29. January 2012 by David.

As usual I was concentrating on a shot looking the other way when I turned around and this caught my eye.

I like how the tree horizontal layers are interrupted by the wheel and how the wheel ties all three layers together.

Keep clicking

Dave

Posted in Museum, Historical, Foothills | Print | No Comments »

28. January 2012 by David.

Last week I posted a photo of a structural post a Railtown 1897

For me Railtown 1897 was a treasure trove of photographic opportunities. I thought about converting this image to black and white but I like the subtle colors of the wood. Once again this state park is going to close this year. If you want to go, go soon. Better yet join the California State Parks Foundation and help the fight to keep these (our) treasures open. There are 70 yes 70 state parks set for closure.

Keep clicking

Dave

Posted in Museum, Historical, Foothills, Architecture | Print | No Comments »

22. January 2012 by David.

Another photograph from Railtown 1897 State Park

I liked the contrast between the very busy set of links and the static post on which they were hanging. The post is somewhat out of focus but still draws your attention away from the busy links. I guess our eyes just need a rest.

Keep clicking

Dave

Posted in Historical, Place of work, Foothills | Print | No Comments »

8. January 2012 by David.

Meanwhile at the back end of the coach I posted yesterday.

I really like the subtlety and softness caused by light streaming through dirty windows. It gives the  photograph a gloomy feel.  This is of course the back end of the coach, the round wheel is the shadow of the hand break.

Keep clicking

Dave

Posted in Museum, Historical, Foothills | Print | No Comments »

7. January 2012 by David.

Items from the past are some of my favorite subjects.

While touring Railtown 1897 in Jamestown I got the chance to photograph inside one of the coaches that is being restored. I was first attracted by the subtle colors lit by the afternoon light coming from some high windows into the roundhouse. And then of course there are these wonderful lines.

Railtown 1897 is one of the California State Parks that is set to close next year because of budget cuts. You can do two things to help. Visit the park, I plan on going back within the next month, and let the governor and state legislature know how much this and other parks mean to you. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.  You can also join the California State Parks Foundation which is trying to keep these parks open. A state park is a terrible thing to waste.

Keep clicking,

Dave

Posted in Historical, Foothills | Print | No Comments »

3. September 2011 by David.

Trees can be a compelling subject.

I tried a couple of different lenses to capture the essence of this tree. I finally used my wide angle set at 12mm to achieve this result.  Can’t you almost feel the texture of the bark ?

Keep clicking

Dave

Posted in Historical, Plants, Foothills, Trees | Print | No Comments »

20. August 2011 by David.

The water wheel was essential to hydraulic mining.

Water wheels were used to power all the mining machinery during the gold rush and beyond. I’m not sure what this one powered but is was fairly small (about 6 feet tall) and looks like it was built for speed more than power.

I added the sepia tone and vignette to give it that old time feel.

Keep clicking

Dave

Posted in Historical, Place of work, Foothills | Print | No Comments »

17. August 2011 by admin.

We are proud to present Renate Stolte, a photographer and painter, as our guest blogger. Renate’s images can be seen at the Gallery on the Square in Merced, CA.Enjoy her work!

I found this Fall on Yankee Jim’s Road near I80 (Colfax, CA ). The Falls are easy to reach via a very narrow winding dirt road.

Posted in Northern California, Landscape, Foothills, Uncategorized | Print | No Comments »

16. August 2011 by admin.

We are proud to present Renate Stolte, a photographer and painter, as our guest blogger. Renate’s images can be seen at the Gallery on the Square in Merced, CA. Enjoy her work!

One of my favorite spots to photograph on my way into Yosemite. A little creek in a left turn curve on Hwy 140.

(California Hwy 140 is the leads from Merced, CA via Mariposa, CA directly into Yosemite Valley)

Posted in Landscape, Foothills | Print | No Comments »

31. July 2011 by David.

Old wheels always catch my eye.

I shot a lot with my trusty 1.8 50mm lens when we went to Columbia. Using a fixed prime lens forces you to move, adjust and sometimes abandon a photo idea. I took this with an f-stop of 3.2,  not available on most zoom lenses unless you’re willing to pay a hefty price.

I converted it to sepia tone and some grain in Lightroom 3 and then added a FREE frame from OnOne software.

Hope you enjoy. And keep clicking.

Dave

Posted in Historical, Foothills | Print | No Comments »