Trees don't say yes or no

Thoughts about trees, people, and taking pictures

 

Who knows what the owners of this field (a magnificent villa in the background) thought

 when they saw ME out there, walking around and taking pictures.

No only was I there in the morning....

but I came back in the afternoon.

Can't see me here, I am the one BEHIND the camera!

Photography has to do with people. Even if you aren't even taking photos of people, they are around and they see what you do (not always of course). And while they are seeing what you are doing, you must decide if you want to continuing taking pictures.

 

Sometimes it is easy to continue, and other times they give you a dirty stare.

 Then you have to decide if the photo is more important or the dirty stare.

I have been in some positions where I have confronted people, or asked to take their picture and then, they sometimes have said no. THAT is a real disappointment. Makes you feel really bad.
Sometimes you have to explain to them "I am an artist". Or you tell them you are going to have a show.

I was in China, taking pictures inside a supermarket. The women had on masks, and they were preparing food. I was photographing something that looked just like prosciutto, but I don't think it was. I was watching these women watch me, and something told me they didn't think I should be photographing them. I continued anyhow, but in a more discreet way.

 

I went out of the shop and discovered an incredible

 shop with cakes that were a yard tall. One looked just like

the Eiffel Tower. I started to take pictures from the inside

 of the shop, and they let me know I could not.

I once wanted to photograph some very "hip" black kids

 in the States. They were dressed so so cool.

 It was the first time I had seen those very baggy type of pants,

 you know, the ones where the crotch is about

2 feet too long. The mother gave me a very bad stare....

I didn't ask again, and didn't take the shot.

 

At the end of my street I saw a man, in the snow, who just sort of blended in with his white hair.

 He was wearing something red and I thought it would be a great winter shot.

 I asked. He replied. NO.

How embarassed I felt, for him and for me.
Quiet guy.
Never spoke to him ever again. That was enough.

 

So...................

after saying all this, and taking a computer pause...................

now we both know why at times, it is just easier to shoot trees.

They don't say yes, and they certainly don't say no.

Morning trees and afternoon trees

The other day I was in the car going to see a photography show.

I noticed this line of trees, in the sun, shining and glistening. I thought

"I have to come back and photograph these trees!"

And that is what I did, this morning at about 7am I took a drive and the top photo is what I got.

Then I realized that actually the trees were not very transparent looking, as I had seen them before.

I would have to go back in the afternoon!

And this photo was taken in the afternoon, in the same area.

Which do you prefer?

Dancing Trees

If you ever take a walk in the countryside in Italy, you will be amazed at how many olive trees there are.

They seem to human-like at times. Some of them seem to be hugging each other, for how close they are. Others grow together and seem to relate, like these two, seemingly dancing along on this hillside.

But in a way, they are going away from each other, on the top, sort of leaning backwards.

Funny, looking at nature always teaches us things, and often about humanity.

Aren't we all in the same boat together? Or, as in the case, on the same hillside?

Trees

How lucky we are to have trees lining our streets, creating horizons on hilltops, giving us shade and always adding beauty to the panorama of our towns and countryside.