Barb's Plane HDR

Portofino, Italy I truly fell in love with Portofino, Italy and...

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:07:00 -0400

Portofino, Italy

I truly fell in love with Portofino, Italy and will make it my mission to return as often as I can. This spot was magical and truly tranformative. It was more than the beauty; more than the notes from the jazz band below; it was intoxicating in a way you can’t begin to drink it all in. I fell in love with this cherished moment and am so thankful that I have this image to transcend me again and again. I will look for my friends Wanda and her lover of a bazillion years, as they too will greet the setting sun; each night and every night as they have for the past 50 years together.

Today I’m excited, because I just received this picture; printed and mounted on metal paper and it’s amazing. Enough day dreaming and reminiscing….it’s back to packing as tomorrow a new adventure begins. Jack and I will pack up the Mustang and head for Boston. More later…

Ciao

~Locked Away~ The past four weeks (which feels more like 4...

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:23:00 -0400

~Locked Away~

The past four weeks (which feels more like 4 years), I felt as if I had been locked away in a tower; disconnected from the rest of the world. It’s been a whirlwind of long class days, short nights, early mornings, studying, tests and repeat.

Today, the sequester and whirlwind days have come to a climactic close as I look forward to graduating from this training program. I’ve began preparing for this next seasonal journey with giddy anticipation. I’ll be based in a place I lived in another life time and truly thought I would never, ever have reason to return. Life can be so ironic and unforeseeable. It’s exciting to mentally embrace all of the changes and possibilities that lie before me. Mostly, I can’t wait to spend time with friends I’ve missed so much—to laugh with them is something I truly cherish. Back to the packing….

Ciao

New Adventures...

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:45:37 -0400

It’s a new season in my life which provides me with the opportunity to re-invent myself yet again. It’s exciting, and fraught with opportunities for growth and change. I love that “opportunity sprouts” from challenge. Today I began training as a Flight Attendant. I know what you are thinking: “isn’t that reverse order?” Usually the natural progression would be to be a flight attendant and then a pilot. Trust me when I say, “it’s a great plan and I totally embrace this new adventure.” The important thing to me is that I went for the company I wanted to work for—no matter what. At this season in my life, I’ve set my priorities: ‘culture’ and ‘values’. I’ve found the company that fits my goals and now I’m ready to embrace this new adventure. For the next 4 weeks I’m going to be totally immersed in training and disconnect from social media so that I can truly focus and enjoy the ride. Look for new pictures then.

~Ciao~

It’s Monday….so smile & grace the world with...

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:54:00 -0400

It’s Monday….so smile & grace the world with your beautiful self

Heaven on Earth…and back to earth I don’t know how...

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 01:51:00 -0400

Heaven on Earth…and back to earth

I don’t know how it came to be, but creatively I have been paralyzed for nearly 2 months. I doubted my abilities; every image ever made has been made before by someone else. How can I remain fresh and creative and avoid my art from being cliche’? Then, I stopped thinking and began to play. My HDR is an expression of my feelings when I make a moment. It’s my moment; my feelings; my culmination and expression of all that. How can that be cliche’?

Tonight I found my mind wandering. It’s no wonder as I’m on the cusp of so many changes and re-inventing myself—yet again. My mind has been reeling with mental checklists and busying myself with preparation. I granted myself a reprieve and allowed my thoughts to wander to Italy and Portofino tonight.

If I were ever to run away, it would have to be to Italy! Portofino is Heaven on earth. It’s one of those places I had anticipated visiting for a life time and I certainly wasn’t disappoint. I loved it from the very first moment—I was memorized. It was charming and magical. I devoured every inch, making pictures and becoming intoxicated on the ambiance. I found myself slowly whirling about in circles like a little girl ….. I couldn’t bare to miss a single moment or view.

The air was sweetly perfumed with a custom blend of tranquil salt water and fragrant blossoms. It was hot and balmy. I found my way up on the hill with the most amazing vantage point looking down on the village as I awaited the setting sun. Then it happened: the sound of sexy jazz music began to play. The acoustics were unimaginable. I was transformed — encapsulated in a spellbinding moment. A moment I never wanted to end. Tonight I look at this image and I’m transcended back to that place, that moment and those feelings.

It was there that I met the most enchanting couple. They lived their entire lives in Portofino and each night Wanda and her husband walked hand in hand up the hill to watch the setting sun and savor each moment together as they had done every night for the past 30 years. They were deliberate and passionate in appreciating each other and the magical place they called home. They touched me deeply in their enduring love, passion and appreciation. Wanda chatted away and apologized for her poor English. I think it was her kind eyes and warm smile that erased any language barriers, as that night we spoke the same language.

Sweet dreams shall be mine tonight, as I plan to journey to Portofino.

Sweet dreams

The Playful Side of Pinterest

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:57:00 -0500

The Playful Side of Pinterest:

What to do….what to do this Thursday? Hmmmmm…..WAIT! I’ve got to go get some really good chocolate, do a little pinning away on my Pinterest Board and get ready to have some fun tonight with Kalebra Kelby and friends on the “Playful Side of Pinterest”.

If you’re new to Pinterest and don’t actually know what to do with it, or if you totally dig it, you won’t want to miss tonight’s show. Besides being just silly fun, I always learn new ways to utilize it for my Photography, planning a shoot, sharing ideas with a client, or a bucket list, vacation planner, or inspiration for my own dream board. AND probably the most important reason not to miss the show it’s the total reason to eat good chocolate on a Thursday night!

See you there!

https://plus.google.com/photos/107430637753481876221/albums/5847413215749247857/5847413215685057538?authkey=CMH85OeH5Kq9nwE

We all are a collection of short stories and this is the story...

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 21:45:00 -0500

We all are a collection of short stories and this is the story of how I wanted to be the Rodeo Queen.

1964 Rodeo Queen…..

When I was a little girl, I dreamed of one day being the Queen of the Rodeo and riding my horse ‘Chiquita’ in the Rose Festival Parade—just like in this picture. I have long forgotten the Queen’s name, but I never forgot how much I idolized her, emulating her and wanting to be just like her. She rode my dad’s horse, “Pepper” in the parade, which made it all that more magicial to me. I was memorized with all of the glamor and pageantry. It truly was like living in a fairy tale.

I came by my love of horses very naturally; it seems it was in my blood or DNA. I inherited my dad’s passion for them and actually come from a long line of horsewomen on both sides of my family. To satisfy his passion, he started a 26 horse stable, business on the side. The entire family worked in the business. At the tender age of 4, I too worked along with the rest of the family in the stable.

Many of my earliest memories are of mucking stalls with my little wheel barrow, extra small pitchfork and my black rubber boots, with the red stripe at the top. The Oregon winters are rainy and the path to dump my wheel barrow was very muddy. My boots would often get stuck in the mud. The mud could be 6 inches deep and the harder I struggled, the ferociousness of the sucking mud seemed to intensify, like quicksand. The mud always won the struggle and I’d relent and call for help to get me released from the tenacious mud monsters. Many times a boot or two would be sucked completely off of my feet. I’d giggle while my mom or dad juggled holding me and retrieving my boots from the mud. Once I was reunited with my boots, I’d be off to continue more mucking.

When it came time to feed, I remember the wonderful smells and taste of sweet feed and alfalfa hay in a barn full of nickering horses. I’d always have a pocket full of carrots or sugar cubes to pass out. I loved it all.

One of our boarders was the Queen in the picture. As Queen of the Rodeo part of her royal duties was to ride in the Rose Festival Parade. She was a brilliant horsewomen and she loved riding my father’s horse, ‘Pepper’. Truth-be-known, Pepper was a ladies horse and she much preferred the gentle touch of a women on the reigns over that of a man. Pepper was pure black and much flashier than her own horse so when she asked my dad if she could ride Pepper in the parade, he said “Yes” without hesitation. The Rose Festival Parade is a big event and to be a part of it made it exponentially bigger for this little 4 year old. I was engulfed in the preparation and memorized by all of the enchantment. The Queen—my idol—was sharing the entire experience with me. I adored her and wanted to be Rodeo Queen, just like her, when I grew up.

She groomed Pepper for hours and I stood by holding the horse and helping where ever I was allowed. She meticulously painted her hooves and sprinkled glitter all over them. The refracted light twinkled and sparkled off of them with each prancing step, like a disco ball. It’s funny how my memories differ so dramatically from the plain picture I look at now. How can this possibly be the same event? It’s so understated. Where is the magic? The glamor? The twinkling sparkles radiating off of the two of them—they must have faded with the photo! (I have to admit the photographer in me, totally loves the retro, faded, pastel colors of this old Polaroid image).

I never did become a Rodeo Queen, nor a barrel racer or even a cow girl. When my dad passed away that next year, it was too much for my mom and we soon got rid of the horses and out of the stable business.

Horses weren’t truly ever out of my blood and when I turned 11 all I could think about was getting a pony. I remember baby sitting to earn money and searching the papers for weeks until I found her. A little black Welsh mare, named “Punkin” (Punkin with an ‘n”). I think she cost $35. I was in heaven!

My friend had a little Shetland Pony named “David” and we would ride for hours giggling and chasing through the meadows. I remember our first ride. It was then that I discovered Punkin was a bit of a trickster. She was faster than David. Her little legs moving as fast as they could as we galloped along and and then suddenly — she just stopped on a dime. She stopped; dropped her head to eat some grass (as if starved to death and she didn’t know when she’d ever eat again); I would slide down her neck like a slide and off she’d gallop for home. The first time she did this, I was frantically trying to catch up to her as the tears rolled down my cheeks. How would I ever catch her? What if she tripped on her reigns? She didn’t even know where her new home was. Punkin was smarter than I ever gave her credit for. She ran straight for home and was waiting outside the paddock gate when I finally caught up with her. She truly was a sweet tempered little mare. Eventually, when I went sliding down her neck, my tears were replaced with belly rolling giggles. She didn’t run and I didn’t chase. She grazed on the grass and gave me that mischievous look. In a bit, I’d collect her reigns, she’d give me a nuzzle on the cheek, and away we’d go. We had grown to know each other and developed a bond of trust and love.

There were more horses and many more stories over the years. In fact, my first flight at the controls was not in a plane but on the back of a horse. We were galloping through the meadows outside of Boston, and leaped over our first big stone wall. We flew! I couldn’t tell you the feeling of flying over that stone wall was any less amazing than my first flight piloting a plane. They were both flying and both feelings I’ll never forget.

Life can be serendipitous and I cherish those times it is. My last horse was ~Flyin Brian~. That was his registered name on his papers. We flew together many times, but piloting a plane was not on my radar. Not in the beginning anyway. Was it serendipity? Was it fate or was it preordained?

My hope for you, in the New Year is a little fun serendipity.

~Navigating the Storm~ ...

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 18:03:00 -0500

~Navigating the Storm~

…….always keep ~Hope~

As we wind down the last days of 2012; it’s a time of reflection on the past year. It’s an opportunity to rejoice in the many blessings we have in our lives, and to revisit the previous year as an evaluation of where we’ve been and where we hope to be. I, like many, look forward to 2013 with ~Hope~

2012 was an exceptional awakening for me that spread my wings far and wide. I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Israel, Paris, Italy ( Rome, The Amalifi Coast, Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Portofino, Venice. I LOVE Italy!), Ireland, Scottland, London, Washington DC, Las Vegas (Photoshop World twice! YEAH!), Reno (for the Reno Air Races) and hundreds of big and little domestic destinations. Phew! No wonder I’m exhausted as the year end nears. It was also one of the most personally challenging years. I navigate those challenges like I did this storm: a degree to the left, a degree to the right; always moving forward and looking ahead to the beauty that lies before me.

I took this picture on one of my flights. It was a line of weather that traversed the country from the south west to the north east. We had this little opening to navigate through, degree by degree we made our path. It was a powerful and beautiful spectacle that became more than a passing moment for me. It’s beauty represents ~Hope~ and the ability to navigate even the storms that may appear impenetrable in all facets of life. I offer this to you: ~Hope~ for a better 2013 for all.

Soooooo…… I about jump out of my skin….. Much...

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 17:53:21 -0500

Soooooo…… I about jump out of my skin…..

Much like the time I received RC Concepcion’s call asking me if I would be interested in being included in his HDR book. Seriously? INTERESTED??? Definitely an understatement! I received this variable and legitimate email from Warner Brother’s Studios requesting that I contact them immediately regarding an urgent matter. They found some of my art work and they wanted to use it their TV show “Supernatural.” My heart is racing as I wonder, which picture? Would it be this one, “Love Shack” or could it be about the haunted Ballyseede Castle? Their email had a link to my web site on it, but not to a specific image.

It’s moments like this, that 3 seconds seem like hours. I quickly used the reverse phone directory to validate the number. What the heck? I’ve got to call and see! Right? The women on the other end is very happy I responded so quickly. I asked in my artificially calm and business like voice, which images she was interested in. Then it was all like “blah, deiohdksoiewh #6, and blah kdwoeiw blah.” “I’m sorry could you describe them please?” For a moment it sounds like maybe it’s this image, ‘Love Shack.’ I asked if she could send me a small jpg and I’d call right back.

I’m glad I hadn’t floated too high, because they were beautiful images, but not mine. famous, if but for a fleeting moment.

Here’s hoping you know the joy of that, albeit, momentary feeling of elation.

Ireland, Dingle Peninsula I’m still taken back by the...

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:18:39 -0500

Ireland, Dingle Peninsula

I’m still taken back by the lushness of this country. You know how you preconceive images in your head? I knew Ireland would be lush and vibrant. What I didn’t pre-visualize was the velvet grass and I never imagined the sea would be so blue.

True confessions: this series of images and my first entire day of shooting in Ireland was all a mistake. One that made me curse myself, and feel ill. The second day, I pulled my camera out and took a peak at the memory card. When it said I had 800ish images to go on the card, my heart sank! I get 618 RAW images on my 16 gig card. HOLY CRAP BATMAN! I shot the entire Dingle Peninsula in JPG! &*!@(#) &*(#)@( How could this happen? I NEVER shoot JPG, and I always reset my camera when I pack it away for a trip, with a double take before shooting. It’s my routine. Devastation and self punitive conversations over whelmed me. Could this have been a prank played by Hilda the resident ghost of Ballyseede Castle. After all she’s known to be mischievous and I started my day out shooting her home—the castle. The truth was, I knew we wouldn’t likely get to return to the Dingle Peninsula this trip, and I would have to suffer the consequences of my ill fate.

I didn’t know how much I could create with these JPG series. I had an idea of the type of HDR I wanted to create: painterly like my Paris images. I love painterly HDR…it’s kind of my thing. It takes a bit of the reality away and imparts a soft romance instead. My mistake has limited and taken away so much of my artistic control. However, I’ve been really surprised and taken with these more realistic renderings by merging the images to HDR in Photoshop CS6 and then tonemapping in Lightroom 4, enhancing in Nik Color Effex Pro and On One Photo Effects. (I miss Vibrant Glow in Photo Effects 4, but I still have the older version).

Watch later for the more painterly renderings, but for now, tell me what you think of this style? What great mistake are you willing to confess?

More later

My picture made it to “Upcoming” on 500 px!! ...

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 09:30:02 -0500

My picture made it to “Upcoming” on 500 px!! :)

There are amazing photographers on 500px—psych! This really means a lot to me.

http://500px.com/photo/17738679

Highlands of Scotland…. I feel like a child asked to...

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:01:00 -0500

Highlands of Scotland….

I feel like a child asked to refrain from opening their presents on Christmas Day. The treats this time, are the bounty of images I captured on my last Photographic Safari of Ireland and the UK. I’ve been working fervently on another photography project that is my number one priority, and when that’s completed I’ll be able to rip into these images. This one image is my reward….and a sneak peek at what is yet to come.

This is a 3 image HDR; merged to a 32 bit image in PS; tonemapped in LR and developed in PS with Nik Color Effex Pro, and the new On One Perfect Effects 4.

~Cheers~

I almost forgot to horse around…. I fell in love with this...

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:07:46 -0400

I almost forgot to horse around….

I fell in love with this little guy while visiting Jack’s sister in Kentucky. I totally forgot I had taken a bunch of pictures of the horses. This little guy kept peeking through the fence at me with his brilliant blue eyes. I had to capture it.

This is a 3 shot, hand held HDR image, processed in Nik HDR Effex 2, LR, PS, NIK Color Effex Pro, and glowed up in On One.

Ok, I regret I don’t have time to horse around more……

~B~

The ‘Gypsies are on the Move’….again I feel...

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 09:14:59 -0400

The ‘Gypsies are on the Move’….again

I feel like I’ve been home too long….it’s time for the Gypsies to Rome again! (….errr, roam. Freudian slip?). Just like our Nomadic sisters of roving gypsies from days gone past; it’s time to travel! The destination is Europe—specifics are only speculative as of now.

Suggestions? We’re going next week and thinking of: Ireland, Germany, Amsterdam or perhaps London….or some combination of such. Ideas as to what not to miss, any special events end of October first of November?

This image was from our first day in Rome. I couldn’t get enough of this street artist: his blackened feet, dirty knees and magnificent reproduction of the Mona Lisa on this side walk. It saddened me to think it’s mere existence was destined to fade from the moment it was completed—truly tragic this work of art was to be, but a blink of an eye. 5 image HDR tonemapped in Nik HDR Effex 2, LR, PS, Nik Color Effex and finished with a little bit of Glow from On One Perfect Photo Suite 6.

Take me to Portofino, Italy…..

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 10:47:29 -0400

Take me to Portofino, Italy…..

~Venezia~

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 09:18:50 -0400

~Venezia~

Venezia A maze of over 118 islands, interconnected by 150 canals...

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 09:16:00 -0400

Venezia

A maze of over 118 islands, interconnected by 150 canals and over 400 bridges— architecturally rich and alive with colors and textures. Venezia is a painters palette of rich color and textures. I found myself continually being transformed, while my eyes were continually drawn and locked onto the building walls or windows; totally mesmerized by the richness of the paint and the peeling textures.

Processed in NIK HDR Effex Pro 2, LR, PS, NIK Color Effex Pro and ‘popped in’ On One Software.

Ciao

~B~

The Palatine, Rome

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 08:44:13 -0400

The Palatine, Rome

~Goddesses of the Hearth~ Vestal Virgins The Palantine, Rome The...

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 08:42:00 -0400

~Goddesses of the Hearth~

Vestal Virgins

The Palantine, Rome

The Goddesses of the Hearth cultivated the sacred fire to ensure the eternal flame never died out.

Artists Who Inspire…. I’ve always longed for the...

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 17:05:48 -0400

Artists Who Inspire….

I’ve always longed for the skilled hand and vision of an artist. An artist who can pick up a paint brush, and influence the world with color and canvas. I can’t paint so I make pictures with my Nikon.

This man is an artist. I suppose one can debate the merits of an artist who can beautifully replicate the work of the original master versus the talents of the master. I am envious of both — it is not my debate.

The first day Stella, Sophia and I arrived in Rome we were filled with inspirations and our minds danced with adventures to come. Our loosely woven plans were truly ‘seat of the pants’ and as free flowing as the wind. Sometimes the best plans are left to serendipity. Stumbling upon this artist, was my serendipitous reward for under estimating how long it would take us to travel by metro to meet up with a tour group at the Spanish Steps. I couldn’t get enough of this moment, as I kept clicking away. My friends, Stella & Sophia, were flitting about, cast in a magical spell of enchantment. Who would’ve imagined — we would be in Rome on adventure?

I’ve finally settled into processing my images and reliving the moments. What a treat. This is a 5 image, HDR, tonemapped in Nik HDR Effex Pro2, finished in LR, & PS with a dip into Nik Color Effex and On One Perfect Effects.

Here’s hoping your inner artist is inspired to paint, sing, dance, shoot, or take the time to admire and enjoy others creations.

~Ciao~