Photography

Lens Artists Challenge – Tools of Composition

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In our challenge this week, John has us looking at perspective, depth and scale. Please visit his site Journeys with Johnbo to view some great examples and gain a better understanding of these tools.

The photo below was taken at NASA. It is a model of the Artemis taken at a high angle for perspective. I was at the base of the model and had my lens at 24mm. It was quite tall but I’m sure if it was next to to the real one it would look like a miniature.

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The next tool is depth which is supposed to move the eye from foreground to background. The leading lines draw the eye to the front of this beautiful church.

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The next photo is not using any of these tools but it was taken at the church in the above photo. It’s the one of the coolest baptismal fonts I’ve seen. Quite appropriate since the beach is directly across the street from the church.

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The last photo shows perspective. Look very closely and you’ll see the tiny sailboat to the right of the cruise ship. Everything looks small next to these ships.

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That’s it for me! Thanks John for a great review of these tools!

Photography

Lens Artists Challenge – Topic – Focus on the Subject

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Patti is leading this week’s topic with several tips on composition to help the subject of the photo stand out. Please visit her site to see all of the tips and some wonderful examples. The tips I’m choosing are get in closer, selective focus and simplify the background.

Get in closer – I often use cropping to make the subject appear closer especially if the subject is small. Here are a couple of before and after cropping examples.

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Selective focus – The next 2 photos were taken with a macro lens which works great for selective focus.

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Simplify the background – I find that this technique can be more difficult to achieve at times. In the first example, I controlled the background and the second one was all about location, location, location.

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Thanks Patti for a great topic this week!

Photography

Lens Artists Challenge – Rule of Three

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The “rule of three” or “rule of odds” in photography allows for visual interest. Tina provides us with a more complete description and some wonderful examples that you can see on her site.

When going through my photos, I wasn’t sure I would have many for the theme but was surprised at what I found. I don’t think I took most of these photos of three objects with intention, but maybe it proves the point about being visually pleasing to the eye.

The first photo is at one of my favorite beaches in the Outer Banks called Pea Island.

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Same day, same beach….a group of terns – one of my favorite shore birds.

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This was taken in Rincon, Puerto Rico. Three pelicans framed by 3 palm trees- is that 6 subjects or 2 groups of 3? My eyes see it as 2 groups.

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This was taken for a weekly group on Flickr that I participate in.

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I’ll close with some duck humor in a grouping of three. They sure were busy getting their food!!

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Thanks Tina for a great theme this week!

Photography

Lens Artists Challenge – Topic – Textures

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Anne of Slow Shutter Speed is hosting this week’s topic. Please visit her site for some great images. I have to admit that I don’t consciously seek out these types of photos, so when searching for those that fit the theme, I realized I had more than enough to fit this description.

I love how macro lenses bring out detail that would be missed by the eye such as this photo of sugar.

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The beach is a great place to find all types of textures. If you don’t see them, you’ll probably notice them with your feet.

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What child or adult for that matter doesn’t like the feel of sand in their hands or feet while at the beach?

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One of our favorite places to hike on Skyline Drive is Blackrock Summit. A climb up the jagged rocks can be a little dicey – not something I would do – but my son-in-law is pretty fearless.

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I’ll close with a photo of this bushy tailed critter. Since I’ve never handled one – I wonder if it’s soft or coarse feeling?

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That will do it for me. Thanks Anne for showing me a different way to explore photography.

Photography

Lens Artists Challenge – Pick a Quote

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So many quotes, so little time…….. Ritva has picked a great topic this week – use our photographs to illustrated favorite quotes. Please visit her site for some great examples.

“Life is short – I’m going to the beach”. I’m not sure if I made this one up or saw it somewhere so I’ll just go with anonymous for the author.

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This one is a nod to the area where we live. “The countryside holds the key to simplicity, peace, and renewal. Where fields grow, so does the soul.” – Unknown

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Now that spring is in full bloom in the U.S., a quote about flowers seems timely. “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” — Audrey Hepburn

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I’ve had dogs in the family most of my adult life. They truly become part of the family bringing unconditional love so …...”Be the person your dog thinks you are.” — C.J. Frick

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Thanks Ritva for a great topic!!

Photography

Lens Artists Challenge – On the Water

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This week we are On The Water (one of my favorite places to be). Beth is hosting and has some beautiful examples on her site, Wandering Dawgs.

In January, we had some very cold weather and the water of a local marina froze over. I always wonder how the turtles and fish survive these events.

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This boat used to be on the water but now it is one of many boats off the coast of North Carolina known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. It has been identified as the SS Richmond.  Originally a British blockade runner built in 1848, the Richmond ran aground and sank on January 25, 1866. 

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Also seen frequently in our area on the water are surfers.

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Once in a while, nature provides a little bit of art on the water. This was taken in early spring when winter was fading and the trees had started blossoming.

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Thanks Beth for bringing back this topic!

Photography

Lens Artists Challenge – History Through the Lens

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This week we are sharing photos that take a step back in time. John of Journeys with Johnbo is hosting and has some wonderful examples on his site. My first example goes way back about 2000-4000 years – petroglyphs in the Valley of Fire state park in Nevada. It’s amazing that as old as these are they are still in good condition.

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Not quite as old is a rotary dial phone and a classic comic strip. Both of these have historical significance to the Silent and Baby Boomer generations.

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We live near the Outer Banks, NC and there are wild horses on the beaches of Corolla. It is believed that they arrived in the 1500’s. DNA testing has confirmed that they descended from the Spanish Colonial horses brought to the colonies in America. There is a local group that checks on them and takes sick or injured horses to a local farm to live out their life in comfort.

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My dad was a musician and started out in the 1930’s. I am fortunate to have some of his memorabilia including these 78rpm records. Today’s methods of listening to music make these truly a historical item.

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I’ll close with a little local history. The photo is not very interesting but the information is. A sixteen year old girl, Betsy Dowdy, is the Paul Revere of our North Carolina county. She snuck out at night and rode her mare Bess across the Currituck Sound and travelled 50 miles to warn American troops of the advancing British troops. This warning allowed the American troops to stop the British from advancing further into North Carolina. That took an amazing amount of bravery!!

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Thanks John for a great topic!