Dream Tomorrow, Live Today, Cherish Yesterday

Last Call 2011

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/2, 1/90, iso 400

Happy New Year's Eve everyone. Stay classy!

Something's Happening

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, F/6.3, 1/1250, iso 400

When I look at this image, I think "storm brewing!" But not quite. More like "something's happening." Great Peter Frampton song (aren't they ALL?).

Walker and Walkers

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/6.7, 1/125, 1/160

Enjoying my street photography in Seattle...

Wordless Wednesday

On Wordless Wednesday, you tell the story...

Topaz Tuesday - Bus Stop

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/6.7, 1/90, iso 640

Bus stop, Bainbridge style! Yes, this is a real bus stop. Had seen it many times and finaly decided I should photograph it. I didn't really think it would work as a Topaz Adjust subject, but with the new Adjust 5 I had a surprise.

I played with a few presets, some looked kind of cool. There is a collection of "Film" presets meant to recreate the look of some old films. I had not heard of "Lomo" but I liked what Lomo I and Lomo II did quite a bit. They completely changed the look of the image, making the foliages especially interesting.

I settled on Lomo I. The center of the image was too bright for me so I used the local adjustments and added a burn effect to darken it. Back in Photoshop, the interior of the structure was too cool for my taste so I used color balance to warm it up.

As always, click on the continue link to compare the original. I think you'll be pretty impressed with what the Topaz Labs people have added in Adjust 5.

Steaming Home

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, f/5, 1/3200, iso 160

Had another submarine come through the backyard, on Christmas eve. Trying to get those sailors back to their families I'm sure. This one was a bit different than the others however. Looks to me like she was running on her diesel engine. Was also flanked by four tugboats. Usually their are tugs closeby, but not tied up actually pushing the sub. Not sure what the deal was with the nuke plant, but anyway kind of made it more photogenic.

Made me think this is what a sub on the surface would have looked like long ago, recharging her batteries with the diesel. So I gave it a vintage feel, also sort of a moody look.

Merry Christmas 2011

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/3.4, 1/350, iso 160

For a major holiday I usually want to post a representative type image. Looking for today's image, I kept coming back to this one. Sure it has the holiday theme going. I think I'm also kind of amazed we have a tree in fall color, with all its leaves, at the end of December?

But I think too I like the fact that it is a city image. The only time I lived right in a city was back in the 80's in Sydney, Australia. I enjoyed the city very much, walking miles nearly every day. Despite the fact that I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Francisco never really was my kind of place.

But Seattle is, and I'm so pleased to have the opportunity to live close and to be able to enjoy it. Kinda photogenic, too!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all my friends everywhere!

My Favorite Skyline

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/8, 1/125, iso 160

I don't think I'll ever tire of this view? My new home. How fortunate we are to be here. And, the amazing December weather continues on. Merry Christmas eve everyone!

Fun Friday in Mexico

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/2.8, 1/125, iso 160

I find it difficult to explain why I'm drawn to window mannequins as photographic subjects. Does this say something about me? Maybe I don't want to know? I know what it is, as a manual focus rangefinder shooter (i.e. the Leica), it's easy to focus on these subjects, since they don't move much. That's it.

I Have Your Back

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, f/5.6, 1/5000, iso 1600

Saw this little scene on my walk yesterday and thought it was kind of cute. These birds congregate on the remnants of an old pier. But this pair needed a bit of "alone time" it seems.

(BTW, no reason for the high iso, other than I just grabbed my camera and went. This was the first image I shot, so the settings were "leftover.")