Photo of the Week: Tiger Lilies

OK - this week it actually two photos. I Couldn't resist taking a couple of shots of some Tiger Lilies in our front garden. Click on the images to see the full res version.

Both were enhanced with Adobe PhotoShop Elements 6. I shot them with a Nikon D40x using the RAW format just before sunset.

The first shot was enhanced with the Camera Raw editor to increase the exposure, clarity and vibrance. I love how the colors and the details really "pop"!




The second shot was edited in the full PSE6 editor after a little tweaking with Camera Raw again. I used a light smudge technique to soften the surfaces and borders to create an interesting effect.



Enjoy!

Photo of the Week: A Fine Wine

One of my favorite Chardonnay's.

This was what was left of a bottle from cocktail time on May 21st, 2005 out on the deck.

Ah, I remember it well!

Photo of the Week: Cool House

I was on a recent trip to New Buffalo, MI and we took a drive around the town to check things out. We were driving down a road near the channel to Lake Michigan and I saw this house. The bright blue created an interesting contrast against the grey sky. I just thought it was a cool looking house.

Photo of the Week: Cabo Wabo

I have to do a post in honor of Cinco de Mayo. What better way to remember the Battle of Puebla then to hoist a toast at one of my favorite watering holes - Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo in Cabo San Lucas Mexico. This is a picture of the mural in the cantina on the second floor that I took on our most recent trip down to Cabo in February of 2008. I think the picture says it all. So this Monday, sip some tequila and celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

(Click to view a larger version of the image. Use the Back button to return to the blog)

Photo of the Week: T-28 Blue Angels Trainer

This was a shot I took at the Kalamazoo Air Museum (the Air Zoo) back on July 12th, 2002. I was there visiting the museum with some friends when they announced a special demonstration flight. We headed out to the tarmac in time to see them preparing this old T-28 Trojan used by the Blue Angels back in the 1950's for team training. It was quite a sight to see this vintage war bird fired up, take off and perform a few maneuvers for the crowd. What can I saw, I like aviation!

(Click on the image to enlarge. Use the Back button to return to the blog)

Photo of the Week: New Orleans Neon

This was a neon sign I found inside a great little restaurant in the French Quarter in New Orleans. The name of the place was the Olde N'awlins Cookery, but unfortunately is was damaged by hurricane Katrina and has not reopened. I took the shot in April of 2002 when I was down there for a technical conference. It was one of the better business trips I have taken as the sessions were good and the atmosphere was inviting and fun. I have been to New Orleans a few times, but this one stands out as one of the better trips down there (thanks to Smelly Girl and the whole gang!). I just thought it was a cool image (I'm sure it had nothing to do with the copious amount of alcohol consumed prior to dinner). Click on the image for a larger version.

Photo of the Week: 1223 Pere Marquette

I'm going to try something new, a feature I call Photo of the Week. Once a week I plan to do a post around one of the pictures I've taken over the years with a little history or story behind the shot.

The inaugural shot is one from back in August of 2002 taken near a park in Grand Haven, MI. It's a favorite of mine around railroading featuring the the 2-8-4 Pere Marquette steam engine # 1223.



1223 hauled freight between Toledo and Chicago in the years immediately before and after World War II and was retired in 1951. She's a reminder to me of the bygone days of steam locomotives.