Finding flowers in the clearance cart at the grocery store is a good thing. I was excited to see these white roses, slightly faded, but still beautiful on sale for two dollars. Paired with a family antique, I thought it would make a nice still life.
Phoning Uncle Roy to find out more of the bowls history was a nice diversion on a busy day. I learned the bowl was a gift to my great-grandmother (Selena Mills Livingston) on her wedding day, November 28, 1884 by her husband, Joseph Bascaum Livingston. When she died in 1930 my grandmother gained possession and kept it in the china cabinet until after her death in 1989. That’s when it was given to me. In one hundred twenty-eight years it’s traveled from mother to daughter to granddaughter and it’s a treasured piece of family history. Also in my dining room is a portrait of Selena and Joseph, hanging on the opposite wall from the china cabinet where she can keep her eye on the wedding gift from long ago.
I shot this image purposely underexposed to retain detail in the white roses. I bracketed my shots in case I wanted to stack my exposures or process as HDR. But after editing using Nik and Topaz software the other shots weren’t needed. Processed with Flypaper Textures.
Shot with my 24–105 lens. For more camera information or to purchase, click on the photo.
I’ve been absent from blogging world for the past several months and am happy to be back! Refreshed and recharged, I’m anxious to get back into my photography routine, sharing images, both old and new and exploring the world around me.
These shots were taken last week at the Butterfly House at the Museum of Life and Science, in Durham, NC. A wonderful trip and I look forward to going back.
For camera information or to purchase, click on the photo.
Photographed on a recent outing to Duke Gardens, this photo was inspired by the duck’s beautiful colors and the fall trees reflected in the pond. I learned this is a male Wood Duck and is considered one of the most beautiful ducks in North America.
Shot with my 24-105mm lens at 105mm. ISO400, f4.0, Exposure Compensation -.33. View large.
A shot taken on Elm Street in Greensboro last September. We enjoyed a wonderful day of warm September sunshine and people watching. The is the second photo blogged from that Sunday afternoon trip. Elm Street in Greensboro is a wonderful mix of eclectic shops, restaurants and bars. A great place to enjoy your favorite beverage, grab a table outside and watch the world go by.
Shot with my 10-22mm wide angle lens at 22mm, f8.0, ISO400, exposure compensation +.67. View Large.
I’ve spent the last three Friday’s hiking around the Eno River looking for the quintessential fall photo. I’ve got several possibilities from the rainy hike I took yesterday, but haven’t had the chance to go through the images. This shot was taken last week, down the trail from “The Old Swimming Hole” photo I blogged last week.
When I saw the WordPress Photo Challenge theme this week was “Hidden” I knew this image would be perfect. The ripples in the water makes you wonder what’s hidden below.
Shot with my 10-22mm wide-angle lens at 22mm. ISO200, f5.6. View Large.
Taken at the Eno River on a hike to capture fall leaves. An unlikely photo considering the beauty of autumn. The afternoon was cool and sunny and the leaves nearing peak color — a great day to be outside. This image was captured after a climb down a steep embankment to a small, soggy piece of land along the river’s edge. As I inched my way toward the water to get a clear shot, I couldn’t help but recall the sign at the beginning of the trail, Do Not Disturb the Snakes. Luckily not a reptile in sight!
In post-production, the color version was disappointing. I found mixed color casts, harsh shadows and the beautiful yellow leaves were washed out. After several attempts to process this in color, I decided to convert to black and white. The strong contrasts and the timeless composition made this a good candidate.
Shot with my 24-105mm lens at 24mm, ISO200, f5.6, exposure compensation +1. Processed using Nik and Topaz software, plus Flypaper Textures (Lime Plaster and Fly Edges #14). View Large.
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