Desert Shore

Most people say: “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.” But perhaps folks on the Baja Peninsula say “the cactus grows thicker on the other side of the valley.” At least that’s what was going through my head as I stood at the top of a hill overlooking the picturesque seacoast town of Rosarito, Mexico.

A friend of mine had invited me to spend some time working with him on mission related projects at his home in Tijuana. One afternoon, to take a break from our work, we went down to the beautiful city of Rosarito to relax and enjoy the sunset over the Pacific. I brought my camera and tripod along in hopes of getting some nice landscapes. But as we stood on that first hill, I could tell it wasn’t going to be the best place for pictures. Looking across the valley, I saw another hill that I thought would surely be a much nicer spot. So with only about 40 minutes of light left in the day, I decided it was worth the risk to try and make it to the top of the second hill.

The dirt roads we took down into the valley and then back up the other side were steep, bumpy, and deceiving. It was a full 20 minutes before we realized no more roads led closer to our destination. So I jumped out of the car and began the 15 minute accent through cactus and sage brush to the top of the hill. It was excellent exercise! And by the time I reached the top of the hill, I knew it was worth it. With just a few minutes to work with before the sun completely set, I set up a few compositions, bracketing three shots at 1 and 2/3 stop to capture the complete dynamic range. The last few minutes of light passed all to quickly, but there were definitely more cactus on this side of the valley.

So sometimes it is true that the grass is greener on the other side. Just be prepared for a rough crossing at the fence. You just might be pulling cactus spines out of your leg.

I must not let a very singular event pass by without having it highlighted on my blog: the marriage Joshua and Lisa Wilkes! My family has been very good friends with the Wilkes Team for many years and with the Butlers for, well, ever since Lisa came into the picture.

I was honored to have Josh ask me to be the photographer for the groomsmen portraits. From a photographers perspective, I don’t think Josh could have picked a better location for portraits than the bucolic countryside around Frederick, Maryland. Just a few minutes away from the location of the wedding ceremony, an authentic covered bridge made for a spectacular backdrop for the groomsmen portraits. God gave the perfect cloud cover necessary to give even, natural lighting and He held the rain off just long enough shoot all the pictures we needed.

I have not had time to edit all my pictures (some 850 photos as a secondary photographer), but for now here are three of my favorites from the entire day:

Perhaps you are wondering why I haven’t posted anything for a few days. Well, it’s because I’ve been focusing a lot of my attention on doing design projects for MissionTalk, a ministry that seeks to reduce your cell phone service costs and directs the funds that are saved toward supporting orphans. Orphans in Tijuana Mexico, to be more specific. And it is from that spot on the globe that I am currently writing this post. It was only yesterday that I flew from Washington DC to San Diego and crossed the border into Mexico. To be here in person, to take pictures, to experience what it’s actually like to live here will enhance the design work that I’m doing for MissionTalk. I would appreciate your prayers for safety and productivity, and I look forward to posting more about what the Lord will do over the next 8 days that I am here!

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"Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee" (Deuteronomy 32:7). Let us not forget the wisdom of our forefathers! With the election year of 2012 coming upon us, Lenspiration is now announcing the 2012 Calendar with the theme: "Quotes from the past: perspective for today!" History need not repeat itself.

With a thicker, more durable cover and new options for customization, the 2012 Calendar can now be used in more ways than ever. As a promotional tool, utilize it’s customization features to advertise, promote and spread the word about your business. As a fundraiser, utilize it’s picturesqueness to raise support for your church, family, or ministry endeavors. As a gift, utilize it’s quality to show the depth of your gratefulness to friends, relatives and donors. By reselling it, utilize the low, wholesale prices to make your own profit. Whatever your needs are, it is my desire that this calendar might assist you in meeting those needs to the glory of God!

The calendar can be viewed and purchased wholesale on the 2012 Calendar page. Options for customization are only available through September 30, 2011.

I very much felt like murmuring as I stumbled my way through the darkness. Unlike the magical peninsula of a few days ago, the island I now traversed was covered in impenetrable stands of young pines, impassable bogs of mud, and incredibly abundant piles of dead trees. After fighting my way through the mess for a while, I began to wonder if it would ever end. “Why did I go through all the trouble to get up early and trek all the way out here just to be turned back simply because there wasn’t a break in the trees big enough to set up a tripod!”

But then the Lord reminded me of what I had heard in a sermon the previous day about murmuring: the feelings that result from failing to understand God’s purpose behind any given crisis. I repented immediately and purposed to keep God in the picture.

I wish I could say everything worked out perfectly after that. But it doesn’t always happen that way. I had to keep pushing my way along for quite a bit longer, and when I finally found a nice spot to set things up, a portion of the sunrise had already passed.

But that is when the loons came: slowly, quietly, floating on the lake far away. It was a long time before they got within “shooting range” but the whole morning adventure was worth it just to be able to photograph those beautiful birds in such a beautiful setting.

“The Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur
against Him: and what are we? Your murmurings are not
against us, but against the Lord.” –Exodus 16:8b

I had no idea what was in store for Nathan and I as we bumped down the country road to Ox Yoke Lake deep within the Ottawa National Forest. My videographer friend and I had the whole day off, and we figured spending part of it together shooting the sunrise would be a fun and profitable use of time.

While Nathan set up shop on a small beach on the lake, I ventured onto a large, forested peninsula that protruded out into the lake. Not knowing what to expect, I was delighted when the dense underbrush gave way to large patches of moss-like ground-cover surrounded by both living and dying spruce trees. The great abundance of dew-ridden spider webs and lichen-covered tree limbs added to the mystery of that unearthly place.

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

–Lina Sandell (1832-1903)

As I was reading Psalm 97 this morning, I couldn’t help but think of this picture, taken just a few nights ago here in the Northwoods.

“The heavens declare His [God’s] righteousness, and all the people see His glory. Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship Him, all ye gods.” –Psalm 97:6-7

For instructions on photographing star trails, view the September 2010 Pic of the Month.

That’s all I can say about it: simple, short, somber. After getting up 30 minutes later than I should have, I was only on the water for a few minutes before what little color in the sky and weak reflection on the lake vanished completely, expelled by the dismal, suppressing cloud cover. Not every photo venture is glamorous.

God has given me the opportunity to spend this next week in the wilds of the Ottawa National Forest at the Northwoods Conference Center. While attending the IBLP Staff Retreat and the JTTH Reunion, I will be taking every opportunity possible to snap some shots of God’s awesome creation unique to the UP of Michigan. Here is one shot from a short hike to Ogima Lake on Friday evening. The sweeping shape of the clouds reproduced in the water is what intrigues me most about this image.

Well, I didn’t exactly get the back end of things off the ground before September 1, the day I wanted to officially announce Lenspiration’s 2012 Calendar. But at least something is up! Though the interface is not perfect yet, the calendar is ready to go, so feel free to take a peek at it on the new 2012 Calendar page. Stay posted; we should be flying within the next few days!