Photo – Floating Bones

Published January 27, 2023 / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

Yes, those are real prehistoric bones, and yes, that is a real skull of a saber-toothed cat, Smilodon fatalis.

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I took this photo at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California. They have a block of resin with these bones embedded in it to show the average density of bones in the asphalt of the tar pits. FYI, there is no tar in the tar pits, it’s all asphalt.

The resin block is in a glass case. To prevent reflecting yourself in a photo, put the end of your lens directly on the glass. And play around with angles and background light sources to get different lighting effects in the resin. The light coming through windows and glass doors changes throughout the day, so keep checking for interesting lighting.

You are not allowed to use tripods anywhere in the building, so bring a string tripod or monopod. Because of the lighting, you will need to use a high ISO or slow shutter speed. And be sure to check out the atrium. It’s small, but packed with many things to photograph.

I processed this image with ON1 Photo Raw. Check it out at https://on1.sjv.io/15Mjdz

Have Fun,
Jeff

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Spending Your Christmas Money

Published January 5, 2023 / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

If you received cash, or a gift card, over the holidays, and don’t know what to get with it, check out my RedBubble shop. You can get a gift for yourself, or someone else, that’s both functional and attractive.

tote bag
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Many items are available with my photographs on them, including:

  • T-shirts
  • Mugs
  • Phone cases
  • Laptop sleeves
  • Tote bags
  • Hoodies
  • And more
phone case
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You can check out my shop at www.redbubble.com/people/jeffcolburn/shop

If you don’t see the photograph you’re looking for, let me know. I can always add it to my shop.

t-shirt
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Have Fun,
Jeff

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I’ve Updated One Of My Most Popular Articles

Published December 28, 2022 / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

Great news, I just updated one of my most popular articles, “Alternatives To Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Adobe’s CreativeCloud.” You can see it here https://www.jeffcolburn.com/articles/alternatives-to-adobe-photoshop-lightroom-and-adobes-creativecloud

This article has been viewed almost 6,000 times. I released it in 2014, but since then some companies have gone away, while new ones have become available.

My favorite new program is ON1 Photo Raw. I’ve been using it for about two years and love it. I use it instead of Lightroom and Photoshop. You can learn more about it, and the free 14-day trial, here https://on1.sjv.io/15Mjdz

Check out my updated article to see which program will work best for you, and some of these programs are free.

Have Fun,
Jeff

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Photo – Sago Palm Cone

Published December 21, 2022 / by adminjc
Click to enlarge

Hi Everyone,

Sometimes, when you’re shooting nature, you get a happy surprise. That’s the case with this photo of a female Sago Palm cone. Male cones are more, well, cone shaped. Like a pine cone.

I came across this palm several years ago in the atrium of the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California. And I was lucky because Sago Palms only produce flowers once every three to four years. When I went back five years later, there was no bloom.

I like shooting the natural world for several reasons, including the surprises you encounter. They can be exciting, beautiful, dangerous or something that will challenge your photography skills.

If your shooting nature, be flexible, creative and ready to solve problems so a disadvantage becomes an advantage.

Have Fun,
Jeff

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Have A Happy, And Slightly Twisted, 2022 Holiday Season

Published December 3, 2022 / by adminjc

Following are some of my favorite Holiday music videos. You’ll find the entire spectrum from traditional to shall we say, unique. I hope you enjoy them.

Lindsey Sterling, is an amazing hip-hop violinist with some great moves. Listen to her perform Joy to the World and if you’re wondering, this entire video was shot in France. And there’s also Angels We Have Heard on High and We Three Gentlemen.

Next is Pentatonix, an acappella group whose voices blend beautifully. Listen to their versions of My Favorite Things, Hallelujah, Little Drummer Boy, White Winter Hymnal and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

I’ve always been a big fan of Jewel’s music and poetry, and was fortunate enough to see her in concert once. Listen to her amazing voice as she sings Ave Maria, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Silent Night.

Celtic Woman sing Oh Come All Ye Faithful, and two other songs.

There’s always someone who thinks Christmas us just a bunch of Bah Humbug. This video is for you. I hope you enjoy Carol of the Old Ones.

My favorite irreverent Christmas song is The 12 Pains Of Christmas. Have a listen.

Karen Carpenter was an amazing singer, and left us all far too soon. Listen to Merry Christmas Darling by The Carpenters and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

I’ve always liked Gloria Estefan’s voice and music. I was even a member of the Press when she dedicated her statue to the Wax Museum in Buena Park, California. I have some great pictures of that event.

Christmas is more than presents and parties. It’s about reaching out to those in need, righting the wrongs in the world and putting the Christmas Spirit in all we do, all year long. In this video you’ll see wrongs that need to be righted, and successes that have been achieved. We can all do something, big or small, to help others. Go out and help others. Hear Silent Night and This Christmas by Gloria Estefan.

Many years ago there was a great Christmas special called “A Claymation Christmas.” It shows the amazing things that can be done with this form of animation. I hope you enjoy these videos, and remember, it’s all done with clay. Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer and Joy To The World.

The Piano Guys make some great music. Check out Carol Of The Bells and O come, O come, Emmanuel.

Another great piece of Christmas music is the Christmas Canon by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Is it really Christmas without hearing Madonna sing Santa Baby?

And finally, if you think you have a great light display on your house, check out this house and this one too.

What’s your favorite holiday video?

Have a Great Holiday Season! Party on!!!

Have Fun,
Jeff

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Are You Looking For Unique Holiday Gifts?

Published November 29, 2022 / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

If you’re looking for some great, and unique, gifts for friends and family this holiday season, check out my gift offerings.

You’ll find all kinds of products with my photographs on them, including: T-shirts, mugs, bags, phone cases and more at my RedBubble shop www.redbubble.com/people/jeffcolburn/shop

Click to Enlarge

I also have several ebooks for photographers, writers, history buffs of the Old West and children www.jeffcolburn.com/jeffs-ebooks

Click to Enlarge

And, of course, there are my photographs to decorate the walls of your home oroffice www.jeffcolburn.com/photographs

photograph over couch
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You can order all of these online, from the comfort of your own home.

Happy Holidays,
Jeff

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Photo – Aspen In The Fog

Published November 19, 2022 / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

I don’t encounter fog very often in Arizona, so when I do I take as many photos as I can.

This photo was taken on the road that leads up to Snowbowl, a ski area near Flagstaff. Half way up the road we drove into light fog. We quickly parked and I grabbed my gear and ran a short distance up the road when I saw this.

I thought the composition was great as it could mean different things to different people. Some may see the large trees protecting the small yellow aspen, while others may see them threatening it. I just like the way the green aspens nicely framed the yellow one.

When I processed the image, I thought of making the yellow leaves very bright, but that  wouldn’t look right for an image in fog, so I left them a little muted.

I managed to take this photo, and one other, when suddenly the sun burned off the fog. I only had about fifteen minutes of fog before it was gone, but it was a great surprise.

Always be prepared to take advantage of any pleasant surprise that nature gives you.

I processed this image with ON1 Photo Raw. Check it out at https://on1.sjv.io/15Mjdz

Have Fun,
Jeff

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Take That Photo NOW!

Published November 11, 2022 / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

If you see something in nature that you want to photograph, don’t wait, photograph it NOW.

You never know what’s going to happen in nature, and if you put off photographing something, it may be gone when you go back.

I’ve had several experiences of things being destroyed, including:

  • Having a tree with an amazing trunk cut down. (See photo)
  • My favorite Saguaro cactus being vandalized and having one of its arms cut into pieces.
  • A great hiking trail with many beautiful vistas to photograph being destroyed by a forest fire.
  • A hiking trail being rerouted away from Native American ruins, which can no longer be accessed.
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These are just a few of the things I’ve experienced. Nature is ever changing, and not always in your favor, so don’t wait to take that great shot.

I processed this image with ON1 Photo Raw. Check it out at https://on1.sjv.io/15Mjdz

Have Fun,

Jeff

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