100 Days of Summer with my Lensbaby Week 6
Week 6–Northern California has enjoyed a “cool down” from over 100 degrees to 80’s and 90’s. A welcome change!
Summer Fun Day 36
Day 37 Two versions
Daisy Pops
Using Lightroom CC 2015
New Slider in “Effects” bottom slider “Dehaze” Modified Daisy Pops with +65
Flower Family Reunion Day 38
Luscious Green Bokeh Day 39
Repeating Bokeh Day 40
Under Day 41
Classic Words Day 42
100 Days of Summer with my Lensbaby Week 5
Wow! This time of summer is just moving at an alarming rate. Does remind me of how quickly summer vacation passed as a child. Here are the images I shared during Week 5 of the…
100 Days of Summer with my Lensbaby
Hi Riley! Day 29
Bokeh in Back Day 30
Opposites Attract Day 31
Drought Humor Day 32
Sunshine Globe Day 33
Long May She Wave Day 34
Light blue, white, and pink! Day 35
May your summer days be filled with joy and creating memories!
Where Does Time Go? Weeks 2 and 3
Wow, we are officially in the “Summer Season” in the USA, and in particular—California, “The Sunshine State.” For our hot current temps in Sacramento, the capital of California, we are well above 100 degrees. 104 yesterday and I believe, due to repeat today. I was out walking the dogs at 6:30 this morning. WAY TOO hot within a very little amount of time!
The 100 Days of Summer with Lensbaby was started and created by an amazing talented group of women. Check out their pages to see their passion and talent with their Lensbaby(babies)
Ana – Ana Rosenburg Photography
https://www.facebook.com/AnaRosenbergPhotography?fref=ts
Nicola – Nicola Stewart Photography
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicola-Stewart-Photography/691213830919176?ref=bookmarks
Pauline- Oak Tree Shutterbug
https://www.facebook.com/oaktreeshutterbug?fref=ts
Sonia- Sonia Marfatia-Goode Photography https://www.facebook.com/soniamarfatiagoodephotography…
Kelly – Kelly Jacobi Photography
https://www.facebook.com/kellyjacobiphotography?fref=ts
Justyna – Justyna E Butler Photography
https://www.facebook.com/JustynaEButlerPhotography
Here is a recap of my images for the second and third weeks, we are actually due to end week 4 in two days. Time is flying–that is for sure.
Day 8
Seasonal Color
Sweet 50 Optic 2.5
Day 9
Bright Future
Velvet 56
Bursting with Joy
Day 10
Finders Keepers
Sweet 50 Optic 2.5
Day 11
Sharing the Beauty
Sweet 50 Optic
Day 12
Plentiful Velvet Poppies
Velvet 56
Day 13
Peek A Boo
Velvet 56
Day 14
Traveling Minstrel
Sweet 50 Optic 2.5
Day 15
Crossing the Line
Sweet 50 Optic 2.5
Day 16
Rosebud in Bokeh
Sweet 50 Optic
Day 17
Pollen Powderpuff
Sweet 50 Optic 2.5
Day 18
Secret Oasis
Soft Focus Optic
Day 19
Waiting to Pop
Soft Focus Optic 2.5
Day 20
Half and Half
Velvet 56
Day 21
Father’s Day
Sweet 50 Optic 2.5
A Look via Lytro, Light Field Camera
As most of you know, I am dealing with a back and neck injury. Difficulty with carrying weight and DSLR and gear do not mix well. My current lens of choice, anything Lensbaby. Muse with Double Glass Optic, for those fellow Lensbaby fans is a blast with my Nikon D800E and has been on it for weeks!
About a year ago at the annual Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk, I saw a weird box of a camera…I wish I could remember the name of our walk leader, as the camera was his, he was kind and shared it with others.
Little and Fun
It is best known as a camera you can set the focus point after you take an image. Can also have multiple versions via focus from one image.
The only downside for me is the lack of processing in other programs than the very limited “Lytro Filters”. I can use the images anywhere and share on Facebook with ease, but can not send image to say, Lightroom 5 and then post in Facebook and be able to focus after the fact. I lose that capacity. My photographer persona is having a tough time with this. On the good side, it forces me to be really selective in my shooting and what image I get to start with. Slow down and really take in the scene. Good time to reflect and learn better habits–that is a win-win.
Another manner to share images outside of the Lytro Program is by copying the embedded code for the image. For my techie friends, you know circles and circles of knowledge, this will be my first attempt at copying and pasting a code…
A month or so, I was in the Bay Area and joined up with a fellow Nikon shooter, Ben Tang. We went to Berkeley Marina and I had time to bring out my Lytro. Just sitting and looking at the boats bobbing in the water.
These are the first Lytro images I printed and I love the results…only used the Lytro filters and was quite surprised at the end products.
https://pictures.lytro.com/DrMarm/pictures/742080
Tilted Mast
https://pictures.lytro.com/DrMarm/pictures/742078
Film Noir Effect
https://pictures.lytro.com/DrMarm/pictures/742068
Line Art
In order for the focusing after option, you need to make certain you are shooting with that setting. Easy to know–blue line around your image. Another plus is having a distinct foreground, middle, and background. If just 2 points–that can still work.
This is from a local park along the American River. Click on the plant/flower and watch the morphing image…click on the background for change in view. The second image is not one I would have shared, aside from the transformation of the changing focus…but grew to like it!
https://pictures.lytro.com/DrMarm/pictures/742083
Along the American River
https://pictures.lytro.com/DrMarm/pictures/742086
Eye of the Beholder
I did the Old way of copy, cut, and paste…then noticed an icon that I could click and choices were Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and Embed.
Awesome and easy!! (OMG, easy to do!!)
This is with the “glass” filter–reminds me of ice. In actuality, this image was a tree in a parking lot where I had an appointment. Arrive early and take pics!
As of today…can get Lytro on many websites, including Lytro.com and Target (only place for pink color) Best Buy, Apple Stores, and a few more spots. Search for prices. I got the 750 image for 100 less than advertised. (Amazon has since changed the price…) Happy shopping and shooting!
How to Create Enjoyable Images with Ugly Sky Conditions…
Had the pleasure to shoot briefly with a friend that rented a Nikon D800. I had been drooling over his D700 when we met around 3-4 years ago–seemed only fair it was his time to check out a new camera that I am so fond of!
Taking Advantage of subjects nearby on the water
Although the Sacramento Area has 2 rivers and a couple of lakes near by, it is SO different to be along the shores of the San Francisco Bay with no waves.
A Little Saturation
Most of the boats were alone with their sales wrapped up and covered. The reflection of the bigger boat caught my eye when I was looking and walking around. Our access was limited, as there was a locked gate only available to Marina members with a key.
Baby Boat and Big Boat! Theme: yellow!
The glare from the sun made this image more difficult, so I kept shooting in continuous high mode as the bird moved across the sky.
As Afternoon Fades, the Boats Return to the Marina…
This was actually the first time I even took my Lensbaby Muse off my camera–since I got it about 2 weeks ago. I kept seeing locations that would be better shot with my Lensbaby. I will admit, the newer tag of, “See in a New Way” fits
Lensbaby Fun– Focused on the hull of the boat
Once again, the bird caught within the same frame as the sailboat–I couldn’t resist! I also liked this composition better with the shore rocks and the breaker behind–may “move” the bird & update this after I visit Photoshop CS6.
A Trace of the San Francisco Bay Bridge–far left through the haze/fog
The yellow boat draws your attention right in. Lack of wind allowed the reflections to show and be a bit more dramatic trip to the marina.
Found another boat with a great reflection…
Another view of sailing–a bit closer to the San Francisco Bay Bridge.
Another view through the haze with Treasure Island and the bridge beyond
Think this is my favorite view from the day. Framed Sailboat via the marina parking lot.
Framed View Low haze
Thanks again to my friend, Ben for driving me around, so I was able to shoot and not worry about a conflict with my meds.
Lensbaby Spark Fun
Winter Blues
According to the groundhog, “Punxsutawney Phil” we are due for an early spring…however, many states have endured horrific winter weather over the past week. In the Sacramento, California area our snow level dropped to 900 feet which is insane for us! Of course, the next day no clouds were in the sky and nothing but beautiful blue overhead. What these images can not share is the temperature–our morning lows have been 30 degrees or so with our day high nearing 60.
I decided to take my Lensbaby Spark out for a jaunt in the backyard to celebrate our chilly, but dry weather. The Spark lens is the lightest Lensbaby in my collection and easy to manage on my D600. The challenge and fun aspect of this lens (in my humble opinion) is that you do not secure your composition–hands need to maintain constant pressure on the Spark to keep the effect you desire.
My favorite aspect of using a Lensbaby is the fact you can achieve so many different results with the same tool. Creativity is unlimited. The next two images are of the same Oak Tree which towers over the backyard and yet appear so different, because of the lens flexibility.
Over Head
Love the look of swirls–especially with fall color but still creates a fun abstract result with bare branches.
Just a Twist
Some flowering varieties, one in various shades of green and the other with a splash of color.
Abstract Beauty
The light in this shot allowed the creative aperture of the “sun” to show through a bit.
Backyard Blooms
Anyone else ready for spring???
Lensbaby Fun!
Haven’t really dedicated much time for my Lensbaby lately, so this week made a point of doing just that.
Visited the American River Parkway and caught a few views…
Road less traveled
In California, we are falling into Winter and signs are everywhere…
Piles of leaves
A Winter Tree with a majestic blue sky background
Empty Tree
Visited Old Town Sacramento this week and switched to my Composer with Double Glass and a Star Aperture. This aperture makes single points of light into a “star” which seemed fitting for the holidays. Yes, I do know too much of one thing can be overkill, but let’s just say I had a happy reunion with my Lensbaby!
One of my favorite aspects is how the mundane can be turned into magic…a view from the passenger side.
Shotgun!
This is just the lights from cars on Interstate 80…kinda fun view, IMHO!
Actually a view from inside Joe's Crab Shack
Any point of lights will shift with this aperture.
A view from an Old Town window…
Reflecting Light
One last view of a more traditional source!
A bit in Focus
Hope your holidays are merry and bright and filled with those you love!
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