It isn’t all HDR and Glass – The Chihuly Exhibit

That’s right, everything isn’t HDR.  Everything is never all HDR.  But do I tell you that?

No.  That would ruin everything for you.  🙂

See, sometimes everything is just perfect, or at least perfect in my mind.  If the image makes me happy then I’m good with it.  There’s a good deal of what I shoot that you don’t see here, and that doesn’t appear in the gallery.

I shoot it for me.  🙂

Monday I headed into Phoenix for the day.  Sadira came along as we’d discussed seeing the Chihuly Exhibit at the Botanical Garden in Phoenix.  Too many people have been talking about it….

So, we headed into Phoenix for the day.  Of course, I had other plans as well.

Tempe Camera.  I’ve been wanting to go there.  The Chihuly exhibit was just an excuse to get close to Tempe Camera..  An excuse….

Of course, I did want to see the Chihuly exhibit.  Josh got some cool shots there.  I’ve seen so many others online.  And customers over the weekend talked about it a good deal.  One customer talked about that show at the gardens, and another somewhere else in Phoenix.  A show of photography from the Grand Canyon.  She mentioned it after seeing a few of my gallery wraps of the canyon, and she asked why my work wasn’t displayed in that show.  Hmmmm….didn’t know anything about it.

What happens at Tempe Camera stays at Tempe Camera.  Did I purchase something?  Quite possible.  Did I bankrupt myself on a high end trinket?  Absolutely not.  After discussing the Canon 5D at length with a sales person, did I get one?  No.  But I did come close.  Have I changed my mind on the 5D, and I’m now interested in it?  Yes.

Might a 5D Mark II get purchased in the next 4 months?  That all depends on how business continues for me……of course, if someone wishes to donate one to me I most certainly wouldn’t turn it away….  😉

After a good bit of time at Tempe Camera we set off looking for some lunch.  It’s never easy with me on the food front, but there are a few safe (or semi-safe) bets out there.  We lucked out, got some food, and then figured out what to do with ourselves for a few hours until the 4:00 p.m. showing at the gardens.  A trip to the Mac store for me, and to Anthropology for Sadira.  Favorite spots, no purchases.

When we arrived at the botanical gardens there were many parking spots available.  Being early has its benefits.  I’m always early.  We waited for the clock to get close to 4 p.m., and we watched as the spaces filled in.  We watched the desperate quests to find a space.  Wow, a Monday and the place was pretty crowded!

Finally we headed in.  Sadira was thrilled.  She really dug the art mixed in with the cactus.  It is something to see.

My mind went back to the gallery and this week’s plans.  I’ll be heading out soon.  We’re testing out the new dye sublimation process tomorrow.  I’ve got several wraps to complete.  Dropping off the new work for the new client who promises to be a large client.  Yup, mind’s all over the place for sure.

As we walked the gardens I noticed the cameras everywhere.  Point and shoots at minimum.  Digital SLR s were extremely prevalent as well.  So many actually.  I’d estimate between 30 – 40% of the folks walking along with us had SLRs.  Funny though, they were all on automatic (can’t miss the pop up flashes popping up constantly).  I observed 5D’s, 1D’s, D300’s, D700’s, D3’s, XTi’s, D90’s, and more.  All on automatic.  Interesting.

Personally, I swapped between my fixed 50mm macro, the 10-22mm Wide angle, and my trust old 24-135mm too many times to count.  I should have brought 2 camera bodies, but I was in a hurry for the morning.  Next time I’ll go better prepared.  There’s a lot to shoot at the gardens with or without the current show.

Flowers popped up here and there.  Humming birds buzzed through.  Birds worked on the plants, stood on the cactus, and made nests throughout the park.  Bees (unnerving as I’m allergic) buzzed about.  Flies made nuisances of themselves and got into my photo frame time and time again.  Butterflies could be found working certain flowers.  A lot to see, a lot to shoot, and lots of lens swaps for me.

Overall, a worthwhile and enjoyable trip.  Exhausting to be sure.  Driving in Phoenix isn’t fun.  Actually, driving in any large city isn’t fun.  Fortunately a lot was accomplished.

If you’re still curious about what exactly went on at the camera shop, wait until next week.  I might just clue you in.  Or you might just notice as I post photos from Borrego…….