Category Archives: Landscape Photography

I Love the Morning!

Sunrise – Heather Heights, Selah, WA

I love the morning!  Each new day brings a new look at the world.  It may be dark and intriguing.  It may be a little dull, but still full of potential of what may come.  Or it may be bright and colorful, like today!  But, no matter what it first looks like, it brings new thoughts, feelings, and opportunities.
 
This morning, I was writing at my desk.  I looked up and saw a little color enter the sky.  I put down my pen and quickly picked up my camera and walked out barefooted onto the patio.  I opened my shutter and let the light flow in.  It only lasted a minute or so.  If I would have waited to finish the sentence I was writing, I would have missed the opportunity.
 
Life and photography are similar in many ways.  Never pass up a chance to create a beautiful image.  Never pass up an opportunity to live life to its fullest.
 
 

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Beauty of Molokai 1

Art, Color and Beauty are Everywhere

I recently attended a contemplative photography retreat at beautiful Hui Ho’olana on Moloka’i.  The next several posts will be from the retreat.

Beauty was everywhere I looked.  It presented itself along every path, around every corner. It seemed that it was just asking to be photographed.  

Red, green and yellow
Spiked leaves shoot out like a star
Just asking to be noticed

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Post Processing Experiment

Polihale State Park – Kaua’i, Hawai’i

It was a beautiful day!  The paved road ended.  We saw a rough dirt road, drove a slow 5 miles and had this beach pretty much to ourselves.  It was so very peaceful and relaxing.  I felt enlightened just to stand, see, and hear the waves crashing on the beach.

I took this image with black and white post processing in mind.  I liked the blue sky and the tan beach sand.  I liked the increased tonalities and mood that B&W gave me.  Time to experiment …. I added split toning into the B&W image, then blended it back into the original photo.  I like the result.

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First Sunbreak

Sunrise on Yakima Ridge

I had been sitting watching the pastels in the sky as the sun was rising over the hills between Selah and Yakima.  The sun rays struck the eastern face of Yakima Ridge.  The color and brightness glowed over the shadowed hill side. A few moments later it was gone.  Time to get my first cup of coffee.

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Pastels Through the Gap

Sunrise – Selah/Yakima Gap

I love the early morning.  I am usually up an hour or two before sunrise at this time of year.  I anxiously await for what each new morning will bring.  Today, my gift was this beautiful pastel painting over the “Gap”.  Looking ninety degrees to the east, the sky was on fire.  It was quite a contrast with the soft pastel color looking south over the Gap.

Since moving back to Selah almost 2 years ago, I have photographed this view hundreds of time.  Each new sunrise or sunset presents a new gift.  It is a wonderful way to start the day.

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Playing With Fall Colors

Washington Arboretum, Seattle

I constantly look over my previous images to review how I have achieved a certain look so I can improve on it.  Today I was reviewing my images for examples of pulling a viewer into the frame through the illusion of depth.  Well, this image has nothing to do with that, but it still caught my eye.

The image is a double exposure of a couple of maples in their fall glory.  They had strong dark branches with the leaves receiving side lighting.  I was in a light playful mood, so I tried a double exposure.  I like the way it came out.

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Happy New Year

“Fire in the Sky” – Heather Heights Sunrise

Today is the sunrise of a bright New Year.  For me, each New Year is full of hope, opportunities, explorations and adventures.  It is a time to enjoy and nourish family.  It is a fresh start to make new friends, renew past friendships, and continue great experiences with old friends. Each New Year is an instigator to renew my “inner self”, rethink what is most important in life, learn and explore new things, and thank the Lord for His gift of each new day and live it to its fullest.

Happy New Year 2018!

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It Has Been a Great Year!

Sunset Over Face Rock, Bandon, Oregon

Today, December 31, is the sunset of 2017.  Looking back over the year, it has been a good one.  It was a year of travel:  Orlando, Central California Coast, Phoenix, Palm Desert, Hawaii, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Washington Coast, and Oregon Coast.  It was a great year to be back close to my family in Central Washington.  Many fun times were had with old friends (the Whizzies).  Several old friendships were reestablished.

I do miss close friends from our wonderful years in Pennsylvania.  Hopefully next year I will make it back for a visit!

As the sunset of 2017 passes, many happy memories of a great year remain!

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