Fool on the Hill

When you're out taking photos, it's so easy to focus in on one thing that you might miss other Photo-Ops.

Look around you every once in a while. Explore other angles, or just turn and look behind you. You'd be surprised and the results.

Which way did he go?

Try and bring your viewer into an image.

Work Boats

Clouds are a gift. Take advantage of them in your photos.

Flock

Keep your eye out for that little something extra. It makes all the difference in the world when making images.

Makes you wonder

Here's something you don't see everyday.

On top of the hill

There are places where we can go that give us comfort and clear the mind of the chaos we call civilization.

Santa Barbara Mission

My first image to hit 1,000 views. I uploaded this to flickr on January 26, 2008, and to date it has been my most popular image. I'm not sure why, but I appreciate it all the same.

Musée du Louvre

Playing around with these old photos got me feeling a bit creative. I think we need to take inspiration where we can find it and forge ahead.

Looking Back

Software gives you the ability to extend you creativity beyond the original image you captured with your camera. Don't be afraid to play around. The number of possibilities are endless.

Musée d'Orsay

Old photos may sit around for ages. Why? They're faded, analog, scratched, and/or otherwise uninspiring. And yet, there was something that caught your eye at the time you took them.

They still hold a bit of appeal. So, play around with them. That's what I did here using software called Dfx Essentials, and I was pleasantly surprised at the unexpected results.

Out of Luck

It's a troubling sign of the times, being under water on one's residence.

In this case, it couldn't be more literal.

Sunset Pastime

The heat had brought people out to the beach. Though there was no breeze, people took comfort in the fact that the sun was setting quickly.

End of the Road

It's those little forks in the road that we take that bring the big surprises.

Morning on Main Street

Another good reason for getting up early, beside the great light, for photographers is to take advantage of the scarcity of people.

I've found that in both rural towns and big cities much fewer people, allowing me to get a different perspective on my subject, and a greater range of shooting opportunities.

The early bird gets the digital worm, so to speak.

Someday Never Comes

We only ever have today. Make the most of it.

Emotional Rescue

Oftentimes I like to go out and take pictures for no other reason then to relax. To forget about the troubles of the world and be in the moment with my subject and surroundings. That alone makes the endeavor very rewarding.

Timid

Sometimes everything works out. The light, location, and all the elements just fall into place. That's when making images is most rewarding.

The Ruins

Don't blog before you've had your coffee.

I had something to say, and yet it has slipped my mind. Though looking at this image the first time that I think of is the state of the world.

Time for some joe...

Boats under clouds

It's amazing what a difference having just a few clouds in a photograph can make.

The Long Walk Home

Including at least one person in a photograph will help tell a story and give your images a sense of scale. Always something to consider.

No Expectations

Road trips are a great way to spend the day and see new things to photograph. If you approach a trip with no expectations, you may just end up with a treasure load of images.

Glowed like burning coal

Nature is kind in the use of complementary colors. Take advantage of that kindness.

Nature Wins

We need to get over the folly of self importance.

Rock N Roll

If you want a challenge try and photograph a sailboat race.

Your subjects are moving, which means that you're more than likely not to use a tripod.

More often than not the sailboats will be white, so you'll need to have the exposure settings down.

Boat races are in groups, so, it's up to you whether you want a cluttered composition or single boats. This will keep you on your toes.

And lastly, unless it's obvious you're after a certain look, keep your horizon straight.

Just a few things to keep in mind.

The simple life

It's the simple things in life that are the most rewarding.

Through the Arch

Abandoned old ruins provide great locations for putting together slightly out of the ordinary compositions.

Twisted Arch

I've been wanting to photograph this bridge again for a long time. It's an impressive sight and hard to capture in its entirety, but I thought that shooting it from underneath I'd be able to portray some of the bridge's magic.

The Magic of Light

Sometimes Nature helps out and puts on a great light show. Photography is nothing more than the recording of light. Understanding light is an ongoing process, and a pleasant one at that.

Under the Windmill

There are places I'll remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain

Sunset Palms

Standing tall in silent witness to the end of another day.

Golden Hills

As Winter passes, signs of Spring emerge and fill the hills with golden color.

Beach Duty

An icon of California sits on an all but empty beach.