One morning, after taking the puppy for a walk in the rain -- in Michigan you need really good rain gear -- I dried him off the best I could and stuck him in his crate. I had had enough. I packed my golf umbrella, bought when my husband and I photographed covered bridges a couple of years ago, we never needed it then. I also made sure I had a regular size umbrella. I had two in the car. I wasn't sure how windy it would be where I was going. In a strong wind, the golf umbrella could have turned me into Mary Poppins real quick.
I drove to a place where I knew the landscape would be lush and magical due to the overcast skies and light rain. Also with the rain, I knew it wouldn't be busy. I was also hopeful to cross a couple things off the list for the Summer Photography Scavenger Hunt. This place had a ladder, or more accurately a fire escape, but hey, close enough. Also I adore old historical buildings, and if anything was going to get me back in the mood to photograph it would be this place.
Felt Mansion, built 1925-1928 by Dorr Felt for his wife Agnes. You can read more of the history here if you are interested. The saddest part to me is that six weeks after they settled in the house in the summer of 1928, Agnes passed away, and Dorr only lived a year and a half after that. What a love story. If you are ever in West Michigan I would highly recommend a visit. Come on a day when you can tour the inside as well.
It has been a while since my last visit. I don't remember these lights. There are also two permanently erected event tents now as well. The estate is a very popular wedding venue in the summer.
The rain had mostly let up by this time, so I started down the meandering path to the carriage house. This place has some great windows, both the house and the carriage house. I seem to be drawn to window reflections this summer. Well, really all the time, but it has intensified this summer, probably due to all the gray, overcast days.
Just past the carriage house, I noticed a new sign pointing to a trail I had not explored before. It was interesting, as I started down that unexplored trail I felt the weight of these past months of bad weather, puppy training, and lack of photography inspiration lift off of me. I felt light, happy and filled with curiosity. As I rounded a bend in the trail, I saw this shed and knew it was the light that had pulled me down that path.
Sometimes when you feel the least inspired is when you have to be brave, put on your rain boots, grab an umbrella or two, and go on an adventure. You never know what could be waiting for you.
7 comments:
So true! Some of my best summer walks are in the rain cooled air :-)
Inspiration throughout . . .
Reflection umbrella, not an exit . . . loved . . .
Path . . . shed . . . loved . . .
I must visit that site . . . sad with you . . . their life there . . . not long enough.
A great adventure! Rainy days always make the colors more intense. They're wonderful for photography if you don't get blown away and can keep your camera dry! Love the window reflection!
Rainy days - we sure have had a lot of those, this year. I love that you ventured out and found that a great adventure awaited! I love your reflection photo - and that shed was an awesome find!
I'm glad you stuck with it! Those days are so frustrating and can turn glorious just that quickly.
I like that picture too and can see why it encouraged you that you got out there and looked for photos.
Nancy
I completely agree with the last two sentences. Good for you that you went out. I think that many days of rain can really influence anyone's mood. It did for me when we had all that rain and flooding in the winter, but in June it would just drive me crazy (I think it often enough did when I was still living in Germany). I love the photo of you reflected in the window and how you processed it.
We've sure had our share of rainy days this spring and summer, too. It's hard to find inspiration when it means bundling up and finding an umbrella. Love the window shots.
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