Whoever has a photo camera, be it film or digital has tried to photograph flowers and plants. Often considered as “boring” and not “worthy” of a real photographer, it is certainly a part of photography that is worth of our attention.
Many will just walk in the streets or in the country and not even throw a glimpse or give a thought at the flowers or plants that surround them. Do you see a mistake in that reasoning?
Clover
Even more you will hear “I only have a Point and Shoot! I cannot take that kind of picture!”. Hmmm, wrong again… Let’s continue this inside, shall we? …
We all know about historical buildings and events. Even if they occurred in our own lives. After all, everything we know is history, right? In Eastern Europe, Ukraine to be exact, history is part of life. You can find old buildings and newer buildings still old enough to be called historical. Some buildings have a risk of being historical and becoming a memory as well…
In the center of Kiev, Ukraine, as you know it is the capital of Ukraine, stands the Lavra complex. The Lavra complex is officially called Pecherskaya Lavra, or in plain English Lavra Monastery of the Caves.
Pecherskaya Lavra, Kiev, Ukraine
Let’s get a closer look, shall we?
Photography, photos, pictures, apertures, shutter speeds, tripods, flashes… You could ask yourself if there is nothing else in the life of a photographer. Many would say no. But if you really keep your mind only on the visible aspect of life, visibly you’re going to miss something.
Even more, if you go out in the streets, look around, snap away and forget that city life is full of sound. And music. Many of the musicians in the streets are playing for you. I have no recording material (yet), but at least let me show you some musical effects in the streets.
Before the concert on Khreshchatyk, Kiev, Ukraine
In Kiev, Ukraine, music in the street can take a day to set up, and block the main street of the city for the rest of the weekend. Material enough to let the biggest band play without troubles. It also attracts the most interesting public…
“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” – John Donne, Meditation 17.
No man is an island, but life on an island however can have it charms. Mostly when the weather is nice. Not many people here in Winnipeg will have had the pleasure of living on an island or perhaps even visiting one for some time. In the north of Holland, there is a row of islands, most of them big enough to have permanent residents on them. Living on a few square miles looks like a dream to many.
Flying to the island called Ameland
An island is defined as a piece of land, maybe inhabited and surrounded completely by water. I would like to add that the climate of the entire island should also be governed by the sea, so Australia for example should not qualify. Ameland is only a small piece of land and so we head out for this beautiful little island…
Winnipeg is known for its winters, cold and sometimes even brutal. Of course we experience some good weather too, in summer *and* in winter. A temperature of –25C or colder might look terrible to some, for others these temperatures are a relief from colds and sore throats. These ailments get no chance in winter here. One thing for which Winnipeg is certainly not famous is its parks and gardens. That is a big mistake. Many parks and gardens are beautiful in all seasons.
The garden that really comes to my mind is obviously one that is not too far from my house: The English Garden in the Assiniboine Park.
English garden in Winnipeg
Of course, in order not to disappoint you I will start with a wintery picture… But come inside and see what else we can find…