Poets are like baseball pitchers. Both have their moments. ~unknown
Baseball
Category Archives: photography
Leap of Faith
Three components here:
1) talented gymnast 2) late evening prairie 3) Scripture
I had the gymnast blended with the prairie, but something was missing. Found my old Bible, randomly opened it up to a page and Proverbs was in front of my eyes.
Click on image for larger view.
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4-H Photography… the times they are a changin’
Judging 4-H photography in Lac Qui Parle county was an eye opening experience for me. Judging is based on 50% photo display and 50% judging interview so I had plenty of opportunity to visit with the 4-H photographers. That’s my kind of day!
What surprised me was the quality of photos the kids were capturing with their phones. The problem with phones is that you have no control over shutter, aperture, and ISO settings and that hinders learning the relationship between light, shutter and aperture. But at least, it gets them started and they may continue to pursue this interest in photography and take it to the next level. There is a saying in photography that the best camera is the one you have with you the most and this may prove to be correct.
I’m expecting the camera phones to keep improving and when searching found that the Samsung Galaxy 5 does offer some controls. Although mobile phones can’t hope to offer the same level of customization as your typical digital SLR, they still come with a few manual settings which can drastically alter the way your photos look.
Click on the camera review link for a list of phones and reviews of their cameras: Camera phone reviews
If you ever want to feel good about the future of our world, hang out with 4-H youth. You will go home smiling…
I even used my phone to capture these images!
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Summer means baseball…
There’s just something about summer nights that brings back memories of youth and local baseball/softball programs. From chilly nights early in the season to warm and humid nights filled with the aroma of bug spray and sweat along with youthful chatter from the dugout.
These programs help develop more than just physical skills. You can’t win by yourself, you need your teammates and you must learn to work with others. These experiences also develop relationships which enrich the summer experience beyond the field.
It is also important to enjoy the now. It is highly unlikely that any college recruiter or professional scouts are watching these games so why not keep it all about the kids who are learning the sport together. Yes, some will be better players than others, but that’s the way it is in life. Some will always need to work harder and that is a life skill that will reap tremendous benefits in the long run.
Please take advantage of any opportunity to support local youth programs. It will be money and time well spent.
You gotta love summer…
All images by Joyce Meyer – RJMeyerArts
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A lifetime ahead of you…
I start uploading this image and gaze upon the flyer notifying me of my 40th year high school class reunion. Where did the years go?
- I was in pretty good physical shape in high school, but now parts of me jiggle when I walk.
- In high school, when I appeared to have confidence I was probably faking it. Now I just admit it when I’m lacking.
- While I’m not attending a formal “school,” I still enjoy learning and growing in experiences and knowledge. It’s just that now when I learn something new, it takes longer and something old has to go.
- As a senior in high school, I thought it would be an eternity until I would be old, like 30-year-old people. And now here I sit at 58 and it doesn’t feel old at all. (Today, anyway)
- Now I realize my parent were much smarter and “in tune” with the world than I ever gave them credit for at age 17.
- In high school I was afraid of the end of the world, which I attribute to growing up with the Cold War and Vietnam Conflict featured every night on the one channel that came in clearly. American body count and Viet Cong body count were the leading statistics. Guess the last domino didn’t fall, after all, since we are still a democratic society.
- But, I really would like to visit Vietnam now…
The last year of high school… a-h-h-h-h…
…and a lifetime ahead of you.
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The bonding of music…a reunion on so many levels.
The band rehearsed all together for the first time in 30 years. Can they pull this off?
The crowd begins to trickle in early to get a seat or requested reserved seating like they did back in the day. Many walk in, stop, gaze across the old Legion dance floor, smile and say, “Wow, it looks the same.” I begin to see other types of reunions unfolding before my eyes as the hugs, handshakes and slaps on the backs commence. Back together again.
The Buffalo Rose Band takes the stage, the crowd cheers, and the music starts to more cheers and applause. Ahhhh…they sound wonderful… just like in our youth. Yes, everything is clicking into place and the night is playing out to be an event to remember.
The Legion dance floor is packed with dancers and smiles radiating throughout the darkened room. For one night we are young again.
A gentleman comes up to me and says, “You know, Buffalo Rose played for my wedding dance 34 years ago. This is a great thing here tonight.” I could tell by the sentiment in his voice that he is just as in love with his bride after 34 years as he was the day they married. And the music was a memorable part of that day.
Music is an interesting phenomenon. We connect with it emotionally to such a deep level that it seems to touch our soul. It can tug at the heart, whether happy or sad, bringing us up or helping us work through the down periods of our lives.
Close your eyes and listen to the music. Yes, music is just what the doctor ordered to get us through life.
Click on image for a larger view.
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Lovin’ Summer
Just plain lovin’ summer this year. This includes a long holiday weekend with freedom to enjoy family, friends and my passion for photography.
Fourth of July weekend was spent exploring the world, including fireworks, creeks and kayaking in the GoPro world.
Yep, this pretty much sums it up…
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Meyer’s Rec in South Shore, SD
In May we did some photography in the small, NE South Dakota town of South Shore and stumbled upon Meyer’s Rec…a small town bar on a typical Friday night. Looks like my kind of “down to earth” establishment and we were fortunate to find some friendly models to brighten up the exterior. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to investigate the interior or get to know our new friends.
I am intrigued by “off the beaten path” types of places with their interesting characters and have often wondered if this could lead to a photographic project with written commentary and/or poetry. Hmmm…?
I think my crystal ball shows a motorcycle ride to Meyer’s Rec to check out the inside. The name is kind of catchy, too, don’t you think?
(Click on image for a larger view)
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Sidewalk Art Gallery
Thank you to the Runnings store in Canby, MN for hosting RJMeyerArts in their window for the Canby Hat Daze Sidewalk Art Gallery. Sidewalk Art Gallery will be up through Sunday, June 15, 2014. Stroll along the streets of Canby and enjoy the talents of local area artists. Yellow information sheets are posted in store windows for this self-guided tour.
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Acceptance…
It has taken me quite a while to come up with the very first post for our new website RJMeyerArts. As I reflect upon my life I have found that it has been a long and winding road (to quote the Beatles). Mistakes, I’ve had a few... (Thanks, Frank Sinatra) well, probably quite a few. But, hey, mistakes are there for a purpose, and we just need to make the best of them. Hence, the need for acceptance. Acceptance of our own particular stage in life. Acceptance of doing whatever we can with our God-given talents. Acceptance of the fact that we are here for a purpose.
The above blend of images from Cruz de Ferro in northern Spain along the Camino de Santiago, depicts a pilgrim with her own thoughts and reflections. It’s all of a personal nature, as is life. Life is a journey and has its mountains, valleys and “bumps in the road” of various kinds. You just keep moving forward. (Click on the links above for more information and history)
No matter what happens, I sincerely hope we can all enjoy the view as we move forward with RJMeyerArts.
This website is a work in progress… check back for updates!
RJMeyerArts 