Go See Do Explore

MSU, We Love Thy Shadows

On October 16, 2015

This is the weekend of the big game so I thought it appropriate to post one of my favorite Spartan pictures. Between many photos of the beautiful Michigan State Campus, this shot from The 2010 Orange Bowl Parade embodies Spartan Spirit the most! I love the straight lines and how the drummers’ feet match perfectly! Spartans Will!

This was a shot that right out of camera, wasn’t very interesting. I made it black and white and and cropped it to emphasize that shadow and voila! Photographers, post-processing can take an OK image and make it great!

Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! And of course, Go Green!

Wordless Wednesday: Old Timey Farmers

By Ashleigh

On October 14, 2015

In Michigan, Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday: Zinnias

By Ashleigh

On October 7, 2015

In Flowers, Wordless Wednesday

Joyful Artist

By Ashleigh

On October 5, 2015

In Michigan

On a recent visit to Greenfield Village (part of The Henry Ford, “America’s Greatest History Attraction”), I noticed a change since I visited as a child. As a kid, I remember enjoying the period clothing and how they put on a show, talking to guests like living history. Yes, walking through the houses, you can still see the way people used to live, but now the focus is on the creative. They no longer dress in period clothing in Liberty Craftworks. Instead, you can pay to blow your own glass. If you’re lucky, they’ll let you try out the printing press. At first this change bothered me, but then I realized what it is all about. Innovation is the key word here. The CBS Saturday Morning Television Show, Innovation Nation is being filmed on The Henry Ford Campus. The purpose (at least as I see it) is to show ~~children~~ people that anyone can be a creator, a difference maker. Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Steve Jobs, were just regular people who had an idea and put it into action. The Henry Ford is looking to inspire that next generation of innovators and creators.

This shot was hard to get. It was so dark in the Pottery Shop my kit lens wasn’t fast enough to freeze the potter’s motion. Luckily, I had my new 50mm f1.8 prime lens. With such a wide aperture I was able to use a fast shutter speed and stop the motion of his hands.

Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! To plan your visit to The Henry Ford, visit TheHenryFord.org

Wordless Wednesday: Firefighters

By Ashleigh

On September 30, 2015

In Michigan, Wordless Wednesday

Sleeping Bear Dunes

By Ashleigh

On September 28, 2015

In Michigan, National Parks & Places

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was voted “Most Beautiful Place in America” by Good Morning America. When I look at my pictures of Sleeping Bear, it is unbelievable to think that I took them in my home state! How many people can say they have such gorgeous vistas in their backyard?

This shot is an oldie, but a goodie. I took this with my first ever (like 6 megapixel) point and shoot digital camera. While, I could never blow it up above 8×10 or so, don’t stress out about your gear! A good photographer in a beautiful location will produce beautiful images. Yes, expensive gear doesn’t hurt, don’t let your budget keep you from going out and doing what you love!

Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! To plan your visit to this gorgeous Michigan seashore, visit sleepingbeardunes.com

Wordless Wednesday: Potter

By Ashleigh

On September 23, 2015

In Michigan, Wordless Wednesday

The Colors of Key West

By Ashleigh

On September 21, 2015

In Travel

The first time I visited Key West it was the first port on a Caribbean cruise and honestly, I fell in love and just could not wait to go back! So, a year and a half later I took another trip to the Keys with the intent to see more of the islands. One of the things I did on that trip was climb to the top of the Key West Lighthouse. As a Michigander, I’ve climbed to the top of several Great Lakes Lighthouses and the view from the KWL was totally different! It gave you a bird’s eye view of the island and really highlighted the colorful architecture that makes up the Southernmost Isle.

I highly encourage photographers (and travelers too) to look for a different vantage point, especially in highly photographed areas. Climb lighthouses, stairs, mountains, you never know what you’ll see when you reach the top.

Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr!

Wordless Wednesday: Sunning Iguana

By Ashleigh

On September 16, 2015

In Travel, Wordless Wednesday

St. Louis Zoo

By Ashleigh

On September 14, 2015

In Travel

A few years ago I took a long weekend trip to St. Louis, Missouri. One of my favorite things about that trip was our visit to the St. Louis zoo. What stands out to me, years later, is the penguin house. This building houses penguins and puffins and the only barrier between you and the birds is a chest-high plexiglass wall. This makes for an excellent photo opportunity because there is no dirty, cloudy glass interfering with penguin pictures! And to sweeten the deal even more, admission to the zoo is free (some additional attractions do come with a fee). What could be better than that?

This is not one of my artistic photos, but how often to do get a shot of penguins without that gross glass getting in the way? And you don’t have to go to Antarctica to get it!

Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! To plan your trip visit stlzoo.org.