We were absolutely entranced by the view from the Mogollon Rim on our recent trip to Payson. The views of rolling hills and mountains seem to go on forever. This image started as an in-camera multiple exposure, which was then layered with another multiple exposure and edited in Photoshop and other programs.
Yes, it’s an outhouse!
When we were coming back from Payson a couple weeks ago, we stopped at the town of Strawberry to view the oldest standing schoolhouse in Arizona- the Strawberry Schoolhouse. It wasn’t open, but I took photos from the outside and probably took as many photos of the outhouse as I did of the schoolhouse itself.
I offer no apologies.
Yesterday’s Trader Joe’s bouquet didn’t make it home unscathed, alas.
My photo group has been discussing photography as art recently- a subject dear to my heart. Yesterday, we watched a video about photographing with intention, which involved making lists of words that come to mind when you look at your own work- and then keeping those same qualities in mind when shooting and editing. As soon as I heard the word, list, my right brain started protesting! However, I did attempt to approach my flower shoot with intention. I told myself that I wanted the photo to be soft and dreamy and evoke in the viewer nostalgia for a bygone era. BUT. . . I instead became captivated by this impudent little broken flower and created a bright and, I think, cheerful piece- perhaps (or perhaps not) bringing a smile to the face of the viewer.
Intention. Need to work on that . . .
By afternoon, it had unfurled- yay, Spring!
Last year, the javelinas dug up all our straight from Holland tulip bulbs just as the leaves were poking up out of the ground. We heard that they don’t like irises and will leave them alone, so in the fall we planted a few iris bulbs. A while ago, we noticed the leaves growing- and finally a few buds appeared last week. We’ve been seeing profuse iris blooms all around town- just not in our garden.
I photographed an event at the college on Friday for an organization I belong too- and their irises were magnificent.
Yesterday (Earth Day), we still just had 2 buds.
And then, I woke up to an (almost) open flower this morning. I couldn’t wait for it to fully unfurl, so here it is, edited with a painterly effect from Topaz Impression.
Spring is finally here!
What do you do when you are sitting outside a humdrum motel during the golden hour? Intentional camera movement of course! The light was so beautiful, but beyond the trees was a parking lot, so I waved my camera around and got this!
Since we couldn’t get down to the bottom of the Tonto Natural Bridge, I took photos looking down at the other side of the bridge.
It’s hard to see at first how massive it is- until you notice the trees growing at the top!
A cowboy (or western) still life is the latest assignment for our photo class. I have no idea what he expects, so I gathered together some items we have in the house and garage, bought some horseshoes, and took the photo. It will be interesting to see what creative ideas my classmates come up with!
Lonnie and I took a short trip over to Payson for two nights. We had never been in the area east of the Verde Valley and wanted to explore a bit (and I wanted some photo ops!). Our first visit was to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park to view the 183 foot tall travertine arch (believed to be the highest in the world). After reading that the hike down to the bottom of the arch was strenuous and on slippery, unstable ground, we decided to save our knees and look at things from a higher vantage point- on level ground.
The arch is magnificent- I wish I could post photos from the bottom looking up instead of the top looking down! Here are two shots (basically the same except for the orientation) from one of the viewpoints at the top. That white stuff is water dripping down.
Another feather macro-
I never knew his name was Bill!
It was pointed out to me that the elk on top of our Elks’ Theatre is named Bill. This has something to do with a poster found in the old building that says Hello, Bill on it (an Elks tradition?). While the theatre was in disrepair a few (10?) years ago, Bill was languishing in Prescott Valley waiting to return to his former glory. When found, he sadly had a dozen or more bullet holes, but now he has been repaired and returned his rightful spot on top of his theatre overlooking downtown.
I never tire of macro- this one was taken on a mirror. Don’t ask me what kind of feather it is; it’s part of a bag I got at Hobby Lobby!
I’ve tried to photograph tumbleweeds before, but can’t seem to find the right way when they the single subject. So here’s a jazzed up multiple exposure/composite. . .
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More apple blossoms!
It is pretty much guaranteed that, when I can’t find anything to photograph, a subject will appear during a walk in the neighborhood!
melinda anderson photography 