Remembering our two trips to Bisbee (southern Arizona)- so many photo opportunities in this old town!
Bisbee Vibe
Timeless Faith
Chat GPT suggested the title for this photo taken back in 2015 of Mission San Xavier del Bac (south of Tucson). I’m posting it now, because I recently edited it for the monthly competition in our photo club. The challenge was to take a photo that we might have rejected previously and improve it by editing. I also used this as an opportunity to practice my updated Silver Efex software for a black and white conversion. I’m in a Black and White Special Interest Group with the club and have been learning the program- with an emphasis on the Zone System, which I first heard about from my father back in his photography days. After my Lightroom editing, I did the conversion and some local adjustments in Silver Efex, and then I took it back to Photoshop to add some toning, which I couldn’t quite get right in Silver Efex. I don’t always submit photos to the club and am very happy to report it got First Place!
Below is the original image before the final edit:
London Bridge Impressions
We took a trip with my photo club along the western part of Route 66 in Arizona, and made a side trip to Lake Havasu, home of the iconic London Bridge. Lonnie and I visited there several years ago and enjoyed walking along the bridge and and remembering how my parents had visited there in the seventies, not long after it was constructed (and faced with the original masonry from the 1830’s original bridge). This time I used intentional camera movement techniques to produce an impressionistic view of the bridge.
Turnagain Again and Again
We return to the same spots along the Seward Highway every year- mostly for me to take photos of the Turnagain Arm. I’m fascinated by the mountains and glaciers- and am always looking for beluga whales at Beluga Point (no, not yet…). The last couple years I’ve spent time taking ICM images- each one turning out different from the others.
Lakeside
Ahhh the lazy days of summer, just hanging out by a lake- in this case, at our daughter’s cabin at Crooked Lake in Alaska. The sunlight shimmering on the water behind the fireweed caught my eye, and I tried to capture the dreamy feeling using multiple exposures and a slow shutter.
Flour Mill
I can’t pass a silo, a mill, a grain elevator or an old barn without stopping to take a photo. This shot is from our hour spent in Talmadge, Kansas, where the huge grain elevator dominates the downtown.
Flowers of Alaska
I always take lots of photos of flowers at our daughter’s house and cabin when we visit. This is a collection of just a very few- plus a special appearance by our granddog, Penny. Enjoy!
In the Forest
We’ve just returned from a visit with our daughter’s family in Alaska. My camera got a workout taking dozens of senior photos of our oldest grandson, and lots of ICM photos of places we’ve visited many times, trying to capture them in a different way. The photos here taken on a short hike to a spot we had never visited before- Barbara Falls in Eagle River. I took the photo above as we walked along and the more traditional photo below of the falls themselves. Quite a contrast to Arizona!
Weathered and Distressed
Whatever, wherever, and however the road trip, I always have my camera or iPhone ready to take photos out the window as we drive along. This old barn and damaged windmill caught my eye as we drove on Kansas backroads last month.
San Clemente Gold
I never get tired of ocean views at sunset!
Original Landlord
I think the poster says it all.
Spotted at Two Guns.
Two Guns
Depending on your point of view, you could call this site along Route 66 historic or an eyesore, but photographers call Two Guns a great photo opportunity. This just one of many remnants of a tourist stop during the heyday of Route 66, and the graffiti only adds to its appeal to photographers. Like many areas in Arizona it has a bloody past- you can read about it HERE. Lonnie and I spent a couple hours exploring the area with my photo group and never ran out of things to point out or photograph!
Wigwam Motel 2
The wigwams are not the only attraction at the Wigwam Motel- the grounds are filled with vintage cars. It’s like stepping back in time!
Wigwam Motel
Back to Route 66! I visualized this image as we drove into Holbrook, where we stayed the first night of our Route 66 trip with my photo club. The last time we were in Holbrook, we stayed across the street from the Wigwam Motel (yes, people stay in these faux teepees, which have nice beds air conditioning, bathrooms etc. ). I knew I wanted to photograph it again- but convert to black and white. It was difficult to get an uncluttered view- I had to walk around the corner to be able to get a clear view of the huge “teepees” against the cloudy sky. Mission accomplished!
Trees in the Rocks
One of the places we visited on our Route 66 trip with my photo club was the Little Painted Desert (outside of Winslow)- an amazingly beautiful spot. I was entranced from the beginning by the creases and folds in the rock formations that looked like tree branches to me. And of course the colors were spectacular!
melinda anderson photography 