Of course, it was a work function I was attending and while I knew my time would be limited, you know I had to bring the Beast with me. Not only was it my first time heading up to Boston, but it was also the Beast’s as well. So I packed him up to be part of my carry-on items and off we went. Boston bound and the excitement was real.

Now, again I will say that this was for a work event, and partaking in the 9-5 was required. My employers also did have activities planned out for us so you can say it was a busy stay in Boston and that time was an issue however one thing I know for sure is that if someone wants to, they do. We make time for the things we want. Especially in today’s era when busyness has become the norm. 

So of course from the moment our plane landed I was sorting out how I was going to make it happen. I wasn’t intending on anything too crazy just a quick little walkabout. So I woke up early enough on day two to give me time to walk and still make it to work when expected and while the morning was gloomy and foggy, off I went into the area known as Back Bay. I set my sights on the river I was able to see from my hotel room and decided to work my way back from there. 

Now, before anything here is a quick little disclosure, I love architecture and let’s just say that I am in love with all the brownstone vibes in this lovely little town. Granted, construction of this neighborhood began in 1859, as the demand for luxury housing exceeded the availability in the city at the time, and the area was fully built by around 1900. It is most famous for its rows of Victorian brownstone homes—considered one of the best-preserved examples of 19th-century urban design in the United States—as well as numerous architecturally significant individual buildings, and cultural institutions such as the Boston Public Library, and Boston Architectural College. Initially conceived as a residential-only area, commercial buildings were permitted from around 1890, and Back Bay now features many office buildings, including the John Hancock Tower, Boston’s tallest skyscraper. It is also considered a fashionable shopping destination (especially Newbury and Boylston Streets, and the adjacent Prudential Center and Copley Place malls) and home to several major hotels. All of which had me walking around in awe even when I wasn’t behind the lens.

Now, enough of the historical information, let me show you my favorite images. Again, I was pressed for time and so I basically walked a straight line from the river back to the hotel but I did snap a little bit of everything I saw along the way. I am breaking away from my top 5 in this entry and have included a total of 20 images in this little collection though there are a few more on my Facebook page you are welcome to browse through. Let me know what you think. I for one fully intend on going back to Boston.

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Let me give you a little bit of backstory. Thanks to algorithms and whatnot, my feeds on social media are typically filled with one of two things; cute animal videos are beautiful places to go. I tend to share them along the way. I came across this one spot that is local to me that just took my breath away. It truly called and to me and so when I shared it with a long-time friend of mine, her first words were “let’s go”.  That’s all that needed to be said.

I hadn’t seen her in quite some time and we were overdue for a little escapism and so the plan was set. It was an early wakeup on a Saturday morning in order to make the drive however I will do it again in a heartbeat. Where did we go? Well, this little spot of paradise is called, “Patch of Heaven“. A non-profit nature preserve located in the Redlands in South Florida, this place has it all. it encompasses tropical hammock, pine rock-land, tropical gardens, and historic structures. When one enters POHG it exudes a sense of both spiritual oneness with nature and a serenity engendered by being apart from the urban milieu. It possesses a special sense of place and peace. Heaven in the midst of a concrete jungle, and I was all for it. 

While I did take Beast with me to snap photos, I’ll be honest I didn’t capture much. I was far too lost in the atmosphere and how it made me feel. I kept saying I was ready to move there in the instant. What I did capture does not even begin to accurately depict that serenity felt,  I’m sharing my images with you nonetheless. There are a few more images to be found on my Facebook page if you would like to have a look-see although I can’t say it enough, it’s a spot you’ll want to see for yourselves. 

There was a self-guided tour option, which we did and while we got lost a couple of times, it always felt like home. Needless to say, I already want to visit again. That and pick up a little more of that honey they produce. It is divine. Enough delay, here are my top ten favorite images. Let me know what you think.

[See image gallery at throughtheeyesofaqueen.com] “I feel the reason we are all here, our purpose of being, is to help others find their little piece of happiness and heaven right here on earth.”
― Ken Poirot,

The post Let’s Get Lost, Patch of Heaven appeared first on Through The Eyes Of a Queen.

I’d been looking for a weekend when they weren’t forecasting rain. Especially being how early I would have to wake up. Well, let’s just say South Florida weather can be unpredictable, and watching the weather reports is not always accurate. Days where it was supposed to rain it, would only rain late evenings. Sometimes, it would not rain at all.

So I decided to take matters into my own hands and went a step further. I looked up the forecast, found a day where no rain was predicted, and took the day off of work. Then it was a matter of what beach. I wanted a bit more out of my outing. After all, This was going to happen and I was taking the Beast with me. So I looked up a few piers in my area for a change in scenery and decided upon the pier at Juno Beach.

I suppose you could call photographs of a sunrise by the pier, cliche. All you have to do is a quick search on the internet and you’ll see what I mean. You’ll find some amazing ones. That did not prevent me, however, from wanting to capture some of my own. Now, the difference being is you know I had to go throw in some feel to my editing in post. It’s that personal touch that shows the feeling. What was I feeling while shooting? How does the image make YOU feel? Well, I am giving you something you can feel. Go ahead and let me know. These are a few of my favorites. There is a couple more on my Facebook page if you’d like to see. 

Each day is born with a sunrise
and ends in a sunset, the same way we
open our eyes to see the light, 
and close them to hear the dark.
You have no control over
how your story begins or ends.
But by now, you should know that
all things have an ending.
Every spark returns to darkness.
Every sound returns to silence.
And every flower returns to sleep
with the earth.
The journey of the sun
and moon is predictable.
But yours, 
is your ultimate
ART.

Suzy Kassem

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The goal that I set out for myself was to take the Beast out on a quick little walkabout with only a 50mm 1.4  prime.  That in itself is not the challenge as while I don’t really do it as often as I would like, I love shooting with my shorty. Using a prime lens encourages you to envisage the composition by the constraints of your focal length. You get set in place to take the shot even before holding the camera to your eye, whereas zoom lenses can make a person lean a bit towards the lazy side. 

The more you get used to using just one focal length, the quicker you’ll be able to visualize your final shot by looking at the scene (with your eyes, sans camera!). In my opinion, zoom lenses with their varying focal lengths options don’t encourage you to develop this skill as much. It can actually make a photographer lazy with their compositions and lazy is one thing I am not. 

While I do always visualize my final shot even with a zoom lens on Beast, there is something to be said about my feet being what brings me closer to my shot. It actually allows me to connect that much more to a subject allowing me to more accurately emote what I am seeing in my eyes. Let’s not even get started on the depth of fields these lenses with their wider apertures allow for.

While shooting with a wide aperture won’t make you a better photographer, it does allow a higher degree of creative control over your image. Being able to fine-tune what is and isn’t in focus in your picture using a wider aperture is just one other great way to take your photography to the next level. Now on this day, my real challenge was to not only visualize my final shot, it was to produce that final image with no cropping or rotation at all. I wanted simply produce my images exactly as shot with the only editing being by way of color, tone, etc.. 

That is exactly what I did. I met with my obligations as early as I could in the morning and carved out a bit of time at the Intermodal Center at Miami International Airport. I haven’t shot just for me in some months and I decided that while I was presently wrapping up a set for a client, I would take a little time to work on my craft. Yes, there is another bit of learning taking place for me behind the scenes in my photography, I needed to take the time and allow my eyes to create their vision.

That being said, I am bringing to you my top 5 images from this little project of mine. I did upload a few more to my Facebook page and as always, you are welcomed to click the link and have a peak. Let me know what you think. Are you able to see any difference between what I typically share and what turned out from my little project? 

[See image gallery at throughtheeyesofaqueen.com]

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Hello Readers. It’s been a little while. Have you missed me? I’ve missed you. This absence hasn’t been without reason though. Obviously, with the pandemic we have all been living through, there haven’t been any new gigs for me and so I have been taking advantage of this mandatory time off to focus on a few other avenues. Yes, I have a few collections from before all this that I have to share with you all. However rather than continue on with the same old wash, rinse, repeat, I decided to take this time to try something new and see what potential and possibilities there are. After all, one can never be too big to grow.

That being said, let me share with you what I’ve been up to. I have been learning my way around a new image processor. Being that I do not typically do much photo manipulation, I’ve almost always done all my post work on lightroom out of both convenience and simplicity. After all, we become creatures of habit, and with my image catalog being housed there, why not keep my editing there as well? Up until recently, I didn’t even consider the possibility of changing my routine. That is until COVID happened and I was able to take some time to breathe and open my mind to new and possibly better things. 

I gave Capture One a try since I had been hearing many great things about this software. How it’s a good mix of both Photoshop and Lightroom combined. Why not give it a go? And I did. Let me tell you, it’s been great so far. Granted, I have ALOT to learn but I’m really liking it and my flow. There is so much that it can do and I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of it but I wanted to stop in and share with you guys a little sample, so to speak.

What I did was I cho0se my first ever official outing with my first DSLR, a Canon Rebel T4i, and running it through its paces at the zoo as my subject. I figured the best way to compare both Lightroom and Capture1 was to place them on a level playing field and the only way I could fairly do that was to take it back as close to the beginning as possible. Case in point, my first foray into DSLR as well as post-work editing with Lightroom. The plan was to go through the RAW images and edit them as if they were freshly taken and I was getting ready to post them so that I could compare both sets afterward. 

I won’t bore you guys with comparison shots I’m just going to share with you what I was able to do with Capture1. Of course “my style” that you’re used to seeing isn’t there. It’s a different software and therefore no customizations but I kind of dig the film feel I feel in to for this set. Let me know what you think. 

[See image gallery at throughtheeyesofaqueen.com]  

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Today was that day. I turned in my photos from FKJ and Lou Phelps this morning (I can’t wait to share them with you) and while I attempt to wait patiently for the time to post, I decided today would be the day. I am working on a set from a museum event last night though I just couldn’t help myself. It was in fact a gorgeous day out today and I had been wanting to go exploring.

It’s a quick little set and all but it means something special on account of my not taking this Beast out on this little expedition but rather I took my dad’s camera. I don’t really shoot with Little Miss Sunshine very often and I’m still trying to get used to her flow (she’s a Nikon and I’m a Canon Girl) but I wanted to share a beautiful day and what better way to do it than to take dad’s camera with me and let him see through my eyes.

So I’m bringing to you a quick little set. I decided to give them that matte/ film vibe because that’s what I was feeling today. After all, I am an analog girl in a digital world. So these shots for me are simplicity embodied with a bit of my soul behind it. I hope you enjoy.

The post See What I See appeared first on Through The Eyes Of a Queen.

Every now and again I like to step away. Out in to the outdoors and away from the city noise you could say. No, it’s not an expensive trip anywhere, it’s so much better. It is about experiencing your surroundings. Money is not necessary and the moment is invaluable nonetheless. While not a hike in its traditional meaning, it is a disconnect of sorts and it’s my moments to myself that I value and cherish. Those moments, ones that some of us avoid at all costs, I find that they are very necessary to recenter oneself. I of course have my camera within reach but that’s just an extension of me you could say.

This particular set was one that I took a while back and the photos have been sitting in my edit queue just waiting patiently for that breath of fresh air. Of course it’s just after the Thanksgiving Holiday and I’m here thankful for all those little moments. I’m grateful for those precious times with friends and loved ones that occur throughout the year and leave lasting impressions on my soul.

What better time to step back to this particular set and feel? There is no better time than now.  So there I was, while everyone slept, editing and reflecting on all that I am thankful for. The smiles, the tears, the excitements, the upsets and all things in between. I am thankful for those in my life and those with me in spirit. I am thankful for love and kindness, grateful for the support as well as the hate. Most of all I am thankful to be here able to experience this beautiful rollercoaster called life.

Enough sap though, there’s so much more to come and I’m excited as each day passes. In the meanwhile, here is my art, my passion, my heart. I thank you all.

[See image gallery at throughtheeyesofaqueen.com]

The post Within You appeared first on Through The Eyes Of a Queen.

This is a very special set for me indeed. I’ve been waiting and waiting for the days to be sunny and sweet so that I can take out Little Miss Sunshine. She’s my dad’s camera and after years of wishing she’d come to me, the universe brought her to me when I least expected it. It’s funny how one object can hold so much sentimental value. She holds so much more of it than I could ever put in to words.

Let’s just say that my dad brought me in to photography. He opened my eyes. From getting me started with lovely little rolls of 110 Film and I can only imagine countless dollars of developing film at our local store, to teaching me how to load a 35mm and composition. Most importantly, he was my number one fan. His support was unlike any other. Even when he was hospitalized before his passing, he was sharing my albums, sharing my social media sites and even giving feedback on the last set I had taken.

Fittingly enough it was a set that I had taken when I went to our favorite beach just before going back to be with him at the hospital. Which is why I made it a point to have my first outing with Little Miss Sunshine, Hollywood Beach. I needed it to be special. After all, his little girl and his camera were going out for the first time together after all these years.

It was bittersweet. To be honest, the more accomplishments and goals I achieve, the more I miss him. I know he’s with me still and I feel him there at certain times, but it’s not the same. But let me not get sappy on here and instead let me tell you, that little lady is great. She’s light and fun-sized, like me. She’s fast, she’s tough and even though I will forever be a Canon Girl, that little Nikon has a very big place in my heart. I’m actually considering making her my every day carry though we’ll see how that works. She’s a whole new animal for me to learn.

Let’s get to the photos though.  I have five little favorites of mine and a few more up on Facebook that I would love for you all to see. Tell me what you think.

[See image gallery at throughtheeyesofaqueen.com]

“In Loving Memory Of” – Alter Bridge
Thanks for all you’ve done
I’ve missed you for so long
I can’t believe you’re gone
You still live in me
I feel you in the wind
You guide me constantly

I never knew what it was to be alone
Cause you were always there for me
You were always home waiting
But now I come home and I miss your face
Smiling down on me
I close my eyes to see

 
And I know you’re a part of me
And it’s your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel, I can’t hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me

 
I carry the things that remind me of you
In loving memory of the one that was so true
You were as kind as you could be
And even though you’re gone
You still mean the world to me

I never knew what it was to be alone
Cause you were always there for me
You were always home waiting
But now I come home and it’s not the same
It feels empty and alone
I just can’t believe you’re gone
 
And I know you’re a part of me
And it’s your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel, I can’t hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me

I’m glad it sets you free from sorrow
But I’ll still love you more tomorrow
And you’ll be here with me still
All you did you did with feeling
And you always found a meaning
And you always will
And you always will
And you always will
 
And I know you’re a part of me
And it’s your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel, I can’t hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me

The post Little Miss Sunshine and I appeared first on Through The Eyes Of a Queen.

I recently had someone I knew take her own life. While we were not close, the shock and impact it has left on me is engraved. You see, she had struggled with her demons for all long as I’ve know her and we are talking about twenty something years now. But she was not defined by those demons. She was surviving despite them. She was a beautiful soul and a talented one at that. You should have seen her images. Unfortunately life threw a few more things and I suppose it became to much and she grew past the point of weary. I know some won’t agree with me but I am not upset with her. One thing I have always been able to do is to understand. Still, I knew of her fight and will up until that day and to see the news on your feed that the fight was over, well, I’m still at a loss for real words. 

I needed to breath. I needed to not really think but to feel. So I did. In ways the that I cannot really describe, I felt that next day. I took the afternoon to go to one of my favorite parks and I let myself get lost in the moment. It was a beautiful day. The sun shined and the warmth of it on my skin was soothing beyond description. The park was still showing signs of a hurricane having passed through it. Some of the walkways were torn up along with trees uprooted and strewn about. I did have to be careful in some sections of it as I walked about on account of my being clumsy and accident prone but it was a welcomed escape and disconnect. 

I didn’t have much time out there although I managed on grabbing some lens therapy while I walked about. Here’s a few of the shots I’d like to share with you. There’s a few more on Facebook but these are my favorites. That’s it for now. Numbness set aside, I still have backlog I need to work through. The goal is to have them all done by years end. I can’t believe we’re almost there already. Time does fly.

[See image gallery at throughtheeyesofaqueen.com]

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I had to do it. I had to watch the sun come up and a brand new day dawn. Plus, I had yet to take the Beast out to my favorite beach and there is no better time like the present. After all, tomorrow is never promised. I have always preferred sunrise to sunsets for that reason. It’s the start of new day if nothing else. Wow, I’m full of anecdotes today aren’t I? 

I don’t want to stray from the point, sunrises. They really are my favorite. Even more so when they are coming up over the ocean. Feeling the warmth on your face, the smell of the salt in the ocean and even the feel of the sand between your toes. It is absolutely perfect. I had not realized just how much I had needed to step away like that even if it was but for a few hours. I have quite a lot taking place all at once and to decompress like that is certainly recommended by royalty. 

As for my adventure. Yes, I woke up early. Earlier than my normal work day. Thankfully though, I am a morning person and with a cup of coffee in hand, I wan in route to Hollywood Beach. Have I mentioned how much I love that beach? While I typically go a bit further north than the boardwalk, I wanted to incorporate some of the boardwalk aspect in to my photos so I made the exception this time around. Granted, it was a fairly busy morning despite my 6:30 a.m. arrival though I was excited to grab a few shots with people partaking in the dawn activities. I normally don’t capture people unless they are performing though there silhouettes fit just nicely this set. 

I didn’t take very many photos. To be honest I really didn’t want to just sit there and take in the beauty. But the ones I did take I am very pleased to share with you. Alas, it didn’t feel like I was there long enough and I do plan on another visit very, very soon. In the meanwhile, please enjoy my captures and feel free to leave comments. I love feedback. You can also view them on my Facebook page. 

[See image gallery at throughtheeyesofaqueen.com]

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