Pixel Pearls

A White Christmas

2011-12-24T13:08:00.000-08:00

Frogs, Lanterns and a Canon in Macro Mode

2011-08-05T15:44:00.000-07:00

I am fond of this photo of a little frog I ran into at Tsugawa Nursery some weeks ago. This small creature, roughly the size of a thumbnail, was sitting inside a granite lantern's window. The lantern was nestled up against the koi house. It was just the thing I was looking for but I had passed by it several times without seeing it as it was shaded and among other unrelated statuary near the back of the nursery.

Looking over the lantern I saw this bright spot of green. It was still and a few steps away. I thought it was plastic until a garden rep told me, "No! He rests there every morning soaking in the sun until he gets warm and slips away for the rest of the day."

Intrigued by his size and his story I amused myself trying to capture his image while waiting for responses to the text messages I was sending to my husband about our impending purchase.

In this situation it is unlikely I would ever be carrying my DSLR. I was at Tsugawa's to buy a lantern and my photographic tool of choice was text mode on my iPhone where I was taking pictures of prospective purchases, sending them to my husband, and waiting for his response.

It did so happen, however, that I had my Canon point and shoot in my purse. It is a camera that has been well used and well loved for years. By no means the most current model, it has been a staple in my food photography since acquisition and while I have since enlisted a Nikon D5000 in my arsenal of photo equipment I still reach for the little Canon when I want to use the camera instinctively, with little thought or care. It is easy to carry and doesn't get in the way. I also find that I often have it buried in my purse when I didn't make a plan to have photo equipment with me at all.

To capture an image of this small creature I needed to push my camera into a spot I could not get down and look into clearly myself. I could angle the camera to see the view screen but the brightness of the sun kept me from seeing that clearly to check the focus. So I shot blind. In macro mode the camera found my intended subject perhaps 75% of the time. I took multiple shots for insurance. This is my favorite and I think it is as good in every way as anything I would have gotten with my DSLR had there been space to slip it into in the first place.

On the Edge

2011-07-18T15:19:00.000-07:00

Could there be a more perfect place to share a picnic for two?

On a hike of the Cape Horn Loop Trail I captured this image of two hikers sharing a sandwich as they admired the fruit of their journey; a fabulous view of the Columbia River Gorge.

July at the Second Story Gallery

2011-07-05T15:48:00.000-07:00

This image of two Trillium along the Cape Horn Loop Trail in the Columbia River Gorge is one of my favorites. I took it a couple of years ago on a bright spring day. All along our hike these wildflowers charmed me again and again. Their blossoms, in shades from white to crimson, basked in the filtered sunlight while nestled among a contrast of lush green leaves and spare brown twigs.

I am reposting this image because it is on display this month at the Second Story Gallery in Camas, WA, along with two more pixographs from Pixel Pearls, On the Edge and At Pixel Point, and a variety of images captured by other wonderful photographers in the Columbia River Gorge.

Stop by the gallery and take in the views!

The Brightness of Your Dawn

2011-04-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Arise, shine, for your light has come.

and the glory of the LORD rises upon you...

Isaiah 60:1

Happy Easter!

Heart of Astoria

2011-02-13T07:59:00.000-08:00

Life isn't all sunshine and puppies. That's a reality that settles in quickly in the Pacific Northwest, especially the sunshine part, especially in winter.

By mid-winter the sunshine is most sorely missed. Under a veil of gray clouds rain threatens and mists and falls. I find myself craving light and seeking it everywhere, anywhere. I chew little orange pellets of vitamin D3 and plug in my therapeutic blue light panel.

Sometimes though, when the mood is right and I filter the light from within, I begin to see a little radiance sparking in all directions. Sitting at a window table in a restaurant in Astoria, savoring oysters and chocolate with my Valentine, I feel the nudge of light dancing in the streets. I see it in festive dress as it floats from the streetlights and bounces from the windows onto the damp pavement with a bright joy. Reflections scatter. The dusty gray has been washed clean and is gilded with luminous color that peers through the window and rests on the table beside me.

In a small vase the colored light gathers and polishes a collection of baubles. At a certain angle the colorful baubles appear to be folded along a corner seam. They reach into my mind like a Rorschach evaluation and I see a heart there, folded and cut like a homemade Valentine.

Gazing sideways into that vase at the edge of my table I have to smile. If I just looked harder I might even find sunshine and puppies.

Christmas Reflections

2010-12-24T15:26:00.000-08:00

A Uniform Understanding

2010-09-26T22:28:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again. The freedom and serendipity of summer fades into routines, formations and new modes of communication. Groups form, huddle and focus on means of accomplishing common goals. Each individual brings their own unique set of gifts to the playing field and offers them into the overall strategy.

Football is the incarnation of autumn. Teamwork takes on new meaning as we gather our resources for the coming season. Training and dedication are tested. Results are measured.

So far it's paying off. At this point in the season my favorite team is 4 and 0.

Go Team!

Baci di Dama at Piccolo Paradiso

2010-08-26T22:03:00.000-07:00

These little Italian cookies from Caffé Piccolo Paradiso are delightfully photogenic. When I stop by for a Shot in the Dark or a Latte and a small plate of cookies I almost always end up taking pictures of them. I adore their petite shapes, their warm color and the elements of their texture, the way the light falls on them through the window as I sit in one of the front bays looking out onto the sidewalk.

Luckily they are marvelously rich and tasty too with just the right accent of chocolate. There are usually three varieties. At least one of them is called Baci di Dama, the one with the chocolate filling.

While enjoying cookies and coffee it is a treat to look around the small café at what has changed since my last visit; what new painting is on the wall, what new accessories accent the warm Italian décor.

Piccolo Paradiso is still one of my favorite area coffee shops. A stop by is the perfect practical antidote to the dreary weather that is so common to the Pacific Northwest. Stop by and see if you don’t agree.

Gallery Window

2010-06-19T20:50:00.000-07:00

This window belonged to a gallery the last time I was in Paducah's Lowertown Arts District. I'll be in Paducah again soon. The soul has grown a little dusty and I am hoping for a bright shower while I am there.

In a Nutshell - Incense Cedar Pods

2010-03-12T15:55:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I just can't decide.

Late last summer I sat on the deck in the corner of my backyard and examineed the interesting pods that rained down on it from our Incense Cedar tree. I had never seen pod shaped cones like those before. I liked the way they fanned and separated as they began to open and release their seeds.

Enjoying the sunshine on the deck I arranged them with other bits and pieces I found nearby, a small half shell from the bark around the deck, the husk of a pink peppercorn from my lunch, and began to take pictures.

So many turned out well. Finally I chose some favorites and made some adjustments. I tried a number of different filters and liked the results. I just can't decide which I like the best.

Can you?

Tiny Mushroom

2010-03-01T06:08:00.000-08:00

Searching for treasures one afternoon I came across this tiny mushroom among the brown needles, twigs and leaves gathered beneath a tall old tree. In the midst of the debris it stood, blending yet standing proud, alone, apart.

I tried to capture the surprise, the sense that it was a rather unique and exquisite piece of my afternoon's small adventure.

In this treatment of the image the mushroom rises prominently in the foreground. A small dry leaf arches above its form and tiny twigs stretch well above its slight canopy. In the background the color and brightness of spring is evident but softly blurred deferring to the clarity of the dry brown details that welcomed this small wonder into being.

A simple filter and a little extra saturation gave the image a soft polish and a modest intensity to reflect the gentle care with which I hope to add it to my collection of simple treasures.

Searching for the Sun

2010-01-19T08:22:00.001-08:00

One of the most wonderful things about pixography is that you can travel with a small camera, capture images almost anywhere, then later, in the digital darkroom, transform those images into something that reflects what you saw in the moment.

Take this flower for example. It is a beauty. I found it in a cafe in Victoria, BC where I had stopped in with my family for a late breakfast. A beautiful day was unfolding when we followed our direction to The Heron Rock Bistro. At our booth in a dark corner in the back, nestled in a small glass vase, was this single flower.

After we ordered I passed the time making plans for the day and snapping images of this bold blossom resting casually in the simple vase. The table was slate gray, the wall was gray and a downlight shone brightly on the luscious curve of the flower's petals. I captured it from different angles as we waited.

Later, when I downloaded the images, this one stood out. There were shadows that offered depth and dimension and the contrast lent itself to mystery in the leaves arching upward in the background. The curve of the stem and the distortion of the clear glass of the vase subtly ground the flower and add personality.

I emphasized these features by boosting the contrast and saturation. The simple lines benefit from contouring and the texture of the flower itself, the center eye and outstretched petals, are amplified by an artistic filter. The result is a gorgeous portrait of a single blossom open, outstretched and searching for the sun.

Snow Lights

2010-01-15T08:50:00.001-08:00

Original photo by GF

I am often amazed by the way low light shots can be transformed in the digital darkroom. This image was captured one evening last December when that lingering snowfall was still new and exciting. Teenagers gathered in front of our house bright with energy and excitement over this rare addition to our winter landscape.

Streetlights provided some illumination but the original photo was still dark and somewhat blurred. After straightening and cropping the image I boosted the exposure and saturation to define the featured elements. Finally, contouring the scene gave it a certain universal quality that conveys the crisp atmosphere and joyous energy of the evening without dwelling on the precision of the image or the individual personalities involved. The result is a festive celebration of light shining in the darkness.

Night Sky

2010-01-11T13:38:00.000-08:00

Original photo by JE

Tempestuous clouds stretch and sweep above the sleepy streets of my home town.

Though the colorful beacons that light our world shine boldly throwing sparks into the majesty of night, their brash splendor cannot rival the subtle shades and intricate turning of this turbulent skyscape. Indigo, lapis and cerulean are marbled around one milky thread of denim blue as the clouds arch and roil, far exceeding and indifferent to the display below.

Contoured and defined the edges of these colors speak eloquently of nature's creative hand. Thunderous, yet playful, they strike my imagination like flint and spark my own creative fires.

Snow!

2009-12-29T16:04:00.000-08:00

Last year's snow was really great. Deep and long lasting, the snow fell again and again and I treasured the charm of a white Christmas season.

By comparison 2009 has brought us a remarkably warm Christmas season. Just this afternoon, though, it began to snow. Large white flakes are dancing on a light wind and accumulating in the backyard.

Will it look like this again? I doubt it. Still softly falling snowflakes are almost always laced with at least a little winter magic. Looking out the back window I can't help but smile at the beauty of the season.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T17:16:00.000-08:00

Pomegranate Portrait

2009-12-15T21:34:00.000-08:00

This pomegranate stands brightly against the bronze stones and gray river rock in my back yard. The leaves are dry and spent, the stones dusty. The sky is gray and the light is growing cold.

The contrast is profound, all the more so for the simplicity of the details. Against the earthy backdrop this plump pomegranate sits, full of creative possibilities, a crimson jewel box promising a hundred gems of juicy flavor to brighten our table.

Waiting

2009-11-11T21:21:00.000-08:00

Not long ago I founds myself on a sidewalk in Seattle, waiting. We had plans to eat at Village Sushi but arrived a few minutes before they opened. The rest of my party stood on the stairs, hands in pockets. I took out my camera and started taking pictures of the restaurant and then the street outside and finally an interesting little weedy clump of flowers growing between the sidewalk and the street.

In this small space were twigs and weeds, lavender and daisies. Barely tended they intertwined while contrasting and supporting each other. The varying shapes, colors and textures playfully interacted in a way that was energizing and delightful. I considered this eclectic arrangement and snapped pictures until the restaurant opened and I was called inside.

The images that resulted are interesting. If i were painting the same image I would change it in a number of ways. I would never include the spent lavender bud, the quirky little dried twig or the ragged leaves yet they do lend authenticity to the portrait and prove that beauty does not require perfect composition or unblemished subjects to sparkle and have value. Without the surprising serendipity of a moment waiting I might never have considered the inspiring interaction of the narrow spikey lavender leaves in silvered green with the wide variegated leaves below them as a fitting backdrop to this gorgeous late season blossom.

As it turned out this brief pause with my camera set the perfect stage for the dinner to come. Village Sushi offered a lovely blend of traditional Japanese emphasis on presentation and quality with a casual U District indifference to detail and protocol. The dishes we ordered were served simply as they became ready, in great variety and without great ceremony. It was an inspiring wait and a beautiful meal.

Café du Grütli

2009-11-01T07:57:00.000-08:00

Down the Escaliers du Marché from Notre Dame Cathedral in Lausanne, Switzerland, you will find Café du Grütli. It is a pleasant restaurant serving Swiss cuisine which one travel guide describes as a "venerable old tile-and darkwood brasserie in the heart of Old Town."

We found this restaurant in the twilight of our last evening in Lausanne. We wanted to eat like tourists tasting the fondue Switzerland is famous for. We were not disappointed. With the help of the waiter and the conversational crowd around us we had a wonderful meal in a charming atmosphere.

The atmosphere carried with us into the gathering darkness on the streets of the Old Town. As we left I captured this image. Just enough light falls from the indoor fixtures to illuminate the tables on the pavement outside and to offer a companionable glow to the setting.

This scene does not have enough light to make a good photograph. Details are lost and the setting remains dark in the image captured on my small camera. Yet by drawing out the shadows, turning up the color and flattening the details this image comes to life. Splashes of color convey the setting and the tone of the light emanating from the interior space sheds just enough illumination on the scene to suggest the casual elegance and conversational atmosphere of a warm evening under the hospitable awning of a European café.

Apple Harvest

2009-10-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

Apples. Beautiful news at this time of year, gracing produce stands and seasonal displays. Not only are they gorgeous to look at, in a wide variety of colors from lemony yellow to bright green to orange gold and dappled red, but they are so good to eat. At this time of year they are so crisp and fresh they snap as you bite into their lusciously tart sweetness.

There are so many ways to enjoy apples: fresh from the tree, baked into pies and crisps, cooked down into applesauce or apple butter, pressed into fresh cider. Hurled like the apples from the trees in "The Wizard of Oz" they make fair weapons, drenched in caramel they make sticky seasonal treats, polished and set on a teacher's desk they make a handsome offering, and piled in the window at the produce market they make an inviting subject to photograph.

These lovely, locally grown apples are a beautiful tribute to fall. Just a simple apple drenched in autumn sunlight can conjure up a thousand memories and associations. Filtered to smooth blemishes, add texture and introduce a dream-like quality, this image evokes the taste and smell of autumn along with the faces and personalities of times gone by. What a rich blessing in such a compact package!

Incantation

2009-10-14T23:13:00.000-07:00

The sun was bright and falling warmly all around the house. Everywhere I looked the brightness illuminated something magnificent. Here there was an empty nutshell filled with pine needles. There I saw a leaf withered and crumbling with its delicate veins exposed like threads of lace. Along the walk were honeybees burying their heads in the scent of lavender. Lilacs bloomed neatly at the side of the house and in the front, by the stone patio, irises were unfolding their tightly rolled mantillas.

This single flower led the way. Unfurled and stretching out toward the stone circle it was at the height of its beauty. I took several shots to try and capture its perfectly formed blossom.

With some careful cropping I was able to isolate this iris against the backdrop of the stonework. I adjusted the contrast and filtered the image to bring out the lines of its petals and the echo in the stonework. Like wands directing the tracery in the stonework the leaves arc toward the circle in the background as this lovely iris leans into the magic of a beautiful afternoon.

Little Goldfinch

2009-09-20T20:25:00.000-07:00

This little goldfinch landed in my backyard one morning this past spring. He sat on a rock near the birdbath outside my kitchen window. He was so brightly feathered he looked like an Easter egg nestled there. I wanted to capture the image but with only a very limited telephoto lens I felt sure it was impossible. He would fly away before I could get anywhere near him. So I just looked out at his bright form and smiled.

I kept thinking he would fly on. He didn't. Instead the little bird just sat there. Finally I had to go closer to see what was going on. But, sure enough, as I approached he did fly away. The thing is, he didn't get very far. Something was wrong. He flew a few yards toward the backyard fountain and then just lay in the foliage there, with one wing oddly extended.

I am no great expert on wildlife and I didn't know how to help. I moved closer to see if anything was obviously the matter. When I didn't see any noticeable injury I decided to go ahead and take pictures. At least my proximity would keep any neighborhood cats from taking advantage of the situation. I was very close to the bird now and didn't even need a telephoto lens.

Soon the little bird seemed better. He arranged himself there on a rock and tucked his wings neatly around himself as we both listened to the sound of the water in the fountain. After I finished with my camera I began to do some yard work nearby. Before long I turned to find he had flown away.

This was a rare opportunity to capture the image of a wild bird up close with my little camera. I was very pleased with the images that resulted. I made some simple adjustments and filtered them to simplify the details of the background and to highlight the splash of wonder that the little goldfinch brought to my day as he rested near the fountain in my backyard.

Pollen

2009-09-09T11:35:00.000-07:00

This image was captured on a beautiful afternoon in Murten, Switzerland, just outside the town walls. We walked through this wonderfully haphazard garden growing roses and sunflowers as it trailed seedpods and morning glories along the stone walls. In the background the bastion of the wall can be seen.

In the foreground a bumble bee is oblivious to the historic setting. Intent on its work it is drenched in pollen from top to tail as it hangs heavily in the air approaching a bright sunflower again and again.

This bee amazed me. I was able to capture his image as he hung in midair serenading the sunflower but it was a challenge to capture the weight of his pollen laden body and to convey the slow determined persistence of his flight as he courted that huge blossom.

Try as I might, my own persistence in courting this image has yielded only a mediocre result. I like the image, the brightness of the flower, the interesting but receding background, the texture of the bees cargo and the profusion of the surrounding garden but I never felt that I was able to capture the story I witnessed as that heavily burdened little bee pursued his passion in a cottage garden by the old town wall.

Sky Shine

2009-08-20T15:42:00.000-07:00

Our flight from Geneva to Amsterdam last fall lifted off very early in the morning. Sleepy, spent, but satisfied following a wonderful vacation, I sat quietly gazing out the window.

As a child I remember a short flight to Chicago the first time I ever rode on an airplane. Looking out the window as we were preparing to land in Chicago I exclaimed that I wanted a game just like that, with little houses and trees neatly arranged on a grid where I could see it all at once.

After many years and many trips I am still awed by the view from my airplane window. Flying in and out of PDX the Cascade mountains often jut up in greeting just outside my window. Flying to Europe it is sometimes possible to make out a splendid coastline. On the way to Japan a clear day reveals the gentle folds of its interior landscape and the more densely populated coastal areas.

On this trip I had already been treated to a view of glistening rivers and lakes sparkling like a jeweled necklaces through the Scottish Highlands and the soft rolling landscapes of France that transcend differences in nationality and simply look like my childhood home. None of these spectacular views, however, were nearly as remarkable as what I saw unfold outside my window that quiet morning.

Leaving Geneva, we lifted off and rose above a layer of clouds, dim and gray, that veiled the landscape below. As the sun rose and our plane reached an altitude above the clouds, I realized that the texture in the distance was the top of the Alps stretching into the sky. Above those peaks was another layer of dark clouds. Our plane traveled pleasantly enough sandwiched between these layers.

Then, suddenly, the sun broke out between those layers too. Rising in its arc it illuminated our space between the clouds revealing the texture of the bumpy rolls and soft white cloud waves beneath us and the wispy swirls in the currents of clouds above. In between the light of the sun echoed and bounced through the lens of my camera. the images I captured show the playful delight of the scene, a sort of orbital illusion, an echoed geometric brilliance.

The image I captured was interesting but dim, grainy and unstable. Here I have added enhancements to bring out the color and shape, the amazing texture and in-between-ness with fewer distractions from the obviously poor photographic quality of the image. I think the result is kind of nice.

Petalistic

2009-07-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

Summer flowers are so lush and sensuous. This beautiful dahlia, framed by purple and white statice, unfolded its curving variegated petals to adorn a table where I enjoyed a wonderful meal among friends. It's bright color and ample blossom made it the perfect complement to the festive gathering.

I couldn't help but take out my camera to capture a few images as this delightful dahlia and I smiled at each other. Above I captured a sideways glance of its soft full petals, their creamy texture and their light drenched, yellow edging. Below I captured it face on, eager and attentive, symmetrical and perfectly appointed, with the hazy heat of summer as a backdrop.

I used several filters on these images to bring out the lovely texture and the brilliant color of this casual summer bouquet.

Gruyères Passage

2009-07-07T17:47:00.000-07:00

The town of Gruyères, Switzerland is stunning. Set in the foothills of the alps, idyllic landscapes frame this medieval town on every side. From the charming castle at the end of the main street there are many beautiful vistas to be savored. There are views of rolling hills, mountains, gardens, and a churchyard begging to be captured.

The town itself is also quite picturesque featuring quaint cobblestones, an abundance of flowers tumbling from planters and window boxes, cafè seating tumbling from small restaurants onto the cobbled pavement beyond and the hum of conversation, along with the sharp aroma of cheese, wafting on soft breezes in the sun drenched street.

And then there are the doors. In this pristine tourist town each seems to make a statement of its own. Like an accessory to a Catholic schoolgirl's uniform the doors speak volumes about the personality and character the owners hope to convey, in a language all their own. Every one is at least slightly different, distinct and carefully trimmed with significant embellishments. Flowers, plants, pets or decorative artwork adorn doorways that are carved, arched, anchored with exquisite wrought iron and festooned with ornamental hardware.

This image captured one of my favorites. I like the radical simplicity surrounding it, the way the sun highlights the steps beside it, the small window adding balance and framing the other side, the architectural punctuation and the mystery of what is inside.

I treated the image with a simple filter. It highlighted the separation of shadow and light as well as the details of the architecture and stonework. The result lets the door itself shine and invites me to consider what lies beyond.

In a Cafe...

2009-07-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

This image transports me to a scene in a mystery novel. It is simple in color and contour yet rich with details that might tell a story to those who are curious enough to search them out and wonder at their meaning.

A wristwatch stands out, and a camera. Two women in blue face each other at a table in the corner, while one sips tea from a white teacup. The light falls softly casting shadows from the left, hinting at the figure of a man obscured by the form of the other woman. The principle subject of our image turns his tired eyes toward the camera thoughtfully.

What is even more interesting to me is that this image was originally obscured by the larger image it was captured in. The original image focused on a scene in a restaurant that had nothing to do with the women in blue. It was simply a typical tourist's group shot at a table in the restaurant where some associates shared dinner. Only after adjusting and filtering the image did the table in the corner draw my attention. Then, by seriously cropping this once dark inside shot and changing the point of entry, the lush colors and the fascinating sense of mystery was allowed to emerge.

Leaf Boat

2009-06-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

Original photo by JE
A small bark once rested near the bank of a river. Grounded in a shallow spot it was neglected as the seasons turned and it shed its outer skin. The frame of its construction became exposed and was also worn down by the elements.

While it was worn it was also softened. In time it was gilded it in the manner of the northwest, with moss and lichens that clung to scarred ribs, giving it a patina like copper.

With its mellowing green luster this boat frame began to look like a leaf caught in the current and floating downstream. It blended with the brush on the shore and glistened against the gray currents around it. Humbled and broken, decayed and forgotten this small craft was transformed into an icon. It symbolizes the beauty of endurance.

Though the ground we stand on may flood with dark water and the currents of time strip us of our protective shell and all that we thought made us watertight and able to float, in the end we find that floating wasn't everything. To remain and respond and adapt, to yield without backing down or giving up, is to acquire a beauty that will always have value.

This original image was reduced in size and stripped of its detail. It was rather randomly adjusted and contoured. It was filtered and in the end brightened. What remains is an image I find meaningful and beautiful in its simplicity and fortitude.

House Spider

2009-06-19T11:34:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it is with me and spiders exactly but I do seem to find quite a few opportunities to work with images of these interesting creatures. Many of those images are of garden spiders. In the garden I tend to admire spiders, though I admit they make me a little uncomfortable.

In the house it is another story. That is my territory and spiders that make me uncomfortable inside usually have to go. But this little spider was so small and so well blended into it's surroundings that it hardly seemed threatening at all as it hung from a finely spun strand of web suspended from the ceiling. I grabbed my camera and captured this image as the spider hung in midair.

The spider's delicate features were easily drawn out of the digital data in the image though it's pale form hardly seemed discernable to my eye alone. I was also able to draw a bit of color and contour from midair and the ceiling beyond. Still the strand of web that held everything together remained invisible, a testament to the fine handiwork of this remarkable little creature.

The Art of Commerce

2009-06-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

Original photo by GF
This image was captured by my husband on a trip to India. It speaks of a lively and colorful market he passed on his way through the city. Each vendor has his offerings neatly arranged with as much visual appeal as possible.

While this appeal is composed of many details it comes down to light and color. I cropped the photo and reduced the bit depth, highlighting the form, the color and the contrast of light and shadow. I think this draws us into the vision that inspired the capture and shares the beauty and creativity that can be a persuasive element in the art of commerce.

Shower of Light

2009-06-08T11:36:00.000-07:00

This image was an interesting one to work with. I captured it on a golden afternoon in California a few months ago. I liked the way the sun showered this beautiful iris and bathed it with light. I also liked the details in the petals of the iris. Still the iris lacked definition and the image lacked dramatic tension.

To compensate, I took the image apart and tried to highlight and define the iris while letting elements of the background fade and desaturate. As the background began to dissolve it took on the character of colors blurring in the rain and of raindrops glistening in the sunlight that often follows a spring shower. I was left with a new appreciation of the sunlight and the shower motif and the blinding beauty of spring.

In the end I'm not at all sure I got it right but I did have fun, and learned a thing or two, in the process of trying. In any case, this image of a spring sunshower makes me smile!

French Boats

2009-06-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

Original photo by SD
A friend of mine captured this image when she was vacationing with her family in Paris. She shared it with me and I immediately wanted to work with it. I loved the colors in the boat, the lush green of the banks of the river and the hint of international flair in the lines. Still much of that was submerged in the realism of the original shot.

To bring out what I saw in the photo I brightened the image and contoured the line of the colors. By decreasing the bit depth I could feel the damp glow of the humidity and see the sunshine sparkle on the water in this picturesque image of an enchanting summer interlude abroad.

Shadow Crest

2009-05-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

I love to be outdoors in the sunshine. I often take pictures along the way but the sunshine I love is both a friend and a foe to my camera. While the light is brilliant it washes out color and creates deep contrasts with the shadows it casts. Often, these shadows get in the way of the image I want to capture.

Sometimes though, the shadow can enhance the image, even become the image. Here I took a low shot of a small dry twig from the garden. Set on a sandy brown stone wall it cast a long shadow in the afternoon sun. Like a child at play making handshadows, they seemed to portray a host of possibilities in their definition. This shadow captured my imagination and I captured this image.

In the digital darkroom I did very little to change the original image. I cropped it to guide our point of entry. Then I filtered it gently, drawing out the contrast and softening the distractions. I like the possibilities in the lines that remain.

Potential

2009-05-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

Teased by the beautiful weekend weather we have been enjoying in the Pacific Northwest, minds turn to gardens and hearts turn to hope for a season that will produce delicious tomatoes in our back yards. Though it may still be a little early here, we have put a few tomato plants in the ground and soon we will be looking eagerly for signs of the fruit we hope to enjoy by summer's end.

The first sign will be one of these modest little yellow flowers. Small and almost fierce it is the early sign of effort paying off and garden dreams coming to fruition.

I captured this image early last summer in a friend's garden. This small homely bloom made my friend's face brighten with hope and joy. Like a proud parent he seemed confident that this was the beginning of an eminently rewarding journey that would yield success and blessing.

Last year wasn't the best year for tomatoes in this area. While I believe this small flower yielded an edible piece of fruit few gardeners felt they were truly successful by the end of the season. But, for most gardeners, hope springs eternal. Tomato starts are flying off the shelves and into patio pots and backyards everywhere, and little blossoms much like this one will soon produce smiles and hope and joy for countless gentle garden enthusiasts.

My goal for this image was to soften it to the color and shape of that hope. I contoured the image enhancing the intricate detail of the small blossom and softening the background to warm shades of summer color. In it I see the outline of potential, the shape of tenacity and the framework of fruit to come.

Formation

2009-05-08T22:47:00.000-07:00

Here is another take on the image posted as "Cradled World." I used a neon filter to make the forceful elements of the image glow. This treatment sets the thorns or threads on fire while the subtle peaceful form of the pod lets its definition fade into the surroundings.

It seems to me that this image is almost the antithesis of the one I posted earlier. It is uniquely dynamic and engaging.

Each piece of art we create is unique in time and space, in the aspect of its creator that is highlighted in its form. While "Cradled World" radiates the patient stillness of nature's power to transform, "Formation" displays the energy of the process and the active engagement demanded by every state of change.

Cradled World

2009-05-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

I ran across this intriguing little briar in a garden just outside the old city walls in Murten, Switzerland. It grew low, beneath beaming sunflowers and voluptuous roses, evading the attention of tourists seeking more glamorous sights and bees seeking more abundant blossoms.

Without bright colors or fragrant petals there was little about it to attract attention, in fact its thorny exterior web seemed to shun attention. And yet how beautiful this intricate little pod seemed to me.

I wondered at its form. Its erratic webbed covering suggests a variety of associations. It resembles a crown of thorns or the bars of a cell, yet more to the point, it seems like a makeshift cradle of a roughly woven nest. Inside it lies a rough round pod that must contain a precious seed, the hope for a fresh start in the coming spring. The pod is marked with a cross and entrusted to the arms of this amazing earthly guardian, like an infant newly baptized and placed back in its mother's arms.

To capture the impression this fragile bristling pod left in my thoughts I embellished the contrast in the image and softened the color and texture of the lush background. The result features the many amazing details of this delightful little garden discovery.

Couplet

2009-04-28T15:19:00.000-07:00

Near the beach at Fort Bragg, CA I spotted several clusters of white Calla Lilies growing in a field and down the cliff. Enchanted, I stopped to enjoy the sight and take some photos.

The Calla Lily is one of my favorite flowers. Their form is simple, yet strong and elegant. And not only is the flower worthy of note but the deep green wave of its foliage is also visually appealing. As I admired the overall balance of the clusters I couldn't help but be impressed by the unique beauty of each individual flower stem. I came away with a collection of interesting snapshots.

This particular image features a pair of Calla Lilies. I found the relationship of their open blossoms intriguing. Like two open hearts casually curving into one line they struck me as particularly lovely in the way they support and contrast each other while gently resting in one visual form.

To bring the texture of the image into alignment with the form I increased the brightness and softened the detail. Then to clean up the background I found some leaves that echoed the curve of the lily's shape and arranged them in layers, highlighting the rich color and the contrasting edge.

The process involved was a little different than anything I've done before. I think the outcome is simply poetic.

Shades of Spring

2009-04-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

Not long ago I hiked the Cape Horn Loop Trail. It was a beautiful day and a wonderfully scenic hike. Not only were there broad vistas of the Columbia River Gorge to enjoy but along the trail, in the woods, there were also beautiful things to see. Dotted along the trail were lovely clumps of Trillium in shades from white to crimson.

I captured this image along the trail. These Trillium blossoms seemed particularly watchful stationed along the path. The background is bright with filtered sunlight and a glorious shade of spring green. The twigs radiate poetically from where the trillium keep watch.

To enhance the image I saturated the colors and highlighted the contrast between light and shadow. I like the lush feel of the final product.

The Calm of Morning

2009-04-16T23:00:00.000-07:00

Original photo by JE
This image of the glassy reflection on the surface of calm water is a study in peace. The shoreline gently and lyrically defines the curving boundaries of the water's reach. The surface mirrors the dynamic nature of the changing clouds without disturbance. The morning light gilds the low grasses and the trees softly punctuate the skyline.

The peaceful ambiance of this morning view is subtle. The natural colors are muted and the details in the original image tend to distract the eye from the simplicity of the scene.

To highlight the peace I contoured the edges, lowered the bit depth and enhanced the hue definition. As a result the shape of the clouds are defined in the reflection as are the soft shapes of the trees and warm glow of the grasses. My eye rests at the center and yet is inevitably drawn toward whatever might lie ahead in the distance as I begin the day's journey.

The Pulse of Morning

2009-04-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

This image of a mighty sunrise was taken last summer. From my window the rising sun was cradled in the crook of two silhouettes, the rooftops across the street and the foothills in the distance. The morning air was fresh and the sky was feathered with streaks of wispy clouds.

As the sun peeked over the hilltops the sky exploded with color as the sunbeams radiated filling the horizon with light. I captured this image from my window as I watched the sunlight stretch out to announce the beginning of a new day.

To conform the image to my impression I enhanced the colors and sharpened the contrast, blending the foothills and rooftops into one horizontal stretch. Then I contoured the image, filtering it so that the colors radiated from the sun like a strong and steady pulse, calling the world to its singular beat.

Rummaging through photos this weekend I was drawn to this image as an expression of a world transformed on Easter morning. As Christ rose from the darkness of the grave, he dawned and rose as the Light of the World.

John 1: 4-5 In him was life , and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.

Happy Easter!

Bridge View

2009-04-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Original Photo by JE
The Astoria-Megler Bridge... again. This time the image was captured by a friend on a slightly brighter day than the one I spent in Astoria some time ago, studying the shape of my fears.

I like the angle of this image. The bridge reaches out across the water in a rather straightforward way as it approaches the Washington shore.

In the distance the sky is composed of gentle shades of gray playfully arcing above the water, framing the line of the bridge and balancing it.

I simplified the lines of this image and defined the shades of gray with a filter. Then I intensified the color to add distinction. The result is somewhat austere but resolute and hopeful too. While the subject matter remains serious and functional the tone is brighter and more conversant than my previous impressions of this daunting structure.

Light Through Redwoods

2009-04-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

Last week we drove along the California coast and through Redwood National Park. The sun shone brightly on the surf and through the towering trees. The trees shaded the fragrant carpet of soft earth and the high canopy of leaves guided rivers of light that cascaded through the foliage. It was beautifully atmospheric but difficult to capture in a single image.

I brought back hundreds of images but many missed what I sought to capture. While many adjustments can be made to balance light and shadow or to add contrast to the degrees of shading, few captured the essence of the light falling through the high branches and the feeling of protected spaciousness beneath the towering redwoods.

This was one of the images I liked the best. The sunlight pierced the grove at an angle, highlighting the texture of the bark on the tree trunks and falling in patterns on a few moss covered branches. The light enters just above the center of the image, an image that does not reach the ground, suggesting the tremendous height of these giant trees. Brightening the image a bit to adjust for shadows and to define the creases in the texture of the bark, the focus is on the light and its persistent ability to enter the deepest recesses and reveal the rich wonder of this sheltered space.

Pear Impressions

2009-03-27T00:09:00.000-07:00

<I buy pears all winter, a few at a time. Lately there have been many different kinds at the market and they are all so beautiful. The curve of their side, the color of their delicate flesh, the expected and yet surprisingly lyrical asymmetry of their form, make them pleasing to look at, to draw or to study. Pears are such a lovely photogenic fruit, inside and out.

After choosing several different varieties from the market I bring them home and arrange them on my countertop and wait. In time they will begin to soften and grow perfectly ripe and juicy. The anticipation itself makes my tastebuds dance.

While I wait I try to capture their beauty. I want to learn from their simplicity. Three pears, slightly blemished and irregular in form, lie in such an interesting and natural way against each other. The interaction of curve and color, light and shadow, line and angle merge into a single relaxed image. Flattened and contoured, the contrast of these three luscious pieces of colorful fruit becomes restful, almost peaceful, as they repose on a textured mat.

Balance Point

2009-03-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

Original photo by TB.
A friend shared a photo with me, of sailboats against the Chicago skyline. Eager to work with it I made some adjustments that I hoped would highlight the light on the water and the singular beauty of the featured sailboat.

I adjusted the brightness and decreased the bit depth to enhance the sparkle of the waves. This softened the buildings in the skyline, leaving a whisper of their outlines. Infused with the same shades as the water, their hazy form receded as the backdrop to this sailboat riding on the brilliant sea.

I like a lot of things about this image. I like the way the sailboats in the foreground are dwarfed by the towers in the background. Still, they appear indifferent, shining white against the blue-green water, occupied by riding the ripples and waves that rise and fall beneath their hull.

I admire the form and function of the sailboat blending into the wind as it elegantly steers at a slight angle. I like the sense that it is at one with its direction, at peace with the tension between wind and water and that it seems focused on the angle of the wind and the gentle path its hull cuts through the rippling tide.

Often I feel my sails are set against the wind and I ride the ripples and waves of my life at the edge of capsizing. Still this image and its whisper of the hectic hazy construction of a modern city contrasting the peaceful blue-green of the larger sea, is an image of serenity. It highlights the precarious balance between the elements of life and the beauty of finding that balance point to steady your course.

Luck

2009-03-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

I found this little four-leaf clover in a cache of costume jewelry at my aunt's house. It is broken, no longer bearing the pin part that once let it be worn. The decorative cloisonné of it's leaves is also chipped. It shows its age and has lost some if it's utility but it is still a handsome and significant piece, a small and interesting ornamental fragment, especially at this time of year.

As I couldn't think of how to wear it I used it as a model this St. Patrick's Day. I captured this image as the sun broke from the sheltering clouds and shone across a gold colored table drape. I liked the substance it gave to the little clover pin, the depth of its shadows, the way the sunshine highlighted the superficial nicks and imperfections.

I brightened the original image a little. Then I filtered it and posterized the clover for definition, engaging the way the light brought shades from the color of the leaves and the way the chipped flecks gave a charming sort of sage patina to the piece. In fact, in this case I think it is the way the light enhances the flaws and inevitable consequences of age that adds interest and texture to the finished image.

I've read that each leaflet of a clover symbolizes something: the first faith, the second hope, the third love and the fourth luck. Perhaps finding this small curio will bring me a measure of good luck. Luck has certainly been with this old pin, at least in its ongoing ability to charm and endure. Though it is old, and in some ways broken, it wears its age nobly and is still treasured. May we all be so lucky!

Garden Home

2009-03-14T20:00:00.000-07:00

Late last summer the onions in my garden flowered. First spears formed at the end of their stalks and then the spears burst into orbs covered in small white blossoms with a pungent fragrance.

In the warmth of August I found these orbs enchanting. Like a larger, prettier dandelion head the unusual blossoms had a sturdy character I admired. Finally I cut one to bring into the house and study.

On my way inside a small inhabitant emerged. A delicate little garden spider climbed from the shadows beneath the flowers and gingerly walked around the outer petals. What a wonderful house the little spider had found!

Imagining how amazing this geodesic blossom must be to such a tiny creature I had to smile. I felt a twinge of sadness as I carefully set him down in the bark dust before bringing the flower inside.

I created this image of the tiny spider traversing the perimeter of the blossom with the hope of reflecting these simple thoughts. I focused on the spider in his world and softened the background into a bright suggestion. The colors are simple, the details basic and still the delicate form of the spider remains, defined yet almost at one with his surroundings.

Reaching Toward the Light

2009-03-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

This little flower ventures from it’s homely bulb pushed down into the earth one hopeful autumn day.

Months later, scarcely noticed and without fanfare, this harbinger of spring pushes up through a warm blanket of bark mulch as winter lingers in the air. Almost alone in the flowerbed so early in the season, it emerges, persistently becoming what it was created to be.

One morning, as spring approaches, its colors shine in the chilly morning sunshine. In perfect symmetry its blossom stretches toward the light and extends its petals in a posture of prayer and praise.

My heart is full of thankfulness as I admire this little flower. I stretch myself from the warmth of my nest and venture out in the morning chill to capture this image.

Studying its form I reflect on my own journey this Lenten season. It takes me from within my own dim world of warmth and comfort and asks me to look at a world of colors and forces beyond my control. On this journey of new awareness I strive to stay focused as I become more vulnerable to the world around me. I pray that I might always, with an attitude of thankfulness and praise, reach toward the light as I persistently become what I was created to be.

Caffé Colors

2009-03-05T14:56:00.000-08:00

I love to stop and take a break from the day over a cup of good coffee. One of my favorite places to do that is Caffé Piccolo Paradiso in downtown Camas. The café is filled with interesting bits and pieces to spark a memory or a dream.

Light from the large front windows glows on the warmly textured patina of the sunshine colored walls. Italian dice are laid on the table with a backgammon game underneath a map of Italy. Used books line shelves on one wall and bottles of wine adorn another. There are tables at different heights and a variety of chairs to settle into from austere to upholstered. Conversation gently lingers in the air as the tables fill and empty with friends and customers coming and going.

I visit Caffé Piccolo Paradiso with my camera and a notepad. I never know for sure which will be the medium of choice until I am there. Today I ordered a Shot in the Dark with some tiny Italian cookies. The cookies made great subjects for my camera with the warm décor of the café for a backdrop. The three of them on a small plate made an interesting study in composition. I nudged their arrangement as I soaked in the atmosphere. After a while I sampled the cookies and enjoyed their crisp texture and soft filling. They offered just a note of sweetness to the dark roasted flavor of my drink.

The images I took away with me are a reminder of what feeds my creative spirit.

Fortune of Love

2009-02-23T22:54:00.000-08:00

This image was captured in the kitchen, where I spend a lot of my time these days. The sun filtered in the window to the side of my kitchen table and gave a wonderful glow to the crisp fortune cookie I had just baked, and then broken. I really enjoyed the message on the fortune inside. Shakespeare was such a master of language and a clever poet. It was a perfectly fortunate quote.

To enhance this image I simply increased the saturation of the colors to make the blue in the little dish pop in the sunlight. I filtered the image to add interest to the shading and texture of the cookie, but not too much, as I didn't want to lose the definition of the script on the sentiment inside. After all "Love is not love that alters...." and yet I think it is sometimes wise to filter and saturate, don't you?

Eiffel Up

2008-11-04T10:05:00.000-08:00

Original Photo by SD

A friend of mine was in Paris a few months ago. She brought back some images of the Eiffel Tower in different lights and from different angles.

I like the point of view captured here in particular. I almost feel dizzy from tilting my head back as I imagine taking in this view with my own eyes. It is an image that shows off the lines of construction, the symmetry and towering achievement of this Paris landmark.

I dug for color in this image and downplayed any distracting details that might get in the way of appreciating the delicate lacelike grid of support that makes up this structure. I think the finished pixograph highlights the giddy personal perspective and old fashioned wonder of sightseeing in Paris.

Standard Time

2008-11-02T15:44:00.000-08:00

On Nov. 1 we once again turned our clocks back one hour from daylight savings time to standard time. That always takes some getting used to. This week I am hungry at the wrong time, sleepy at the wrong time and am sad to see the darkness gathering before 5pm. With clocks on almost every electronic appliance these days the change requires a good bit of effort too.

At times like this I appreciate the simplicity of an analog timepiece. One simple understandable motion changes the time recorded there and provides a sense of the space in between.

This image was taken of a man's watch with the macro mode of my camera. One side of the dial was captured in keen focus while the rest of the watch face was fuzzy. I wanted to enhance the simplicity of the image and highlight the tight focus. For that effect I enhanced the contrast, found the edges and boosted the saturation. The result is like a simple drawing of those wee hours when the time is changed as is the rhythm of our lives.

Note: Do you wonder why we change our clocks backward and forward during the course of a year? Do you crave a simpler system? Check out StandardTime.com.

Framed Church

2008-09-30T15:30:00.000-07:00

This Image was captured in Murten during a recent trip to Switzerland. Murten is a small town with a rich history and a generous climate. It is situated on the shore of a beautiful lake in the midst of rolling hills, between vineyards and vegetable gardens. This town on the cusp of German and French speaking Switzerland harmoniously blends its medieval history, evidenced by the ramparts which still encircle the historic city, with its open tourist trade that brings visitors from around the world to experience the rich abundance of this region.

As I walked the ramparts and looked down over the roofs of the town to the right and out on the rolling landscape to the left, I saw this church. The steeple was framed by a cross shaped arrow loop, a defensive device in this fortified town wall. Around it ivy was reaching through the opening, grasping the rocks, exerting the force of life and time and softening the frame of the church tower and the countryside beyond. I was impressed by the scene and tried to capture the atmosphere of fresh growth on historic walls, faith framed by an arrow loop, tourists strolling along the ramparts, today and yesterday embraced and enmeshed in a mutually supportive alliance.

To bring out the quality of the narrative I saw in the image I filtered it twice, once to simplify it and add an impressionistic quality and a second time to enrich the outline and highlight the contrast. I also brightened the ivy to enhance the sense of new and tender life. The result is a souvenir of my journey and a summary of my impressions of this vibrant and fascinating town.

Magic Circle

2008-09-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

This summer I captured a number of images outside, late in the evening, in near darkness. Predictably these images turned out to be grainy. They meant something to me as I remembered the context in which they were taken but they were not much to look at on their own.

This is the type of image I have really enjoyed working with over the past few months. As I work with these pictures I am always surprised, and often quite delighted, by what I find there.

This image captured a simple circle of chairs on a patio surrounding a fountain and illuminated by candlelight. In its original form it was dark and grainy and boring. As I worked with it I found the edges and filtered the product then enhanced the colors that remained. I thought the image I arrived at shared my appreciation of the warm candlelight and the dreamlike quality of late night conversation.

Bathed in Blue

2008-08-21T15:52:00.000-07:00

Original photograph by GF
This image was captured at the top of Mt. St. Helens last summer. From the top of the mountain, as you look out over Spirit Lake, you can see Mt. Rainier clearly, one of the few other landmarks joining you in this lofty realm.

This view overlooks the landscape that was devastated when Mt. St. Helens erupted in 1980. Now, bathed in blue, punctuated by the white of snow and glacier, occasionally steeped in steam from volcanic activity, this landscape of destruction is slowly emerging as a landscape of renewal.

Even as Mt. St. Helens once again slumbers, the view of this area continues to change. This image, enhanced by highlighting the simple colors and lines of the landscape, reflects a sense of hope and regeneration.

Downtown

2008-08-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

This is a view of downtown Camas, Washington that highlights the pretty tree lined streets, entertainment at the Liberty Theater, and downtown merchants against the backdrop of a blue sky streaked by the smoke stacks of the local paper mill that was instrumental in founding this town along the Columbia River.

I captured this image on a sunny afternoon. To highlight the nostalgia and the small town hominess I softened the colors and added some contrast to the sky giving definition to the several elements that compose this image and the town itself. The lighter weight of line and color lends a hopeful forward looking tone to the scene that reflects my own filtered vision of the town.

Borrowed Vision

2008-07-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

This image was captured at Sofukuji Temple in Nagasaki, Japan. It offers a view of a sign, written in faded and blurred Japanese characters on a brilliant red background. I spied this sign beyond a closed gate with a symmetrical cutout opening in the door. From my angle the sign completely filled the view through the opening.

I'm not sure why I found this image so captivating but it is one of my favorites. I like the grain of the wood in the gate and the rugged split to the left of the opening. I also like the opposing lines in the wood of the sign beyond. The contrast between the painted wood that offers a worn message and the rough wood that is cut in an elegant pattern somehow speaks eloquently to the relationship of ideals and realities of life I see as I travel in Japan. The view is at an unexpected angle but offers tension and balance in color and texture as well as a challenge to rightly perceive which elements of the photo are in the forefront and guiding our perceptions.

Lily Pond

2008-07-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

Original photo by GF
This image captures a lovely scene, a waterscape reminiscent of Monet. In a reflective green pool, on a bed of amber and jade leaves, the pointy pink petals of a lovely water lily bloom abundantly. Isn't it gorgeous?

This image was captured by my husband in India. It is tranquil and bright. I cropped the original image to balance the elements more to my liking. Then I sharpened the color by saturating the image until the pink of the lily's petals and the paler lavender in the pool's reflection became unmistakably a focal point and balance. Then I simplified the details with an art filter, softening the image in the warm light.

Liberty Street Front - Black and White

2008-06-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes outlines can tell a story that color and shading get in the way of.

This version of the image featured in "Since 1927" highlights the details of the Liberty Theater and the gathering space in front, the umbrella over the outdoor table and the movie marquee, while letting the surrounding shades of this small town street fade into the background.

Which image do you prefer?

Since 1927

2008-06-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

There is a lovely old movie theater in downtown Camas. It is situated on Fourth Street. It was built and first opened in 1927. In 1996 it was completely restored. The Liberty Theater adds character and a focal point to the small pedestrian friendly downtown area of Camas.

Looking up Fourth Street toward Natalia's and the Camas Public Library the sidewalk opens up in front of the Liberty. It is a gathering point, a place to meet friends, a landmark location.

This image captures the framework of that meeting place. The branches of the tree overarch the umbrella table and the Liberty's marquee. The old fashioned buildings, the soft sidewalk-front facades, and the blue sky beyond, punctuate the relaxed nostalgic atmosphere of this charming downtown scene.

A Path of Sand

2008-06-11T08:09:00.000-07:00

Original Photo by JE

I follow a path of sand

shifting beneath my feet

soft and hot and incomplete.

I can’t see where it leads

beyond thornbushes and scrub

where wild seeds grow

and vagrant shadows play.

This is the only way

that still winds clear,

the only road between

despair and fear,

the only way of hope.

I push forward, moving on -

I can’t stand still,

releasing what I yearn for,

what I might possess,

yet exactly what that is,

I must confess,

I do not understand.

And so I walk on

Opening my hands.

A Touch of Color

2008-06-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

This piece of cake, from a recipe called Chocolate Decadence, was a gorgeous model. I took quite a few photos of it and every one looked delicious.

What differed was the curve and symmetry of the whipped cream mounded on top and the angle of view on that tiny touch of color in the rosemary flower on top.

The rosemary flower adds a lively focal point to this image. When I intensified its color and took the detail out of the texture of the cake, the cake slipped into the background and the flower burst into the forefront. Through the adjustment of the shadows and highlights, the whipped cream offers structure and dimension that gives the image a nice line and features that soft touch of color in the tiny flower.

From Here to There

2008-06-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

Original photo by GF
This photo was taken on a road in India.

I love the striking contrast between the jewel like color of the woman's garments as she humbly rides on the back of this motorcycle and that of her dusty surroundings.

India, it seems, is filled with such jewels and stark visual contrasts.

Swan Bridge

2008-05-30T12:21:00.000-07:00

This is a scene from the plaza near the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The bridge is called the Meganebashi because it resembles eyeglasses as it reflects in the water. The day I visited I captured this image with a swan swimming in one of the lenses.

This image captures a tranquil scene in the middle of Japan's bustling capital city. The stones offer a solid permanence and their texture beautifully offsets the lush green of the Japanese landscape and the dreamlike reflections in the jade green water.

Little Gnome

2008-05-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

This little gnome stood beside the path of the Philosopher's Walk in Kyoto, Japan. On my way to the Silver Pavilion I met him by a step in a small garden. My camera was out of batteries so I borrowed my son's to capture his image.

The day was hot and the image I captured looked pale and dry. It lacked the whimsical spark I had seen in the gnome's habitat that afternoon.

To better match the image to the memory, I enhanced the color and simplified the lines in the original picture. I sharpened the outlines and cropped the edges close to the gnome himself and the flowers he seemed to be tending nearby.

I like the result, printed on art paper in a small size, edges torn, and mounted on a much larger mat. It is like looking through a peephole into this Japanese gnome's unique world.

Perspective

2008-05-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

I like the simple lines of this image. The balance of the arching heights, the slight distortion that simplifies the image and the cross rising high above it all to frame and center our perception of the rest.

This view of Zion was taken on a bright sunny day just as a building project began. Rather than focusing on the changes it focuses on the sky, the cross and what remains the same.

Leaf Shadow

2008-05-14T06:10:00.000-07:00

This splendid autumn leaf came to rest on my back deck last fall.

The lines on the leaf and the brilliant color seemed to punctuate the rough texture of the deck in expectation of the bare winter months ahead.

This image once again reminds me of the stories the most simple composition can tell. To hear these stories we need only step outside our own back door..... and listen.

Bird on a Twig

2008-05-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

Original photo by G Feather
This bird posed on the end of a branch overlooking an atmospheric green river in India. The lines of white in the shading of the rivers current offered the background an interesting texture. I used filtering tools to flatten the background image and enhance its randomly patterned design.

This background seems to highlight the simple line of the solitary perch the bird has chosen to linger on, and fades all other considerations from view. The focus rests on the rich and startling beauty of nature's treasures.

Cinnamon

2008-05-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

Acrylic on Canvas by Kerrin Feather
This beautiful painting was done by my daughter in her high school art class. It is hung with my pixograph of a rose, "Forgiven," in this month's exhibit at the Second Story Gallery in Camas, WA. Both pieces are quite expressive of the individual who created them and their unique perspective. I am very excited and proud to have my work displayed in tandem with my daughter's gorgeous painting.

Forgiven

2008-05-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

That rose bathed in lamplight

must be mine.

Where once it was so deeply fine

and tightly gathered,

now, it drops past center

loose and free

of what once was fiercely hoped

that it might be.

Now it simply is.

Light and dark relax together,

settle, gathered on each petal,

comfortably cupped,

cradled, silvered and hushed,

no longer hidden,

yet bathed in gold soft light

undone,

Forgiven.

Ashes and Flame

2008-04-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

This image was captured in a temple near Himeji Japan.

The color and aura of the flame contrasts powerfully with the strength and depth of the vessel. I tried to adjust the properties of the image to highlight this tension.

As I balanced these elements the worn tatami mats surrounding the vessel paled to the color and texture of ash. The resulting pixograph depicts a narrative reflecting the transformational force of our being.

Or maybe it's just about art.

Witch Hazel

2008-04-29T12:38:00.000-07:00

Just as I was down in the dumps about the endless gray of winter God called the Witch Hazel in my yard to work it's magic and push open its late winter blooms.

The Witch Hazel is such an interesting plant. It's beautiful pods and bright spidery blossoms look so eager and cheerful, so full of hope as winter draws to a close.

I loved the brightness of this image. I softened the details a bit and let the background fade. It speaks to me of bright new ideas and fresh beginnings.

Water Droplet

2008-04-27T06:45:00.000-07:00

This painting, by my daughter Kerrin Feather, can be seen in the exhibit "Five" at the Second Story Gallery beginning May 2.

I love the playful use of color and the way she has captured the reflective quality and the depth of the water.

This painting, along with her larger painting "Cinnamon," will be on display at the gallery through May 30. Kerrin's paintings, along with the work of other artists who have exhibited their art at the Second Story Gallery over the past few years, will compose the exhibit "Five" celebrating the fifth anniversary of the fabulous renovation of the Camas Public Library.

Upper Falls

2008-03-21T22:49:00.000-07:00

Original Photograph by Gary Perman
This image of a waterfall is full of color and motion. It is a spotlight on the abundance of beauty and natural resources that can be found throughout the Pacific Northwest.

I filtered the image to simplify the details and amplify the colors. I also wanted to highlight the texture of the silhouette of leaves and branches veiling the falls.

River Boat

2008-02-20T22:47:00.000-08:00

Original photo by Gary Feather
This is a classic scene from the riverfront in Paducah, Ky. Riverboats stop here to let their passengers explore the history and culture of the area in Paducah's wonderful museums and galleries.

Steamboats have been a part of American culture since the 1800's. They now remain active offering historic river cruises.

This image,of a nostalgic steamboat and a spot of deep southern shade reminds me of some of the most wonderful elements of summer.

Along the River

2008-02-11T22:32:00.000-08:00

Original photo by Gary Feather
This image captures a view of the Ohio River over the floodwall in Paducah, Ky.

This view offers a perspective on several avenues of transportation that have served visitors to the area over the years. The wide avenue of the river is paralleled by train tracks where several old train cars sit and a roadway with automobiles parked alongside.

I enjoyed the symmetry as well as the testament to the passage of time that is captured in this image. The simple lines and bright tones add interest and draw the divergent elements into a unified whole.

Art Station

2008-02-09T22:35:00.000-08:00

Original photograph by Gary Feather
This historic 1917 Texaco Station houses a Visitor's Information Center at the heart of Paducah's Lowertown Arts District. Here you can find out about Paducah's Artist Relocation Program. You can also get a map locating area galleries, cafes and shops.

This image highlights the bright colors and inviting nostalgic feel of the building in the late summer sunshine.

Purple Cow

2008-02-07T22:46:00.000-08:00

Here is another bovine image I was able to find. This cow was also one we encountered when we traveled to Switzerland. This one seemed to have a more casual personality and I decided to express that through a new wardrobe. I added a bit of color to change its style and I think the resulting image makes for a fun portrait.

Brown Cow

2008-02-06T22:43:00.000-08:00

Inspired by the thought of The Stranded Cow I looked through my archives for images of cows I have worked with. In my search I came across a few we met in Switzerland several years ago.

This image captures a particularly handsome looking cow from a dairy near the house where we were staying. It looked so healthy and well cared for with a smooth brown coat and bright eyes.

I liked the richness of the brown tones in this dignified portrait of a photogenic animal acquaitance of mine.

The Stranded Cow

2008-02-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

Original photograph by Gary Feather
The Stranded Cow, in Paducah, Ky, is the home of the subject of my pixograph "Spider on Exhibit". Here Charlotte is free to spin and use the space between a window in the cafe and its screen to display her exhibit in Paducah's Lowertown Arts District.

This image has the wonderful feel of late summer sunshine and southern hospitality. It suggests an open invitation to make yourself at home on the wide front porch and enjoy a leisurely visit with friends or family.

And while you are there you can enjoy some quirky southern charm by learning the story of the cow that was stranded there, on the second story balcony, during the 1937 flood. Or you can just say "Hi!" to Charlotte for me.

Cafe Scene*

2008-02-04T22:44:00.000-08:00

Origninal photograph by Gary Feather
This image was a revelation to me!

Taken in low light, the original image held little interest when viewed simply as a photograph. The scene was grainy, the faces fuzzy, the background indistinct. Yet there is no other way to capture a scene like this one with a pocket camera. Flash is intrusive and would wash out the details and depth of the scene.

Interestingly, with just a bit of digital darkroom processing, this scene took on the look of a painting and, suddenly, the qualities that might be seen as flaws in a photograph actually enhanced the pixographic image.

The blurred background is wonderfully atmospheric. The light that was captured in the image shimmers on the surfaces and dances like candlelight giving the scene a wonderful glow. And since intrusive photographic techniques were not used, the scene remains natural and unforced. In this way a dinner companion was able to capture the casual mood of conversation and conviviality at his own table.

A New Beginning*

2008-01-28T13:24:00.000-08:00

This is where a show begins. Pictures lined up along the wall. A ladder. Some wires. A few people with a good eye.

In no time at all groupings come together, taking shape on the wall. Individual items are shifted and realigned for balance until a flow is established and the presentation feels right.

This image captures the bright expectation, hope and anxiety of hanging my first art exhibit at the Second Story Gallery, at the beginning of a brand new year.

I want to thank all of you who helped to make it happen. Without your help and your encouragement, your experience and your vision I could never have done this. Thank you to the Second Story Gallery Board of Governors and to all of you who came to see the exhibit. It has been a joy to meet you and work with you. Thank you for your interest in my work and for all of the wonderful feedback. This exhibit has been a great way to begin 2008!

Tea and Oranges

2008-01-23T13:22:00.000-08:00

Original photo by Gary Feather
This image was captured on a sidestreet in Nagasaki, Japan, close to Sofuku-ji Temple. On a grey concrete wall, beside a driveway, someone had set out boxes and baskets of orange peels to dry in the sun. The bright color of the orange peel was such a contrast to the dreary colors around it that we couldn't help but notice, and noticing we saw how beautiful it was.

Up close the color and texture of the image is astounding. I tried to bring out the contrast and the feeling of sunshine that this surprising little still life inspired in my mind and heart that day.

Slide Landing*

2008-01-22T13:33:00.000-08:00

Original photo by Gary Feather
This image of children playing on a playground was captured in Switzerland on a beautiful spring morning. The sun shone brightly and highlighted the fresh newness of the grass and the wonderful colors of the playground equipment and the children's clothing.

The enhancements made accentuate the bright colors and gives the image a wonderful childlike quality.

This image is a companion piece to "The Playground."

Train Platform - Japan*

2008-01-21T13:26:00.000-08:00

This image of a train platform in Japan suggests the hectic pace of activity there. Kiosks are open, selling food, drinks and magazines. Commuters are hurrying to their trains. Some people are waiting while others are in conversation. Trains are pulling in and out of the station.

The platform stretches out as a stage for this activity. Here, the train itself, captures the reflection of the platform and its narrative as it stops to pick up passengers and hurry them to their various destinations.

Light Into Dark*

2008-01-20T14:18:00.000-08:00

Original photo by Jeff Englund
This image was captured somewhere near Mt. St. Helens. A footbridge frames the edge of a wetland. In the foreground the water shines with a lovely quality of light, reflecting the bridge and the grasses in the surrounding scene. In the distance, the walkway takes us into the darker brush beyond.

So many paths in life are like this one,taking us from the brightly lit places that are known to us into the vague unknown, beyond what we can see from where we presently stand. And yet the mystery and the promise of even more breathtaking vistas of God's creation beckons the adventurer in us ever farther down the path and to the other side.

Narrow Path*

2008-01-19T12:33:00.000-08:00

Original photo by Jeff Englund
This trail near the Rowena Crest Viewpoint along the Historic Columbia River Highway is easy to hike. It is rather even, with little change in elevation. It offers some gorgeous views and in the spring I understand there are wildflowers to be seen.

In the autumn it may seem a bit bland, winding through the dry grass, but if you look more carefully you might see cattails, interesting fall foliage, a tiny green frog, and some beautiful views of the Columbia River Gorge.

Still, one of the best features is the trail itself. In a certain even serenity it leads you through what seems like a large plain field though it is high on the Rowena Plateau. Like approaching the Grand Canyon, the landscape is deceptively simple until you reach the rim of the Columbia River Gorge and realize how closely you have been traveling to the overwhelming wonder and beauty of this place.

This image captures the simplicity of the trail, the clear color of the sky and a few hints of the wonder and beauty of the view that this narrow path quietly leads you to.

Tubing Trail*

2008-01-18T15:52:00.000-08:00

Original photograph by Gary Feather
This is the time of year when the tubing at Winter Lodge on Mt. Hood is good!

This image, captured in 2006, conveys the serenity of nature. The tall snow laden trees dwarf the hikers and offer an exquisite backdrop to the snowy mountain trail.

It also captures the soft palette of a mountain landscape muted by snow and punctuated by the colorful hikers climbing the trail to have another turn at riding the tubes and enjoying the singular pleasures of a winter in the Pacific Northwest.

Temple Blossoms*

2008-01-15T13:24:00.000-08:00

Cherry blossoms lend their ephemeral beauty to almost every scene during April in Japan.

This image was captured at Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. The delicate cherry blossoms frame the traditional red outiline of a shrine in the Higashiyama hills as they arch against a beautiful blue sky.

The fragile nature of the blossoms and the bright playful color of the spring sky complement and enhance each other in this simple image.

Seeds*

2008-01-10T12:35:00.000-08:00

The bright summer flowers of crocosmia are a treasure in any garden. Yet while this plant is treasured for its flowers, the flowers eventually yield their bright color to the formation of beautifully textured seeds as summer turns to fall.

These seeds, framed against a fall lawn strewn with purple, orange and gold, caught my eye as I looked just past my back deck one autumn day. The sword shaped foliage seemed to punctuate the autumn landscape and add interest and contrast to the oddly beautiful seedhead. I grabbed my camera and tried to capture the moment.

In this image I enhanced the beautiful colors and the wonderful textures of this autumn landscape that happened to be just beyond my own backdoor.

Jetty View*

2008-01-08T15:54:00.000-08:00

This image was captured on the south jetty at Fort Stevens State Park on the Oregon coast.

From my rocky perch I sat with my camera and watched the water pound the rocks under a dreary sky. The gray light brought out the colors and shading of the rocks along the jetty. It also highlighted the white foam on the waves.

In this image I tried to bring out the subtle qualities of the light in the Pacific Northwest. As I study the picture now I think it might better be titled "100 Shades of Gray".

Reflections

2008-01-07T12:30:00.000-08:00

The shipwreck at Peter Iredale beach is an easily identifiable feature of the Oregon, Coast. Its remains rest on the sand in Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria, Oregon. This image was taken in March of 2007.

Despite the dreary sky the form of this well known shipwreck is brightly mirrored in the relentless waves that lap the surrounding sand and slowly claim the wreckage for its own.

Bright Alignment*

2008-01-06T14:02:00.000-08:00

This image was captured outside the Cannery Pier Hotel in Astoria, Oregon. Only after I had taken the photo did I notice the alignment of the hotel's 1939 Buick and the arch in the portico as well as the Astoria-Megler Bridge and the angle of the hotel's overhang. I was also struck by the color gleaming in the gray afternoon and the faint reflections on the damp pavement. The repeating lines and shadows, the way man wrestles with nature and nature echoes back our efforts can be seen again and again in the details here.

Himeji Sky

2008-01-05T14:16:00.000-08:00

This image was captured from the bailey of Himeji Castle in the Spring of 2007. It offers a splendid view, looking up at the Main Tower, or donjon, of the "white egret castle" and to the bright blue sky beyond. It also captures graceful shadows dancing in the breeze on the castle walls below.

Summit

2008-01-04T15:50:00.000-08:00

Original photograph by Gary Feather
This image of Mt. Adams was captured from the top of Mt. St. Helens in July of 2007. It shows the upper edge of the volcanic ridge and the volcanic pumice that covers the mountain top. It also shows the silhouette of several hikers at the edge of the ridge reveling in the view.

Spiral

2008-01-03T13:23:00.000-08:00

This image of a spiral staircase was taken at Melk Abbey in Austria. The staircase can be found just beyond the elaborate and impressive library. It is beautiful whether looking up or down.

This image captures the steps descending the staircase and revolves around an echo of the resolution and light to be found at the end of the spiral.

Determination

2008-01-02T14:09:00.000-08:00

Original photo by Jeff Englund
This image, looking up through the knotted branches of a disfigured tree, was taken along the Cape Horn Loop Trail in the Columbia River Gorge.

The foliage that adorns its base is ragged and sparse. Dry lifeless twigs are interspersed with more verdant leaves, clinging to life. Moss hangs thickly tugging at the branches and fungus saps its massive trunk.

Still the tree persists. It stands upright and suggests the form of arms reaching for the sky, determined to grasp the light and persevere.

Forest Fire

2007-12-30T14:11:00.000-08:00

Original photo by Jeff Englund
This image is another from a hike along the Cape Horn Loop Trail in the Columbia River Gorge.

What makes this image so amazing is the light. It captures the morning sunshine breaking through the branches of the trees, pushing aside their veiling limbs and illuminating the sheltered foliage beneath. You can actually see the rays of sunlight painting their soft colors across the woodland branches in the heavy morning air. You can also see the mantle of color emanating from the sun itself.

Forest Light

2007-12-28T14:15:00.000-08:00

Original photograph by Jeff Englund
This view was captured along the Cape Horn Loop Trail in the Columbia River Gorge.

This image highlights the angle of the hillside and the beautiful morning light asserting itself through the branches of the trees and illuminating the rich foliage beneath.

The lines in this image are interesting and the eager leaves of the ground foliage radiate a brilliant green.

Still the sun itself is the star of this image. The rainbow of light in the sunbeams streaming through the tree trunks radiate joy and kiss the scene with energy and hope.

Nanzenji Arches

2007-12-28T12:29:00.000-08:00

This photo was taken beneath the aquaduct at Nanzenji temple in Kyoto. The scene through the echoing arches changed rapidly as tourists passed through examining the construction, taking photos or resting briefly in the shade.

I felt the arches invited a deepening understanding of the experience of travel. Each arch was a gateway to a new point of reference on the same elements, brick and mortar, light and shadow, the effect of age on the beauty of all that exists in this world. Each archway is the same in many ways and yet offers a slightly different perspective.

Each individual visiting the site is also a part of that dynamic pallette, adding their own unique imprint on my travel experience, their own form and color to the image captured.