THE PETALUMA SPECTATOR PHOTO BLOG

Sun Star…8 Minutes 19 Seconds From Earth

Frank Simpson — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:53:28 +0000

At the speed of light, it takes 8 minutes and 19 seconds for light (energy, if you are thinking solar power) to reach the earth from our sun. In photography, the general rule or thumb is to keep the sun at your back and to avoid or minimize taking photos in full sunlight.

But rules are meant to be broken, even if by accident.

Recently, I was on the Bodega Head Trail and a jet contrail caught my attention. I decided to take a quick shot, hoping that the distortion created by shooting into the sun could be minimized by keeping the sun off to the side.

The resulting image? Colored “sunbeams” (distortions or artifacts created by the direct light passing through the elements of the lens) streaking down to earth…

PHOTO SPECIFICATIONS

Location: Bodega Head
Camera: Fuji HS20EXR
F-Stop f/8
Exposure: 1/800 sec
ISO–100
Focal Length: 5 mm
Time of Day: 3:11 pm
Post Production: Adjustments in saturation and contrast only. All other “distortions” retained

Filed under: Tricks of Light

Graffiti Trail…a.k.a. Lynch Creek

Frank Simpson — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:02:54 +0000

The newly paved portion of the Lynch Creek Trail between Maria and Sonoma Mountain has acquired quite a collection of gang tags. I used to follow the graffiti trails around Petaluma but gave it up out of boredom. Too much of the same o’ same o.’ The scene on the trail this morning was hard to ignore–even for a reformed Graffiti Paparazzi.

So I pulled out my little pocket camera to capture the scenes as I rode along.

For readers outside of Petaluma, don’t be misled by the word trail. In reality, it is a newly paved path running next to a residential area.

SLIDESHOW

Click to view slideshow.

Filed under: General

Photos from the street…

Frank Simpson — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:13:03 +0000

“Street Photography” is a style or type of documentary photography ”…that features subjects in candid situations within public places such as streets, parks, beaches, malls.”–Wikipedia Also see What is Street Photography for another view on the subject.

Frequently, street photographers are not “discovered” until well after their demise. See Vivian Maier

Whatever Street Photography may be, I offer five new “street” photos for your amusement.

Note: Individual photos may be enlarged by clicking on them…

"Nope--Not Open" And when they are open, they simply move the "n" below the "e." Point Reyes Station, CA © Frank Simpson

"The Hitchhiker" Perhaps the glove owner was on a coffee break? Kentucky Street, Petaluma © Frank Simpson

"Vacancy" Is it descriptive or prescriptive? Would it have another meaning if it were a mortuary? Point Reyes Station, CA © Frank Simpson

"Flight of the Phoenix" Western Avenue, Petaluma. The illusion of the crow emerging from the graffiti tag is created by my luck in capturing the crow in flight at just the right moment. © Frank Simpson

"Secret Message" No I am not taking up the task of once again photographing graffiti tags. However,I did like this overall scene. © Frank Simpson

Filed under: Perspectives

Colors…to Black and to White

Frank Simpson — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 10:16:09 +0000

The photos in this post are not examples of photo journalism. They are arranged.

The first photo is a macro taken through a vase of cut flowers. What you are seeing are the leaves and stems in the water. The orange background was created by placing a freshly picked pumpkin directly behind the vase…and waiting for the sun.

The second photo is based on a photo taken along 101 near the Sonoma-Marin County Line. In this instance, I ran the photo through post processing reducing the colors to two. It dramatically changed the impression created by the image–from a dead tree on the horizon to a possible movie poster for a B movie horror film. Perhaps something like The Creature From the Hills?

: © Frank Simpson, Petaluma, California

101 (Sonoma-Marin County Line)

Filed under: Tricks of Light

RTP SLIDESHOW…Petaluma Rebuilding Together in 2011

Frank Simpson — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 03:23:40 +0000

Selected photos from some of the 45 projects accomplished in 2011 by over 600 Rebuilding Together Petaluma volunteers.

Many of our most vulnerable neighbors are safer and more secure this holiday season because of you!

–Jane Hamilton, Rebuilding Together Petaluma–

SLIDESHOW

(Note: Also available as Youtube Video. See link below)

Click to view slideshow.

Click here: YOUTUBE RTP VIDEO

http://ahref=

Filed under: General

B & W Revisited

Frank Simpson — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:49:02 +0000

I first published versions of this Sonoma beach scene in October 2010. (See B & W)

The version presented below is still another attempt, demonstrating I suppose, the many moods and impressions that can be created from the same photo with various post production editing techniques…

Sonoma Coast Scene © Frank Simpson

Filed under: General

11 Photos for 11 11 11 Plus A Challenge

Frank Simpson — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:01:40 +0000

To mark the Triple 11 day of 11-11-11, I posted a slideshow of 11 photos documenting scenes from Petaluma and Point Reyes Station at the end of this article.

I have selected three of the Petaluma photos from the slideshow for a “charity” challenge of sorts and posted them individually.

If you can correctly identify the scenes in any or all of the following three photos, send your answer to petalumaspectatorsblog@hotmail.com by November 15, 2011.

For each correct answer, I will donate $.22 (11 times 2) each to COTS, Rebuilding Together Petaluma, The Petaluma Library, and the Petaluma Animal Shelter.

CHALLENGE PHOTOS

Photo #1

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THIS PETALUMA CHURCH?

Photo #2

WHERE IS IT? WHAT IS IT? (Click to Enlarge)

Photo #3

WHERE IS IT? WHAT IS IT? (Click to Enlarge)

Answers will be posted here on November 17, 2011!

SLIDESHOW

Click to view slideshow.

Note: To stop the slideshow and focus on a particular photo, simply place the cursor over the slideshow frame or window.

Filed under: General

RTP’s OCTOBER WORKDAY…October 15, 2011

Frank Simpson — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:01:51 +0000

On October 15, 2011, approximately 180 volunteers from Rebuilding Together Petaluma (RTP) along with sponsoring organizations and contributing businesses (Sears Operation Rebuild, Clover Stornetta, The Petaluma Kiwanis Club, The Petaluma Host Lions Club, SC Barns, CWC Construction, The Garden Tender, U.S Coast Guard, The Floor Works, Tresch Apples and Redwood Empire Disposal) donated their time and expertise to improve our community. The “Let’s Just Fix It!” effort on October 15 concentrated on eight of Petaluma’s parks and public areas. In addition, volunteers helped two disabled veterans with much needed home repairs.

Before releasing you to the slideshow, a loud HUZZAH! is in order for Joan Bunn who covered a lot of ground–literally–in making the majority of the photographs included in the slideshow.

Now sit back and enjoy the show…

SLIDESHOW (130 Photos)

Click to view slideshow.

Note: To stop the slideshow and focus on a particular photo, simply place the cursor over the slideshow frame or window.

Filed under: General

Photo Perspectives–Mill Valley Art Festival & California Academy of Sciences

Frank Simpson — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:40:03 +0000

For October I thought I would post a few words and photos about the Mill Valley Fall Art Festival in the Old Mill Park and the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. I will not attempt to present a full coverage spread of either–there is not enough file space for that.

(NOTE: Individual photos below may be enlarged by clicking on them!)

MILL VALLEY FALL ART FESTIVAL

The Art Festival has always been a personal favorite given the quality of the exhibitors and the redwoods setting in the Old Mill Park…

A closeup of the tree lanterns

Art takes many forms…

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Suffice it to say, The Academy will occupy you with wonders and sights (a rainforest, a white alligator, an aquarium, etc.) that will generate many return visits. Perhaps a few photos will tempt you.

A bird with attitude…

Part of the aquarium as seen through a side staircase…

In the rainforest…

Mysteries of the deep…

SLIDESHOW

Click to view slideshow.

Filed under: Perspectives, Tricks of Light

Ah, September…

Frank Simpson — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:09:35 +0000

Summer fades as the season changes in Northern California…

The California Fuschia remains in full bloom…

Filed under: General