Monday, September 20, 2010

Orchid in Black and White

While in San Diego earlier this month, I thought I would try my hand at a black and white macro shot.  This image is of my hanging orchid plant.  I processed this photo using Nik Silver Efex Pro then softened the image just a bit using Nik Color Efex Pro.  I think it turned out pretty well.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

High Mountain Ranch

One of the things that I enjoyed most during my drive through southwestern Colorado was how green everthing was.  Every square inch of mountain contained greenery of some kind.  Fall was certainly in the air, however, trees and foliage alike seemed to defy the coming cold season with one last display of nature's beauty.

I made this image on a high mountain pass during my drive from Durango to Silverton.  My main concerns were depth of field and to accurately capture the colors of the lake and background.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Fall Color in Colorado- Part 3

Another shot of Aspens turning color.  The key, I found, was to have the sun behind the trees so that the leaves were bright and colorful.

The wind was blowing quite a bit so I chose a fairly fast shutter speed, 1/500th of a second if I remember right.

Fall Color in Colorado- Part 2

Fall Color in Colorado- Part 1

For the rest of September and most of October, I will be focusing on fall color changes in the Colorado area.  The next few posts will come from my drive from Durango to Denver.

This image was made near Monarch Mountain Ski Area.  One side of the valley was completely covered with bright yellow Aspen trees and blue spruce.  The contrast was striking.

Durango and Silverton, Colorado

The Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad leaves Durango around 9am and follows the contours of the canyon and the river below.  Loaded with tourists, this coal burning,steam powered locamotive chugs it way up the valley to its only destination, the town of Silverton.
I watched the train leave Durango and then drove to Silverton to find a spot to capture the train under power.  After scouting the area around Silverton, I found this location about a 3 mile walk down the tracks from town.  It was worth the hike as an opportunity like this doesn't come "down the track" every day.  Sorry for the pun :~)

Monument Valley

Monument Valley is a little "off the beaten path" to say the least, but it is still a very worthwhile place to visit.  Its claim to being "one of the eight wonders of the world" is uncontested in my book.  One look over the canyon wall is all it takes.

Monument Valley is located on the border of  northeast Arizona and southwest Utah and is part of the Navajo Nation.  There are tours to the bottom of the canyon or you may drive your own car.  Warning: This drive is not for everyone as the dirt road conditions are dismal at best.  Having driven the loop for myself, I would be very happy mearly viewing the canyon from the well appointed and wind protected visitor's center.  I mention the wind because after shooting here for the better part of the afternoon, the wind came up and turned the area into nothing but dust with limited visibility.  I'm talking five to ten feet!  Try to see Monument Valley early in the day.