Explore-Capture-Create

Just beneath the waves...

2012-01-14T12:05:00.000-08:00

On my trip up north my mom and I stumbled upon something very cool - a catwalk underneath the Avila Beach Pier! We happened to find this enchanting (and somewhat spooky) location at low tide where the waves would ebbe to show a world just below the usual waterline.

We didn't have the right equipment with us to capture the beauty that day but I was able to go back the next day, tripod in tow, and neutral density filter in hand. The conditions weren't quite as good when I went back - the waves were bigger (causing the pier to shake a bit more) and it was a bright sunny day (which made for a more drastic contrast in light underneath the pier).

Even though it wasn't ideal I grabbed the opportunity to practice a skill that I've been longing to master - smoothing water using long shutter speeds. I threw my camera in Manual, cranked my aperture as small as it would go (to minimize the light entering the camera and maximize my depth of field) and played with my shutter speed to find the right combination to maximize my detail in the highlights and shadows while being slow enough to smooth the water.

Here are my favorite shots:

ISO 100, 175mm, f/36, 20 sec

ISO 100, 115mm, f/36, 20 sec

ISO 100, 51mm, f/29, 20 sec

ISO 100, 24mm, f/22, 8 sec

Did you notice all of the starfish!? They were mesmerizing to me! I don't think I had ever seem them in their natural habitat before, only in aquariums.

What I learned: If I could go back and reshoot this I would choose a day that was overcast, and that the waves weren't quite as big. (Did I mention that there was a high surf advisory when I was UNDER the pier?)

With overcast skys I could dial back my aperture a bit to my lens' sweet spot, probably around f/16 and would have gotten sharper images.

Finally, I would take a bit more time to compose my shots. I was admittedly a bit spooked being under the pier by myself with the surf surging just a few feet below me. As a result I wasn't able to fully concentrate on what I was shooting.

Overall, I'm really happy with my images. I'm really looking forward to practicing this technique again.

Making a Photograph

2012-01-13T10:20:00.000-08:00

Several of the photography gurus that I follow stress the difference between taking a photograph and making a photograph. What is the difference? Taking a photo is simply pointing and shooting, hoping for the best. Making a photograph takes time - time to carefully choose a location, paying attention to light, composing the shot, and possibly spending time in post processing to make my artistic vision a reality.

The following photograph was made on a day trip with my mom up Highway 1 from San Luis Obispo to Cambria and back. The shoreline at Cambria was our first stop. I pulled out my tripod, borrowed my mom's neutral density filter and made my composition. I wasn't done there, though. This High Dynamic Range (HDR) image is a composite of five images. Pressing the shutter was just the first step of many.

Wedgewood Accessway - Cambria, CA

Here are the original RAW images:

Why did I need five images? My goal was to capture detail in both the highlights and shadows. In this scene capturing that range required five images. I was able to determine this while I was shooting by watching my histogram as I modified the shutter speed. In the darkest image I made sure that the histogram wasn't touching the right side of the graph. In the brightest image I ensured that the histogram wasn't touching the left side of the graph.

Darkest image - histogram isn't touching the right side of the graph

Brightest image - histogram isn't touching the left side of the graph

The next step in making my photograph was to combine these five images into one using Photomatix Pro. Again, my goal was to maintain detail in both the highlights and shadows, but now in a single, composite image.

Tone-mapped image from Photomatix Pro

Once I have the tone-mapped image I can start making my artistic vision take shape. I did a bit of cropping, and added a bit of contrast, and then for the final touches I took the image into Topaz Adjust to bring out detail and color.

The finished photograph

I MADE this photograph. It is my artistic interpretation. What do you think?

2012 is well on its way!

2012-01-12T19:50:00.000-08:00

It is January 12, 2012 and this is my first post of the year. That wasn't part of my plan. I had grand ideas about posting more regularly and making a few changes in how I'm running my photography business. Those changes are still in the works but it seems life rarely goes as planned.

I was fortunate to spend three weeks with my family on the Central Coast of California for the holidays. It was a roller coaster of a time but I'm so glad I was able to be there. I've been home a little less than a week, now, and with the post-holiday letdown my immune system tanked and I've been down the last few days with a nasty head cold.

Tonight, I'm finally feeling a bit more like myself and decided it was time to show you at least one of the images I made while I was up north. Thats right, I did take a bit of time to go out shooting while I was up in San Luis Obispo County.

Harmony Bicycle Diptych

I made this image (or rather images) in Harmony, CA - population 18. It is a VERY small town with a few artists' studios that are definitely worth a look (there is a coffee mug in the pottery studio that I still kick myself for not buying). I came across this old bicycle along the side of a building with weeds growing up and around it. I love the details and textures.

Now that I'm feeling better I'll get around to posting a few more of my photographs from the trip. I promise.

My Top Ten for 2011

2011-12-31T21:16:00.000-08:00

Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission

Sunset at the Cayucos Pier

I'm gonna eat you!

Daddy's Truck, 1968 Ford F150

Horses on the Beach, Morro Bay, CA

The Old Truck at Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards

San Diego County Fair at Del Mar

Tattoo Town Exhibit at the Museum of Photographic Art, Balboa Park, San Diego

Sunrise in the Vineyards - Red Soles Winery, Paso Robles, CA

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

2011-12-31T20:44:00.000-08:00

The Last Sunset of 2011 - Morro Bay, CA

As the sun sets on 2011 I'd like to take a moment to wish you a happy and prosperous new year. 2011 has been full of ups and downs, but overall it has been good. I have an awesome family, I have fantastic friends, I have a roof over my head, and food on the table. Life is good.

Happy New Year!

Buon Anno!

Buon Natale - Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T14:55:00.000-08:00

I hope your Christmas is filled with joy and love.

Merry Christmas - Buon Natale!

Happy Christmas Eve!

2011-12-24T11:04:00.000-08:00

Mom's Collection of Glass Christmas Trees

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I am blessed to be surrounded by family. Although my hubbie's absence is never far from my mind and heart my parents, cousins, grandparents, aunts & uncles are doing a great job of keeping me entertained. Cheers to you all! I'm off to help my mom in the kitchen. :)

San Diego at Night

2011-12-19T20:05:00.000-08:00

San Diego - from the Coronado Ferry Landing

Last night I joined friends to watch the Parade of Lights on San Diego bay. While we were waiting for the parade to start I took a few shots of the GORGEOUS San Diego skyline. What a view! I love how the Midway and several of the Skyscrapers are dolled up for the holidays!

Send a little holiday cheer!

2011-12-09T12:12:00.001-08:00

A couple of days ago I added two new products to my Etsy Shop - Artist-signed Original Artwork Holiday Cards! Choose from a classic Holly Berry design:

Holly Berry Note Cards

OR a fun, Quirky Santa design!

Quirky Santa Note Cards

Both designs feature an original 4x6 photograph and artist signature on high quality card stock and include a coordinating envelope. Cards are available in sets of four for $15. For more information or to purchase a set visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/angelaandrieuxphoto.

Fair Winds and Following Seas

2011-12-07T14:10:00.001-08:00

USS Sterett

These last few weeks have passed in a blur. With the exception of blogging Thirty Days of Thanksgiving the business of photography has largely been ignored as Les and I prepared for his deployment. The weeks leading up to his departure were fun, busy and extremely emotional. Yesterday, amidst hugs, kisses and a few tears we said our goodbyes and I watched his ship pull away from the pier. Although I miss him terribly I am so proud of him!

For other military families out there here are a few of my observations about preparing for deployment:

An impending separation forces priorities into place - Les and I focused on letting the little things go and enjoying our time together. We had a fabulous time!
Plan ahead - We had list upon list of things to do before he left and we steadily marked everything off. It was a wonderful feeling to be prepared and to just relax the night before he left.
Live in the moment - It was easy for me to think ahead and get emotionally overwhelmed knowing that we would soon be saying goodbye. However, I constantly reminded myself to be present and focus on the "now" and enjoy it! Deployment would happen, but there was no sense fretting about it weeks (or days or hours) before at the expense of enjoying the time we had together.

My Sailor

I pray that my sailor has a safe journey and returns to me soon!

For more photos of the USS Sterett's departure please visit my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/angelaandrieuxphotography

If you'd like to know more about the USS Sterett here are a couple of links to recent news stories:
USS Sterett Departs San Diego, Heads to Middle Ease - Video
USS Sterett Deploys to Western Pacific

About the title of this post:

The origin of the quote "Fair Winds and Following Seas" is unknown. It is often said to have been lifted from a poem, phrase, or literary work, but to the best of this researcher's knowledge, it wasn't. Over the last century at least, the two quotes "Fair Winds" and "Following Seas" have evolved, by usage, into a single phrase which is often used as a nautical blessing.

"Fair Winds": The Dictionary of American Regional English defines "Fair Wind" as "safe journey; good fortune." An early example of the phrase's use is in Herman Melville's Moby Dick,published in 1851, where it says near the end "Let me square the yards, while we may, old man, and make a fair wind of it homeward." In other words, let me square the yards (add on all sail) and make a safe journey home.

"Following Seas": Defined by Bowditch's American Practical Navigator as "A sea in which the waves move in the general direction of the heading." It further defines "Tide" as "the periodic rise and fall of the water resulting from gravitational interactions between the sun, moon, and earth. . . . the accompanying horizontal movement of the water is part of the same phenomenon." In simple terms: the movement of the water, the waves, and the surface, correspond with the movement of the tide.

"Fair Winds and Following Seas" is really two quotes originating from different sources. The two quotes are a nautical phrase of good luck--a blessing as it were--as the person, group, or thing it is said to departs on a voyage in life. It is often used at a "beginning" ceremony such as a commissioning ceremony of a ship or people, as well as in retirement, change of command, or farewell ceremonies. (Naval Historical Center)

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 30

2011-11-30T20:17:00.001-08:00

I've made it to the finish line! Blogging each day for a month is harder than it sounds, but each year it seems to get a bit easier. This was my third year participating with NaBloPoMo and my personal challenge of Thirty Days of Thanksgiving.

Fish Eye Fun (taken with my iPhone using the Olloclip Fish Eye Lens)

Today I am thankful for:

The practice of counting my blessings
A cozy house on a blustery night
A glass of vino - Cheers!

It is easy to get bogged down with the challenges of daily life, but blogging daily about the good stuff, big and small, keeps me focused on how good lif is. I hope that, as a reader, this series has inspired you to take stock of the goodness around you and focus your attention there, if even for a short time. We are truly blessed and have much to be grateful for.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 29

2011-11-29T20:25:00.001-08:00

My Fuzzy Buddy

Today I am thankful for:

Pumpkin - my fuzzy shadow and faithful companion
A new photography client
A priority adjustment - with Les' impending deployment we've been forced to focus on what really matters and make the most of the time we have together. While I am unhappy about the looming separation I love that we have pulled together and are making every moment count.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 28

2011-11-28T21:15:00.001-08:00

Blogger FINALLY released an iPhone app! I thought I'd give it a go and see how it works today since my laptop is in the middle of having its hard drive upgraded.

Today I am thankful for:
-My bicycle
-Time with my hubbie at a favorite coffee house & a short bike ride together
-Dinner with my awesome auntie
-A hubbie with technical proficiency - who is right upgrading my computer as I type away on my iPhone

What are you thankful for?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 27

2011-11-27T20:34:00.001-08:00

Shapes + Reflections = Photography Fun!

Today I am thankful for:

A bike ride with my hubbie and a destination that included a cappuccino
Christmas lights decorating our front porch
My NEW food processor and the AMAZING pistachio pesto that it helped me make tonight

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 26

2011-11-26T20:10:00.001-08:00

Pure Happiness! (A shop window in the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego)

Today I am thankful for:

A yummy breakfast with my parents
My parents' safe drive home
Nap time on my comfy sofa
Christmas decorations
Dinner with my hubbie on the ship

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 25

2011-11-25T20:37:00.001-08:00

After almost five and a half years of blogging I have finally reached my 500th post! Thank you all for following and continuing to follow my journey. I can't wait to see what I find through my explorations and have to share with you in the next 500 posts!

Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego

Today I am thankful for:

My awesome parents - I am truly blessed to have parents who are also my friends
My hubbie having the day off from work
The best Black Friday:

Yummy breakfast made by my made daddy
Shopping my favorite camera and art stores
Cappuccino and gelato in Little Italy
A drive out to Julian for lunch and apple pie with cinnamon ice cream
Time to take a few pictures (I haven't had a chance to upload them yet, but expect to see a few in the next couple of days)
Amazing turkey tacos (prepared by my mom and dad) for dinner

It doesn't get much better than this!!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 24

2011-11-24T18:27:00.001-08:00

Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego

Today I am thankful for:

Family
Good food
A couple of days to spend with my parents

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 23

2011-11-23T21:37:00.001-08:00

Urban Garden - Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego

Today I am thankful for:

A house that smells like Pumpkin Pie
A fantastic afternoon with my daddy
A comfy bed to go crawl in to

Good night world!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 22

2011-11-22T22:53:00.001-08:00

Plaza Hotel, Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego

Today I am thankful for:

Naps
Homemade Apple-Pear-Cranberry Crisp (I modified the recipe just a bit to include the apples)
My parents' safe drive to Southern California

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 21

2011-11-21T21:16:00.001-08:00

Reflecting - Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego

Today I am thankful for:

A productive day
My hubbie making dinner AND cleaning the kitchen
An evening with two of my favorite kiddos

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 20

2011-11-20T20:08:00.001-08:00

Beauty Abandoned - Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego

Today I am thankful for:

Catching up with a good friend over coffee
AppleCare protection on my iPhone
Dinner with my hubbie on his ship
Rain

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 19

2011-11-19T20:56:00.001-08:00

Today Les and I got out to shoot some pictures. We spent a couple of hours wandering around downtown San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, exploring and capturing a bit of our awesome city.

With my camera in hand I tend to see more than I do when I'm simply running errands or out for a shopping trip. I noticed little things - colors, shapes, historic details...some of my favorite photographic subjects. Over the next few days I will be sharing a few of my favorites from my downtown exploration. I hope you enjoy them!

Today I am thankful for:

Time to make photographs
Time with my hubbie, doing something I love and sharing it with him
The release of Topaz Adjust 5 (a free upgrade if you have Topaz Adjust 4!!) - one of my favorite tools in the digital darkroom
New pictures to "play" with

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 18

2011-11-18T22:57:00.001-08:00

The Owl Pendant on the necklace that Les gave me for our anniversary

Today I am thankful for:

The time my hubbie and I had to spend together while he was on leave
Date night - I'm savoring these because there won't be many more before my hubbie deploys
Crossing a few more items off of the pre-deployment checklist. I strongly dislike the countdown, but I'm thankful to know that we are going to be as prepared as possible.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 17

2011-11-17T22:27:00.001-08:00

Sunset Surfer 2 - Morro Bay Strand

Today I am thankful for:

The release of the 2011 Beaujolais Nouveau
A new keychain, the Wisdom Owl Charm by Brighton - I've wanted it for months! When I first saw it I didn't have the money for it and when I went back to buy it as a birthday present for myself it had sold out. I lucked out and found it back in stock today!
"Jewels" from a Pomegranate - eating a Pomegranate is like a treasure hunt!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 16

2011-11-16T20:45:00.001-08:00

Anniversary Rose

Today I am thankful for:

Eight years of marriage to a great guy!
A nice relaxing anniversary
A massage
A fabulous dinner at Island Prime
Two very thoughtful gifts from my hubbie (even though we had agreed no gifts) :-D A cute little necklace with an owl pendant and a "just because" gift that happened to arrive today - an Olloclip len for my iPhone - crazy cool! (The rose photos above were taken with the macro lens attached to my iPhone!)