Here is another California poppy image created from photos I took a few weeks ago on our poppy adventure down in the valley. What a great day that was!
Poppy Memories
Show-off
Morning coffee these days means sitting on the front porch watching the monsoon rains or sitting on the back patio and watching the hummingbird show. Today it was the hummingbirds.
We have had more hummingbirds than usual this summer and often they are vying for dominance in their territory. This morning they were zooming around so fast it was difficult to focus. Although they were focused on each other (and the feeder!), I considered they might actually fly right into me as I stood taking photos. As I write this, they are back at it again after a forced respite due to heavy rain.
I was in the mood for a soft photo when I edited this image, so muted the colors and added a blur and a paint filter over all. This is a look I like in photography- but does NOT reflect the mood of these feisty hummers.
Impressions of Iris- Again
Although I have taken a lot of photos, I haven’t been posting for some reason. The iris image above is an in-camera multiple exposure shot with intentional camera movement from a couple months ago. It is similar to one I have posted already, but I’ve just gotten around to editing this one.
Volunteers? Anyone, anyone . . . ?
My father always referred to flowers or plants that appeared out of nowhere “volunteers.” Is that the right word? Anyway, a couple years ago I noticed a prickly pear leaf growing out of the ground behind our rose bushes. We left it alone, and this year it developed several leaves and a couple dozen buds. I worried that they would open while we were gone for the week, but they waited until our return. Over the last few days, we’ve been enjoying the blossoms “volunteering” to add color and beauty to our garden.
Iris Impressions
Our photo group “final” was last week, one of the two topics being “Impressionism”. Since our irises are in bloom, I chose to create an impressionist image. I used intentional camera movement layered with a standard shot and some brushwork and a texture to give it a painterly quality. I’m delighted to have a camera, warm weather, and flowers in bloom as an excuse to sit in the backyard for hours at a time.
December
December impressions.
Solstice
This is the solstice, the still point
of the sun, its cusp and midnight,
the year’s threshold
and unlocking, where the past
lets go of and becomes the future;
the place of caught breath, the door
of a vanished house left ajar.
~ Margaret Atwood
Horse Painting
A horse closeup photo from a few months ago- I had fun using textures and painting effects to change things up.
October Still Life
We had our first assignment in my reorganized photo group. The challenge was “Unusual Light Source”- meaning no flashes, LED lights and no sun. We had to use other sources of light. I had no interest in this topic, but, being a rule follower, I set up this still life, focused my camera and took the shot by candlelight at night.
Although I went into the challenge kicking and screaming, I ended up taking a more creative, fun photo before I took this one and took both to my photo group. I am not posting it online, but will show it to friends upon request. 🙂
Ocean Portal
Here is the latest in my series, Beach Ladies. I always love taking photographs underneath the pier- and when I saw a potential beach lady walk under, I just had to photograph her.
Aspen Glow
Here is yet another image from our last trip up to Flagstaff. We are hoping to get up there again this week; there’s a chance of snow, so fingers crossed!
Alaska Impressions
An impressionistic view of Alaska glaciers . . .
Flying by
Beach memories from our trip to Newport Beach a couple months ago. . .
Lupine in the Rain
When we were driving in Homer, I noticed lupines growing all along the bike path where the old wooden boats were displayed. I remember seeing them when I was photographing the wonderful boats several years ago, but it seemed like there were even more now in 2021- just a sea of violet blue! I kept saying we needed to stop so I could take some photos.
The evening before we left Homer, we parked across from where the bike path started and hustled across the street to take photos. It was raining, but well, it’s Alaska! I made quite a few shots, including some with intentional blur. This image is a composite of two images, identical except that one was blurred (intentional camera movement).
Here Come the Pelicans!
Here is another almost abstract image created by using intentional camera movement and slow shutter speed. Although it might look like I added a texture, this is almost straight out of camera. I find it so interesting the different effects that can be created this way.
melinda anderson photography 