From the 53rd Floor

I conned a friend into catching the sunrise with me a while back, and it is a good thing I did. We hadn't been out more than 30 minutes when it started to rain. Kind friend that she is, she then invited me to her apartment on the 53rd floor just off the beach.

This may have been my favorite beach trip yet. Good conversation and a yummy breakfast to eat while watching the sun and storm compete for dominance; pretty much the perfect morning.

Her views are spectacular, and I'm a bit jealous. She doesn't even have to crawl out of bed to catch the sunrise in the morning - she can watch it roll in every day from her apartment.

"We're the fire from the sun, we're the light when the day is done, we are the brave, we are the chosen ones, we're the diamonds."
Johnnyswim - Diamonds


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Surfing

Some mornings I'm lucky and the surfers turn up to entertain me as I walk. I'll admit, I'm a bit jealous of their skill and bravery. I don't see me taking up surfing while I'm here, but I do admire those who do it and who love it enough to get up crazy early every morning.

I'm not going to take up a new career as an action photographer any time soon, but trying to get clear shots of them actually standing up is a challenge that keeps me pushing my skill lever. So far it is more about luck than skill, but I'm improving.

A friend looked at this photo and asked how I got his perfectly lined up with the horizon, I wish I could say that was planned and carefully composed...but the truth is it just happened.

I'm actually starting to think there are some similarities to surfing and photography. I watch the surfers spend time out in the water, watching for that perfect wave. They try and set up for it to hit it and the right exact moment. Sometimes they fail and sometimes they don't and get a spectacular ride. The secret to both seems to be keep trying.

"Speak your mind, just be bold."
Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again Pin It

Early Bird

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, it is no surprise that I've been taking advantage of living 15 minutes from the beach and my early bird leanings to catch sunrise at the beach as often as possible.

Usually I just take my iPhone to capture the morning. But occasionally I bring out the big guns and take my real camera out. I had a lazy Sunday so I thought I'd clean off last months photos from the card in my camera; and rather than just file them a way, I remembered I had a blog I hadn't posted to in forever so I thought I'd share a few here.

I keep thinking I'll get tired of photographing sunrises, but it seams that every time I go out I see something different. Different weather means different colors and depending on the direction I walk who knows what I'll find.

The good news about being in the Southern Hemisphere is that it is winter now, which means the sun is rising later and later and I don't have to get up quite so early to enjoy this time of day.

"The sound of love astounds me every time that it calls."
Ingrid Michaelson - Wonderful Unknown Pin It

Sunrise

I woke up this morning and my first thought was that in less than 4 days I'll be waking up to the sun rising over the mountains instead of over the ocean - and I can't wait. Don't get me wrong, I love the ocean sunsets, but the thought of waking up in my own bed, looking out over the mountains and knowing my family and friends are nearby thrills me like nothing else.

I've only been away 7 weeks this trip, and it is only a short visit home, but the thought of seeing everyone I love in person rather than on Facetime has me so full of energy. I'm not even dreading packing the way I usually do.

When was the last time you woke up so excited you couldn't wait to get out of bed and get the day going?

"So I'll wait for the sun, I'll wait for the light."
Joe Purdy - The Sun Pin It

Snow Canyon

I wanted to kick 2014 off in the right way, so I headed to one of my favorite places on earth, Snow Canyon, to do a bit of hiking. There is something about those rich red rocks and a blue sky that call to me. It was the perfect way to spend some time thinking about what changes the year was going to bring and what I wanted to accomplish.

I enjoyed spending the day outside so much, I may just have to find a way to make it an annual tradition.

Pulling the photos out again this month, also gave me a chance to check back in on the plans I made that day - to see how I was doing with some of my goals and plans. Truth is it was a good reminder I need to get busy with a few things, and a chance to be grateful that I'm making progress on some of those goals.

I had such a good time at Snow Canyon, that when my family was in town a couple of weeks later I talked them into making a return trip with me, including this little Dude, I hope this is just one of many visits we make together to this beautiful place.

"I stared up at the sun, thought of all the people, places and things I've loved."
OneRepublic - If I Lose Myself


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A Look Back to India

 I just finished up a month long, online Lightroom class, where I learned some great new things (even after using it for several years.) On the second week we needed some photos for adjustments. I decided to dig back into my photo archives to some photos I took when I lived in India. This was before I got interested in photography, didn't know what a dslr or Lightroom was.

I had a basic point and shoot camera that fit in my pocket and no idea how to use it. I thought it would be interesting to see what I could do with some of these photos and Lightroom. 

Looking back I realize that my first 6 months in India in 2008, was what sparked my desire to learn more about photography. India was so colorful, and different from everything I'd experienced to that point in my life. Just being there made me want to find a way to capture the experiences I was having and the things I was seeing.

"My age has never made me wise, but I keep pushing on and on and on."
Imagine Dragons - Nothing Left to Say

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It's been a while...

I know, I know, it has been forever since I've been in the mood for this little blog. Strangely, even with a move to a beautiful new place and a more regular schedule (i.e. not too busy to blog) inspiration has been missing. My camera rarely comes out of the closet and even the camera on my phone gets little use.

I decided not to worry about it, figuring my energy was simply focussed on assimilating in a new job and culture. Still I missed having a creative outlet. So when my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas I decided I'd ask for tuition for a Lightroom class I'd wanted to take for a while. Hoping that taking the class would force me to pull out the camera again.

Taking the class inspired me to get up at 4:45 on a Saturday morning in hopes of capturing some sunrise beach shot. As you can see, the weather didn't cooperate, it was a very moody morning with only hints of sun peaking through.

I loved the morning I spent on the beach, and realized there is a lot to love here in Australia. Being a 15 minute walk to the beach is just one of them.

I'm not going to promise to start blogging regularly again, because who knows. But I do hope the camera comes out a bit more often as I've missed that creative feeling I get when it does.

You said, remember that life is 
not meant to be wasted
We can always be chasing the sun
So fill up your lungs and just run
But always be chasing the sun
Sara Bareilles - Chasing the Sun Pin It

August Break?

So, August happened, and I didn't get around to blogging.

I'd like to say it is because I've been crazy buys doing amazing things (which in part is true since I spent half of the month at home with my family.) But the bigger truth is that I've struggled to find any words.

I keep reminding myself that every move is hard, that adjusting to a new place, new culture, new job,  isn't easy; and even though I've done it enough time to call myself experienced, it still takes time. Time to start finding out who I am here. Time to find and make friends. Time to adjust and adapt.

I don't mean to complain - believe me, I know how lucky I am and I know that many would love an opportunity to live here in Australia, to explore a new culture, to have a fun job - I know because I love it. But it also doesn't mean that every day is a picnic.

I'm going to keep pushing through the adjustment phase. Reminding myself that it takes time, pushing myself to get out and find new ways to meet people and make friends. And taking the quiet time I need as well.

"Well I woke up this morning and I made a resolution, I said, I'm never going to sing another sad song."
Sea Wolf - I Made A Resolution Pin It

Bits and Pieces of Rome

Three months after my trip to Italy, I'm finally posting the last of the photos....nothing like being right on top of things. These three photos weren't taken in the same place and have nothing to do with each other. They were just tiny pieces of beauty that caught my eye during my wanders.


I know solo travel isn't for everyone, but I love it, and these photos are part of the reason why. On my solo trips, I wander completely at my own pace. I find I'm more introspective and the world looks different to me in the quiet moments. Don't get me wrong, I like travel with groups as well, sometimes traveling with someone else means I laughter and the joy that comes from seeing the world through someone else's eyes.


Whether solo or in a group, bottom line, for me, travel is one of the great joys of life.

"Cause she always like her shadow more than her reflection, it's a better understanding of her place in the world."
Born Ruffians - With Her Shadow Pin It

Magic Hour in Rome

Months and months ago I took a Roman Holiday, and proceeded to fill my blog for weeks with photos I took there. Then the move to Australia took over, and for some reason since the move my camera hasn't made it out of the bag. Sure I take a few iPhone photos of the beach now and again, but I can't seem to find any real photo inspiration.


In an attempt to try and get my mojo back, I dug into some old photos of Italian adventure and realised that I'd never gotten around to posting my favorite set - the ones I took on my last night in Rome, during the golden hour for a hill over looking the city.


Every photo I took that night turned out beautifully - and not because of anything I did - but just because the city is beautiful and the light was amazing.

"Who are you when no one is around?"
Ivan & Alyosha - Who are You? Pin It