Living With History

My husband and I took a Beginner Digital Photography class yesterday at our local community college.  I've taken pictures with a digital camera for about five years now, but it's a point and shoot camera.  I was very comfortable with the point and shoot (too comfortable in fact); I felt like I could take some pretty good pictures with it, but they were never going to be as good as the photos Mr. Forest Manor takes with his DSLR camera.  I mentioned recently that Mr. FM got a new, even better DSLR camera, so I've decided that now is the time for me to learn to use his older camera.

My first pictures won't win any photography awards, but they weren't disasters either.

I learned several things in the class yesterday, but the best thing the class did for me was to alleviate my fear of the DSLR camera.  My husband had suggested several times that I use his Canon Rebel T2i, but I always politely refused.  Inside I was thinking, "No way!"  That camera just sat there and mocked me because I was totally intimidated by it.  ;)  Now I'm determined to use it as often as I can.

1844 John Siewers House, Old Salem, N.C

These photos were taken during the time known as the "golden hour" when it's still light out, but the sun has a much softer quality than the glaring harshness you get during the earlier hours of the day.  It was a good time for me to practice.

We parked across the street from the house above and decided to take some pictures there because they have a nice garden that you can see from the street.  We were just starting to photograph when a couple walked up the sidewalk towards us.  The man went up the steps into the house, but the lady approached us and said "Hello". She and her husband live in the house, and we started talking about the house and garden.  She requested I post a picture to her Facebook page, and I was happy to oblige.

Hal's Photo

You can see the Facebook address above on the garden gate.  Flora Ann Bynum was the previous owner, and you can read about her contributions to the gardens at Old Salem Here.  The current owners spent about four years renovating and repairing the house after they purchased it, and now they're ready to begin bringing the garden back to its original beauty.  Below are some pictures that Hal and I took of the garden.

At the left of the fence, you can see pink Phlox, and to the right of that are pink "Four O'Clocks."  The lush vine growing over the fence is Carolina Jasmine (not in bloom at the moment).

 Hal took this close-up of the Mirabilis, commonly known as Four O'Clocks and Marvel of Peru.  Aren't they pretty?  The owner told me she brought these seeds from the garden gift shop at Monticello, which means they're period appropriate for Old Salem.

I took the previous two photos.  If you look through the split rail fence here, you can see part of the stone foundation of the barn.

Hal's Photo

I was pretty pleased with my practice shots since none of them were disasters.  This camera is much heavier than the point and shoot I've been accustomed to using.  Because the class instructor demonstrated the proper stance and way to hold the camera, my photos didn't even blur.  I was amazed!

The next six garden photos were taken by Hal.

After visiting with the owner of this house and garden, it really struck me for the first time what a privilege and responsibility it is to live in a historic home like this. In a sense, you are a caretaker for future generations who will someday live in the house.  I love Old Salem and the way that history is so very present here, and never more so I think, than this time of day.  I didn't get the home owner's name, but I do appreciate her letting us photograph her home and garden.  I look forward to seeing the re-birth of Flora Ann's garden.

 The collage is made up of photos taken by me yesterday.  I'm joining Judith at Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday.  Thanks so very much for visiting and reading -- I appreciate you all so much!!  I hope you have a great week!

Denise