NewsFlash

In order to simply life, this blog has been incorporated in the main art's blog, The Arts @ LWCC.

If you've signed up for email updates regarding Aperture - please go to The Arts blog and sign up there for email updates. All info regarding The Arts ministry will now go through that one blog. The Aperture blog will soon be deleted.

Thanks for understanding!

grace & peace,
deAnn

"In order to have a real relationship with our creativity, we must time the time and care to cultivate it." ~ Julia Cameron

PhotoWalk @ Cordorus-Today

I just looked at the VisualRealia website and see that the walk is still happening today at 1pm. Evidently the rain is to stop this afternoon. Unfortunately, I planned on it raining today and made other plans and now will not be attending the Fall Scatter Walk at Cordorus. But if you go out, I know you will have a great time!! Just wear old shoes or boots as it's bound to be a muddy mess. :0)

Grace & peace,
deAnn

Fall "Scatter" PhotoWalk

Some of you joined the York City PhotoWalk in July, sponsored by Andy Smith of Visual Realia. It was a great time with lots of people, some of which traveled from MD and DE.

I just got email from Andy regarding a Fall Scatter PhotoWalk at Cordorus State Park. The leaves will be near peak, what a perfect time for photography. Below is all the information about it. I hope you can make it. I know several of us from LWCC plan to go. Hope to see you there!

Grace & peace,

deAnn

Fall "Scatter" PhotoWalk

Sunday, October, 18, 2009
1:00 PM
Codorus State Park, Near Hanover, PA
Sponsored by Andy Smith of Visual Realia
http://www.visualrealia.com

From the event web site:
"Join other photography and outdoor enthusiasts as we explore the marina area of Codorus State Park, located near Hanover, PA. We’ll meet at 1:00 for a group photo and basic info, then split into groups as we look into the nooks and crannies for great photography finds. We’ll gather back at our starting spot around 3:00 and share photos, light snacks and conversation. Later, we’ll share our photos online for all to see."

Following the successful photowalks in Gettysburg, Harrisburg and York, I wanted to find a new spin or two for the next walk. Here goes:
1) Instead of a preset two mile route, we'll cover the marina area of the park in small groups, heading whichever way we'd like. Walkers can be aggressive and cover a lot of ground, while families with small children can follow the whims of the kids. We'll also always be within a reasonable distance of the public restrooms, and our date selection should put us fairly close to peak color in the lower portion of Pennsylvania.
2) We'll gather at a set time to share photos, stories and just enjoy each other's company. If everyone brings a small finger-food snack to share, we can eat during our gathering without requiring a lot of utensils and make clean-up an easy task. More on snacks later.
It doesn't matter what skill level you are as a photographer, and any camera is fine from an top-notch SLR to an inexpensive point and shoot. This is a perfect family event! Encourage the kids by giving them a disposable camera of their own.

Never participated in a photowalk before? Check out the Previous Walks page on the web site:
http://www.vrphotowalks.com
(Check back… the site will grow as we add more info.)

I don't wish to spam anyone with unwanted emails, so email me to join the Codorus Fall Scatter Photowalk email list if you'd like to receive future updates on this walk. If you have any questions, email.

Note: I'm announcing this with a little less notice than usual, so if you have the ability to share the info online or with friends and family in any way, I'd appreciate your help in spreading the word.

Thanks! Hope to see everyone there.
Andy
---------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew Smith
ostman4200@comcast.net

Where You Least Expect It

I recently posted about noticing beauty where you least expect it on the Vertical Creativity blog. If you'd like to read, click here.

"Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man." ~Edward Steichen

grace & peace ~ deAnn

Crazy River Hike

Okay, so I've been sick with bronchitis and a wicked sinus infection for the past three weeks. I've taken so many sick days from work that I had to tap into my vacation time. Needless to say, I was crazy tired of being cooped up in my house. So, Saturday, my husband and I went down to the Holtwood Dam area for a little fresh air and sunlight. Of course I took my camera, with anticipation of a leisurely walk along the river bank. However, my husband, the mega-adventurer, dragged me all over the place - through thick brush, over walls made of rock, across water, and up gigantic rocks. Before I knew it - we were on a rock island in the middle of the Susquehanna. I was exhausted from the wild hike. He kept on going as I perched myself on the sun-slathered hot rock, absent of any shade. The good news is that there were countless photo opportunities!

The photo above is from a little pool of water on TOP of this super high rock. Either the river gushed with flood waters recently or this is a gathering of rain water. I don't know. As I pondered this, a siren blared down the canyon. It was then that I recalled all the "DANGER" signs on the way in. Yes, when you hear that siren, you MUST exit the low lying areas of the river because they are about to release water from the dam. Being paranoid that I was going to die on that rock, my common sense kicked in, "This rock is too high, I'll just be stranded here, surrounded on all sides with raging river water. All while my husband is God-knows-where, hiking on other mysterious rock islands."

A little punch of life growing out from the solid rock. Intriguing how plants can find ways to take root in materials other than the forgiving soil.

A view from my rock island - looking upstream to the Holtwood Dam. The siren was correct, water began to pour over the spillway... not a good feeling. But it makes for pretty photo! The road above is Route 372.

Inside one of the rock-top pools were these ity-bity lillypads (or something like that.) They were so cute and delicate. Taking advantage of the direct sunlight and growing happily.

Standing on the river's edge, I snapped this shot. I really like the bold colors of the green grass and the bluest of blue on the bridge. It was a gorgeous, yet HOT, day. It was fun watching my husband jumping from rock to rock, as if he was reliving moments from his childhood. And good thing - the sirens for the water release - I never noticed a difference in the water levels...

OH, I don't have the image here, but we did see a beautiful bald eagle soaring overhead. I was so mesmerized by it's grandeur that I forgot to snap a photo. But after a few minutes, it graced us with his presence again, and I have an image of it. Albeit, it's not great - but you can see clearly that it's a bald eagle. Maybe I'll post that photo later this week.

Never stop getting out and experiencing the beauty that surrounds us.

grace & peace ~ deAnn

All photos in this post are copyrighted (c) 2009 by deAnn Roe of Vertical Creativity.

Saturday's PhotoOuting

This Saturday, 8/1, our photo outing is going to Holtwood Dam area... but as it's turns out, I have to drive to Cleveland and back that day. So I can not go to Holtwood. Therefore, there will be no one "in charge" of this outing. If you still want to go - GO! Or if you've blocked out that time and have another place you'd like to explore - do that!!

I'm sorry about the short notice. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy your time behind the camera, observing God's creation and the beauty to be found within.

Stay tuned for the word on the next PhotoOuting!

grace & peace ~ deAnn

Digital Photography Class

York College is offering a Digital Photography class as part of their Community Eduction program. After reading the class information, it sounds really awesome. Click here to read the details. Here is the blippet that is in their print material:

This class is designed for those who want to learn about the digital camera and how to use it creatively, how to communicate with the computer, edit, create video/slide shows, and much more.

But you can get way more info on their website. Check it out! The price seems to be good, too.

grace & peace ~ deAnn