Twisty Tree

Since today is sloppy gloppy outside, I'm posting another image I took on Friday. As I was looking around down by Harriet Island, I saw this tree. I thought all the twists and turns of the branches were very interesting. I would have been happier if there was less brush in the foreground, but I guess I can't have everything.

Techie Corner
The sky was very drab that day. Even using my Circular Polarizer didn't help much. I did a lot of Lightroom and Photoshop post-production to punch up the colors and make the image more interesting. To get an idea of how drab and washed out everything was, here is the original image.
Shot at 1/45 Sec @ F22, ISO 200

A View of Downtown

I made it out of the house for a little while again today. I drove around our neighborhood and ended up at Harriet Island. As proof that I actually did get out of our yard, I submit the above photo. To anyone not familiar with this area, it may be a little deceptive. It looks like you can stroll down the path and into downtown St. Paul. That would be a little tricky since the Mississippi River is in the way.

That's it for this week. See you on Monday!

Techie Corner
It was a very washed-out sky today, so I used my circular polarizer on my big lens. Post-production work was done in Lightroom and Photoshop.
Shot at 1/45 Sec @ F22, ISO 200

Sunning Kitty

I actually got out of the house today and I was going to find something different to photograph. But I ran out of time, so it's time for the cat again. This is a picture of a kitty sunning herself and mildly tolerating picture taking.

This is a kitty who is fed up with picture taking and thoroughly done with the whole process.

Techie Corner
It was really difficult to get a good exposure with the bright sun. I used a reflector, but it was still really hard to light the dark side of her face. I tried flash, but that just blew everything out. Used post-production to add a fill light instead.
Shot at 1/1500 Sec @ F2.8, ISO 200

Creeping Charlie

I am convinced that weeds are invincible. As soon as the snow melts--there they are. The unwanted, but persistant, perennial. I'd never seen Creeping Charlie growing outside until we moved to St. Paul. This stuff is more invasive than major surgery!

Techie Corner
Used my +2 close-up filter. Post-production in Lightroom and Photoshop, including a lot of cropping.
Shot at 1/60 Sec @ F16, ISO 200

Birdies

I was doing some indoor photography today, but looked out the window and saw birds hanging out. I decided that was more interesting and immediately switched gears. I was trying to get a shot of the cardinal, but a sparrow flew by just as the shutter clicked.

Techie Corner
I maxed out my big lens trying to shoot the birds. The image was hopelessly blurry because of that, so I decided to switch it to watercolor instead.
Shot at 1/90 Sec @ F16, ISO 800