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2013-06-19 05:28:24 (22 comments, 39 reshares, 473 +1s)

The Pearl That We Love... Makapu'u Lookout, Oahu, Hawaii
All at once, she knew what her teacher had meant by "the pearl beyond price". If the planet had a soul, this had to be a piece of it, gleaming in the sun for all who could gain the perspective to see it.
Her gratitude in that moment knew no bounds. 
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Earlier today, I posted the little monument-with-flag that initially caught my attention and drew me up here... but this was the real reward for the climb!

I could almost see the curvature of the earth on the horizon... it was dizzying! And wonderful, and blue, green, gorgeous and stunning. I stayed up there for awhile, just soaking in what had to be a blessing from all of Creation. Who, incidentally, said "take this home and share it with as many people as possible!" So... here we are.

#hawaii... more »

2013-06-19 01:12:25 (12 comments, 6 reshares, 175 +1s)

Out shooting the promo for a new project I'm working on! Am keeping it under wraps for now, but I can't wait to share it!
And while I'm sitting here waiting for nosylookie-lous to move along, couldn't resist sending out a peek! Heehee.

2013-06-18 20:50:16 (9 comments, 9 reshares, 172 +1s)

Remembered... Makapu'u Lookout, Oahu, Hawaii
When I was in Hawaii, I had a bit of a time getting out of the house one day, but finally did. I posted one of the heavenly rewards of having done so on my blog today: http://goo.gl/XlkNg. I took this photo from the same spot. 

See, I'd made a stop at Makapu'u Lookout on my drive around and about. It was a lovely view. Then I looked up and saw this flay waaayyyyy up on the rocks above. Of course, I had to investigate. The view from up there was drop-dead stunning, which made the short trek uber worthwhile. But this little monument was just so... poignant, I guess is a word for it.

A pair of boots, a helmet, a flag and a date written on the post: 1944. Whether this was created for a single person - or to commemorate all of those lives lost, I don't know. But someone feels deeply about this. Enough to place thisq... more »

2013-06-18 02:43:16 (37 comments, 49 reshares, 676 +1s)

Before & After... Truckee, California
It's important to remember to look up now and again... because perspective is everything. 
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2013-06-16 22:19:35 (32 comments, 57 reshares, 644 +1s)

From Here To Eternity... Oahu, Hawaii
This was the beach where they filmed the famous love scene in the oldie-but-goldie movie "From Here to Eternity" with Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr. (In case you forgot or don't know what the heck I'm talking about, here's the scene: http://goo.gl/K61lM). Folks of a certain generation (not mentioning names. heh.) or with a love of vintage movies know that one!

It's official name is Hālona Cove, but it's also known as "The Peering Place" (I'm guessing because of the great views) and also "Cockroach Cove" , though I've no idea why on the latter. Not sure I want to know!

That movie scene was filmed off to the right of this photo - a bit off frame. But I liked the rocks, the cove and the framing of the clouds the better. And it's my Sunday "Aaaaahhhh" for you. more »

2013-06-16 17:23:12 (10 comments, 1 reshares, 51 +1s)

My BFF goes national and has her "New Day" debut tomorrow!!
Her name is Michaela Pereira and she begins a brand new show on CNN tomorrow morning called New Day. I wrote about this on my blog today: http://goo.gl/lA8QZ. I'm busting at the seams I'm so proud of her!! This interview with Chelsea Clinton is her first for the network. It is SO APT!!

I don't often talk about life before photography here - but I used to be a voice and performance coach for news reporters and anchors. I did this for 25 years. 

I met Michaela 15 years ago through coaching, shortly before I started a fabulous gig as Network Talent Coach for then ZDTV, later renamed TechTV. Our common bonds connected us immediately and made us best friends and sisters ever since. 

She just moved from Los Angeles, where she hosted the morning show on KTLA for 9 years -an... more »

2013-06-15 23:06:48 (24 comments, 26 reshares, 382 +1s)

Painted Memory... on the road to The Catlins, New Zealand
In that dreamy way of memories, her recollection of those days was like a painting on the wall of her grandmother's house. The story about it had been vague, as if no one either remembered or was telling. She had once spent hours gazing into the simple scene, at one point feeling like its hidden truth were about to burst into her mind. When that didn't happen, she moved on, the tantalizing possibilities always tugging at her. 
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On the eastern side of the South Island of New Zealand lies The Catlins. It's wild, untamed, beautiful. It has what the website calls "dynamic weather". The largest town within the region has 400 people. It was cold and rainy when I was there with +Trey Ratcliff , +Curtis Simmons and +Scott Kublin... on a day that was sunnyan... more »

2013-06-15 16:07:40 (13 comments, 11 reshares, 203 +1s)

Stirrings
No one knows when they first arrived.
The length of our incarceration spans time and mortal attention.
Their boats carried them here, propelled by the celestial winds.
They drew swords of light against any who opposed them.

Trepidation is pounding in me,
because I have never seen one die.

In the Great Lores it is told of a long battle,
fought by valorous ones of endless daring.
Though, I see no courage in the furtive eyes of the Elder Synod,
only the unctuous groveling that earns them favor
so long as they maintain the quiescence of the multitudes.

It is true that I cannot believe there was ever a war, 
that we ever had valiant warriors among us.
Yet, since the moment I awoke in this place I call Home,
I have felt these stirrings inside of me; the need to fight.
I am ready. 

I cano... more »

2013-06-15 00:39:57 (20 comments, 15 reshares, 79 +1s)

My favorite singer/musician recently spoke at TEDxMaui2013.
His name is Makana and if you haven't discovered him... what a treat for you!! I'm bringing him over to our G+ world, so until he's all set up, you can find him at http://makanamusic.com.

I've long loved his brilliant music, his humor, his philosophy in life. Old soul, young man. Joe and I had dinner with him while we were in Hawaii last week... we talked about all the cool stuff we can do on Google+, what with hangouts and all. He's a natural for all of that - so you'll likely be seeing more of him (and me as well, BTW!) in the near future.

For now, let me introduce the most awesome Makana!

#makana
#hawaiianslackkeyguitar
#singersongwriter
#hawaiianmusic
#ted
#tedxmaui2013

2013-06-14 17:34:47 (13 comments, 36 reshares, 351 +1s)

Can you feel the gentle trade winds?... Oahu, Hawaii
While I was in Hawaii, someone on my stream (I'm sorry I forgot who!) said I should take a series so that the new G+ Auto Awesome feature could make some swaying coconut trees to enjoy. So I did!! One of the photos posted itself yesterday as an individual - but this was what I was waiting for. Auto Awesome doesn't happen right away, but in just a little while... aaaahhhhh, oceanside splendor!

I hadn't yet had the right occasion to photograph for one of these... and now that I see the result, I know what to do to be better at it! But this is one of the new G+ features that's actually changing the way I'm shooting, which I think is so much fun. I actually seek out moments like this - take my still shot - then grab my NEX-7 for a rapid fire series. 

Now that I'm home - I get to look at this and... more »

2013-06-14 04:59:34 (58 comments, 109 reshares, 898 +1s)

The Clouds Liked Blue Wakatipu Too... Queenstown, New Zealand

"Really? Seriously??" I kept thinking at every bend of the road in New Zealand. Stunning beauty everywhere. Like here at Lake Wakatipu, just outside of Queenstown. And the colors!! I kept being reminded of Hawaii, Tahiti and many of the similarly adorned-in-blue places I've seen; there is a likeness amongst them in so many ways. If I were more of a historical scholar, I would know the deeper connections. Instead, I'm just me - and I could mainly feel them as I set up for my shots.  

I do know that New Zealand is the southernmost tip of an Polynesian settlement area that Hawaii is the northern tip of. I gather the ancient people set out in their canoes and navigated the seas to reach all of those places over a thousand years. Can you imagine that? I'd found myself drifting as I pondered the... more »

2013-06-13 07:23:52 (29 comments, 78 reshares, 778 +1s)

Piering Into The Night... Oahu, Hawaii
It was the feeling of motion, of launching, of leaping into a new day. . 
That was the invitation. Which she naturally accepted. 
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I loved this pier. I loved the way it beckoned. Even the way it tilted a bit, making me feel all off kilter when I stood on it. I thought about straightening it in processing, but decided not to, since it was the way it was. What, I'm gonna change something I actually like so there's not the excuse for some well-meaning, yet misinformed soul to say: "I would have straightened the pier. It's crooked." Ummm, no.

So let's launch into our new day and go fast enough so the clouds blur a little, all the while counting stars. Your launching pad awaits... heehee. 

2013-06-12 19:23:21 (39 comments, 87 reshares, 608 +1s)

Black Swan Being Koi... Byodo-In-Temple, Oahu
I showed you guys the photo of the temple yesterday... this is the area where people feed the monster koi and the black swans. It's unbelievable! I've never actually seen a big, majestic bird like this trip before... but watched this one stumble several times as it tried to maneuver around the fish! It was quite the competition for tourist snacks. And since koi are also called 'carp'... you know I had a mental stream of carpal tunnel jokes and puns going through my head! Which I kept to myself, thankfully.

This scene reminded me of of Japanese art... and since this was all happening at a Japanese temple, it all just made sense. I got as low as I could without actually falling in the water. I preferred to avoid that, since I imagine then I'd have to carpoo tunnel my way out.

See what I mean about... more »

2013-06-11 22:48:15 (18 comments, 1 reshares, 166 +1s)

Last night, I had the honor and privilege to speak at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC were my image was selected as the winner of the Zoo and Aquarium category for the Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards.

A large 4x5 foot print of this image is being displayed in the entrance of the exhibit on the 1st floor for 1 year along with other outstanding, beautiful images that were selected for several other categories from around the world. 

One of the best nights of my life… I'll never forget this!

2013-06-11 19:04:40 (25 comments, 89 reshares, 626 +1s)

Byodo-In-Temple... Valley of the Temples, Oahu
The peacock I posted yesterday was taken from this place - a lovely Japanese temple at the base of the mountains. As promised, I just posted Part 2 of that photo's processing here: http://goo.gl/xvvx9. 

This was a fun stop, since it's not such grand, touristy thing. It was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii... and is now used mostly for weddings, or for visitors of any faith to rest, meditate, pray, or just enjoy the surrounding beauty. Except for the mosquitos, it truly was peaceful and lovely!

They have a crazy amount of koi fish too. You can see a few in the foreground - the rest were over to the right, swimming on top of one another, begging for handouts from visitors, which they get a'plenty. If you venture pondside, they'll follow you, thinking you ... more »

2013-06-11 19:03:45 (28 comments, 76 reshares, 429 +1s)

Joe's Peacock... Byodo-in-Temple, Oahu
The hubs took this photo during our visit to Byodo-in-Temple at Valley of the Temples on Oahu. He asked me to process it - but describe it all along the way. I made a blog post about the whole thing: http://goo.gl/TGifj... along with photos of each step we did. 

It was fun! My husband +Joe Dolister is learning photography and it's been a blast. He's very open, so that makes it easy. He's also super smart and artistic and it's fun to watch his vision develop. Joe's a high end IT guy and a professional musician (bass). He keeps my i-world running smoothly and the music selections are always lovely! Now he's learning to tell stories with his photos - and is trying to up his game in the post processing department. 

He liked this photo that he took, but wasn't quite sure how to do something specialto ... more »

2013-06-10 08:19:27 (18 comments, 27 reshares, 327 +1s)

Here's an iPhone panorama (albeit a little wiggly) of tonight's sunset spot. I lerrrved the architectural rock features everywhere! Definitely another take on either sandy beach or volcanic lava rock landscapeage.

Thanks to +Dallas Nagata White and +Ed White for the find and for sharing it! Man, we have an awesome worldwide photo family!!

#hawaii #oahu #sunset #iphoneology #cliffs #landscape

2013-06-10 07:02:59 (16 comments, 5 reshares, 208 +1s)

Yeah, I know... I've been a little quiet. But for my final Hawaiian sunset, I'm joining +Toby Harriman, +Dallas Nagata White, +Ed White  and +Cole Yamane  for some stupendous, dramatic cliffs action!

Thanks and aloha to Ed for iPhone snapping this! Note to selves: never enter an iPhoneography competition with the man - he will CRUSH you!! hehheh.

#iphoneography   #hawaii   #sunset  

2013-06-08 02:05:03 (18 comments, 18 reshares, 273 +1s)

Took a little hikey-hike up to where I could look down on stuff just now. (I live in the mountains for a reason, don'tcha know!)

SO worth it! This is on the south-eastern side of Oahu, one of many lookout areas. It's got railings and all, but I guess they don't mind of you clamber up the volcanic rock mountainette beyond them! I didn't actually ask. ;))

This is a panoramic iPhone shot, processes in Snapseed...& includes a little WWII memorial at the top. You can see it over to the left. Someone keeps it up... it looks brand new. Imagine!

2013-06-07 21:02:21 (74 comments, 127 reshares, 1023 +1s)

Swimming for Sunset... Oahu, Hawaii
This photo represents a letting go and a new beginning of sorts for me, which I wrote about on my blog today: http://goo.gl/EopcQ. Just a little something I'm taking a deep breath and making a decision about... and talking about. Not something I often do. 

Aside from all that - this was another shot from last night. Kind of an "end of one day, beginning of a new one" representation. At least that's how I think of it. Blue hour definitely met sunset all in one breath! That, and all that beautiful water just does a thing. And the blues here are so gorgeous! Soothing, settling, happy-making. 

Now I'm gonna go out and find me some more!

2013-06-07 17:22:03 (62 comments, 113 reshares, 881 +1s)

Boards 'n Coconuts... Oahu, Hawaii
As I was photographing sunset this evening... OF COURSE I made sure to frame a few vertical shots for our frigging' gorrrrrgeous G+ vertical displays. I'm still kind of giddy over their towering awesomeness. Speaking of towering awesomeness... can we talk Palm trees for a minute? Good lord, I haven't hung out with them in awhile. Even my 14mm prime couldn't quite capture their whole scope! And they just swaaayyyyy in the breeze like Hollywood set pieces - or a Harry Potter motion post card. 

All in all, a good first evening here!

#Hawaii   #sunset   #palmtreesswaying   #surfboards   #oceanside  

2013-06-07 01:42:19 (35 comments, 61 reshares, 682 +1s)

Aqua For You... Point Lobos, CA
Its not quite Hawaii... but it'll have to do till I can get out and capture me some Aloha pixels! It's Point Lobos, California - and I posted about this photo just yesterday here: http://goo.gl/wGA7c.

Some of you have been throwing suggestions about where to shoot on Oahu - thank you! It always helps, especially when you only have a little time in a place. Of course, I'm consulting +Stuck On Earth too - but first hand reviews are ALWAYS the best!

Next stop over here: gonna see if I can find a nice Hawaiian punch sunset!

#pointlobos #bluelagoon #californiacoast

2013-06-06 19:34:02 (17 comments, 2 reshares, 73 +1s)

Where in the world am I? heehee!
I dipped under the radar for the past day...but I'm finally here in Hawaii! Meeting up with some peeps, DEFINITELY gonna capture some sights for us all to enjoy - and also catch up on some long overdue video editing. So many things in the works I can't talk about just yet!  I either need a herd of mini-me's to get 'em all done...or a long weekend in Hawaii where I can focus.

Guess which I chose!!! Wheeeee!

More soon...

2013-06-05 14:46:05 (44 comments, 78 reshares, 778 +1s)

The Red House Rock... Big Bend, California
I posted a new photo on my blog today: http://goo.gl/wGA7c. 
Of course, this is a new photo too... of a favorite spot of mine. I've photographed from here at various stages of the river... from roaring to a trickle, to completely dry, which it just about is now. Yikes!  

But this particular day featured a fantastic sunset when there still WAS a bit of agua moving through, which I just HAPPENED to catch on my way home from the Bay Area. You get to 'just happen' to catch stuff like that when you carry your camera in your car! I mention that, in case some of you aren't. But wait, none of YOU would do that... NOT have a camera handy in case something amazeballs happens? Hmmm? I didn't think so. ;))

Anyway, the sunset had just peaked, but the colors reflecting onto the rocks from the clouds still lingered. Iwa... more »

2013-06-07 00:23:46 (18 comments, 24 reshares, 289 +1s)

How 'Bout a Little Goose?... Truckee, California
You guys have NO IDEA how excited I get when the geese come back at the end of winter! There are 28 of them who return to use year after year. In spring (that's now for us), if they manage to have babies (they don't, always)... oh, I'm over the moon! 

Last year, a pair of geese had 4 babies. None of them made it. I was embarrassingly sad... and so were they. Although I don't think they were actually embarrassed by it. Geese are amaaaaaazing at family and community.  In 1972, Dr. Robert McNeish wrote this article about 'lessons we can learn from geese": http://goo.gl/2Sz7T. I watch his words unfold every day before my eyes... along with many he doesn't write about. 

This baby is the only one we've got this year. He (or she!) is strong, alert, fast and keeps close to his parents, who area s... more »

2013-06-04 03:33:15 (55 comments, 81 reshares, 954 +1s)

Glamorous... Lake Tahoe Region, California
Sometimes I amuse myself by imagining a highly unlikely association between two disparate things. Take this sunset, for instance. I find myself imagining it as a beautiful pashmina wrap. One-of-a-kind. So soft to the touch it's hard to believe it is of this world. The kind of wrap you arrange meticulously to look like it popped out of a J. Peterman catalog throw carelessly around your shoulders for an elegant (yet artsy) evening out. Everyone swoooooons and wants to know where in all of your mysterious and extensive travels you picked THIS beauty up. 

You look down as if you momentarily forgot what you were wearing and, seeming a little surprised, respond "What, this crazy thing?" Oh, I hardly remember. I think some prince or other gave it to me. Or maybe I found it at a bazaar in Istanbul. I'm not sure!"
more »

2013-06-03 20:54:13 (33 comments, 30 reshares, 367 +1s)

Look Up; It's Siena!... Siena, Italy
Visiting Siena was a dream come true.
Receiving traffic tickets almost a year later - not so dreamy.
Apparently I was speeding...? I think that's what happened, though it's really not clear.

I am clear that we were charged almost $200 to the rental car company for them to give the police our information... then over the past year the police have slowly gotten around to sending us the tickets we owe $$ for. Which is all electronic, including the citations themselves, so you never actually know that you've received.

I loved our visit with all my heart. But this is just one of those moments where I go "What planet am I from?"... since everyone seems to have known about how this all works but us. We will never forget now! It'll be awhile before we visit again though. Sigh.

#italy ... more »

2013-06-03 00:21:53 (28 comments, 26 reshares, 450 +1s)

Line Up For Gold... Truckee, California
Yesterday  +Joe Dolister, +Lisa Donchak and I were exploring the abandoned train tunnels above Truckee.  I posted it and the story behind it on my blog today: http://goo.gl/VmjlR. Here's the iPhone photo I posted yesterday: http://goo.gl/hJxVX). It's just always such a festival for the senses in there! Yummmm!

The water you see on the ground has seeped through the granite after the snowmelt. At this point where I took this photo - you are literally INSIDE the mountain! There are openings at various intervals... that's the light you see up ahead... and when you step outside into the bright light and warmth, it's a startling change from the chill, dark and damp of inside. Then you turn around and look up and see that, yes indeed - this tunnel travels right though solid granite. Trippy to the extreme!

2013-06-02 03:03:29 (14 comments, 5 reshares, 277 +1s)

Spent some time in the old abandoned train tunnels in Truckee today with +Joe Dolister and +Lisa Donchak. It was AWESOME!! Between the gorgeous graffiti, rock formations and reflections from puddles made from snow melt...kind of redonkulous!!

Are you listening, +Brian Matiash?? NOT BORING!!

This was taken with my iPhone 5... Can't wait to dig into the ones from my big girl camera!

2013-05-31 20:56:00 (39 comments, 56 reshares, 631 +1s)

River of Rainbows... Yuba River, California
I posted this one on my blog today: http://goo.gl/hW2gD... and of course told the story about how it came to be. I do loves me some happy accidents!

Note to selves: always carry your camera with you!!

But man, I can't wait till I can levitate and take pictures!

2013-05-31 19:12:08 (38 comments, 61 reshares, 561 +1s)

Heaven and Earth... Canyonlands, Utah.
When he said he would move heaven and earth for her... 
He meant it. And he did it. 
He was kind of magical that way. 
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Almost exactly a year ago this sight took my breath away. This is Canyonlands and it's truly big sky country. Not Big Sky Country... that's Montana. I mean big sky country, which can be anywhere the sky is really big. It's important to be clear. 

Anyway, it thought it wanted to rain. But it didn't, really... it just wanted to impress the hell out of me. Winning! 

#southwest   #Utah   #CanyonlandsNationalPark  

2013-05-31 00:24:31 (17 comments, 25 reshares, 436 +1s)

"The Boat House" - Burlington, Vermont
Zoom in full screen and check out all of the ice crystals.

2013-05-30 21:13:50 (15 comments, 13 reshares, 190 +1s)

Bee Balm, Be Calm... Truckee, California
You know that sweetly sweet, intimate feeling you get when you're really close to someone you love... so close you can feel their breath, sense their warmth, feel their heartbeat and their energy flowing? I love that. 

It's also what I love about shooting macro. You step into an private world that you'd never take the time to notice with your bare eyes. Or, depending on your vision, even be able to see! It's like opening a door to a brand new universe. Especially in the  morning when the dew is like gemstones of another world. It makes me want to whisper. And sigh.

Sigh. 

Taken with my Canon 100mm Macro f2/8 II on my very own back deck. Contrast, sharpen, done. The plant is Bee Balm. And when it grows up and has flowers all its own, I'll show ya the hummingbirds that come to visit! Wheeeee!!

2013-05-29 14:52:33 (67 comments, 111 reshares, 1028 +1s)

The Bay of Emeralds ... Lake Tahoe, California
I love a good story - and swoon over good "photo presentation". I muse about this on my blog today: http://goo.gl/D3bJF, and show a before/after of what I mean.  

It must be my performer background, but I just always seek the best way to make my point with a photo and tell the best story I know how to about what I saw that day. You know a great performance when you see one... the dancer/singer/skater/whatever puts their final stamp on the last note/move/landing and sends their intent soaring out beyond the finish. They've given their all - including that "extra something" all their own. 

So I always think about how I'm 'presenting' a photo.   It's like when I give a gift to a friend... and I want them to light up a little when I hand it to them. I'm probably not going to just handit ... more »

2013-05-29 14:21:10 (53 comments, 71 reshares, 708 +1s)

Sheepses in the Field... Paradise, New Zealand
Sheep in Paradise? I've often made, oh just a little fun of sheep. Their relative intelligence, their crowd mentality and, if I'm honest, their poo and how it sticks to your shoe for the rest of your life if you step in it. I wish I didn't know that last part. Sigh.

But this day... that whole elitist attitude came back to laugh and point derisively at me. Because guess who lives in New Zealand... and in this post card of a life? Sheepses, that's who. 

Sigh.

2013-05-28 17:17:46 (18 comments, 15 reshares, 280 +1s)

We 3 Pelicans... Truckee, California
I loves the pelicans that visit the little lake behind our house! Every year since we moved there in 2009, I get so excited at their return... and have pondered the best way to photograph and process them. This year, I finally hit upon what, to me, feels like the vibe that lets their image feel as mysterious, primal and otherworldly as they seem in real life. I posted them on my blog a few days ago too: http://goo.gl/c78N5. 

Me loves my pelicans!

2013-05-28 02:10:10 (18 comments, 39 reshares, 516 +1s)

Stunning awesomeness at Point Lobos today! IPhone 5ography with +Barry Blanchard, +Brian Matiash and +Laurie Rubin. And oh yeaahhhh, lots of DSLR photos too! Siigh

2013-05-27 22:15:21 (4 comments, 2 reshares, 119 +1s)

Here's the mighty +Brian Matiash shooting otters with +Barry Blanchard's mighty 500 mm. I thought video would be entertaining! Shot with my iPhone5. Wheeee!

2013-05-28 15:15:03 (40 comments, 65 reshares, 698 +1s)

Just Regular Hobbitses... Lake Hayes, New Zealand
I ponder the notion of HDR on my blog today: http://goo.gl/sQaxA. Mostly, I'm noting the narrowing lines of "is it or isn't it?" and what constitutes HDR these days.

With all the awesome processing tools and techniques we have now, can you even know for sure what you're looking at? From watching my own streams, I know the lines are blurred. Heck, even I can't tell sometimes!  It's so much fun!  Mostly I'm fascinated with artistic boundaries that shift and change - and people's responses to them. I'll be curious to hear your thoughts!

You can comment over there or over here - I read them all. 
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2013-05-28 15:14:22 (29 comments, 53 reshares, 697 +1s)

Simpler Days... Lake Hayes, New Zealand
In the midst of jetsetter power meetings, power suits and mega bazillion dollar deals, she'd think back to simpler days. When all she had to worry about was whether the little boat she'd sailed the lake all summer-day long was tied to the tree properly.  
It was hard to reconcile.
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I loved this photo, but it wasn't perfect. A little too much movement in the leaves. And yet - so Norman Rockwell era. Rather than tossing it, I decided to go with the vibe and process it differently than I usually do. It reminds me of art I saw on walls when I was kid. I don't even remember where, it's just a snapshot in my mind. The colors, the textures, the whole vibe was different.

Definitely different from my norm of late - but I like it! Wiggly leaves and all. Wanted to... more »

2013-05-26 04:57:51 (7 comments, 10 reshares, 295 +1s)

Heading to the airport after a whirlwind 24 hours in Los Angeles!! One of my BFF's is leaving KTLA as morning anchor to start a new chapter at CNN/NYC.

More on that soon.
For now, palm wave!!

An iPhone5/Snapseed creation. 

2013-05-25 02:48:41 (19 comments, 13 reshares, 386 +1s)

She Felt Edgy... Santa Cruz, California
She felt prickly, fractionated, a little on edge. 
Nothing seemed to satisfy...
her nerve endings felt too bright. 
Some thoughts were crisply in focus... others floated, too soft to recall. 
"That's it," she declared impatiently. "There's only one thing to do."
She dialed room service and ordered chocolate. 
Alot of it. Then danced until the wee hours of the morning. 
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Just a macro story, told to me by a proteus, recorded with Canon 100mm f2/8 II lens. Sometimes it's just about being a good listener. 

2013-05-24 15:27:18 (53 comments, 78 reshares, 822 +1s)

Soft Eyes and the Whole Picture... Sierra Nevada Mountains, California
I posted a new photo on my blog today: http://goo.gl/c78N5. And it's water-related! What are the odds? hehheh.

This is another of my older photos that benefitted from the new Auto Enhance. Not all do - but that's the beauty, you get to choose. One thing I like about it is that it'll give me a new idea. I find I have to refresh my eyes and mind sometimes. I have a "signature" way I like to process photos, but the trick is to keep fresh eyes. Sometimes I'll find myself doing the same thing over and over - which isn't all bad - but I like to keep changing up my own perceptions. My sister, who's an artist, used to look at her work in a mirror because she could see the stuff that needed fixing in it she couldn't see looking at it "normally". The altered perception helped... more »

2013-05-24 12:12:45 (124 comments, 107 reshares, 1059 +1s)

SuperCaliCloudulistic... Truckee, California
She liked to make up names for stuff. Codes names, she'd call them.
It was all fun and games until she forgot the real word. Inconvenient, but she'd just laugh and chalk it up to "ongoing authorship of the neverending story of her life". Creative writing, don'tcha know!
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This is an older photo - back when I had a camera that only shot 3 auto bracketed exposures. Just in case anyone wondered if 3's enough for a decent HDR photo. 
:D

#cloudscape   #landscapephotography   #reflectionphotography  

2013-05-23 22:43:42 (21 comments, 39 reshares, 471 +1s)

Paradise Creek Was In a Blue Mood... Paradise, New Zealand
When she didn't think anyone was looking, she liked to stream a little blue. Admittedly, she was caught in the act more than once. 
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Whilst in New Zealand, I drove gleefully all over the countryside with +Trey Ratcliff +Curtis Simmons and +Scott Kublin. We ventured through an area called "Paradise"... a name I thought to be a bit redundant. hahaha!

We made a stop to follow a creek upstream a ways - and while Trey made one of his tutorials about how to photograph in a forest (http://goo.gl/Pw2US) - I was trying to stay low and out of sigh. Apparently I failed, I discovered later. But I did capture some pretty stream moments, all blue and Paradise-y!

#landscape   #newzealand  

2013-05-23 09:41:32 (33 comments, 47 reshares, 519 +1s)

#1 Willow View... Queenstown, New Zealand
Boastful though she may be, Willow's lakefront view was more than just an address;  it was a gateway to wonder.
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Single shot, 24-70 f/2.8, .5 secs, f/20. Boom.

2013-05-23 02:09:49 (210 comments, 330 reshares, 1900 +1s)

Sherbet Sandwich... Big Bend, California
I was musing about HDR photography on my blog today: http://goo.gl/uS2Yf. I don't comment on the merits or demerits of HDR very often. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter what I think. Hashing something over and over that has no answer never seems productive to me. Doing that makes me feel like I'm wasting air I might need later on for something really important. So I usually step aside and let others have at it.

See, the whole conversation is all part of the greater concept of (what is and isn't) art. That discussion has been raging on for centuries and STILL hasn't been resolved to anyone's satisfaction. I'm big on resolutions. So I go about my business, making images that make me happy and sharing a bit about what I do to those who are interested. Seems like a good plan. 

But thent... more »

2013-05-22 17:06:31 (393 comments, 606 reshares, 3170 +1s)

Night Light... Donner Lake, 1am, Truckee, California

A good night light makes you feel safer. Lets you see in the dark. Is discreet and doesn't sear your eyeballs out of their sockets if you have to get up in the middle of the night and don't want to run into the door frame.

A good night light kisses you on the forehead and says quite tenderly; "It's time to sleep, sweet thing. Good night." And you always reply "'Night, light. Sweet dreams."

A good night light is timeless.

PS: have I mentioned lately much I LOVE the new G+ display of vertical photos? LOOOOVE!!!

2013-05-22 02:00:20 (11 comments, 7 reshares, 65 +1s)

Introducing Snapsation

Amongst the greatest human needs is the need to tell stories, to record memories, and to share our moments with the people who matter the most to us.

When you need an awesome dating profile picture, a business portrait, photos of your family reunion or milestone events. You need an amazing local photographer to help you to capture all of  life’s moments.

As a local business you want to show off how amazing your restaurant is, the decor in your Bed and Breakfast, to show off your beautiful store or great new products, to record your industry happenings and events.

Finding a photographer is intimidating. And harder than it should be.

Photographers need customers. No matter how experienced a photographer is, there never seems to be enough time to focus on getting new customers. And for the many passionate andta... more »

2013-05-21 22:33:54 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Natalie Villalobos is hanging out with 6 people right now in a live Hangout On Air! #hangoutsonair