Maize

Every year a few farmers have a "maze" in the maize fields! This is what it feels like when you're in the corn, up close and personal! It truly is a maze :):):) I purposely blurred the edges to give one a sense of confusion and disorientation.

(iPhone...Snapseed, Photo Fx, Iris)

Water's Edge

Do I or not? That was the question confronting me when I attempted to dip in Lake Michigan a few weeks ago! The water was cold but not as cold as I expected. My grandson kept yelling at me "Grandma, don't go too far into the water!" I decided to heed his advice :) But I did enjoy the water slowly moving over my feet in a tidal way and I enjoyed just looking at the water, rocks and sand under my feet. It was decidedly a wonderful moment to relax and know that my grandson was protecting me (2 1/2 years old!).

(iPhone...Snapseed)

They Don't Make Reality Shows....

"They Don't Make Reality Shows About Good Girls" #Don't Go Home...That's what this young tattooed man was painting on this warehouse door one night in NYC. I shot this one evening while visiting my daughter after we had had dinner in Brooklyn. I was fascinated about his intent of the message. His calligraphy skills were obvious and I felt that was important in exacting his thoughts to the public. Interesting...I would have liked to have lingered a bit to see if there was anything else he was going to write but I was full in the belly from a fabulous meal and it was past my bedtime!

(iPhone...Snapseed)

The Clearing

I was on a mini vacation in Michigan last weekend. It had rained off and on all day and 

it finally began to clear that evening. I was at my sister in law's rental overlooking the deck at the beautiful lake. You almost imagine that you're at the ocean beach instead of a lake. I had an overwhelming sense of calm as I peered out into the deep waters and then...."Time for dinner" someone shouted. Bye bye calm!

Dorothy's Window

I feel like I'm looking out of Dorothy's window in Kansas as the storm began to rage outside, clinging to Toto and hoping that I would survive it. Spinning round and round, "Oh No Toto"...

(iPhone...Snapseed, Topaz, Flypaper)

And So It Begins

And so it begins...the annual ritual of harvesting the corn and soybeans! I've lived in the midwest for a long time now and I'm still fascinated with the harvesting process. On my early bike ride this AM, I came across this familiar scene...the farmer brings to market his harvest (corn here). Here at the local co op grain elevators, the corn is dispensed and stored for the eventual sale of the crop. It's always an interesting sight and today was no different. I liked the sun reflecting through the corn dust, the farmer perched on his truck. Another season almost at a close...which means fall is just around the corner...my fav time of the year!

(iPhone...Snapseed)

Raining Cats and Dogs

           
                                       

                                                                                           


While driving to visit part of our family vacationing in Michigan, my husband and I pretty much followed a horrendous storm front all the way up to our destination. Pounding rain, lightning, thunder, flooding...it was awful. While my husband drove, I tried to be calm and the only thing that I could think of was to take pictures...always calms me down as I concentrate on what I'm shooting rather than what's happening around me. I made sure to put the iPhone on mute so he couldn't hear the click every 2 seconds :):):) This construction scene caught my eye as the orange color was in stark contrast to the dull color of rain. It was only later when I was reviewing my images, that I saw the truck coming straight at us. Thankfully, no accident and we arrived safely in Michigan to see our family.

(iPhone...Snapseed, Topaz Adjust and Topaz Simplify)

Disconnected

                                       


This flag was painted on an old barn. Upon looking at it more closely, I noticed the paint peeling and the edges were beginning to fade away. I couldn't help but feel that this was representing the venom that has taken place in the USA these days. We have been so disconnected with one another and I'm tired, tattered and worn , just as this flag is. Very sad...

(iPhone...Snapseed, Grunge)

Water Tower

This is the old water tower in downtown Chicago. I really liked the old architecture juxtaposed with the modern buildings and the tree. Lots of lines both straight and curved. I thought the B&W conversion was best to show off the architecture.

(iPhone...Snapseed, Monophix HD)

Stairway

Spiral stairways are always a good subject for photography and this one really caught my eye. My eye settled nicely on the chandelier and then wandered nicely through the image and up to the stairs in the corner. I found the black and white conversion to much better in showing off the details of the image.

(iPhone...Snapseed, Photo Retouch)

Driving Along

Riding along with my husband the other day and shooting images from the car with the iPhone! It's always a crapshoot as to what I'll get. I noticed the clouds beginning to form into what I hoped would be rain clouds but to no avail. I did like the image though I'm not sure why. It just speaks to me in some odd sense so I wanted to share it.

(iPhone...Snapseed)

Taste the Sunset

Driving along in Chicago and saw the tour bus with the "skyline" and the tourists. Wanted to capture the mood..

(iPhone...Snapseed, Photo Forge)

Seen Better Days

There's an auto restoration shop about 12 miles from my home and every time I drive by, I swear I'm going to stop and shoot some of the neat old cars sitting outside waiting to be restored. Finally, I stopped and shot this one. The gentleman was only too happy to tell me the history behind this car. It was an old racing car from the 1950's and the owner wanted the car restored to its previous glory. When I saw a picture of the original car, I started to laugh...a bright shiny red car. No way but the gentleman promised me it would look that way again some day. I hope I'm around to see it!

(iPhone...Snapseed)

Lost Youth

When I was visiting my brother in Maine a few weeks ago, I did some exploring in the haylofts of the barns. Seeing the bike, old wooden tennis rackets and the sled brought back alot of memories of my childhood. I processed this image with a bit of a "nostalgic" sense as I remembered my lost youth.

(Sony Nex 5n: Nik, Topaz, PSE 10)