Friday, May 30, 2008

New England Photo Expedtion - Castle In the Clouds, Images Shot By Our Group

My image taken inside Castle in the Clouds,
Window Box Seat and  Needlepoint


Greg and Marie question me about  going shooting with a group and how it might stifle your creativity. I explained to Greg and Marie. You meet at a location, go shooting on your own, meet up for lunch, a few lingered and continued shooting or left.

When we returned home we posted our images on the site.
What is fun seeing the different angles, settings, the other people of our group shoot.  Images taken that day submitted.
Posted images from my group shoot last week
Photos: Castle in the Clouds - New England Photo Expeditions (Nashua, NH) - Meetup.com
A talent photograper friend, Gawdzilla sent out (author unknown).
You know you are a photographer when:

1. You paint the walls of your house skin tone colors so that you can do high key work, and replace your bathrooms with white marble tiles just because 'they'll photograph well'

2. You buy a chair on a whim because it will look good in a photo

3. When you turn you're head away from your computer screen and then realize your nose has a nice rim light around it from the side and you become annoyingly fixated on it.

4. When the contents of your camera bag = > 90% of your net worth

5, You try to remember back to when you would look at the world without visualizing or framing up a shot...evenwhen looking at some of the most normal things like..a light post and a car...

6. You walk backwards a lot

7. You put buying new gear before fixing your car

8. You go to garage sales strictly looking for props

9. You buy cameras as gifts for your family members so you don't have to take your gear or shoot snaps while on vacation

10. Every person you see causes you to think of how you could use them in a photo shoot

11. You cant go on vacation and turn it off because you are always saying to yourself "damn, that's a nice shot

12. You won't go outside until "magic hour."

13. You plan a photoshoot on your honeymoon

14. You have a cabinet full of hair dryers, flat irons, styling products, disposable razors and feminine products for no other reason than its nice to have on hand in case

15. Your pets hide from you because they know you are probably going to practice on them.

16. You think about buying store mannequins to practice shooting when real people aren't around

17. You notice that the grout in between the tiles is 18% gray...

18. You are out hiking with your dog and you take a snapshot of him without using the flash and he still squints out of habit

19. You make your spouse drive and keep a camera in your lap during the entire ride

20. You open you wallet and SD cards fall out

21. While standing in line at the checkout stand in the grocery store, you inadvertently hold up the line while you stare intently at the women's magazines trying to figure out how the cover shot was lit by studying the catchlights in the subject's eyes...

22. You can't find an image of you in any photos

23. Your girlfriend finds evidence of other women in the bathroom but only complains that you've left the toilet seat up...

23. You pat down fly away hairs on somebody's head on the elevator

24. You grab your daughters stuffed animals late at night to practice lighting because no one else in the family is awake to help out.

25. When talking to people, you assess how much healing brush their face would require

26. You realize that you will die hanging out your car window camera in hand taking your last picture as you careen over the guard rail into the other side of the highway

Thursday, May 29, 2008

First Time Shooting With New England Photo Expeditions - Castle On The Clouds

To view additional shots  bpdphotos : photos : Beautiful Castle In The Clouds, Perfect Day- powered by SmugMug

Quite a few months ago someone join the photo chat and mentioned about a photo group
  New England Photo Expeditions (Nashua, NH) - Meetup.com I checked it out and joined. You might want to check out  Meetup: World's largest community of local Meetups, clubs and groups! - Meetup.com  and see if there is a group near you or start up a group.

I was unable to attend their expeditions because Bob was recuperating from his knee replacement surgery. Finally I met the fantasic group at  Castle In the Clouds
and will be attending future shoots.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Finding Perfect Light: Walk In The Woods "Ferns "

Last Saturday Bob and took a hike when visiting Massabesic Audobon Center in Manchester, NH. We were testing his stamina for hiking.  Bob had a knee replacement last December...he did GREAT.

We were looking for birds but did not see any birds on the trail but located a few near the center I will be sharing. 

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Chocorua Lake and Mountain, Spring

One of my favorite places to photograph every season is Chocorua Lake and Mountain on Rt. 16, the southern route to North Conway. 

I wanted to try different angles of the view and took the time walking around the area for different scenic.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Did You Know.......

Dandelions Are A Wildflower?

My "Field of Wildflowers Shot" Dandelions

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) - Wild Flowers of Sleepy Hollow Lake - An All Creatures Photo Gallery - creation, earth, env..

For the last few months my good friends from CA have been sending LOADS of beautiful wildflower images.  My well meaning friends knew I was living with snow and would not see a flower bloom for a long time. 

Well the time has come I was able to send them my pictures of our slowly blooming wildflowers this week ...puffing out my chest!!!!

Check out Carol's wildflowers, Sue's and Ed's beautiful wildflower images they had been sending me :) and explore their beautiful sites.

 

Color Isolation on Black and White Images

Nancy requested information  how to create color isolation on black and white images.  I have a complicated directions using PhotoShop CS3, you are unable to my directions on other programs like Adobe Elements and Paint Shop Pro. 

I asked two of my very talented friends Reb
and Sharon from Canada, their directions and found you can apply to all the programs listed above, following the below steps.  And it is easy!!!

Here we go:

*Open a picture

*Create a new layer

*Convert your new layer to black and white.  Click OK.

*Using the your easer tool (you can size your eraser), erase the black and white, exposing color in the picture you wish to expose.

*Flatten or Merge you newly created image

*Save your image to jpeg format. 

Create your color isolation, return to my entry and link your creation :). I will enjoy seeing your image.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Green Door

Old Green Door, RT. 113, Tamworth, NH.  If you have a moment check my other  Old Barns,Structures and Equipment

Spring time is a busy time of year.  I am keeping busy during the week (yard work, the house) allowing us time to explore on the weekends.  After a rough winter it is so nice to get outdoors, enjoy the fresh air and taking pictures.

The picture I am featuring, the shed I have taken in the winter and now in the spring.  I am not sure it will live through another winter for that reason I  am taking images during all the seasons.

Old Green Door, RT. 113, Tamworth, NH.  If you have a moment check my other
 Old Barns,Structures and Equipment

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Nature Stills

A friend loaned me the upper jaw bone of moose for an idea I had. Nature Stills. I had fun testing my creativity, sitting up different views, working with light and fog. Check out my other images I created Still Life - a set on Flickr

Friday, May 09, 2008

Carriage Under An Old Tree

A couple weeks ago, Bob and I took a trip to Vermont in search of old barns, covered bridges and scenery.  Unfortunately the weather was overcast most of the trip but still a nice drive.

I found a pretty, simple scenic on the side of road in Windsow, Vermont.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Newfound Lake, NH Beach Sunset

I am very fortunate having readers of my journal from all over the world. (I would enjoy hearing from you). What fun reaching out to everyone, sharing my images of our beautiful state of New Hampshire.
 
Today's images were taken on Newfound Lake in Bristol, NH. I am going to return for more images.  Newfound Lake area is one of my favorite places in NH.

I need wake up early morning for sunrise images...not so easy :).

Monday, May 05, 2008

Finally SUN, Sunday at dusk

LESSON LEARNED:  No matter what kind of weather, do not leave home without camera.

Shooting over the weekend was impossible it rained.  I ventured out not taking my camera, OPPS I came across a beautiful shot, clouds, mist, mountains and the lake.

The sun finally appeared near dusk.  I look out of the window and decided to look for a spot to take magic hour/sunset images. The sunset did not last as long as I hoped, a ridges of clouds hide the beautiful end of the sunset.

I found an OLD white birch, with the excellent lighting might work. 

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Round and About NH: Salisbury, NH Spring Garden

 
 
Starting out early, for our back roads photo shoot and tour, we were driving throught Salisbury.  "Bob, turn around" a comment he hears way too often <grinning>, I notice a beautiful spring garden. 

The owners happen to be outside, I asked would they mind if I photographed their garden and would they allow me to post online and sell prints. They could not be any nicer, I want to go back with their garden is in full bloom. The vine arbor was made with bittersweet vine. 

I am printing the photos and dropping off to the owners.