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Monochrome

I left from the San Juan’s straight back to the “day job.”  I didn’t want to leave the camera in the car so I took it into work to store it.  As I was putting it away I showed a couple of the images to a coworker who’s first comment was, “why do you shoot in black and white?”  He had me for a moment.  But when I downloaded the images and began to develop them I remembered why I had.  Color, monotone and duotone each have their unique way of conveying captured light.

So, here a three samples of the same image.  First, as I’ve indicated previously, the best part of digital is being able to choose how you want the image rendered.  And, as in this series, not being forced to have to choose one at the time of capture, like we do with film.  I like them all equally, for different reasons.  The color shows the scene with emotion, a late afternoon sun filled day that reminds me that yes, summer does finally come to the Northwest and rewards us with phenomenal scenery.  The black and white appeals to my desire to show geometry with tonal variations fully expressed from black to white.  And the final duotone image is a new way for me to add a bit of emotion, a sense of antiquity to the black and white.  All equally valid yet different in their presentation. 

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San Juan Islands

Last week found me on the San Juan Islands with family celebrating my brother’s 25 wedding anniversary.  I only had a couple of days to join them but we made the most of the time including renting scooters and taking a short ride out to the American Camp on San Juan Island.  I quickly tired of the “buzz” of the under powered scooter and stopped a view point while they continued to ride around.  I mounted my 70-300 lens and was rewarded with the scene of this schooner beating up the straits with Mount Rainer in the background.  In the short time I was there I saw 3 foxes which I presume are very common there and they weren’t shy at all.  Over the course of the 2 days I shot over 450 images, which of course means finding the time to select and edit the best.  The downside to digital and the ease of shooting!   I’ll post them as I have time.  Tomorrow I say goodbye to Bainbridge Island and hello to West Seattle.  I’m so looking forward to getting back at least 2 hours a day from the commute.  I hope to put some of that time back into regular posting.  At least, that’s the intent.

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Doors

I’ve added a few more shots of the doors at Fort Worden to the portfolio.  Here’s one from my recent visit.  I had only a short time to grab some shots before meeting family at the ferry yet I still managed to get some keepers.  This time a stream of clouds and consequent shadows moved across the Fort making the shots challenging.   I also was able to capture a couple of very promising shots that are geometrically abstract that I’m still incubating. 

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Multnomah Falls Oregon

Ok, June…9th!  It’s been way too long since I’ve posted.  Where has the time gone.  Too busy to post is too busy!  I’m in the process of looking for a place in West Seattle from which I should regain at least 2 hours a day from the current commute.  Hopefully then I’ll get back into the rhythm of posting again.

Here’s one from a recent trip to Hood River.  I took the old highway back and made stops to shoot along the way.  However it was a Sunday and despite the rain, quite crowded.  It forced me to find vantage spots that did not include the crowds all vying for a spot to click away with their point and shoots.  Lugging a full frame with fast lenses attached to a suitable tripod always garners comments and it was often difficult to concentrate on the composition with a constant stream of mostly well meaning people adding their 2 cents.

The other challenge was that the light was really great for everything but the falls.  The trees, as you can see, combined with the mist made the scene just perfect but was a stop too bright to really drag the shutter and let the water fall smooth out over time.  But give the total composition I think it work well enough to share.

I’m currently sitting in The Bohemian in West Seattle where I just enjoyed an amazing tapas.  Mixed nuts, olives and roasted garlic seasoned and pan warmed over an open fire.  Delicious! I’m editing the pictures of the falls and one of the owners comes over says “hey isn’t the same falls?”  I look up and, sure enough, there’s another photographers picture of Multnomah Falls on the wall just above my head.  Small world.

Multnomah Falls Oregon