Hi Everyone,
Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Here is the greenest picture I have to celebrate this day. I took it last week at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Arizona.
Yes, the trees are really that green, and due to all the rain we’ve had, there’s a carpet of green clover-like plants covering the ground.
The trees are Chilean Palo Verde, Geoffroea decorticans, and are amazing to see in person.
Have Fun,
Jeff
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
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
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:
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
Hi Everyone,
The other day I was getting some firework photos ready for a stock site and had a real surprise. I noticed a bright area at the bottom left of the photo. At first, I thought it was light reflecting off of smoke, but when I zoomed in I saw that I had captured a lightning bolt during the show.
How often do you get a skyrocket exploding with lighting in the background?
I made some adjustments in ON1 Photo RAW to bring out the lightning. What do you think of the image?
What happy surprises have you found in your photos?
Check out ON1 Photo Raw at https://on1.sjv.io/15Mjdz
Have Fun,
Jeff
Hi Everyone,
I have some great news. People have been asking me if my photographs are available on products, like T-shirts, mugs, phone cases, etcetera, and now they are. I have created a shop on RedBubble at www.redbubble.com/people/jeffcolburn/shop
Here you will find many products with my photographs on them, and I will be adding more photographs too. Head on over and take a look. If you don’t see the photograph you’re looking for, let me know. I can always add it to my shop.
Have Fun,
Jeff
Hi Everyone,
The circumstances around this photograph are strange.
We were at Laguna Beach, California, walking around main beach. We went around a tall rock, and my wife, Linda-Ann, spotted these sunglasses. They were sitting on the rock exactly as you see them in the photograph.
At first, I thought someone put them there as they roamed around, but there wasn’t anyone else in the area. And why would someone put two pairs of sunglasses on a rock and leave?
I’ll never know why they were there, but I liked the composition and took this photograph. And yes, I left them there as we continued exploring the beach.
It’s not all that uncommon for me to find things lying around. I’ve found money on the ground, including a $20 bill last week. The most I’ve found was $80. I love windy days that blow money around.
I’ve also found large store-bought crystals, jewelry, wallets with nothing inside but cash, tools, hiking gear, lens caps and filters, fossils and more.
It’s nice to look up, but it pays to look down.
I processed this image in ON1 Photo Raw as I no longer use Lightroom or Photoshop. I find ON1 to be faster and easier to use, and it gives sharper images. It costs less than Photoshop too.
Let me know if you have any questions or comments about this photo, or photography in general.
Check out ON1 Photo RAW at https://on1.sjv.io/Zdvkjz
Have Fun,
Jeff
Hi Everyone,
Take a look at the basic safety gear I always take with me when I go out into nature https://youtu.be/pBeQvA5X-YU
It’s all small stuff that can make a huge difference. I like to keep my bag light, while still having what I need to stay safe. Check it out, and see which of these items will work for you.
Have Fun,
Jeff