CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-10 01:55:39 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

The phone sounds interesting, it'll also be interesting to see if Amazon can pull it off.

2013-04-16 18:19:18 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Enjoying Makena Beach, Maui with my wife while on a long overdue vacation. Thankfully she's a great sport when my camera is out!

2013-04-13 07:27:47 (5 comments, 3 reshares, 20 +1s)

Carson, Washington in the Columbia River Gorge between the showers yesterday.

Copy/Paste the following into your introduction:
#landscapephotography +Landscape Photography +Margaret Tompkins +Carra Riley +paul t beard +David Heath Williams +Bill Wood +Jim Warthman +Ben T +jeff beddow +Tom Hierl  +Vishal Kumar  +Michael Blyde  +Carolyn Lim  +Steve Gould  +Jay Gould

#HQSPLandscape +HQSP Landscape by  +Rodolfo Seide +Johnny Minor +Terrie Gray +Nicolai Neijhoft and +Lani Banadera

+#PacificNWfriday Curated by +Bob Harbison  #pacificnwfriday   #pacificnorthwest   #washingtonstate   #columbiarivergorge   #landscapephotography  

2013-04-13 03:43:19 (14 comments, 5 reshares, 26 +1s)

The blossoms of Hood River Valley, Oregon. Taken yesterday while out for a drive with my step-daughter +karla kultemberg. 

It was a nice day, a little chilly in the higher elevations, perfect for me but a little cold for her since she's acclimated to a warmer climate. We made it over to Panther Falls in Washington as well as Bonneville Dam to see the fish ladder and hatchery.

+#PacificNWfriday curated by +Bob Harbison 

#landscapephotography +Landscape Photography +Margaret Tompkins +Carra Riley +paul t beard +David Heath Williams +Bill Wood +Jim Warthman +Ben T +jeff beddow +Tom Hierl  +Vishal Kumar  +Michael Blyde  +Carolyn Lim  +Steve Gould  +Jay Gould

#HQSPLandscape +HQSP Landscape by  +Rodolfo Seide +Johnny Minor +Terrie Gray +Nicolai Neijhoft and +Lani Banadera

2013-04-07 15:02:16 (16 comments, 1 reshares, 31 +1s)

Cedar Creek Grist Mill in Woodland, Washington

2013-04-06 22:08:23 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Four of my books for free:

https://www.yousendit.com/download/WUJZZUNndWNlaFRMYnRVag

The Macintosh Way
What the Plus!
Database 101
The Computer Curmudgeon

2013-04-06 19:07:15 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 9 +1s)

The bustle of Pike Place in Seattle Washington.

2013-03-26 16:40:31 (14 comments, 10 reshares, 27 +1s)

I took this a few weeks ago while out shooting with my buddy +Kevin Childress.

I started to process it the following day but just wasn't feeling it (if you know what I mean). I thought the photo had potential but I just wasn't extracting it. I kept returning to it every few days and each time I just wasn't making it work. I almost gave up, thinking it was just to contrasty to work. A few days ago I finally "felt it" and everything just came together into the image below. In the end I'm glad I kept at it, I taught myself some new techniques AND I'm satisfied with the end result, what more could I ask for! 

Does that ever happen to you?

#HQSPLandscape +HQSP Landscape by +Ara MO +Rodolfo Seide and +Johnny Minor 

#landscapephotography +Landscape Photography +Margaret Tompkins +Carra Riley +paul t beard +David Heath Williams +BillWood ... more »

2013-03-20 16:22:35 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Powerful Calm

Lower Panther Creek Falls on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge seems to exist as an oxymoron. On one hand you are surrounded by an incredibly tranquil landscape, while on the other hand you can feel and sense the power of Mother Nature at her utmost intensity. In addition to the roar of the water coming over the falls there are also fallen trees everywhere you look! Big ones, small ones and everything between, trees are everywhere. 

I'm not really sure why there are so many fallen trees in the area. If you know the answer to the mystery please let me know!

#landscapephotography +Landscape Photography +Margaret Tompkins +Carra Riley +paul t beard +David Heath Williams +Bill Wood +Jim Warthman +Ben T +jeff beddow +Tom Hierl  +Vishal Kumar  +Michael Blyde  +Carolyn Lim  +Steve Gould  +Jay Gould

2013-03-17 03:30:06 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 25 +1s)

One of many dilapidated, abandoned houses in the Columbia River Gorge. This one is adjacent to the shuttered Broughton Lumber Mill on the Washington side.

2013-03-16 02:29:53 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 19 +1s)

Panther Creek in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest of southern Washington

2013-03-09 06:49:49 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Took the wife up to Timberline for a drive and glass of wine (shhh don't tell), I couldn't resist these awesome looking clouds before stepping into the lodge

2013-03-01 08:43:08 (19 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

On the trail again......

On the trail to Upper Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge a few days ago. 

Latourell Falls is the first of many roadside waterfalls while driving east from Portland, because it's so easily accessible, most people never venture past the lower falls. Too bad because there's plenty to see above the main waterfall, the trail to the upper falls is decorated handsomely with numerous fallen trees in various stages of decay.


#pacificnwfriday  +#PacificNWfriday curated by +Bob Harbison 
 
#landscapephotography  +Landscape Photography curated by +Margaret Tompkins +Carra Riley +paul t beard +David Heath Williams +Bill Wood +Jim Warthman +Ben T +jeff beddow +Tom Hierl +Vishal Kumar +Michael Blyde +Carolyn Lim +Steve Gould +Jay Gould  

2013-03-01 08:31:16 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

On the trail to Upper Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge a few days ago. 

Latourell Falls is the first of many roadside waterfalls while driving east from Portland, because it's so easily accessible, most people never venture past the lower falls. Too bad because there's plenty to see above the main waterfall, the trail to the upper falls is decorated handsomely with numerous fallen trees in various stages of decay.

2013-02-28 21:04:09 (2 comments, 3 reshares, 15 +1s)

Found this fallen tree on the trail to Upper Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge a few days ago. The dry winter we've had hasn't been good for photo ops so far. Not only are things not greening yet, the fallen leaves from the past autumn have not decayed like usual because of the drier than normal conditions. This has left the gorge a little brown and lifeless compared to what I've become accustomed to.

2013-02-26 07:02:00 (6 comments, 2 reshares, 17 +1s)

Foothills of Mt Hood

Anyone else catch some of that amazing light this afternoon?

I was on my way up to Jonsrud Viewpoint hoping something would pop when it did! I had about another mile to go when the light emerged and knew I didn't have much time.

I frantically looked for any halfway decent scene I could find when I stopped to shoot this. I hopped back in the car and quickly drove to the viewpoint. Just as I was arriving an incredible rainbow emerged from around the corner. The rainbow was the widest rainbow I'd ever seen and appeared to originate from the Sandy River just below the viewpoint. I quickly drove the 50 or so feet, turned into the parking space, unloaded my gear, and........it was gone! The light and the rainbow were gone! I missed it by seconds (okay maybe a minute to setup).
I'm really not sure how the light would have looked from the... more »

2013-02-26 06:24:44 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 20 +1s)

After picking up my wife from school today we took a short drive up the hill hoping to catch some good light and then a bite to eat. Since it'd been raining off and on I really didn't have high hopes but was pleasantly surprised when an incredible light emerged. I was frantically looking for anything worthy of a photo knowing the light could be gone as quickly as it came.

What seemed an eternity was actually only about a minute before I finally came across this scene, I actually stopped to take a picture across the street from this, when I finished, I turned around and saw this. I really wanted to be at the viewpoint about a mile ahead and was hoping the light would last, so hurried, got in the car and drove to the viewpoint.

Just as we were almost there, an incredible rainbow came out, it had the biggest base of any I had ever seen. It was originating just below the viewpoint... more »

2013-02-15 09:14:49 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Ivone with Roberta Flack

I surprised my wife with a Roberta Flack concert for Valentines Day, Ms. Flack Surprised us when she appeared in a vehicle before driving away after the concert. Thankfully she was kind enough to allow me to take a photo of her and Ivone!

In case you wondering, the concert was great. She played with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland.

2013-02-15 00:55:59 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Sitting Shotgun

2013-02-14 03:10:47 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Went down after work to pick up a new Tokina 11-16mm f2.8, while driving home I couldn't pass up the opportunity to grab a few shots of the awesome clouds passing overhead.

Early tests look very promising. I really struggled between this and the Nikon 10-24mm DX lens, although I really wanted the zoom range of the Nikon I could see a difference in clarity and color on the camera's LCD with the Tokina, I figured if I could see it on that little screen it's just got to be even better on the big screen.

2013-02-13 04:09:48 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Duck, Duck...........GOOSE!

2013-02-13 17:28:49 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

I've always loved Rock!

2013-01-15 08:56:48 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 13 +1s)

Glorious Growth

A duotone celebrating the texture and tones of Mother Nature.




#HQSPMonochrome by +HQSP Monochrome +Blake Harrold +Luis Vivanco 113408942588672463601 and +Trever McGhee

#MonochromeMonday +Monochrome Monday by +Hans Berendsen +Jerry Johnson +Manuel Votta +Nurcan Azaz +Steve Barge

2013-01-06 06:50:28 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

Open to all areas of critique.I want to go back and do a re-shoot but am looking for advice before I do.

 There was a 30 mph wind blowing so you will see a lot of motion blur in the trees, I am aware of it. I am also aware of the "halo" on the upper left, I'm pretty sure that it's due to the de-ghosting selection I made but am looking for advice on how to deal with it, first off a hint about how to avoid it, secondly a way to deal with it after the fact. Also, the sky in general has a muddy appearance which happens to me more often than not.

Using Photomatix Pro 4.0

2013-01-02 07:11:06 (12 comments, 8 reshares, 30 +1s)

Happy New Year to all!

Hood River Valley

Driving to Mt Hood for a play-date in the snow with my wife +Ivone Kruse, I couldn't help but to turn the car around to capture this scene. It was the only landscape photography I did that day, but since she bought me a brand new tripod I just had to show her how much I loved the gift!

 Seriously though, she is a wonderful sport about my photography, and because of this, I generally avoid abusing her tolerance by not giving my camera more attention than her, thankfully she loves my camera when it's pointed at her so we got a lot of fun shots of her playing in the snow with our daughter Karla.

+Landscape Photography  #landscapephotography  +Margaret Tompkins +Carra Riley +paul t beard +David Heath Williams +Bill Wood  and +Jim Warthman 

+WideWednesdayPanorama  #widewednesdaypanorama by +Ken... more »

2013-01-02 06:57:59 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Happy New Year to all!

Hood River Valley

Driving to Mt Hood for a play-date in the snow with my wife +Ivone Kruse, I couldn't help but to turn the car around to capture this scene. It was the only landscape photography I did that day, but since she bought me a brand new tripod I just had to show her how much I loved the gift!

 Seriously though, she is a wonderful sport about my photography, and because of this, I generally avoid abusing her tolerance by not giving my camera more attention than her, thankfully she loves my camera when it's pointed at her so we got a lot of fun shots of her playing in the snow with our daughter Karla.

2013-01-02 06:48:04 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

Happy New Year

Hood River Valley

Driving to Mt Hood for a play-date in the snow with my wife +Ivone Kruse, I couldn't help but to turn the car around to capture this scene. It was the only landscape photography I did that day, but, since she bought me a brand new tripod I just had to show her my appreciation! Seriously though, she is a wonderful sport about my photography, and because of this, I generally avoid giving my camera more attention than my her (that and the fact she's the jealous type)!

2013-01-01 01:23:54 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Happy New Year to everyone! 

My name is +Kenneth Kruse but my friends call me Ken. I posted something to the community a few days ago without properly introducing myself. The photo below is the admistrator's house at Edgefield Manor, the old Multnomah County Poor Farm in Troutdale, Oregon. Yes children, they really did have poor farms back in the day! Not only that but it's said to be haunted also!

The property was almost demolished before being bought and refurbished by the McMenamin brothers who turned it into a destination hotel. All McMenamin's establishments have a storybook feel to them which just begs for some HDR representations, here is one of mine.

In case your not familiar with Troutdale, Oregon it's right at the west end of the Columbia River Gorge. I took this on Saturday with a Nikon D5100
and 18-55mm kit lens at f/11 and ISO 100. It is 3e... more »

2012-12-31 22:03:31 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

#HQSPYesWeCan make this world a better place
Let us avoid negative, arrogant and noisy people
Let us unite, positive, modest and wise people
Let us help as much as we can all those in need
May there be freedom for men, women, children and animals
May there be a fair share of knowledge and welfare
May we respect all those who are different from us
May we all refuse to send our children to silly wars
May we quietly, non-violently and wisely act
May we open our hearts, spread and be guided by love
May we succeed to keep our dignity in all circumstances
May we stop producing stuff that affects our health
May we learn how to cure deseases and relieve the pain
May we demand and elect governments based on this values
♥♥♥♥love you even more for sharing my words♥♥♥♥

2012-12-29 09:53:10 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 19 +1s)

Took this in the summer while at the coast with my wife +Ivone Kruse. I had a malfunctioning lens that I didn't notice until I got home, needless to say most of my photos looked pretty bad so I never really looked through them all until tonight.

I've since got a new lens and am getting better shots now.

+Landscape Photography  #landscapephotography  by +Margaret Tompkins

  #sunsetsaturday   #oregoncoast   #oregon  
 
+#PacificNWfriday #pacificnwfriday   by +Bob Harbison 

2012-12-29 08:37:57 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 44 +1s)

Corbett Country Market
Corbett, Oregon

Anyone who has driven the Historic Columbia River Highway will surely recognize this local landmark. Not only does the market sell awesome custom smoked salmon, it is also the only gas station between Troutdale and Cascade Locks! 

The market is not just a tourist trap, it also serves the locals quite well. Any weekday morning you will see locals coming in grabbing coffee and food before heading off to work, while on weekends your likely to see local children walking away with snacks and treats.

2012-12-29 03:16:31 (15 comments, 1 reshares, 20 +1s)

Corbett Country Market
Columbia River Gorge

Anyone who has driven the Historic Columbia River Highway will surely recognize this local landmark. Not only does the market sell awesome custom smoked salmon, it is also the only gas station between Troutdale and Cascade Locks! 

The market is not just a tourist trap, it also serves the locals quite well. Any weekday morning you will see locals coming in grabbing coffee and food before heading off to work, while on weekends your likely to see local children walking away with snacks and treats.

+#PacificNWfriday  #pacificnwfriday  +Bob Harbison 

2012-12-22 20:46:47 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Release of HQSPYesWeCan Circle of positivism!
Please read this message this can make a huge difference to you!

Our HQSP motto, sharing beauty, kindness and wisdom has inspired tens of thousands of people around the world. This has brought me to become the most popular person on G+ according to +CircleCount statistics.

This is a huge statement from you to the G+ community, you have shown what you prefer and is a really message of hope and trust for a better world. Thank you ALL so much for making this happen.

A large community of people around Rinus Bakker and HQSP pages and events, where beauty, kindness and wisdom are the core values, is spreading hope and positivism everyday.

We call out to you to join our journey to a better world! Joining us in this effort will improve your daily G+ experience and might even make you a happier person.more »

2012-12-21 15:41:11 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

A quiet autumn moment on a mountain lake - Reflections of Aspen. 

2012-12-20 04:47:51 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 11 +1s)

Zoolights at Oregon Zoo in Portland

I took this shot about 15 minutes before it started snowing Monday night, first snow of the year! The snow didn't last long but we got a little more in the morning. 

5 handheld vertical shots on a Nikon D5100 18-55mm at 18mm, 1/25th sec f/3.5 ISO1600. Stitched in Hugin.

+WideWednesdayPanorama  #widewednesdaypanorama +Ken McMahon +David Heath Williams 
  #portlandoregon   #oregon   #zoolights  

2012-12-19 03:43:32 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

"To me, this reads like a full-fledged back peddle," said Olds. "The original policy made it clear that they have a full license to do pretty much whatever they want with user images... It looks like the user revolt was successful -- at least so far."

The fact they even thought about it has me determined to see them fail completely and irrevocably. We the people need to send a loud and clear message to never try anything like this again. Dump Instagram AND Facebook now!

#instagram   #facebook   #bitemefacebook  

2012-12-18 21:53:15 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

An excellent article on image organization using Adobe Lightroom. +Phil Nelson has done a wonderful job thinking this through and writing it up, he also happens to have a very nice blog to check out while you're at it!

2012-12-17 23:49:46 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Great Photographers With < 5,000 Followers

The photographers here are all in my personal circles.  The choices are mine and mine alone.  No one asked, begged, or pleaded to belong.  No bribes were offered or accepted.  These are the people that I follow because I appreciate their great quality photography and their interaction.  Most I have met as I help curate several of the photography themes.  There are NO requirements to share this circle.  I would appreciate the people in this circle plus the post, leave a comment, and share the circle as public.  

Each profile has been verified by me.  Most have < 5,000 followers (when they were put intothe circ... more »

2012-12-15 20:46:37 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

The Vista House above The Columbia River Gorge

The old hwy is closed at Larch Mountain road on the west, all the way to Bridal Veil State Park on the east. The National Park Service lists the road as the "oldest scenic highway in America.", apparently she is in need of some loving attention so that she may continue carrying passengers as she has done for nearly 100 years!

The photo was taken at the Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint,  located just west of the closure in Corbett. If you really enlarge the photo you can see a vehicle parked at the Vista House, I'm guessing it's a construction workers car but perhaps they've opened the road from the east. 

2012-12-15 08:07:50 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

The Vista House on top of Crown Point in the Columbia River Gorge

Taken yesterday after work, made it up there just before sunset.

#pacificnwfriday  +#PacificNWfriday by +Bob Harbison 
+Landscape Photography  #landscapephotography  by +Margaret Tompkins +Tom Hierl +Bill Wood 
#forestfriday  by +Rudolf Vlček 

2012-12-12 19:37:11 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

A beautiful shot of this waterfall by +Kevin Childress! I love the composition and exposure on this one!

2012-12-12 06:24:15 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

I always loved the way HDR makes cars shine! Found this little baby in a park by the river, the owner drives it everyday despite the blown 454 small block drinking large amounts of fuel!

3 handheld exposures at +1, 0, -1 processed in Photomatix Pro with additional work in Photoshop CS3 .

2012-12-12 06:05:47 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

I have nothing to say, I'm speechless!

2012-12-12 03:57:21 (4 comments, 2 reshares, 25 +1s)

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

a 3x3 panoramic, 3 shots, 3 exposures each at +2,0,-2, batch processed in Photomatix Pro and stitched in Photoshop CS3.

2012-12-08 05:41:02 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 11 +1s)

Came home from work Wednesday and had just enough time to go in, get my camera, and walk out to the lake next to my house to capture an amazing sunset.

Unfortunately there wasn't much to compose, and the utility poles and wires are quite distracting but it was still pretty. These are the kind of sunsets you hope happen while your in an awesome location, sometimes you just gotta take them while you can!

#sunsetsaturday   #sunsetphotography   #sunsetsunday  

2012-11-25 02:48:59 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Massive Stumps on the Oregon Coast

+SilhouetteSaturday +Naila Ziani  #silhouettesaturday  

 

2012-11-24 20:35:28 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 9 +1s)

Size Matters

This storm ravaged tree is at least as big as a double length tractor trailer, maybe even a triple. It is surreal standing next to it knowing that it was likely hundreds of years old, and, that it was likely taken down and carried out to sea by a strong Pacific storm. It's hard to imagine though, just how long she drifted in the sea before landing here. It's also hard to know just how long she'll be here before the tide carries her off again, perhaps to a distant land, far, far away.

Quirky Nature ~ #quirkynature (Saturday & Sunday)
Curator(s): +Carissa Braun 
G+ Page: +Quirky Nature 

2012-11-20 07:13:45 (9 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)

Mt Hood from Lost Lake

According to Wikipedia there are at least 19 Lost Lakes in the state of Oregon. This Lost Lake is in Hood River County and is arguably the most beautiful of them all!

+Landscape Photography Curated by +Margaret Tompkins  #landscapephotography  

+Mountain Monday    #mountainmonday  Curated by: +Michael Russell 

+#PacificNWfriday Curated by +Bob Harbison  #pacificnwfriday  

#mountainphotos   #mountains   #oregon  

2012-11-18 23:15:36 (3 comments, 3 reshares, 4 +1s)

Bridge of the Gods

Another view of the Bridge of the Gods. See my earlier post for more information.

#bridgesaroundtheworld  +#BridgesAroundTheWorld +Carra Riley 

2012-11-18 22:39:32 (4 comments, 3 reshares, 8 +1s)

A powerful tug boat guiding the transport of cargo down the mighty Columbia River that separates Oregon and Washington states.

+#PacificNWfriday  #pacificnwfriday   #pacificnorthwest  +Bob Harbison 

+Landscape Photography  #landscapephotography  +Margaret Tompkins 
+Carra Riley +David Heath Williams +paul t beard +Bill Wood +Jim Warthman +Ben T +jeff beddow +Jeannie Danna +Tom Hierl +Vishal Kumar