Brilliant red canna lilies splash color into my backyard patio.
IN THE THREE MONTHS I couldn’t use my Canon DSLR EOS 20-D this summer because of a broken right shoulder, I feared I would lose my photography skills. But I didn’t. This week, with my muscle strength returning and weight restrictions eased, I did my first photo shoot using my 2.5 pound (with a short lens) Canon.
I experienced joy, pure joy, picking up my DSLR and focusing on subjects in glorious light. I started in my backyard, easing myself into the comfortable familiarity of pursuing my passion. I felt giddy with excitement as I photographed a monarch caterpillar clinging to a leaf near milkweeds that free-range seeded.
Coleus
A segment of a canna leaf.
I moved to potted plants and blooming flowers and garden perennials.
And then I noticed, as I roamed about seeking photo ops, a mini chrysalis dangling from the side of the garage and camouflaged against the green siding. I moved in close, delighting in my discovery.
Coleus
Canna lily seed pods
Polka dot plant leaves up close.
As I shot more frames, trying different angles, new perspectives, I remembered just how much I love this art. I seek interesting ways to present what I photograph. I seek light that will enhance an image. I consider textures and color and backdrops and distance. I challenge myself to think and photograph outside and beyond the norm.
Coleus leaf close-up
All of my skills, retained in my rote memory, returned. And so did the passion, full-blown and beautiful and aching to be released.
Hibiscus acetosella soar in pots on my patio.
It’s good to be back, camera in hand.
© Copyright 2017 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Welcome back to doing what you love!
Thank you. It’s great to be back.
Thank goodness you can work again – being without your camera must have been torture.. c
It was difficult. I used my smartphone some. But the quality and ability to be truly creative just didn’t exist with that tool.
Beautiful photos! Well done!
Thank you, Lynne.
Welcome back photog.
Thank you, Dan. I miss seeing your work on a daily basis. I learned a lot from studying your outstanding images.
You might have lost some experience with your heavy camera, but you have not lost your ability to handle depth of field or beautiful composition. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Ken. You clearly know a thing or three about photography.
Beautiful and brilliant
God bless you
Thank you for the sweet words.
Glad you are back! I enjoy your photos.
Thank you, Valerie.
I love flowers and plants, and your photography brings out all that beauty. I can’t have flowers like that because the heat kills everything. It’s predicted 111 for today,and we have had 112, ,and 110 this week. So keep sending your beautiful pictures. So happy that your shoulder is healed. Take care.
It’s been prime weather for growing flowers and plants this summer with just the right amount of rain and ideal temps. It’s been a stunning summer. I cannot imagine temps that high for an extended period.
Beautiful photos! Glad your getting back to doing what you love
I’m so happy to be back.
Lovely photos, Audrey! I totally get it about needing to take pictures. Glad you’re back at it.
You and I share those two passions of writing and photography. I knew you would understand. I’m delighted to be back.
Wonderful to know you’re “back” — gorgeous photos, Audrey!
Thank you, Kathleen.
Beautiful Audrey! You’re a talented lady!
Just following my passions…
A good place to start…. your own back yard. You don’t have to travel far to capture the beauty of God’s creation 🙂
That is so true. The beauty of God’s creation surrounds us.
Hallelujah AND you did not lose your touch
Amen and thank you, Sue.
Beautiful! My favorite was the polka dot green leaves, absolutely beautiful as well as the cute caterpillar!
Thank you. I had a lot of fun looking for photo ops in my backyard.
Beautiful photos! You’ll have to keep an eye on that crysallis!
Thank you. Yes, I’m watching the chrysalis.
Love the pictures n glad your getting use of shoulder n arm back.
Thank you, Janet. I’m happy to have my right arm/shoulder back in use.
A woman on fire with her camera!! YAY!!! 😀
I love that phrase…
Beautiful! I look forward to viewing your pictures.
Thank you, Joan.