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!

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.

Boatin Sunday - Shot for Dan

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, f/4.5, 1/100, iso 200

Now that I'm back home for a while, I'm going to resume the Boatin Sunday images. Today's image is a tribute to my friend Dan Sniffin. Dan was the first photographer that told me I needed to slow down. "Don't try to get every shot, Bob, get the shot." Watching Dan work is like the difference between fast food and gourmet food. He crafts his images.

It reminds me of a line from the Dan Fogelberg song "Leader of the Band." He's talking about his father and he says ".. A thundering velvet hand, his gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand."

The shots Dan took while in San Miguel (that I saw anyway) were mostly about lines and color (well there was the shot of the woman in the shawl that could be on the cover of NatGeo...).  And they were beautiful. Crafted. He took his time with those subjects. Dan thinks of things I just don't think of. Yet, anyway.

I have some more trips coming up with Dan and "I'm gonna get me some mo' learnin' `bout taking my time."

 

Miércoles Sin Palabras

 

On Wordless Wednesday, you tell the story...

Captured Angels

Canon 1D Mark III, 70-200mm F/4, f/4, 1/160, iso 250

In kind of a funky mood this morning. So I looked for something in my library that was a bit edgy. Chose this one. Perfect for my mood. Gotta put on some happier music I think.

Fun Friday - With a Twist

Canon GH2, 14-140mm, f/5.8, 1/100, iso 320

Okay, not fine art, but fun, don't you think?

At the Farmer's Market

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, f/5, 1/60, iso 200

This is the first place I have ever lived where there is a farmer's market every weekend, with locally grown produce, flowers, meat, etc. We try to go every Saturday. Our favorite stop is the pasta booth. Amazing hand made pastas featuring locally grown ingredients. Last time we bought beet ravioli! Each one was a flavor explosion in my mouth. Added some toasted walnuts, goat cheese, olive oil and lemon... mmmmm.

Don't these beets just jump right off the screen and say fresh picked flavor?

 

Green Eyed Girl

   

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm F/4.5, f/5.6, 1/1250, iso 400

Don't worry, I'm not going to do a whole series on these store dummies! I'm including this one because I really like the negative space aspect, and this oblique presentation. Seems like such a natural pose. I don't know if the stylist planned on matching the colors in the hat with her eyes, but it's really working for me. You?

Still Beauty

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300 F/4.5, f/5.6, 1/500, iso 400

Walking through the Pioneer Square area of Seattle I noticed this shop window. "The girls," dressed so beautifully. I took several shots, and when I viewed them on my screen was surprised how much I like them.

So I thought I'd share and see if any of you like them?

Topaz Tuesday - Seaside Walk

Panasonic GH2, 14-140mm, f/8, 1/160, iso 160

Was walking a beach the other day when I came across this scene. I really enjoy it when nature herself creates a composition, just waiting for someone like me to come along and enjoy it.  Kind of like this post from early last year.This time, I appreciate the contrasting textures of the worn sandstone, and the pebbles. As well as the kelp straddling these two elements.

I captured the scene then went on my way. When I looked at it later on my computer, the scene was pretty flat and lifeless. You know what that means - Topaz Adjust. Into Topaz Adjust and I began with the Spicify preset. I then used the saturation sliders to bring up the color. I also did a small hue adjustment to warm it up. I decided bumping adaptive exposure to the right made it a bit more pleasing. Back in photoshop, after resizing for this web page, I lasso'd the center and did a very small curves adjustment (S-curve) just to add a bit more punch.

The changes Topaz Adjust made allow us to see right through the water.  When you view the original image on the continue link below, I think you'll be amazed at the transformation.