Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day!

I would like to start this post by saying thank you to all the people who have ever served and the families of those that have served. This nation would not be free without your great sacrifice. In my family, I have a brother, some cousins, a grandfather, and a great-great uncle. They have my appreciation and respect. I have heard a soldier described as one who writes a check to the nation at a price up to and including their life. I don't know who originally said it, but it gives me chills to think about what that really means. Let me encourage all my readers to take the time to personally thank those who have served.  I went out and took some pictures this morning. I hope to get them posted in the next couple of days.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to go on "Nurse Jewitt's Nature Walk". I had a really good time. We went up Gee Creek and saw the water fall. It was a very relaxing time. It felt so peaceful. Much thanks to Carri and Andy for letting me tag along. Here are a few of the pictures that I took.









In my last post, I mentioned that I was moving. Just a quick update on that. I am moved, but not unpacked. There is not internet access at this point, so I will be posting from WiFi hotspots intermittently. Here is what the house looks like for those who are interested.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Just a quick update...

Sorry, no pictures this time. Today is moving day. My soon to be room-mate is getting loaded/unloaded tonight. I will be doing everything tomorrow. My goal is to get it all done soon so I can post some pictures of the new place. However, if I am absent for longer, everyone will know what happened.

I am just moving down the road from where I am now, but it is much larger and nicer. Updates will come when I am able to stop and take some pictures again, but until then, if you feel like lifting and toting, stop on by... :-)

The last of the chiminea pics

These are the last of the pictures from the other night. Since they are also 30 second exposures, you can see how little or how much activity was really happening.You have the obvious static objects in stark clarity (house, chairs, tree, etc)  next to the blurry, animated objects (people, fire). Hope you like. If you haven't seen the first set, you can still check out them out here.





Thursday, May 26, 2011

Can you say Chiminea?

Before meeting my friend, my answer would have been "Huh?" It is an outdoor fire bowl with a chimney pipe on the top of it. I have to say, I really like it.

The theme of these pictures were long exposures. They were all 30 seconds long. One of the effects is that motion is translated as lines or blurs. In this case, the sparks  become trails of light. I hope you like them.







Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Dinner at a friends house

Just a few basic pictures till I can get the rest processed... Hopefully will have them done soon.



Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Down by the river... again

I went down to work on a flowing water sunset. But the water was too high, so there wasn't enough motion to make the effect that I was wanting. However, I was not going to be put off, so I just worked with what I had. The herons were vary accepting of people. There are quite a few fisherman who frequent this spot, so the birds are used to people passing by. Most of them would let me get within about 20 feet before they moved off. I even got to see a couple of males strut and spar. Got to love the spring...

Anyway, here are the others. Hope you like them!





Monday, May 23, 2011

Playing with Photoshop

I was going through some pictures from the other day. I especially liked this particular image, but for sentimental reasons. Specifically, I like it because it is a picture of me and my "baby". What is not to love about it, right? :-)

I didn't take the picture (I know, Duh!) However, I wanted to play with it and see what I could come up with. I also wanted to try for a more silverish effect on a black and white image. Here is what I came up with. What do you think?

And the May winner is...

Kristal!!!! Congratulations!!! She has won her choice of photo in an 8 by 10 standout format!

Thanks for all of you that participated. I greatly enjoy these posts. I hope you do as well. I am working on a few pictures I took down by the river last night. There are a few sunset and a few Blue Heron. I hope to have them finished soon.

In the mean time, I realized that the picture I posted last time was processed before I learned quite a few of the techniques I use today. So I thought I would review it and see what the updated version would look like. Well Here it is...

Updated

Original

So which one do you like better?

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Organization day

So this morning I was going through some files that I was going to move into back up storage. I came across this picture and realized that I had not shared it with you guys. It was a totally unplanned picture. But it ended up being the only productive thing that came out of that day. Hope you guys enjoy it. Also keep in mind that today is that last day to enter the May GiveAway. Check it out here if you have not already done so. I hope you are having a great weekend. Talk to you later.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Seeing Ghosts in Chattanooga


Ok, pretty cheesy catch line, but it is the theme of this post. One of the many tourist traps in Chattanooga is the ghost tours. In fact, one of them was going on right next to me as I was taking the pictures by the Walnut street bridge. I had to enjoy the irony when the tour guide asked me if I needed help and I could reply "no thanks, I am ghosting these images..." :-)






So what do you think? Not really anything spectacular, but it works for me...


I wasn't planning on taking any tonight, but decided to take my motorcycle out for a ride. Figured I would go scout for some new locations. Not sure I found anything I was absolutely blown away by, but at least I know a few places that I won't be using...

Don't forget to check out the May GiveAway. I think I will let it run through Sunday, then let my kids pick a random number on Monday.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Color vs Black and White

Thought I would reprocess one of my recent sunsets as a black and white image. It seems kind of alien to see something that is so full of color to be stripped of everything except tonal contrast. What do you think?



Same picture, just processed two different ways.

BTW-don't forget to checkout the May GiveAway. So far only two people entered, so still good odds at getting a shot to win a 8 by 10 standout. Hope your week is going well.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

May GiveAway!!!

Ok guys, this month I am going to be giving away a 8 by 10 standout of any one of my images. This is a 3/4 inch standout that is ready to hang without framing or matting. Rules are simple. Same rules as the last couple of times, in fact. You can become a follower to this blog. Another option is that you can "burn" a subscription via Feedburner. The final option is sharing this to your Facebook page.

Here are some of my favorites. You don't necessarily have to choose one of these, but thought I would share to give you some inspiration. Looking forward to seeing who wins and which one they choose.