Garden

Sunday Vibes – After the Rain

/ Donna Robinson Photography / 8 Comments

We’ve had a lot of rain, here, lately. I’m not complaining because it has been a much-needed relief. I just hope that it doesn’t come back to bite us in June and July. We shall see. Despite the rain, we’ve managed to get our daily 8 – 9-mile walks in. Yes, there have been a few times where we’ve had to either duck for cover or just walk it out.

At the beginning of the trail we take there are two (2) magnolia trees growing wild. They’re not massive but large enough that they are producing some beautiful blooms. You can tell the trees have been there a while by all the brown leaves on the ground.

Earlier this week I noticed they were blooming and made a mental note of how pretty they were and to take some photos on the way back.

This was one of the days when the rain caught up with us. We were a little soaked when we returned, but I didn’t mind when I saw how pretty the magnolia leaves were with the rain droplets.

Ultimately, I had a vision for this photo and that was to convert it into a dreamy black and white image. I’m still learning Affinity photo, but I feel pretty good about how this conversion turned out. What do you think?

The original images were taken with my Samsung Galaxy Note Phone, so I’ll be linking to Journeys with Johnbo Cell Pic Sunday as well.

Until next time,

~donna

31 Days of July – Photography Challenge – Day 6

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Day 6 – Macro Photography. This was a little challenging getting just the right shot. I won’t even tell you how many images I took today. But, then again, that’s what this challenge is about, patience and practice.

When I brought it into Photoshop elements, I cropped it slightly, changed the background to black and applied the Orton Effect. I could probably go back in and clean up some of the edges a little more, but overall, I’m happy with the results.

Field Notes: Focal Length – 35mm; Exposure 1/85 sec; f32; ISO 1250

Until next time,

~donna

Macro Monday – Reflections of a Limelight Hydrangea

/ Donna Robinson Photography / 4 Comments
Macro Monday – Reflections of a Limelight Hydrangea

“Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lens Artist Challenge #350 – Zooming

/ Donna Robinson Photography / 8 Comments

Anne challenges us this week with one of my all-time ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) techniques……Zooming. It’s fun, challenging and the results can be quite spectacular. You can learn more about the specific technique in Anne’s post.

It’s been a while since I played around with zooming, so when Anne’s challenge came out, I took the opportunity to take some new images. It took me a couple of shots to get the hang of it again, but I really like how these Lilypad images turned out.

In the first image below, I like how a single leaf is in focus and the rest of the leaves show increasing movement from there.

Creatively cropping your images can also give you some added depth and movement. The image below reminds me of a kaleidoscope.

There are so many fun things you can do when editing your zooming images. In the photo below, I applied the “Orton Effect” and also added a little more blur. I like the brighter, dreamy look to the image on the right.

For my last image, I have cropped it a little differently and applied a “watercolor” texture. I feel like I’m in the middle of a wheat filed with the one on the right.

Thank you, Anne for the reminder of this fun technique. I can’t wait to keep applying it to other photos.

Ritva leads next week so be sure you’re subscribed to her site The World as I See It when she posts the challenge Saturday, noon EST.

Until next time,

~donna

Lens Artist Challenge #345 – My Go to Places

/ Donna Robinson Photography / 9 Comments

It’s a new week of the Lens Artist Challenge and John from Travels with JohnBo has us sharing our “Go to Places” for photography (you can read John’s original post here). It’s a wonderful theme and one that I didn’t have to think too much about, because really any place I have my camera becomes my “go to place.” But specifically, my “go to place” is anywhere I can be outside connecting with nature.

It can be in a garden enjoying the blooms and color while watching the birds and insects gathering food and nectar:

Macro Photography of a Sunflower with a Bug
Bee Pollenating on Rododendron

It can be a walk in the park on a Fall Day enjoying the crisp air and changing colors of the leaves:

IMG 8175

Or walks along the beach taking in the salt air and ocean breezes.

So where is your “Go to Place” when you need inspiration?

Many thanks to John for this wonderful challenge. Next week, Sofia will host. Be sure to follow her here so you don’t miss her post, which will go live next Saturday at noon Eastern time. 

Until next time.

~donna

“It’s the Sweet, Simple Things…..”

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I couldn’t agree more. Don’t stress over the complicated things in life. Keep it sweet and simple.

Are you treasuring the sweet and simple things in life?

~donna

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Bird Watcher or Watcher of Birds?

/ Donna Robinson Photography / 4 Comments

I’m not a “bird watcher” per se. I don’t run around in the park chasing birds with binoculars in tow, stretching my neck around trying to catch a glimpse of that unique, rare species which can only be found in the wetlands of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Actually, I find myself a little perplexed when I see the bird watchers because all they seem to be doing is looking, pointing and scribbling notes but not taking any photos of what they see. But, hey. I’m sure I look a little goofy at times running around with my camera gear hanging off my shoulders, squatting or standing on a ledge to get just that right perspective for the shot.

Having said all of this I do like to sit in our backyard and watch the birds………with my glass of wine and camera armed and ready. It’s something Michael and I enjoy during the warmer evenings of the year. And, if I’m honest with myself these “bird watching” sessions have provided some wonderful photo ops like these from the other evening:

It’s both relaxing and challenging at the same time. I’m always perched on the edge of my chair, constantly checking my camera settings with the ever-changing bird activity and lighting.

So, I guess you could say I fall into the “bird watching” category. Maybe it’s time I brushed up on the different bird species in the area and join up with a bird watching group. Nah, I’ll just hang out with our backyard wildlife.

So, what about you? Are you a “bird watcher” or “watcher of birds?”

Until next time,

~donna

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