Photo Assignment #11: Nature [Archive]

SheNadya

07-30-2009, 11:10 PM

I have to say, picking a topic is a difficult thing. There are so many subjects and emotions that it makes it hard to narrow down. :giveup:

But as I was looking through some of my old pictures my eye kept going back to similar photos. Those were the ones of the natural beauty of this planet that we're blessed to live on. The earth never ceases to amaze, calm, excite, and captivate me and I'm curious to see what you see when you look outside. I also hope that a few more people will be able to post up than have in the past few contests. I find if I'm stressed sometimes hanging the camera around my neck and walking through the neighborhood, park or surf helps me to focus and relax. So... take a few hours, head outside and start snapping!

Here are some pictures I've taken since the beginning of the year. Comments are welcome, I know I'm not a very technical photographer and I've got a lot to learn.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zVL9LepYiPI/SnJo6itHevI/AAAAAAAAAm0/TfYDyAKmUuE/s400/DSCN2386.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zVL9LepYiPI/SnJo8PQUebI/AAAAAAAAAm8/jHheOLaCMtc/s400/DSCN1459.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zVL9LepYiPI/SnJo9IfCBGI/AAAAAAAAAnE/Sm924IaqJ_E/s400/DSCN1429.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zVL9LepYiPI/SnJo_Esz5iI/AAAAAAAAAnM/eobUJytP-PY/s400/DSCN2067.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zVL9LepYiPI/SnJpBOuvE6I/AAAAAAAAAnU/gS8yD-QkFUg/s400/DSCN2110.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zVL9LepYiPI/SnJpCLzvVfI/AAAAAAAAAnc/YtEof_5Glac/s400/DSCN2281.JPG

Beemer Steve

07-30-2009, 11:29 PM

I have to say, picking a topic is a difficult thing. There are so many subjects and emotions that it makes it hard to narrow down. :giveup:

But as I was looking through some of my old pictures my eye kept going back to similar photos. Those were the ones of the natural beauty of this planet that we're blessed to live on. The earth never ceases to amaze, calm, excite, and captivate me and I'm curious to see what you see when you look outside. I also hope that a few more people will be able to post up than have in the past few contests. I find if I'm stressed sometimes hanging the camera around my neck and walking through the neighborhood, park or surf helps me to focus and relax. So... take a few hours, head outside and start snapping!

Here are some pictures I've taken since the beginning of the year. Comments are welcome, I know I'm not a very technical photographer and I've got a lot to learn.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/StNIhNuMUF9mJen9Cv6B1Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyJ9eTm9rfpm QE&feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kWiPfKbzOvw-CWkE7hr3sA?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/q88SrDYQGHaanONW_AFMJA?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7B1882UUFlHUjKmI-cGFXA?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZCmq4RxrvZkZ6E5zFUpMww?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aajWqpiuFuNNaQjAEpsLJg?feat=directlink

is it just me or can anyone else see his pics

M38A1

07-30-2009, 11:32 PM

is it just me or can anyone else see his pics

Her pictures, and we're working on it! Stay tuned..... ;-)

Ah..... this is going to be a good one. Pics are up!

SheNadya

07-30-2009, 11:33 PM

Got it figured out. Probably wouldn't have taken so long but it's late and I'm tired. :yawn:

Either that... or I didn't REALLY want feedback. ;o)

Desert Skies

07-31-2009, 06:58 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/DesertSkies/Yellowstone%2007/IMG_5856_800.jpg

TexasShadow

07-31-2009, 08:02 AM

I can't extract and embed an individual photo from this collection, but here's a link to that collection:

http://www.tabblo.com/studio/stories/shared/17291/gc7e0h8312xuvpn

http://www.tabblo.com/studio/image/public/254403/34eedf2dc0f881cea82fddbbebff21a3.jpg

poser

07-31-2009, 08:15 AM

edit: this is an old one

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c52/jlbohac/D40/grasshopper.jpg

Desert Skies

07-31-2009, 08:25 AM

A few from a Canadian fishing trip.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/DesertSkies/canada/P9130025_800.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/DesertSkies/canada/P9130027_800.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/DesertSkies/canada/P9130030_800.jpg

Desert Skies

07-31-2009, 08:27 AM

One more from NC.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/DesertSkies/brp/109_0969.jpg

M38A1

07-31-2009, 10:02 AM

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/M38A1_bucket/Photography/CapeMay.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/M38A1_bucket/Photography/Buck.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/M38A1_bucket/Photography/Doe.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/M38A1_bucket/Photography/Doe2.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/M38A1_bucket/Photography/VanHorn.jpg

RASZ

07-31-2009, 11:59 AM

I welcome comments

Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction, CO

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n131/CharlieDisbrow/Colorado%20trip/colorado%20national%20monument/shelly2060-1.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n131/CharlieDisbrow/Colorado%20trip/colorado%20national%20monument/shelly2065.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n131/CharlieDisbrow/Colorado%20trip/colorado%20national%20monument/shelly2097.jpg

Tracker

07-31-2009, 01:52 PM

my favorite from early this summer
http://photos.leavelles.net/photos/566043675_XoMG2-XL.jpg

a favorite from last fall
http://photos.leavelles.net/photos/491308254_egDpH-XL.jpg

took this one a few years back with the P&S. I notice the moon flowers are at their peak again, so I might have to shoot some with the new camera.
http://photos.leavelles.net/photos/533016872_eTDSi-L.jpg

Tim Kreitz

07-31-2009, 04:09 PM

A single, lonely wildflower atop Scenic Mountain. I took this in either March or April 2009:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/TimKreitz/roadtrips/loneflowereditedkreitz.jpg

RASZ

07-31-2009, 04:19 PM

I have to say, picking a topic is a difficult thing. There are so many subjects and emotions that it makes it hard to narrow down. :giveup:

But as I was looking through some of my old pictures my eye kept going back to similar photos. Those were the ones of the natural beauty of this planet that we're blessed to live on. The earth never ceases to amaze, calm, excite, and captivate me and I'm curious to see what you see when you look outside. I also hope that a few more people will be able to post up than have in the past few contests. I find if I'm stressed sometimes hanging the camera around my neck and walking through the neighborhood, park or surf helps me to focus and relax. So... take a few hours, head outside and start snapping

Here are some pictures I've taken since the beginning of the year. Comments are welcome, I know I'm not a very technical photographer and I've got a lot to learn.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zVL9LepYiPI/SnJo8PQUebI/AAAAAAAAAm8/jHheOLaCMtc/s400/DSCN1459.JPG

I,m like you, I am not very a technical photographer but I still like taking pictures. I really like this one.

Tim Kreitz

08-01-2009, 03:56 PM

I just found these growing in one of my flowerbeds a few minutes ago and used it as my first ever entry into one of these contests:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/TimKreitz/nature/timkreitzmacromushroom.jpg

M38A1

08-01-2009, 04:15 PM

Tim-
Cool pic!

Tracker

08-01-2009, 10:04 PM

Tim-
Cool pic!
+1

ctoons

08-01-2009, 10:23 PM

Wow!!!

ctoons

08-01-2009, 10:55 PM

I took this with my cell phone today. Too bad the flowers are fake!

http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss23/ctoons/0801091414a-1.jpg

Tim Kreitz

08-01-2009, 11:12 PM

Thanks, all. :bow:

By the way, are there any biologists on TWT who could tell me what kind of mushrooms those are?

Tracker

08-04-2009, 10:34 AM

:lol2: I thought the deadline was last night. :doh:

I'd like feedback on these. Also, which one do you like best? 1, 2, 3 or 4?

1
http://photos.leavelles.net/photos/610679310_HJPjm-M.jpg

2
http://photos.leavelles.net/photos/610368275_y5hQd-M.jpg

3
http://photos.leavelles.net/photos/610370929_GShku-M-2.jpg

4
http://photos.leavelles.net/photos/610370638_d5VqA-M.jpg

M38A1

08-04-2009, 11:30 AM

Gary,
I'm no expert, but 1,2,3 seem grainy to me and a bit out of focus. That might have been the intent - soft????? I went over to look at the originals and still have the same opinion. Also, they don't have a context. Whereas 4 has context. It's obvious it's a flower, pollen sprout and some contrast with the green. Number 4 also appears from the original to be considerably sharper and tighter re: grain. So for me at least (and the wife looked and said the same) 4 would have to be the better of the series.

Number 1 would have been really cool if what I presume to be a fading sunlight was highlighting the pollen sprout instead of just to the right.

Flowers are hard to shoot. Your others in the gallery are fantastic.

Janet

08-04-2009, 11:37 AM

I preferred number 4 also, for just about the same reasons. More perspective?

Tracker

08-04-2009, 11:56 AM

2&3 were suppose to be soft, but not grainy--kinda dreamy quality. :lol2: Need to learn better post-shooting techniques and get an art degree.

TVgod

08-04-2009, 12:01 PM

We're at about 12,000 feet up in Rocky Mountain National Park last summer right around sunset. My oldest daughter in the foreground.

http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr253/tvgod/IMG_0836.jpg

Janet

08-04-2009, 12:14 PM

We're at about 12,000 feet up in Rocky Mountain National Park last summer right around sunset. My oldest daughter in the foreground.

http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr253/tvgod/IMG_0836.jpg

Very cool! :clap:

M38A1

08-04-2009, 12:15 PM

2&3 were suppose to be soft, but not grainy--kinda dreamy quality. :lol2: Need to learn better post-shooting techniques and get an art degree.

You bring up a good point.... Perception.

I'm not an 'artsy' person, thus I prefer symetrical patterns and sharp contrast. Others may prefer the soft, 'dreamy' as you call it approach. So there lies the perception question.

What's great about these assignments is we have all perspectives brought forward. I've begun to appreciate the other perspectives, but that doesn't mean I can pull them off with a great shot. :lol2:

Tracker

08-04-2009, 12:19 PM

poser

08-04-2009, 12:46 PM

3
http://photos.leavelles.net/photos/610370929_GShku-M-2.jpg

I like this one the best, to me its more than just a generic pic of a flower.
I don't want to sound too artsy fartsy but to me there's almost more to it than just a flower

scubalizard

08-04-2009, 12:48 PM

just to bring something else to the scene...
http://www.winkflash.com/photo/imagew2.aspx?c=6299492&i=285247479&z=0
http://www.winkflash.com/photo/imagew2.aspx?c=6299492&i=285260428&z=0
http://www.winkflash.com/photo/imagew2.aspx?c=6299492&i=285258360&z=0

http://www.winkflash.com/photo/imagew2.aspx?c=6230145&i=281423634&z=0
http://www.winkflash.com/photo/imagew2.aspx?c=6230145&i=281439889&z=0
http://www.winkflash.com/photo/imagew2.aspx?c=6225791&i=281208965&z=0
http://www.winkflash.com/photo/imagew2.aspx?c=6216577&i=281867267&z=0

If you want to see a video of the manta ray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS6Lmvwi9u8)

Janet

08-04-2009, 01:03 PM

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff32/jbee101/Southwest/DSC_0083.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff32/jbee101/Southwest/DSC_0084.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff32/jbee101/Florida/DSC_00664.jpg

Thoughts?

Janet

08-04-2009, 01:07 PM

Or this cropped one......

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff32/jbee101/Southwest/Redo.jpg

M38A1

08-04-2009, 01:16 PM

Janet,
The cropped one is great, but my favorite is #1 of the three series.

Janet

08-04-2009, 01:18 PM

Thanks. I was using that one as my desktop for a while, then switched to the second one with the fence.
I had gone back up into MV as it was getting late in the day. There was a snow shower to the west that the sun was shining through and it made the sunlight more diffused looking.

poser

08-04-2009, 01:33 PM

Janet all 3 are great, I like the cropped version of the 2nd one, and the first with the road heading toward the mountain is really cool

Tracker

08-04-2009, 01:39 PM

Or this cropped one......

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff32/jbee101/Southwest/Redo.jpg

I like this one. Somebody suggested to me one time that if the road or trail exits the view from near the lower corner, it tends to "take" you beyond the picture. Judge for yourself, I guess.

Tim Kreitz

08-04-2009, 01:42 PM

Thoughts?

Just a few random thoughts about all the posts here in general. To me, the emphasis on manmade objects in some of these photos takes the focus off of the specific subject -- nature. They're all really great pics in and of themselves, but perhaps they don't fit the category as well as they could because of the incursion of unnatural things within some of the shots. Roads, fences, poles, tires -- they all become distractions of thought when "nature" is supposed to be the primary context.

As is my usual modus, I'm probably over-thinking the design concept way too much. It was just something that came to mind as I browsed through. :shrug:

Tracker

08-04-2009, 01:43 PM

just to bring something else to the scene...
http://www.winkflash.com/photo/imagew2.aspx?c=6299492&i=285247479&z=0
http://www.winkflash.com/photo/imagew2.aspx?c=6299492&i=285260428&z=0 If you want to see a video of the manta ray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS6Lmvwi9u8)

cool vid. Those animals are amazing.

I did get to see this one jump almost completely out of the water

http://photos.leavelles.net/photos/501445200_dc7vq-M.jpg

M38A1

08-04-2009, 01:52 PM

Just a few random thoughts about all the posts here in general. To me, the emphasis on manmade objects in some of these photos takes the focus off of the specific subject -- nature. They're all really great pics in and of themselves, but perhaps they don't fit the category as well as they could because of the incursion of unnatural things within some of the shots. Roads, fences, poles, tires -- they all become distractions of thought when "nature" is supposed to be the primary context.

As is my usual modus, I'm probably over-thinking the design concept way too much. It was just something that came to mind as I browsed through. :shrug:

That's interesting you brought this up. Just last night I was talking with Nayda who owns this assignment "Nature" and I had looked it up in the dictionary to see what they had to say. Most of the def's were nature and nothing man made. The roads, fences etc. are man made so I sort of thought about not having those in a shot. When prodded, the response was "that's what's great about the assignment - it's wide open". lol.......

So...... I guess if we try to present what we believe to be 'nature', a preferred one will emerge, man made artifacts or not.

poser

08-04-2009, 01:55 PM

I like to look at as, nature in spite of man made stuff.

Tim Kreitz

08-04-2009, 01:57 PM

I guess if we try to present what we believe to be 'nature', a preferred one will emerge, man made artifacts or not.

Agreed. :thumb:

M38A1

08-04-2009, 02:12 PM

[best taco bell dog voice] Here Lizard Lizard [/best taco bell dog voice] (fence, wire and all :doh:)

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/M38A1_bucket/Photography/07Yellowstone177_a.jpg

Tracker

08-04-2009, 02:14 PM

continuing the lizard theme...

http://photos.leavelles.net/photos/563548930_m8jzx-L-2.jpg

RASZ

08-04-2009, 03:15 PM

And I really like #3. So now what are ya going to do:yawn::rofl:

groovyone

08-05-2009, 09:31 AM

Alas, taken 7/27 so not eligable for the contest:

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/604348529_eNhSv-L.jpg

Tracker

08-05-2009, 10:03 AM

And I really like #3. So now what are ya going to do:yawn::rofl:

bribe the judge. :mrgreen:

ed29

08-05-2009, 10:58 AM

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd52/edhegarty/Deer.jpg

Opportunity knocked yesterday with short notice. I rounded a curve in my truck and greeted this big fellow. Of course the camera was safe in its bag... in the back seat... with the short lens on it. I shot this with the short lens and decided to try a fast lens swap. he was gone before I could change.

I had to heavily crop this so I am not thrilled with the clarity. (or lack of)

Here are two more versions of this shot with different cropping and some feeble color/contrast adjustments.
Which is better, and is it better from aesthetic or technical perspective?

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd52/edhegarty/Deer3.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd52/edhegarty/Deer2.jpg

Tracker

08-05-2009, 11:58 AM

I would crop him where he's not dead center. Since the background above him is a little more interesting than the foreground, I'd crop it where he's positioned lower left moving into the center of the picture.

ed29

08-05-2009, 12:11 PM

Thanks for the suggestion.

Tracker

08-05-2009, 12:27 PM

Thanks for the suggestion.

I like your crop even better. The background is proportioned in thirds, which usually looks better.

Tourmeister

08-06-2009, 02:06 AM

One more from NC.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/DesertSkies/brp/109_0969.jpg

Wayah Bald Rd? :ponder:

Just a few random thoughts about all the posts here in general. To me, the emphasis on manmade objects in some of these photos takes the focus off of the specific subject -- nature. They're all really great pics in and of themselves, but perhaps they don't fit the category as well as they could because of the incursion of unnatural things within some of the shots. Roads, fences, poles, tires -- they all become distractions of thought when "nature" is supposed to be the primary context.

As is my usual modus, I'm probably over-thinking the design concept way too much. It was just something that came to mind as I browsed through. :shrug:

:tab Tim, are you not a part of nature? Is the ant hill any less a part of nature because the ants have labored mightily to build it? Is the beaver dam any less a part of nature because it is a structure built for a purpose? Why this schism between man and nature?

Tourmeister

08-06-2009, 02:45 AM

This is from a trip to NC in 2004. I found this bad boy in the morning before we left to go riding.
http://www.twtex.com/linkfiles/082104NorthCarolina/DSC02340.JPG

http://www.twtex.com/linkfiles/082104NorthCarolina/DSC02342.JPG

:tab I don't have any recent pics, but I have TONS of them from over the years, especially bugs and flowers. Had the subject for this competition been the previous one, I could have entered some pics of a Cicada coming out of its shell and spreading its wings. Here are some from a few years back:

http://sfriday.com/twtpics/cicaida/bug03.jpg

http://sfriday.com/twtpics/cicaida/bug07.jpg

http://sfriday.com/twtpics/cicaida/bug09.jpg

http://sfriday.com/twtpics/cicaida/bug13.jpg

http://sfriday.com/twtpics/cicaida/bug12.jpg

:tab The whole process took about an hour and a half. Once out of the shell, it just clings to the wall and pumps its abdomen. This pushes fluid into the wings and expands them to their full size. I don't know how long it is before they can fly. However, the wings apparently dry out and become brittle over time. I don't know which variety this is. The kids have been finding them dead in the yard for the last week. July is when the adults start dying off after having mated. I have a pile of dead ones laying on the outside window sill on the front porch thanks to the kids. Maybe I'll grab a few shots of them... They're not as colorful as the live one above ;-)

Tracker

08-06-2009, 07:13 AM

way cool, TM. I've never seen pics of the cicadas like that. :thumb:

Tim Kreitz

08-06-2009, 03:41 PM

Tim, are you not a part of nature? Is the ant hill any less a part of nature because the ants have labored mightily to build it? Is the beaver dam any less a part of nature because it is a structure built for a purpose? Why this schism between man and nature?

I agree, and I thought about that, too. Nadya's examples seemed to give a general context to the theme, however, which led to my aforementioned contemplations.

poser

08-06-2009, 04:31 PM

cool pics of the bugs TM.
My wife's dog brought one of those in the house and stashed it under the bed

SheNadya

08-06-2009, 10:37 PM

Wow. I don't sign on for a few days and there are all sorts of entries. In an attempt to stay impartial I'll with hold comment for now on the work that has been posted. Scott mentioned that we talked briefly about the definition of nature. And in an attempt to clarify (or give you an "in" to my perspective)

I believe nature is still powerful even if there are man made objects around. And occasionally the natural wonder is made even greater with the comparison. That’s the great thing about this topic. It’ll mean different things to different people and that’s mostly what I’m interested in seeing. Sometimes it’s a good idea to see through other people’s eyes. And I think that’s what happens every time a photo is posted in thread!

Janet

08-09-2009, 06:11 PM

It's funny that you mentioned buzzards in the other thread....

Yesterday:

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff32/jbee101/Junk/DSC_0029.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff32/jbee101/Junk/DSC_0029ajpga.jpg

M38A1

08-09-2009, 10:51 PM

Nature. Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/M38A1_bucket/Photography/Bug.jpg

They're baaaaaaccccccckkkkkkkkkkk......
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/M38A1_bucket/Photography/Frog3copy.jpg

.

Tracker

08-10-2009, 09:18 AM

:mrgreen:

http://photos.leavelles.net/photos/606943607_Gx3Bp-O.jpg

M38A1

08-10-2009, 10:42 AM

Re: Toads and frogs, we've had a family/clutch/herd/group? of frogs for years living under our sidewalk. Every evening they'll come out about dusk but I haven't seen them for quite a while. I guess it's the heat. Yesterday, one decided to go on a walk-about which suprised me. And I've run a few over in the past 15 years in front of the house which always makes me a tad bit sad..... They're like pets. Well as much as a frog could be considered a pet. ;-)

poser

08-10-2009, 11:04 AM

I hate toads. It seems everytime there's a big rain, EVERY toad in the neighborhood think my pool is the place to be. They make that annoying noise ALL NIGHT. Some people like it, but I can't sleep through it. I usually scoop 'em up and vault them a few houses over.

Tracker

08-10-2009, 12:16 PM

poser

08-10-2009, 06:18 PM

We're watching my sister's dogs, and they are a lot of fun.

They're breading is for hunting/retrieving, but their "nature" can be lazy :lol2:

http://thebohacpage.smugmug.com/photos/616273461_6KCM7-L.jpg

thoughts?

I'll probably submit this one, as my entry. Don't know if I'll be able to snap something tonight. Was busy painting the up coming baby's room (you can see a pic in OT)

Tracker

08-10-2009, 09:01 PM

We're watching my sister's dogs, and they are a lot of fun.

They're breading is for hunting/retrieving, but their "nature" can be lazy :lol2:

thoughts?

I'll probably submit this one, as my entry. Don't know if I'll be able to snap something tonight. Was busy painting the up coming baby's room (you can see a pic in OT)

I would crop the background out of the picture. The tint kinda makes in interesting--just not sure if it's good or bad interesting. Might try taking it all the way to a sepia look.

I brightened up the sepia one some, too

http://www.twtex.com/photopost/data/574/labs.jpg

http://www.twtex.com/photopost/data/574/labs_sepia.jpg

:shrug: just me throwing spaghetti against the wall to see what'll stick.