Bodie

More artsy stuff---- or not.

Huh?????

Yet another attempt at artsy/fartsy. I like to imagine that this is one of those photographs that one may see in Focus magazine and think to themselves,"how did he do that?", "what was his motivation?", "who cares and what if they did?" Photography by Heidi Christeson. Digital darkroom by J. Charles Heinlein

Long Story

Some 27 years ago I came upon a setting like this in Magnolia Gardens (Charleston, SC). I thought to myself, "what a great picture this would make." Alas, I had no camera. While recently vacationing in Charleston I came upon the same scene much to my delight. This time I had a camera.

Turmoil on Tallac

OK, last one of these for awhile. The problem here is that they are fun to do in that one really has to focus regarding color and light. My plan, however, is to go up into the mountains soon and get a new crop of landscapes and maybe later some artsy/fartsy images of my wife. It is time to try new things. As I'm sure my friend Maurice would advise: just go out and do it and have fun in the process!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The End Approaches

This was just down the valley from "The Hall of the Mountain King", so I thought it appropriate to have almost the same sky.

For a short time only

My wife would kill me for putting this on the blog. I, however, love the image and the lady in it. Take it from me, I am, without doubt, the luckiest man in the world. There should be a day set aside for all men and significant others who feel the way I do. It would be a celebration of all the special women in existence. Believe me when I say, I celebrate every day. Note the smile on my face and my black and white ear.

A bit of Whimsey

I'm sitting here listening to a radio station of my creation playing all the "standards." Who can do it better than Mel Torme, Michael Finestein, Nat Cole and Sarah Vaughn? So I got whimsical, found old images of flowers, and had some fun.

The Classics

I read (no pun intended) that a very small percentage of people buy 97% of the books for pleasure reading in the USA. As I recall it is between 3-6%. That is a shame because that means 94% of the population essentially has no original and/or primary imagination.

Books and Time

I wish I had more of each. My love of books goes back to my "aunt" Dolores. She made me appreciate the worth of a book and its tactility. The feel and the look of a book can be almost as important as its contents. Books supply beauty to a room as few objects can.

Experiment

The experiment has to be put on hold for awhile as I don't have the proper plug-in. However, the books have been dusted, and I had a chance to do still-life photography. As you have probably gathered, I love books. I found that they make (at least for me) superlative models. This photo and the ones above it were taken in my living room. My wife has arranged said living area so it is a comfortable refuge, and has masculine appeal but a very feminine touch with (what I hope are) photogenic qualities.

Chloe Cat

It appears from her expression that it was not a good day for picture taking. The "if looks could kill" countenance appeared to be vaguely familiar to me. Later that day I took a surprise image of my wife and I found it remarkable how much she looked like........well let's just say that for a nano-second my wife and Chloe could have been separated at birth.

Another tree

Ok, maybe I should just do a tree series.

Coffee Table

One of my goals in the near future is to do a coffee table book that features Carson City, Nevada by night (there is a Carson City, Michigan, I don't want to get them confused). This would be a personal project with no motives other than self-fulfillment. The odds are that no trees would be included in said book. Who the h--l am I kidding.

Southern Charm

I can almost hear the gentle southern response after one compliments a young belle from the Carolina low country: "listen at you." Trust me on this one, you had to be there but your heart would just melt. Someday I'll go back.

Gettin back to one's "roots"

The Tallac Historical site provided the rather large root configuration of the pictured dead tree. I was told to capture the image (by guess who) and make it weird. I hope I have succeeded.

Golf Cart 101

My wife secured for me a position as the unofficial, official photographer for her company's semi-annual golf tournament. The juxtapositon of the golf carts made for an enjoyable study in black and white photography.

In the Hall of the Mountain King, before the fury

I am really starting to have fun with this series (The End of the World). This is obviously the same mountain with different skies. The trick goes beyond the mere combining of images, but in making sure the combined images work as to lighting and color. With the coordination of the lighting and color the "texture" of the image should follow. I hope you enjoy this comparative study.

The Night Before

This is from my "End of the World" series that my wife abhors. This, of course, is the same woman who will not miss an episode of Ghosthunters or any number of creepy shows on the SYFY (sci-fi) network (god fobid that we miss an episode of "Tales from the Darkside" on her day off). She also loved the movie "My Bloody Valentine" and adores fantasy art and literature. Things that make one ponder.

Among the Magnolias??????????

Is this a photograph of an anti-bellum mansion? At first glance one might be so inclined to think. It is actually a bed and breakfast in Nevada City, California.

Twilight and Redux

It is always surprising to me what one can find to photograph in one's virtual backyard. This is an image taken at a county park less than 2 miles from my home. The barren landscape was appealing, and with the sun calling it quits for yet another day the lighting was spot-on.

Always one of my favorite images, this is the redux.

Memories of Dallas

My wife and I went to visit my mother in Dallas shortly before she passed away. We lucked on to a beautiful area known as the Dallas Arboreatum. This tree lined walkway was just one of many stunningly spectacular areas of the park.

Manipulation

For those of you into photography, but have problems with the various forms of Photoshop, I suggest a subscription to Digital Photo. This is a magazine from the UK. There is an American Digital Photo which is quite good also, but does not include a DVD and solid instruction as to Photoshop or Elements as the UK version does. This photograph (and its manipulation) was the product of one of the lessons on the aforementioned DVD. Whether you like the image or not, the project was fun.

SR 206

My wife and I are very fortunate to live in the beautiful area surrounding Lake Tahoe. This image was captured at sunrise on an access road, SR 206, toward Genoa. To me this photo was one of those "desirable" mistakes that happen every so often.

Thank you my love

Is the tree theme coming through? Actually, the tree ideas come from my wife in that she tends to see in them what most folks don't. I dutifully capture the (tree) images, load them in the PC and never stop being amazed as to her insight.

Addendum: My wife suggested a bit more light to this image, and as usual she was dead on.

Friends

I have been extremely fortunate to meet several highly artistic people in the area that have given me endless encouragement: Mimi Jobe, Maurice Hershberger, and Micheal Nelson. Google Mimi and encounter her beautiful, fantasy art work. Maurice is an award winning artist from the Tahoe area. His inspiring blog can be viewed and http://unocchiovecchiaccio.blogspot.com/ Micheal can create magic in his studio when it comes to photographic images (among a myriad of other image specialties). A perfectionist by nature, he always focuses his talent to make any composition the best that it can be. Micheal can be reached at http://www.grafx8.com/index.htm