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Lake ViewNear the Soque River, Clarkesville, GAApril, 2017

Lake View
Near the Soque River, Clarkesville, GA
April, 2017

Day 9's Lens: WHOLEness

July 19, 2018

Explore with your camera, rather than post-processing in your creativity later.


That's some of the best advice I've been give (over and over, by the way) by the more experienced photographer's I've worked with.

Not that I needed to be prompted to capture outside the box, I guess.

Fishing PondAmicalola Falls Reflection PoolApril, 2017

Fishing Pond
Amicalola Falls Reflection Pool
April, 2017

I shoot my "water colors," as I call images like the above, while at the same time working with more "traditional" nature landscapes. Any time I'm near water or a reflective surface, I'm concentrating on the patterns and movement and color of a reflection--a totally separate perspective of the world than framing a more typical panorama.

In fact, I now see this sort of alternative view, more often than I find myself fascinated with the what's happening in "real" nature. 

It's another dimension I'm grateful to have added to my photography.

It's a way of sharing the world and inspiring others to look closer, to take their time, to pause and revel in nature whenever they get the chance, that I find unapologetically rewarding.


It breaks the rules according to some.

But what do I care about creative rules?

If that's not an oxymoron, I don't know what is.


These images are as much nature photography as the rest. Just ask the galleries and art shows who've selected them to show from my portfolio.

Spring LandscapeMiller Lake Shallows, Dacula, GAMarch, 2017

Spring Landscape
Miller Lake Shallows, Dacula, GA
March, 2017

"But you can achieve the same result using Photoshop filters and pre-sets," others say. "Why bother spending all that time trying to capture something so abstract straight out of the camera?"

Which means they've never held their breath, shooting patterns as the wind moves reflections about in the the shallows of a peaceful lake on an early spring day. They've never witnessed first hand the peace and mystery of what nature can do with landscapes and water.

I live for moments of discovery like this one. I feel whole once more, taking all of what's before me in--so much more than a short glance could reveal.

 

 

Yes, I'm the one you'll find staring. And you'll wonder what I'm seeing with my eyes glazed over and a silly grin on my face.

Winter TreesMiller Lake, Dacula, GAMarch, 2017

Winter Trees
Miller Lake, Dacula, GA
March, 2017


You see, I like this sort of landscape. I love it, actually.

FallMiller Lake, Dacula, GAOctober, 2016

Fall
Miller Lake, Dacula, GA
October, 2016

But more often than not, this is where my creative eye is drawn first.

Fall ReflectionMiller Lake, Dacula, GAOctober, 2016

Fall Reflection
Miller Lake, Dacula, GA
October, 2016

Or here.

Water ColorMiller Lake, Dacula, GANovember, 2016

Water Color
Miller Lake, Dacula, GA
November, 2016

2016-11-18 001 192 EXPOSURE.JPG

Or here.

The more abstract, actually, the quicker my eye seems drawn to it.

The shapes, the colors, the way the natural world is preening and singing to me, demanding to be marveled at...

Why on earth would I give up the opportunity to work with images like this in real life?

Yes, I could paint them in later.

But how would that inspire viewers to head outside and make their discoveries of just how unparalleled nature's creativity can be?


Those can't be real!

Fall BogMiller Lake, Dacula, GANovember, 2016

Fall Bog
Miller Lake, Dacula, GA
November, 2016

I've heard that a lot.

And I can just picture each of those skeptics staying a bit longer, looking with a bit more determination now, each time they find themselves outside and near a body of water that the breeze is ruffling up.

Maybe they're seeing more, experiencing more, maybe believing in the magic a bit more.

If so, I'm satisfied I've done my job.

 


I'm not fanatical. Or maybe I am. I'm in love, that's what it is.

How could anyone who's seen this not be?

Fall TreesMiller Lake, Dacula, GANovember, 2016

Fall Trees
Miller Lake, Dacula, GA
November, 2016

The whole of what our world is showing us. That's the thing, the message, the mission.

The more fantastical, the better, if you ask me.

I could give a hoot if it's real or not.

 

 

 

 

 


If this is fantasy, then fantasy is where I and my lens will continue to live, thank you, every chance we get.

Fall SunsetMiller Lake, Dacula, GANovember, 2016

Fall Sunset
Miller Lake, Dacula, GA
November, 2016

In 365 Day Challenge Tags Hope, Inspiration, Atlanta Nature Photography
← Day 10's Lens: Gone ShootingDay 8's Lens: WORKing It →
Baby Bear's BEST Morning (Baby Bear's Adventures in the Woods)
By DeStefano, Anna
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2021 Spring Show at Timpson Creek Gallery in Clayton, GA


Bloom, Little One (The KinderGarden)
By DeStefano, Anna
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Mindfulness Inspiration for the Opening Heart…



I Love Wildflowers (The KinderGarden)
By DeStefano, Anna
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View fullsize Holidays are for FAMILY! Have a fantastic 4th 😍
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#mindfulness #waiting #harmony #magicpict #alignandshine #abundance #mindset #spirit #authenticity #energy #attract #inspiration #meditation #namaste #growth #yoga #affirmationphotography
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View fullsize Magical moments await, when we venture out of our comfort zones. It was an honor to photograph the beautiful mother bear and her yearling cubs this spring in Cades Cove, Tennessee! 
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View fullsize It’s all about the climb...

Bear Cub
Cades Cove
5/12/2021

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View fullsize Here’s to your Mountaintop Mother’s Day!  Hope it was as golden and magical as this sunset on the Foothills Parkway near Maryville, TN.

#affirmationphotography #mountaintopyoga #zenviews #healingart #yoga #greatsmokymountains #greatsmoky
View fullsize Our eyes open, we encounter one marvel after another...

Yellow Ladyslipper
Jakes Creek Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
April, 2021
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#quirkyflowers #mindfulnesspractice 
#inspiration
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#healingart 
#springflowers #sprin
View fullsize Through the windows of the soul, the world dawns anew...

John C. Campbell Folk School Sunrise
“Window” Framed Print
Brasstoen, NC

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#affirmationphotography
#johnccampbellfolkschool  #folkartist  #folkart #affirmationsoftheday #heali
View fullsize Dance this day. Free the mind and soul to become every possibility...

Pink Ladyslippers
April, 2021
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#inspiration
#namasteathome
#healingart 
#springflowers #springblessings #affirmationphotography #healingphotography #affirmationoftheday #m
View fullsize Elkmont LOVE. A fantastic new “look” at the “troll bridge” I always visit when I’m in the area... I HEART Spring in the Smokies!

Elkmont
Townsend, TN

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View fullsize Columbine by the Yard...

Tiny flowers open my heart to@ he BIG possibilities of embracing every moment as the blessing it is. We are what we make of now. In each moment we are eternal...

Dwarf Crested Iris
April, 2021
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#springflowers #sprin
View fullsize Take me to the River... Especially on a beautiful spring morning, shimmering with me real and hope 😍.

Tremont
Townsend, TN.
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#affirmationphotography #healingphotography #affirmationoftheday #mindfulness #harmony #inspiration #yoga #bestofth
View fullsize Beauty EVERYWHERE this spring... Can’t wait for these lovelies to find their way back to my pollinator garden. Our butterfly bushes keep them happy most all of late spring, summer 😍... 

Clarkesville, Georgia
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#affirmationphotography #
View fullsize Through the gate and down a new path... Wander this afternoon. Allow the moment to lead.

Cades Cove Road Loop
April, 2021
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#wanderlust  #wanderingphotographers  #wanderingsoul #affirmationphotography
#cadescove #cadescoveloop  #cadescoveloop
View fullsize Spring shows is a new path. Inhale all that glorious renewal, step forward, and begin again...

Hyatt Lane
Cades Cove
April, 2021
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View fullsize Columbine by the Yard...

Like strands of pearls, they were growing all over the rocky sides of the park last week! Amazing... So happy to be there and have the chance to capture some memories .

Columbine
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
April, 2
View fullsize Spring Snow... Cades Cove gloriously colorful with spring, showing off her snowy bonnet one last time... Makes me dream of all the fabulous changes to come in 2021!
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#cadescove #cadescoveloop  #cadescoveloop  #cadescovetn #affirmationsoftheday #
View fullsize Peace is Water... Drawing me in, closer and closer, whispering wisdom to my unsettled soul. I 💕 water 😍 Be easy and free this fine day! This is a wide-angle closeup from the bottom@of Lynn Camp Prong Cascade, in Tremont, near Townsend, TN.
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View fullsize Follow Me... Cades Cove  in the Spring calls me to wander and wonder and celebrate all that is nature.😍 Happy Sunday!
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#affirmationphotography #healingphotography #affirmationoftheday #mindfulness #harmony #inspiration #yoga #bestoftheusa_natur
View fullsize Forest For the Trees... LOVE how this “intimate” spring landscape from Cades Cove draws me in, settles in my heart, and helps me breathe deeply. 😍 Have a peaceful morning!
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View fullsize Get your dancin’ shoes on!!

Yellow Lady Slipper
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
April, 2021
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#affirmationphotography #healingphotography #affirmationoftheday #mindfulness #harmony #inspiration #namasteathome #earthcapture #bestofus
View fullsize Inquisitive little beauty! Seek your inspiration today 😍. Captured at Cades Cove today..
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#affirmationphotography #healingphotography #affirmationoftheday #mindfulness #harmony #inspiration #yoga #bestoftheusa_nature 
#bestofthevolunteerstate #

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