Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Lilly Spectacular by Camera Shy

Camera Shy, one of our regular comtributers, has shared a few pictures taken recently of some beautiful yard Lillies. A few special effects were used to highlight what this amateur photographer saw that made these Lillies special.  Enjoy!

Photographer:  Camera Shy


Black & White with center Color!


Similar effect.....


What Cropping and Reframing Can do for the Same Picture


Background choice along with good framing and softening borders can really highlight your main focus!


Natural!


Thank you Camera Shy for sharing your beautiful flowers and special effect usage to make them even more special and pleasant to look at!

Do you like to have fun with your camera and see things a little differently through your own eyes (mind)?  Well, maybe mix it up, try out some new things with your camera or with your computer and then share them with us.  We would love to see them!
 

Sunday, July 21, 2013

My Facorite Amateur Photos - exhibit One

Today I am getting a chance to choose a few of my favorite photo's that have been previously posted on this blog by other amateur photographers.  I know that you can scan through each tabbed page and see for yourself but for today I'm showing off a few of them in an eclectic group.  I may do this from time to time just to highlight some of the talent and subject selections of our member and guest member photographers.  Don't hesitate to become part of our little club and show us some of your own favorites.


Photographer: Jim at large

Trail Crossings

Photographer: TJM8596

Colorful Colorado

Photographer: Camera Shy

Fantasy Trail


Photographer: Eucharisteo

Silver Sun

Photographer: Funk-I-yam

Let's Do the Twist

Photographer: Photo Amature

I See You!

Photographer: Mountain Man

Historic Bridge
(Would make a great 5,000 piece puzzle)

Photographer: Delcius-ex-Asperis

Rolling Thunder

Photographer: Whitey

Ma and Pa

Photographer: Ruday

Kittens and Puzzles
(Special Effects)

Photographer: Wilfred

I'm a Shy One

Photographer:Kelsey

 
Catching an Egg Yolk Sun

Photographer: Tweety

 
Man Made Wounds

 
Which of these are your favorites?

NOTE:  We have had almost 3,000 views just from passing this on to friends and Facebook friends along with other blog viewers, many from other countries.  Don't be shy about sharing the address with your friends and family.  Especially if you decide to share some of your photos.  Everything including your page name is protected.
 

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Robinson Mansion

Today it's all about mansions.  Want a summer time outing that doesn't require a lot of travel? Look in your vacinity and see what is available to tour in the way of museums, mansions or large historical hotels, etc.  You  could be surprised at what's just around the corner.  A great historical lesson for the kiddos too.

Photographer:  Photo Amature

(Note: some tweeking was done on the photos due to extreme smoke and haze from the nearby Royal Gorge wild Fire that plagued the area for a few weeks.  The smoke created grainyness and low lighting conditions)

Robinson Mansion, Canon City, Colorado
 


Now that's a front porch
 




 
The Mansion also had a carriage house in the back of the property that these antique carriages once graced and provided transportation for its occupants
 
 
 (note: the smokey haze... Sort of gives it a historical past feel to me)


Reminds me of some old Cival War Pictures


Inside the Mansion was beautiful and very ornate.
 
I loved the many beautiful chandeliers
 

Every detail was perfect including the antique sculpted trim
 
 
The Biggest and Best Chandalier
 


So much detail

And this was in the dining room.  Since we were there for a wedding I was unable to get pictures of the rest of house but would like to go again sometime to really see everything the Mansion has to offer.


Prism Chandalier, cool


As the hazy sun disappeared the mansion took on a whole other light!


A Fountain, black with gold trim almost dissappears in the dark!


Through the smokey haze a very full moon came out to give a haunting atmosphere but the trees dressed it up with a leaf skirt!

 


Alright, now it's your turn to share a theme set of pictures or an eclectic collection or even random shots you have taken and enjoy!  Hope to have a lot of summer excursions and experiences vicariously through you soon!
 

Monday, July 8, 2013

Hike the Colorado Trail

Welcome back Wilfred.  One of  our newer amateur photographers has been out hiking the Colorado Trail.  Join Wilfred on a summer hike at 10-12,000 feet in the high Colorado Mountains.  Wilfred hiked aproximately 12 miles round trip and had a full day of fresh mountain air and sights. 

Photographer:  Wilfred


Colorado Trail Head off of Monarch Pass

 
 Fooses Creek at the bridge
 
Wilfred found that even in times of drought the high mountains still run with snow melt along numerous small rivelets, some making tunnels through the ground.  When someone says, "the water sprang from the ground," it's true.


Some snow drainages can be as small as a few inches across.

Trails cross these creeks numerous times and can even share the same path for awhile as the water rushes from the mountain tops.

 
The wildlife benefit from these flowing streams as well as any unlucky lost hikers.
 

Yep, that's snow. Even in July during a virtual drought, snow can be found lurking beneath deep gashes and under heavy shade.


Near the summit
(note lingering smoke that is still floating around the state from the numerous wild fires)


Whew what a hike but all was worth the reward!
 


The Colorado Trail follows the ridge lines of the Rockies all the way from the northern state border to the southern border.  It continues on into the linking states also.


One last look around before Wilfred headed back down the trail.  What a day for one lucky hiker and amateur photographer.
(note the old jeep trail that goes almost straight down the hill)


Ok, I am sure many of you have already gone on at least one summer outing or vacation.  Do you have some shots of the places you have seen so far?  Please consider sharing them with us and any explanation of the area or activity will be posted with your photographs.  Read the sidebar at the upper right hand side of this page to see how to submit your pictures.