Birds

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Red Bellied Wood Pecker

Red Bellied Wood Pecker

I came home from work and wanted to see what kind of birds might stop by. First was a Male Downey Wood pecker. The sparrows were all over the place. My Boyz went out and ran off the rodents. Then a gold finch couple came for a snack. Two Blue Jays were by. For such large birds they sure do fly away quickly. The albino pigeon along with some morning doves cleaned up some suet. A female Cowbird stopped also. The Downey and two Hairys messed around on the stick. Then he came! I've been waiting for this guy to come by. He stayed but a few minuets. I made the most of them. Canon 7d with Tamron 150x600 at 600mm (960 equivalent)  at F6.3 ISO 640 shutter speed 1/125 of a second. Mounted on my Sirui N3204x Tripod with PH-20 Gimbal Head. Browsed in On1 Photo 10 and tweeted in Lightroom CC. I use Lowepros Back packs. Peak design Acessories. 

Freedom isn't free!

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 Carter Shield's Cabin Cade's Cove.

Our freedom is not free. Please remember on a day like today, fourteen years after the attacks on our country, Freedom is not free. Remember those who lost their lives for our freedom. Not just on 9-11, but for hundreds of years before that and the many years since.  Image shown in from the Smoky Mountains. I had never been to a National Park before the day i went to Cade's Cove.  I Learned of a new Freedom that day.  Here is how some of our early settlers lived. Freedom is Not free. God Bless America and all she offers us!

The Carter Shields Cabin is believed to have been built in the 1830s.  George Washing "Carter" Shields, a veteran of the Civil War who was crippled in the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, called the cabin his home from 1910-1921.  

I can see why anyone would want to live here. The place is amzing to see. The dogwoods blooming. The Bears roaming around. Deer everywhere. Bird singing. Just amazing. 

 

 

Amelia Gardens

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Amelia Gardens Westfield,MA

Today we went and spent a little while shooting flowers over at Amelia Gardens. It wasn't a great macro day. But it was a great day to be creative with my equipment. This shot was taken on the Sony a7 with Tamron 180 macro via  Metabone's adapter. I set my aperture wide open and focused on the leaf of this rose.  I planned on making the image soft and pastel like in Lightroom CC and OnOne Perfect Suite 9. 

Today makes our visit a little more special. It is Amelia's 17 month Birth Day! Happy Birthday to Daddy's little girl!

 

 

Learning to See

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Part of growing as a photographer is learning to see light, shapes and movement. We as artist try to show our viewers what we see from behind the lens. This morning I saw this tiny little sun spot on this leaf as I was parking. I took three shots with my Sony a7. As soon as I took the shot I knew I liked it. I knew it was going to be a Black and white image. Sony a7 with Tamron Lenses 180mm Macro via Metabones adapter. On my Vanguard tripod. ISO 400 F22 shutter speed of 1/50th of a second. Edited in Adobe Light Room CC and OnOne Perfect Suite 9 (soon to be 10) Black and White.  

Sun Star Rain Drop.  

Sun Star Rain Drop.  

Artistic Imaging.

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Textures

Sunflower with multiple texture layers. 

I pledged early in the year to become a better at editing. I wanted to learn editing to promote growth in my image making ability. I have for the past few years used in camera techniques to work my way through editing. I do believe it can and should be approached from the opposite angle. Like Artistic editing like this, Or focus stacking or even understanding how to take a picture with the intent of it being a black and white image. Image captured on a Sony a7 with Tamron 90mm Macro. On my Sirui P204s monopod with a -10 Tilt head. ISO 1000 F/16 Shutter 1/100 of a second. Edited in Lightroom CC and OnOne Perfect Suite 9