We drove home via Hwy 180 with hopes of seeing Aspens turning color on the North side
of the San Francisco Peaks. We lucked out with a few Aspen groves by the side of the road.
On Hwy 180 going toward Flagstaff between the 8046 and 8000 elevation. signs.
Of course I had to shake my camera too 🙂
Ansel Adams said that the key to good photography is visualization. It really does make a difference
if you have a definite goal in mind for a photograph. At the Flagstaff Arboretum, there’s a bench tucked
in a little Aspen grove. It’s a scene I can’t resist. The last time I shot it, it was surrounded by Columbine.
This time, the light was a real challenge so I shot it with three ideas in mind.
The first is an HDR which means I took 3 shots to capture the best in the highlights and shadows.
I then used Topaz Simpify 2 to knock down the edges and add a little more color.
The second shot is in Infrared which always works well in bright light.
The third image is an abstract. It’s the result of intentional camera movement and my favorite way to shoot.
I plan to go back the last weekend in September when I hope to find the Aspen in full fall color.
Hyde Memorial State Park, high in the Santa Fe mountains, was hands down my favorite room with a view during our RV trip through New Mexico.
We were greeted by sun at 9000 feet and enjoyed a full day of it.
The next night a scary storm made us feel that trees were coming down around us! The next morning it started to snow.
Today we went to Abiquiu and toured Georgia O’Keefe’s home. We’re now parked 15 miles from there at Ghost Ranch and the sun is trying to come out. Next stop is Bandelier Nat’l Monument. No internet for the next three days.