Photograph info: This photograph was taken on Sunday in neighboring Nockamixon Township. I accidentally fired the camera before I focused and it turned out to be a happy accident. The sharply-focused shots I took after this one seem a little dull in comparison. I think I'll stop in-camera editing from now on.

We're expecting another huge snowstorm tonight and tomorrow. Combined with last weekend's snow we'll have over two feet of snow on the ground here in Durham Township. Fifty miles to the south they'll have over three feet.

Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens at 95mm, ISO 100, f/2.8, shutter 1/2000s. Curves for contrast.

Thank you for visiting Durham Township!

--Kathleen

I like it as well. Funny, I too have experienced shots where I did something by accident and found I liked the end result.

Looks like you focused on the branch in the upper-left. I like the composition but wonder if I'd like it more if that branch were more visible in some way... ? -- but the out-of-focus snowed-over stream meandering into the distance is quite lovely!

This would make a great book cover shot!

Hi Kathleen,

I have been a long-time visitor to your site, and I write this letter with a little hesitation, as I am a big fan. I am finding your work as of late to be very uninspiring and seems to be a muted form of what you are capable of. I understand that your artistic vision is not something that needs to be justified to general interpretation, but I've seen such great work from you, and what you've released in the last few months seems to be kind of weak or lacking in any expression that your past images have been known for. I know that you are very capable of amazing visual work. I'm just wondering where it has gone. Sorry if this is overtly critical. I think you are a great artist and just wanted to see if this would prompt you to see something maybe others have not pushed you to do, whatever that may be. I know that as an artist and photographer, which I am, it is easy for us to surround ourselves by friends and relatives that pat us on the back daily for our work. I hope that this comment will not come as ill-criticism, but of encouragement to change if that is needed.

Al: Thank you for the great note! Interestingly, I'd say my work was, at best, enthusiastically amateur up until about six months ago when I turned a mental corner about my approach to photography. But that's part of the joy of viewing art and/or photography, that what we see is totally subjective, and there is no right or wrong, there's just us at that moment. (I should probably add that my friends and relatives rarely talk to me about my photography, haha - I may as well be a brick layer!) I really appreciate your time and honesty.

Not every photo can be a home run -- though Kathleen's work here over the past few years does make it seem like *almost* every photo can be. Still, to me her more recent shots seem to be simply a different style; it seems like she's making an effort to try new things. And I think they may not all be leaping off the screen the way many of her older shots do, but I'm still enjoying them very much. They certainly express the feeling of the season around here right now (I'm just a county or two away) and I appreciate that.

Hi Kathleen, I'm a huge fan of yours... sounds silly in my head as I write this... never thought I'd be a "groupie" but there it is, I simply love your work! Anyway, I have to agree with Al, your recent shots seem uninspired. As I got to thinking about it, I was wondering if the change in color, light and scenery that winter brings with it has anything to do with our perception as viewers that your work has changed. I do like your post today with the out-of-focus shot, as I am currently working my way through a "bokeh" fascination.

I liked your reply... the part about how your family and friends don't talk shop with you. I'm a quilt artist, I have a large studio devoted to this and despite how much my life revolves around this artform, it's rarely fodder for casual conversation!

Keep up the great work and just know, we all love you no matter what you send our way!

Interesting photo -

I brings me back to my college days. Many days were "out of focus."

Get ready for the snow! begins falling in New Jersey tonight. Drive carefully....

Kathleen - I expect some nice photos out of this storm!

Today she was hanging around Gallows Run.
By mistake the camera fired, what's done is done.
The picture ends up slightly out of focus.
To please some a magician would have to work some hocus-pocus.
For me it's okay to have things not clearly seen,
For many things in life are not what they seem.

Kathleen

I've also been viewing your site for over a year now and while I've seen a shift in your style, I don't consider it negative per se. I sometimes feel that the photos we choose to display at any given time are often reflective of our inner moods. As Anthony observes above, some of your more recent posting may indeed just be a reflection of the feeling the season in your part of the world brings.

I look forward to watching how your recent explorations into photography influence the evolution of your style.

On a side note, your blog was among a handful of about five which provided me with the insparation to develop my own and I love the world it's opened up for me... and for that I thank you.

Stream of consciousness
Personal vision
Enjoy another's
Follow you own

I disagree with two points in the overhead comments.
First with you, Kathleen, when you site a corner turned. I have joked and prodded you in the "art department" and a little in the "tech room" while following your journey for years. In my personal (subjective) opinion, considering your body of work as a whole, you are cyclical in selection because experience is cyclical and there you are and linear in process. New chapter? O.K. You are not a person of corners.

As for the "recent dip quality," I have seen this honest observation before, and felt it too. However, a glance from time to time in my rear view mirror has repeatedly affirmed that for me, the dips are mine, not yours, for later, the "dips" can't be found. If anything, I am each time re-impressed at the delightful and inspiring retrospect of beauty and humor that has literally become "every day" at AWTDT. Keeping "every day" fresh and creative is a priority of choice that you have consciously pursued, and illustrated perfectly. (As posting this image exemplifies) I continue to enjoy the "every days." Let's have a club!

(...and watch out for sharp objects on the left, you could put an eye out young lady! :)

Kathleen...Alas, your reply to Al has forced me to another poem.(plus I'm marooned inside 'til it quits snowing.)

My great Uncle Paul Botzler, I remember him well.
Some of his story I'd now like to tell.
He had a job, a family and Florence his wife.
Lived what most would call just another normal life.

He was tall and strong with hands that never waivered,
A skilled craftsman whose work was always highly favored.
From homes to office buildings to the occasional church hall,
A project that was big was a combination of many that were small.

Memories of his character and skill return in a flood
And I'm thankful some of his genes also course through my blood.
The work of his hands endures even though he has now passed.
So whether your medium is pictures or mortar, create something that will last.

It is my sincere hope and also my prayer,
To be remembered as great as my uncle who was
"only a brick layer!" :-)

We have no comments about what you do because you are always way ahead of us leading the way. All we can do is stand around with open mouths wondering what is next. Most people don't know that photography is only one of your many talents. The list goes on and on. People who don't know you personally are missing your great mind as it opens up to new adventures and leaving us in the dust.

Kathleen...

Your out of focus photo of the snow laden trees is what I call a Happy Mistake...(I have made them time and time again over 50 years of shooting with a camera)...I stumbled on your web site several months ago but I had forgot that I stored it in my favorites column...I opened it today and voila..."Instant Beauty"...

As I reassessed your photos again...I realized that you are a truely a gifted artist with a camera...I shall not wait so long to view your gems again...I will visit you often...Thank you for your wonderful folio...

I believe we all experience a "shift" in the way we perceive the world around us.We are being invited to partake in her shift and like any shot that features motion (the act of change), there is always the chance of it appearing blurred.

focus is a funny thing. it tells you where the photographer's eye is....where they are thinking about. It guides the viewer to think on your terms. And I love that about focus. Just when you think you know what a picture is about, you suddenly see what they are really about..the surprise of focus and out of focus is delightful. And a pic out of focus does crazy things too. It makes you feel like there is some other substance that the photographer feels akin to that isn't in the picture...albeit the feeling, the spirits, or something internal. Interesting. This picture feels very dreamy to me...almost in another place.

RE; "Friends and Relatives" Apparently there IS a club...and they're saying it's like when Bob realizes we can never fully understand Dr. Leo Marvin...I get it.

Kathleen - while I respect and admire the honest opinions offered above, my hope is that you continue to allow us to follow along on YOUR journey, rather than having us dictate a journey for you. Keep up the wonderful inspiration. Thank you, David

david tinnon: Yeah, there is a club. You mentioned Bob. We hope that is Dylan but can't find any mention of Dr. Leo Marvin in any of the lyrics in his songs.

Don't let others tell you how your art should be done. If you like it, that is what matters; unless, of course, someone is paying you.

I like that you admitted it was an accident.
But, real art isn't accidental or automatic, it is thoughtful. Use your camera's manual capabilities to purposefully create art and I am sure you will not encounter these types of comments again.

Let me also say, since this is the first time I have been prompted to speak up,
that I always enjoy your photography very, very, much.

Interesting. Push it forward so accident becomes experiment.

Experiments are supposed to be
done under controlled conditions.

Accidents happen when the photographer is out of control and the camera is in control (on automatic).

...except in this case the camera is not set to Auto, it's in full Manual mode, and I accidentally pressed the shutter before I focused the lens. (I shoot only in Manual mode, no exceptions, ever.)

Great, automatic cameras can be called PHD cameras, for Push Here Dummy.

The use of f/2.8 at 1/2000 for a static landscape is what seemed like an accident.

Sophia: Thanks for the continuing conversation!

Everyone learns photography in their own way and I wouldn't want to discourage new photographers from shooting on Auto. That said, relying on Auto won't take us anywhere as photographers or as artists (esp. as professionals). Shooting manually is the true fun of photography; a mental challenge, an intellectual workout, a chance to manifest the visions and philosophies inside our heads rather than the algorithms that Canon or Nikon build into theiir cameras.

Under extremely bright conditions (crystal clear sky, winter sun at an angle, freshly fallen snow) and wishing to focus on only a small portion of the creek while leaving the rest soft or in bokeh (as a suggestion of winter rather than a literal pounding on the head - heaven knows we get enough of that just looking out the window here, LOL), I chose the settings carefully and purposefully. The accident was firing before I manually focused the lens.

I'm over the moon that this fun visual mistake inspired such detailed conversations! Woooo! Thanks, everyone.

This is to "Friends and Relatives":
Dr. Leo marvin and "Bob"are references to a movie titled, "What About Bob?" Not Bob Dylan. The movie is funny and it stars Richard Dreyfuss.

Kathleen,
I am one who spends FAR too much time in "auto". I do this out of fear I will ruin an otherwise beautiful shot. Having confess this, I need to acknowledge, YOU ARE RIGHT!
I think the difference between shooting in auto and manual can be likened to an the difference in coloring in a coloring book with crayons (and staying in the lines) and creating a new work.

Kathleen:
I ALWAYS discourage new photographers from using auto. (I am a photography teacher.)

Barbara:
Plus it's way more fun!!!!!
Don't your fingers hurt from crossing them..... hoping your pictures turn out the way you want? LOL

I guess I need to speak up for those of us who operate in (semi-)automatic mode---for me, aperture-preferred. That way I can take an "instant photo" when circumstances demand (and have a good chance at correct exposure), but still easily adjust the aperture and shutter speed (via the compensation dial---my 7D's +-3 stops is usually enough) when time permits.

And mistakes---they're often the best way of opening our mind to something new!

Isn't it great we have so many options?
When I started, manual was our only choice.

FYI -- It is possible to know your equipment so well that you can be quick without automatics.

About a year ago I took a shot similar in concept to this in the Great Swamp, although I intentionally held it out of focus. I had taken the out of focus shot to use as the background image for a winter concert program cover. It never made it to the winter program cover last year due to a last minute shift in the program's content and focus. I almost used it again this year. It made it to the proof but I rejected it for the final draft in favor of a more traditional winter looking scene. I have often revisited that shot and I do like it but I have never posted it to my blog. I have always thought it might not be that well received...quite frankly I was chicken of the response and well, maybe getting my fragile ego bruised...lol. Seeing how you put up this "happy accident" and how much it appeals to me, I may even decide to post that winter concept photo now.

Thanks Kathleen for your ever inspiring works.

Friends and Relatives, The Bob reference is form "What About Bob" a cult film in it's own right. I thought everybody had memorized the dialog by now. If you've ever known, worked with or "had" a psychiatrist, you will split a seam. It is so funny 'cause it is so true. As for Dylan, I think he hit the psychiatric couch somewhere in WW3. (..let ya dream my dream, if I can dream yours!)

Laurie:
You should be cautious about putting out this type of photo. Your use of a blurred background for a cover shot sounds great. It will make the type stand out because eyes will focus on the print on the page.
In the case of a completely blurred picture, viewers will move on quickly.
Who wants to look at a picture that is out of focus? That is why we wear glasses.

Beautiful shot! I love when photo accidents turn out so nicely :)