Fuzzy Flow with Lichen?

As strange as the title sounds, that's exactly what's on tap today. Some"silky, fuzzy, cotton candy" long exposures of a stream and a couple other worldly looking close-ups of lichen. Enjoy and please SHARE.

This is a cool silky water image of the Santa Ana River in the Seven Oaks area of Southern California. Long exposure, gotta love it.

Another in this series of silky water images. This one is a little more close up than the rest.

I just really love shooting these images. This was during the winter, no snow but a cloudy day made for some great diffused sunlight.

This is a super neat close-up of some very colorful lichen growing on the bark of an Alder Tree. The photo was captured in the Seven Oaks area of Southern California, one of my favorite haunts.

Same type of lichen but, a different tree. The challenge here is focus and exposure control while shooting handheld at very close range. I like the results.

Inspiration in the Fall

As I continue through my older work on Fine Art America, I have come across many images with inspirational verses from the Bible. There are a few in today's entry plus some fuzzy water and a fall dogwood picture. Enjoy and Please SHARE!

A friend in the local mountains has some dogwood trees in his yard. In the fall they turn a cool red color. I applied a linear burn to this photo to bring out some of the textures of the leaves.

This image has a nice pocket watch in the upper left corner against a finished wood grain background with a quote from the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible. The image has a slight grunge vignette around it.

A beautiful shot of a local stream in a long exposure to give that cotton candy look to the parts that are tumbling over and around rocks in the stream bed. The quote from Isaiah 43 verses 2 and 3 is placed in a perfect spot in the image.

This is a cool silky water image of the Santa Ana River in the Seven Oaks area of Southern California. Taken by using a long exposure to blur out the water.

Another really cool silky water image of the Santa Ana River in the Seven Oaks area of Southern California.

A Close-up Fall

At this time of year I begin to wish for cooler weather and for fall to start. We've had really hot days this last week so, I find myself desiring cooler temperatures even more. Enjoy the selection of images for today and again, PLEASE share this with your friends and others that may enjoy pretty pictures.

This from fall 2013. Shot in the local mountains here in Southern California. This macro or close-up was shot to examine the edge of these colorful holly leaves.

This is another one from fall 2013. Shot in the local mountains here in Southern California. I really love the color of these maple leaves. The gradients from yellow to orange to red are just fantastic.

Another fantastic shot from fall 2013. I really enjoyed this one with the sunlight back lighting the maple leaves. It made for some spectacular color.

Another favorite from fall 2013. A simple composition of a single orange maple leaf. Sometimes you just can't beat simple.

I really like how these back lit leaves standout against the blue of the sky. What makes it even more interesting is how the sun seems to be concentrated more in one area of the photo.

Falling

I don't know about you but, I for one love the fall. Autumn colors abound, it's finally cooling down to a tolerable level. Fall fly fishing is usually on the epic side as fish in cooler regions tend to sense the coming winter and put on as much fat as they can in order to survive. When the first few cold nights come nature sends a message to the deciduous trees that it's time to prepare for the colder months ahead. Then the beauty begins to abound as the air clears from summer's dog days heat. For the photo nut, the colors turn to the warmer side of the color wheel while opportunities for beautiful imagery is everywhere. I have included today a few more HDR images and some stunning images of nature's finer glory. Enjoy and as always, PLEASE FOLLOW and TELL YOUR FRIENDS.

This was taken at Lake Mary in the Mammoth Lakes Basin here in California. The sun had just dipped behind the peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This is an HDR or High Dynamic Range image. I normally take 3 exposures at least 1 F-stop apart and combine them in photoshop. As you can see, the results can be spectacular. Of course, God's creation is the star here.

This postcard worthy image is of Rock Creek Lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. While fall colors had not yet peaked, the splash of fall was quite dramatic.

This is a beautiful fall image of some vibrantly yellow bushes and their reflection along the shore of of Twin Lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California.

I got out for some much needed shooting during a recent fall season. Here are some fall colors for 2013 from the local mountains here in Southern California. I used an HDR treatment here to really bring out the color.

Here are some fall colors for 2013 from the local mountains here in Southern California. The position of this oak tree really made it pop out from the darker colors of the evergreens. I used an HDR treatment here to bring out the color even more.

Fine Art Bottles, forest and Scriptures

Today's installment has a pretty HDR image of the forest near Mammoth Lakes, California included. Ever hear the phrase, "Can't see the forest for the trees?" Well maybe you'll understand that now. There's also some antique beer bottles followed by some uplifting words from the Bible on some top notch photos. Enjoy and please tell a friend!

Fall was in the air during a recent trip to the Sierra Nevada Range in California. I shot this beauty while walking through an empty campground.

These are some antique beer bottles I shot in the Bodie Historic Park's Museum here in California. What I like about this and the following image is the back light shining through the glass. I shot both of these handheld in natural light.

These are some antique beer bottles I shot in the Bodie Historic Park's Museum here in California.

The flower is brittlebrush which is fairly common in the desert areas of California. The verse is another favorite.

The image was captured at a camp in the local mountains while I was on a men's retreat. The selected verse is one of many favorites.

Birds and the Bible

While birds are mentioned in the Bible many times, my intention today is not to preach or lead in a study. I am simply posting some more of my work. It happens that the first 4 are pictures of birds, while the last one is a beautiful sunset with a favorite Scripture quote. Enjoy and PLEASE share with your friends.

A seagull captured in flight while on a cruise in Alaska. The image was edited in photoshop.

While on a cruise in Alaska, this friendly Seagull was begging for food on the railing outside our cabin. He looks like he's thinking "What's up?"

This bird was walking the beach in Cayucos, CA looking for food. I just love the qualities in thi early morning shot.

I was trying to get some decent shots of hummingbirds flying around a feeder. This is one of the better ones. I just love the motion blur of the wings and tail as it hovered. #fineartamerica #fineart #photography

This image was shot along the beach near San Simeon, California. The verse is my Pastor's favorite, from 2 Corinthians 12:9.

From California to Alaska

In my continuing efforts to bring you photos I believe are suitable for your wall and other art needs. Look these over and tell me what you think. Please enjoy and if you're in the USA have a great Independence Day Friday.

I shot this stellar sunset on the beach just south of San Simeon, CA. in December a few years ago. I had traveled there to get some images of the big bull elephant seals there. The big bull elephant seals were not there in any numbers. At least on the beach. They winter over there during mating season. The younger ones were there but the big fellas were still moving around in the surf.

Another take of an exceptional December sunset on the beach near San Simeon, California.

A beautiful sunset on the beach at Cayucos, California.

I have always been intrigued by fuzzy water shots. This is a cool long exposure on a creek in the local mountains near my home.

If you ever get a chance to go on an Alaskan cruise, go. Wildlife, glaciers and the last true American Wilderness await you. While on a cruise in Alaska, this friendly Seagull was begging for food on the railing outside our cabin.