Ansel Adams Quote

"Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution." Ansel Adams


I know this isn't an Ansel Adams picture, but it has a similar effect which I created using PhotoShop and Topaz. Some people object to the digital manipulation of photos, but did you know that Ansel Adams did extensive work on his photos in the darkroom? Many people think his wonderful pictures were created solely in-camera, but they weren't. If you compared the original version with the altered one, you would see a tremendous difference. Manipulation of photos is not new, only the method used for the manipulation has changed.

The Woods

"One attraction in coming to the woods to live was that I should have leisure and opportunity to see the spring come in." Henry David Thoreau


Spring is here and it looks like today is going to reflect that. I hope you'll go outside and enjoy the beautiful world that we've been given.


Have a wonderful day!

The Model Shoot

As most of you probably know by now, my photo subjects of choice are nature and wildlife. However, earlier today I went on a model shoot with some of my photo friends and we all had a great time. This young man was one of the models. He was a pleasure to work with, very cooperative and enthusiatic. All of the models were very nice and did a beautiful job of posing for us. I'll be ready to go again next time. Great fun!

Waikiki Beach at Sunset

My husband took this picture, with our new little Canon G11, on our first night in Hawaii. We walked from our hotel down to the beach to check out the views. I was too tired to mess with taking our other equipment, so we decided to see what the G11 would do. I think he did a nice job getting the colors in the sky and some detail in the palm trees. Hope you enjoy the view.

Being Together

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Staying together is success." Henry Ford

Being together isn't always easy. There are compromises to be made and you don't always get your way. It may seem like you're always giving instead of getting, but perhaps that's just your perception of the situation. The other person may feel the same way. The rewards of staying together may sometimes seem elusive, but if you work at it, they can also be oh so sweet.

Live Every Minute

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." Mahatma Gandhi

My mom didn't live as if she was going to die the next day, but she certainly learned as if she was going to live forever. She was constantly reading, listening to informational shows on the radio, watching documentaries on TV, etc. She started emailing when she was close to 80 and was still making greeting cards, on the computer, for friends who needed a cheerful note, when she was 83 years old. She wasn't content to just sit and watch the world go by. She was constantly absorbing knowledge and sharing that knowledge with others. And, most importantly, she didn't merely exist for the 84 years that she was on this earth. She lived every minute of it.

Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously!

"I am writing my life to laugh at myself, and I am succeeding." Giacomo Casanova

How can we take ourselves too seriously, when we all started out wandering around like this cute little boy with the sandy drawers? Yes, life can get difficult and stressful. But, if we take ourselves too seriously, and can't laugh at ourselves, it has a tremendous influence on our attitude and, therefore, on our capability to handle the situations that confront us. So, when you start to feel like life is dragging you down, and you're spending too much time with a frown on your face, just think about this little guy with the sandy drawers and maybe it'll put a smile on your face. It's ok to take your job seriously, and do the best job you can, but don't take yourself too seriously. Life is short. Enjoy it.

Rhapsody in the Wild

This little guy won 1st place for me in the Enhanced Photography category at our local art show this morning. I used Topaz Simplify to get the painterly effect, plus did a little additional work on him in PhotoShop .

Words Left Unsaid

"The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone." Harriet Beacher Stowe

I'm not trying to be morbid, but you never know what's going to happen to prevent you from telling others how you feel about them. So, don't regret telling your loved ones that you love them. Do it today. You never know what's going to happen. You may not get another chance.

Photo Tip: I played with this picture of the little girl in PhotoShop & then enhanced it using Topaz 4. I tried several different versions, but finally settled on this one, because I liked the painterly effect, and softness, it gave the photo. Hope you enjoy it too. Have a great day.

Beauty

"Everything has its' own beauty, but not everyone sees it." Anonymous

As you look at this picture, what do you feel? Do you get a crawly feeling, do you think about the butterfly this caterpillar will become or do you just enjoy the colors and the wonder of this creature?

We all see things in different ways and what's beautiful to one person may not be to another. Sometimes I take pictures of simple things that I think are beautiful, but to someone else they may be very ordinary or even ugly. When you look at things that you might want to photograph, try to see them through the eyes of a child. Look at them in a new way, from a different perspective. Try different angles, different lenses. Experiment to see what you can come up with. You may just create something wonderful. Don't forget the old saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Try, Try Again!

"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in getting up every time we do." Confucius

My husband and I had a great time watching these kite surfers the last day we were in Hawaii. They were very good and bounced over the waves like they were nothing. However, there were times when the waves knocked them down. They didn't stay down, though. Every time they fell, they got up again to face another wave. That's what separates those who succeed from those who don't. Successful people experience adversity too. They just get up and try again. Always remember that it's no disgrace to fail. The important thing is what you do afterwards. So, if life knocks you down, just get up and try, try again.

An Unruffled Calm

"Surely there is something in the unruffled calm of nature that overawes our little anxieties and doubts; the sight of the deep-blue sky and the clustering stars above seem to impart a quiet to the mind." Jonathan Edwards

When we take the time to just sit and relax and enjoy nature, it gives us a unique calm that can't be derived from the electronic toys we've grown so accustomed to. So, turn off the iPod, the cell phones and the computers (after you finish this blog, of course), find a peaceful place and just relax & enjoy the scenery. It will revive you and give you a sense of renewed energy that will get you through the day.

Persistence

If you want something in life, you have to work for it. Do you think the surfer dudes learned to ride the waves on the first try? I don't think so. I expect it took many, many tries before they could even stand up on the boards, must less ride them through the Bonzai Pipeline. If you want something badly enough, you have to keep trying and practicing until you succeed. So,the next time you're frustrated and want to give up, just remember the surfer dudes and keep working at your task until you accomplish your goals and ride your own Bonsai Pipeline.

Wipe Out?

It looks like this boogie board rider was wiping out, but he pulled it together and finished the ride. They had a boogie board championship contest while we were at Pipeline Beach. It was really fun watching the experts ride. I could just sit and watch the waves and the surfers for hours and hours. What a great way too spend the day!

Sunset Over The Fish Pond

The value of a man or woman resides in what he or she gives, not in what we are capable of receiving." Author Unknown

My husband and I have been in Hawaii for the last 1 1/2 weeks so, as you probably noticed, I haven't been blogging as I usually do. We had some beautiful sunsets, saw some great surfing and generally had a great time. If you haven't been to the island of Kuaui, try it some time. It's a beautiful place.