Grapes
This is another image taken at Gainey Vineyards in Solvang. The grapes and vines were beautifully textured. For me, this image conveys a hands-in-the-dirt aspect of life. This form of beauty doesn’t drift down from the heavens. It is dirty and requires hard work. It must be coaxed from the ground, sometimes even wrestled from the earth with great sweat, blood and tears.
Yet, such is life. Real life.
This photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Solvang, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Serene
One of the memorable moments during our family’s trip to Solvang this past summer was visiting the Gainey Vineyard. It was such a peaceful place to spend the afternoon. Our family explored the vineyards, slowly walking amongst the rows of vines. As we emerged from one of the rows, I saw another vineyard in the distance.
I like images of solitary trees. This one of an isolated tree surrounded by cultivated rows of vines and canopied by a blue sky and wispy clouds was too good to pass up. It’s a pictorial reminder of the serenity that we experienced.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Solvang, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Friend In Black and White
Friend In Black and White, originally uploaded by Jason Zahariades.
I edited this image awhile ago; the same time I edited the color version of the same image. Yet, for some reason I never posted this one, which is strange because I really like it.
I’m not sure why, but black and white images usually seem to focus on the “story” more than color images. Perhaps the lack of color shifts the viewer’s attention more toward lighting, composition and texture.
It’s funny. The color and black and white images are identical. Yet, each one communicates something different to me.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in San Dimas, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Looming in the Trees
As I was photographing some farm equipment early in the morning on Mission Drive in Solvang, I saw the mill looming across the street and from behind the trees. The early morning silence and the grey fog blanketing the hills gave the moment an eerie quality. For some reason it reminded me of scenes from movies like Jurassic Park or Lost when you know there’s a monster lurking in the forest.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Solvang, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Tractor Wheels
This is another image from a series of photos I took of abandoned farm equipment during our Solvang trip. Frankly, I’m not even sure what purpose these wheels have. But they look cool, like props from a post-Apocalyptic movie.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Solvang, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Nojoqui Falls 3
This is a third photo of Nojoqui Falls near Solvang, CA. As I mentioned in a previous image, even though the falls were a mere trickle, the surrounding environment was lush.
Debbie posted some more information in a previous post’s comments stating that there are four different types of fern growing in the mineral-rich water. In this photo I attempted to capture a vibrant and dramatic representation of this lush environment.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Solvang, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Courtyard
This is another image from the series of photos I took at a local college. I loved the detail in the tiles and concrete throughout the courtyard and tried to capture it in this image.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Glendora, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Upward
These are the access stairs to the beach we visited in Santa Barbara. Actually, they are only a fraction of the stairs we had to climb to get to the beach. The kids counted over 200 stairs. As you can imagine, going down was a lot easier than going up. A couple of residents passed us by several times. They were exercising by jogging up and down the stairs. Crazy people!
One thing is certain: The journey upward is always difficult, yet worth the effort.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Santa Barbara, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Fallen Giant
As we followed the shoreline at the beach in Santa Barbara, we chanced across several large trees that had toppled from the cliffs above. These trees were a poignant reminder that anyone can fall.
Just recently, I was reminded that we are called human beings and that the word “human” is epistemologically related to the word, “humus,” which is Latin for “earth.” We are fashioned from the earth. Humus is also the word from which come the words “humble” and “humility.” It is wise for us to always remember to live humbly and “close to the earth.”
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Santa Barbara, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Beauty Before
So, let’s jump forward a bit in our Solvang trip. On our way home, we stopped off at a beach in Santa Barbara. There are always interesting things to explore at a beach.
One of the things I enjoy about photography is deciding upon what subjects to focus. Sometimes beauty is found in the larger picture. Panoramas, for example, can be absolutely breathtaking as they invite the viewer into a larger-than-life perspective. But sometimes a larger picture can distract us from the subtler beauty right in front of us. It’s one of the reasons why I love macro photography. Beauty can be found virtually inches in front of us.
I was originally composing this shot with the rocky shoreline as the focus. Then I noticed the rock inches from my face. So I focused there. I don’t know if it made a "better" shot, but I like how the stark textures and colors offsets the softer colors of the background.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Santa Barbara, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Abandoned Cart
On our second day in Solvang, I woke up early to go photographing around the outskirts of Solvang. I found a field with some abandoned farm equipment. In the early morning mist, the scene took on a melancholic tone.
We live in a disposable culture. Old things are quickly discarded for the new. And while I’m as guilty as the next person, I’m discovering a new appreciation for age through photography. Whether its rust, cracks, splinters or wrinkles, the signs of age often carry a story worth hearing.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Solvang, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Tranquil Vineyard
On our first day in Solvang, we drove out to the Gainey Vineyard, in Santa Ynez. While there, we enjoyed wine-tasting and a tour of the vineyard. The grounds were so peaceful. We spent a fair amount of time lounging on the grass and exploring the Vineyard. I tried to capture some of that tranquility in this photo.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Santa Ynez, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Above the Trees
During our hike at Nojoqui Falls, I noticed that the skies were absolutely beautiful. I would frequently glance upward through the trees to be amazed by what I saw. I love clouds, so it didn’t take much coaxing to point my camera upward.
I love how the rich blue and white of the sky is framed by the lush green of the trees. It’s like looking through a portal. And a good reminder to look up as I walk through life.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x at Solvang, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Nojoqui Falls 2
Nojoqui Falls 2, originally uploaded by Jason Zahariades.
This is another image of Nojoqui Falls. Regarding Nojoqui Falls, Jordan Rane asks in an article:
“What is it about a waterfall that inspires us to walk that extra thousand yards, drive that additional half an hour, make that otherwise inexplicable knee-jerk detour off the highway for the privilege of gazing upon liquid pouring over a 66.4-foot sandstone cliff into the stillness of a secluded canyon in an unpronounceable Santa Barbara County park a couple of miles off the 101 Freeway?”
Frankly, I don’t know if there’s any answer that can adequately capture why we’re compelled to go out of our way to view a waterfall. Perhaps in that moment we learn a small lesson in seeing. And by seeing, we’re connected to something much larger and older than ourselves and are thus enriched.
I’ve posted this photo despite its similarity to the previous post mostly because of the lens flare. I intentionally captured the lens flare because I liked the faux fisheye look it created.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Solvang, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Nojoqui Falls
Nojoqui Falls, originally uploaded by Jason Zahariades.
This is an image of Nojoqui Falls, a hundred-foot waterfall that my family hiked to during our recent trip to Solvang.
While the falls had dried to a mere trickle, the tall moss-and-ivy-covered rock was stunning. Sometimes during the normal course of life, one may feel dried up. Yet even a trickle can be nourishing.
That’s the beauty of the sacramental life as well. A slight spoonful of wine and bread, a dash of water, a smear of oil, a whispered prayer, or a humble confession can usher us into the mystical participation of divine grace from which real life flows.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Solvang, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Misty Hill
This is another image from my family’s trip to Solvang. I had noticed these hills on our first day as our family was driving to dinner. So, the next morning, when I got up early to photograph a number of subjects I had seen, I made sure to take some photos of the hills.
Early morning mist shrouded the hills and the darker trees took on a eerie phantom-like quality. It was as if one was peering past our world and through a thin veil into a haunting and mysterious world.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Solvang, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Morning Highway
During the first week of July, our family took a two-day trip to Solvang, CA. It was a much-needed getaway for our family and ended up being a very memorable trip. I was a bit nervous about how to entertain four kids ranging from 9 years old to 17 years old. But everyone seemed to enjoy the various activities.
Although I was excited about using this trip as a photo opportunity, I didn’t want my shooting to eclipse our family vacation. So I limited my shooting to a hike at Nojoqui Falls, our time at Gainey Vineyard, an early morning solo expedition into the outskirts of Solvang, and one of the beaches in Santa Barbara on our way home.
This image is the first in a series of photos from our Solvang trip. I took this photo by running out into the middle of Mission Drive during breaks in the early morning traffic. Cars were going about 60 mph, so I had to give myself plenty of time to get my shot and get out of the way.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Solvang, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Colors from a Parking Lot
Once a week, our family has the privilege of hanging out with Mark, Barbara, and Maribeth for a couple of hours. Our time together is usually filled with laughter and fun and is the highlight of my week.
After our time together one night, our family was walking through the parking lot to go home when the sky caught my eye. The transition of colors from deep blue to red layered upon the green house lights and warm courtyard lights was too cool to pass up. Fortunately, I had my camera with me that night and captured the image.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in San Dimas, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Dark Sunset
This is another sunset image from the other night. I used a slightly different technique in post and liked the “darker” feel of the image.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in San Dimas, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Sunset Over A Hill
Sunset Over A Hill, originally uploaded by Jason Zahariades.
This is the sixth sunset image. Taking photos of creation is such a privilege. God’s handiwork is amazing!
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in San Dimas, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Radiance
This is the fifth sunset image. As the sun dipped ever lower, it’s radiance was offset by the deepening darkness of the sky.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in San Dimas, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Clouds Over A Horse Ranch
This is the fourth sunset image from a local park in San Dimas. Near the park was a horse ranch. And above the ranch, the sky was absolutely spectacular.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in San Dimas, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Looking East
This is the third sunset image. As the sun set in the west, the sky to the east was stunning as well.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in San Dimas, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Golden Clouds
This is a second image of the setting sun from the other day. As it began to descend, the clouds burned with golden light.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in San Dimas, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Almost Sunset
As I watched the clouds the other day, I knew we would have a gorgeous sunset. So I took the family to a nearby park in San Dimas to capture some images. This is an image before the sun truly began to set.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in San Dimas, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Friend
This is an image of my friend, Mark. We have been friends for several years, through which we and our families have journeyed together into realms of life we never would have imagined.
Mark is the one who inspired me with his photography. And his generous heart was also the catalyst for my own journey into digital photography. The Bible says, “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Mark has been that kind of friend.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in San Dimas, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Contentment
Soft grass. Blue skies. Gentle breeze. What else could anyone want?
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in San Dimas, CA. Post in Capture NX2.
Drama in the Skies
I love how young children wear their emotions on their faces all the time. They haven’t learned to hide their hearts like adults. Something as innocent as keeping a kite in the air evokes a spectrum of emotions in a span of seconds.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in San Dimas, CA. Post in Capture NX2 and Photoshop CS4.
Teamwork
This image was taken on a family outing to fly kites. My two youngest kids were trying to untangle the tail of a kite.
Much has been written on the benefits of teamwork. But there is something satisfying about watching young children work together. Somehow they can blend amusement and attentiveness in exuberant synergy.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in San Dimas, CA. Post in Capture NX2 and Photoshop CS4.
Windows of Knowledge
I like colleges and universities. There is something exhilarating about a community focused on learning. Yet, the challenge is to remain grounded in humility while soaring in knowledge. The knowledge one gains is a gift to be humbly shared with the world; to shine through windows, not hoarded behind walls.
Photo taken with a Nikon D40x in Glendora, CA. Post in Capture NX 2 and Photoshop CS4.
