Dream Tomorrow, Live Today, Cherish Yesterday

Wordless Wednesday

On Wordless Wednesday, you tell the story...

Topaz Tuesday - Classic Cottage

Canon 5D Mark II, 24-70 F/2.8, f/5.6, 1/125, iso 400

One of things I like about doing Topaz Tuesday posts is seeing a scene in the field and being pretty sure it is a good Topaz subject. I came across this cottage during a recent art tour here on Bainbridge Island. Several artists were selling their wares on the beautiful grounds of this parcel. I got to talking to the current residents, descendents of the original homesteader. We toured the garden and viewed the beautiful trees he had planted nearly a century ago. 

The cottage is from the 1920's. There were some young kids playing in the yard and it was all just timeless. Could have been 50 years ago and I might have been one of those kids running around the yard, playing on the rope swing. It was a cool day and I wished I could grab a cup of tea and just hang out on those wooden lounges for a while.

In Topaz I worked with numerous sliders, the detail, saturation, hue, and a few more. Really I wanted to bring out detail, but not overdo it. As always on Topaz Tuesday, you can see the original on the Continue link and judge for yourself how the Topaz Treatment is working for you.

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?

 

Seattle Electrical Storm!

Panasonic GH2, 14-140mm, f/6.3, 3.2 secs, iso 320

With Hurricane Irene pummeling the East Coast at this moment, I thought I'd show you we are having our own weather event right here in Seattle! Ever seen an electrical storm like this? Me neither. This is one of those "in camera effects" that some of us photogs enjoy. A somewhat long exposure, where at the end of it I twisted the lens zoom ring quickly, which is what made the "lightning."

Most of the times you try out these effects, they don't work well. This one kind of looks like a Hollywood special effects shot, so I'm liking it.

End of the Day II

Panasonic GH2, 100-300mm, f/7.1, 1/30, iso 160

Following up on my post from a couple of days ago where a family was headed home in their boat, birds have to get home too, don't they?

Palouse Twister

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, F/5.0, 1/320, iso 250

As I mentioned in recent Palouse posts, I was just there for the weekend. And I was on a mission to go to places I had not seen before, and find some subjects I had not seen before as well. I went quite a ways out this one gravel road. My purpose was to get a vantage point on a nice hill (180 degrees from the direction I'm looking here).

Then I spied this gorgeous hawk. I tried to work out a modeling gig with her, but she wasn't having any of it.

I was just about to turn around when I saw this scene. Some classic Palouse green and  brown dirt, along with the golden you find this time of year. But a very unusual road. Farmers in the Palouse really have a way with their land grading and road making, don't they?

End of the Day

Panasonic GH2, 100-300mm, f/7.1, 1/1600, iso 160

The end of the day while on a boat is always special. You feel great to have been in the sun and fresh air. Hopefully everyone has had some fun whatever that means to them. Maybe a picnic dinner was enjoyed while just floating along, taking it all in. And now time to slowly motor home.

A perfect evening, in my book anyway. Just happened to be down enjoying the water myself from our beach when this family came by...

Wordless Wednesday

On wordless wednesday, you tell the story...

Perspectives Series - Day 10

Canon 5D Mark II, 14mm F/2.8, f/4.5, 1/50, iso 800

Last day. I guess you have to be an architecture buff to have made it this far with the Perspectives series?  I had some waiting to do in the various locations to get my shots without people in them. I would often wait quite awhile at the bottom or top of the escalator, for the people to clear out.

Then this couple came along. On a hunch, I jumped on after them. Somehow I felt that including a couple of people would humanize the building, in my images. This place is actually FULL of people all the time. Yes, I was shooting "perspectives," but to be true to the subject I think some people shots are important.

I clicked off a few shots with them looking down as we all do when riding an elevator. Then she slowly turned around and looked right at me. A moment of doubt, on my part. Do I just go ahead and be "a creeper" as the young people call older dudes looking or shooting images of them?  Pretend I'm just shooting the escalator?

The strength of this scene overcame any shyness and I fired away. I could explain to them later what I was doing if necessary. This shot simply had to be taken. Maybe some of my street shooting has made me bolder. In the end, she just turned around and they went on with their day.

And that brings us to the end of this series. Please let me know what you think of this series, the comments are free for the forseeable future!

Perspectives Series - Day 9

Canon 5D Mark II, 14mm F/2.8, f/7.1, 1/160, iso 320

I included this one because it's the only image that truly looks out and shows the reader that this building is in the midst of large skyscrapers. And all the angles are working for me too!

Well, only one more day to go. I hope you are enjoying the series.