Tag Archives: spring

Photography

Spring, newborn lambs and a drive in the country

This sight of Ariel Vega's sheep grazing lazily in the cool morning made me stop. What do you think is missing from this picture? Photographers like to do that, don't they? They're often wondering what else can make their picture better. Maybe, that's just me.Â
Sheep rancher Ariel Vega spoke little English and I knew just those unmentionable Spanish words in polite company. I didn't let that get in the way of my intent of making pictures.

At today’s gas prices of an average $4.30 a gallon, driving around looking for pictures can appear frivolous but producing good photographs requires some investment in time and gas money.

 

A recent morning, I ventured into the outskirts of Moreno Valley, some of my old stomping grounds I used to cruise searching for feature pictures.

I came across Ariel Vega, a sheep rancher sowing alfalfa seeds by hand as he sat in the back of his pickup truck.

Around him were 2 Australian sheepdogs, both extremely alert, obedient and hard-working.

One of the most useful skills I acquired as a result of working at the newspaper is a self-assurance that I can approach complete strangers and convince them to let me take their picture. Continue reading Spring, newborn lambs and a drive in the country →