REBECCA ARTHUR PHOTOGRAPHY

Black & White

11/10/2018

Several blog posts ago I mentioned that I had entered some photos in the LensCulture Black & White Photography Awards. At the time I only posted one photo and a link to my FB photo page which would then take you to a another link where you could view my entries on the LensCulture site. On hindsight, that was a few too many hoops to jump through - and to see rather small images at that.

So, here are my entries. Since Lensculture's only stipulation was that the entries be in black & white, there is no unified theme. I simply chose some of my favorite black and white images. All of them were taken when I was out and about (nothing staged), and all were taken close to my home in Osaka except for the lantern photo. That was taken when I was on a trip to Singapore.

Unfortunately, if I add captions to the photos, it cuts off part of the image so here are the photo details.

Sun + Breeze, Namba Parks, Osaka
Rope at the Kanji Museum, Kyoto
Chrysanthemum, Local Shrine, Osaka
Baby Cactus, My Garden, Osaka
Rose + Rain, Nakanoshima Rose Garden, Osaka
Chinese Lanterns, Singapore

Enjoy! (^.^)/

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A Big deal...

11/8/2018

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I just mailed my very first calendar order that was placed on this website using a credit card. While this may not seem like a very big deal, it is for me! Here's why.

When I first started selling calendars last year, almost all of my orders were in person. However, a few people asked for other options and so I quickly figured out how they could order using money transfers. These were all friends and none of the orders were going overseas so it was easy to sort it all out.

However, this year, there was interest from overseas. What to do? I wasn't quite sure but, regardless of the solution, it soon became clear I was going to need a website. So, off I went. Oh, what a learning curve! Oh, so many abandoned efforts! Oh, so many mistakes! Oh! Oh! Oh! Well, you get the point! Things finally came together on my third try and although this website isn't perfect, at least it does what I want it to do.

After setting up the website came the challenge of figuring out all the various payment options. That took some creative thinking but I'm happy with the results and I was pleased to find that I could set up a secure credit card paying option through Weebly, the host of this website. That took a lot of fiddling but slowly, through trial and error, it all came together. I was so relieved when everything was finally completely ready to go. Whew! What a lot of work! (You have no idea...)

So, the website was finally ready to go public. It should work, right? However, believing it should work and it actually working are two very different things. One of my biggest concerns was whether the credit card order process would work as it should. If not, then all the blood, sweat and tears (and cursing, cussing and gnashing of teeth) to set everything up would be in vain... But it wasn't! It worked like a charm! As smooth as butter! Easy-peasy!

And so that's why today is a big deal. It all works! And it works well! My very first credit card order has gone off without a hitch and now I can rest easy! Yes!!

Now, please excuse me while I go do a happy dance around my living room. (^.~)/

(A huge thanks to M.S. for placing the first credit card order. Bless you!)

Toad lilies are in season and I have several growing in my garden. The name always makes me laugh, but I love the flowers no matter what they are called! This is from last week.

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Chrysanthemums!

11/2/2018

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It's chrysanthemum season! If you wander through my neighbourhood this time of year, it is highly likely that you will come across pots of huge ornamental chrysanthemums sitting out in the sun. They are usually at least waist-high and, because the blooms are so large (some the size of an adult's head), they need wire supports to keep them from falling over. They are often on display in sets of 3 of the same colour.

The first time I saw them, I was astounded. These did not look at all like what I thought chrysanthemums should look like! I was completely taken with the patterns of the petals and the beautiful colours - creamy whites, buttery yellows, and variations of pink and purple. So beautiful!

Many people in this area of Japan take the challenge of growing chrysanthemums very seriously and participate in exhibitions where the best of the best are chosen. One such exhibition is being held close-by and so we went to take a look. The best will be chosen next week but no matter. Just looking at the various entries was enough. They ranged from sets of huge single blooms to low bushes completely covered in tiny flowers. There were also a few "odd-ball" varieties with spikey petals or unusual colouring (think orange tinged with purplish-brown) as well as bushes trained to grow in certain shapes.

All in all, it was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. And, yes, I did come home with two chrysanthemum plants. Now it's my turn to try!

(I didn't buy the single-bloom type though! I'm not quite ready for that yet.)

This was one of the entries in the chrysanthemum exhibition today. (Definitely head-sized!)

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The joys of technology...

11/1/2018

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Technology is a beautiful thing when it works, but when it doesn't? Well, did you hear me cussing and cursing all the way from where you are? Ah, yes, it's been that kind of a day. Let me count the ways...

My computer is not cooperating. Everything is glitchy and moving slow - even software that I've never had trouble with before.
My printer is not cooperating either. Despite working last week, it now refuses to print even a test run.
Worst of all, my photo software moves so slowly it might as well not be moving at all, and I can't count the number of crashes I've had today.

Sadly, the reality is that I probably need a new computer and printer since they are both getting on in years. However, that's not going to happen for a day or two and I'm feeling a little jittery. It's unnerving to think how dependent I am on my computer. I do have backups but they need to be updated. Yes, I think that's the plan for this weekend.

So, here is a reminder! Technology isn't always your friend! If you need to back up your data, now is a good time!

I'm wishing us both luck! (^.~)/

Here's one of the photographs I finally had success with today. It's one of six that I just entered in the LensCulture Black & White Photography Awards. The timing was right down to the wire which is why the technology glitches nearly did me in! However, I managed to get it done on time. Whew! A little too "giri-giri" for my liking! (Japanese for "barely / just in time".)

It's not possible to link to the 6 images here, but if you visit my photo page on Facebook, you can scroll down to the post with the link. (For some reason, LensCulture only makes it possible to post to Facebook.)

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Saxifraga

10/28/2018

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I love gardening but I'm afraid I'm not very good at knowing the names of plants. Some I know only in English, some only in Japanese, and there are the rare few that I know in both languages. I'm getting better, though, although searching for plant names on the internet when you only have a description to go by can be a challenge.

I did manage to track down this one though. It's called "saxifraga" and there are many varieties. The ones I prefer are notable for their 5 asymmetrical petals. I love these plants. They are whimsical and charming, and yet tough enough to survive the Osaka summers. (They don't really like the heat though.)

Here are the two latest saxifraga additions to my garden.
May they live long and prosper! (^.~)/

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Black & White

A Big deal...

Chrysanthemums!

The joys of technology...

Saxifraga

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