the house tim burton built

This was an abandoned building in Bigelow, Arkansas. My shooting buddy thought the slant made it look like something out of a Tim Burton movie. I have to agree. I asked a friend to do an edit to make it look more like that.

ruffles

Flowers aren't my favorite thing. I just can't lie about that. I did get a new macro filter and wanted to test it out. I have to say flowers are a lot cooler up close.

tin roof rusted

I've seen pictures from the Parker-Hickman Homestead in Erbie, Arkansas before. When Zack and I explored the area I asked to stop by. I wanted to see the place for myself. It really is a cool little place, and it's nice that it's now preserved by the National Park system. Hopefully it will be here for others to enjoy for a long time.

95

This is the 95-foot tall Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park. This is probably the most popular waterfall in the state. I have at least two I like better, but I do think it's popularity is deserved. Even when the water is low this is a real beauty.

snow hawk

Hawkbill Crag in the snow!

This hike was a bit rough for me. It might have been that I was sick or that the hike was in snow. It could just be that I'm that out of shape. I wouldn't say the hike is bad. It is all slightly uphill leaving though. Zack and Caden were pretty patient with me huffing and puffing back to the Jeep.

political storm

Here's another shot with the new Holga 120 WPC. This time I kept the shutter open for about 10 seconds. I've taken tons of shots of the Arkansas State Capitol now, but hopefully this one is a little different.

push-ups

I don't do a lot of portraits. People aren't really all that keen on having their picture taken. I have learned people are more than willing to offer up their kids though. The risk here? Kids don't cooperate! I was up for the challenge and planned for two kid sessions the same weekend.

This was the first time I felt like photography was "work".

sarah pollen

Another day/Another flower macro. :-)

in the spray

This is a more abstract view of Pack Rat Falls at the Haw Creek Falls Campground. It was near impossible to get this without getting water on the lens. This is another place that has tons of awesome views on the hike. However, this is a bushwack hike so it probably isn't for everyone. It's short though, so it's certainly manageable.

I actually busted it making the hike out there the last time. I landed on my knee and my shooting buddy was convinced I had broken something. I didn't feel a thing and it never even bruised up, so his worrying was kind but probably exaggerated. :-D

around the bend

I have a certain friend (that shall remain nameless) that loves road shots. I used to lecture him about standing in the road getting shots. Of course, I do it too so I finally stopped nagging him. Anyway Zack and I both took this very shot to intentionally imitate his style. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Right? ;-)

so pretty it should be in the movies

The Old Mill in North Little Rock, Arkansas is one of those places you should visit if you are in the area. I had put it off for the longest time because I've heard that over and over again. What can I say? I'm stubborn!

I actually didn't expect it to be as pretty as it was in person. A lot of things like that look great in pictures then are a let down in person. This place was really picture perfect. And hey! It was in Gone with the Wind!

zOMG!!

This was in Boxley Valley in Newton County, Arkansas.

I really love cows. I really love back-lighting. I really love snow. What else can I say?

battles with the sun

This is part of the Davies Bridge in the Petit Jean State Park. I think other than Cedar Falls it's one of the most photographed things in the park. I love bridges and waterfalls, so this is an awesome combination.

wanderlust

Today I'm starting an eighteen day road trip. I'm going to queue up a few entries so there will be something here while I'm gone. I thought this shot was fitting for my first day on the road. I really do have a wanderlust, too bad wandering never seems to cure it. :-)

anew

This was taken at the Old Mill. I felt a bit silly standing over flowers trying to grab some macro shots, but I suppose it was worth it. When I started out doing photography, I was very nervous about how I looked in public. These days I don't care. Though I realize how I must look.

getting low in the snow

This was at the Steel Creek Campgrounds along the Buffalo River in Newton County, Arkansas. It's such a great area. The Ozarks had a pretty heavy snow about a month ago. I loved the look of the snow melting over the Spring grass.

under the bridge

Here's another shot from The Lost Valley near Ponca, Arkansas. It's such a beautiful place. I've explored many places in Arkansas that this remains one of my favorites. A bonus is that the trail is easy to follow and not difficult. It makes this beauty accessible to a lot of people.

This small cascade under the Natural Bridge doesn't have a name, and since I'm not very creative I just call it the Natural Bridge Cascade. It works, eh?

celebrity treatment

I don't really know how to take portraits. It isn't easy to transition from landscapes to people. It's hard for me to tell a person how to pose or to get them to smile differently. Also the lighting and stuff tends to be a bit different, because you are worrying about how it makes a person look, etc.

My friend and co-worker, Raney, hesitantly agreed to let me practice on him. He happens to be attractive yet camera shy. I found it was easier to just tell him stories and wait for him to let his guard down and snap a few shots. He was a pretty good sport about standing around in the cold while I fretted over the sunlight and fiddled with camera settings.

We drew enough attention to ourselves that people started to think Raney was famous. Someone even asked him for an autograph!

**I edited this again, so I'm pushing it to the top of my blog.

you can't make a mountain straight

Here's a shot at the Wye Mountain Daffodil Field. I was testing out my newest camera - Holga 120 WPC. It's a pinhole camera which means the shutter had to stay open for about 14 seconds to get this shot.

you can park here but it will cost you

The Arkansas Times published one of my shots! The only thing that stinks is I'm listed as "Windy Richards" and not Windy Richardson.

This was taken on Main Street in Little Rock a couple of weeks ago.

believe in AC000000

Being a fan of any team in any sport means you get to start over with each season opener - unless you are a Cubs fan! No one forgets those 101 years without a World Series win. It doesn't stop Cubs fans from believing this will be the year. We believe. We believe!

As for the title of this shot let me post another picture and explanation. Eamus Catuli roughly means "Let's go Cubs." So the numbers AC0063100. (During the 2009 season) Okay these are the Chicago Cubs stats that everyone that follows baseball knows, whether they love or hate the Cubs. AC = "Year of the Cubs." 00 = number of years since Division Championship. 63 = number of years since National League Championship. 100 = very long years since winning the World Series. They actually had to add a digit for the 2009 season... This is actually outside of the field as is maintained by a private company. The sign for 2010 reads: AC0164101. oy vey!!



Here's hoping next year will read AC000000. However, here's a fun fact: Since teams can now reach the playoffs as a wildcard it is possible the Cubs could have a sign that reads AC020000 or something. I seriously hope when the Cubs win again they get the Division title too...

limiting evil

The Parker-Hickman Homestead was built around 1847 and is believed to be one of the oldest homes along the Buffalo National River. It was actually owned and lived in by the Hickman family from 1912-1978. In 1982 it was sold to the parks service and added to the National Register of Historic Places.

About a mile past the house up a very bumpy mountain dirty road is the family cemetery - Cherry Grove Cemetery. I actually wish I had known the previous owners of the home before I went, because there were a few other surnames, but I now think they were all people that lived on this homestead. I originally assumed families from other homesteads were also buried there.

There is a tradition in the South of painting doorways and sometimes ceilings and other areas "haint blue" to keep away evil spirits or haints. Haint blue isn't a specific shade of blue, and since I've become aware of it, I've seen it in shades from pale blue up to a deep aqua. I believe the color is supposed to close to that of water because haints cannot cross water. Interestingly enough the water in the area is this exact color.

More info on haint blue.

white out

The Ozarks got nearly a foot of snow this Spring. Arkansas has actually had a ton of snow. Zack, Caden, and I had already made plans to head up there and test out Zack's new Jeep. The snow was icing on the cake. We woke up at 2am to get there for sunrise. It's lucky we did, because most of the snow had melted by 10am. We managed to get some shots before that happened.

I loved the sun in this shot. It's rare to be outside and have it be warm enough you don't need a jacket, but snow completely covers the ground. I overexposed this a bit then upped the contrast in post to sort of blend the horizon line.