Saturday, July 19, 2008

DEAD OR ALIVE WITH COLOUR?

Well I don't know about anyone else but the weather here has been nothing like summer. The camera hasn't seen much action this week, apart from the shots I need to take. Take yesterday. I went out loaded with 3 lenses, started upon my usual path through the nature reserve and the heavens opened. What to do? To far in to go home, not far enough to seek the shelter of one of the numerous cafes in town. Nothing for it but to try and shelter under the trees.

I never, ever let any water near the camera. They are completely allergic to rain so no, this photo wasn't yesterday, but it was the spot I was sheltering. I saw this image I had taken earlier in the week and remembered why I'd taken it. How many of us have library photos that were a good idea at the time, but can't recall what that was?

For tones and colours of the great outdoors, autumn(fall) is my favourite season. These withered dying leaves were autumn in hue so it was the obvious shot. That's when it struck me that the leaves that were dying were actually the most alive and vibrant in colour of all the living plants and foliage surrounding me. Now, is this slightly mad, have I got cabin fever living on a small island or does anyone else agree with me.?

What then is your favourite season to photograph, not necessarily your favourite season, but the one that your camera loves?

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Big deal you you take photographs! Who cares, I don't and the island sucks!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Manxman posts clever comments. Perhpas the worms will enjoy him at some point in the hopefully not too distant future. Such a brave soul hiding behind his poisonous anonymous shield.

My suggestion to Mr. Manxman is if he doesn't appreciate Babooshka's blog not to bother wasting his time visiting. I sure there must be something worthwhile he can do. Maybe.

Yes, I know I'm treading on delicate toes, but this kind of comment is completely outside the boundries of any sort of taste. Pay him no mind ... and delete his comment as well. Do Not Let Him get the best of you.

And to attempt to thwart follow-up harassment from this nice individual I'm posting anonymously as well.

Chuck

Naturegirl said...

My camera loves the summer filled with macros of flowers roses peonies and little wonders that may roam about my garden!
Fall is colored sad for me as I say goodbye to my summer. :( NG

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Babooshka,
You have posted a wonderful photo today, as usual, and I will accept your invitation to comment on the seasons and photography.

On the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, we have two seasons. The dry season is from November to May, and the "green season" is from May to October.

The vegetation turns lush in the green season, as we will get late afternoon showers. During the dry season, the trees actually lose their leaves to conserve water. Even though we are in a warm tropical climate, many of the trees look like winter in colder climates.

Because it is warmer in the dry season, people will refer to it as "summer," even though those months are normally considered winter in the northern hemisphere, and Costa Rica is still north of the equator.

With that introduction about the climate, I will respond to your question about the seasons and photography. I like photgraphing Costa Rican landscapes in the green season much more than the dry season, as everything looks so lush and deep green, rather than brown.

However, there is an important advantage to photographing in the dry season. It is much easier to spot wildlife and get photos of birds, monkeys, sloths and other animals in the bare trees of the dry season.

By the way, that was a stunning photo of a sunset that you posted yesterday. My next photo is another in my series of Costa Rican sunsets, this one taken from a sunset cruise on a sail boat.

Profile Not Available said...

Beautiful color! Wonderful contrast! I like fall too, especially all the varieties of maples.

Small City Scenes said...

Is it tomorrow already?? I love your friday sky Watch. Mother Nature has some beautiful colors to show us.
And I love your fall/summer shot. I like the fall colors to. So vibrant--so many gold and reds. Fall in the Pacific NW coast is usually the best time of year--the rains slow for awhile and the suns is warm but not too hot.
You stay put-----MB

Virginia said...

Babooshka,
I have not read the comment that you refer to, and I am certainly not coming to anyone's defense. That said, as I get to know more and more photographers in my community whom I admire and seek advice from, I am learning that a great majority use Photoshop and other programs to enhance and correct their photographs. As a result , I often look at photographs that I think are exceptional and wonder if they used settings on their camera that I need to learn about, or if they used their computer program to improve their image. I am hesitant to do this because I don't want to offend. I think nature itself provides the loveliest photographs, but I also recognize that my computer can often enhance what my lack of technical skill can and OFTEN needs to be helped along. I have ongoing , friendly debates with photographer buddies about "oversaturation."
Many love it, and I think it's sometimes overdone.
That all being said, I think in today's techno world
it's not uncommon to look at exceptionally striking photographs like yours and wonder. I am interested to learn that your fabulous sunsets are indeed blessed by nature and not the Photoshop gods. I look forward to enjoying many, many more.

Sally said...

Hi babs. My camera seems to thrive on blue skies, which is fortunate living where I do because it gets them in any season....often very intensely in winter. What my camera (I) have problems with is not even dull or wet days, but those peculiar grey/washed out nothing days which some parts of Europe specialise in. Maybe I just don;t know how to "do" tthem, and it's not the camera at all!

Today, Death Takes A Holiday at Sydney Daily Photo

Julie said...

Hello Babooshka: I like your photos. I think they show great ingenuity in composition - like today - and I want to see more and more of them. I learn from you many things: like today I have learnt about the three depths to the field that I need to pay attention to. I have also learnt that dead things have their own value. I support you. I value you.

Cheers, strength and many regards
Julie

Julie said...

Oops ... got so annoyed I forgot to answer the question!

Winter ... for photography. Autumn ... for personal pleasure.

Why winter? Things are more stark in winter. Life is more on the edge in winter. Also, I guess, there is the sure knowledge that under all that fallow lies life - readying itself to burst forth.

Unknown said...

Gosh, I think all the seasons are great because you have an opportunity to shoot so many different things. But I suppose if I have to pick one, I will say spring in Seguin, Tx. It's nice when things are still green here and if we have enough rain, the wildflowers are incredible and the photography is a "no-brainer."

Debbie Courson Smith said...

I've been dreaming of autumn, too, and summer has hardly started. But fall is my favorite in my part of the world, not just the colors, but the smells and temperature changes.

Marcel said...

I too live on an island and I kind of know what you mean about cabin fever. I sure see it in others, but I love being confined. I do agree that fall can be the most alive season as far as colors go.

have a great weekend!

Pat said...

You know, I was out with Bibi this a.m. in a big park near the river, and the yellow leaves of a sycamore tree were gently falling in the wind... I thought to myself, "Hey, it's only July."

Yours is a stunning photo, and to answer your question, I do prefer autumn to take photographs, if I have to pick a season.

alice said...

I do like spring and fall's light on photos, more subtle and soft than the harsh one in summer (well, not always... grey ish is more appropriate this year!).
Babooska, thank you so much for your visits to ArradonDP and your nice comments. I come here tiptoeing because I like what you do but...my English is quite laboured and I don't always have enough time to enjoy your clever captions...
Have a good weekend!

Maria Verivaki said...

i love the natural contrasts that nature brings to our attention. i never fiddle around with my photos, simply because i don't know how to. for those clever people who do, that's what draws attention to beautiful photography, turning a snapshot into a work of art instead. well done, babooshka, thanks for those occassional helpful tips you supply us with on how to take better photos

magiceye said...

this is brilliant! the colors so vivid!!

Marie Reed said...

Alive and kicking with colour!

Rune Eide said...

The autumn is the favourite of my cameras - the spring for me.

Right now it doesn't matter. It is grey outside.

Ian France said...

You certainly are making some beautiful pictures for weather like what you're describing. I believe that something can be faded and yet, depending on whether the surroundings bring out that certain color, shockingly colorful.

Tom said...

The weather as been the same here all week nd my camera stayed tucked away nice and snug in it's case... your picture is as always a delight.

Becky said...

I am very much enjoying visiting your photoblog. Thanks for the beautiful way you share your corner of the world with us.

I love autumn. It's my favourite season, and I look forward to it all summer. Winter is a challenge for me to take photos, since the daylight is so short-lived and I work in an office all day. Spring's coulours are as vivid as autumns, just in different hues. I love the variety nature offers us.

EG CameraGirl said...

Summer for my camera this year - butterflies, dragonflies, flowers. ;-) Personally, I prefer autumn.

Hilda said...

"the leaves that were dying were actually the most alive and vibrant in colour of all the living plants and foliage surrounding me

Nature fussing before she goes to sleep. :)

We don't have autumn in the Philippines. When summer begins, plants seem to go from lush green to dry brown overnight. (But then, they go from brown to green also overnight at the start of the rainy season.)

Neva said...

I am very nervous with rain around my camera....not so good for them! It has been a very unusual summer here as well~ cool and wet with some heat and humidity.....

Dragonstar said...

This colour contrast is really great!

Anonymous said...

"the leaves that were dying were actually the most alive and vibrant in colour of all the living plants and foliage surrounding me" - I love autumn, and even though it's sad as the leaves are dying, if they weren't dying they wouldn't put the goodness back in the ground for the new growth next year. So yeah, life out of death - a good message for a Sunday ;) It looks like a lovely spot - could you show us some more of the nature reserve?

Petrea Burchard said...

Babooshka, today's photo is an enticement to dream. It's a mad beauty, a temptation to faerie. Thank you, thank you.

Unknown said...

Great shot as usual!
My camera love`s spring, summer and autumn best.

Olivier said...

superbe, l'automne et le printemps sur la même photo, bravo. et c'est une photo toute en douceur.

beautiful, autumn and spring on the same photo, bravo. and a photo is all carefully.

Greyhound Girl said...

OMG- I just love this picture- so lush and rich with color- it's grand!

Rob said...

Yes, I take many photos that initially caught my eye. A week later after reviewing the image on the PC, I sometimes ask myself what was I thinking when I took this mediocer shot? Such is our art. Sometimes it is based upon our emotions in the moment. Then, the moment is gone and we're left with poor photo.

Also, I have a bunch of photo ideas to shoot, but I am waiting for a particular time and lighting to make it work. burried in the back of my head.

My favorite seasonto photograph? Never thought about it much. Perhaps winter with crisp snow, long shadows, and sparkling lights. Although at -25 degrees F, the camera batteries begin to freeze and the camera becomes 'sluggish'.

Dan said...

sometimes, a dead red is more alive than a living green

Joy said...

I think spring in England is lovely to photograph. However, if I were to photograph my favourite season, it would be autumn in New York!

Many thanks for your visits to Norwich Daily Photo. I hope that you enjoy the colours of summer on my blog.

joy

Unknown said...

Sometimes the difference between seasons can be subtle where I am, but fall is both my favorite season and my favorite time to take photo's.

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin