Chihuly Museum of Glass, Seattle, WA
It is a dreary winter day today. I needed a little brightness and whimsey. I looked to the brilliant display of Chihuly glass at the Seattle Museum of Glass. To add a little more energy, here is a 9-image vertical pan combined into a single image. Let your imagination flow!
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.
Seattle Japanese Garden
Monet’s may have painted the entrance bridge of the garden from this perspective … maybe, maybe not.
Thank you Topaz Impression.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Red Maple/Yellow Ginko – Washington Japanese Garden
This is what fall color is all about. I was able to photograph in the Washington Japanese Garden almost at its prime this fall. Colors were gorgeous everywhere. This particular scene caught my eye contrasting the brilliant reds and yellows,
I am taking an on-line course, “The Compelling Frame” by Dave duChemin. My focus for this excursion was to explore how different types of light created different effects. Here, the soft mid-morning light set the colors of these trees on fire. I am always searching and exploring ways to help me progress through my never-ending journey in photography. I strongly recommend Dave duChemin’s course.
WWI Soldier Grotesque – Smith Hall, Univ. of Washington
This WWI soldier grotesque has intrigued me since I first attended the University of Washington in 1968. It is located on Smith Hall in the University of Washington Quadrangle. The figure commemorates WWI complete with the gas mask.
Over the years, I have photographed this grotesque multiple times. For some reason, my images have not turned out: out of focus, too light, too dark, or branches/leaves cluttering the image. During my last visit, I was determined to get an acceptable image. I was lucky that it was an overcast day. The soft light on the soldier was relatively even without deep shadows. I walked around to get a perspective that gave me the most eerie mood.