Monday, May 31, 2010

Charlie Brown tree


Yup, I found a Charlie Brown tree at the park. Be careful, very, very careful this tree will eat your kite.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Desert Resident


Trying to catch this hare with the lens was like trying to snap Superman. As soon as I could get close enough it would take off down a hidden path.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Two



Two birds sitting at lookout in the desert. Photoshop allows me to adjust the colors any way I want. Sometimes you really can go to extremes. Occasionally, when trying to adjust colors, I am amazed that the cactus I need to alter the yellow to get the right color. However, the sky is both blue and cyan. Sometimes it is fun to just go nuts with the color. This gives me a better appreciation of the colors we enjoy. I am glad a green sky only exists in Photoshop.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Another contest


Sharp and Delicate

Edge of the desert

Mountain Sunrise
McDowell Mountain preserve is running a photo contest to get photos to encourage people to enjoy the desert. I love the desert. I love the cactus, the flowers, the bugs, the heat, and I respect how lethal the environment can be. Always bring your own water. Just East of Scottsdale the beautiful hiking paths encourage you to enjoy the desert.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Spots - I don't see spots


This is an example of what not to do. My eyes do not see these spots on the landscape. You know those weird looking hoods for camera lens, well they help prevent these by shading the camera lens from the sun. I was shooting into the sun without sufficient shade on the lens. I liked the winding path but not the spots. Shooting at 90〫to the sun also helps to prevent these ghostly circles that your eyes don't see.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Back of Beyond


Hiking and taking pictures for a project on the McDowell Mountains I was able to get this shot of Four Peaks. I won't use it for the project, since it is the wrong set of mountains, but I am very happy with how it turned out.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Abstract


In this small space I sometimes struggle to get the gist of the picture. The eye can not see this. The camera captures the most minute details but lost when shrunk down to fit on the web page. Water and sunlight make an incredible combination.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Suspended


This spider appears to be suspended in mid-air. The camera didn't pickup the delicate threads that hold up the spider.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Shy



Can you find our shy little friend in the first picture? The little guy wouldn't move so I wandered around until I could find a clearer view. Sometimes when the subject won't or can't move, as a photographer, I move myself to another position until I get a different angle. If you don't like a shot, move.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Sleep


I was impressed that Momma duck was willing to go back to sleep while I stood on a little wall taking pictures of her ducklings. Apparently I have been there enough I am becoming part of the safe background.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Cool


Every once in awhile, I take a shot because I know the combination is right. My eyes could not see this image, but I knew that sprinklers, sunshine and trees had real potential for something I like. I think I hit it right.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Eye to Eye



Thanks to the zoo handler that allowed me to be up close and personal with an eagle. I did not need my telephoto lens. I was thankful to be there at the right time, at the right place, with my camera ready.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Service


Glamor day brought together people that wished to lift the hearts of families effected by catastrophic illness. A little fingernail polish, a little time, and faces transform to smiles.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Hopekids Event


Last Saturday I spent several hours at a Hopekids event taking pictures of Mothers and Daughters Glamor Day. I enjoy watching so many people sharing their talents to brighten the day for someone else. Hopekids is my way of being involved with community sharing my talents. I won't post the pictures of the kids which are amazing. Their parents will be able to download files to get the pictures. Check out their webpage http://www.hopekids.org/

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Chillin'


Wandering I found a shot that just needed to be captured. This person looked so relaxed. I have no idea who it was.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Lines




The mind draws in information to identify an object using our senses. The camera can isolate a single feature that our eyes may not see because of all the other in put coming in.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Sharing ideas


Sharing ideas with other photographers is one of the bonuses of taking classes. I decided I could still do this with photographers on line. One of my widgets is by Joe Decker he created a series called "Signatures of the sun." I decided to try my hand at the park lake. Check out Joe Decker at
http://www.rockslidephoto.com/gallery.php?gallery=7

Saturday, May 8, 2010

What the fish?



Sometimes you need to get more of the picture because less changes the context of what a person is seeing.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Back to sending portfolio






These pictures are part of my Urban Nature portfolio that I sent out for a possible photo opportunity. I love how people enjoy mingling with nature on their terms.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Think cool


First part of May and I am already thinking of cool winter months. An image from January to help with cool thoughts.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Marching


I totally cracked up when I saw the way this duckling was marching a long the edge of the lake. He didn't have the usual waddle and I had to get a picture. I could imagine a whole line of them like a duckling parade.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

More Glass

Court yard heading into the Bellagio in Vegas.


Chihuly chandelier in the Bellagio. There is a book out on this since the glass was so heavy it became an engineering feat as well as a work of art.
http://www.amazon.com/Chihuly-Bellagio-Book-DVD-Dale/dp/157684160X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272860775&sr=1-1

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Flotilla


http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=flotilla
S: (n) flotilla (a fleet of small craft)
I immediately thought of this word as I watched the ducklings stretch out across the park pond/lake.