Our grandson and granddaughter had never seen the ocean before or been to the tropics. It was delightful to see them enjoying this warm and beautiful environment.
Harbour Island is one of the Bahamian archipelago of islands.
On our recent trip to the Bahamas for a family reunion, I was presented with a bit of a photography dilemma. There was so much beauty around me that I wanted to capture — not to mention wonderful images of family members enjoying themselves — it was tempting to never let my camera leave my eye!
But knowing that other family members would be taking shots and portraits to remind us of events and activities, I gave myself permission not to be everywhere at all times with my camera — and chose simply to focus my camera in directions that delighted me. It turned out to be a good decision; I got the images I most wanted and was able to be a participant as well as an observer. So I took no pictures of the scavenger hunt that was organized for us — I simply got into racing around the island with the rest on golf carts.
While it is true that used well, a camera can be a tool for slowing down, being present to your experience and seeing in a new way, if used without discernment, it can also separate you. I tried to keep this in mind..
As anyone knows who has spent time with a camera, the light changes constantly — and some light is more pleasurable to shoot in and makes for softer, more appealing images. I no longer try to fight with it and choose my shooting times more carefully. I also bracket my landscapes more often these days to allow for exposure fusion and making HDR images.
Two things I strive for in my photography are simplicity and harmonious colour palettes. The combination of blue and green is my all-time favorite colour combination — as well as the tones of turquoise and teal that result from a mixture — so I was in heaven in the Bahamas.
Here’s a rhyme that sailors share to read the colour of the water.
“Blue, blue, go on through.” The blues are safe water.
“Green, green, nice and clean.” Greens mean it’s starting to shoal, but still safe for all but large ships.
“Brown, brown, run aground.” The browns are trouble-don’t go there.
“White, white, it just might…” White water, as in gin clear, is most confusing of all. It marks a sand bottom that might be inches or fathoms deep.
I’m fortunate to have been to the Bahamas a couple of time before, as well as all over the Caribbean — and the colours I love are of course everywhere in the region. That’s why I’m an island gal at heart…
For now, I’ll leave you with an impressionistic portrait of an unforgettable trip — in blue and green.
Sherrygaley.com 
This blend of turquoise, aqua and green, and gleaming white paint, captures the atmosphere of the Bahamas perfectly. Beautiful work not just with the photography but also collage that you’ve created from it. It’s always a delight to stop by here, whether seeing what’s new or catching up with posts like this that I missed.
Wonderful images and insights….your thoughts about choosing a ‘less is more’ approach could be transposed to many walks of life! Thanks, Sherry.
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Oh the colors of paradise! Glorious images all! And what a cutie your grandson is!
Gorgeous shots, Sherry, what a wonderful place to visit! I’d have a hard time being there, too, without a camera firmly attached to my face Sherry. Great photographs, and I really enjoyed the story. Looking forward to more!
I love how you get right to your editing and post…it is lovely to see your trip…and I know, as time goes on, we will see more…Like you the Caribbean is one of my favorites places and we’ve been many times…I love the color of the water and the beautiful, clean sand…you captured both wonderfully here…and your writing, it took me right there…
Mostly, I love the portrait of your Grandson…he is gorgeous. The hair and the eyes..wow. He does look like you also…just so you know..
O.K. soon, I will edited and post my photo’s from Savannah and share them…before I forget what I saw…have a lovely week Sherry.
Such gorgeous color and what a beautiful child. You captured the essence of childhood joy in the face. Wonderful images as always Sherry.
What a wonderful experience for everyone, Sherry!
This looks like such a beautiful place to be.
Sherry, these photos are magnificent! All of them have absolutely lovely soft colour tones, and the compositions are great too – that one looking down the stairs to the beach is fabulous. Well done!
Fantastic images, Sherry. Blue and green are my favourite combination too. I haven’t been to the Bahamas since I was 19 years old so this took me back there.
What wonderful photos, Sherry. I know how much fun it is to only focus on capturing only those things that capture me. That is why I wouldn’t make a good professional photographer. 🙂
These two are my favorite colors….they make for the perfect color combo don’t they? Your grandson is just gorgeous.
Oh, these island colors are a feast for my winter-weary eyes! They also stoke my beach fever, which is ever present. You’re so right, Sherry, it’s a constant struggle between pursuing the hobby we love and ‘just being’. I think you got it right this time!
Hard not to love blue and green the way you’ve presented them here! I love the colour of the picnic tables and of the umbrellas – just begging to be photographed!
What a lovely portrait of one on your grandchildren and how lovely to see snippets of the sea. It all looks wonderful and blue and green are my favourite colours too!