To the Edge and Beyond
One of the assignments that we’ve been given in our photo class is to create an image with “tension.” An example that our instructor has used constantly over the years is that when we have an element in the photo that leads us OUT of the photo. it creates tension. And this is not a good thing. Another example would be when two elements meet in the photo in a perhaps uncomfortable way (think of “merges”, where a tree seems to grow out of the top of someone’s head). He has himself created a series of photos that deliberately have tension (called “In Tension”, which is a play on words), which include several different kinds of tension that somehow works. I must confess to being confused by the concept.
Tension was on my mind in Albuquerque, so I deliberately set out to create some photos which have tension, but yet somehow “work” for me. This was probably the easiest to do- all those branches perhaps leading out of and into the photo.
Leaf Greetings
As we walked around Courthouse Square a week ago, the branches over our heads formed an arch so the autumn leaves could greet each other.
It was about the light
The light shining through the pine needles was what caused me to snap this photo; it looks like fall, but was just golden light.
Waiting for the White
We haven’t had snow yet this winter- or rain either. Just putting this little winter wish out there for a day or two of snow this winter . . .
Blooming
Last week we had a huge windstorm and snow the next day. And now we are back to Spring weather, and our apple trees are in bloom!
Morning Blue Hour
I’ve always loved blue and have recently become a big fan of the hour before the sun comes up, when the sky and clouds are streaked with shades of blue.
Here are some driveway and across the street shots from yesterday.
If you look closely, you’ll see a layer of fog between the far and near hills- I’m guessing over Watson Lake.
Ice Blue
Still more Alaska photos to go through. Here’s an in camera multiple exposure (taken at 9:30 a.m.!) layered with another photo to create my impression of Alaska winter.
When there were leaves . . .
I have so many photos that have never made the blog. I didn’t think this one was blogworthy at the time- just an experiment with multiple exposure- but I like it now.
It makes an interesting black and white too (with a frame that’s just an extreme Lightroom vignette).
Fog and Snow
On the day after Christmas we woke to a thick blanket of fog obscuring our view of the houses and snowy hills. The fog lingered until nine or ten, when the blue sky and sun broke through.
Experimenting
On Christmas Day, while the menfolk were absorbed with football, I went outside a couple times to take photos. The snow was deep-ish and the temperature was cold, so I never stayed out long. Since I so often take photos of the same scenes around my front yard, I quickly got the urge to experiment with alternative photography methods . The two photos below are both in-camera multiple exposures of a tree and snow. The snow added a texture to the photos- no photoshop involved. Fun to do- although the lack of control is challenging.
Alaska Blues
Every day we were in Alaska, I would wander out onto the deck and take photos of the view.
Here is an afternoon blue hour shot:
Twists and Turns
I spotted this tree by a hotel where we were staying in Phoenix and was fascinated by the twisty branches. Although I would normally edit a paloverde in color to emphasize the green bark, I thought a black and white treatment better showed off the gnarled quality of the branches.
Made for Climbing
After we picked up our friends, Joan and Rudy at the airport in Mesa a couple weeks ago, we had an al fresco diner dinner under the trees at Joe’s Farm Grill in Gilbert-what a delightful place! We fell in love with the HUGE trees that seemed to be made for climbing- in fact, NO CLIMBING signs were everywhere.
Wouldn’t you love to sit in the fork of this tree?
Lensbaby Tree
I love trying to create impressionist effects with my Lensbaby.
I took the photo above a bit farther by editing it in Photoshop and Topaz Impression.
Spring is Here!
Here’s another blossom image for today- with a little Topaz Impression for a painterly look:
Where’s Waldo?
Here’s yet another view of Sunnylands- I just can’t get enough of the palo verde trees! During the editing process of this photo, I discovered something that I didn’t realize I had captured when I snapped the shutter. Can you find it?
No, it’s not the people in the background- it’s in the foreground, and may be pretty pixelated in this online version. It’s in the orange flowers, and it starts with H!
In Bloom
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I looked through my recent photos and decided to break with tradition and go with pink instead of green for today. I took these shots of the blossoms on our plum tree before we left for Palm Springs. I guess this was a smart move, because, now that we are back, the blossoms are all gone.
