Muddy Rainbow?

This winter has been one for the record books and it's not over yet. I live on a gravel and dirt road at an elevation close to 3300 ft. When it snows and then thaws the result is lots and lots of mud. The community is hoping for Spring to hurry and get here so we can dry out and be able to travel up and down the mountain without slipping and sliding.

Two days ago we had 3 inches of rain on top of the mud. Electricity went out in the middle of the NFC Championship and the results were heard on a battery powered AM radio. Weather can make you tired and this year we feel like Mother Nature has hit us when we were down.

  

Just about the time you want to put the house on the market and head for "greener pastures", here comes the sun. Yesterday morning I was reminded that in the midst of rain the sun can still shine. During the first light of day, the rain poured but the sun was defiant and was ready to do it's job. When the light shines through the rain a gift appears. Now there's energy for another day.

Enjoye!

January Light

I have noticed that there is something about the January light. I'm sure there is a scientific reason why the light in the winter months is so much more brilliant. Maybe it's that we are further from the sun. Maybe it has something to do with no summer smog. Maybe it is the fact that it is so cold and any light is beautiful when you are freezing your buns off trying to get a picture before the sun rises. Whatever the reason, it is the best time to shoot sunrises and sunsets.

I shot these images last year in January. All three images are HDR images which stands for High Dynamic Range. Without getting too technical, these images are a combination of three images, each taken at different exposures in order to get the entire range of light in the picture. In order to do this correctly you can use a tripod, set your camera in aperture priority and utilize the bracketing feature on your camera. HDR makes for some beautiful imagery. There are a lot of tutorials online describing HDR in depth but that is the basic technique.

If you decide to go out in the winter air to watch the sunrise be sure to dress warmly, take a thermos of warm drink, and by all means.....

Enjoye!

2010? Really?

The week before Christmas our little town was pounded with 14-20" of snow. I decided staying at the gallery would be smarter since I had a lot of framing to do before the holidays hit. Smart move. Plus, I was scheduled to shoot a wedding on the 19th.

The wedding was in question when the forecast came out but the roads were cleared and the couple are now married. Congrats to MaryScot and Chris!

After being home for several hours on Christmas Eve the ice storm hit and the power went out for several days. In thinking back over the last few weeks I realize that I don't really know what day it is and my normal routine is not my normal routine. In all the craziness of the last few weeks I have learned from the dogs. They don't care what day it is. They don't even care what hour it is. Dogs are completely present. And when everyone has been stressed out about the weather and schedules and being late for things, there they are, the dogs, ready to play in the snow and sit in the 9° weather and lick on the fallen ice. All they want is to eat, sleep, and PLAY.

I hope 2010 will bring you much happiness, peace and play. Above all I hope you....

Enjoye!

fisheye fun!

There is a company called "Lensbaby" that has a line of lens that greatly enhance your photography. The lens will touch the creative side of every photographer and help you if you are in one of those most-dreaded non-creative funks. The Lensbaby team has put together three different lens with a number of great optics and accessories for every type of shooter out there. It is the ultimate in selective focus. Plus it is a great source of fun.

Recently, they came out with a fisheye optic that works great with all kinds of different subjects. Here are a few samples of the fisheye optic and if you haven't seen the Lensbaby, their website is a great place to start, www.lensbaby.com  Just to let you know, if you get a Lensbaby, you WILL soon be addicted and I'm sure there is a group out there to help. It is my favorite addiction.

Enjoye!

A Gift Before Christmas

Last week our neighbor called and her daughter needed help. Her daughter lives in the same neighborhood and has several farm animals. One of the pregnant goats was giving birth and having complications. Our neighbor said her daughter was home alone and the mother couldn't get there for another half hour or so and we needed to go help. Lib and I took off - me, grabbing my camera of course. When we got there the baby had just been born. This little pygmy goat was only two minutes old when we arrived and the baby and the Mother were fine. Welcome to the world "Calico". It was truly a gift before Christmas.

Enjoye!