A Change of Scenery

This past week my photography group’s assignment was to photograph fences.  Didn’t matter what kind of fence, any old fence would do.  Lucky for me all I had to do was walk across the street as both of my neighbors have beautiful wrought iron fences in their front yards.

Fences are naturally photogenic because of their lovely lines and details.  Plus their ability to show perspective is rivaled only by perhaps the venerable railroad tracks.

In this shot I loved the contrast of the hard, black iron and delicate, green vine.

In my own backyard, literally, this cute little autumn clematis is making its way up the wood fence.

I was pretty pleased with all my fence shots and had decided that would be the extent of my contribution to my group.  But then I drove out to my parent’s place at the lake and the whole drive up there, all I saw were fences everywhere!  I very briefly entertained the idea of pulling off to the side of I-44 and tromping down the embankment to catch a shot of a fence with a gravel road, tractor, and hay bales in the background (the pastoral trifecta!).  But #1 I was wearing flipflops and #2 I knew my mom would kill me.  So I decided against it.

But about a mile from their house, I couldn’t take it anymore.  There were huge storm clouds off in the east and a there was a cool-looking barbed wire fence right next to the road.  So I pulled off the side of the road grabbed a couple quick shots with my camera.

Bonus…I also got up close and personal with a grasshopper.

{{{shudder}}}

Anyway, the next day on my way back home, I happened to spy a lovely field off to the side so I once again pulled off down a gravel road and traipsed over the grass and mud to get some more fence shots. 

While I was taking pictures, a local farmer comes driving down the gravel road in a big, white Ford duelly (for my city friends this a giant Ford truck with two tires on the rear axle).  He gave me a look like, “What in the hell is this volvo-driving, city-slicker doing taking pictures of some old stupid fence?”  I just smiled and waved.  Certainly not the first time someone has given me a strange look for doing something weird.

After my little fence photo taking adventure I have a couple of tips to share-

1. beware of flying grasshoppers
2. watch out for farmers driving big trucks
3. don’t wear flipflops
4. don’t kneel in the grass with first applying some bug spray.  just sayin’. 

{{{scratching my knee}}}

Besides those little nuggets of wisdom, I would also like to share that a chance of scenery does wonders for your frame of mind. (Not to mention your camera!) And if that change of scenery happens to include your parents and a delightful little visit…well then you are one lucky daughter.

Peace, Kelly