Today I listed these two photos at the store. Always had a fascination with church buildings and photographing them. These two are from a local Baptist church that reminded me of a modern take on the old Spanish Missions commonly found here in the desert southwest.
(c) J.C. Dalton- Happy Wallflower’s View
(c) J.C. Dalton- Happy Wallflower’s View
Hello to all my bloomers out there!
For weeks I have been watching the cornfields in Chandler. As I have been driving by I noticed the most wonderful way the morning sun lights up the cornfields and this morning I finally found time to take a few photos. The November sunrise did not disappoint and I discovered that corn can be quiet beautiful in the early morning. It was a great way to start my day!
Here is the latest photo for sale in my Etsy store – Happy Wallflower’s View.
Sunrise over a cornfield in Chandler, Arizona.
Stop by the store and check it out! There will be more photos coming in the next few weeks. 
)
Jamie
Hi Friends! I am still working on building up the photography. I am slowing working my way through all my collection of photos and am in desperate need of having a few days to get out there and take some photos. Perhaps with the long weekend I’ll get some done. Here’s hoping right? For now I want to share a few that I recently captured around my house. I recently listed them at the store as well.
(c) J.C. Dalton – author photograph
(c) J.C. Dalton – author photograph
Love the vibrant orange happy flowers! How about you?
A few days ago I decided to take some photos of these precious tiny purple flowers that grow around here. While I was processing the photos I got the idea to compare my new purple flower pics with some pics that I had taken over a year ago. These little flowers were among my first attempts at photography. So, I took a look. I was delightfully surprised to see that my photog skills have indeed improved which is nice to know but even better to see in living color.
My first attempt at photographing the purple flowers.
Later that evening as the sun was setting I stepped outside and was enjoying the beautiful Arizona sunset. As I looked around I started noticing how the sun played on the leaves of the trees or the flowers or the rocks and the grass. It was as if I had stood out there many times over but never saw the way the sun danced on objects below. I stood in a moment of amazement watching a brand new beauty unfold around me. As I was gazing at this new-found love I realized that I was seeing this brand new world because of my endeavor in photography. I’ve been trying to experiment with the settings on my camera as well as playing with shadows and light. Then it hit me. If I had never pursued my photography dream would I ever see this whole new perspective? I don’t think so.
This set the wheels in motion in my brain. How odd that I can look at the very same landscape that I have seen for 14 yrs and suddenly see so much more. All it took to unlock this new layer of beauty in my world was a simple step of faith and trust that I could follow my dreams. True, my photography skills are improving. Could it be that my perception of this brilliant world is improving as well? I was in awe at how my vision was expanding with just one little step of faith.
Of course this led me to ponder other steps of faith. What about those unexpected changes that force us to grow? I have a very dear friend who had a gigantic monkey wrench thrown at her last week. Immediately it felt as if it had the potential to undo all the bolts of her life. It’s thrown her whole family into a state of uncertainty. This unwelcome change adds stress and worry to every day. But I can’t help but wonder what else can it add? Can it add a brand new beauty to her life? When the trial is over will she and her family relish in the delight of deeper faith and the knowledge that the world is so much more breathtaking place than she ever would have imagined before this forced season of expansion? I believe with God it can.
I think about Annie, the wonder dog. I was so against getting a dog. Never wanted one in my adult life. However once I trusted God and brought my dear little Annie home, my whole world changed in an absolutely marvelous way. My mind grew and my heart followed into the precious world of the unrequited love of a dog. My life is richer. No, even better, I am a richer person. All it took was to have the courage to take that baby step of faith, a daring leap into an unknown world and *poof* life is so much more than I ever imagined.
Those same purple flowers after a little practice
And what of our hopes and dreams? All those tiny seeds of greatness that are planted within our spirits. What if they are not just our dreams but our pathway to know God more and lead us to a greater heavenly understanding of this world we live in? I wonder, what happens when just don’t pursue our dreams but we chase them as if chasing God himself? What wonders lie dormant in those small seeds of destiny? We may never know if don’t water them with a little faith, courage and sometimes a daring baby step.
I think we can easily let our fears keep us from the adventure of discovery and the treasures that we may find there. But it would be a shame to let fear rob us of the good has God in store for us. So, face your fears. Embrace your change. Water your dreams. Take a step of faith, even if it’s only a baby step!
Last night I took Annie the Wonder dog out for a walk. While cruising through a local park I noticed a gnarly tree under a lamp-post. The light from the lamp-post was highlighting the great twisted branches. As our walk continued I noticed more and more trees standing tall under a guardian lamp-post so I starting clicking away with my camera trying out a different ISO setting. By the time we were headed home I was super hyped to see what I managed to capture.
When I uploaded the pictures on my computer I was not as impressed as I thought I would be. They just weren’t doing it for me. They weren’t what I hoped they would be. On a hunch I converted the photos to a sepia tone and there it was! The new color took on a dark, grainy, gritty feeling. They became these wonderful creepy, dark and inviting places. I love them! Immediately this morning I posted them on the store. They are different from the photos that I usually take but I find them to be wonderful. Hoping to get some more opportunities to try this technique again with some other subjects or maybe just more trees. I’ve always loved trees. 
Here are three of my favorite shots from last night.
The Majestic Mesquite tree at night with his own personal guardian of light. (c) J.C. Dalton
The Ghostly Palo Verde tree and his creepy prickly pear cactus companion. (c) J.C. Dalton
Mr. Tumnus should greet us here and welcome all of us into Narnia. (c) J.C. Dalton
I call this photo The Dancing Tree because it reminds me of a ballerina. I found it standing tall next to the small pond at Papago Park in Tempe, Arizona. I love the way it’s branches are reaching high into the air while it leans precariously over the pond as if the branches are keeping the tree balanced. It also had a wonderful mass of creeping, sprawling roots and I found a few great pics there too. Just listed these photos on the store. Stop by and check all the latest photos for sale. Happy Wallflower’s View
The Dancing Tree (c) J.C. Dalton – Happy Wallflower’s View
The Dancing Tree’s Roots (c) J.C.Dalton – Happy Wallflower’s View
I’ve been toiling over this for months now. I finally decided to just do it and see what happens. What did I do?
I finally opened up a second store on Etsy.com featuring only my photography. While I am convinced that my photo skills need lots of improvement I am beginning to see a few decent shots coming in from time to time. So I thought, why not give them their own place and maybe make a little off my hobby. If you have a little time feel free to stop by Happy Wallflower’s View and see what I have done, lol!
Here is the latest photo that I have listed.
(c) J.C.Dalton – Three Arches Home in Chandler, Arizona
Let me know what you think? Good, bad or indifferent? If I may impose one more time, please spread the word about the new store. I would be very grateful!
So friends, this morning I was watching my eggs boil, literally, when I got a crazy idea. I thought “I should photograph my boiling eggs”, LOL! I grabbed my camera and snapped away while my little white chicken eggs boiled and boiled. Since it’s I am in an odd mood anyway I thought , “Why not share my eggs with my friends?”
(c) J.C.Dalton, author photograph
(c) J.C. Dalton, author photograph
(c) J.C. Dalton, author photograph
(c) J.C. Dalton, author photograph
(c) J.C. Dalton, author photograph
(c) J.C. Dalton, author photograph
I was happily taking pictures till I started seeing faces in my eggs. It was at the point that I graciously stopped photographing my cooking models. But I do think the shots are interesting, especially the ones that look back at me, lol!
So, dear friends, how do you like your eggs?
Lately I have been noticing shadows everywhere and thinking, “That’s an awesome photo!” So here are a few photos that I took at San Marcos Park and in my neighborhood experimenting with shadows. I would love to get out there and play with the ISO settings again and take more shadow photos. Maybe this week I’ll find some time. Right now, check out these early shots and let me know what you think.
(c) J.C. Dalton – author photograph
(c) J.C. Dalton – author photograph
(c) J.C.Dalton – author photograph
(c) J.C. Dalton – author photograph
(c) J.C. Dalton – author photograph
Shadows are fascinating to me right now, lol!
So, this is the last post of car show photos but they are not of cars, lol. Most of the shots are of the downtown Chandler area. It was such a beautiful day, blue skies,wind in the palms that I just had to take a few shots. Hoping to get downtown in the next few weeks and take some more photos. One of the pics is posted twice. I took it in color but then made a black and white copy. Not sure which one I like better. The black and white copy takes me right back to the 1950′s. When I look at it I can imagine downtown Chandler, Arizona in the 1950′ so it’s in the lead for being my favorite. Which one do you like best?
(c) J.C. Dalton
(c) J.C.Dalton
(c) J.C. Dalton
(c) J.C Dalton
(c) J.C. Dalton
Have a great weekend! See you on Monday.
Jamie
Featured photos are available for purchase in my Etsy store. Simply click the link. :o)
