Leaf Catcher

I have a theory that folks with a visual bent tend to notice similar things. For example, my wife and I both commented on the leaf-catching pumpkin shown here. A corollary to my theory is that most people would just walk past without noticing. After all, it is just a silly pumpkin. But what about those crazy few who would remove the leaves in order to have a more perfect and tidy pumpkin?

Les Feuilles mortes

I don't typically associate the crepe myrtle with Fall foliage. That being said, this year I'm finding the colors to be pretty spectacular. Soon enough they will fall to the ground, and I will try to enjoy them in the mean time.

Hey Pumpkin

Are you in the Fall spirit yet? Focusing on Autumn undoubtedly will be a bit of a challenge this week as temperatures are expected to climb back into the 80s here in the Deep South. How about some pumpkins to set the mood? The massive array of squashes at the Atlanta botanical gardens was possibly the most diverse collection I’ve ever seen in one place, and quite enjoyable to photograph, too. 

The tiny but mighty Pen FT half-frame camera certainly acquitted itself well here, producing sharp and contrasty images on Ilford FP4+.  

So Ready

I keep telling myself, 'Soon, soon we will have decent weather again, the leaves will begin to change their color and the miserable heat will be held at bay for a few months at least'. At least until the end of February. The cooler air from the north and west will push the hot humid tropical stuff down into the Gulf of Mexico and we can use the time to dry out a bit. Of course, it always tends to get warm again for Halloween and Thanksgiving, but generally we will have beautiful weather. I'm so ready.

Calling an audible

My thought was to get some close-ups of large leaf magnolia leaves, which can be over a foot long on a mature tree. But it was quite blustery outside and nothing would stay still for even a fraction of a second. So I called an audible and just shot a few frames as the movement revealed and covered up the setting sun. By shooting freely, I learned a few things and came away with a few pleasant surprises.

I wish you good light this weekend. 

A stable frame of reference

Thankfully, it appears that the Universe in general has not been perturbed too much by human activity — so far at least. No matter how crazy the weather patterns may be here on the home planet, its movement through space relative to the sun remains pretty stable. I've noticed the angle of the light in the sky has taken on its Fall character — it sure comes on suddenly — and I like the longer shadows and warmer color balance that characterize this time of the year. For me, the end of summer is usually filled with photo-ennui, but Fall is a new season with good light.