Be Very Happy

Puts a smile on my face every time I see this! I thought this would be appropos given the season! SO BE VERY HAPPY  :)

Sony NEx 5...Snapseed, Photo Toaster

Another NYC Iconic Sunrise

Same sunrise...different POV...the river draws me every time I'm in Brooklyn...I can never get enough of it.

(Sony Nex 5...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

Beetlemania

If you're like me along with thousands of other baby boomers, the VW Beetle was one of the hottest cars on the market for along time. I have such fond memories with mine. My Dad said no one should ever drive a car that doesn't have the engine in the front...why one could get hurt!!! Anyway, I didn't just have one, I had two and both of them ended up in the trash...kind of like this one! Great cars but not super reliant...at least the ones I had weren't! I went to the extreme on this image with the post processing as I wanted to project a feeling of past, of falling apart, of old memories.

(Sony Nex 5...Snapseed, Photo Toaster, Mextures)

Taillight

I think taillights were much more interesting in the earlier eras of cars. This almost looks like a bullet to me.

(Sony Nex 5...Snapseed, Photo Toaster

Hippie Times

Aah...memories of another era of peace, tranquility and oh, yes, psychedelic trips (in more ways than one!!!). I always have a small smile on my face when I see one of these old VW buses/vans. I can rmemeber many good times in the back seats enjoying my college years (oops, was I supposed to be studying???!!!). Added a bit of solarization to the image to enhance the mood of my memories.

(Sony NEx 5...Snapseed, Photo Toaster, Topaz, Nik, PSE)

NYC Sunrise Icons

Three iconic architectures of NYC on a beautiful warm sunrise morning...Brooklyn Bridge, Freedom Tower and Gehry's. The sun was slowly rising and the NYC fixtures just lit up one morning this fall. A quiet walk along the East River in Brooklyn....never 2 mornings alike and always peaceful. It's one of my favorite places to enjoy a few reflective moments to myself before the day gets started and the hustle bustle of the river begins to awaken!

(Sony Nex 5 ...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

Chevrolet

Another from Old Car City (OCC). I felt like I was a little kid in a candy store with so many photo opps at OCC. Every turn presented another great shot. So much fun and a great relaxant for me. Can't wait to go back and spend some serious time shooting there.

(Sony Nex 5...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

Ivied

An old warehouse building with overgrown ivy…fall colors and old buildings go well together!

(Sony Nex 5…Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

Car Art

An abstract image of an old car....

(Sony Nex 5...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

Got a Handle

Another from Old Car City...this one was a business truck with its name, phone number and other pertinent info relating to its business....you can tell from the rusted out colors that the truck was originally painted with bright colors but the erosion over the years has given the truck IMO much more character! Many more to come frmo Old Car City...

(Sony Nex 5...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

The Flying Nun

Another "old car city" shot...an old cadillac car ornament. The leaves were collecting in the Bg and the car was growing moss but the ornament remained mostly intact! As soon as I saw this, it reminded me of The Flying Nun (or Michael Phelps doing the Butterfly!)...another fun image!

(Sony Nex 5...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

Cosmos

In Cartersville, Georgia while doing shots of old cars, I came across some cosmos fields in the early morning. So beautiful in the morning light....So Mother Nature at her best and then Man at his best at Old Car City!!! What a fun morning I had!

(SOny Nex 5...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

Photo Toaster is one of my new fav apps on the iPad/IPhone. You have so much to choose from and so many creative ideas!

Dazed

FInally, I'm able to post some pics from Old Car City in Cartersville, Georgia!!! What a great place to photograph...old cars in woods and fields. So many great abstract opps, great color, super fun to reminisce about the old models! Unfortunately, I was only there for 2 hours. Could have spent 2 days there :) There are alot of workshops available for one to join and spend an entire weekend there. However, I find that one can do it all on your own...$25 for entry and don't forget to talk to Dean. He's a great storyteller!!!

Anyway, I titled this one "Dazed" because the windshield is broken and the door is ajar....as if someone had been in a car accident.  There will be much more coming from Old Car City in the weeks to come.

So...definitely make this a spot to go to for a day or two. It's 45 minutes north of Atlanta...quick day trip!

(Sony Nex 5...Snapseed, Photo Toaster, Retouch)

Window Decor

I love this! It puts a smile on my face every time! Real flowers, fake flowers, hula dancers, smiley faces, tchotchkes...what's not to love!

(iPhone...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

Psychedelic

In anticipation of my trip next week to Old Car City, I thought I would post an old car. This is a restored red 1939 Model T truck. And when I say red, it's a bright cherry red completely restored. However, Old Car City has over 4000 cars dating from 1972 and older situated on many acres of fields and forests. The cars are totally rusted out and beyond use.  SO I played around with the red truck in honor of old cars and came up with this! I think it's fun and isn't that what photography should be all about...FUN!!!

(Sony Nex ...PSE 10, Topaz)

The Lady

In honor of Columbus Day, I post this image of The Lady. Just as Columbus discovered America, so did the immigrants who came to America with little or nothing to call their own. I processed this photo as if the picture had been taken by an immigrant 100 years ago and the photo has faded..but not the memory.

(Sony Nex 5...PSE 10, Nik, Topaz)

Ocean's Teardrop

This is a composite of 2 images....a teardrop chiseled in a door and ocean waves....and I like the results! I love the luminosity in the teardrop, I love the vibrant colors and I love the mood it captures. I feel like a pendulum is about to swing, to flow. It makes me feel happy. Any thoughts?

Fire Ready

A pretty straightforward shot of the firemen's uniforms. Added a touch of vintage to the mood. I have been gone for awhile from photography...taking a break. I've been concentrating on other endeavors which are occupying my mind and physical presence. It's actually been a good thing as I always come back a bit more refreshed for photography and hopefully, more creative. I'm also starting up an online photo business that is in the works. Keeping me very busy. So, I hope to start posting again on a more regular basis to get my juices flowing and continue to strive for more in my photographic quest of the best that I can be. Thanks for following...#gratitude...

Miss Kristen #2

This is one of my favorite boat reflections. I feel like I'm looking at a country vista on the boat's keel and water reflection. I see the autumn trees with blue sky and the grass below. An impression of fall in the country.

(Nikon N90...Snapseed, PSE 10)

Boat Reflection #3

Another boat image...I wasn't sure whether I wanted to include the buoy or not in this shot. But i decided that the buoy adds interest and I think it "anchors" the image. I also like the overall monotone aura with just the touch of red on the buoy and the thin red line on the boat.

(Nikon N90...Snapseed, PSE 10)

Boat Reflection #2

Evening sun hit this boat's keel and lit up the waters with a bright, colorful abstract image. I actually "toned" down the colors a bit as the colors were so glaring.

(Nikon N90...Snapseed, PSE10)

Lines

As stated earlier, my next few images will be boat reflections. Here I enjoy the "lines" of reflections that the boat displays. What I like is the varying degrees of colors in the water compared to the boat's keel. And I do enjoy the complimentary colors of the blues and greens. An interesting abstract of "lines".

(iPhone...Snapseed, Topaz)

Miss Kristen

The other day a friend of mine had posted a shot of boat reflections and it got me thinking about some of my fav boat shots. So, the next few days I will post some of those images. There's something about boats, water and reflections...perhaps a carefree feeling, a feeling of freedom, a feeling of escape, a feeling of wind in the hair, a feeling of good. Old boats are especially liked as they show their age, add character, a worn and torn feel, a seaworthy boat, a weathered friend. Thanks to my friend for reminding me of some of my fav images and places I've been.

(Sony Nex...Snapseed, Topaz)

Ghostly Tree

Goofing around with the iPhone one evening early spring with Average Camera app. It's a cool app that lets you take up to 128 pictures (if you want that many!!!) of an image and then combines them all for your final photo. I like this app especially when I want to create a particular mood, such as ghostly, eerie, movement....always makes for some interesting images. Enjoy!

(iPhone...Average Camera, Snapseed)

3 Purple Balls

Lordy...I must be entering the "Alzheimer's" age as I've forgotten the names of these wonderful flowers. hence the title of "3 Purple Balls"! Anyway, I love the simplicity of the bloom with the tall, thin stem and the way the flower head sticks above the stem so beautifully straight and perfectly round. Lovely...I added a touch of drama to the flower and then texture for the bg.

(Sony Nex 5...Snapseed, Photo Toaster, Blender)

Unveiling

When I was attending the Chelsea Flower Show this spring, I was struck by the Arthritis Research Garden display. In it, there were 3 statues that represented the various phases that someone faces when diagnosed with the painful disease of arthritis and how to live with it. This statue represented the final stage of "unveiling/unraveling" when someone starts to move into an open space from the "fog of pain" and start learning and experiencing acceptance of the devastating disease and how to cope with it. I found the entire garden to be very inspiring and certainly brought awareness to the disease.

(Sony...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

Draping

This is a small part of a large hibiscus in my garden this year. When I started to photograph it, I noticed how the petals sort of "drape", like the way sheets drape over a bed. In a way, I can envision the "drapes" over a model in a studio where the fans are blowing the drapes for a windy effect...!!! I also love the colors and how complimentary they are to one another. It's amazing how Mother Nature knows to put the colors together, yes???!!!

(iPhone...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

Late Summer

As the last days of summer come to unfold, a young mother enjoys her day on the beach watching her daughter frolic in the water. The fisherman in his boat finishes his catch of the day and all is right with the world. A beautiful late afternoon ....if only it could always be this way.

(iPhone...Snapseed, Photo Toaster, Topaz)

Late Summer Corn

Driving along the rural roads the other day. The clouds are always so large and puffy at this time of the year and the blue skies are especially "super blue" in the late afternoon! Quick shot with the iPhone while whisking past the mile high corn!

(iPhone...Nik, Topaz Simplify)

In Sync

There's something wonderful and beautiful about an elderly couple linked arm in arm. I was walking behind this couple for several blocks and noticed that they were in sync the whole time...the steps, the bag holding, the creases in their pants, their posture. Only a long married couple has this all together. Lovely and heart warming.

(Sony Nex 5...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

John Deere

The reflections of the sky and grass on the headlights captured my attention on this old John Deere.My Dad owned a tractor and I have fond memories of riding on his lap when he was plowing snow! I've always liked the deer logo. Living in the Midwest, you see deer all year long in the corn fields and woods. A farmer's tractor for sure!

(iPhone...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

Sunny Days

What is it about sunflowers that just make you smile?!!! A beautiful sunny day today and I wanted to post a fun sunshiney image!!! Enjoy :):):)

(iPhone...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

On Fire

What started out as one image turned out to be a totally different one. I did some shots in a firehouse a few weeks back. The firemen all have their gear hanging on walls, boots on the ledges, helmets hanging, everything ready to grab and don if necessary for a fire. As I started to process the this shot, I found myself gravitating towards a "fire" mood. Voila...

(Sony Nex 5...Snapseed, Blender, Photo Toaster)

Little Free Library

This is a Little Free Library in Brooklyn, one of hundreds popping up all over the country. This was donated by the Give it Forward organization. The glass is broken yet probably not from a person...perhaps from the weather as the pane is still intact. I love the concept of a little library in the cities and towns across the country.

(iPhone...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

1939 Model T Truck

I've been on vacation for the last week and the internet was very spotty so I just took pics and will process as I have time at home. This shot was on a local road in the North Fork area of Long Island. North Fork is a beautiful rural area comprised of many farms, vineyards, small towns, beaches etc....not at all like the Hamptons. It was a wonderful, serene week of relaxation and fun with the fam. I processed this image to reflect the aura of the North Fork community...rural, homey and quaint.

(Sony Nex 5...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

Fast Food Delivery

Taking a break from my "challenge" and thought I would post this image that I shot while sitting in the car at a red light. This really struck my funny bone as I watched the Fed Ex plane pass over the famous McDonalds arch! Anyone for some fast food???!!!

(iPhone...Snapseed, Blender)

Challenge #5...Lily Pulitzer (aka My Mom!!!)

If you've ever visited the Maine shores down through Cape Cod and all the way to Palm Beach, you've seen Lily Pulitzer clothing. Her brand was very well known among "the socialites" vacationing by the seashore. Soon, Lily Pulitzer dresses were worn by the "common" women and my Mom was one of those women who loved Lily's simple dresses. And this image reminds me of my Mom..a snippet of fabric taken from her collection! Blended the original image with some Nik solarization, then placed on top of the original blending to overlay and then cropped. To me this image has a summery aura that makes me feel "pretty and feminine"...just the way Lily liked it! And no, my Mom is NOT Lily!!! But she loved her clothes.

(Sony Nex 5...Nik, PSE)

Challenge #4...Hazy View

Some desaturation and a bit of haze to portray a dreamy , warm image.

(Sony Nex ...PSE, Topaz)

Challenge #3...Luminous Flora

I have been following Marc Garrison's photography and I really like his vision. He uses multiple images to converge on one another, thus, his "Convergent Media" portfolio. This is my first attempt at doing something similar to his work. I took the coneflower shot and after much processing and blending, I came up with this. I blended the original image several times using different blending modes, then added a texture, and then the tulip. I love to view other photographer's works as it gives me ideas and inspires me to continually "up my game" and knowledge. I think the image is "fair" and  it definitely needs work, which will be on my to do list in the next week!

(Sony Nex...Topaz, PSE10)

Challenge #2 - Surreal Coneflower

Same image...different processing. This one isn't so "out" there in terms of crazy processing and yet, it still has a "dreamy, surreal" aura IMO. I used Topaz for all of this...a bit of diffusion and then Adjust 5 with the setting of Surreal and changed it up a little. I definitely like this one!

(Sony Nex...Topaz)

Challenge 1... Child's Drawing

When I posted the Coneflower Octopi the other day, I had so much fun with the image that I decided to challenge myself. Take one image and process it differently for a week or so to see what I can come up with. After the usual processing, I went into the PSE filters Ocean Ripple and Glowing Edges. This is the end result. It reminds me of a child's drawing of coneflowers...a bit psychedelic :):):)

(Sony Nex ...PSE Ocean Ripples and Glowing Edges)

Coneflower Octopi

So...I started with the typical wide angle shot of the coneflowers blooming right now. I did the usual processing, added a little diffusion and said to myself, "That's pretty, Beth". BUT it's also boring. I've seen thousands of the same shot and while I still like the image, I was thinking to myself that I needed to "live it up" a little. So...did a bit of Liquefy and then went to the Blue Omni lighting effect and voila! I feel like I'm peering to in the deep blue sea watching the octopuses in their habitat!!! That's my vision for the day! Enjoy!

(Sony Nex...PSE 10 and Topaz Fx Lab)

Simply Red

Love the vibrant red against the beige background. And I really like the curves of the stems and the flowing red petals...I guess you can gather from my comments that I like this image! The original BG was harsh concrete so I used the Topaz Simplify to soften the BG. I also wanted to portray the flowers in a flowing manner and Simplify was just right for that.. A simplistic image IMO.

(Sony Nex...PSE 10, Topaz Simplify and Fx Lab)

National Trail

Part of Highway 40 in Iowa is a National Trail, as shown on this building. My thoughts...what was in this building at some point in time? The small town of Dunreith, Iowa...not much to it but I enjoyed it a lot. Friendly people, good food and some fun images to shoot. I'm a sucker for abandoned buildings... always a story behind the closed doors. I like to imagine what might have been.

(Sony Nex...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

Ready

I had the privilege of photographing a firehouse in Dunreith, Indiana last weekend. My husband was on the RAIN ride and I was a SAG (support vehicle). I didn't have much time to spend at the firehouse but for a few brief moments, I was touched beyond words to see up close the firehouse and the firemen's belongings...ready for whatever the day may bring. What struck me was the orderly and neat premises and their belongings. Every thing had its place, including the boots and helmets. What I love about this image is obvious...the one red helmet among the black .I started to question the fireman about this but he got busy so alas, no answer. Guess I'll just have to go back there someday!

(Sony Nex...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)

Yellow and White Tulips

As I've stated before, tulips are one of my fav flowers. I love the creamy white and yellow of the tulips against the textured wall. I decided to use the Topaz Simplify app for this image. I wanted to portray the tulips in a soft mode.

(Sony Nex...PSE 10, Topaz Simplify)

Merry Christmas!!!

It's super hot right now so why not think about something cool!!! This image reminds me of Christmas with its bright reds and greens. I really like the colors together and the varied textures of the trees. I used Topaz Simplify to smooth out the edges a bit yet still retaining the different textures.

(Sony Nex...Snapseed, Topaz Simplify)

A Dappled Garden Still Life

My eye was intrigued by the contrasting greens, yellows and the pop of purple dappled through the image. I really like the varying textures also. I decided to use the Glaze app again. It just seemed to be the right app for what I wanted to portray. I can visualize a painter and his easel with his palette and brushes enjoying a day of fresh air among the beautiful garden. And this image is the end result of the painter's rendition.

(Sony Nex ...Snapseed, Glaze)

Have a Seat

Another image from the floral exhibits that I visited in London at the Chelsea Flower Show. The "half" tub with its Victorian legs and the flowers around the terrace invite one into have a seat and enjoy the garden! This was one of my favs for the exhibits...I used Snapseed and Glaze for this. I like the Glaze app for a painterly mood which I think this image needed.

(Sony Nex...Snapseed, Glaze)

Mixed Media

This was part of a floral exhibition which showed real flowers "sewn" in with fabric and then made into a "blanket" for a chair. It was pretty cool, I thought. I love how the orchids blend so seamlessly with the fabrics and the other flowers. I felt a vintage aura with this image, thus, the post processed vignette and framing.

(Sony Nex...Snapseed, Photo Toaster)