March--ing ...Onward and Upward

I downloaded the Instagram app on my phone recently...anything for the betterment of the craft, right?

       ...Like I have time for something additional to check and post to throughout the day.

Although, you can link your Instagram to your Facebook, I am trying a different approach.  Afterall, why have both if you are just going to post the same pictures to both social media sites...it's usually the same people following you on both anyway.  Redundant much?

I've opted to make my Instagram page completely separate and different from any posts I make on Facebook.  Not only that, but I am sticking to strictly black and white images with my Instagram posts...here's my home page thumbnails so far...

It's kinda fun...we'll see how long it lasts.

Guess I can add engagement photos to my portfolio as well.  Had the opportunity to take pictures for a fun-loving couple this month.  Got some pretty cute shots if I do say so myself.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 9:SILHOUETTE

 sil~hou~ette
Defined as a dark shape and outline of someone or something visible against a lighter background, especially in dim light.

Before going out on my photo assignment for today, I did an image search for silhouettes.  I found some breathtaking photos--most of which were obviously manipulated for the desired effect.

I have mixed emotions about current technology and all that can be done to raw images using Photoshop and other photo editing tools.  It seems like cheating somehow...like ANYONE can be a photographer!

However, I have been guilty on several occasions lately of utilizing the features to enhance the color or change the contrast since it is so readily available.

That being said, I was rather pleased with myself that the cemetery pictures I took last night were not retouched at all--I just couldn't decide whether I preferred the black and white or the color version. The sun was just right in the sky to produce the long shadows and give the silhouetted effect I was looking for with the headstones.  On a side note, this image was taken through the car window as the mosquitoes were so thick that I decided not to get out and risk losing a pint of blood.

The solar sun light in my meditation garden provided a striking silhouette against the bright sky yesterday; and the abundance of farms and flatland where I live, allowed a perfect opportunity to photograph the silhouetted silo during the evening sunset last night.

The last two silhouette sunset images are a couple of my favorites that I pulled from my personal stock of images and, I admit, were manipulated slightly to enhance the color and contrast.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 4:BLACK N WHITE

For today's photo challenge, I pulled some images I had taken at the Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Des Moines:  "Nomade" and "Back of Snowman."

Some unique photo ops await any camera enthusiast, and the attraction is free...