Tag Archive for 'tree'
A beautiful reservoir in Westwood, MA. As I was taking pictures of the sunset I noticed this tree that had toppled over and was hanging out over the water just asking for someone to come sit on it. Being an obliging person I attempted to venture out onto the trunk myself, but met with questionable success. Enter Lea, who more agile than I, meandered her way onto the tree and into this lovely pose. With a little trial and error and my trusty SB-800 flash I was able to capture the last bit of twilight along with Lea and her new leafy friend.
This is a photo I took several months ago in St. Martin. I’m not sure why I didn’t post it then, but looking back on it now it definitely reminds me of how truly peaceful the island is.
This is the kind of peace most of us search for in the hustle and bustle of every day life; The kind that makes us stop for just a moment to appreciate the enormity of its significance. And in that one moment everything is perfect. Everything is as it should be and couldn’t be any other way. Thought stops and is replaced by the waves lapping against the shore, the smell of morning sea, and the soft light breaking through the clouds in the distance. Where once we found problems hidden among these purities of life, we now find, simply, nothing. Our volumes of knowledge are reduced to scrap as we bridge the gap between knowing and understanding what peace truly is, all in the space of a single breath.
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The lights glisten slowly in the calm of the night, reflecting off ornaments hung with care. Blue green promises of presents to come mix gently with red yellow thoughts of Christmas rum. Eggnog, hot chocolate, and tea are enjoyed by the crackling fire as Christmas music fills the air with spirit. Outside the snow is falling to the beat of scattering salt and the pang of shovels on icy concrete as paths are cleared for family and friends. Snow balls fly through the air occasionally striking their targets as brothers and sisters proclaim short-lived victories over each other. The eve is fast approaching and with it, the realization of countless dreams around the world. And while last minute-shopping and party planning are sure to fill the heads of everyone, fill your hearts instead with peace and calm. For this is a this time to dream, a time to give, and a time to sip a little tea by the tree… Relax.
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Leaving the rustic Warminster we arrived in London on the second day of our journey to rest in The Cavendish Hotel. A sharp contrast to the Bishopstrow House Hotel, The Cavendish is ultra modern and sophisticated with a very bright and colorful atmosphere. The two hotels are indeed polar opposites each having their own distinct mood. That’s not to say that one hotel was better than the other, just that they are different.
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Here you can see an example of the extreme colors used in the hotel lobby which give it an almost heavenly feel. I’ve never seen such a colorful lobby, but I definitely like it. To complement the colors there are pictures of clouds hanging up on the wall making for a perfectly engineered utopia.
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No hotel lobby would be complete without Christmas decorations this time of year. The Cavendish is no exception and they chose to celebrate with a contemporary tree which takes after their unique urban style. Not a hint of green can be found on their tree. It stands black and almost bare save for one string of white lights. When bathed in the magenta light from the ceiling the dark tree stands out beautifully.
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Retiring to the rooms one will be greeted by a sleek hallway with minimalist appointments along the way - A nice reprieve from the color fiesta found in the lobby. My favorite part is the entry system. The keys are simple plastic rods that are coded to open the doors much like an electronic card. Sliding the key into the keyhole turns the red light green. Upon entering the room, the key is placed into another keyhole which glows blue and subsequently turns on all the boring white lights in the room. The whole process is quite colorful. If that’s not your thing, don’t worry, the flat screen TV should do the trick.
That concludes the hotel portion of my trip to London. I don’t normally photograph hotels, but the two I stayed in on this trip were quite exceptional and their differences were so astounding that I found it interesting that I could enjoy both. The next photos you see will be of the actual city. I was lucky enough to have a night free of rain and just enough energy to keep me out untill 1:00 AM taking photos.
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Whether we like it or not, Christmas is upon us. Around this time of year I always hear people begin talking about how commercialized this holiday has become and how it’s all about buying and spending money needlessly. While that is most likely true, that doesn’t mean that YOU have to look at it that way (though the advertisers would certainly love it if you did). I for one love this time of year. Everyone seems to be in a better mood and the Christmas spirit fills the air with a light hearted and playful feel. And though the “feel” is a lot colder than it was a few months ago, the anticipation of snow and cold is balanced perfectly by warm coats, fire places, the embrace of loved ones, and Christmas punch. Its as if the holidays come with winter just so we can get closer and warmer.
I took this photo in Faneuil Hall in Boston, right next to Quincy Market shown in my last post. I can’t tell you how long it took me to take it, and its not because I couldn’t decide on the right angle… it’s because countless couples, families, children, and friends were stopping to admire and take pictures by the tree. I thought about yelling out to them so that they would stop blocking my shot, but it was just too nice to watch. It was as if everyone in Boston suddenly became ten times more friendly. I even conversed with a retired photographer who stopped to admire the angle of my shot. And while I was waiting for the people to clear I just sat on a bench and admired the beauty of the Christmas tree towering above me as it collected the laughs and smiles of passers by. Smiling back, I looked out onto the city lights and watched them embrace the entirety of Boston with just the right amount of brightness to complement the glow of the tree. When I finally took my shot and walked slowly home, the last thing going through my head was what I wanted for Christmas. This holiday season I challenge you to stop for a moment to admire the beauty around you rather than the sales, discounts, and gimmicks. And if you just can’t seem to get into a cheerful mood I suggest you find the biggest Christmas tree possible and sit by it for a while… it will put a smile on the face of even the biggest grinch.
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