Windows of Time

And I was a constant example to you in helping the poor; for I remembered the words of the Lord Jesus, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
—Acts 20:35

We are only given so much time in life, and I’ve learned the hard way in the last year that none of us knows how long that is. I have concluded it is foolish to waste the time we have on purely selfish pursuits. Selfishness goes against the principle upon which life has been designed and built: Love. In all Creation, we can observe circles of love, circles of giving: the rain waters the earth which fills the rivers, lakes and oceans, supporting life, and then evaporates and gives back again. Thanks to the plants and trees, we have the gift of fresh oxygen. By putting Self first we effectively remove ourself from the cycle of giving, and we become damaged. A pond which has no exchange of water quickly becomes unhealthy and stagnant. All life consists of “wheels within wheels within wheels”, interdependent and inwardly dependent. If we determine to exclude ourself, those we are linked to will adapt and keep on turning, but our choice will inevitably lead to our own death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of Love is eternal life…” (Romans 6:23)

Oops. I got preachy, didn’t I? Hope you enjoy the photo anyway. Please leave your thoughts.

“Windows of Time”, Nikon D800, ISO 640, f/22 at 1/80sec., 28mm

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Oops! Wrong set…

Do animated characters ever wander onto the wrong production set?

This sort-of-a-topiary Snow White, photographed at Epcot Center last Friday, was just begging to be Shrek’d… Hi-ya!

If you like it, reverse click and download a hi-res, 2560×1708 copy. You can use it as-is for your desktop wallpaper.

Sharing is greatly appreciated!

“A Snow Defection”
To download this free desktop wallpaper, reverse click on the image and choose “Save Image as…”

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Light Trails

“It’s the kind of kiss that inspires stars to climb into the sky and light up the world.”
― Tahereh Mafi, Ignite Me

“Light Trails”, Nikon D800, ISO 320, f/14 at .8 sec., 85mm
Click the image for an enlarged view.

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The Masks I’ve Amassed

“Although I know it’s unfair I reveal myself one mask at a time.”
— Stephen Dunn

“Masks Thrown Off”, Nikon D800, ISO 1000, f/5.6 at 1/25 sec., 145mm

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Love Hate

“Hatred does not cease through hatred at any time. Hatred ceases through love. This is an unalterable law.”
— Buddha

[For Takami]

This five-tiered pagoda — goju-no-tu — is Epcot Center’s hyperrealistic landmark for its Japan Pavilion. It is a wonderful representation of a fictionally enhanced replica of reality, a premise around which the whole of Epcot Center has been designed. This structure is a Disney-fied representation of the famous Horyuji Temple in Nara. I took some liberties with the photo and hyperrealized the subject even further. I hope you like it.

“Horyuji Hyperreality”, Nikon D800, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/160 sec., 160mm
Click the image to view more detail. This image is available as a standard, canvas or metal print.

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Photographing people, places, pets and ponderings.
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Flowery Fashion

“You’d be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap.”
― Steven Tyler

Here’s another photo from my day at the Epcot Center Flower and Garden Festival. Enjoy…

“Flowery Fashion”, Nikon D800, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/160 sec., 160mm
Click on the image to view more detail/larger size.

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Beauty in Flames

Some new friends invited me to accompany them on a visit to Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center yesterday. I had not been to Epcot in at least 16 years, so the offer of a no-cost employee pass and a day enjoying good company was welcome. The 2014 Flower & Garden Festival is currently underway and much to my surprise, the flowers with real wow-factor were scarce. Based on past experience, I had much higher expectations from the Disney landscape designers. Thankfully, the fun surpassed the flowers, so I’m good — though I had hoped for a handful of striking flower photos.

In my opinion, this bromeliad was queen of the show. If my memory isn’t failing me, it’s a Vriesea ‘Tiffany’. I’d have called it ‘Flaming Queen’.

“Beauty in Flames”, Nikon D800, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/1000 sec., 145mm
Click on the image to view larger size and available print options.

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Beads of Burden

“I’m having my own mardi gras celebration without the parades, costumes or people.”
–Unknown

This is another grave decoration, and it sits next to the grave of a young man who died in his teens. Knowing what it is like to lose a spouse, I’m sure I can only begin to imagine what it must be like to lose a child.

“Beads of Burden”, Nikon D800, ISO 200, f/7.1 at 1/1000 sec., 90mm

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Photographing people, places, pets and ponderings.
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Free Hi-Res Wallpaper: Solitude

You can download today’s image as a free hi-res desktop wallpaper by reverse-clicking over the image and choosing Save Image as… (The desktop version is sized 2560 x 1709 when downloaded.) I hope you enjoy it.

“Solitude”, Nikon D800, ISO 100, f/20 at 1/160 sec., 135mm
Free Hi-Res Desktop Wallpaper – Just reverse click over the image and choose Save Image as…

Here’s a small version for whatever.

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Photographing people, places, pets and ponderings.
Booking family, personal, business and pet portrait sittings throughout Central Florida.

Please vote for this blog in the Cool Photo Blog Awards – just click here. Thank you for supporting and sharing “I Shutter at the Thought!“.

Pitcher Picture

“For sighing has become my daily bread; my groans pour out like water.”
— Job 3:24

“Pitcher Picture”, Nikon D800, ISO 200, f/5.6 at 1/100 sec., 135mm
Click the image for an enlarged view and print options.

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Photographing people, places, pets and ponderings.
Booking family, personal, business and pet portrait sittings throughout Central Florida.

Please vote for this blog in the Cool Photo Blog Awards – just click here. Thank you for your support.