Sometimes I do seem to focus in on just one color, or other colors that are close in hue. Well folks, today just felt like a good day for ORANGE, so here it is.
Orange for its own sake


Sometimes I do seem to focus in on just one color, or other colors that are close in hue. Well folks, today just felt like a good day for ORANGE, so here it is.
Orange for its own sake
The railroad picture is from nearby at a 19th century Train Depot which is right out of the Wild West. I like going there because it’s usually not busy, which is the understatement of the year. There’s an old restaurant and hotel across the street, also dating from the 19th Century, and also feeling like Wyatt Earp should be stepping out any minute.
These are photographs that were taken all around the Santa Fe, New Mexico area. That brightly colored photo called “The Shed” was taken in a small village called Madrid, about 20 miles outside of town. It’s a charming, rural place that motorcyclists love to visit. You can see their “rides” parked all over town and always in great number. I like to cruise out there on the Honda, take some photos and have a nice lunch. It’s also fun to check out other people’s “cycles”.
As it is in most places, when the sun starts to go down, the colors and tones begin to soften. At the same time, the contrast can increase. At other times it can be hazey as fires from the West blow across the state. It doesn’t last for long, but that atmosphere delivers a different kind of light. Overall, the results are softer colors. I love seeing that too.
It’s pretty drab-looking around here lately. Soon all the Christmas decorations will be coming down and things will get even more drab. I guess there’s a kind of subtle beauty to that, ok. But I still want some color. Sometimes I even know that I want a specific color. Kind of like saying, “I’m in the mood for Italian food tonight.” Except I’d say, I’m really in the mood for bright green today. Fine. It makes me odd. That’s not exactly a “News Flash” to anyone who knows me!
I live out in a fairly wild place. And look who showed up this morning as I was washing the dishes. Talk about “going from the ridiculous to the sublime”! I keep one of those super-zoom cameras parked by the window for just such occasions. You don’t get the absolute best images, but I’ve enjoyed the extreme “reach” of these cameras.
This is a BIG bird. You can’t tell from here. But when he parks himself at the top of the Junipers, he takes up some real estate! Maybe he’s just all puffed up because it’s really cold out. This is why I live out here. I never cease to be stunned and inspired by who or what shows up, unannounced! Then they’re off. Goodbye. Do come back soon I say to them.
The sun was coming through these leaves this morning and it seemed like a great opportunity to try some Macro photography. I couldn’t get enough of this color. Maybe that is so because Winter is quite drab here—clothed in tones of brown and gray. The skies are still crystal clear and deep blue, but the land is soundly asleep. Maybe that’s just another reason why putting up Christmas lights is so popular. All that color is MOST welcome.
I used the Sony AR7II with the 50mm Macro lens. I think that’s a dynamic duo. I still have a long way to go, but I’m enjoying the journey. I hope you do too.
The photo of the wall with the tree right in the middle is the side of my house after a lovely snowfall. Traditional art-wisdom says “Never put anything in the dead center.” But there are times when that is exactly what works best. There are times, by the way, when choosing a symmetrical composition is therapeutic. Try it out for yourself. It can be quite comforting.
Well, I did say that this site is all about color for color’s sake. I am trying to hone my Macro photography skills. The camera I’m using, and the lens, are both wonderful. Let’s see if the operator (me) can measure up! Fun, but not easy.
I’ll be posting more quite soon because this subject is irresistable.
I don’t normally post images this often, but I’m so excited about this aspect (color!) of my two websites, that I couldn’t stop myself. So here we go. Enjoy your visit. Be safe everyone and have a nice drink of color.
Being able to post images in color, or even just to be able to think about color, has really expanded my photographic adventures. Now, when I bring my images home to review them in PhotoShop, it’s double the fun and discovery. It just seems like in these somewhat dreary times, color really hits the spot!
Some might refer to this as macro photography. I never know where to draw the line between “macro” and “close up”. Everything here is from my garden, except for that gorgeous bumpy pumpkin. I get my annual pumpkin-requirement from a local church. They give over their entire parking lot to pumpkins, literally hundreds of them, of all sizes, shapes and colors. Locals have given it the name of The Pumpkin Church.