~ Summer 2022 Update ~

A Moment of Growth

I was having a summer where I was praying a lot to God for some inspiration and direction to take my talents and creativity. Within a day or so of praying I got a message from a very good friend, more about this message later. This friend visited me when I was sick, brought me food when I was in the hospital and most importantly kept me in his prayers. Not only did he pray for my health and healing, he got his church prayer group to lift me up in their prayers. I came out of cancer and was faced with a pandemic....my photography was mainly portrait based for so many years. I always love nature, landscapes and seeing it around me was always beautiful. When I started my photography the lenses I wanted to shoot animals and nature were so expensive as they were massive zoom lenses with a LOT of glass. Ok, that backstory is over, back to the message. My friend was able to purchase a Sigma 150-600 lens, which was on sale. He shared this with me and after discussion with my wife, we decided this would help me get going in a new direction with my photography. I called Vistek in Edmonton and turns out they only had 1 lens left and I was able to pick it up. I have always been happy with Vistek and their customer service and was glad I could support a business local to me.

 This image was the first thing I shot when I got home from Edmonton yesterday. I want to share more on my BLOG how this lens and I will work together to showcase how God has gifted us on earth a taste of heaven. Teasers of heaven are all around us, we just got to be open to seeing them and realizing that our Creator loves us and all these things we find beautiful are gifts from Him.

Thanks for reading this and I hope it inspires you to pick up a camera and look for those gifts. God is the ultimate artist and creator. I give Him all the praise for the gifts he gives me and the beauty around for me to capture with my camera.

-Randy

~ November 2018 Update ~

I have neglected you BLOG.....time write something new.  So here is a bit of an update.  I am currently fighting off a nasty old cold.  It wasn't fun, sick for a few days but I am on the mend.  Photography has gotten to be SO SO SO slow.  I am not shooting much TFP anymore and have been actually enjoying art a LOT lately.  Watercolor paints are so much fun and I am trying to spend more time with art.  I have also been playing a lot of Call of Duty (Black Ops 4) on my xbox one x.

I am hoping to get my studio lights up one day soon and find a model or two to come shoot here.  I think in a few more days this cold should be gone, just in time for my November break.  Tomorrow in the United States I am HOPING Americans can get it right and vote out some of those moron Republicans.  For me it comes down to tomorrow, if they don't go with the BLUE wave then it will tell the world that America is this toxic and Trump does represent current American values and attitudes...which is seriously sad if that happens.

My photography shares today are from the FLICKR feed, which has just updated it's PRO account.  It's a bit more pricey but I am so impressed with it's features.  Unlimited full sized images and a few more nice features for professional photographers.  I have used 500px less and less over the last few years.  I kinda have a soft spot for FLICKR as I was on it from pretty much the beginning of these photography shenanigans.  So back to the photos for today...these are some sunset pics, shot only a few minutes away from my house.

~ Missing you Mully - sad ramblings for my lil Mulder kitty ~

Feeling a very heavy heart today as I came across some photos from my iphone last year around this time when we welcomed Mulder in to our lives.  He was a young kitten with a world of bad experiences that were so ugly and dark.  He experienced some of the worst of humanity and had some health related challenges that he eventually over came.  We loved him so much and he just became part of our family.  We never knew, never imagined his time would be so short with us.  We got him just before Christmas 2014 and by summer of 2015 he was diagnosed with a fatal virus.  Saying goodbye crushed our hearts and my wife and I miss him so much.  For those of us with pets and animals we know that unconditional love and those lessons about life that we learn from our pets.  That connection is so amazing I consider it a precious gift from God.  I do love technology and video games but mankind cannot compare to the creative talents of God.  My cats did not just evolve in to being these amazing little creatures.  They were created by God and no one will convince me otherwise...that is the power of my faith.

When I said goodbye to my cat Scully I felt such an deep sadness but a renewed feeling of faith and belief that I will some day see my lost pets and family.  Heaven to me is real, it exists in my heart and to me gives me that much needed hope for something better than this world.  Mulder experienced some pure evil from humanity and I know God didn't create us to treat his creations that way.  I am thankful we were able to love him and create a home for him that surrounded him with love.  As christmas 2015 comes I will feel sadness but also a calm for knowing he was here to teach me and I was here to love him.  Not really caring who reads this....this was written for Mully and for me.  I love you lil dude....I know you're gone but you live in my heart and I know God will reconnect us one day.
Your tall cuddle buddy Randy! xoxox

~ Destiny Spring 2015 ~

It's been a LONG time since I blogged so I am getting to it.  It's spring now and May long weekend is coming to a close this evening.  I got to see the new Mad Max movie with a good teacher friend, did some attacking weeds in the yard.  Didn't do much for photography so this blog post is about it for tonight.  Awhile back I shot with the lovely Destiny.  She met me in Edmonton and we explored the river valley on a warm spring day.  These are some of the shots we captured.

I was using the Sigma 35mm 1.4 art lens I added to my gear list.  I am loving this lens, it's ability to create mind blowing bokeh is something I adore.  I also love the sharpness and reliability it has.  Most photographers can admit that when shooting at apertures like 1.4 you're bound to get some soft shots as it is a VERY shallow DOF.  I have beyond happy with the results from the shoots I've done with this lens so far and I cannot wait to shoot more with it this summer.  I will try my best to keep more images flowing on the blog and excited to share my outdoor adventures this summer.
-Randy

~ 261/365 ios7 Released ~

© Randy Pond Photography - www.randypond.ca
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The big Wow from Apple today was the new ios7......the design I give a big fail.  Not a big fan of the visuals....I think it's a step back visually.  That green is awful.  I think the 80's isn't an era to be going back to as inspiration for design.....oh well....new stuff to play with to keep all the rats in the maze of technology. -Randy

~ 259/365 FINNY MONDAY!!!! ~

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MONDAY is done, so tired....worked out....didn't sleep great Sunday night.  Looking forward to the weekend already! :) -Randy

~ 254/365 Wednesday ~

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Cannot wait for the weekend.  So tired....wow the school year goes fast once it starts.  Education is a crazy roller coaster ride.  :)  It doesn't slow down until June. :) -Randy

~ 242/365 Dream Car ~

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Well, today ended the last day of staff only.  Next day of work I'll be facing the real deal.  Nothing compares to the rush of a first day of a school year.  People that think teaching is easy need to give their heads a shake.  Millions of possibilities on how to start a year, possibly the most important day ever.  For most teachers it's a make or break day.  Decided to relax a bit tonight and take my pic of this awesome car model aka TOY!! :)  It's my dream car, hence the dreamy editing. Have a great LONG weekend everyone. -Randy

~ 217/365 Cherry Tree ~

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A small cherry tree we planted a few years ago....had to make it a 365 pic.  Finally looking like a real tree even though it is still little. :) -Randy

~ 184/365 Summer Day ~

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A beautiful day, not too hot, great summer weather.  Went to the gym tonight and had a great workout.  Looking forward to more days like today this summer.
-Randy

~ 180/365 Caturday again ~

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180 days of 2013.....summer holidays are in swing now.  Spent the day napping and hiding from the HEAT!!! Tuesday is supposed to feel like +38!!!  Scully filled in as my model for my picture.  Not even sure the ISO on this shot, but it was taken almost in complete darkness!!!  Love the Canon 5D!! :) -Randy

~ 154/365 My Cat Finny ~

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Worked out at my gym for the first time today.  Was a good time, enjoyed seeing all the muscle heads laughing at the old guy on the treadmill sweating like a beast.  I am learning that I am old and I really don't care.....I just wanna be healthy and live a longer life so I can take lots more pictures. :) -Randy

~ 146/365 More Blossoms ~

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Went to another fiddle concert today, came home and worked in the yard, had to take a picture of these lovely blossoms as they are in full bloom and look awesome. -Randy

~ 145/365 Blossoms ~

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Got to go to a Calvin Vollrath concert with my wife, it was really cool, he was sharing the stage with Natalie Macmaster....she is pretty amazing.  Good music and really talented musicians.  Inspired me to do some new work with my camera and get my creativity going. -Randy

~ 140/365 Flowers ~

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A good long weekend, finished off with some work and cleaning.  Had a lot of fun....really don't wanna go back to work tomorrow. :)  But the real world is calling and I'll be there tomorrow to answer the call. :)  Have a great week people. -Randy

~ 137/365 Cherry Tree ~

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Slow in updating my 365, but shot this on day 137, a small cherry tree we planted a few years back in our yard.  Always a beauty this time of year....so had to grab a shot of it for my 365. -Randy

~ 135/365 DOG!!!! ~

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Went to Edmonton today after school with Jenn, she went to a fiddle Jam and I went to Best Buy to look after some computer stuff.  After I was done I stopped by to visit my friend Candace VanStryland and shot some pics of her super dog Disco!!! As my photo of the day, it was sure tough to get a decent shot as the light was fading quick and this dog moves QUICK!!! -Randy

~ 134/365 Spring Flowers ~

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Long day today, was feeling pretty wicked tired tonight.  Shot this just before the sunset.  Hope everyone has a good week.  Hoping a good night sleep will give me some energy for tomorrow. -Randy

~ 132/365 Mothers Day 2013 ~

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MOTHERS DAY and a HOT one, some leaves are appearing on our apple tree.  Was a beautiful weekend for Mothers to go out and enjoy some warm weather.  I love my Mom and was happy to talk to her on the phone and wish her a happy Mother's day. -Randy

~ 129/365 Spring Day ~

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The day was beautiful, it was starting to get windy and cool when I snapped this.  Wanted to show there is signs of spring and summer. :)  Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!! -Randy