I didn’t hesitate.
I rolled down my window and took one frame, hoping to find later that I got the essence of the scene.
The explosion of red, with yellow and green, looking ever so much like a fireworks display. That’s what I thought of when I saw it.
I may or may not get out to try and capture some of the many U.S. Independence Day or 4th of July fireworks this weekend. It’s a challenge, but doesn’t really pull at me to attempt.
I just got a good natural fireworks display, right here, and it lasts for more than just a few seconds.
Never let a moment pass. If you see it, capture it, because it’s gone in the wink of an eye.
I rolled down my window, flicked on my Pentax K20D, set it to drag the shutter – get some light in but blur the green – zoomed out wide at 10mm and laid it on my left forearm and fired off one frame.
In Lightroom 2.4, I cropped it to a nice wide 16:9 ratio, juiced up the colors and some other settings just a bit, and here you are.
Sailing along at 55 MPH with the sunset and a field of green to lift my spirits.
Yes, I was careful. No traffic in front or behind while I glanced down to set the exposure. The K20D makes it easy to change settings quickly, one of it’s many traits that I love.
I only had time for one frame. The field was ending into trees and the light was fading fast. Cars were approaching. I either got it or I didn’t.
If I didn’t try, I wouldn’t have this. I’m glad I tried.
I walked out our front door, and saw the blooms looking particularly pleasant and full of lavender. A nice contract to the green leaves.
I took a few others but came back to this one, the first capture of the day.
Sometimes being first is good.
Ya got to love families who smile, even when it’s tough. They stick together and support each other, through good times and stress-filled moments. They’re family.
As the children go out and find their way, bring their partners into the family, and eventually the blessings of children as well. The family celebrates, and increases the love.
The Harhausen Family is one such family.
You can see it, can’t you?
I had the privilege of spending some time (hot though it was) with them, celebrating family and capturing their joy in photographs.
Thank you for the honor. This and other photos, bring a smile, and that’s a good thing indeed.
This magnificent tapestry of clouds was all around. The river of white running through the middle of that blue made me reach for my camera. I had the Panasonic LX3 with me.
Knowing that even with the wide 24mm lens on the LX3, I would be leaving out a whole bunch of the sky, I naturally thought to take a pattern of photos, overlapping, and use Autopano Giga 2 to put them all back together. This is six photos, layered and blended into one.
The sky is such a natural wonder, and so unique in each moment as the atmosphere changes, that I could devote a lifetime to it and still only touch on part of it’s majesty
I’ll settle for looking up, often, and wonder at the miracle of air, dancing just for me, and for everyone.
This tableau of the brilliant sunset colored and cloud filled sky was punctuated by the set of trees in the middle distance. A perfect as a painting setup. Another stop me in my tracks opportunity for a good photograph. This time, I was fortunate to be stopped with no one coming behind me.
I framed, and fired off another set of five at different Exposure Values (EV).
That put a smile on my face and anticipation as to what would be the result.
Tonight, I’m working on a family portrait session from yesterday, and stopped that for a few minutes to get this one done and up for my photo of the day.
Using PhotomatixPro, I fed it the five raw files, and swizzled the settings, output the result into an intermediate program to remove some overhead wires, then brought it into Lightroom 2.4 for the final render and upload. I’m pleased with the results.
The road, trees, green landscape all serve to anchor that sky that’s on fire with the sunset.
Would that every day were as beautiful, I wouldn’t marvel at those, like this, that are such.
I’ll be happy with being able to stop and see the wonders in front of me. Making time stop so I can gather the beauty of nature in
Sisters.
My nieces.
Taken around 6:30PM after a full day of moving, unpacking and putting things away in Katherine’s new home. On the hottest day of the year so far. Katherine, I know had been working most of the week before packing up her and husband Chris’ old home. Sarah & Katherine each have two very active 7 & 8 year olds to mother and tend to, as well as full time+ careers.
I think they look absolutely beautiful, even after all that and the heat of the day.
What’s more beautiful, is their spirit of caring & family and of the grace they both are full of and share with so many of their abundance.
As Karen & I and my sister Trish were leaving after doing our collective bit to help get Katherine, Chris, Charlie & Lewis moved into their new home, I saw the light and asked Katherine and her sister Sarah for a photo.
They were gracious, even after an exhausting move.
They look like they could do it all again tomorrow, but are really and truly glad not to have to!
Thanks for allowing Uncle Matt a moment, Sarah & Katherine. Love you both!
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