…I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord…
Alleyways are always wonderful sources of images for photographers! This one is a composite of two shots taken in a Petaluma alley- and then it became something else. Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah was going through my head as the final image came to light.
Spotted in Petaluma- an older couple making their way down the steps. I look at the woman- and she looks like me! She is holding on to the railing and her man for dear life just as I do. Even though my knee has been replaced, stairs do cause me to be extra careful. I recently had a birthday which is giving me pause as I head in the direction of 80 (still a couple years away). I feel young, except when I look in the mirror- or walk down steps!
This is the third image I’ve submitted for the online exhibition. It is an in-camera multiple exposure of the Newport Beach pier layered in Photoshop with some gelli prints and is called “Smithereens”. You can decide for yourself what the image means to you, and, as for the title, I just like the word!
As you may remember, I am part of an wonderful group called Find Your Voice, run by the amazing Valda Bailey and Doug Chinnery. I have learned so much from them and from the photographer/artists who are a part of the group! We create work in the expressionist style, using multiple exposure, intentional camera movement and other techniques to express our vision. It is the time of year when we submit 3 pieces to Valda and Doug who will pick ONE to show in the online exhibition, like we did last year. This year, the exhibition is titled “Fragments” and we are encouraged to use elements of collage in our work, which may be other photographs, painting, cyanotype, or other techniques. Many of the members are also artists in other mediums (not me!), so, as you can imagine, I have to fight off “Imposter Syndrome” at every turn!
The image above is a collage (or composite) of an in-camera multiple exposure layered with parts of several gelli plate printed images. My inspiration was the recent massive heat wave- hence the title, “Heat Dome”. It is one of the three images I am submitting, so may or may not be in the online show.Another image I’m submitting is “That Morning”, which has appeared here on the blog. I will post the other entry later, once I figure out a title!
This started out as an in-camera multiple exposure- and then I went from there! Having fun in photoshop is one of my favorite things!
Photographed on our drive to Bodega Bay a few weeks ago, this barn looms out of a gloomy sky when converted to a black and white image.
This is a detail from the Yavapai County Fallen Officer Memorial located in Courthouse Square in Prescott and dedicated to those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Below is the larger scene- a beautiful tribute.
The memorial for the 19 Granite Mountain Hot Shots who were killed in the terrible wildfire, just as we were moving to Prescott eleven years ago, has been put in place in Courthouse Square. It was worth the wait, as it is simple and elegant, a poignant tribute to the men who died in this tragic event.
This image did not start out to have anything to do with global warming, but it has certainly been on my mind this last year. I began with an intentional camera movement photo, and as I started building layers, this somewhat apocalyptic image just evolved.
Remembering all those who gave their lives for our country.
We went down to the Courthouse Square today for the western art show and watched at noon as the Scottish military group laid the wreath and flag at Prescott’s memorial for all who were lost in war. With bagpipes, an honor guard, and local dignitaries, it was a very small but moving tribute.
I am finally getting around to posting the third in my Merging Realities series! Although I’ve been taking and editing photos, I’ve been super busy and just couldn’t get my act together to post any of them. But summer vacation is here, and my retirement life is going to slow down a bit- so expect more posts soon-ish!
Another image from the mall.
Part of a series created from scenes at a mall this week.
One of our favorite (and almost NECESSARY) things to do when we go back to the Bay Area is to drive over to Bodega Bay, the scene of many memories from our dating and early marriage days. The drive from Petaluma is through rural Sonoma County, and it still looks much like it did over 50 years ago. I loved this view of the curve in the road, the white power poles, and the intense green as we approached a hill and made Lonnie slow down so I could take an iPhone shot through the windshield.
We have just returned from a wonderful trip back to Benicia to attend Morgan and Matt’s wedding. We took the opportunity to visit as many friends as we could in town, as well as driving over to Sonoma County twice to visit our Petaluma and Santa Rosa friends. I captured this beloved view of the Carquinez Bridge through the window of Sailor Jack’s on the Benicia Waterfront as we ate dinner with Debbie and Dale (Morgan’s parents) on our last night in town. I have taken hundreds of photos of this view, and I never tire of it!
melinda anderson photography 