Monday July 25, 2022

[Don]

Good morning all and welcome to the last full week in July. Time flies...

Took advantage of the nice weather and somewhat cooler temps to take the bike for a spin this morning. Got in a little over 70 miles on some 2 lane roads. Nice ride.  Used my phone to take a couple of shots.

[Luv2shoot]

Good day, Don. Your vivid pictures remind me of the song, “don’t fence me in”.      Give me land, lots of lands, …., don’t fence me in. 
Warning, if you click on the link and listen to this delightful song, it will be stuck in your head all day.  But I don't know if that will be a bad thing.
What a nice tune, and you can't beat Bing's great voice. 

Going to the movies today with a friend.  Want to get out there before they start telling us that we have to wear masks again, GRRRRRRRR.  

Finally got some rain outside yesterday.  Today is it only going up to 80 degrees, hurray!

See you all later. 
Have a great Monday.
LORELL

[Dave]

Two different "styles" of photos above.

First we have Don's vivid colors and in #1 a wide vista. Very eye-catching, Don.

Then Lorell's muted macros featuring a limited palette of colors that please the eye in a different way.

I'll post a recent one that is slightly similar in colors to Lorell's but doesn't quite reach the high bar that Don & Lorell set...

   

[damar]

Hi Every one!
Don, looks like you found a great stopping place. What a view!
No motorcycle riding here until I get my popped rib healed.

Those are beautiful photos Lorell!
The color is beautiful on the buds.
Lily of the Nile?
We are having a thunderstorm roll through as I type this.
Masks again?? What???

Hi Dave!
No bars here to reach! Thats a pretty rose set in a nicely boxed frame. 
Your compositions and backgrounds are always pleasing to look at.

Well yesterday we took a dirt road coming home and this doe wasnt bothered by us stopping
at all. She didn't even respond to use making clicking noises to get her to look up. She was just mozying
along looking for something good to eat. She was on the drivers side, I was on the opposite side and had to crop out 
truck mirror and window frame.


[url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/140667173@N06/][/url]

[Don]

Good afternoon to all who joined.

Lorell, that is a great water drop image. I was looking to see if I could see your reflection in it. Nice colors.

Dave, like Patty said, no bar. Even if there was your image would be right up there. I like the framing around it as well and the muted, pastel color stands out nicely against the background.

Healthy looking doe there. "I can't be bothered, I'm looking for food". I get that way myself sometimes.

Not photo related, but I think I mentioned yesterday that I was installing a lowering kit to lower my motorcycle about 1.5". It is very tall and top heavy, not at all like the big cruiser that I had. While moving it was fine, but when stopped at a light, etc. I often didn't feel comfortable with the balance, especially if I was tired. This morning took my first ride after completing the kit, and I find the bike feels much more stable for me when stopped at a light or stop sign. It feels sooo much better now. Well worth installing that lowering kit, at least for me. I did about 70 miles this morning and have a much longer ride planned for Wednesday. There is a "Skyway Motorway" over in east Alabama that I have been wanting to ride. I'll only ride it for about 30 miles before turning off and getting back on main roads to get home. Still will be a long ride. I'm scouting it out to see if it might be worth going back in the Fall to look for color.

[damar]

Good going on the lowering, Don. I wish I could drop mine an inch..it would make a huge difference. I’m tippy toes when I stop. If there’s loose gravel when I put my feet down, my foot can slip.
I have my springs as low as they go. Seat height is 31.2. I’m ok to lean a bit. The bike is just under 300 lbs.
Your upcoming ride sounds NICE!

[Adamphotoman]

Lorell,  Just beautiful. Looks like Hosta flowers. Nice Rain Drops.
Don, You must have ran your cell phone shots through an HDR program.
Dave, Nothing wrong with your image. Looks like a Georgia O'Keeffe inspired photo.
Patty, Something wonderful in seeing wildlife up close.

[damar]

Hi Grant!

[Don]

"Don, You must have ran your cell phone shots through an HDR program."

Actually I was using an old version of Photoshop Elements to try to bring up the shadows. I should have just used regular PS, because I wasn't happy with the result from Elements.

Here is the original just cropped and resized. Colors are much more natural even if the shadows need to come up. But since it is basically a snapshot I didn't want to spend a lot of time on it.

[Dave]

Thanks all.

damar, that's quite a capture. I hope that doe learns to be more cautious before the next hunting season begins.

Don, that does sound like a long ride you're planning.

Hi Grant.