To Edit or Not to Edit

This Thanksgiving I am in Tennessee visiting family.  While taking a walk to appreciate the sunset I got the image of this tree.  Unlike in NH, seeing a lone tree in TN is normal.  This lone tree makes a great subject when trying to catch the colors of a sunset.   When I try to get sunset images in NH, it is often just a splash of color above the tree line.  It is pretty, but hard to get the gradient look of the blue slowly turning.

Unless I am printing my work for art purposes, I try to limit the editing I do to my images.  Other than cropping, I try to leave the color and sharpness alone.  I often crop images to adjust the composition of my photos.  I want my images to reflect what I saw rather than what my computer can do.   While watching me work this week my Uncle decided to share a program with me, Dfx Essentials.  The program allows you to edit the image by adding filters and color washes.  Although it has changed the original emotion of the photograph, the results are awesome.

 

Teens 4 Jeans

Last year, I sponsored a used Jean drive to improve the climate of my classroom.  The clothing drive was a huge success, both in the number of jeans collected and positive atmosphere of my classroom.  This photo was taken last year.  The original photo actually contained two students and more jeans.  I edited the image to remove the students and added the text to start spreading the word out this years drive.  My students used this image and some jeans to create a informative display for parent teacher conferences. Check out this link to DoSomething.org to get more info.  I have already collected Jeans from families that turned over their fall wardrobes and wanted to get rid of their jeans now.  Last year we collected 701 pairs.  This year my goal is 3000 pairs!!

Planting Wine Bottles

One of my favorite things about spring is flowers.  This Fall I have put a lot of work into a new garden.  A couple of weeks ago I filled the new area with several types of bulbs.  I wanted to create a unique border for my new garden but I had to stay within my “teacher budget”.  I decided to combine two of my passions, gardening and recycling.  One of my favorite wines comes in a beautiful blue glass bottle.   On a whim one day I decided to “plant” a couple of bottles.  Viola! A beautiful border made of recycled glass.  I asked a couple of my friends to start saving me their green and blue wine bottles.  I have planted about thirty and need another hundred or so to complete the border.  It’s a good thing I know so many people that love wine!  

Zoe's Nook

Zoe has this amazing ability to squeeze herself into places.  As I was unloading groceries I left the bags on the floor.  When I finished I turned to pick up all the bags and found Zoe curled up in one of the tipped over bags.  She looked so content I felt guilty moving her.  I left the bag on the floor for a couple of days and it was “her” place.  Dominic, my other cat, did not go near it and Bishop, my dog, would cautiously step over it.  When I picked it up I was not concerned because I knew she would soon find a new niche; Empty shoe box? On top of my laptop?  In the sink?

Amber Waves of Fall

The trail is a glow with fallen leaves.
Apricot, Crimson, Auburn, Amber
The wind whips through pulling a ribbon of color across my path.

Above, a lone leaf catches my eye
The lonely autumn flag grasps
to the naked branch reluctant to be free.

Crisp cool air tickles my face my eyes water as my smile increases. I feel alive as my senses are noticeably attentive
to the changes that envelope me.

A rustle in the brush catches my attention.  An excited chipmunk dashes to and fro collecting bits of acorns and twigs.

Reluctant to leave this expressive world, I turn towards the head of the trail.
Taking in every moment as I know tomorrow it will not be the same.
This thought ushers no sadness but excitement for what tomorrow may bring.

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow

Bishop, my English Mastiff, has the most expressive eyes.  I captured this photo this afternoon.  When I came home from the math conference I tried taking Bishop out to play.  He grabbed his favorite football and bounded out the door.  He ran across the porch, ready to play after his long lonely day inside.  He made it to the driveway and then halted, as tho he suddenly realized that it was still raining.  He lost the spring in his step as he continued onto the grass to do his business.  After completing his business he sullenly walked back up to the house.  I offered to still play in the rain but Bishop was not interested.  I let him back in and he immediately returned to his bed.  I feel like you can see the disappointment in his eyes.

Sunsets

 

Sunsets are the capstones of amazing days.  Capturing the sun just as it disappears feels like such like an amazing accomplishment. Just looking at this picture, I can feel the cool autumn air envelope me just as the warmth of the sun slowly disappears.  The evening I caught this sunset I was actually driving home from dinner with friends.  The sky was glowing and had to grab the shot.  Of course I always have my camera, the only thing I needed to do was find the perfect angle.  I have a couple of shots where the sun is still visible but it is almost overwhelming.  This moment, just as the sun sunk below the horizon, lasted for only a minute.  It did not take long for the orange glow to dim and the cool breeze to erase all memory of the warm inviting sun.

For tips on how to capture the perfect sunset visit NYIP.