Torres del Paine Via My iPhone

Even though it might seem otherwise from the title, this is really not about what technology works best for photographing a place as magical as Torres del Paine, the beautiful national park in the very south of Chile. It's more about sometimes just being in the moment and enjoying the journey without being burdened by heavy equipment, proper exposures and all of that. Now, don't get me wrong...that's still important to me. But I'm not selling this work. It's not being published in a book. It's not being enlarged to billboard size. It's just for me. Just to capture the essence of what we saw and did those wonderful few days in winter that we last visited this stunningly beautiful place. (Not to worry...I have plenty of those OTHER photos which I'll share, but for today it's iPhone time). And besides, that iPhone does a pretty stinkin' good job anyway. 

The heavy "real" camera didn't really lend itself to trying to focus in this crazy sideways wind. The trusty iPhone was perfect!

I guess that I should add that those chunks of ice were blown across Lago Grey from that glacier you can see in the background. The front edge of the glacier is a couple hundred feet high and about 3 miles wide, just to give you a little perspective. Those blue chunks of ice floating in the near background are big enough to be a $1Million home in California. The smaller clear ones were small boulder size. Yup, a little perspective can help.

Yeah, I'd say the iPhone did ok. 

All in the Family

We welcomed a new grandson this week, my daughter's third son. It should really be no surprise that there would be photos taken of this precious new baby, lots of them, since there seems to be a genetic predisposition to photography in my family - from my grandfather on down to my daughter. The only real surprise is that it's the baby's 5 year old brother taking the photos this time. And so another family tradition is carried on.

Too Much to Do on My To-Do

You see this? Yes, this!












You know what it is?

Yes. My new camera. The one I've been waiting for since February. Yes, February.

Am I excited? Yes, of course!

Then why am I showing you these...photos shot with my iPhone...?

I'll tell you why. Cuz I'm too busy to actually take the time to take it out of the box and figure it out and see all the nifty cool things it does. I have too many things to do on my to-do list. That's why!!

But soon. Yes soon. And when I do, watch out world!

Bohemios en Barrio Bellavista

It’s time for Alphabe-Thursday again, and this round I promised to work through my Patagonia photos from A-Z. While definitely not a part of Patagonia, no trip to Chile or that far south would be complete without a stop in Santiago on the way. It helps to break up the long journey, plus it’s a great city with lots to see and do.

So, for the letter B, I’ll be babbling on about...

Bohemians in Barrio Bellavista

One of our favorite neighborhoods (or barrios) in Santiago is the bohemian quarter known as Bellavista. It is home to artists, poets and other free-thinking individuals. It is the location of La Chascona, one of the homes of Pablo Neruda, Chile’s poet laureate who received the Nobel Peace Prize for literature in 1971.

To wander the streets in Bellavista is a visual feast…there are old mansions that might look to be crumbling, but you can bet they’re still pretty tasty inside. Many of the buildings are covered with colorful murals, some with political or social messages, others just plain dressed in funky art. I love the area and can never take enough photos of the painted walls. And, as always, the people are delightful.

Bravo for Bellavista and its bold inhabitants!

Now bustle on over to Mrs. Jenny's and see what the other Alphabetarians have brought to the Alphabe-Thursday brunch!