Duck and Cover or Log

We went up to Silver Lake at Brighton ski resort 2 weekends ago, to get out of the hot weather down in the valley. It was really nice up in the canyon. Cool weather and the sun was out for most of the trip. We found some ducks on the lake that were very photogenic.

Aircraft Carrier

I really like the Panorama tool in Photoshop.

The Beach

Two of my favorite things to photograph are rocks and water. I love the textures they create. So I had some fun on a rocky shoreline at Ocean Beach in San Diego. The tide was rushing in for the night which was creating a great moving tapestry of light and texture. Here are a few of my favorites. 

Tide Pool

Foam

Shelf

Foot Bath

Frost & Fog

I have always had trouble taking creative photographs without an extraordinary event or location to act as a muse. That is one of the biggest differences between me and Cara. She can take the most amazing photos of things around the house or the neighborhood, while I need something to kick start my creativity. My favorite photos have always been taken during unique experiences; the fire hydrants from the summer, vacations, long walks at night in new neighborhoods. It's something I have known about myself since my college days when I would walk the streets looking for anything new to catch my eye. Considering this handicap of mine I am delighted when something unique happens in ordinary life because I know that it will lead to great images. While visiting my father-in-law in Redmond, UT this holiday weekend I wasn't planning any great photography expeditions since I thought I had long since tapped out any originality for photographs in that particular location. I was letting our dog Grace outside one morning when I noticed this thick fog surrounding me changing the normally familiar landscape into something new. I ran inside and grabbed my camera and took some amazing shots.

Fence Post

Fog

Frost

Gallop

Water

This should be my last post of photographs from our trip to Flaming Gorge on the 4th of July. As you may recall from my fire hydrant photo series, I work for a water and sewer company. A company that puts out a yearly calendar and I have previously been asked if I have any photographs to submit to be added to the calender. Since we are a water company they tend to have lots of photos with water, usually landscapes with lakes or rivers. So I have been on the lookout for some nice landscapes with water features for a while now. Here's some photos I took of the creek that runs behind the family cabin. None of these are traditional landscapes, but traditional landscapes aren't really my style anyway.

Car Show

While we were in Flaming Gorge for the 4th of July we went to a car show they were holding at the local lodge. I took a few shots there that I'm proud of. 

"Do Not"

This is the floor mat of a custom designed semi truck. The place was all decked out in orange, it had hardwood floors leather and a huge flat screen TV in back. The orange floor mat was what caught my eye. 

"Belt"

I think this was a dodge, I don't remember exactly. I just liked the engine.

 

"Green Milk"

 

This was on a old Model T that was fully restored. It was actually for sale, but a little out of my price range. I love the old milk bottle used as a radiator overflow.

Night Shooting

One of my favorite things about getting away from the city into the mountains is the sky at night. I love the stars at night away from the city lights they are so numerous and amazing. I also love how much light they shine down on us so much so that those of us with good night vision can still see on a dark night with a clear sky. I think a lot of night photography is cheesy but it's fun to do so I took a couple while we were at the cabin the other weekend.

Blood Forest

Ghostly Blood Forest

 Firefly

Firefly Spark

Stars

Moving Stars

Moving stars was hard to shoot, when your exposures are 20 minutes apart it sucks when you don't have the aperture and ISO set perfectly. I might have been easier if I could remember more about the math of photography.