Gate with Snow on Rose Bushes 2/226/2015

The left photo is a pencil sketch done in PSE 11. The original B & W HDR image was first given a blue color in Photoshop Express app filter "winter"  within the iPhone 5s as depicted in right image. This gives the image a cool feeling and typical of the lighting you may see very early morning.  This meant I did not have to get up at 6:30 a.m to capture this lighting. I got out about 8:30 a.m. EST.  I straightened, cropped, increased the midtones and sharpened in PSE 11.  Greensboro got about 5-6" of snow Wed. night.  Will be trimming those rose bushes this spring.                                               

?Ceremonial Doll hanging on a Crepe Myrtle Shrub

A few days ago I found something a little differnt in a driveby while on an errand. No person availabler to ask about the significance. Did someone die or get killed? I don't think it has been there since Halloween as I have been this way recently. Dress was not tattered and face of doll no weathered look either. I am calling it a ceremonial doll. I am posting one with a head shot and one with the full lenth dress. It was hanging from a leafless crepe myrtle shrub. It was overcast which goes with giving somber feeling to the image. I played around with some filters to lighten and sharpen. Vignette applied on the full length dress version.

Snow @ Night - Maple Tree, Neighbor's house

OK we have some real snow that is sticking to the branches. It started about 9:30 pm. It is after midnight. Wanted to test my iPhone for some night photography. So, posting an image of my maple tree under the street lamp and my neighbor's house. We probably have an inch. Predicting 7-9 inches.  Taken near Rankin St., GSO, NC. No editing.  Sent directly from my iPhone.  For the tree there was enough lighting but for Karen's house increased the brightness with the exposure which shows digital noise in the sky.

Planning to be out tomorrow to capture more snow images in the neighborhood.  Depending on status

of snow/ice, may try some other cameras besides the iPhone.  

Snow on Camillia Leaves in February

Yesterday we had about an inch of snow in the Triad. I just didn't see much that would make a great landscape photo. Furthermore, lots of wrecks with road conditions and native NC residents do not know how to handle driving in snow and ice well. So, I took a picture of my camellia foliage which had snow clinging to the leaves. This was taken later in the afternoon. I left in HDR mode which makes more black and higher contrast, but used the Noir filter in the "native camera app" to make B & W when I actually shot the image. I thought it did a pretty good job and I may be able to use for texture at a latter time when I get into trying to do collages. I cropped and found filter in Pixlromatic that might work for a Christmas card background with an image of my grandchildren.. Some of their filters are too way out with bokeh and I would not use blue and yellow as that is U of M colors and I am an OSU buckeye. Did not see and Scarlet and Grey. .

Pavolova - New Zealand Dessert H.S.A. Culinary

Pavolova is a famous dessert in New Zealand. Our H.S.A. member, Caryl Talcott, made this for our culinary group 2 weeks ago. She was originally from New Zealand. Had to use overhead ceiling lighting and used HDR mode. Minimal editing, i.e. cropping, sharpening. It was delicious. It is difficult to see the meringue crust. I have made a fruit pizza which can be a cookie crust or thin cake crust. I like to decorate with edible flowers --violas are great this time of year. Kiwi is a major fruit in NZ as are bananas. Bon Appe'tit!!

Globe Thistle - Fake Sun Flare

I found some globe thistles at a grocery store and got permission to photograph them. I did not feel that gave me license to re-arrange...and so I shot with the celleophane wrapper in place. I knew I would not have time to take pictures at home due to time constraints. It was overhead lighting and the flare actually looks like it could be a hazy sun peaking behind them. (A serendipity moment I did not see until I looked at the monitor.) There was another flare at top that I used healing brush to remove. I cropped, sharpened, changed the midtones, and added vignette in PSE 11. Since this was a close up with shallow depth of field, the most forward globe is out of focus. I will have to pay attention to that more in the future and check my image closer before leaving the scene.
HDR mode was enabled.  

Ice Formation - Tadda B & W

Another ice image. This time I used Tadaa within iPhone to post process.
On my iPhone 5s screen it looked like the image was more backlit. Looks different on the computer monitor. I liked the swirls and pattern in the ice when I shot the image. This looks more 3D with the depth. Original image had blue/yellow cast. I increased the clarity and converted using a B & W filter. In a way it reminded me of an ultrasound of an ? alien. Never saw that much hair. LOL

Ice Pattern 1 - Variations with Post Processing in PSE 11

I managed to capture a few ice designs on my iPhone the last few days...brrh!!   Difficult to push the buttons with gloves in place. The intention was to try playing with some post -processing adjustments. The darker blue less distinct pattern is the original image without editing.  It was late eveing and very slippery to attempt the shot--thus the blue cast which I did not really see when I captured the image.


The right image was a lot of different filters in PSE 11 and you might not be able to tell it originally was texture from ice patterns.  It ended up looking black and white. It took about 6 different filters/adjustments to obtain this effect.   Step 1.  Adjust Brightness and Contrest.  Step 2.   Lighten/Darken Shadows.  Step 4. Sharpen  Step 4. Change to B & W.  Step 5. Pencil Sketch Effect - Line Drawing. 6. Low Key



The image lower left I just changed light/dark sliders and did a moderate amount of sharpening to get the texture and lighter color I wanted. 

Winter Shrub with Pink Flowers (Evergreen?) Plus B & W Version

I never promised that every photo I posted would be good. "Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder". Meaning just because I like it does not mean everyone else is going to like it. So, I am giving my self an A for creativity but a D to my iPhone 5s and my capturing of the image I wanted. When it snowed I decided to go back to the plant I saw on Sat. and take a bucket of snow and trowel with me (preplanning). I took some images which looked OK in my LED screen I thought? Not everything in the image is in the same plane and I actually got too close to the flower to be tack sharp. Some crystals of ice are in focus and have been sharpened. I did have to crop the image and still have an area of snow blown out in the lower Left corner. I have no idea what this plant may be. The needles suggest it is a low growing everygreen shrub. It was maybe 4 inches high and 8 inches in diameter. I also tried to see how it would look in black and white which shows that the flowers may have been frozen since more translucent.  

Close up of Styfoam Packing Material

It was bitter cold out there today. Maybe tomorrow will get some more ice images as arctic blast remains in NC. Am posting a texture CU image of some styrofoam packing material. It was taken with light coming in my kitchen bay window..HDR mode was on.  No time to play with apps today.to give a different version. Not happy with the highlights.  This is one I would like to try soft focus or different filters with Mega Photo app. 

Miniature Ice Mountains - Snow on Curb Closeup

Yesterday we had our first snow in GSO. It was maybe 1 1/2 inches and not sticking to the trees. Taking a picture in my immediate neighborhood would not be anything that looked unique or told a story. So, today I decided to see what snow mounds along the street might grab my attention. This image was taken close up with my iPhone 5s. I liked the edges of the ice and at least still white. It was about 12:30 PM- just past noonday sun. Maybe should have thrown something in for color like sliced limes, lemons, oranges or cranberries - then it would have looked like a fruit bowl. I took at an angle (every piece of ice not in same plane)  and with shallow depth of field in front lower corner not as sharp. First I used Snapseed but it did not give me the flexibility for changes in post processing I have found in PSE 11. I am calling it Miniature Mountains of Ice. I did add a blue tint in color variations to help give a feeling of coldness and then sharpening and a slight vignette in PSE 11.

Let Mardi Gras Begin - Altered Image with Air Plants (Saturated Film Effect)

Today starts Mardi Gras. I was going to do another 'selfie' with beads and a mask but I have a few days to post that and still be in the Mardi Gras celebration timeframe. When I was at the NC zoo a few weeks ago, I took a photo image of the air plants. I like their texture.  So, today I played with the saturated film effect in PSE 11 and it reminded me of the garish colors associated with Mardi Gras.  I also like the varieties of them on archways at the DBS Botanical Garden in Belmont, NC.  

Spoons Coffee Cup Sculpture - Carolina Theater, S. Greene St. Greensboro, NC

My PC computers are not working well or perhaps the operator/photographer needs to read various manuals.  Needless to say that was more of a challenge than taking the photo. The photo on the left is the original image.  The image  on the R I posted to FB with post processing I did not have a lot of editing choices that I could do in a single application and I do not PSE on my Macbook Pro.   I started with Exposure app (vintage) and then finished cropping hue & tint adjustments, vignette, and clarity in PS Express app.  Unfortunately in straightening the cup, the bricks are not level.  I am blaming on distortion issues.  This coffee cup sculpture is located near the Carolina Theater in downtown, GSO, NC.  There are 6 more sculptures to post later.  I had to go back after the first attempt because sunlight was too bright. I do not get the highlight blinks with bright highlights in my iPhone 5s. This time it was overcast. I may post an inverted image under comments later. It will look surreal. So this time I really had to edit on my iPhone and post to Facebook.  I have never really liked how iPhone/iPhoto handles images.

Wanted to show the filter "invert" image of this coffee cup. I did solarize first in PSE 11, then chose invert filter.  As you can see the areas that were dark in the other photos have reversed to light and the bricks which were lighter have now become darker. It gives a surreal effect like something you might see in the movie Avatar.  

Santolina - Original & Posterize Altered Photo

I saw this Santolina in the GSO Historical Museum Garden yesterday afternoon, Feb 14th. The foliage was actually a green grey color and the plant about 10-12 inches high --about the only green herbaceous plant. Today it has probably met it's demise since our temperatures were in the single digits last night. I took the image because of it's texture with plans to change using filters, etc. The grey green one is the original image to compare with no editing. I decided to play in Pixlr.com online editing app. (the free one) but I do have the mobile one on my iPhone. I cropped the photo and sharpened, then I chose posterize, and played with the hue and saturation sliders. l did not see the seed pods (upper right corner) when I took this image but not too distracting. In the summertime this plant has yellow flowers and the foliage can give texture and color to your garden.

I decided to not post a chocolate image today. I went to the Farmer's Curb Market this a.m. I found some vegetables that were inspirational in their texture and am changing my menu for today. I wrote the Valentine message in the lettuce. I am trying some roasted baby turnips with olive oil and Italian seasoning mix. The lighting was fluroscent but from a high ceiling. I only cropped the image a bit. The lettuce will  be used in a recipe like Arby's Martha's Vineyard Salad with chicken, apples, green onions, pecans, craisins, tomatoes, and lite raspberry viniagrette dressing. A glass of red wine = antioxidants. A sugar-free lemon pudding with non-dairy topping for dessert.

Pink Orchids - from Grocery Store Display GSO

I saw these orchids at a grocery store and had to take this shot with the iPhone 5s HDR mode.. This was the only one that had a lot of blossoms stacked together and did not compete with other cultivars on display. Lighting was fairly good from the big storefront window.. Minimal editing in PSE 11. Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow!


I have been to the Triad Orchid Society Show.  Lighting on the orchid cultivars and the presentation by the vendors or?? makes the background include the stakes or prize winning bows etc.  Love the Orchid Conservatory at Daniel B. Stowe Gardens, Belmont, NC.  They also have air plants  archway.  Most orchids bloom Dec - Feb.  I have no plans to grow them. .  

NZ and Australian Desserts H.S.A. Culinary 2/9/2015

On Tuesday the Herb Society of America - NC Unit had a luncheon. Members brought foods commonly served in Australia & New Zealand. One of the members attending was originally from New Zealand. She made several desserts. I took a picture of what was on my dessert plate but I think I skipped a few. I cropped and had to rotate the photo due to the position of the plate on a granite counter. This worked because the plate was round. Overhead kitchen lighting was used - HDR mode. I added some highlights and sharpened the image to show more texture. Then I added numbers to help with identification in PSE 11.

The meringe shell with the whipped cream, topped with various fruits is Pavlova (#6). It is served at special holidays and celebrations. Anzac(#3) was a (biscuit - not cookie) served to soldiers during the World Wars. It contains oatmeal, but requires Golden Syrup as do the Ginger Fingers (#4). This is available at Whole Foods. I bought the last one on Wed. at the Friendly Center store. There is a partial scone (#2), kumara pie (#1) It contains a root vegetable like sweet potato), and there is another Herb and Cheese biscuit (4). Bon Appe'tit!!

Tree Brances - Altered "Fake Snow" Post Processing

I love looking for textures. I thought the original image was just too blah. I liked the patterns and texture of the branches that had a plain wall on the building behind it. I guess this is more "creations of nature".  I changed the color to red in MegaPhoto app, I played with numerous fillters and effects in PSE 11. That is not a moon but some highlights from some object behind me. The final effect I called "fake snow" because i played with highlights and then brightness & contrast to almost look like there is some snow on some of the branches/leaves. I have no idea how I might use this??  Perhaps enter in an altered art photograph contest.

Jack's Father's Pocket Watch - Still life

Today I am trying a still life object for my image. I used daylight window lighting. My husband has a pocket watch that belonged to his father. Because of the convex glass covering the face I knew it would be difficult to avoid glare. I still have some shadow on the clock hands but I feel it is minimal. Original photo taken in color with square format. The object was lying on a dark green piece of cloth that I use for backgrounds. I cropped and converted to Noir in native camera app. I did add some shadows, cloned out dog hair and lint, and sharpened using PSE 11. Did not want to use an special apps.  I think ti avoid lightness at the top edge I could have applied a vignette.  May try later with a macro lens just to see if I get more clarity with the numbers on the watch face. It definitely would not have worked using the overhead lighting from the stove light.   

Hellebores - Libby's Yard

Today I was at my friend's house for a meeting. Her Hellebores (Lenton Rose) had just started to bloom. She has white , purple , and pink ones.  I took a few images but may go back with other camera or lenses.  These were shot in HDR with iPhone 5s. These flowers are normally drooping and a challenge to photograph on a windy day.  Be prepared to use pipe cleaners to position upward.or lie on the ground and shot up.  This is not an easy feat with an iPhone - takes 2 hands unless you use tripod to stabilize the iPhone.The image to the left was shot in square format and would be good to send on Instagram.  The one on the right was cropped to almost square...also added vignette. Both images were sharpened in PSE 11.

Rankin School Gym

I have been driving by this building a lot. It is the gymnasium at Rankin School and where I vote. I took in HDR mode. I only cropped, increased the shadows because it was a bright sunny day, and sharpened. One of the disadvantages of an iPhone is distortion with architectural structures if you get too close. I really did not want to crop that much. I don't know an app that easily fixes this. I know it can be done in Photoshop but that would require reading how to do it. Maybe later I will do it for a more interesting or famous building.

Solar Light Rays after Dark

I missed yesterday's post. solar light and just had to take an image.  I converted to B & W in the native app and the straightened the light vertically as in a friend's yard after dark. It looks like a spider with legs outstretched.  Then I tried using a solarize app, vignette, and created some "pop art" in PSE 11.

                                              I do need to spend more time with low light and night photography .

Ice Cream Truck - Snapshot

This is just a snapshot, but it should bring a smile to your face. One of my neighbors is a vendor and truck was in their driveway for the winter. Yes, it would be better image if the vendor was waving at me and there were children buying/tasting their treats but that is not going to happen till the temperatures get warmer in GSO. Only did minor editing with PS Express app. for color of the images. I think the children in the NE this winter are probably making their own snow cones and snow ice cream.  Could use image for scrapbooking.  Did not want to spend time cloning out garbage cans and car. A  different angle would have shown junk to the right .

Ice Crystals with Grass Indentations

                                    

I have ice crystals on my list of things to photograph this winter. This is just a piece of ice from a bird bath that I had laid on the grass from the previous day. It had acquired texture from the grass foliage. There was also some debris. I broke off about a 2 inch piece, placed it on a fushia pink turtleneck top so you would be able to see the design better. In a way it reminds me of how some tissue looks under a microscope. I cropped off the debris and thought it looked better not being in the middle.but with the bottom along the edge. I increased the shadows and then applied 1 click of the Lomo effect in PSE 11. Certainly made for interesting texture. The image on the right I cannot remember what I did exactly.  I know I sharpened and that is why there is more texture from the background fabric. I think I increased the midtones and eliminated the Lomo effect.  

Beech Leaves - Winter; Texture Pencil Drawing

I promised a beech tree photo with leaves.  Of course, I had to play around with some apps as well.  I signed up for Bob Weil's iPhoneography Art Composition online course but will not work with it until next week. It is supposed to help me create amazing art. The leaves were not taken in the fall, but at same time my "Inspired by Nature" images were taken.  I was trying to capture some blue sky and lighting that would show the veins of the leaves.  I did some sharpening and increased the saturation.  Then I used PSE 11 to give texture effect.  I sharpened to the max and then used pencil drawing.  I experimented a lot and may have forgotten to include all the final steps.  

Beech Tree Bark #3 - Inspired by Nature

Today is Beech Tree Bark No.3. This looks somewhat like a reptile.
I edited first in the native camera app. Then did sharpening, light & darkness highlight, and added little color variation in PSE 11 to give the image more depth.. It really is amazing with what looks like fine hairs and 2 eyes. I am sure y'all will have your own interpretation of this image. Perhaps I need to find some more beech trees and see if this tree attracts these interesting disfigurations. In the winter time it is easy to find beech trees because they still have their leaves...at least in the Triad region of NC. I will post one of those pictures tomorrow.

Nandina Berries & Orton Effect PSE 11

Nandina berries are not that easy to photograph but at least this image does not have bad glare I sometimes get. I like the concrete background that separates the foliage. One of the best images I got was with some snow, but we have not had any measureable amount in GSO, NC, this winter. Also the birds love them and then berries are missing. I did not edit this image but HDR mode chosen. I did try to use an Orton effect in PSE 11.Can't remember if used a glass filter   However, I need to perfect this. Better than carrying a piece of glass around for a Monet effect.      

Fushia-Purple Flourscent Stairs Zinda Restaurant, Raleigh, NC

Somehow I lost a day on January 31st and didn't post an image. So, posting another today. When I was at the Scott Kelby conference on Friday. I went to eat with friends at the Zinda Restaurant: 301 Lafayetteville St, Raleigh, NC. They specialize in Indian and Asian cuisine. The chana marsala was excellent!  I also had a spring roll, chicken satay on a skewer with peanut dipping sauce, and some Nann bread.  I was by a window and would have taken a picture of that platter if I had more time. A staircase lit up in flourescemt fushai/purple colors caught my attention and asked permission to take a picture. It was not easy because the wait staff used the left stainless door and I did not really want them in the picture. I did a little cropping of the image but that is all. They have disco on Fri & Sat. nite. Check out the menu @  www.zindaraleigh.com.  

Blueberry-Cherry "Dump Cake" with Ice Cream

Some photos are meant to be a learning experience for future photography efforts.  I made this dump dake and decided to take a picture of it outside. Had everythihg ready on the plate except the ice cream and it was probably 40 degrees F. 

At any rate I went to a Scott Kelby seminar in Raleigh on Friday and learned more about taking pictures of food.  He did say that you could hire a food stylist (their ratres are about $150.00/hr).  I think I will keep practicing.  He also said it was 

not necessary to include the whole dish with the silverware et al. He routinely tilts his camera at a 45 degree angle. Should have used a diffusion screen or used window lighting. The depression milk glass had glare in addition to the food making shadows. There are numerous recipes available on line, just search for "dump cake". This was a combination of cherry pie filling with a pint of fresh blueberries which I baked in a Corningware Quiche dish.