See in a New Way
I wasn’t too excited about the eggs theme for The Studio Online this week and felt pretty uninspired- until I cracked eggs for my scrambled eggs breakfast yesterday. Aha! A cracked egg in the composition- I haven’t done that before. And this would be a challenge for the Edge 80 optic on my Lensbaby (the optic I can never get off once I put it on- but that’s another story. . .). The weather was warm, with no cold wind knocking over my props in my garage studio. For once, things went smoothly with the set-up AND, most importantly, with the focus. In fact, I will have more eggs photos to show you- probably tomorrow.
The first photo was edited with Kim Klassen’s darklight preset (tweaked and at reduced opacity in the Fader). The other two are edited with one of my own.
Note to non-Lensbaby folks: See in a new way is Lensbaby’s slogan and pretty much my mantra!
Backyard Blur
My photography goal for April is to practice with my Lensbaby every day. We’ve been out in the backyard the last couple days, so the Lensbaby came out with me yesterday.
The fountain is up and running again. Is it just me, or does this look like a lady juggling?
Here is a macro of photinia leaves- with some added texture.
And here is the same basic shot, edited with a black and white preset. Notice how the lensbaby blur shows up in the black and white- interesting!
These were all taken with the Sweet 50 optic, macro converters added in the last two.
Constellation Trail
We have miles and miles of trails yet to discover here in Prescott. Saturday, we took a short walk on the Constellation Trail, which winds by the Granite Dells just outside of town. Because my husband is still in recovery mode, we stopped after a half hour, but really enjoyed the trails and scenery.
Sunflowers: Light and Shadow
Back in the studio again! Spring is really here, and it was actually pleasant to work on still life assignments in the garage. Here are my “official” light and shadow images for The Studio.
Playing with Kim Klassen presets:
top row- moody-ish, organic
bottom row: chocolate, barely color
This one is a more standard, “clean” edit.
Light, Shadow, Light
The latest prompt for Kim Klassen’s Studio had to do with light and shadow, which she related to ups and downs in her own family. It was easy for me to use that metaphor for the twists and turns that have been part of our 2015. Life has been mostly wonderful, but we have stepped into the shadows a few times in the last couple months.
Although I considered this theme, I have not yet done the still-life assignment. Instead I took some sunrise lensbaby shots of the sunflowers I bought the other day (that I had INTENDED and STILL INTEND to use in a shadowy still life). Somehow, I always find myself drawn to impromptu still lifes, rather than styled ones, and in this case, the morning sun on the sunflowers was too beautiful to pass up. There is shadow in these images- but the light is predominant.
Simplified
Another beach image for you today! This one was edited with Topaz Simplify (and an added texture) to give it a bit of a painterly look.
Sea Life
You will probably be seeing even more of my San Diego photos over the next week. I came home last week with some kind of bug and am not quite able to work on Lensbaby or still life shots this week. My friend, Carol, was also showing allergy or upper respiratory symptoms when she was here; we made quite a pair!
So, with no further ado, here is a gull (he stayed on this perch forever!).
And- here are what I assume are orcas. Someone on Flickr said they are NOT; they are just bottlenose dolphins. I looked up bottlenose dolphins- and did not find any black and white ones- but I don’t claim to be an expert.
By the Sea
Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean.
– Christopher Reeve
Edited with Kim Klassen’s kk_gentlewhisper for Texture Tuesday.
Adventures in Autofocus
My college roommate and photo buddy, Carol, came for the weekend, and, as always, we had great fun taking photos and sharing photography know-how. Although we started photography at the same time, Carol and I have gone in somewhat different directions in photography; she has a pro quality camera and lenses and all the gear to go with them and has been on numerous photography trips with professional photographers to exotic places, which she photographs beautifully. I have a great “enthusiast” quality camera and tend to gravitate more to still-life, flower, macro, and LENSBABY photos. Coincidentally, when we came together last weekend, we both had questions about autofocus modes- me, because I had been setting up my new camera, and she, because she had just returned from a bird photography trip to Texas, where she felt her birds-in-flight photos weren’t as good as she would have liked (they are FABULOUS!).
On Sunday we went on an excursion to Lynx Lake to experiment with different autofocus settings while photographing birds. Although I didn’t manage to capture particularly good photographs of birds in flight, I was very pleased with my new camera’s focusing capabilities. I learned a few things, and, most importantly, had fun outdoors!
Double crested cormorant:
Grebe:
Which way shall we go?
Stacked Up
While in La Jolla, we stayed at a tiny little rental cottage with cute things all around. I was inspired by all the great props to create a still life one morning; I hoped to get a few more done as well, but the beach was calling.
This diptych was created in response to the “Stacked Up” prompt for The Studio Online.
Meanwhile, Back at the Beach. . .
Three Views, Three Styles
One of the highlights of our trip to San Diego was Point Loma, an area we had never visited before- and we certainly plan to return. In fact, we visited it twice this trip! There is a spectacular view of San Diego, tidepools, trails, and a view of the ocean that goes on forever. And there are TWO lighthouses- the current one operated by the Coast Guard, and the historic one, built in 1855. The old lighthouse was only operational for 36 years, because its beacon was often obscured by fog. The newer lighthouse sits much closer to the water for better visibility.
Today’s photos are of the historic lighthouse- 3 views, 3 styles.
Beach Blur 2
A couple more lensbaby photos from Pacific Beach in San Diego:
Beach Blur!
We’re not in Arizona anymore! We are . . . o n v a c a t i o n !
And these photos are from my brand new Nikon D7100! My camera ended up having to be sent to Nikon after all; the shutter was replaced, but there were still problems. So, I now have a second camera, which will, of course, become my first camera. It is the newer version of my old camera- basically the same, but with a better sensor and a few other tweaks. It’s on sale right now, because the even newer version comes out next week.
I had so much fun today using my new toy with the Lensbaby Sweet 35. Of course, many of my lensbaby photos didn’t turn out, but my ratio is getting better. These shots were both taken at Pacific Beach in San Diego.
I love Arizona, but it is sooooo nice to be taking photos at the ocean!
melinda anderson photography 