My Fractal Cousin Poses to Allow me to Test my New Canon R6 Camera

I'm experimenting with my new camera, a mirrorless Canon R6. My fractal cousin, a next door neighbor posed for this photo to allow me to test resolution.

What is more amazing? New camera technology that can capture fractal branches so well? Or the fact that trees and human beings had a common ancestor who lived about 385 million years ago?  Or that the offspring of beings that evolved into trees invented an extremely high tech camera?  Or that one of those far-distant offspring pointed this high tech camera at a tree and became self-reflective.

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Cappadocia, Turkey, From the Air

Tonight I found many digital negatives I had previously overlooked and used them as fodder for new photography software I'm learning (Luminar AI). I'm really happy with the results. These images are from a balloon ride in 2017 in Cappadocia, Turkey. This has got to be one of the most beautiful and historically interesting places in the world, southeast of Istanbul and 300 miles north of the Syrian border. Enjoy the ride!

[Click through for a gallery of photos from Cappadocia, Turkey]

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More Images From Istanbul

I've been learning a new software package for digital images (Luminar AI). More on that software soon. In the meantime, I've been reworking more images from my prior trips to Istanbul. I've recently posted these images. Here are a few more that I reworked today. This was a working vacation--I taught at two Turkish Law Schools, one of which was Kadir Has University. My friend Olguz--a student at Kadir Has--arranged for me to give the lecture. He indicated that I would be treated to lunch prior to the lecture and that it was a beautiful view. And, indeed, it was:

The next photo is from the lecture at Kadir Has:

I'll add two more photos from the inside of Hagia Sofia. I walked past this amazing structure almost every day I was living in Istanbul. I worked hard to get images that captured the size and splendor, but most of my photos failed.  Here are two that I liked.  First, here's a shot of the 2nd level of Hagia Sofia from a 2nd floor balcony:

Here's the last photo in this series: I shot through a big ornate light figure to capture the ceiling of the structure.  I liked this enough to blow it up - - it's currently hanging on my bedroom wall.

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Kahlil Gibran and the Kadisha Valley of Lebanon

Two years ago, I had the opportunity to walk through the Kadisha Valley of northern Lebanon. It is a gorgeous area and it also happens to be the birthplace of Kahlil Gibran. Thus, I will combine some of my photos with some of Gibran's better known quotes.

You may forget with whom you laughed, but you will never forget with whom you wept.

You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts.

Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.

If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. If they don’t, they never were.

Sadness is but a wall between two gardens.

They deem me mad because I will not sell my days for gold; and I deem them mad because they think my days have a price.

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. [More . . . ]

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