lloydslensphotographyllc

Daydreams Of A Legend

black and white photography, digital art

About tonight’s feature image, this is the same clump of willow trees that I have been photographing in different seasons for almost a year. I processed several versions of the photos but decided that the blue of the selenium filter gave the best feeling of a cold winter day. The image title is simply “The Wading Willows In January“.

The spray from Kanawha Falls seems to freeze in the air on this cold January morning. The wading willows seem to be wandering out of the mists as if they are on their way back to shore. The scene takes on an otherworldly feel that’s right out of Tolkien’s Middle Earth. If not for the soft whine of the turbines belonging to the hydroelectric dam it would be easy to forget that Route 60 was just a few steps away. Still, I have to wonder if there’s a monster lurking in the icy depths below. Not some “Devil Fish” of folklore with tenticals such but a real world monster. Every body of water has a legendary fish that’s more than just the one that got away. In my area it’s usually a catfish that’s large enough to swallow a man whole that live at the base of dams and bridges. Occasionally someone sees a V shape in the water or spots one near the surface. I’ve met at least one person who showed me an expensive fishing pole designed for fishing the ocean surf that was snapped off at the base and the hook was pulled out straight. They say that when the water is up that the really big ones come looking for new hunting grounds around the stumps and logs that are inaccessible otherwise. It would be great to rig up a big fishing pole with just the right bait on a day like this. Perhaps I could build a small fire to keep warm and settle the monster catfish issue once and for all. However, the real world need to be on time for my day job pulls me away from the quest and the really big one gets away again.

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Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “The Wading Willows In January ”and is available forpurchase by using the Contact Form onmy website. ( justclick on the the bell below)

(Note, I do not share or sell contact information. EVER)

4X6 is $5.00

5X7 is $10.00

8X10 is $15.00

Some cropping may be necessary for certain sizes.

Antique Service Desk Bell in Black and White — Ring this bell to order prints or schedule portraits

I’m also available for portraits by appointment. Use the Contact Form or message me on Facebook.

Twilight Stillness

black and white photography

The ebbing daylight lingers a little more each day. Slowly but surely the melting ice soaks into the earth or makes it’s way to the river. I’ve begun to hear birds singing throughout the day. Already the Tuffed Titmouse and the Sapsucker gave been spotted on the sides of the trees. These birds are here year-round but tend to stay sheltered in the deep woods during the darkest days. I’ve also noticed that the wind is shifting from Northwest to Southwest. It will bounce back and forth over the next month or so before settling down. The exciting part for me is the increased opportunity for twilight and sunsets. Most of the photos I post are taken on the fly as I travel to and from my day job. Tonight’s Feature Image was taken in the parking lot of Tractor Supply. Silhouette of the windmill and fading light was something that I couldn’t resist. The contrail from the passing jet gave me the impression of a shooting star. So much so that I almost made a wish when I pulled up the file. Within a few minutes of snapping the shutter the last rays of light faded behind the mountain and the window for shooting closed. I clicked the button on my key fob and the headlights of my big blue truck came to life to guide me home to my wife and pup.

Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “The Twilight Stillness 1”and is available forpurchase by using the Contact Form onmy website. ( justclick on the the bell below)

(Note, I do not share or sell contact information. EVER)

4X6 is $5.00

5X7 is $10.00

8X10 is $15.00

Some cropping may be necessary for certain sizes.

I’m also available for portraits by appointment. Use the Contact Form or message me on Facebook.

January’s Crossings 2

Color Photography

Old man winter howls in rage. His icy breath blasts across the three rivers bringing the deep chill that always comes in the last half of January and early portions of February. As I walk up the track towards the perfect spot to get my shot I’m assailed with tiny bits of ice. Somewhere off to my left I can here the panicked call of a female cardinal. She can’t seem to find her mate and she’s very worried. Instinctively I glanced down towards the direction she’s calling just in time to see something bright red drop from a twig in the underbrush. My heart sinks because the river is up and the male has fallen close to the edge. But I can’t see where he landed. The female is really freaking out now and I began to look for a way down. It’s a myth that if you touch a bird that it’s mate will reject it. There was one other time about fifteen years ago when I scooped up a stunned make cardinal out of the street and sat it gently in a safer place. As soon as I stepped away his mate flew too his side until he felt like flying home. I saw them together many times afterwards. I began to head in the direction of the place where this one fell but after just a few steps he burst forth into the sky like a rocket and rejoined his forever beloved. When he appeared the female’s calls seemed to change from panic to cheering. As they sheltered together under the overhang of a roof it occurred to me that sometimes all you need to be strong is someone who believes in you. Once assured that all was well with the cardinals I returned to shot. The old trestle bridge stood there unshaken by old man winter’s morning tantrum. Perhaps it too merely needs someone to believe in its strength in order to stand against the storm.

Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “January’s Crossings 2”and is available forpurchase by using the Contact Form onmy website. ( just click on the the bell below)

(Note, I do not share or sell contact information. EVER)

4X6 is $5.00

5X7 is $10.00

8X10 is $15.00

Some cropping may be necessary for certain sizes.

I’m also available for portraits by appointment. Use the Contact Form or message me on Facebook.

January’s Crossings 1

Color Photography

The winter winds whip across the three rivers as the steam rises up from my morning coffee. The wintery scene makes me feel like I’ve woken up inside if a snow globe. If not for the fact that I’m on my way to my day job I’d engage the four wheel drive and just idle my big blue truck through the Appalachian Mountains looking for magical places to just sit and watch the snow. The mists and snow seem to merge together as I begin to set up the shot making it look as if the other end of bridge disappears somewhere beyond the known world. For a moment I’m tempted to call off from the day job and allow my inner child to explore the frozen wilderness.

I know that if I travel beyond the bridge and up Gauley Mountain there will be frozen waterfalls with long icicles hanging from the painted sandstone cliffs. There will be little alcoves formed by snow covered bent trees that bright red cardinals play in. Across the forest floor squirrels bounce from tree trunk to tree trunk trying to remember where they stashed their acorns. It was just about that time that the real world recalled me from my daydreaming and I eased my big blue truck back onto the main road.

Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “January’s Crossings 1”and is available forpurchase by using the Contact Form onmy website. ( just click on the the bell below)

(Note, I do not share or sell contact information. EVER)

4X6 is $5.00

5X7 is $10.00

8X10 is $15.00

Some cropping may be necessary for certain sizes.

I’m also available for portraits by appointment. Use the Contact Form or message me on Facebook.

The Forbidden Travel Game (slightly exaggerated)

Color Photography

When I was a kid I overheard my dad say “They must have followed a snake when they made that road.” This was back in the days before seatbelt laws and most cars were the size of battleships and the upholstery was made of vinyl. Road trips through the Appalachian Mountains were like a day at the park. Complete with a roller coaster ride that did not include any form of restraint for the passengers. Seatbelts were available, but the cars were built like tanks and seatbelts were thought to be unnecessary for backseat passengers. What that leads to however was the game of Crush.

For most families on the road there was nice games for kids in the back seat. Games of counting license plates and “I Spy” or even singing show tunes. But those were games you play with parents and grown-ups. Crush was the “Secret Game”. The one you hoped mom wouldn’t catch onto. Here’s how it’s played. First, you volunteer to help dad clean up the car. If you’re lucky it will be a 70s model Cordoba Station wagon with vinyl seats that is slightly less wide than the car is long. After the papers are picked up from the floor and the crumbs swept away from the corners it time for the Armorall on the dashboard. This is to “protect the interior from sun damage”. In my young mind I had figured out that the secret to the magic behind Armorall was that it was so slick that the sunlight slipped right off of it and thus could not damage the vinyl surface. I made sure that the backseat was well protected. The side effect of course was that without seatbelts those rollercoaster curves made it impossible for kids to stay put. If you haven’t guessed by now this meant that the laws of physics would dictate that boys riding in the backseat would be pressed against the outside of the curve and whoever is closest to that door gets crushed. It’s important for the brother doing the crushing to occasionally observe his brother’s face during the crushing. A nice shade of red is okay. There’s bonus points if his eyes bug out a little bit if they come loose you’re going to have to explain why to mom and dad so it’s not really worth running up the score. Keep in mind that the next curve is going to swing the opposite direction so take a deep breath while you can. It’s your turn next. Eventually the game breaks down and it’s just two brothers hanging on for dear life as dad navigates through the twists and turns. The boys often wind up looking like cartoon tumbleweeds as they roll and slide around in the back. Usually the game ends when one or both parents have had enough and seatbelts are declared to be non-optional. Once that happens there is exactly 4 minutes and 59 seconds of peace and quiet because preteen boys can’t be still for 5 minutes. The next words spoken is probably going to be…”SLUG BUG! 😉

Tonight’s Feature Image is titled “Cannelton Hollow Pass”and is available forpurchase by using the Contact Form onmy website. ( justclick on the the bell below)

(Note, I do not share or sell contact information. EVER)

4X6 is $5.00

5X7 is $10.00

8X10 is $15.00

Some cropping may be necessary for certain sizes.

I’m also available for portraits by appointment. Use the Contact Form or message me on Facebook.