lake lines

Posted on by Tim McMurdo

Last weekend, was a cold foggy one. My usual walk at the lake was not in the east bit comfortable. Still, it was beautiful in its own right. As I walked along the ridge overlooking the beach, I saw this scene:

 

DSC03113

 

What caught my eye was the way the tree broke the parallel lines of the beach. However, when I began processing the image, I was pretty dissatisfied. The lines were not as parallel as I had thought. There was ice floating in the water that was distracting. So I gave the problem some thought and opened up Photoshop.

 

DSC03113 PP 3

  

The first step was to re-crop the image to provide some better balance and focus on the tree. I then straightened the shorelines and removed the distracting ice. Finally, I straighened the tree line and applied some basic adjustments.

Sometimes our images need a little help to get them to be what we envisioned when we snapped the shot. Is it cheating? Is putting makeup on a pretty woman cheating?

 

 

sycamore reflection

Posted on by Tim McMurdo

Icy Reflection 2

 

This image combines two favorites in one photo; sycamore trees and fog.  I am always looking for a good sycamore scene. The white trunks are gorgeous, especially in the winter. The problem is that I struggle to find scenes in which the tree contrasts nicely with the background.

When I wake up and see fog in the morning, I always run out with my camera. I am intrigued by the way the fog shrouds the landscape, hiding details or coyly revealing brief glimpses.

Imagine how excited I was to see both a nicely contrasting sycamore sitting in a foggy scene. The reflection…pure bonus!

 

the big ball – 2013

Posted on by Tim McMurdo

The Waltz King of South Charleston

 

New Year's Eve means the big charity ball in South Charleston, Ohio. Every year, a Civil War period ball is held to benefit the South Charleston Opera House.

I've shot the ball a few times and every time, I struggle to take good images. The light is low and there is a lot of motion. Still, it is beautiful to see and one of my favorite events of the year. Those of you with very good eyes might notice that my good friend Debbie is playing in the band. That woman has skilz!

You can see the entire set of photos at this link.

 

debbie and sarah

Posted on by Tim McMurdo

Debbie and Sarah at the Window 2

 

It's unusual for me to capture Debbie and Sarah in the same image. Mostly because Sarah is a barn cat and not normally allowed inside of the house. Let's just say that Sara was really enjoying her very temporary house priveledges. 

 

Debbie and Sarah at the Window 1

 

It was a quiet visit. The moment seemed the perfect subject for a photo. Snap, snap… I am accutely aware that I am taking pictures, but I am always shooting around Debbie and she mostly pays me no attention.

 

On the Big Bed

 

Sarah was just happy that she could take a bath in the warm house. Sooner thatn she would have liked, it was back out side for Sarah. I took the opportunity to walk over to the barn to see the new calf and lambs. Sarah followed me and quickly became engrossed in her day job…looking for mice. 

 

Here There Be Mice

 

It was a fine day for both Sarah and I. A nice way to wrap up 2013 at the farm. As I look at the images, I am reminded that every year, I wonder how I am going to top the previous year's images. How can I possibly create photos that are one notch ahead? How can I continue to grow as a photographer?

2014, you are challenging me already.

new calf

Posted on by Tim McMurdo

New Calf

 

Friday night, a new calf was born on the farm. No name has been chosen yet. Have any ideas? The calf’s mom is named Lilly and has a grandmother named Rose Bud. There is also another cow on the farm named Daisy. What kind of flower name do you think would fit the newest critter?

 

this winter so far

Posted on by Tim McMurdo

Winter Barnyard 1

 

It's been a strange winter for us so far. Plenty of snow and frigid temperatures well below freezing. However, this is Ohio, and if you wait a few minutes, the weather will change completely. 

 

The Great Flood of 2013

 

We've also had warm days in the 60s and torrential rain that led to flooding. Freeeze, flood, rain, snow, and ice…the only ingredient that we've really not had in great supply is sunsine.

I miss the sunshine.