Thumb Butte at Sunset

I love the view of our Thumb Butte from downtown.  There was a beautiful, fleeting moment of color at sunset the other night while I was downtown photographing the Christmas lights.  I think my favorite image is this (intentionally) out of focus one with traffic coming toward me (yikes!).

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The Essence of Shells

I love my abstract photography class! I am finding that the kind of photography I love to do the most (besides grand-boy photography, of course)- macros and closeups with a shallow depth of field- fall into the abstract photography realm. I had no idea! This week I’ve been photographing some of my shells with the intention of exploring their essence- and also their un-seashellness!

The un-seashellness of seashells (more of a pure abstract): 20141117-shell_abstracts-2_melinda_andersonThe essence of seashells:

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Neighborhood Walk

Our weather has turned chilly, the leaves have mostly all turned gold and are starting to be blown off the trees, so I decided to take a short walk in the neighborhood to capture leaves on the trees while they were still attached.  I did take a few tree photos, but, inspired by my abstract photography class,  I also found myself attracted to the shapes and patterns around me.

Berries in the sidewalk cracks:

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Leaves in the rocks:

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I’ll post trees tomorrow!

Off the Wall, In a Grid, Out of Focus

I’ve been having fun playing with my photography this week, because I’m taking Kim Manley-Ort’s abstract photography class. We’ve been given the task of looking at the work of a list of abstract photographers this week and thinking about who inspires us. Today’s photos don’t really fulfill that assignment, as I’m still absorbing what I’ve looked at and thinking about what I’ve already been doing.  I know I love black and white and minimalist photography (abstract or not), fluid and out of focus images (Lensbaby, ICM), and light and shadow play.  I love taking detail shots, which may or may not be abstracts.  Basically, I really like to play with my camera! And, yes, with the editing too!

Here are two sets of abstract shots, which I ended up placing in grids after some color play. No, this was not the assignment!

Tire tread marks:

20141109-color_abstract2_melinda_andersonGlass patio table:

20141109-color_abstract_melinda_andersonAnd then, here’s another attempt at intentional camera movement:

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