52 on Friday-Week thirty nine

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"black and white"

I have to admit that black and white photography is not my first love.  

A few years ago when I really became interested in photography, I didn't really like it at all.  

I didn't see the point.

I see in color and felt like my work should represent what I see.

It was a noble thought.

It was also flawed

Not all photography is about recording what you see.

It's about creating a vision.

It's about art.

It can be an expression and/or an extension of one's character or one's imagination .

And sometimes it's about showing just how simple something can be

or about bringing out the detail that only grayscale can show. 

Here is one subject I love to see in black and white.

Here's a subject I find much less intimidating in black and white.

To see what the rest of the blog circle has created in Black and White 

start here with photographer Christine Baylock .

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52 on Friday-Week Thirty eight

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"reflections"

This week's theme is reflections.  As soon as I saw the theme I knew I wanted to show you this reflection.  It's from the local horticultural gardens and is a part of a light display they are currently featuring.

to see the reflections of the rest of my blog circle, start here with  Christa Paustenbaugh of Okinawa Japan

I'm adding another one I took last night. I had another trip planned to the same gardens, but it was scheduled for Friday evening and this post was set for Friday morning.  I shot this just for fun...just to push the limits of my creativity.  It's totally not my usual style, but I'm liking breaking out of that mold!

 

52 on Friday-thirty seven

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"trees"

For this week's shot I went to one of my favorite local parks and found these trees...

and, no, this is not upside down!

 To continue around the circle and see what other variety of trees this talented group of photographers found for our enjoyment, start here with Robin Moore

 

Sunflowers abound!

I took a drive this morning to find a sunflower field.  I wasn't able to shoot at that field but instead of going back home I took some back roads to see what I could find.  What I found is a place that needs more exploring and that had fields upon fields of sunflowers for me to practice in today.

I finally found a Monarch butterfly.  I was using my tripod and trying to focus on this flower when this beauty landed on the sunflower!  How lucky for me!

 I found several varieties of bees.  Funny how not one of them was interested in me!

 

52 on Friday-Week thirty-six!

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"f/16"

The f-stop of a picture, in a large part, has to do with how much of the picture is in focus.  It can also give you some really cool effects of light.  I particularly like when I get a sunburst when the sun in incorporated in my compositions.  It's very easy to do when my aperture is closed way down.  F/16 is not way down, but it is still enough to get the effect I was looking for.  I was really thinking of a nice sunrise, but the weather this week didn't really allow for that, but this morning we are actually seeing the sun. I tried to find a unique perspective to get a sunburst, while still holding on the warmth and beauty of the last days of summer.  I won't be able to photograph these flowers much longer! 

To continue around the circle and see what four other talented photographers found at f/16, 

start here with Amy Ames 

Recently I met up with some fellow photographer friends at Longwood Gardens.  There are several exhibits there during the year.  Until September 29th you'll find  

"Light: Installations by Bruce Munro."

 You can visit the gardens at any time of day, but try to plan your visit so that you can stay through the evening hours.  I promise, you won't be disappointed.  

I liked it so much that I plan to go back because the exhibit closes.

Here are a few of my favorite images, many thanks to the sharing of ideas amongst my friends.

 (you know who you are!).