August 2024 Recap

August has always been a very tough month for me photographically. When temperatures are approaching 100 degrees on a daily basis with heat index values of 105 to 110 degrees (and sometimes a bit higher), it’s almost impossible to motivate myself to get out there and photograph.

But, this year, we did get a very unusual and welcome, albeit short, respite from the awful heat with a couple of days getting no warmer than the mid-80s. There were even a couple of days where we got some rain, which is also pretty unusual. With weather that felt more early fall-ish (not sure if that’s a real word, but I’ll go with it), I tried to take as much advantage of it as I could.

From my perspective, the best thing about August is that it means Autumn should be just around the corner.

WHERE I’VE BEEN

My first trip of the month was to Collins Creek, which is one of my more visited photography locations. The first photograph was taken at the point where the trail begins to descend to the creek. I felt as if I had stumbled upon some secret world. I spent about an hour at Collins Creek before I packed up my gear and started heading home but not before making a quick stop at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Overlook, where I photographed a lone tree with the sun shining brightly through its leaves.

A small, clear stream flows over smooth rocks, creating a small waterfall. Lush green trees and foliage surround the stream, with sunlight filtering through the leaves. There are large, moss-covered rocks along the banks of the stream. — *Emerald Cascades*
A cascading waterfall surrounded by lush green trees and rocks.

A black and white photograph of a large tree in a field. The tree is in the center of the image and stands out against the lighter background of the field. The sun is setting behind the tree, casting a long shadow across the field. The sky is cloudy and dark, and the sun is barely visible through the clouds. The tree has thick branches and leaves, and it looks strong and sturdy. The field is covered in tall grass, and there are a few other trees in the background. — *Solitary Sentinel*
A lone tree stands silhouetted against a dramatic sky, with the sun casting a starburst through its branches.

Two weeks later, I visited the Lake Sylvia Recreation Area in the Ouachita National Forest. I didn’t even have to leave the parking area to get this image of trees and a split rail fence on an early summer morning.

The image depicts a serene forest scene. A wooden fence runs along the bottom of the image, separating the viewer from the dense forest. The trees are tall and leafy, with their branches intertwined to form a dense canopy overhead. The leaves are a vibrant green, creating a sense of lushness and vitality. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The overall atmosphere of the image is one of peace and tranquility. — *Green Sanctuary*
Finding serenity in the woods

My final trip of the month occurred yesterday when I traveled to Dardanelle, Arkansas, to walk along the banks of the Arkansas River. Temperatures in the 70s, a light breeze, and an overcast sky made for an absolutely wonderful morning. I like to give myself a little bit of time between when I create my photos and when I decide which ones to process, so I haven’t gone through them, yet, but I hope to have some to share in the next couple of weeks.

CATCHING MY ATTENTION

Here’s what THEY DON’T TELL YOU about getting into PHOTOGRAPHY (Simon d’Entremont) – great advice/reminders from Simon

Dang it! Take Pictures (Anthony Morganti) – to get better at photography, if you have to photograph more.

Do Not Delete: 4 Reasons to Keep Nearly All of Your Photo Files (Sarah Marino) – why you should avoid deleting technically sound image files

That’s my recap for August. If you enjoyed it and don’t want to miss the next one, be sure to subscribe below to receive every post in your email when it’s published.

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