Aug 14thThe Monarch | Another “cool” shot
What fun this has been!
You know they say that getting out of your comfort zone is usually uncomfortable…well not during this exercise! I have been having the most fun while shooting my non typical style shots. I might just keep doing it for a while! I might even branch out to other areas!
Today’s Photo
So here is another shot that I took this week – yes, I know I am breaking my rule – post photos that have been sitting a while. However I am having a lot of fun shooting and processing these things so why not?? Here we have the most beautiful butterfly known in my opinion: The Monarch. We have a butterfly house and I went at lunch to shoot it and came back with a couple that I liked – look for them every now and again :)
Aug 13thFrom warm to cool
True to what I said…
Well, I actually stayed true to what I said – I said I would shoot non- HDR for the next ten maybe…so here is the first of the series – I will not post them all in order though – what fun would that be?? BTW the one before of the tree was not HDR either ;)
Today’s Photo: Warm to Cool
The last photo that I posted was warm and glowing with warm colors etc. I took this one and knew what I want when I framed it – cooler tones and peaceful. Here is how it came out…
Aug 12thGolden Bonzai
Ideas turning in my head
Well, being creative for me is something that just makes me feel better. After a good creative day sometimes I am worn out but sometimes I am recharged. I have a few Ideas spinning in my head that I hope come to reality. When it does, I am sure that you will love it!
Today’s Photo
Well, I was kind of worn out and after heading out to shoot a sunset – and then not getting to shoot the thing because I got kicked out of the park I was shooting…I came back grouchier than normal. Funny thing is I started looking through shots that I have yes to process and I found this shot. It is a familiar tree that you have seen in some of my other shots, however this time shot quite different. I did shoot this in HDR, however I did not process this with HDR. This is a single shot, simply processed lightly in LR4. I was feeling warm when I processed it and hope that you feel warm too. This is not a Bonzai tree…but looks like it :)
Aug 10thSomber
Today’s Photo and the next few photo’s
I recently went to a grave yard that I am too familiar with. It is one that many loved ones have been laid to rest and one that I have said many goodbyes at. The place is really really photogenic and each time I have been thee I thought that I may not be able to shoot there. I knew the mood that I wanted if I shot there, but it never came to pass until last week. I shot a number of photos there and I will post them here and there, however this is the second that I am posting. This does not convey the mood that I was after however it was one that came out better than I thought it would when I shot it.
Aug 7thTime to change up a little
Change is in the air
A while ago I decided that the next 10 shots that I did would be black and white. I really hate deciding something like that because I normally do not follow through with it. The above is case in point – I did not shoot 10 in a row that were black and white, however I have shot 10 black and white since then that I like. I have posted a few already starting with “I miss Ansel”, I am not sure what count I am up to but doesnt really matter to me :)
So what is the change mentioned above??
Well, I have been looking at a lot of photos lately which is where I draw inspiration from sometimes. And as I look I see subtle things and sometimes obvious things – one of the obvious is the use or non-use of HDR. Now I have mentioned before that I dont always shoot HDR however I do a lot of the time as I just like that style. Here is a sample of NON HDR’s that I have shot “As the water falls”>, “City of Dayton at Night” and “Another Spring View”. I think that I might (and I stress MIGHT – because I might not follow through :)) try the next 10 in NON HDR – we will see how it goes
Today’s Photo
I have always liked these type of shots – country, roll’s of hay and solace. I have never gotten to take one though until this year. This shots are not always as they seem – this looks to be in isolation of everything – but was it??
Aug 5thDifferent view
Meh, no banter today
Not much to banter about today, so I think that I will just post a photo and move on.
Today’s Photo
Went out shooting today – looking at things slightly different, this is a creative crop of a much larger photo (that I will post at a later date) – the crop was about 200% I think which means that 5D3 rocks in my eyes :)
Jul 31stHistoric Sunset
Where have you been??
Well that is a good question, going through a bit of a dry spell here and being creative in different ways. I plan on getting back to shooting soon though – there are some shots that I want to get before winter and cold get here.
Upcoming tutorials??
I often get asked many times about how to do this or how to do that, how I made this image look like it does etc. I was considering doing a couple “watch me” sessions but that sounded way to creepy! I might do some tutorials I might not and just leave that to the pros. Then again it might be fun to do. I also know that a lot of people are super busy and dont have time for my blog stuff, so not sure if it would help anyone either. When it comes down to it – I just dont know :)
Finding Inspiration
I have been noticing that my inspirations are coming from a lot of other great photographers lately but more than that from other arts and artist. I have not been into painting a lot but find myself in awe when noticing something that I have never noticed but been past 1000′s of times. Also I am getting a lot more inspiration from those that draw. This is super fascinating to me. While growing up I had the pleasure of knowing one of the greatest artist I have had the pleasure to know and view their work. I plan on posting more of this story later so stay tuned.
Today’s Photo
Today’s photo is from a historic site that my son and I were walking around at sunset. He was shooting as I was and as the sun went down we both looked over at this storage barn at the same time. My son said “DAD!!! Look at the sunset and it coming through the windows of that barn!! YOU HAVE TO SHOOT THAT!!!” I was not as in to it as he was, but thought, ok I will shoot it just for him. I shot it, dumped the card when I got back and completely forgot about the shot as I had planned to do nothing with it. A few weeks ago I went through my dumps (as I often do – more on that method and madness later) and came across this shot. I spent a long time on it, starting all over after ditching progress. Here is what I settled on, and now looking at it I agree with my son and am glad that he talked me in to shooting it.
Jul 26thIn the beginning we all hang on
My drive
I have not shot or even got my camera out lately. I know I need to and I am feeling the urge to, just not been able to. I recently made the mistake of traveling without it and got reminded why I should always have it with me even when it seems like just something extra to carry.
Today’s Photo
In the beginning of life each and everyone of us always hangs on to something. This photo to me expresses that. The precious gift of life sometimes is taken for granted and often times it is not valued. Tell someone today thank you and that you love them while you have the chance.
Jul 23rdThe Music Plays
Future Location’s??
I like many photographers have a list of locations that I want to shoot. I usually keep that list to myself but often get asked where I would like to shoot. So I decided to etch a list of stone (well, not really, nothing even close, it is the net I can change it at a moments notice ;))
If you want to know what is on the list, Click here to read my ever growing list. Also leave a comment there if you have questions or want to suggest a place to add to my list :)
Site redesign update
I still have not decided on a design for the site, I have changed it from what it used to be, but not sure that I like this 100% and will continue to look to improve the overall feel and look. I would like this is be interactive with all of you as much as possible. With the amount of brain cycles we have while living I think that it is important to make the best of those cycles positively affecting others :)
Today’s Photo
This was taken at a center town market where there was a person setup playing instruments. Very small town, everyone knows everyone so to see the guy with the camera walking through was probably disturbing. However I liked how this one came out – I will have to look to see if I have one of the guy playing.
Jul 16thThese things still run?
Today’s Photo
While in a remote location in Kentucky, cruising around finding interesting things to shoot, there was a set of tracks going right through the center of this town. As I looked at them I wondered – do trains even use these any longer? Would be really neat for the kids to see this old piece of machinery come running through especially as close as we can get. We looked at a few other things and then heard the rumbling, I turned and with ZERO time to setup, I lifted my camera and took this
Jul 15thPrecious time, Classic Shot
Not normal
Well, ever since this one shoot I have been shooting a lot of things that are out of my normal comfort zone. I think that I will keep this as it is forcing me to grow and view things different, stay creative. I think this is ever so important and being out of the comfort zone is what makes us grow I think. I challenge you to get out of your comfort zone and allow yourself to grow. Finding your “not normal” is way more important than staying normal ;-)
Today’s Photo
Here is one shot that I really liked out of this set. I know that it is a classic shot that has been done many times – I have never tried it and when I did, it really sparked something new. I usually do not shoot people and I really do not enjoy shooting people, however after this and knowing that a special tender moment has been captured I really am re-thinking my strategy. This by no means says that I will start shooting people – it simply means that I am going to strive to understand this aspect of photography and practice with volunteers.
Jul 13thEat little fella
Summer where are going so fast???
Is it just me or is summer just flying by fast?? We normally take a week and go to Charleston – this year we are not doing that, and though Charleston is my most favorite place to go, we have had fun around here. I can remember being young, and thinking man, this summer is awesome I get 3 months off. Sometimes it would go fast, sometimes it would seem slow. Now having kids of my own it just seems that we have so little time to enjoy and everything just zooms right by us. Kind of sad really I think. Enjoy your time as it is shorter than you think…
Today’s Photo
Found this little guy and chased him all over the place trying to get a shot. I have 3 different version of this photo and could not make up my mind which I liked better. I am posting one here and will save the others for later or maybe never :)
Jul 12thThe King Cobra
Tangent
Dont know why I am going to go off on a sidebar tangent here, just skip to the picture if you want. Have you ever just sat there and wondered – seriously? Is what this person saying true? You know the type – you say something and they say one better and always have to get the last word? People watching is fun, especially when you see this happen from afar. Tangent done.
Re-design
Still working on this, I was doing some test last night and I might be close to picking the new site design – what a big PITA though! A lot of work ahead. Tutorials coming as well as some sharing of others work that I like. Lots of exciting things coming I think. It’s never to late ;-)
Today’s Photo
This is the Mighty King Cobra – first off let me say that I HATE snakes. No matter if they are back behind glass or not, they move I jump like a started squirrel. I am trying to get over this, I will let you know how it goes.
I found this guy at the Zoo, he was laying looking at me like – Chris, if that glass was not there I would flare my hood and bite you, so go ahead and take your picture, I am going to glare at you like the BAD @$$ I am! No, I was not shaking the whole time…why do you ask? Anyways this was through some rather dirty glass, I kind of feel sorry for these things.
Jul 11thWhat kind of flower is this??
Not what it seems?
So while walking through this quaint little town in Kentucky, we came upon this little center town “market” type of place. You know these places where the people come and sell stuff? It was pretty cool and awesome. There was a lemonade stand run by kids that had a website and business cards!! Can you believe that? Quaint secluded town where I could not get a cell signal and the kids have a website and sell lemonade – BEAUTIFUL!
Today’s Photo
While in that town there was someone selling plants and flowers, since I have been shooting out of the normal things, I thought why not shoot this?? Can you name this one?
Jul 8thHappy Independence Day
Almost back to reality
Well, I have been gone for a bit as I said in my last post. I am almost back to full fledged reality. I have taken a few photos in my off time, however some of my favorites are from the 4th of July celebrations. I was blessed to be able to see a few fireworks shows, and these are some of my most favorite things in the world to shoot. It doesnt seem to matter how many times that I take them nor does it matter how many times that I look at them. I love shooting fireworks. I have a list of places that I would love to shoot them at. That list shall remain secret :D (unless of course you can get me there)
Today’s Photo’s – Yes that is right, I will post more than one today
I am posting three today since I have been gone for a bit – two are mine and the collage is a number of photos that my son took by himself. I helped him setup the camera and timer and took these all himself.
My Sons 25ish shots
