On Davis Time

Look Back – Is the Best Shot Behind You?

Posted on August 29, 2016September 28, 2023 by Tressie

On our Disney Cruise vacation, they announced that we would be arriving in Tortola (BVI) near sunrise, and the view of the ship pulling into port would be worth getting up for. I was the only one in my family interested (no surprise there).

Walking around on the upper deck with a handful of other passengers at shortly after 6am, I looked over the front of the ship as we approached the islands. The view was pretty, but not spectacular, mostly because the beautiful sunrise was behind the ship. The “approaching” shot I had envisioned was not there.

Growing bored, I turned and walked toward the back of the ship, and noticed immediately a better view was behind us. Adjusting my camera settings for the more intense light and stunning color, my next shots evoke an entirely different feeling and memory of that morning – and my images do not do it justice.

Once the sun rose high enough in the sky, I again moved toward the front of the ship to catch our final approach to Tortola. Was it worth getting up for? Absolutely – a beautiful beginning to the day.

These three very different images were taken in the span of 30 minutes or so. Lesson learned – sometimes it’s a good idea to look back…before facing forward once again.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

The World is Changed by Your Example, Not by Your Opinion

Posted on March 17, 2016September 23, 2023 by Tressie

The world is changed by your example, not your opinion. ~Paulo Coelho

There are so many people I wish would take this quote to heart. Especially this year, as we watch people argue over how bad “other” people are, and how much “better” their own opinions are, rather than just making an effort themselves, to do the RIGHT THING, always.

No, you cannot force other people to believe the same as you, nor can you force them to do what you consider the “right thing”. However, it is always within your power to lead by example. Make it a good one.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

Patriotic Palace – Abandoned Amusement Park in TN

Posted on March 15, 2016September 28, 2023 by Tressie

Abandoned places are some of my favorite photographic subjects, and the Patriotic Palace was not a disappointment. Through the dirt and neglect, you can usually imagine what a place used to be, but there seems to be more mystery surrounding this one, an I have so far been unable to reconstruct it’s history.

When my family and I passed this Abandoned Amusement park on our way to Chattanooga, we made a note to stop and visit it on our way home. The Patriotic Palace is located on Interstate 75, exit 141, a lonely and sad reminder of….what? I’m really not sure, as I have been unable to find any specific information regarding this amusement park.

And not that I spent a crap ton of time on google or anything, but the few searches I did on this lonely little “amusement park” turned up nothing but posts by other people who stopped to take photos, just as I did, or stories of the adjacent Fireworks Superstore burning down in 2014.

If anyone knows the history of the amusement park side of this place, I would love to hear it.In the mean time, here are several photos

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

What Youth Sports Should Look Like

Posted on March 8, 2016September 23, 2023 by Tressie

You’ve seen the ranting articles. The ones railing against the cost of youth sports, the toll they take on family time, the debates about whether a single sport should be year round and the arguments to support multi-sport kids. Then there are the articles about the parents. You know, those crazy sports parents. The ones that drive an hour and a half away 2-3 times a week for practice, that incessantly badger their kids to get in that mystical 10,000 hours, for perfection. Not to mention the ones that are truly crazy, and apt to be removed from the rink/field/court.

Don’t get me wrong – when your child is on a winning team, it’s exciting, and FUN. If your child is an integral part of said winning team, it’s positively intoxicating.

The articles argue the extremes. I may be considered one of those crazy sports parents, but when your child loves the game, how can you help but get wrapped up??

All of that said however, our family has never lost sight of all of the far more important things gained from participating in youth sports – the lessons, the sportsmanship, the responsibility and teamwork, but most of all, the pure JOY it brings your child. (If it doesn’t bring your child joy, please rethink your motives)

So for now just forget about the extremes, and take a look at what I think youth sports should look like.

Finesse Fastpitch 2015 www.tressiedavisphotography.com — Finesse Fastpitch – NSA World Series 2015, Chattanooga, TN

Skating fun - Coliseum FSC www.tressiedavisphotography.com — TriStates 2015 – Coliseum FSC, Chelsea, MI

Chelsea Hockey at the Joe - www.tressiedavisphotography.com — Chelsea Hockey at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI 2015

Chelsea Basketball - www.tressiedavisphotography.com — Chelsea, MI 7th Grade Basketball, 2015

Hurricanes Fastpitch - www.tressiedavisphotography.com — Hurricanes Fastpitch, Dexter, MI

See those happy faces? THIS is what it’s all about.

Tiny Planets App

Posted on March 3, 2016September 28, 2023 by Tressie

Tiny Planets App – this fun little gem does some pretty cool things with your images.

Yes, I know how to use PhotoShop, but sometimes I don’t want to break out the “big guns” to play around with an image, and yet I want more than a couple of muddy filters.

I have used my most recent vacation pics as examples, check this out:

Coliseum Comets (Tiny Planet option)

Coliseum Comets Pre-Juv 2016 as a Tiny Planet

The city of Portland, Oregon at night (Rabbit Hole option)

Portland, Oregon - Tiny Planets App — Portland, Oregon – Tiny Planets App

Portland, Oregon in the daylight

A Geocaching site, taken as a panorama on my iPhone

And the “Video Planet” option that I have had mixed success with. Here is what it looks like using the Coliseum Comets

Look like fun and have an extra 99 cents?

Get the iOS version HERE . I couldn’t find an Android version by the same developer, but there are several similar apps.

Have fun!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.