Seattle Japanese Garden
Monet’s may have painted the entrance bridge of the garden from this perspective … maybe, maybe not.
Thank you Topaz Impression.
Monet’s Perspective of Seattle Japanese Garden
Leave a reply
Author Archives: kgrafphoto
Not Every Sunrise is Bright
Misty Morning from My Backyard
The few days prior to this were beautiful orange and pink sunrises. The previous days in late November had been warm. During the night, the temperature had dropped. I was drinking my morning cup of coffee looking out over my back yard, waiting for another brilliant sunrise. I was surprised as the sun creeped over the horizon exposing this misty view of the valley below. Each morning has its unique beauty.
Related Images:
A Mixture of Light
Seattle Japanese Gardens
My search for light continued. This image jumped out at me when I was walking by. Hard direct sunlight darted through branches above to highlight the leaves in the foreground. Filtered soft light covered the background leaves. Deep shadows hid the grass covered ground beneath the branches. The combination provided an eye-catching scene.
Related Images:
Reflection
Seattle Japanese Gardens
Many times when I go to a specific place to photograph, I am on a mission of learning and experimentation. This image is from such a photo shoot. My mission for this day was to experiment with light: hard light, soft light backlight, shadows, reflections, color. Yesterday’s post was a backlight image looking up to the sky from underneath a Japanese maple. Today’s image is an example of color and reflection.
Searching for different types of light helps me to be more aware of the beauty around me. I do not think there is bad light. Different forms lead to different perspectives of what is around me. As a learning photographer, my job is to make the best of what I see and feel.
Related Images:
Where Did the Fall Go?
Seattle Japanese Garden
As Christmas is quickly approaching and the temperature drops below freezing, I ask myself, “Where has the fall gone?”. I love the fall colors and try to get out and see as much as I can. This fall I actually was out quite a bit and had my camera with me much of the time. But, I did not post many of my colorful fall favorites. So, as the skies are now pretty dreary, I thought I would brighten them up with some of my “fall color” images.
Related Images:
Brilliance: Light and POV
Glass Sculpture in Early Morning Sunlight
I was doing some “homework” for Dave duChemin’s “Compelling Frame” on-line course when I stumbled on this opportunity. I was working this sculpture from multiple angles when a bright blast of light flashed in my eye. The light was coming from the rear right of the frame. It entered the sculpture from the rear right angle and reflected on the rear left internal face. It blasted back out at me at approximately a 270 degree angle from which it first struck the sculpture. I took several minutes to capture the bright reflection. Camera movement of only a few millimeters impacted the reflection. At the same time the sun was moving slightly. After several unsuccessful attempts, I caught one that was a “keeper”. This was an excellent lesson and how an intentional point of view (POV) made the image.
Related Images:
How Van Gogh Would Paint a Boat
Boat Graveyard & Repair Facility – Charleston, Oregon
I spent a couple of hours exploring an old boat graveyard in Charleston, Oregon, I was fascinated with all the chipped paint on the old boats from a by-gone era. They had seen a much better time. I can just imagine the stories these old boats could tell. I picked an image at random and played with it in Topaz Impression. I applied a Van Gogh painting style as an overlay. Today I needed a break from reality
Related Images:
Beautiful Way to Start the Day
“Looking Out My Bedroom Window”
I received this beautiful gift yesterday morning. The combination of a brilliant sunrise reflecting off beautiful lenticular clouds … I couldn’t ask for a better way to start the day. It inspired me to get out and spend several hours walking around my yard taking remnants of the fall colors with my macro lens. It was a wonderful morning, full of discovery and exploration!
Related Images:
Soft Light, Soft Tree
Entrance – Seattle Japanese Garden
The soft early morning light highlighted this scene. The maple tree, grasses, and pine shrub appear very soft. I enhanced the softness in post processing. The image was exposed to highlight the soft leaves of the Japanese maple. The background was in shade which created a nice dark contrast to the light maple. The image warms me all over.
Related Images:
Raking Light
Tea House Roof – Seattle Japanese Garden
Continuing with Dave duChemin’s course, I found this raking light on a gazebo roof in the Seattle Japanese Garden. The sun had just broken over the ridge of the adjacent Washington Arboretum. The soft light raking across the roof lasted for just a few moments before the direct sunlight engulfed the roof. I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time.