Platinum tracks

Taken the other day. Was out hoping for a decent sunset. The clouds moved in and killed any chance of getting a good shot. So this is one of a few decent pictures. I know its been over dun, the railroad tracts heading off into the distance, but I always liked the way this section of railroad tracks curved off in the distance.

Black & White

While I love color. Rich vibrant blue skies and emerald green grass. The pastel reds and oranges of a sunset, part of me very much enjoys black and white. I assume that many photographers go through phases. I would have to say that I am defiantly in a black and white phase. My brain is starting to not see colors but the great tonality between the lightest lights and the darkest darks of a particular scene. I have great appreciation for the B&W photographers that have come before me. Those that were forced into B&W because there was no other option and those that have chosen to make that there medium of choice when there were great color films and digital capture available to them. I feel lucky to be a photographer in a time when there are so many options available to us. We can snap a photograph in color and than turn it into a great black and white print to hang on our walls if we so choose.
Particularly I am in a toned black and white mood lately. Sepia, brown tones, and mostly platinum toned photographs and prints. I have only seen a hand full of platinum toned prints and have not toned my own in a wet darkroom the traditional way, though I would love the opportunity, I have only tried to mimic digitally what the masters have done chemically.

Dragonfly

When you look on various photo web sights you will inevitably come across a picture of a dragonfly. Well the other day I decided that I needed to have my own shots of a dragon fly. So I went out searching for a likely subject. Luckily I didn't have to go far. This guy was buzzing around my backyard. Once I noticed him the fun began. Talk about a work out. This guy was all over the place. After about the first 20 shots or so he started to get wise to me. He would fly somewhere and land, when I got setup to take his picture he would fly over to the other side of the yard. In the photo above I think that I got him just as he was thinking "there he is again" because he flew off shortly after. Dragonfly's are fun to shoot but you need to be ready to move because from what I have seen they don't like there picture taken.

First Post!

Wow! My first Blog. I feel like such a big kid now.
I started this blog to help me and hopefully others with questions as to why we take the pictures that we do. There will be some how, the technical stuff, but mostly the WHY I and hopefully others, decided to take the shot. Hopefully this works out and remember "Every day is a good day, just some are better than others."