Today has been a very fine day, and the Duo and I made best use of it, wandering through the sun-sparkled woods and down to the bayshore. The wet snow that decked the trees on Friday had melted and refrozen, turning to tiny crystal sculptures shooting off rainbows. This is the sort of late winter day that gives a person hope, so I tucked the old little camera, blind though it is, into my pocket. The best camera is the one you have. Most of the photos were what you’d expect, and I’m not about to show them to you, but hope was rewarded.
I am pretty sure those are the closest I can come to close-ups without actually being able to see what I am doing. I’m going to send the link off to Scott Thomas at Views Infinitum in fulfillment of his latest assignment which is, coincidentally enough, Close Up Photography.
As many of you know, Scott likes to post assignments that help a person learn to make better photos. Even a person who is, um, starting pretty much from scratch, but also a person who is starting from well ahead of scratch. If you’d like to participate, follow that link up there to read more about it. You can send Scott a link to your blog or your Flickr site or, if you prefer, send me a note and we’ll work out getting your photo(s) posted here on Torch Lake Views. (Clever minx, aren’t I! Always getting other people to provide content!) The deadline is March 23.
While we are on the subject of photography, I’ve made a new page up there on top, Gallery Babs. There you will find links to her Flickrstream and her Apple albums and a few other little items. I am resourceful. Have fun.
Torch Lake Views 
P.j. grath
March 14, 2011
I’d only amend that camera statement to say that the best is the one you have WITH YOU. Being ready to shoot, like showing up for work, is crucial, and you’ve done it again, Gerry. These are sweet little images.
Gerry
March 14, 2011
You are absolutely correct. WITH YOU it is. But at least I’ve got the showing up for work part down pat. More or less. 🙂
Nye
March 14, 2011
Gerry, they look like little glass crystals, especially the one hanging from the tiny branch, absolutely beautiful.
Gerry
March 15, 2011
Thank you, Nye. I liked that one too.
Scott Thomas Photography
March 15, 2011
The Blind Eye of your camera still finds a few gems now and again, Gerry. These are pretty little ones at that. Any word from Canon?
Gerry
March 15, 2011
Thank you, Scott. No word from Canon yet. The package was delivered, but they haven’t had it long. I am hopeful.
flandrumhill
March 15, 2011
Gerry, I’m amazed that you were able to capture such beautiful close-up images ‘blind.’ You even caught a sparkle!!
Gerry
March 15, 2011
The woods were full of sparkle yesterday! But yes, I was happy to see that in the photo. Thank you, Amy-Lynn.
Barbara Rodgers
March 15, 2011
Love the sparkling ice crystal show! “The best camera is the one you have with you.” I’ll try to remember that useful philosophy!
Gerry
March 15, 2011
Thank you, Barbara. I suspect the philosophy applies to other situations in life as well.
milkayphoto
March 15, 2011
Your camera is blind?? It certainly saw beauty in those crystals! The one simple image with the curly crystal on the twig is lovely!
Gerry
March 15, 2011
Thank you. I was happy with that curly crystal too. It isn’t really the camera that is blind, as its lens works fine. But it’s a little point and shoot with a burned out display. When I use it, I’m shooting blind, as all I can do is peer through the tiny viewfinder and hope. I can’t see any menus, so settings are guesswork. On the other hand, the little camera and I have been through a lot together, and every now and again we manage to connect in spite of all the broken circuits in both our brains!
milkayphoto
March 15, 2011
Wow – that is impressive! I can’t imagine what my camera would do if I couldn’t see and couldn’t change settings! Hopefully Canon won’t keep your camera that long!
Gerry
March 15, 2011
Canon is welcome to take its time as long as it sends me back a functioning camera! Well, not all the time in the world of course, as I am an old bat and would like to take more photos before, you know.
Anna
March 15, 2011
Really lovely shots, Gerry! I had to send my Canon camera off to their repair shop right after I had purchased the camera. They fixed it, and it took a bit, but it came back wonderful. I’ve been shooting ever since. So, may your camera come back like new!
Gerry
March 15, 2011
Thank you Anna. I hope I have the same excellent luck with Canon that you had. I will hold a good thought.
isathreadsoflife
March 15, 2011
Love those Spring jewels, Gerry. You did a wonderful job, bravo. I can see you smiling as your realized how close your Spring was 🙂
Gerry
March 15, 2011
Thank you, Isa. This particular effort was, um, more reliant on luck and stubbornness than skill. As for spring, it will play peek-a-boo for weeks yet, but yes, it is coming.
Robin
March 16, 2011
Beautiful and sweet little images. The look like crystals.
Gerry
March 16, 2011
OK, you and PJ both called ’em sweet little images and Scott said they were pretty little things. That settles it. When the little camera gets back from the hospital I’m gonna go take pictures of the dark side of farming. Again.
Karma
March 20, 2011
Is this one of those hidden blog pages Gerry? I didn’t find it until I clicked over from Scott’s page. Or maybe I some how managed to miss this post on Monday. Either way, I think you did a great job capturing pretty little crystals (as sick of snow and ice as I imagine you must be!), especially using the blind little camera!
Gerry
March 20, 2011
Nope, not hidden, just dated. I leave only three on the front page, because otherwise it takes too long to load. Over there in the right column there’s a list of ten Recent Posts. Farther back than that a person would have to use the Search box or have a link, and be seriously obsessed with TLV. Excellent.
I’m glad you enjoyed the crystal closeups. I was tickled with them.
Dawn
March 20, 2011
Loved these! Amazing what being blind can see….
Gerry
March 20, 2011
I’m glad you liked them. Nothing like making the best of whatever’s at hand . . . plus a little blind luck.
Jennifer A (Bread and Putter)
March 23, 2011
So pretty and I am so impressed with your skills without the display! You know your camera well without confirmation. I’ll echo the sentiments of others with that one dangling crystal from the branch – gorgeous! Love the little glint of sunlight on that.
marysquilt
March 25, 2011
All these are lovely and great for close up work.
Mary W.
Gerry
March 26, 2011
Jennifer thanks – stubbornness goes a long way.
Mary, thank you.
Giiid
March 30, 2011
I thought that the collage you´ve made earlier was for the “Close up” assignment, but now I see that you have posted this slide show as your submission, – and that you miss a comment from me! You are probably tired of snow and frost, never the less you have taken some close ups that shows elememts of the weather from a beautyful angle. They look like diamonds, – well done with the little sunbeam hitting.
Gerry
March 30, 2011
‘Morning Birgitte. I never get tired of snow with sunshine on it. I’m glad you liked the sunbeam!