"The Player"

I took this picture a year ago and loved the image, but didn't like it in its natural state. But, I saved it like I do all my pictures. I was thinking of a picture today I missed of a guy playing an accordion and was disappointed I didn't get it. You know...the...I should have gone back. I didn't have the camera on me. Darn! Anyways, I was thinking of missing the picture and BAM! This one popped into my head. I had an idea and started working on it again and I used the LucasArt3 ED filter on it. I LOVED IT! This is one I will put on my wall. Enjoy!

San Miguel Mission re-visited

This is a picture I took in San Miguel a month ago and I decided to do some in black and white. This one turned out pretty good and I thought I'd share it with you. Enjoy!

Varigated Daphne

Here is another flower I have added to my collection. I think I have decided to make up some stationary with these type of images. Diane thinks it's a great idea. In fact...she suggested it. Oh well. Enjoy!

Another Painter Image

Hello everyone,
I was in Southern California this past weekend for a funeral. My Aunt Ramona, a wonderful, wonderful woman. I had time to visit family and capture this shot of my brother-in-laws horse. She was just beautiful and I couldn't wait to see the pictures and see if I could paint one of them. This is the one I chose and I really felt it had the impact I wanted. I hope you all enjoy!

Painting Photos

I've mentioned that I have been working with Corel Painter X. I am really starting to enjoy working with it. This is a photograph of my niece that I didn't take, but thought it was a great picture to start on. I thought that painting it would improve the shot tremendously. Here is a before and after. Just look at the results I got from it. It printed up really nice on watercolor/Fine art paper. What do you think? Let me know.

First Effort using Painter

I have recently included Corel Painter X into my work. Another program to learn. Well, this is my first attempt with it and I'm loving it. I took the pictures of the daffodils last week and I thought I'd try something different with them. I separated the flowers from its original background in Photoshop and applied or moved the flowers into a background made in Painter. Then I blended the flowers into the background using Painter again and finished it off in Photoshop. I did use the Lucas filter slightly on the daffodils when first seperating them from its original background. I was pleased with the results. I hope you will enjoy them as well.

Cala Lily at Point Reyes National Seashore

This is another picture I took on our ride to Point Reyes National Seashore. Actually it was taken at Stinson Beach. It's just amazing how a couple of hours away from home, signs of spring are everywhere. This is a cala lily blooming and the ones in my yard haven't even started. I just love the textures I got in this flower. I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

Point Reyes Station/National Seashore

Diane and I decided to take a ride today despite the coming rain. The day was overcast and the sun only popped out occasionally. The day turned out to be a great ride day and we enjoyed the time together. We ate at our favorite diner in Point Reyes Station. The "Pine Cone Diner." If your ever in the area, you will have to try it. It's the best. Anyways, the day was not great for wildlife photography. I did get a couple fairly decent pictures and this is one of them. The Common Goldeneye. Great siting and a great bird to photograph. I loved the opportunity to see it. I will post some of the other pictures later. So for now, Enjoy!

"As The Sky's Open"

This is another one taken yesterday. It was a beautiful working day for photographers interested in photographing nature at its best. Overcast day, rain on and off during the day, and then the clouds opened up with some wonderful effects. I sometimes adjust the photos to show you what I see or what my mind wants to see, but this one didn't need much adjusting at all. OK...my wife, Diane, says she likes the original better. So maybe it is what my mind wants to see or what I want to see in the picture when I'm taking it. You decide...Enjoy!

"Winter Showers"

Alright, back to reality. I took this a couple of hours after I photographed "Coming Spring." I missed the earlier rainbow, but this shot really satisfied my loss. So the rain watered the garden and nourished the coming spring plants. Enjoy!

"Coming Spring"

OK, OK...It's still winter, but my flowers are saying something different. So I'm trying something different. Spring shaking off the winter cold. I love it! But, I will let you be the judge. Enjoy!

Playing Around

I occasionally sit around and play...or as I tell everyone, I practice with my camera. Actually, it's a great way to keep a camera in your hand. I was really trying to practice high continuous shooting with a 3200 ISO and natural light. It worked. Madison just got a nurses kit and was playing nurse, what better opportunity to take pictures. This is what I came up with. Enjoy