Saturday, September 19, 2020

A Day of Photography

Finished some chores around the NM condo so I took off to see what interesting subjects the camera could find. 

Spotted an artist painting along the Rio Grande river between Taos and Embudo. She consented to my taking her photo as she worked.  The smoke in the distance is from the wildfires in California.

Those who know me know that my number one photography objective is to tell a story with a photo. 
So this one is titled "Can you see as I see?" 

I could not see the colors in the hills like she was seeing but that is what art is all about. 
And in many cases with photography too.



Next rode up into the mountains to the very small village of Las Trampas to visit the San Jose de Gracia Mission. Built in 1760, it is still in use today.

I admire this mission and the town folks who maintain it the best they can though the village is very poor.
Have visited and photographed this mission many times trying to capture it in the right light.  
Here is today's effort.




Next to this high dry desert mission  is a small cemetery for Priests or persons who have made personal contributions to the maintenance of the mission. Adobe buildings require constant work to repair and maintain in this harsh environment.


Then rode over the mountains down to Rancho de Taos. Many may not realize that Taos and Rancho de Taos are two different pueblos. The most photographed church in America is here in Rancho de Taos, the San Fransico de Asis Mission. Construction started in 1772, the mission was finished by 1815. 

In 1929, Ansel Adams took his famous photo of the backside of the mission.


Surrounding the mission are many old buildings and structures that are as old or older than the mission itself. Some are still occupied as residences, other converted to commercial use. 

This residence with the blue door and the dying sunflowers caught the camera's attention.


There is a horseshoe nailed above the entrance with heels pointing down. There are two different thoughts on this centuries old custom of hanging a horseshoe: heels up in order to catch the good luck falling your way, or heels down so that good fortune falls on all who enter.  How do you hang yours?


By now the sun was dropping in the west, leaving a warm kiss on the mission walls.



That concludes today's photo findings.  

Was able to practice my photography hobby, rode the BMW sidecar rig a couple hundred miles, 
so in all a great day.

Ride safe my friends, practice social distancing. 

CCjon




2 comments:

  1. I was always taught the horseshoe heel up to keep the luck from running out. I like your comment re art and photography not necessarily depicting reality....it’s all about the message sometimes .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's what I had always heard about horseshoes too, but wikipedia say both beliefs are common. Who knew?

      Delete

please comment here: