posted by James on 02/28/10

Standing Alone

There’s something about taking pictures at this time of year–it’s just really hard to find anything colorful. Though in winter it is the nature photographer’s goal to find and showcase hidden color, there are times when it simply doesn’t exist. Hence, one must compensate with high contrast and well defined shapes. For shapes to work, however, they will usually need to be positioned against a solid background, a challenge in timberland environs. Of the many snow-blanketed trees I shot that morning, this maple was the only one that popped out enough from the background to make it worth displaying

If I were to shoot this picture again, I would lower my tripod considerably to conceal more of the distracting snow-plowed road and the black line on the bottom right of the picture. This would also have allowed more of the tree to be visible against the sky. I think the pine tree on the left gives good depth, but the dark bushes on the right are distracting, seeing they are not clearly defined. Perhaps moving closer to the tree and pulling back on the zoom would have made for a more dynamic image. What do you think?

5 Comments » | posted in Photography

posted by James on 02/15/10

Last Friday evening, the single staff here at Headquarters worked diligently to host a Valentine’s Banquet in honor of the directors and couples serving with IBLP. But this was no ordinary banquet! The six course meal, lavish decorations, and creatively decked tables attested to the countless hours spent in making this the most memorable event of the year! In this new photo album, you can now see a glimpse of the sumptuous event.

8 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by James on 01/31/10

Nope, I haven’t forgotten about posting the Pics of the Month! I just figured it would be better to post them on the last day of the month instead of the first; that way, each picture will actually have something in common with the month it’s supposed to represent. When December rolls around, how can I post a picture of the spectacular fall foliage I shot in November? In March, are we are not slightly tired of seeing the glistening snow of February? It can now just as well be the Pic from the Month as it is a Pic of the Month.

Moonlit Midnight

Every year, it has been a goal for me to get a new, cozy picture of our house nestled in the Appalachian foothills of West Virginia at wintertime. You know, it’s like getting a family picture. Sometimes there is never a good snowfall, so you have to get creative. But this year, there was the most phenomenal combination of environmental elements I had heretofore experienced: a full moon hanging in a partly cloudy sky spread out over a charming landscape blanketed in deep snow. Completely enchanted. The last time I ever remember a similar combination (that met my standard of perfection) was seven years ago. Seven years ago! The fact that the temperature was in the teens that night didn’t deter me from venturing out into the dreamy wonderland.

Using a tripod was essential. Turning on all the lights inside the house helped it to look extra cozy. A wide angle lens reached into the sky to lasso in the moon. And a little processing in Photoshop developed the sky, making it look exactly as it did on that glorious, enchanted, moonlit midnight.

10 Comments » | posted in Photography

posted by James on 01/29/10

The Father’s Conference here at the Indianapolis Training Center is progressing very well! It is quite exciting that Robert, Esther, Daniel and myself have been able to help out, from washing dishes and  preparing food to running video cameras and manning book tables. It’s a first for all four of us to be working on the same Conference together, and  we are greatly enjoying it! Please pray that the truth would continue to be spoken and that these mighty leaders of the future would be encouraged and equipped to be a Psalm 112 father:

“Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD,
that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
His seed shall be mighty upon earth:
the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house:
and his righteousness endureth for ever.
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness:
he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth:
he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Surely he shall not be moved for ever:
the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:
his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is established, he shall not be afraid,
until he see his desire upon his enemies.
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor;
his righteousness endureth for ever;
his horn shall be exalted with honour.
The wicked shall see it, and be grieved;
he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away:
the desire of the wicked shall perish.”
~ Psalm 112:1-10

10 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by James on 12/29/09

Taking pictures at sunrise and sunset on the beach is one of the most enjoyable experiences for a photographer! Or, at least that is the conclusion I have come to after spending the past few days here in on Sanibel Island in south-western Florida. This is the first time in my life I’ve ever done serious photography on the beach, so from this fresh perspective, here are a few things that I’ve learned concerning keeping your equipment clean, planning ahead, and capturing great compositions!

The beach is one of the most unhealthy environments for the camera! Sand and salt water destroy equipment, so the most important things I learned first were how to keep my camera clean.

• Kneel or squat, instead of sit, on the shore to keep clothes from being covered in sand.
• Keep at least one hand clean for holding the camera. After touching sandy objects with the other hand, rinse them off in water and dry them before touching the camera again.
• Keep camera and lenses in plastic bags inside your camera bag. This makes it more time-consuming to change lenses, but it sure keeps them dry.

And it always helps to plan ahead.

• Find out the exact time of the sunrise/sunset. Though the best pictures are captured at this exact time, great pictures can easily be taken 30 minutes before and after.
• Know in what direction the sun will be rising/setting. In Florida, it’s as difficult to get a good sunrise over the Gulf as it is a sunset over the Atlantic.
• Bring plenty of storage and charged batteries!

Now for the fun part: composition!

• Clouds are what make dynamic compositions. Go wide-angle and capture the sky.

• Look for subjects to complement the sunrise/sunset. Flying or wading birds, trees, grass, boardwalks, piers, buildings, shells, and driftwood all make great foreground subjects. Strong shapes are best, as most subjects will be silhouetted.

• People are also excellent subjects!

• Look behind you. You might be surprised at the color in the opposite direction of the sunrise/sunset.

• Watch that the horizon is either perfectly level or tilted to a degree that it is obviously intentional.

• Try using a tripod to play around with long exposures. Moving water can create some interesting textures your eye never sees.

Last, but most important, never let photography become higher priority than relationships and never ever forget why you are taking the pictures:

“The sea is His, and He made it:
and His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”

3 Comments » | posted in Photography