October 2014 - 30 Day Photo Challenge - DAY 18:SHADOW

An image I captured last fall at East Park in Mason City immediately came to mind for the "shadow" photo challenge.  In my recent pondering on what makes a good photograph, I have decided that lighting has way more to do with image likability than the actual subject; and this particular picture proves my point.  On its own, this is a decent composition, but the shadows of the trees pack that extra punch setting a good photo apart from a great photo.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 30:FACELESS PORTRAIT

I made it!

Thirty days of photo challenges complete!

May 2004 - Grandma's Hands

August 2009 - Grand Marais, MN

Today's challenge of the faceless portrait is literally in the eye of the beholder.

I admit I did a Google search of images for this topic and found I was only limited by my own imagination.

November 2009 - Two-Headed Shadow

So I reached into the archives for some examples as well as taking a couple of fresh shots today.

July 2014 - Fone Face

July 2014 - CamWow App filter on iPhone

I do have another 30-Day photo challenge ready to try; but in the meantime, I will be sharing some activities from each day until I tire of that.

Tomorrow's activity is to become part of the throng of RAGBRAI riders and spectators.  So check back for some bicycle and people pictures as I try to capture a piece of this incredible summertime Iowa event.

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.