That Time I Fulfilled a Life Long Dream of Photographing Crater Lake...

For as long as I can remember growing up there was a photo of Crater Lake hanging in our house. It was taken with a film camera in the 70s or 80s and the colors had faded, but it was still stunning to me. I dreamed of visiting that place and once I discovered my passion for photography of photographing it as well. I attempted the trip in my old car and ended up killing that car resulting in never making it to the lake. In 2013 I finally made it! We drove all the way around the rim of the crater (which I highly recommend) and stopped at almost all the viewpoints. I had rented a 17-40mm lens and fell in love with wide angle on that trip. 

I cannot put into words the feeling of the majestic place combined with finally realizing a long held dream. I am hoping this picture will do what I cannot.

Settings: ISO 100, 32mm, f/16, ss1/15sec

Taken at Crater Lake in Oregon on 07.22.13

"Crater Lake National Park is one of the country’s crown jewels. No place else on earth combines a deep pure lake, so blue in color; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost 2,000 feet high; a picturesque island and a violent volcanic past."

Tones on Tuesday Announcement

I have been putting off this post for a while now, not wanting to write it. However, it has been so many weeks since I posted Tones on Tuesday that I thought some of you might be wondering what happened. So here goes...

Unfortunately, I have had to make the decision to put Tones on Tuesday on hold for a bit. I am a teacher, so this time of year is very busy for me as I ready myself for another year. I am sure many of you can relate as you get ready to send your children back to school. This year is a bit different though as I have decided to pursue advanced certification in an extremely rigorous process. I went to a workshop about getting this started and realized that the amount of time I will need to devote to the process will be more than I was anticipating.

I love hosting Tones on Tuesday each week and I LOVE seeing your photos and getting to know you through them. However, I am also trying to make sure I don't have too much on my plate and feel stressed about honoring all the commitments I make for myself. So, Tones on Tuesday will be taking a little break. I hope to be able to find a way to balance it all and will resume the weekly link up when I feel I can do that successfully.

I hope to still post in some other link ups and still have some time to spend with this passion of mine. I hope that you will do that same and that I will see your photos around! I am really going to miss Tones on Tuesday and all of you!

If you are looking for some other places to link up on Tuesday, see below! Also, if you would like to be notified when Tones on Tuesday is back up and running simply link up below. And of course I could not leave this post without a photo...

Settings: ISO 100, 32mm, ss2.5sec, f/16, polarizer, on tripod

"No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be." - Isaac Asimov

   

Project 52 - Weeks 23-28/52

The act of catching up on the editing and posting of my Project 52 was daunting with 5 weeks to go through. I have been shooting some amazing events and locations each week, but I have been in an editing rut. When I decided to do a collage for each week not only did it seem doable, but it the act of creating collages add a jolt to my editing leaving me recharged. I hope you enjoy a journey through the past 5 weeks. I would love to know what you think! I have a long way to go in learning how to perfect collages.

Week 23 - Light in the Front Yard
Busy week at work = chasing the light around the yard. I love shooting with the intention only of capturing the light. It is such a challenging and creative exercise.

Week 24 - Brown's Point Lighthouse
I had tried to visit this lighthouse a year ago, but they were having a picnic and the tiny parking lot was full. This time, however, we pulled in just as one spot opened up. The sky was full of blue, clouds and sun that made for some amazing and challenging lighting situations.

Week 25 - Father's Day in Astoria
I spent Father's Day in Astoria, Oregon with my dad going to the Farmer's Market and riding the trolley - both of which were new experiences for me. It was a beautiful day filled with family and fun. There is nothing better!

Week 26 - Edmond's Sunset
I have said many times (maybe too many times :o) that sunsets fuel my soul. It has been a long time since I have photographed a spectacular sunset and I did not know how much I missed it until I was lucky enough to experience this one. I was looking for a new place to see the sunset and looked online. I found a list that comes out each year based on votes of residents of Western Washington. The Edmonds Waterfront, right next to the ferry dock, made the list each year. I can now see why! It was stunning and only got better and better!

Week 27 - Mount Rainier and Bumping Lake
I was hoping for another amazing sunset as we drove around Mount Rainier and ended up at Bumping Lake. Alas, it was not to be. However it was still a beautiful place and allowed me to play a bit with shutter speed for those smooth water surfaces. I need more practice :o).

Week 28 - Illwaco Firework Tradition
Finally, this past weekend I went to the annual Illwaco Fireworks show, which is always held on the first Saturday after the 4th. I was unfortunately sick on the Fourth of July. The fact that this is my favorite holiday made it even more sad. Luckily I had already planned to go to the fireworks in Illwaco with my mom like we have for the past 3 years. We stumbled upon it the first year and loved the atmosphere and the fireworks of course! This year I rented a 17-40mm f4 L lens for the trip. This is my seconded rented lens and I highly reccommend it. So much fun! It was very windy, which made getting the shots difficult, but fun nonetheless.

"I say that I can't make anything up. I think of myself as a collage artist. I'm cutting and pasting memories of my life. And I say, I have to live a life in order to tell a life." - Spalding Gray

         

Reverse 365: Watch in Awe - Day 146/365 5.26.13

A completely creative edit with a colored gradient overlay in Lightroom. 

Settings: ISO 500, 100mm, ss1/320, f/11

Date: November 11th, 2012

Location: Yarrow Point Park

146/365 - May 26th, 2013

"One of the most satisfying experiences I know is fully to appreciate an individual in the same way I appreciate a sunset. When I look at a sunset...I don't find myself saying, 'Soften the orange a litle more on the right hand corner, and put a bit more purple along the base, and use a little more pink in the cloud color...' I don't try to control a sunset. I watch it with awe as it unfolds." - Carl R. Rogers

Reverse 365: Dilated Moment - Day 145/365 5.25.13

Sunsets make me happy, I cannot put it any more simply than that. I love watching the colors and light change. Editing this series of photos reminds me how much I adore photographing them and how long it has been since I have been witness to the beauty. I am in need of sunset!

On a side note, the quote today comes from a book I am reading for my book club!

Settings: ISO 500, 50mm, ss1/400, f/11

Date: November 11th, 2012

Location: Yarrow Point Park

145/365 - May 25th, 2013

“...in that dilated moment after sunset when the sky holds all the light...”  - David Wroblewski

Reverse 365: Spray Painted Graffiti - Day 144/365 5.24.13

I have felt like I am in a bit of a rut with editing lately. I have been focusing on Lightroom and zeroing out photos to use the full potential of RAW, however, I am still in need of tutorials for the month. If you find any interesting ones I would love hear about them!

Settings: ISO 500, 100mm, ss1/640, f/11

Date: November 11th, 2012

Location: Yarrow Point Park

144/365 - May 24th, 2013

“Bursts of gold on lavender melting into saffron. It's the time of day when the sky looks like it has been spray-painted by a graffiti artist.” - Mia Kirshner

Reverse 365: Beauty Without End - Day 143/365 5.23.13

Settings: ISO 500, 50mm, ss1/500, f/22

Date: November 11th, 2012

Location: Yarrow Point Park

143/365 - May 23rd, 2013

"Sunrays, leaning on our southern hills and lighting 

Wild cloud-mountains that drag the hills along, 

Oft ends the day of your shifting brilliant laughter 

Chill as a dull face frowning on a song. 

Ay, but shows the South-west a ripple-feathered bosom 

Blown to silver while the clouds are shaken and ascend 

Scaling the mid-heavens as they stream, there comes a sunset 

Rich, deep like love in beauty without end." - George Meredith

Reverse 365: In Silence - Day 142/365 5.22.13

Settings: ISO 500, 50mm, ss1/500, f/22

Date: November 11th, 2012

Location: Yarrow Point, WA

142/365 - May 22nd, 2013

“In silence the three of them looked at the sunset and thought about God.” - Maud Hart

Reverse 365: Unfamiliar Light - Day 141/365 5.21.13

My second outing with the new camera was a road trip to the Eastside. I cannot recall the name of this park, but we stumbled upon it as the sun was beginning to set. 

Settings: ISO 500, 50mm, ss1/1250, f/22

Date: : November 11th, 2012

Location: Near Redmond, WA

141/365 - May 21st, 2013

“Do you see that out there? The strange, unfamiliar light? It's called the sun. Let's go get us a little.”  ― Nora Roberts

Reverse 365: Nature's Greatest Performance - Day 104/365 4.14.13

Settings: ISO 400, 18mm, ss1/4, f/9.0 (on tripod)

Date: August 11th, 2012

Location: Sunset Lake, Oregon

104/365 - April 14th, 2013

"I love to be here at the beach to watch the sunset - the greatest performance of Nature.  Like in a theater, but it’s free." - Gina De Gorna

Reverse 365: Peace - Day 16/2013 1.16.13

For the past few days, I have been sharing photos from Clark Lake Park. This park is a local park right in the middle of the city I work it. I found it on a day when work had been stressful and I wanted to do something peaceful, which for me is photography. 

Settings: ISO 200, 18mm, ss1/100, f/22

Date: March 8th, 2013

Location: Clark Lake Park in Kent, WA

Day 16/365 - January 16th, 2013

“You have peace," the old woman said, "when you make it with yourself.” - Mitch Albom

Reverse 365: Reflection - Day 15/365 1.15.13

Settings: ISO 200, 55mm, ss1/200, f/11

Date: March 8th, 2012

Location: Clark Lake Park in Kent, WA

Day 15/365 - January 15th, 2013

"Everyone and everything that shows up in our life is a reflection of something that is happening inside of us." - Alan Cohen

Tones on Tuesday #42 08.14.12

Please link up on last week's link up and we will have 6 showcases next week! Thank you!

I want to say thank you for celebrating my one year blogiversary and one year anniversary of shooting on manual! Your photos are inspiring as always and I am so glad to be able to host my first giveaway thanks to Kristy at Life-n-Reflection. Speaking of giveaway...we have a winner!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations Desirae! You can expect an email from me very soon!

I very much enjoyed the one year blogiversary thing, especially hosting the giveaway and reflecting on blogging and photography. Thank you for reading and participating :o)!

On to the showcases from last week...

Brighton at Simple Brighton

The light in this photo is stunning! I love how dreamy it feels and how the black and white enhances the lovely light. Thank you for sharing Brighton!

NatureFootstep Photography

A beautiful use of depth of field to showcase amazing detail. The shapes and the softness of the black and white add so much to this photo. Thank you for sharing!

Deb at Simplify Daily Life

I love the processing on this photo! The color and texture work perfectly with the whimsy of a ferris wheel. Thank you for sharing your photo Deb!

Brighton, NatureFootstep Photography and Deb please go HERE to grab your showcase button.

Now it's your turn to share your photo with altered tones. Here are the guidelines for Tones on Tuesday:

• The basic idea is to share one photo where you have altered the tones. Such as a black and white, sepia toned, selective coloring or colored photo. Feel free to share the original and edit, or just the edit.
• Please share a photo that you have taken and edited yourself.
• One photo per photographer please. If you have more than one photo in your post please indicate which one is for Tones on Tuesday.
• Please link up with your permalink and not your blog address.
• Attach the Tones on Tuesday button or a link back here to your post.
• Leave comments for at least 3 other participants, share the love :o)!
• Have fun!

<center> <a href="http://scatteredhorizons.blogspot.com" target="_self"><img border="0" alt="Scattered Horizons" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oheKkR_BFoQ/ToqWTprynwI/AAAAAAAAAJE/eQ5mj0lgqx4/s1600/tonesontuesday2.jpg"></a> </center>

Disclaimer - By participating you give Scattered Horizons permission to share your photo on this blog. Photographers will be given credit for their work.

This weekend was one of my last trips of the summer. I decided on a whim to go to the beach to catch the sunset. The sunset was an interesting one as there was a bank of clouds near the horizon (I plan on sharing some photos of it later in the week). I was a bit disappointed as I was not able to get the shot I wanted. Driving toward home, however, I turned down a side street on another whim and found the sun setting behind Sunset Lake (what a perfect name :o)!) with a gorgeous reflection and a bit of fog. What struck me was the stillness and serenity of watching a painting revealed before my eyes. My intention was to somehow capture that feeling. How do you think I did?

Settings: ISO 400, 32mm, ss1/4sec, f/9.0 (on tripod, remote)

"The point is that when I see a sunset or a waterfall or something, for a split second it's so great, because for a little bit I'm out of my brain, and it's got nothing to do with me. I'm not trying to figure it out, you know what I mean? And I wonder if I can somehow find a way to maintain that mind stillness." - Chris Evans 

Joining the link ups below. Be sure to check out the beautiful shots and join the Tones on Tuesday link up found further down!

       

Tones on Tuesday #37 07.03.12

I cannot believe that June is over! The school year ended, I closed down my classroom and said good bye to another group of students. It is always bitter sweet and usually comes with an illness of some sort. Hence, the reason there was no Tones on Tuesday last week as my body adjusted to the change in lifestyle.

I have big plans this summer for the blog and my photography, including regular posting and keeping up Tones on Tuesday. So without further ado, here are the six photos from the last link up. Thank you for sharing your talent and beautiful photos!

Elena at Cropped Stories

What an adorable little girl and a beautiful photo! The softness of the black and white works perfectly with her curious expression. Thank you for sharing Elena!

Desirae at The Not So Ugly Ducklings

I love how the HDR effect gives such a mood and mystery to this photo. The color and composition are amazing too! Thank you for sharing with us Desirae!

Jaymi at Live, Love, Travel

The detail in this shot is amazing! I love the vantage point and the vibrancy of the colors. I love how Jaymi included information on how she used a polarizing filter to achieve this in her blog post. I am putting it on my list of things to purchase. Thank you for sharing your photo and your information Jaymi!

Mona at Mona's Picturesque

This photo does an amazing job of transporting you to this place and moment. The colors of lovely and the texture adds to the overall feeling of a breezy summer day. Thank you for sharing Mona!

Kelly-Marie at Our Footprints on the World

Could he be any more of a cutie? I of course love the beach backdrop and I love the expression captured. What a great photo! Thank you for sharing Kelly-Marie!

Laurie at Pride in Photos

The title of this photo is "An Aunt's Love" and that is exactly what is captured here. The colors are stunning, the moment priceless and I am so glad you shared it with us Laurie!

Elena, Desirae, Jaymi, Mona, Kelly-Marie and Laurie please go HERE to grab your showcase button.

Now it's your turn to share your photo with altered tones. Here are the guidelines for Tones on Tuesday:

• The basic idea is to share one photo where you have altered the tones. Such as a black and white, sepia toned, selective coloring or colored photo. Feel free to share the original and edit, or just the edit.
• Please share a photo that you have taken and edited yourself.
• One photo per photographer please. If you have more than one photo in your post please indicate which one if for Tones on Tuesday.
• Please link up with your permalink and not your blog address.
• Attach the Tones on Tuesday button or a link back here to your post.
• Leave comments for at least 3 other participants, share the love :o)!
• Have fun!

<center> <a href="http://scatteredhorizons.blogspot.com" target="_self"><img border="0" alt="Scattered Horizons" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oheKkR_BFoQ/ToqWTprynwI/AAAAAAAAAJE/eQ5mj0lgqx4/s1600/tonesontuesday2.jpg"></a> </center>

Disclaimer - By participating you give Scattered Horizons permission to share your photo on this blog. Photographers will be given credit for their work.

I mentioned last time that I went to a place called the Quincy Wildlife Recreation Area in Eastern Washington near where I went to college. It is no secret that I love sunset photos, but my comfort zone with sunsets is the beach. I always fall into a rhythm that provides me with a sense of success. However, I have lately been wanting to experiment with sunsets and branch out from my typical scenery. Not only was the Qunicy Wildlife Recreation Area an amazing place filled with a ton of lakes and amazing wildlife, it was also the perfect opportunity to stretch myself. I shared another sunset photo taken on the way home here, but this photo was taken in the park before the sun had really begun to set.  My goal was to capture the sunburst and the color and texture of the sky. I had to brighten this up and do some work on the colors to make the sky pop the way it did in reality. I am very happy with how the serenity of the moment is portrayed in the photo, but I am a little unsure of the processing. I would love to know your thoughts!

Settings: ISO 200, 29mm, ss1/160, f/25 (sunlight wb)

"Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit." -  E. E. Cummings

Joining the link ups below. Be sure to check out the beautiful shots and join the Tones on Tuesday link up found further down!