Landscape Images – A Photo's Worth

Lens-Artists Challenge #237 Bringing Softness

This week Bren challenged me to use processing magic in my photographs. I am particularly pleased with this push to use more of the features in my Adobe Lightroom Classic software. It has been a while since I left my college classes. I enjoy photography, and I have gotten comfortable with my camera. I must say that I often rely on the same settings and processing steps. So I want to thank Bren for showing me what I have been missing. Now I know what masking and clarity can do for my images.

There are so many advances to this program. Today it was fun to try using masking to either bring down the clarity or increase clarity to highlight the subject. This technique can be applied to flowers, landscapes, and architecture. Lowering the clarity and creating softness in those areas frames the subject in an image, be it a tree, path, bridge, even a door or house, or just a dreamy-looking image.

In these photographs the difference is subtle

Along with changing the clarity I also changed the background lighting

My pareidolia is playing tricks again. Can you see what I see in the following photograph?

With this technique, I am able to improve my photographs.. But mostly I use i my macro lens or I choose a large aperture to decrease my depth of field and try and set my subject apart from the background.

I hope that you enjoyed my blog post, and again thanks Lens-Artists.

Lens-Artists Challenge #235 Shadows and Reflections in Monochrome

Patti challenges me to explore monochrome images that feature shadows and reflections. This is a photo challenge, indeed. When out with my camera, reflections on glass, water, and shiny objects cause me to look for composition ideas. Shadows have the same effect. Adding monochromatic images is a new aspect for me. In the late 1960’s I started to use color film. With my first Imperial Debonair box camera, a 1940’s Voigtlander very manual 35mm rangefinder, and a Yashica 35mm camera I used black & white film exclusively. So I became aware of what images would work in b&w (and shades of gray). Contrasting shades, strong shapes, interesting lines, and of course shadows. It was not until the 1970’s that I switched to Kodachrome. Looking at many of my images it seems that I prefer them in color, but I did find some that worked as monochromatic images.

When I lived in New York I always made time to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This image was taken on my last trip in 2014. The first image I processed in b&w Adobe monochrome

No processing going on here. It was a cold, dreary, snowy day perfect for visiting a museum.

This was taken at the same time, but this time I used standard Adobe color processing. It still is a monochromatic image.

This image was taken in Truckee Ca. in the fall.

My first dog was Liberty Love, a black Labrador Retriever. I knew that photographing a black dog requires careful lighting unless you want to end up with a big black blob. Side lighting is needed to see the texture of her fur. I processed most of these in Adobe b&w. In some photos, I just desaturated the color.

Though I still like to see her with her warm brown thoughtful eyes. I miss you love!

Shadow of cliffs at Half Moon Bay. What do you see?

Black and white photographs are monochromatic since they are all shades of gray. The following photographs are monochromatic because they are all shades of one color. Mono means one, and chroma means color. This can be achieved during processing or not.

American River on an early January morning with the fog just rising

I have been challenged, and I hope that you enjoyed my exprerience.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #228 Diagonals

Patti invites me to join her this week as I explore diagonals as a way to add visual interest and depth to my photos, and a sense of action. What diagonals can you find? A line of trees or stones, a series of lights or signs, tree branches or a row of hedges, or cupcakes in a bakery window?

Looking at my library of photographs, I see that “Leading Lines” pretty much tops my composition style. So with over 400 images classified as diagonals and leading lines, I decided to first process photographs I took recently in Indianapolis where we visited family.

Trip to Indianapolis

With no direct flight from Sacramento, I had time to photographically explore the Phoenix Airport

Waiting to take off on the second leg of our trip

We stayed in Plainfield, Indiana at the Courtyard by Marriott. This large building crane next door helped us locate our hotel.

For me, Newfields is the best of both worlds. “A Place for Nature & the Arts.” Walking through the museum the display of colors caught my attention.

This is a wonderful little museum that engages both the young and old to really see and understand concepts of art. With the use of fun activities (puzzles to recreate paintings, beading activities) it engages the viewer.

We stopped at this diner for breakfast.

This is an authentic diner, but there was no room for a jukebox on the table. But the atmosphere was right. And there were cakes on the counter.

Short trip and we wait at the Indianapolis Airport.

Finally got a window seat, and here we are leaving Phoenix, Arizona at a diagonal!

The rest of these images were taken in Northern California

Landscapes

Street Photography – Tell a story

Winter Wonderland at Cal Expo many years ago

Architecture

My first image is from a day trip to Lake Berryessa, Ca. This is the largest man-made lake in California. The “Glory Hole” attracts many photographers. I wonder if it will make its appearance this year. We have been experiencing some rain lately. California certainly needs it!

I hope this post gives you a new slant on viewing the world around you.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge # 222 The Mountains are Calling!

This week Amy (The World is a Book) has challenged me to go to the mountains, and so I shall.
Traveling has been limited to Sacramento lately. Not exactly sure why. But these photo challenges gives me a good reason to check out my library. The highest mountain I ever visited was the Himalayas when I visited Nepal in 1965. At the time Kathmandu had traveler restrictions, and two small hotels. The Royal Nepal Airline had 3 planes, not a modern jet plane. We traveled between the peaks. A pretty scary ride. But alas I don’t have any photographs.
Sacramento is located two hours from the Sierras and Lake Tahoe. Heading east Donner Lake is a beautiful, quiet stop.

Outside Bodie located in the eastern Sierras. Do you see what I see?

Bodie California – the Sierras in the distance

Heading east the Sutter Buttes make for a rural landscape.

Northern California’s Coast range provides many photo opportunities just as long as there is a place to pull over. Otherwise commuter traffic makes this prohibitive.