Today’s PS Challenge image comes from the Nevada State Railroad Museum. This is the car number for Leland Stanford’s personal railroad car, currently under preservation at the NSRM. This number is located above the door at the end of the car.
Like many train cars, this one served many purposes and changed color and configuration several times during its working life.
Enjoy – PHOTOROGR
April 17 has always had very special meaning for me – at least since Ford Mustangs became a part of my life and I learned that on April 17, 1964, Ford introduced the Mustang at the New York World’s Fair. Happy Mustang Day to all my friends, even those of you who were seduced by the evil empire, the pentastar, and those dadburned foreign cars!
I am not sharing a Mustang image today! Instead, I’m sharing a wonderful image of a pine tree taken last week when my lovely bride and I were out and about! This is part of my ongoing series of tree images.
Enjoy – PHOTOROGR
One of my favorite magazines is Outdoor Photographer. I enjoy the content and have been getting wonderful ideas and information for improving my photography. The April 2017 issue had a great article titled ‘Grand Landscapes, Intimate Details’ by Dave Welling. The focus (pun intended) of the article was summed up nicely by the subtitle, ‘Tell a deeper story of a place by adding close-up images to your location portfolios’ The concept is simple – while you’re shooting that grand landscape, take a look around your feet and find something that connects the audience more intimately to the location.
I had the opportunity to employ this technique just yesterday. My lovely bride and I ventured into the mountains during yesterday’s storm, specifically driving CA 89 south of Markleeville CA. The road was wet from the occasional rain and snow, and there were few travelers besides us and a couple government vehicles. The sun appeared and disappeared, the snow blew and stopped, the mountains were covered and uncovered during our visit. (All the images below were taken within an hour of each other. You know what they say – if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes!)
The small valleys were running with water from the rain and the snow melt. Occasionally, the weather made rather ominous scenes in the recently burned areas.
I converted to grey tones to show the desolation of the fire, but the promise of renewal with the snow and running water.
As I walked to a bridge to capture an image of the raging river, a Stellar Jay landed on a rock about 15 yards away. He proceeded to dance about on the rock, as if to say ‘Where’s your big camera? You can’t take my picture with that little camera in your hands!’ (I had grabbed the PowerShot for the river image.) I got my river shot…
East Fork of the Carson River…the Grand Landscape! The Jay was on a rock to the right of this image.
…and ran back to the PhotoRanger for the big camera. Amazingly, the Jay stayed put as I returned and grabbed a few shots, moved a few feet and grabbed a few more shots, moved a few more feet and grabbed a few more shots, and so on.
Stellar Jay…the intimate detail!
There you have it, an example of Grand Landscapes and Intimate Details.
I hope you are enjoying the PS Challenge – I sure am! The process of using the PowerShot – learning its capabilities and limitations – helps to reinforce the principles of photography and composition.
Enjoy – PHOTOROGR
On my way to get a haircut yesterday, I pulled over on Johnson Lane to make this image of Jobs Peak (covered by clouds on the left third line) and the Sierras. The wet winter has made the Carson Valley floor nice and green.
Enjoy – PHOTOROGR
Today’s PS Challenge image is a Bee on one of the Chanticleer Pear trees in my backyard. The lengthy winter (and cool temps) is taking its toll on the beautiful blossoms, and there were only a couple Bees flying around the trees yesterday afternoon – I feel lucky to have captured this one. More winter coming our way in the next few days.
Enjoy – PHOTOROGR
I hiked the Bently Heritage Trail in north Carson Valley today, and caught this beautiful view of Jobs Peak (the peak on the left) and the Sierras with the Carson River in the foreground. Great hike – about 3 miles total.
This is multiple exposures processed in Photomatix and PhotoShop, with a little On1 filter to boot.
Enjoy – PHOTOROGR
I took a hike on the Faye-Luther Canyon Trail System yesterday (I got lots of steps and stairs on my FitBit). Beautiful and well maintained trails with gorgeous vistas everywhere you look.
It’s Bonus Day because you get more than one picture from yesterday’s outing!
Enjoy – PHOTOROGR
A section of the Interpretive Loop Trail. The skies were marvelous!
This is an HDR (High Dynamic Range) image, looking across the Carson Valley. (Mt. Segale is on the right.) The Canon PowerShot G9 X Mk II will bracket exposures for HDR processing.
The PS Challenge continues in my backyard. Gotta love the bees!
Enjoy – PHOTOROGR
As my followers know, I have rules for my ‘view from the office’ posts. The big one is that VFTO pictures are taken with and posted from my mobile phone.
I’ve decided that the format for the PS Challenge is the ‘something new’ I introduced yesterday. All images will be made with the PowerShot camera and processed like images from the big cameras, since they all start in RAW format. The PowerShot is fun and full of surprising capabilities, and becoming a powerful tool in my camera bag.
That said, here’s today’s edition of the PS Challenge! The pollenators are out in force, and working the trees in the yard pretty hard!
Happy Spring and enjoy – PHOTOROGR
I think I’ll change up my sharing on social media. Except for the view from the office, I’ll post my images on my blog. Sometimes I’ll have a little commentary, and sometimes I’ll just post a picture for the day.
Here’s a shot from my backyard yesterday. It’s similar to the view from the office, but a better image (and made with the PowerShot!).
Enjoy – PHOTOROGR
