For Comment...

A BLAST FROM THE PAST: A few weeks ago, I was going through images I'd shot at the Grand Canyon. In the process I noticed something I wanted to share and focus on a point which I think is relevant in all our photographic work. These few images, except for one, were all taken from the same observation point on the south rim. We were only there for one day but I returned to the same spot several times during the day. Looking at these images several years later, I'm struck how different they all look based on the time of day and lighting at each time I visited. My point? The more we explore our subjects, the more images we see and the better the outcome!

Early morning view just as day is breaking and first light leaks into the canyon.

Mid-morning, direct light shows strong texture and limited shadows.

Midday during a brief period of overcast skies, plus a little post processing to create the "funky" effect.

Late afternoon sun and the dramatic shadows change the scene to a more abstract photo.

Dusk and the fading light plus a hint of fog makes the scene much softer and fragile looking.

 

For Comment: From Doug Beasley Workshop

 

Out of the 600 or so photos taken in Wisconsin recently during Doug Beasley's Workshop , "Photography as a Path to Spirit", I thought I'd share a few illustrating some of the exercises.  Are there any that appeal to you as a good photo beyond the illustration?

Fading Light

Not Your Normal Practice

Beauty Where Least Expected

Metaphor

Nothing

Form, Pattern, Shape

Prospect

Light

For Comment: What do you see?

 

For Comment: "The Woods Are Lovely, Dark, and Deep"

 Monte, I'm grateful to you for this image. I was pursuing my old files, came across this image that immediately reminded of the beautiful, moving abstract you have in the current SNAP exhibit, and took it into PS for a little buffing. While this doesn't come close to your art, I offer it with appreciation for your inspiration. SABC

For Comment, Emily Passino

 The recent trip with family and friends to Gulf Shores Alabama, where we stayed on the bay, and everyone wanted me to get photos of the gorgeous setting sun, the pelicans, etc., I found myself feeling oddly uninspired, thinking, how do I get past just re-taking "beach photos" - so I experimented a bit with ICM and double-exposures, and different POV, which was a thousand times more satisfying:

Misc.

Over the past week, most of my "possible photography hours" were spent planning, designing, and constructing this treehouse in the woods for the grandsons. It was only completed a few days ago, but these two have battled dinosaurs, robots, ninjas and all kinds of creatures and bad guys from their new fortress. So far, it has proven to be impenetrable. Now that the good guys have the upper hand, we plan to have a picnic there soon.

 

For Comment...Mismatched:

Early one recent morning, following a rainy, windy night, I (as my usual custom) was walking through my various gardens when I noticed the first image posted below. I thought that it was interesting, so I whipped out my iphone. My one conscious thought was, "this looks like the flower was placed on the leaf", but it wasn't. So, I thought since it was a wet and windy night, I'd check for additional "found" instances of a flower falling and sticking to a leaf. I did find a lot of fallen blossoms of all sorts, but most were not as strategically "placed".

A Redbud tree blossom on a Hosta leaf.

A Jacob's Ladder blossom on a Wild Ginger leaf.

Two Dogwood tree petals on a Bloodroot leaf.

A Vinca blossom nestled on a Lenten rose plant.