SnowMoon, LLC

Posts Tagged ‘SnowMoon Photography’

Happy Friday!

I’ve been up to my elbows in processing images this week from our vacation. Since my mom always wonders just how many I take, I took 5118 photos while wandering. Many are comparison photos of the thermal features (geysers and hot springs) – not all are stunning, but they work for my ongoing collection. Others are like the one I shared last week – of people out in the geyser basins. I think the more I visit, and the more I learn about the geysers and hot springs and such, the more I start to really see them. And the more I see them, the more I work to find different shots to take of them. In fact, I find enjoy the small geysers just as much as the large ones – sometimes more when looking at them through the lens.

This week’s photo is of Grotto Geyser. My husband took a shot last year with basically this view, and gave me the inspiration to try this if the conditions were right. His photo was my calendar/desktop background photo on my computer for June – keeping that inspiration in front of me. I sat on the boardwalk that gives you a view of the “back side” – or at least the opposite side from where the typical photos are taken of it – waiting in hopes of a photo of a Rocket Major – that’s Rocket Geyser behind it in the photo.

While Rocket splashes a lot during a Grotto eruption, an hour or two (or a bit more) into Grotto’s eruption, if Grotto seems to slow a bit,the energy may shift to Rocket and Rocket might give a tremendous burst – a major eruption. As time passed this day, the clouds moved in and the light for the shot I want of Rocket disappeared. But as the temps cooled slightly, the steam from Grotto increased and I started to see the shot I hoped for of the splashes from the backside of Grotto. In the end, I have about a hundred shots of Grotto from this short time there. A few slight tweaks to curves and a small increase in vibrance and this photo reached what I had hoped to capture. It’s now my current favorite from this trip – but I’m not done processing yet.

I hope you enjoy it, too. It’s also the photo of the day over on my P365 blog – I have one I like of Chinese Spring up there as well.

Have a great day!

Happy Friday!

Now that I’m settled back at home and working regularly on processing the photos from the trip, it’s time for another Story Behind the Click.

If you follow this blog regularly, you know I generally hang around the thermal features when I’m in Yellowstone. And I always keep an eye out for interesting scenes of people enjoying the geysers and hot springs. I happened to catch Beehive Geyser in eruption most of the days I was in that area – sometimes from near it, other times, like this, from across the river. Actually, on this day, my husband and I were on our way back to the car because a thunderstorm was moving in.  However, Beehive’s indicator started just as we had reached the Chinese Spring area, so we walked a bit farther and found a seat on the benches and waited. As always, Beehive is a delight.  I have oodles of photos of it in eruption, but I always look for something more.

This time, that something more showed up and had me grinning from ear to ear. A grandfather made an amazing memory for his grandkids. A few minutes of their life I’m sure they’ll never forget. Beehive Geyser’s eruptions can reach heights taller than Old Faithful unless a strong wind chops off the top of the eruption. That water often gets blown across the boardwalk. By the time it reaches the ground, the air has cooled it to the point where you literally can stand in it – and get completely drenched. A poncho or umbrella is a handy thing to have with you.

That grandfather may have known about this – or maybe he just had the umbrella with him since rain was predicted, but what a thrill for those kids to have one of those moments that will get seared into their memories. An everlasting Gift for all of them. Capturing it is a Gift for me – and, if you’re smiling, for you, too.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

COMING SOON!

(I’m so excited about this!!! Click on the skipping stone to learn more!)

Happy Friday!

This week I’ve been looking through older Yellowstone photos I’ve taken – looking for good ones I’ve missed, or overlooked before I had better skills at processing images. I’m still working with the full image of this one, but cropped, I love it.  It would work great printed as a gallery wrap – I’ve had it on the computer for a few days to test it’s likability. Could I look at it year in and year out? Yes.

In mid October a few years back I got up before dawn in Cody, Wyoming to head into the Park. While I did see wildlife on the way in, I didn’t stop because I hoped to arrive at Sylvan Lake early enough to catch the sunrise. I almost made it, but I arrived still in time to capture a few images. A light fog was rising from the water and the only noises were from myself and some ducks quietly conversing to each other along the edge of the lake. It was  a ‘brisk’ morning – my fingers rebelling and stiffening. Extra batteries for the camera were in my pocket staying warm.

This was one of the first photos I took – not taking the time to get out the tripod as the light wouldn’t wait. It had already lost a bit of the red tint I saw as I passed the lake to get to the far end for a shot. So, I leaned on the car to steady myself and snapped a few shots and then got out the tripod and took a few more photos.  This one, though, has quickly become my favorite.  I love the way the light looks like it’s almost pouring gold into the lake.

I’ve added this as a fine art print in my Yellowstone portfolio.  It would print at 4×12 – pricing to come.

Happy Friday!

I had planned on using a completely different photo for today, but as I started to process photos from a session yesterday, this one drew me in completely.  The more I worked on it, the more I saw all the various glimpses it shows.  A glimpse of the woman she’ll become – when that chair will fit her better.  A glimpse of who she is now, bunny and all. A glimpse of the timelessness of a portrait of a girl.  Simple. Soft. Elegant.  The processing isn’t quite there, but I’ll keep working at it.  Different, but it somehow really speaks to my soul.

And a glimpse of a style of photography I hardly knew was in me, but am deeply grateful to find and add to the mix.  It is true – just keep shooting and the styles will come forth.   I find myself filled to the brim with gratitude – especially to the family who invited me in and allowed me to practice.

Happy Good Friday, everyone!

Today’s story behind the click is actually a triptych – three related photos. Today, I want to head out into spring, but since we’re not quite there yet at this altitude, I dug into my photo files which act as a sort of nature journal for me. We had a strong chinook wind yesterday that ate away a lot of the snow we had; the 5 foot pile in front of the house from plowing lost a couple of feet with those 30-40 mph sustained gusts.

Last spring I gave myself the photography assignment of coming up with a series of stock photos to document the spring growth in aspen trees. Actually, I have quite an Aspen collection that needs pulling together into a cohesive whole. That’s one reason I love stock photography – find a subject you’re interested in and then work to create a collection that defines that subject.  Stock photographers say creating your own assignments really is the most fun. I have to agree.

Every spring, there’s a week or so that, to me, is as thrilling as the fall week of the aspens turning gold. But the spring green week comes with little fanfare, let alone attention, from the media or those who travel miles and miles to see the peak fall week (which, by the way, is usually between my parents’ birthdays – September 23 and 28). Living up here, though, we get to watch the new leaves pop like popcorn and its as magical to me as the fall week if not more so simply because it’s like opening the door to the potential of summer – sort of a locals only party.

Each year I take photos and create scrapbooking layouts about this week. One was even published in Simple Scrapbooks magazine (now sadly defunct).

While I have many photos of this tipping point, last spring I went out every day to shoot stock photos (tripod,etc) and watch the slow emergence of spring. Because of this, I found a small stand of aspens down just outside of the dog yard that gave me a good, close view for the macro lens.  During these daily visits, I watched the catkins come out, and then, surprisingly, bloom with tiny bright red flowers. I’ve watched this for years, but never actually seen the blooms. They don’t last long, only a day or two before they wither and fade making them easy to miss.  As soon as they fade and start to produce the seeds, the leaves emerge and unfurl. The ‘folds’ in the leaves only lasts a day or two as well, and the green deepens quickly.

In looking through my photos, I show the new leaves popping (the flowers would be a few days prior) in my file folders for:
2004 – May 8 and 9
2005 – May 19 and 20
2006 – May 15 and 17
2007 – May 22
2008 – May 22 through the 27
2009 – May 13 through the 16

So another 5-6 weeks or so for us before we can hit that tipping point again.

We often travel to and from the Greater Yellowstone Area ‘the back way’ – to us, the pretty way through the mountains.  We avoid the heavy front range traffic in Colorado and find ourselves with some amazing views.  This is a photo of Rabbit Ears silhouetted against the sunset sky – taken from Muddy Pass.  We often stop here to walk the dogs but rarely have we seen it like this.  I remember hurrying to take this photo because that’s when we had 5 dogs we traveled with in the motorhome, and the longer it took, the longer it would be before we could crawl into our own bed at home.  But I knew this was a keeper as we were driving up to the turn off.  Later on, I found a photo of my grandfather out on a drive in his model T (or A – I still get them mixed up) during his college years in Fort Collins along the stretch of road we drive over near here – the distinct rabbit ears in the background identifying the location.

While vacations are always a great time to add to the photography portfolio, anytime is a good time to have your camera with you just to record your life.  I’m so glad my grandfather kept a camera handy to help me connect that location to both of our times wandering.

I may not get to this every Friday, but today I want to start telling a bit more of the story behind the photos.  My inspiration comes from watching videos at LensFlare35.  I listened to Brenda Tharp’s a couple of times – having taken a class from her at Better Photo a couple of years ago, I watched the video immediately, and then had to watch it again.  It’s really another way to document life with words and photos – which, of course, I love.  Hearing her tell the story behind the photo helps me to better see her vision behind the click.

As I’ve worked on the organization of my files rather heavily this week, the videos sat in the back of my mind prompting me to better define what captured me enough to make or simply take the image.  And in helping me to better define my vision, writing out the stories like this should help.

Last August I headed to Yellowstone for three days.  West Thumb holds a special place in my heart and I stopped there a few times on this trip.  Between Fishing Cone (just the rim is sticking out of the water over there on the right) and Big Cone (far out of view to the left) I noticed these boards.  Maybe a dozen or more of them.  I honestly don’t recall seeing them before and checking other photos taken, I’m still not sure if I just missed them.  If I hadn’t had the time on this trip to make it to West Thumb for sunrise and sunset shots, I wouldn’t have worried about trying to get something more stunning.   However, I did have time, so arriving back at West Thumb a little before sunset  and using a polarizing filter to cut through the glare on the surface of the water, I took a few shots.  I have one where Fishing Cone is the focus, but this one intrigues me more simply because of the unanswered question: What are they from?  The old dock?  Were they dislodged from a resting place by the underwater thermal activity?  I’m not sure if anyone has an answer, but I’ll start digging and see if anyone knows.

While processing the image, I worked to bring it to what I remembered the scene to be.  While the sunset wasn’t one to stun you, there were a few moments where the spectrum of soft colors nearly took my breath away.  I was pleased to take the ordinary shot in extraordinary light and having just the rim of Fishing Cone exposed was icing on the cake for me.    I hope you enjoy it, too.

We do live in a beautiful spot. I love having my coffee in the morning and looking out on the Sangre de Christo mountains and watch the birds and other wildlife in the area. One of the gifts we received this Christmas was a web cam – we’ve wanted to share our view with others. Now it’s up there on the top bar – the link to The View From Here. We may eventually get this as a streaming video, but for now, just reload your page for an updated view.

Unfortunately this camera doesn’t zoom, and you miss the atmosphere acting as a magnifying glass on the mountains in the distance. However, I often take photos of them and am working to add them in as fine art prints listed below the image. Right now I just have this one added in (this one is sized at 30×10 – pricing to come), but keep checking back for more.

Time to bid 2009 a fond farewell and turn around to greet 2010. Already I find myself feeling refreshed and renewed by that fresh start created by the pause following the flurry of Christmas.

Lots of changes for me – most of them small shifts.  Yesterday I created the above layout for the last page in the 2009 notebook.  It jogged some thoughts I had while reading a book received for Christmas.  That page got me thinking – how DO I classify myself?  Photographer?  Scrapbooker? Artist practicing sketches?  Writer?

I’m drawn to non-fiction books (especially memoirs or really good biographies).  I received Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera for Christmas and have been savoring it.  I’ve always loved his work – he was a master at documenting everyday life – but seeing the ‘how he did it’ and more glimpses into his thoughts resonates deeply with me at this point in my life.

Seems Norman Rockwell doubted using photography in his work – thinking it didn’t fit the definition of artist.  Yet the photography gave him details he could never sketch and capture.  So – he came to terms with it and expanded the pigeon hole he put himself in.

This past year, when trying to pigeon hole what all I do, I began to look for threads that link things together.  Most of us have a thread that seems to keep showing up in our lives.  After bouncing this off of a few folks, I realized my thread is Documenting Life.

When I was seven, I wanted to record what words I knew how to read without sounding them out – that list was quickly abandoned when I realized I started it too late – I knew many words and couldn’t pinpoint when they became ‘automatic.’  When I was in my tweens, I wanted to take photos of familiar ‘scenes’ on our route to the cabin that we took each weekend.  I used to fall asleep running these scenes through my mind.  In eighth grade, I wrote two and three hundred page long letters to a friend who moved overseas – those recorded most every moment of the day.  I loved writing those.  I now write in my journal usually daily – often a couple times a day.

So, even though at times I feel scattered in my work, I take comfort in knowing my pigeon hole is woven with a loosely knit, stretchy and comfortable thread of Documenting Life – through words, photos, scrapbook creations, sketches, and any other way that works.

I’m curious to know if you have a common thread that runs through your life.  I’ve asked a few people this, and the answers always astound and fascinate me. Sure, there are the negative threads in all of our lives – but what defines your strength?  Where you find inspiration and direction?  What pulls you up and keeps you moving forward?

I’m excited about 2010 – though I can’t quite put my finger on why.  I guess we’ll all just have to stay tuned.

Credits for artwork used in the photo layout:
Elizabeth Weaver’s Z’s Birthday Kit
Elizabeth Weaver’s Z’s Birthday Add On Pack

Photo #091231J9815 © SnowMoon, LLC

Sidenote: Those of you waiting for images from me, I’m reworking them all even though I was close to finished – the improvements with Lightroom 3 Beta is enough that I want to rework them so I can offer you better images soon.  Just need to finish importing everything first (should be finishing that up today) and I’ll crank ‘em out.

I skied a lot many moons ago, and I took the attitude that if I wasn’t falling, I wasn’t improving.  I was ok with falling.  I just picked myself up and set off down the next slope.  Eventually, I became a pretty good skier – yet I never compared myself to others and was always surprised at the people who had trouble keeping up with me.  But I’ve always done my best when I only see my past work as a gauge to judge things by.  I need to keep that attitude with me for my photography as well.

As I look through the Terabyte+ images as I import them into Lightroom 3 Beta, what strikes me most are the emotions attached to them at the moment of capture.  The falling in love with various images at the moment of capture, but for a surprising chunk of them, a lot of insecurity and wondering if they were good enough.  At that point in my photography, I really second guessed everything and was my own nightmarishly worst critic.

I still do that now, too, but recognize it and can ignore much of it.  I’m finding the confidence now to say, “This is good.”  And I even find a few ‘wow’ images.  And I still see lots of room for improvement, but if I ever lose that, then I’m not pushing myself enough.  I’m not ‘falling’ enough.

I recently licensed a photo to come out this month in a national magazine – a photo I took all the way back in 2005 that I didn’t process because I didn’t think it was anything special.  But when the request came out, that photo came to  mind and I dug it out and dusted it off.  And it’s a good photo.  Good for the purpose it was used for.  I had the skills then, just not the confidence.  In scanning through what I have, I see many that I need to revisit…some for scrapbooking and for stock.

I’ve  stopped taking a photo a day – my photo organization has pushed that – I’m out of space, and we don’t yet have the extra money for another Terabyte.  I’m down to a few gigs left here and there – so it’s time to consolidate, delete duplicates, and fall in love with ones I criticized myself too harshly for in the past.

Already I’m looking forward to 2010 – and I have set some pretty big goals for myself – refining them and setting a plan of action to reach them.  Growing a business from sheer creativity is overwhelming at times – I mean, who am I to think that big?  And then again, I ask myself, why not?  Yeah, the run is steep with huge bumps, but I won’t know if I can do it unless I point the skis downhill and dig in.

Here’s a photo from the archives that I don’t think I showed anywhere – not thinking it ‘good enough’ – of my Grandfather’s antique wooden skis.  It’s perfect for this post and a reminder to myself to not worry about falling every now and then.  That’s the only way to improve.

My Grandfather's Skis