Boo

Happy Halloween! Thought I'd have a little fun with Photoshop. Be safe.

Da' Vine

Central California is a great place to enjoy the scenery. Rolling brown foothills and miles upon miles of vineyards make it a very nice location to photograph.

Gold Rush

Most of us can only imagine what it was like tearing through the skies in one of these. There's really not much more than pilot, machine, and ordinance. Let's not forget guts and skill! It's really something...

Remember the time

There are priceless moments in time when you wish they'd never end. We carry these moments with us, our personal treasures. When we're doing things we'd rather not, they help us get through it.

Light at the end

Hope is putting faith to work when doubting would be easier. - Unknown

To all those who lost so much in the recent California Fires, you're in our thoughts and prayers.

Serene

Nature likes to show off. In this case she provides a serene moment to contemplate while she paints the sky in golden hues.

Getting Back Home

It's always best to plan for the things that aren't supposed to happen. Sure, travel is an adventure and always makes for stories, and it does spice up life, but there's a difference between fun and simple safety and survival.

For some the road is their home, but most of us like a clean, well lighted place to call our own. A place to come back to and rest before we find ourselves on the road again.

The bright side

I've been following the news on the fires in Southern California, as I'm sure many have.

Two things strike me in all of this.

First the way the media interviews people, almost taunting them to just admit that they are victims and somehow it's the all the Government's fault. The surprise and disappointment in the in the reporter's reaction to the answers they've been getting brings me to the second thing I've noticed.

The resolve of Californians in the face of this tragedy. Most got out of harm's way, though they knew they could lose everything. There seemed to be spirit of cooperation in the locations where people we evacuated to. People pulled together, people volunteered, peopled helped each other.

When interviewed by the media, people stated that they were grateful and happy to be alive. They accept the fact that fire is part of life in California. They are already planning to start rebuilding, as early as next week if they can.

I'm not sorry that the media couldn't spin this. I'm very proud that the true character of Californians has been there for the world to see. In the face of a disaster we look at the bright side of things!

Between Places

Depth and distance, the sense of places between objects all provided by a simple shadow. Often very important in their use and/or exclusion, defining substance.

Down to the river

It's no surprise that California is on fire, it happens all the time and is part of the history and culture of the place. Fire has shaped the State and will continue to do so.

Fire is one of California's seasons, which seem to be drought, fire, winds and floods.

Right now these seasons are overlapping, though the flooding will come later. Let's hope we can get these fires out quickly without the tragic loss of life, the loss of property is a given. As always, we'll need some help from Nature.

God bless and protect our brave fire personnel!

Crossing the river

A weekend drive provided a much needed escape to clear my mind. Much of the trip confirmed that California is in a middle of another drought. Water levels at the dam/reservoir are extremely low, and much of the river that feeds it are bone dry. This area proved a nice surprise and made for some nice photos, but here too the water is very shallow and not flowing. We'll have to see what Nature brings this Winter. We need rain and hopefully not in the form of flooding.

She's Leaving Home

A coastliner rolls towards its destination taking a loved one on a little adventure. Be safe, have fun, see you soon!

Last Splash

When I'm out photographing something I tend to end up with lots of similar shots. Sure, I try to vary them as mush as possible, vertical, horizontal, compositional changes, etc.

When I'm processing the images, I tend to get bored. Sunset, another sunset, another sunset.... You get the drift.

In the case of this image, rather than delete it, I thought I'd have some fun with Photoshop. I added what is supposed to be a big water drop. Personally, I like the way it turned out.

What did the Microstock folks think of it? Two out of three rejected it. Over filtered they said. Really? That's the whole point. Something a little different, and slightly creative. We do live in a digital age.

Not going there

Maybe it's not always a good idea to cross that bridge when you get to it. I don't think we always want to go where the other side will take us. Under, around, another route, all are options...

Path too deep

I thought my computer was getting Philosophical on me yesterday when it gave me an error saying the that the Path is too deep.

Ahhh, yes Grasshopper: Path too deep, time for you to go.

So, what does this all mean? Well according to Microsoft: The maximum length of the combined system and user-defined path variables is 1,023 characters not including the “path=” portion.

WOW... The problem I had wasn't related to this, but the computer thought it was. All this is just part of a bunch of server related issues now plaguing staff. I was told it's a bandwidth issue, really, since when are simple things like saving files, or even opening them cause for bandwidth issues? Hmmmmm

What''s the I.S. Department's motto: excuses not solutions, or something like that.

Tangled Web

It's usually helpful to see what other photographers are doing. For inspiration, ideas, or just to sit and react. Get a feel for what you like or don't like.

Last night was just such an occasion, and I was fortunate to see a recap of what the London Salon of Photography choose as the best of their 2006 entries. It is an interesting experience to see this and hear the narrator's comments.

Alarming

Hmmmm, I ran into a few problems just trying to post a single picture. Not a sign of things to come today I hope. Gotta keep rollin' and tumblin' with it....

We'll be there in just a while

Fluid movement, subtle grace,
flashing colour of fine silk and lace.

Another face in a crowd

Zelda had one of those faces you could easily forget, and most people did. Perhaps it was her common facial features. It has benefited her most in her Private Investigation business...

Merging the Lines

So, what's new in the world of microstock photography? Well, it appears that Snapvillage is teaming up with Webshots by inviting Webshot photographers to sign up and sell images.

What prompted this? Well if you were late to the game of microstock, this is one way to substantially increase your contributor base and stock image inventory in one fell swoop.

The game's afoot...

Little Window

With just a little light objects seems to take on life and character. A quite still life to contemplate and study. It becomes obvious why they are painted so often.

It's the light...

Bustin' Loose

Well, I made it through the week, and busted out of my cubical. This gives me some time to play around with Zoomr and get a feel for it. I've been trying to edit some image labels, but have run into a bit of trouble. I hope to get that resolved soon.

I'm trying to post some of the images I took during my Photowalking excursion, such as this one.

Photowalking is a blast BTW, and I'm looking forward to being able to do it again sometime soon. Time being the key word, I never seen to have any extra...

You'll always be

Interesting things lurk off the beaten path. I had discovered this creature sometime ago, but had forgotten about it completely, that is until I ventured out with a group to do some Photowalking.

The first time I ran across this, half the face was missing which drew me to it. It's been repaired, but still begs to be photographed.

Hula

Abstract reductions produced by zooming in close. A background, shapes, and colour, and yet - I can still hear the drums and see the motion of the dance.

so below

Urban discontent seems to be spilling over into remote rural areas. You'd think that getting away from your environment, even for a short while, you would be able to put your troubles into perspective. Collect your thoughts, and enjoy a moment of freedom.

It just doesn't seem to be the case here. Just another dog marking its territory. King of the abandoned bridge.

WORD!

Long Gone

Gone are the cars, people, noise and traffic. It's just an old bridge that has served its purpose and now sits silently while Nature reclaims it. Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust.

Inviting

Alamy made it official: 10,000,000 images online and for sale. That's huge! They also announced that they are moving ahead with plans to enhance their site, search engine, and expand their business. All good.

For me, I've gotten through my first round of the new upload/QC procedure and am in the process of reworking my keywording to meet some of the changes already implemented by
Almay.

I'm also trying out Zoomr not for stock, but just to share some images and exchange ideas with other folks with a passion for photography.

Flatline

The last train to nowhere waits in silent anticipation. The journey is life, the train line the mystery and the destination all the same...

Plain Drifter

Though they searched everywhere, no sign was left of the stranger once he passed the high place of darkness and light. The dividing line gave no hint that the stranger was ever here. Into the wild unknown he was gone.

All that is seen

Extreme low tides transform the California coast, providing rare opportunities to explore the treasures that usually just life beneath the sea.

Shrek

Taking a much needed vacation, Shrek spends some time at a posh beach resort hoping the Paparazzi won't notice him...

Street Jive

GenX corp. tests its new line of holiday robots. Onlookers still comment how much they spiced up the Christmas Parade, many saying that it was the most memorable in years.

Orange Crush

After months of online chatting, Emily decided it was time to meet mysterious Boris face to face...

Air Attack

The squadron makes its initial flyover before the attack begins. The plan is to take control of the beachhead.