up February 9, a new short story: “Trophy Cabinet” for Story Chat from Geoff LePard from TanGental.
- Join us for the Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic at the Carrot Ranch – a contest, parade, and celebration all in one! There are many ways to participate. One is to visit the prompt image, “Hidden”, at the Carrot Ranch. The prompt image and entry form will go live on Monday, February 1st, 2021. Enter a flash or a poem by Friday, February 19th, 2021, and you could win either $100 or a copy of one of Sue’s books. The form will allow you to give a small donation for Sue and her family, and a link can be found on the contest page. The winning entries will be announced at the Carrot Ranch on March 22nd, 2021.
- #WQWWC – Respect and Courtesy February 3 here on my blog. There’s still time to write your post for this week on Trust.
- Frank from Beach Walk Reflections, will host the Writer’s Quotes Wednesday Writing Challenge –Love on February 10th.
- Frank, is also looking for photographers to collaborate with him on his website. He writes but wants to promote your photographs. It’s a great opportunity for fun and exposure. Contact him here. Collaborators – Beach Walk Reflections: Thoughts from thinking while walking (wordpress.com).
Have a wonderful week.
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
62 responses to “#Sunday Stills, #Lens-Artists 133 My Landscape Journey Started with Dad”
enjoyed your post a lot
and glad you are in Prescott to have such a fresh landscape for your next round of photography
beautiful journey and the photos said a lot
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I know. I feel so blessed, Yvette. Spring is coming! I can’t even begin to visualize the wild flowers. The street we live on is Blooming Hills, and that tells it all. I just haven’t seen it yet. 🙂
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oh that is a good street name
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Well Marsha, not sure how I missed this one – it’s fabulous!! The images are superb. And who knew you’d shot with Leeanne, she’s the best! Loved following your journey. You DO get around my friend!
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I have been blessed, Tina. Leanne is amazing, and I want to call her. We were chatting for a while while my house was falling apart, and I couldn’t keep up with a weekly conversation, but we haven’t taken it up again. I can’t believe how busy I am – even when I don’t have the responsibilities of community service, friends and family. We’re here alone and busy EVERY day! 🙂 Of course, I’m glad of it! But I do want to get back with Leanne.
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I envy your proximity to her! And I know what you mean about being busy. When this is all over do you suppose we’ll wonder how the heck we managed to fill our days so effectively?!
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I am not near her. I am in Arizona and she is in Melbourne. I traveled to see her.
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Loved this blog. Just fabulous. I was in awe of the bridges along the Oregon coast. I’m sure you’ve done that route. Did you take lots of photos.
You definitely have “the eye.” I tried to post a comment but ran into some tech trouble; so you probably didn’t get it.
xoxox
>
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I’m getting this comment, Monica. Thank you so much. You are so kind. It’s been a million years, but Mark sold fabric to stores all over southern Oregon, and I always traveled with him. I did not take many pictures at that time – too expensive. I may have a few. We went to the northern coast when I was a teen whenever we could, but again no pictures. Randy and I have taken two vacations to the coast since mom passed, and this was one of them. 🙂
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Goodness. I began to think I’d never get to the bottom of your complimentary responses. I echo it all and re-state emphatically that you definitely have “the eye.”
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Awwww, thanks Monica. You are so sweet. 🙂
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There are a lot of them. If I find it again, I’ll send it. 🙂
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So many happy memories in this post and three places we’ve been with you. Isn’t that amazing. Lovely photos too. And Mr ET in one of them. 🙂
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Yes, I love that picture. It fit the prompt so well. We have had so many great memories. I’m loving your pics of little August. What a sweetie. BTW, I just found out there is a National Toilet Day. I linked your most recent post – Loo with a View on someone’s comment section who hosted a guest post from Anne Goodwin. Her Story Chat summary will be published tomorrow. Talk to you soon. 🙂
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National Toilet Day!! What a hoot! 😁
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That’s what I thought. You’d have to sift through my post today and check Anne Goodwin’s link to find her post about it. I couldn’t help laughing and thinking of you. Who knows, the owner of the blog may come visit your blog and tell you all about it. 🙂
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Couldn’t find it but never mind!
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loved the photos of the coastline and the beach!
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Thanks, Jim. I love the beach!!!
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as do I!
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We’re twins! At least on that! 🙂
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👍
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Thank you for taking us on this journey. Some amazing landscapes in these photos and you have captured them beautifully.
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Thank you Anne. I value that as high praise indeed! 🙂
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Hi, Marsha – Your father was right. You do have an excellent eye for composing a compelling picture. Your photography is beautiful. Thank you for sharing these landscapes with us. I greatly enjoyed viewing them and learning more about you.
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Thank you for your kind words, Donna. I love photography.
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Two of my favorites bridges. I recognized them on site. Wonderful post Marsha 😀
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Thank you, Cee. I thought about you when I posted them because you often have topics like bridges. 🙂
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I love that you’ve carried your father’s compliment with you. He was right, you do have a great eye. Your photos are gorgeous. Like Norah, I love the picnic table shot. I think I could camp out there for day to write. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you so much, Jill. That’s what the kids from Tulare County get to do. They are usually doing water or soil analysis or studying the Yokuts or Mono Indian artifacts in the area between their breaks. TCOE has another grounds near that ranch called Scicon where fifth and sixth grader camp for a day the first year and a week the second. They never forget the experience. We had a visionary county superintendent.
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My favourite is of the picnic tables near the lake. It looks so serene and inviting.
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It was, thanks, Norah. We saw a turtle swimming in the pond. 🙂
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So much wonderment.
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I enjoyed reading this, Marsha. My favourite of your photos are the ones in your ‘slinky’ bridge 🙂 🙂 I have a bit of a bridge thing too. My dream though, would be Yosemite or Grand Canyon. I follow Leanne too. Awesome professional photos! I sometimes toy with the idea of a photography course, but then I remember how inept I can be. I should put it on my ‘must dos’. Have a good week!
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Jo, you are anything but inept. Your photos are exotic and perfectly composed. You should not apologize for your beautiful photos. I love your Barcelona ones especially. I also love architecture. 🙂
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Thanks hon 😍💕
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Incredible landscapes, Marsha. Like you, I got into photography quite young with a Kodak Instamatic. I keep thinking I’ll take lessons but haven’t got round to it yet…maybe one of these days… 🙂
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Leanne Cole gave me hour lessons over the internet using Facetime or some program like that. She analyzed my photos and told me what needed to change and how to change them. I had a hard time with her accent at first. She kept talking about taking pictures in camera raw, and I though she said roll. So we had some good laughs as well. She’s been the most helpful over the years. 🙂 Thanks for your lovely comment, Cathy.
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That seems like a good way to get things done. On my camera there’s the raw option and also raw/jpeg which seems to work well. It’s a very enjoyable hobby anyway 🙂
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I agree, it’s a fun hobby. 🙂
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Wow, well I’m glad you’re Dad instilled the fit of photorgraphy since he clearly passed his genes to you in the creative department judging by your amazing pictures. Good job!!!
Lve Avala Beach!!!! ❤️
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I do too. It was one of my favorite places to go in CA. I will miss going there. Thanks for the generous comment, Cindy. You are so kind! 🙂
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oh wow, I miss it there. My daughter was in school at SLO and we went often…sooo enjoyed it.
You’re most welcome!!!! ❤️❤️
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I love SLO. We used to take our fourth graders on a trip to the beach and mission and walk around SLO, chew gum and put it on the gum wall, and go to the chocolate factory. Many of our students had never been to the beach even though we only lived two-and-a- half hours away. It was always exciting. 🙂
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oh what wonderful memories… Oh the wall, how fun was that for students. Wow, that is so cool you were the first ones that got to share the beach with them!!! So wonderful! 💖❤️💖
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It was always memorable and very exhausting, Cindy. there were about 200 students, 6 teachers and a plethora of parents.
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whoa… that would be exhausting!!! 💖 My word but so rewarding. I was on those trips too. So memorable but you need a vacation when you get home! ❤️
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Exactly! We always did the trips on Friday.
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Good plan!! ❤️💖🙏
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Your photography journey was and is amazing, Marsha! How awesome to share that love with your dad. Others encourage with hints along the way and give us confidence to develop our skills. You really have a variety of stunning photos, Marsha! Your view of Bella Vista and Avila Beach are my favorites, not only for light and color effects but for the composition. Truly framable! I read that canvas discounts has some great deals right now.
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Wow, thank you, Terri. It was hard to pick good ones from the thousands of not so good ones in my collection! LOL 🙂
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I’ve enjoyed reading the personal journeys of photographers – so thanks for sharing yours! Good pics, too! Thanks for the plugs and my Love beach walk is ready to go. By the way, I hope you get a chance to read my two Beaches beach walks … one is up now, the other goes up Thursday. Hint … the words aren’t mine, so the walk is based on comments by readers. Are you settled into your new residence?
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Hi Frank, I read your post today. Didn’t I leave a comment. I went there specifically to leave you a link in tomorrow’s post, but I stopped to read. I hate to read without leaving comments, but you know I’ll be back often. 🙂 I love that you are using the comments of your readers in your posts. Isn’t that fun? It adds so much and gives value to the post and to those who comment on it. 🙂 Way to go, Frank!
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Thanks … and glad you saw it! 🙂
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Beautiful, oh so resplendent images, Marsha. I’ve enjoyed watching the evolution of your images over the years. Fascinating to see how you’ve learned from other bloggers along the way. All great photographers. Ugh. The rock formations, I’m going to beg you constantly to see MORE! 😉 Er, I think I already started the begging a few posts back… XD
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I know, I know, “blizzards” and all that. Those electro-sox cannot come fast enough. Grins. All right end of my ps’s.
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I love your ps’s. My ps right now is that I have to go to bed. 🙂
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Beautiful collection of images showcasing your travels and journey. It’s always fun and enlightening shooting with friends. Hope you are enjoying your new home … Arizona.
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We love it, Ingrid. When are you coming to see me? 🙂
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Would love to meet up … when the weather is warmer. Let’s keep in touch and maybe do a photography walk/picnic at one of the many lovely parks around Prescott. The makings of blog material 😁
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That sounds perfect to me. It won’t be long until the weather is perfect. I can’t wait, Ingrid! 🙂
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My walks have come to a screeching halt this past week because of the snow. They have cleared off our about a quarter to a half mile of our sidewalks now. The rest is unwalkable without boots. The hiking trails are more for playing in and building snowmen than for walking right now. It should be melted by next week, but very muddy and many of them will be running streams, I’m sure. So be patient, my friend.
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