May is National Photography Month (2018 Edition)

National Photography Month

Yes, among many other things, May is National Photography Month. This is not to be confused with World Photography Day which, in 2018, is 19 August. May is also National Mental Health Awareness Month, National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, etc.... I have written about mental health and bladder cancer on my other blog - see Out of the Darkness - Suicide Prevention and Mental Health and Did you know - May is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month?.

Let's celebrate!

Do you celebrate National Photography Month? If so, how? In the past I have celebrated in different ways - in a previous blog that I wrote I posted a photo or collection of photos every day during the month. That started out sounding like a great idea but ended up being a bit exhausting. In 2017, the first year of this blog, I wrote nine (9) articles covering a variety of topics - including "National Photography Month", an article that included several images and a little background on each. This year I am taking somewhat of a different approach.

My celebration

This year I decided to focus less on photography and more on using my photography to help others. I am doing that by volunteering my time to act as an Event Photographer for fundraising / awareness walks for two deserving organizations - both of which are new to me this year. This past weekend I covered the "Jersey Shore Walk to End Bladder Cancer" in Bradley Beach, New Jersey. I learned that May is, among other things, National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, and the Jersey Shore walk has been held every year since 2011. I had not heard of it until last year when I heard Bill Doyle, the afternoon drive-time co-host on NJ 101.5 FM, talk about it. He was coming back after a long battle with the disease and talked about participating in the walk. To be honest, I had a lot going on last May and when he stopped talking about it, I stopped thinking about it. This year I decided to do something about it and contacted the organizer, Mary Ann Aregood. Mary Ann's husband, Jack, succumb to the disease in 2008 and she started the walk in 2011 in his honor. I wrote about the walk and my experience on my other blog, From the Mind of Joe Valencia. You can read that post here - Did you know - May is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month?.

The other event I am covering in May is the 7^th Annual Mary's Place by the Sea Walk-A-Thon to be held on May 19^th in Ocean Grove. I have been aware of Mary's Place by the Sea for quite some time and knew they had an annual fundraising walk but the timing was never right for me to volunteer. This year all of the stars aligned and I will get my chance. They are a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support women who are receiving treatment for cancer. Since their inception in 2009, they have helped more than 8,000 women and help more each day. I am looking forward to this event but, like all things I cover for the first time, it has me a bit nervous. I'm always excited about a new event until my participation is finalized and then I think "What have I done?" It isn't that I regret volunteering, it is all about the unknown. I don't know how many people to expect, how long the event lasts, how receptive people are to my photographing them, etc.... The uneasiness (apprehension) melts away about 5 minutes after I get started and I have never had an issue in the more than 10 years I have been volunteering. I will write more about Mary's Place and the walk in a few weeks. Stay tuned.

So, that's it for now. This post is a bit different than what you might otherwise expect to find here but I want to bring attention to these important organizations and events. If you are interested in participating, volunteering, or just want more information - check out the links below. Thanks for stopping by. As always, I would love to hear your stories and comments - please leave comments below.

Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) - http://www.bcan.org
Mary's Place by the Sea - https://www.marysplacebythesea.org/

National Photography Month

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is that time of year again! April Showers are giving way to May flowers and National Photography Month.

I can't believe it is already May! I guess it is true - as you get older the years go by in the blink of an eye.

You may have noticed that I am a big fan of Ocean Grove and so I start off with a photo of "Ralph" sitting on the railing of the Fishing Pier. This shot was taken in October 2011; a little more than a year before the pier was damaged during Superstorm Sandy. This is the same pier I wrote about in "God's Square Mile - Ocean Grove, New Jersey"

The deer was one of six that I found in the woods just outside my back yard one day. I was at the kitchen sink getting a glass of water and I noticed something brown - it looked like part of a downed tree but I couldn't be sure. I grabbed my camera (I always grab my camera when I go out back) and slowly walked over to where I saw the tree. It turns out that it was this young deer laying down among the leaves. It got up as I approached and I was able to grab a few shots before it took off. It wasn't until she ran off that I noticed the other five - they scattered at the same time. Years ago, before the dog and the fence, I would get deer coming almost to my backdoor. I have a holly tree about 10 feet off my kitchen and there was one fawn that came just about every day and stood under the tree eating. I would sit for the longest time doing nothing but watch her eat. Yes, my life was THAT exciting back then....

My wife planted a lilac bush a few years back and the buds are beginning to come out. I took this a couple days ago on one of my excursions around the yard. I like to go out a couple times a week with the camera around my neck to see if I can find anything new and interesting. I especially like to find trees, flowers, bushes, etc.... in various states of bloom and chronicle them during the spring and summer. I like the lilac in particular because there is always a lot of action around it during the spring and summer. Birds, butterflies and bees all seem to enjoy hanging around our bush and the ones that my neighbors have along their fence. I have some nice close-up shots of bees that I have shared in the past and hope to get even better ones this year.

The photo of the red maple leaf is another example of my meanderings. This was taken towards the back of my yard, just about where the yard ends and the woods begin. There are a few maple trees back there along with birch, holly, cedar and others. I have found that it is just as important to look down when you walk as it is to look up (and not just because the above mentioned deer leave their "calling cards"....) If I was looking for something instead of just looking around I never would have seen this red leaf all alone among the brown.

I will leave you with a shot of a black-crowned night heron that I shot back in the 1980's. This bird used to show up on a regular basis and perch on my neighbors dock support. I found this slide a few weeks ago while looking for something and did a quick scan. The slide needs to be cleaned and the scan isn't the best but I like the shot and wanted to share it with you.

And so ends my tribute to National Photography Month 2017! Now that you have read this, turn off your computer and go out and shoot!

---

All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

---