The Wild Bunch
An abundance of these daisies spring up in our back yard every year. They are a welcome, cheery sight; at least for the short season they bloom.
One of the aspects of this photo that I love are all the perfect imperfections of these wildflowers.
You can view a larger version of this image by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Emotional Distancing
In times of darkness and difficulty, it is only natural that we look to The Light.
This is a very emotionally moving image for me. Without getting too sappy; this image speaks what my heart has been feeling amidst the recent chaos, confusion, and wholesale upheaval of our world.
In these times, I’m not looking to some activist group or the government or some celebrity or even well-intentioned family and friends for clear guidance and direction. I look to the Light of the World, Christ Jesus and His Word to bring understanding, direction and peace to my life.
I got up early to capture the sunrise at Algoma, WI. However, the sun and sky didn’t provide what I was hoping for. Still, I kept shooting. After all, I’d made the effort to get there, maybe something of interest would emerge. I thought it was pretty much a “learning experience” until I viewed this frame on the computer. The color was pretty bland, so I decided to convert it to monochrome and… Well, I think I found a diamond in the rough. It’s not a great “photographic effort” technically, but it moves me. (That’s why we call it, “Art.”)
I think this image is much more powerful when viewed larger. You can see a full-screen image by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
The Color Poppy
The poppy is one of the most vibrant, delicate and interesting blossoms of spring. Sadly, it is a short lived beauty. Our small supply of poppies have been brutalized by the strong winds we’ve had lately. This photo was taken a week ago.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of this photo by clicking on it. When you do, a full-screen image will open in a new browser tab.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Deposit of Gold
I enjoy this calm, inviting view of a Lake Michigan sunrise from the shores of Kewaunee, Wisconsin. If you look closely you’ll see a long pier, extending from the left side, to a lighthouse on the horizon. Kewaunee is located on the western shore of Lake Michigan.
This image is a blending of three different photos, exposed at three different levels, to create an image with more dynamic range. There has yet to be a camera created that can capture all the light and contrast and color and detail as well as the human eye can capture it and the brain can process it. The HDR (high dynamic range) process is our effort to compensate for the camera’s shortcomings.
To see more of the detail, click on the photo to view a larger, full-screen version of this image.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Flowing Focus
After a light spring rain, I photographed the back side of a freshly bloomed poppy. The water droplets were the point of interest to me.
When I opened the image up on my computer for processing, I thought a monochrome version held more promise. The full-color version was nice, but this one seemed to draw me in more.
If you click on this photo, you will get a larger, more detailed look.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Two-Thirds Blue Hue
The sky was filled with clouds of blue for this Lake Michigan sunrise. You can see the Kewaunee, Wisconsin lighthouse and pier on the horizon.
This is a panoramic view – where I combined four separate images into one big (and in this case, long) image. I took this approach to gather in more of the sky, which I thought was the most interesting aspect of this moment.
If you look very closely, you can see a charter fishing boat heading out for the morning behind the pier, just to the left of the lighthouse. Click on the image to get a larger, better view.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Turtle Happy
This big fella seemed content to be lounging in a ravine, caked in mud, balanced on a log, basking in the sunshine of an early spring morning. This photo was taken in the woods of northeast Wisconsin.
As we began a hike along the Ahnapee State Trail another couple ending their hike told us to watch for a large turtle in the ditch. We walked quite a while and didn’t see anything. We thought we’d missed it or it had moved on. Well, as you can see, we eventually spotted it.
To get up-close and personal, I had to tromp through some muck. It didn’t seem to mind my presence and sat for quite a few shots. Eventually it slid off the log and moved to the shade and mud under the log.
I don’t know what kind of turtle (or tortoise) this is but I can tell you he was large and looked ancient. Judging by the slight smile on his face, I think he was happy to see me.
To see more of the detail in those mesmerizing eyes, the wrinkles and claws, click on the photo. When you do, a full-screen version will appear in a new browser tab.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
The Sun’s Warm Embrace
The sun seemed to be wrapping it’s fingers around the Kewaunee, Wisconsin lighthouse for a warm hug as it rose over Lake Michigan.
When I am catching a sunrise at a lighthouse setting, I often try to get the sun to line up right behind the lighthouse to create a great silhouette effect. The camera settings and a telephoto lens helped to create a star burst effect at the points were the sun was peeking around the edges of the lighthouse.
I like the tone and the silhouette effect here. The flying birds and the sitting fisherman’s silhouette (to the right of the lighthouse) were an added bonus.
To see more of the finer details, click on the photo. When you do, a full-screen version will open in a new browser tab.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Keeping a Tiny Eye On You
This ruby-throated hummingbird paused for an instant stare down.
This image was taken in August of 2012 through the window to my back yard. That was back when I had a less capable camera (Sony SLT-A55V). I happened across some files from this shoot and decided to try and process one of the shots I had neglected back then.
I spent a good deal of time that year trying to capture hummingbirds up close. It was a daunting task – they are so small and move so fast – but I managed to get a few good shots. (Out of thousands of attempts.) Experimentation, patience and perseverance can pay off.
To see a larger, more detailed version of this image, click on it. When you do, a new browser tab will open.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Friendly Faces
You can always count on finding simple beauty as you walk through the countryside when wildflowers are in bloom. These were found along a path as we hiked through a wooded area in our rural, northeast Wisconsin neighborhood.
You can view a larger version of this image by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.