A Piece of Heaven

Do you have places that stay with you after you photograph them? That call to you to come back and see them over and in over just to watch how the light, seasons and weather change them? This is one of those places for me...

Taken at sunrise on July 19th, 2014 at Sparks Lake in Bend, Oregon

Settings: ISO 100, 29mm, f/16, ss0.4sec (on tripod)

Settings: ISO 100, 31mm, f/16, ss1/4sec (on tripod)

"On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it." - Jules Renard

Reverse 365: Catch Up

I have been in an editing rut lately. I haven't found any new tutorials to inspire me and the point I am at in looking back through last year's photos was a time when I was not inspired by what I was shooting. That coupled with a lack of time has me behind once again. Oh well, there is nothing to do but move forward!

Settings: ISO 800, 100mm, ss1/250, f/3.5

Date: September 29th, 2012

Location: Volunteer Park Conservatory

Macro Fun with the Clickin Walk Ladies

128/365 - May 8th, 2013

Settings: ISO 100, 100mm, ss1/500, f/8.0

Date: September 29th, 2012

Location: Louisa Boren Park, Seattle, WA

After the Clickin Walk

129/365 - May 9th, 2013

Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, ss1.3sec, f/9.0 (on tripod)

Date: October 7th, 2012

Location: Kerry Park, Seattle, WA at Sunrise

130/365 - May 10th, 2013

Settings: ISO 400, 50mm, ss1/250, f/11

Date: October 14th, 2012

Location: Mount Rainier National Park, Before the Storm

131/365 - May 11th, 2013

 Settings: ISO 400, 50mm, ss1/160, f/11

Date: October 14th, 2012

Location: Mount Rainier National Park, Before the Storm

132/365 - May 12th, 2013

Settings: ISO 400, 50mm, ss1/100, f/11

Date: October 14th, 2012

Location: Enumclaw, WA

133/365 - May 13th, 2013

"Where there is no struggle, there is no strength." - Oprah Winfrey

Project 52: Week 18/52

I mentioned on Tuesday that I had an amazing photography experience on Saturday. Let me set the stage, on Friday at 8:00pm I saw on Facebook that the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival would be having balloons launching the next morning starting at 5:45am. The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm is located in Woodburn, Oregon and that is a 3 1/2 hour drive from my house. I had seen the same post last weekend, but I had other plans. With weather conditions being ever changing in the Pacific Northwest, the balloon pilots only give notice the night before. I said at the time I would go the next time around, not expecting it to be the very next weekend. 

Upon seeing the post, I went to bed immediately. I woke up at 1am and my wonderful mother and I left at 2am. I am so glad she came along as she drove down while I slept and I drove back while she did. We arrived after 3 1/2 hours right as the balloon pilots were pulling in and the sun was just coming up behind Mount Hood. It was quiet in the field, with only the sounds of the balloonists firing up the hot air and other photographers talking about how to get the shot. It was one of those experiences where you marvel at the fact that you get to be there as you take it all in. 

Below is a collection of images from the morning, including all 4 of the balloons that took off that day. I was cursing the fact that I did not have a wider angle lens because my best photo came from my iPhone. I used PicTapGo for editing. If you have an iPhone I highly recommend it! It is amazing!

Even so, I feel like I was able to capture some of the magic with my 50mm and 100mm. After shooting at the tulip field we tried to go see Mount Hood near some lakes, but the roads were closed for the winter. So, I climbed a trail up near some power lines where the road was closed and was able to get the last two shots of the mountain. There is something so elegant about Mount Hood and I just loved those clouds. It was such an amazing day even with the lens issues and struggles with light. The challenges just added to the experience!

I would love to know your thoughts and favorites! 

Settings: ISO 100, 100mm, ss0.4sec, f/16

Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, ss1/5sec, f/22

Settings: ISO 100, 100mm, ss1/10sec, f/14

Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, ss1/160, f/14

Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, ss1/250, f/9.0

Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, ss1/400, f/9.0

Settings: ISO 100, 100mm, ss1/400, f/9.0

Settings: ISO 100, 100mm, ss1/800, f/4.5

Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, ss1/1000, f/4.0

Settings: ISO 400, 100mm, ss1/400, f/16

Settings: ISO 400, 50mm, ss1/400, f/16

"A great photograph is a full expression of what one feels about what is being photographed in the deepest sense, and is, thereby, a true expression of what one feels about life in its entirety." - Ansel Adams

          

Reverse 365: Spilling Out Light - Day 119/365 4.29.13

Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, ss1/200, f/16

Date: September 23rd, 2012

Location: Off of I-90 near Issaquah, WA

119/365 - April 29th, 2013

“What breaks in daybreak? Is it the night? Is it the sun, cracked in two by the horizon like an egg, spilling out light?”  ― Margaret Atwood

Reverse 365: Flamingo Feather - Day 118/365 4.28.13

Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, ss1/160, f/7.1

Date: September 23rd, 2012

Location: An exit off of I-90 near Issaquah, WA

118/365 - April 28th, 2013

“How sweet the morning air is! See how that one little cloud floats like a pink feather from some gigantic flamingo.”  ― Arthur Conan Doyle

Reverse 365: Universe - Day 117/365 4.27.13

I am much more of a night person, hence my love affair with sunsets. Sometimes, however, I make it up in time for the sunrise. 

Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, ss0.5secs, f/7.1 (on tripod)

Date: September 23rd, 2012

Location: Louisa Boren Park, Seattle, Washington

117/365 - April 27th, 2013

"For most people, we often marvel at the beauty of a sunrise or the magnificence of a full moon, but it is impossible to fathom the magnitude of the universe that surrounds us." - Richard H. Baker

Night/Low Light Photography Tips and Tricks

Adding another post to my tips and tricks topics - Sunbursts, Landscape Locations and now Night/Low Light Photography. Thank you to those of you who take the time to read this and comment. I truly appreciate it! If there is anything you want to know about please feel free to let me know and I will give it a try!

Tips/Tricks (see below for more details)
1. Tripod, Tripod, Tripod!
2. Use a Wireless Remote
3. Pay attention to the light
4. Patience 

Settings: ISO 400, 18mm, ss3.2sec, f/7.1

Portland, OR - February 2012

1. Tripod, Tripod, Tripod! - I carry my tripod with my everywhere I go as you never know what the lighting situation will be when you shoot primarily outdoors. I find it especially important when I want to shoot sunsets, sunrises or in other low light situations. Having a tripod gives you the freedom to use lower shutter speeds and still maintain focus. You never know when you might need it!

Settings: ISO 400, 74mm, ss3.2, f/6.3

Seattle Skyline from Kerry Park - September 2011

Settings: ISO 400, 32mm, ss1/4sec, f/9.0

Sunset Lake in Oregon - August 2012

2. Use a Wireless Remote - Along with a tripod, I also have a wireless remote. Using it instead of pressing the shutter button, even when on a tripod, is another way to cut down on camera shake. If you don't have a remote you can always use the self timer feature.

Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, ss4.0sec, f/11

Sunrise at Kerry Park - October 2012

Settings: ISO 100, 18mm, ss12secs, f/11

Fireworks over Astoria, OR - July 2012

3. Pay attention to the light - This tip could apply to shooting at any time of day, in any light situation. Light makes or breaks a photo. At night and in low light situations the light dictates the need for certain settings, especially when there is a bright light such as the moon. You have to compensate for it so knowing where the light is coming from and what it will do in the camera is important. (This is something I am still learning about.)

Settings: ISO 400, 250mm, ss1/30, f/11

January 2012

Settings: ISO 400, 50mm, ss13.0sec, f/22

Longview, WA - January 2012

4. Patience - One of the biggest things I have learned about Night and Low Light Photography is that you have to be patient to get the best shot. As I mentioned above, knowing about the light is important and knowing that it will change is also important. When shooting sunsets and sunrises in particular, the light is moving and causing changes to the colors in the sky. The best shot can come at any time so I always try to shoot from the beginning to the end in order to catch the light at its most brilliant.

Settings: ISO 200, 163mm, ss1/250, f/10 

Long Beach, WA - March 2012

“The sky grew darker, painted blue on blue, one stroke at a time, into deeper and deeper shades of night.”  ― Haruki Murakami

Tones on Tuesday #49 10.9.12

I want to apologize for not commenting on your photos lately. Work has been much more of a time commitment this year than I expected and I am still struggling to get everything done. I hope you know that I look at each of your photos and continue to be inspired and in awe of your talent. I truly appreciate you linking up anyways! Now on with the showcases...

Sivinden at Wait a Minute...

The composition here is lovely and draws your eye back. I love how the black and white softens and creates a timeless feel. Beautiful glowing shot! Thank you for sharing Sivinden.

Stephanie at Creative Indulgences

Such a great whimsical photo with wonderful muted tones and texture. Thank you for sharing Stephanie!

Marlo at Repurpose My Life

I love how Marlo took a beautiful photo and made it look like a piece of art with the texture and processing. This is lovely! Thank you for linking up!

Sivinden, Stephanie and Marlo 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.

Night turns to day looking out over Seattle from Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill. I got up early on Sunday morning to spend some time witnessing the beauty that is sunrise. As I waited other photographers gathered to see the spectacle and in silence we watched the sky brighten. Once it was over tripods were packed up and I headed for some much needed salted carmel hot chocolate to warm fingers and toes. Early morning wake up and cold were well worth it to see the dawn. 

Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, ss4.0sec, f/11 (on tripod)

"Desire makes life happen. Makes it matter. Makes everything worth it. Desire is life. Hunger to see the next sunrise or sunset, to touch the one you love, to try again. Hell would be waking up and wanting nothing." - Karen Marie Moning

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

      

Favorite Photo of the Week: The Sun Also Rises

Be sure to check out the announcements to the right!

Do you ever have a photo that just speaks to you? This is one of those photos for me. Something about the clouds, the sun and the colors captures not only what a saw, but what I felt. Even though I focus more on sunsets, the sun rises as well and it is beautiful in a different way. I would love to know your thoughts!

Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, ss1/80, f/22

Sunrise over Issaquah, WA

“At sunrise everything is luminous but not clear.”  ― Norman Maclean