Blue Spring 2

This image is the second of two multiple exposures I took of the same flowers. I dearly love playing with this technique, whether in camera, in Photoshop, or on my iPhone. I’ve always loved impressionist and abstract painting and so enjoy creating images that are not a literal representation of the scene in front of me. I never know exactly how they will turn out, and I think it’s the unpredictability that is a big part of the appeal for me.

Reflection Number 1

My little AAUW photo group is meeting this week, and the topic is reflections. Each month we send 4-6 photos to the leader, and then they are displayed on a large screen in a room at the library. Later they are on the website for AAUW Prescott. I got a few photos together for the topic, but also decided to do some still life photography emphasizing reflections.

Here’s one with my baby cup! I tried to shine it up, but ended up having to rely on the dining room table for the reflection.

School’s. . . Out … for … Summer!

Yesterday was the last day of the semester for my photo group. I can remember how nervous I was the first day, weeks, even year in this group of advanced photographers, but now I am just one of the group and the people are my friends. Our final this time was a slideshow of our favorite images, and I now felt confident to share more of the photos that are in my own style and also some of my experiments in multiple exposure etc. I have proven myself with sharp images and photoshop skills, so anything goes now (hah!)!  It was nice to get positive feedback!  I’ve uploaded my video here- but have no idea if it will play (it’s a pretty large file). It may take awhile to load. So apologies in advance.

Crater

We visited Sunset Crater National Monument on the way to Wupatki. The volcano erupted over 1,000 years ago, but the whole San Francisco Peaks area is considered active though you can see no sign of that as you walk along the paths.

In the photo below you can see a “squeeze up” in a fissure in the ground. Lava pushed up through the crack and dried as a fin-shaped rock. I love how trees have grown all over the volcano’s cinder cone. Life goes on even after all the destruction wrought by the volcano.

 

Having Fun

On our visit to Flagstaff last week, we spent some time at the Arboretum. It was very enjoyable (even with the busload of second graders catching tadpoles at the pond), and we especially liked the view of the San Francisco Peaks from across the meadow. A frame is set up for picture taking, and of course we couldn’t resist taking photos of each other with the peaks behind.

When I got home, I had some photoshop fun with this photo:

Wupatki

I’ve discovered that having an orthopedist a couple hours away in Flagstaff seems inconvenient, but it has turned out to be a great opportunity for exploring the area with my camera. Wupatki National Monument is only about a half hour from Flagstaff and is an easy way to see pueblos without having to hike miles in the desert. This one is the Wupatki Pueblo itself, but we were also able to drive to several others within the area. It was a great way to spend part of an afternoon!

Far in the distance you can see a bit of the Painted Desert!