Picture of the Day – Hoodoos

Welcome to Bryce Canyon National Park, where you will find the highest concentration of hoodoos in the entire world. There are hundreds of them pictured in this photo.

What’s a hoodoo, you ask? Here is the geological definition from Wikipedia:

A hoodoo (also tent rock, fairy chimney, earth pyramid) is a tall thin spire of rock that protrudes from the bottom of an arid drainage basin or badland. Hoodoos are composed of soft sedimentary rock and are topped by a piece of harder, less easily-eroded stone that protects the column from the elements.

The photo you see here is an immense concentration of hoodoos…so thick you can hardly differentiate one from another. It was very difficult to develop in post processing, and only when I applied a few selected filters was I able to bring them out a bit more.

I decided to try a black and white image as the hoodoos themselves are mostly orange with a little white thrown in here and there. I liked the result enough that I wanted to share it with you.

Sadly, I am limited by the blog as to the size of the photo I can use. But, like all photos in my blogs, if you click on the photo, you can see a larger version.

Picture of the Day – Thru Mesa Arch

As is my custom lately, I find myself experimenting with different filters in Photoshop. I came across an interesting photo I took of Mesa Arch in the Canyonlands National Park. I like the composition very much, but the lighting was just terrible that day.

I could have used some very elaborate filters to make it look like the light was fabulous, but just didn’t want to fake it. Instead, I came across a filter I had never used before. It’s called the “Polaroid Transfer” filter. Below, is a quick explanation of the real Polaroid Transfer process. A small number of artists and photographers use it to create interesting images.

It is one of those techniques that gives a different result every time. So I tried it on this image and it produced the image you see here. I really like this image as it made the colors so much more vivid and added some interesting ghostly effects.

The only other thing I did was change the contrast ration slightly. I did not want to do more as the real Polaroid Transfer process is not changeable. You get what you get, which is what I wanted to do here. And frankly, I like what I got!

Will try this one again in the future.

A Summary of the Polaroid Transfer Process from Wikipedia

Using a camera, enlarger, slide printer or Day Lab expose Polaroid film. You need pull-apart type film, such as Polaroid 669 (now discontinued, or Fuji FP100c, which is readily available). Develop by pulling the film from the holder. Wait about 10-15 seconds and quickly pull the film apart, not letting the two sides (the picture and the negative) touch. Put the pulled apart negative face down on paper (or other material). Place pressure over negative and let sit for about 20 minutes. Then pour hot water over each side of the negative/paper sandwich. Gently peel the negative from the paper. Allow transfer to dry, face up.

Postcard from Fredericksburg – Rebs

A few years ago, on this very weekend, I was in Fredericksburg, Virginia, touring this town, its Civil War battlefield, and other nearby famous Civil War sites. As it was Memorial Day, there were many re-enactors out in full uniform representing both sides of that bloody conflict.

Pictured here are Confederate soldiers, camped just outside of town along the Rappahannock River (which can be seen in the background). Across the river was another encampment of Union soldiers.

Here, in December of 1862, Union troops under the command of General Ambrose Burnside, gathered to assault the town. General Lee, was caught off-guard by the Union movement and was forced to rush reinforcements into the area. He was helped by Burnside who refused to cross the river until a shipment of pontoon bridges arrived from Washington, even though there was a way to cross the river without bridges. The bridges were late in arriving, giving Lee extra time to bring in his troops.

After the bridges were put in place, and under heavy rebel fire, Federal troops crossed over and eventually took the town, looting as they went. Lee withdrew on purpose, to force the Federals to attack uphill at a place called Marye’s Heights. They did and were mowed down mercilessly by Confederate Fire. Still, Burnside kept sending wave after wave of troops, 16 in all, to assault the heights, all of whom suffered the same fate. Finally, Burnside called off the assault and retreated back across the river.

There were other parts of this battle too numerous to mention here, but suffice it to say it was a disaster for the Union. Burnside was shortly replaced by General Joseph Hooker, who himself suffered a major defeat a few months later at nearby Chancellorsville. Seven months later, these two massive armies would meet again in Pennsylvania at a place called Gettysburg.

Two days after taking this photo, I also went to Gettysburg to round out my very special Memorial Day weekend. These places will forever be burned into my memory.

Picture of the Day – Three Amigos

I shot this photo recently at the Saguaro National Park West. It looks like three people standing close having a chat…only it is cacti. Just something about it grabbed my imagination.

The cloudy sky was a bonus that day, although I remember that it became all clouds shortly after this photo was taken. I took the original image and first applied a correction filter that also put down a slight darkening effect in the corners (called a vignette).

Then I converted it to black and white, applying more adjustments. Finally used another filter called “glow” which gave me an effect that I really liked. Did a little more magic on it and….voila! You see the results before you.

One of the fun parts of digital photography is playing around with different filters to see what you might get…and believe me…I love to play.

Postcard from Las Vegas – A Different Kind of Wildlife

I am not a wildlife photographer. It is not in my nature. But, I could not help photographing some of the beautiful animals in the Wildlife Preserve at the Flamingo Hotel. There are different kinds of unusual animals here including several different species of birds. Obviously, there are many Flamingos. The beautiful fish in the man-made stream are also worth a look.

The photo here shows a Grey Crowned Crane, a native of the African Savannah, south of the Sahara Desert. It also happens to be the National Bird of Uganda (no Idi Amine jokes here please). I can tell you from experience, it loves to pose for cameras.

If you are ever in Vegas and want to do something different, stop by and take a look at all the animals and wander around the beautiful grounds. There is even a restaurant with large windows right next to the preserve so you can enjoy the view while eating (please don’t order fowl…it would be sacrilegious and scares the animals).

Picture of the Day – Clouds over Soap Lake

I can’t recall if I mentioned it here, but I have spent a fair amount of time lately reorganizing and cataloging my rather large photo collection. Not only did it need it, but some of my newest software makes it almost a necessity to redesign the directory structure to make it more accessible.

One of the bonuses of doing this is I have come across many pictures that I had nearly forgotten…including this one. This is north end of Soap Lake, WA. It was one of those rare days where great light and beautiful clouds happily coincided to make a good image. Having the lake be so calm also helped, although about a minute after I shot this photo, a boat came along and ruined the reflections.

Never-the-less, it is one of my better images of Grant County, which was my home until last year. It brings back good memories. It also reminds me of why I take photos…to capture these kind of rare moments.

Postcard from Tucson – A Simple Bench

I found this bench, and a few others like it, underneath the University of Arizona campus. Yes, there is an underground campus, a proverbial maze of classroom and auditoriums that lie several feet underground. You will also find occasional open areas like this one…open to the sky where one can sit and enjoy the light, the beauty of plants and play of shadows.

I was intrigued by the shape, the form, and depth of this bench…and by the simplicity of the scene. A color image distracts the eye. Simple black and white is the best way to see it.

Now, you can observe the unique shape of the bench, and the nearly parallel lines on the seat that lead your eye into the distance. And you see the light and shadows as they play on this stage.

It is simplicity itself. And beauty.

Beauty is a pretty face
Beauty is a brand new vase
Beauty is lovely hair
Beauty is an oak wooden chair
Beauty is a graceful smile
Beauty is a great sense of style
Chizom Okpara

Postcard from Ephrata – Remembering the Garden

I happened to be browsing some of the many photographs that I’ve taken of Spring flowers and I came across this lovely image. In looking at it and the other photos taken the same time, I realized it was in our garden at the house in Ephrata.

Now, I don’t think about those days very much anymore as I mostly look forward and not into the rear view mirror. But, gazing at this flower, I remember how Susan put so much time and effort into making this garden a reality. I also remember the little time I got to spend in it before moving on. It was a nice place to mellow out and enjoy the colors of Spring. Would have liked to have had just a few more days there.

Our lives are like chapters in a good book…nice when you are there, but always moving forward to the inevitable conclusion. I don’t look back in sadness, but rather in joy for the time I was part of this chapter.

Regardless of the memories, I do like this photo very much. I don’t know the flower variety, but the leaves underneath make me think it is some sort of tulip.

Now I live in Tucson where we have a whole different version of Spring. Very soon, I will be sharing some photos and memories of my first Spring in the desert.

Postcard from Tucson – University Terraces

Sometime ago I promised more interesting photos from the University of Arizona campus…and I have not done a good job of living up to that promise.

So today, here is a view I see almost every time I go to a concert or visit an art gallery on campus. It is one view of a series of terraces built on different levels near the College of Fine Arts. You can’t see all the terraces from this photo, but it gives you the idea. Many have tables with umbrellas so you can sit and have your coffee or lunch among all the flora.

The strange looking blue racks on the left, are for bicycles. I wish I could tell you the type of cactus is in the foreground, but I am no plant expert and have not been able to find out on the Web. Maybe someone could help me??

The U has a great many interesting architectural features and will try from time-to-time to show you more. Really...I promise.

Postcard from Silver Falls – Wet Wildflower

I came here to capture the waterfalls with my camera. But it rained that day, and I noticed this beautiful wildflower standing alone in a green field just after a shower ended. Such a lovely sight.

Silver Falls State Park is in Oregon, about 25 miles east of Salem. Inside its boundaries lie ten waterfalls of varying sizes. Some can be seen from the road, others can only be accessed on foot. Regardless, it is some of the most beautiful country in the western US. If memory serves, I have shared a photo or two of the major falls here in this blog.

But, a good photographer must always be aware of the small as well as the large when visiting a place like this. And so I was and caught this image. I am not sure of the flower’s name…perhaps it is a foxglove. But, it doesn’t really matter. It is beautiful without a formal name and makes one wonder if someone else who was there that day noticed it also.

Postcard from Las Vegas – The Dancing Fountain

After yesterday’s blog showing the colorful umbrellas and my description of the fountain with live statuary dancers, I had a couple of Emails from folks wanting to know if I had any pictures of the dancers.

Well, I didn’t think I did, but upon further review (NFL Talk), I found one that my daughter Elisa took. It is the only one, so I thought I would share it today. You can’t quite see it in the photo, but the three dancers all have water spigots attached to their arms, so they appear to be small fountains inside the larger one. Very clever, to say the least.

If you are ever in Sin City, be sure and stop by the Palacio Hotel and enjoy this free show.

Postcard from Las Vegas - Umbrellas

Where else but Las Vegas would you see such an interesting use for umbrellas. I like this photo very much…and actually took it with my daughter’s camera as I had left mine in the hotel room.

This is in the Palaccio Hotel, which is right next door to the Venetian Hotel. The umbrellas are natural illuminated by the skylight and hang over a fountain…but no ordinary fountain.

During the day, three women dancers made up to look like fountain statuary, complete with water coming out of their bodies, perform dances inside the real fountain to classical music, moving very slowly. It is all quite interesting to watch, even when the performance ends, they slowly and rhythmically remove the water spouts and leave the “stage.”

Only in Vegas, right?

Postcard from the Canyonlands – Cowboys and Indians

As you may have gathered from past blogs about the Southwest…or perhaps from your own experiences, the heritage of the Native American Peoples is richly celebrated across the states that make up this special part of America. Much of it occurs in our National Parks, like the Canyonlands.

And while the Native American culture stretches back hundreds of years, there is a small recent period of time where American settlers came out west to conquer the land, and in the process, destroy much of the Native American culture. As time goes by, the conquerors of this land are trying to restore and preserve what remains of this culture for future generations.

But, the white man’s western experience is also celebrated here, much of it in urban locales like Tombstone, Bisbee, and others. For it was the white settlers that created the western cities, small and large, that are the centers of our culture.

But in Canyonlands National Park, in Southern Utah, both cultures are recognized for what they brought to this land. The first photo shows Newspaper Rock, a petroglyph panel etched in sandstone that records roughly 2,000 years of human activity in the area. Etched into the desert varnish are symbols' representing the Fremont, Anasazi, Navajo and Anglo cultures. It is on the way into the Needles section of Canyonlands.

The second photo shows Cave Spring Camp, just as it was found inside the park. It is preserved as a historic monument to the forces that also shaped this land and offers a brief insight into cowboy life one hundred years ago…when cattle and sheep ranching were the most important industries here.

The camp was first established around the turn of the century, but after 1918 when the Indian Creek Cattle Company was formed it gained particular prominence. Within ten years the company had become the largest cattle operation in Utah, with its headquarters at the Dugout Ranch just 15 miles east of the national park.

Just down from this site are additional alcoves in the rocks that served as bunkhouses. You will also find another alcove that houses a natural spring that provided water for the people that used this land over the centuries. As all this is desert country, water is a scare commodity.

It is a wonderful thing that all peoples and cultures that shaped this land are preserved and recognized for what they were, good or bad. It is our history and our heritage.