Reflections Revisited, Ranchos de Taos. 05-12-2023

Geraint July 11, 2023 20 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, New Mexico. This week I’m revisiting reflections at the Saint Francis adobe mission church in Ranchos de Taos. In 2005 and 2006, I began making images of the building and its architectural details in the parking lot rain puddles, and snow melt. Over the years, I’ve posted many such images. What surprised me the most was the time frame and dates when I began this project.

Below are some of my current favorites. Enjoy!

Saint Francis reflections, Ranchos de Taos, NM

Getting in close…

San Francisco de Asis Church reflections.

… and closer still.

Saint Francis Church reflecting in puddle with rocks — Church of Saint Francis reflecting in a puddle with rocks.

The puddle below is about 3-4 feet wide. I put the camera on the ground, and because the mud had settled, there was a perfect mirror image of the west side of the building.

West elevation Saint Francis, reflecting in a large snow melt puddle — West elevation Saint Francis, reflecting in a snow melt puddle.

Saint Francis, in snow melt puddle. — Saint Francis, in a snow melt puddle.

Saint Francis, reflections in rain puddle. — Saint Francis, reflections in a rain puddle.

Saint Francis, archway, summer reflections — Saint Francis, archway, summertime.

I used the image below in 2009 on a 5×7 postcard to promote my photo tour/workshops. The reflections made the image. I distributed it around town, and business took off.

Saint Francis, archway, night time — Saint Francis, and archway at twilight.

I shot this image in 1988 before I sold my 1958 VW Beetle. I wish I still owned it. It served as a prop in many of my images. The Beetle’s organic shape worked well with the organic shapes on this building.

Saint Francis, in a VW Beetle mirror. — Saint Francis, in my 1958 VW Beetle mirror.

There’s a window across the street that had a lace filagree curtain. One of my favorite shots.

Happenstance plays a big part in my photography. This Prius was ideally parked.

Saint Francis in the rear of an Toyota Prius — Saint Francis in the rear of a Toyota Prius.

Below is the same 3-4 feet puddle as above. I like to return to familiar locations frequently.

Saint Francis in a puddle in parking lot — Saint Francis in a parking lot puddle.

Lastly, not a reflection but many little lenses. What would you call it? I shot it in 2010 for inclusion in a juried exhibit on the Saint Francis Church, entitled “A Humble Masterpiece”. I printed the image in black and white.

Are you planning a summer, fall, or winter trip to New Mexico? Check out my tour/workshop page. I’ll introduce you to the Saint Francis Mission Church in Ranchos de Taos.

As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G

Lost Lake, Ripples, Reflections, Colorado

Geraint September 12, 2020 4 Comments

Lost Lake, ripples and reflections, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Reflections of the sun setting on the red rocks and the last glow of light on the mountain peak, with a hint of blue the pale sky, surrounded by reflections of the grey rocks and shadows. Lost Lake is a constantly changing work of art. Thanks for looking. G

Plastic Wrapped Window, Raton, NM

Geraint March 17, 2020 6 Comments

Plastic wrapped window treatment in Raton, New Mexico. Sometimes I walk by a scene and I just have to make a picture. This is an image of the clouds reflecting in a window, that had tinting applied which, over time, had blistered, stretched and bubbled. Hey… thanks for looking too. G

Eagle Rock Lake, Moonrise, Questa

Geraint March 8, 2020 2 Comments

Eagle Rock Lake, Moonrise, Questa, New Mexico. This beautiful location is just up the street from our house, so on my way home last night I popped in and made a few shots. That’s the last of the ice in center screen, although it maybe around for a little while yet. Stay warm and well. Thanks for looking. G

Saint Francis Church Plaza, Reflections

Geraint February 7, 2020 4 Comments

Saint Francis Church Plaza, reflections, Ranchos de Taos. The 50º F temps today melted a lot of snow. That’s great but now comes the mud and a lot of water which allows for fabulous reflections. I put the camera on the ground and made a three image panorama needed to capture the swimmingly wet parking lot. Thanks for looking. G

Peace On The Pond, Baca Park Wetlands

Geraint December 24, 2019 3 Comments

Peace on the pond, grasses reflecting in the Baca Park wetlands Taos, New Mexico. Thank you for spending a part of your day with me. Geraint

Lone Tree Sunset, Reflections, VW Bus

Geraint September 20, 2019 2 Comments

Lone tree sunset, reflections with VW Bus, Taos, NM. Dipping in to the archives again today. Throwing out more than I’m saving by the time I’m through. So, I thought this one was a save. I’ve photographed this tree many times over the last three and a half decades. It has finally succumbed to more than one element, namely a chainsaw. It was always the first tree to leaf out in spring and the last to lose it’s leaves well into fall. It will probably stand there, on the side of the road until it rots and bows out. The locals call it the “welcoming tree“. I like the bus in there ,although the vehicle is interchangeable, the tree is not. Thanks for looking. G

Saint Francis, Ranchos De Taos.

Geraint September 14, 2019 No Comments

Saint Francis, Ranchos De Taos. Here’s a two for one of the Saint Francis Church (San Francisco de Asis) arguably the most photographed church in the USA. It is one of the most supported and well kept churches in New Mexico. It has been photographed by Ansel Adams, Paul Strand, Laura Gilpin and many more including yours truly! The most well known is probably Georgia O’Keeffe’s painting. I made this image in a rain puddle a couple of days ago. As I’ve said before, “I can’t resist a puddle!” Made on an iPhone 7 Plus. Thanks for looking. G

Las Vegas, NM, Veiled Reflections

Geraint June 24, 2019 2 Comments

Las Vegas, NM, veiled reflections. There are photo opportunities galore on a morning walk around Las Vegas. Random vignettes, abstracts and street scenes await. The past also awaits, and if you go there, you’ll step right into it. Check out the Plaza Hotel and on the far end of town the newly renovated Hotel Castenada. In between a multitude of buildings, many on the National Register of Historic Places. Thanks for looking. G

Earth, Sky, Mountain Lake

Geraint June 20, 2019 1 Comment

Earth, Sky, reflecting in the lake. Here’s a favorite poem.

“Clambering up the Cold Mountain path,
The Cold Mountain trail goes on and on:
The long gorge choked with scree and boulders,
The wide creek, the mist-blurred grass.
The moss is slippery, though there’s been no rain
The pine sings, but there’s no wind.
Who can leap the world’s ties
And sit with me among the white clouds?”
Han-shan

Thanks for looking. G

Geraint Smith Photography

Tag: Reflections