Skywatch Friday

To see entries, and/or to particiapte, click on the icon above. Thanks to the Skywatch team:
Klaus Sandy Wren Fishing Guy Louise Sylvia

The first image appeared while we were shopping this week. Parking lots are great places to Sky Watch. Next is a view from our front porch last night.

Photographs by Elisabeth Bacon--All Rights Reserved

Thematic Photographic--Leaves

Thanks to Carmi for hosting Thematic Photographic. To see other entries click here.

Images are everywhere. These leaves were found (holding on to a branch) in a mall parking lot. Often beauty can be found in the mundane. I am particularly fascinated by the textures and subtle colors. Then, translated into a monochrome image.

LEAVES
Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon 2009
All Rights Reserved

Autumn Colors and More

Yesterday's outing:

PHOTOGRAPHS by ELISABETH BACON

All Rights Reserved

Monochrome Weekend

Thanks to Aileni for hosting this weekly event. To see more monochromatic images, or to enter yours, click on the icon above.

Sometimes captures are in unusual places. This gargoyle sits on a ledge above the entrance to aa antique mall. Lesson learned: LOOK UP!

THE GUARDIAN

Skywatch Friday

Thanks to the Skywatch team, Klaus Sandy Wren Fishing Guy Louise Sylvia. To see more Skywatch captures click on this icon:

These sunrise images were taken using a Nikon D300. As winter approaches the sunrises will become more vibrant and outstanding. I look forward to seeing what the sky looks like tomorrow morning.

Photographs by Elisabeth Bacon 2009--All Rights Reserved

Sunrise Today

There is a definite chill in the air. Looking out my office window, this is what I saw first thing this morning:

Tomorrow is Skywatch Friday. I captured several shots of this sunrise using Nikons which I may want to publish. The above was taking with a Sony DSC-HX1.

Hawk Again

Keeping my eyes open for hawk. Lo and behold he showed up a little while ago. He landed in the walnut tree. Grabbed my point and shoot for some test shots. Will have to consider getting a more powerful lens at some point. However, for now, what I have will have to do.

Outdoor Wednesday--Pink and Blue Fog

Thanks to Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for hosting this weekly event. To see what other participants are doing, click on the icon below.

This morning's pink (and blue) fog caught my eye. How I love it when the day begins as seen through the rose-colored glasses of Mother Nature.

First Frost

For The Critics

To those who name call and insult:

I cannot accept those gifts. They are yours to keep for yourself.

To those who compliment and uplift:

Thank you....for gifts to be shared and passed on.

--Lesson gleaned from a Wayne Dyer story about The Buddha

Note to Self:

What one focuses on expands...concentrate on the positive.

What one gives out returns multiplied many times over.

Everything is a lesson--an opportunity to learn and grow.

Monochrome Weekly--Trunk

Thanks to Aileni for hosting Monochrome Weekly. To see other participant's images, or to enter, go to:

(click on icon)

Have decided to use the new camera for black and white images and am experimenting with light and toner shades. Sepia is the perfect partner for melancholy images.

This old trunk was found in a church basement almost 50 years ago.

Back to Sepia--My Favorite

Note to Self: Burn In to Darken Bright White of Window? Experiment, or leave as is. Stark contrast has impact. THROUGH A WINDOW (FROSTED)

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved

Continued experimenting with new little camera. Decided to use it only for black and white thereby reviving a neglected skill. Black and white photography with sepia tone was always my favorite. It feels good to be back doing it again. Time to practice, practice, practice.

AUTUMN BALES

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved

Experimenting and Running Camera Tests

My new (and somewhat fancy) Sony point and shoot arrived. Have been playing with settings. This is going to involve lots of experimenting. What I like is the ability to use Manual. No way is this camera like my DSLRs, however, for taking shots on the go, this little baby will work just fine. All I need to do now is learn how to use it.

DETAIL

ACROSS THE ROAD (at noon)

PURSE-DETAIL/COLOR

Skywatch Friday

Thanks for the Skywatch team (Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy, Louise and Sylvia) for making this event possible each week. To see other participant's entries, or to enter, click on the linked icon above.

Autumn morning sunrises are getting better and better. Caught this one early today, as the sun began to peek over the bank behind the cabin (before the rain):

SUNRISE

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon 2009--All Rights Reserved

Color in the Rain

Early this morning, the sunrise was wonderful, then came rain. (Will post the sunrise later today for Skywatch Friday.) During the rain, I ran out to capture the "burning" bush across the road. Here is that bush done in a Polaroid-style.

Photograph without Polaroid-style filter effects:

Waiting for the Glue to Dry

After reading a book on GOOD MAIL (about creating artful envelopes), I dove into a birthday project for my best friend. Oh my, fun...and challenging. Her birthday is Friday and I am sitting here watching glue dry (very slowly). Hopefully this card will go in the mail this afternoon. And...instead of being gutsy (like a true artist is supposed to be) I am putting this endeavor in an outer protective envelope to mail. Oh well, maybe next time I will send a project on without protection. Yikes--what jump in faith that will be!

Here is my first artsy envelope:

ENVELOPE FRONT

ENVELOPE BACK

Photographs and Art by Elisabeth Bacon

All Rights Reserved

The Importance of Play

Cars run out of gas and so do creative people. We need to remember to play. Play refreshes the soul. Today, let's play. Let's do something we love doing. Let's renew our spirits.

Remember: Do Good, Be Good and Strive for Excellence Always

Decorated Journals and Envelopes

My best friend's birthday approaches. I am behind with plans to create a special card and envelope for her. Books on decorated journals and envelopes sit open around me. The pictured envelopes are hand decorated with any and everything then sent out as gifts of art. What a wonderful idea! Today I plan to play with pens, markers, words, etc. and put together a little treasure for my friend. I will post a pic of the completed project (if it turns out).

How I would love to be able to let go and let creativity run wild. "Keep It Simple" is ingrained in my mind and these journals and envelopes are not simple. Time to push the envelope (excuse the pun) and jump out of the simplicity mode. Yikes...talk about skeery. Oh well...here goes... All I can say at this point is: We'll see...

Monochrome Weekly Theme

This is my first post on Monochrome Weekly Theme. Thank you Aileni for hosting this event each week. To see images by participants, please click on the icon above.

A STUDY IN PEWTER

Book Fix Plus

Yesterday I headed to the BIG city to savor books and more books. Had a fabulous time surrounded by ideas. Came home with a small stack and my brain on "All Systems Go."

On the way back, I decided to take pics while stopped at lights or stop signs. What fun! Here are two of those snaps:

Photographs by Elisabeth Bacon--All Rights Reserved

Then, last night (while feasting on books), I looked up and saw the most magnificent sunset colors. And...of course...grabbed camera and ran lickety split to snap that shutter.

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon--All Rights Reserved

Early This Morning

Am fascinated with sky watching and so this morning as the sun rose, out I went with camera in hand. One could spend days looking up.

SUNRISE

SkyWatch Friday

Thanks to the team at SkyWatch Friday for hosting this weekly event. To see the images from participants, or to enter, click on the SkyWatch icon above.

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Wow! What a sight...walked out our front door and looked up.

BLUE SKIES

Photographs by Elisabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved

I have seen similar shots and wanted to take some deep blue captures of sky with clouds. Am happy--objective achieved.

(Edited for SkyWatch Friday on Thursday afternoon)

Found When Grocery Shopping

Images are everywhere and I am amazed at the images I find while out shopping. Parking lots are great places for seeing. Yesterday, these images showed up for capture:

Snapshots by Elisabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved

Autumn Fog

Thanks to Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for hosting this feature every week. If you would like to see the other entries, or join in, please click on the icon above.

I love autumn mornings in the mountains. Fog rolls in and a mysterious atmosphere prevails. Every day is different as the light changes.

Snapshot of A Country Road

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon 2009--All Rights Reserved

Working on Digital Bromoil Again

Have been playing with hawk image (initially for use in an altered art project). Have pushed the envelope a bit and returned to my fascination with digital bromoil images.

HAWK

Digital Bromoil Image by Elisabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved

Ditching the Negative

Negative thoughts breed negative thoughts and visa versa. What one focuses on expands. We can choose to participate in the negative, or not. I choose not. Hooray for the postitive thinking folks in this world! And...thank goodness for round filing cabinets and the blessed delete button! Yea!!!!

The power to choose what we want in our lives is a powerful tool. Choice is everything. Our choices determine who we are and teach us memorable lessons.

Today will work more on the book and investigate additional venues for showing/sharing images.

Life is good!

Taking Care of Business

Worked on The Book some this morning. Am determined to do a little bit (or a big bit) every day. Then, continued sorting, tossing and cleaning around the cabin. Bob did touchups with stain on two pieces of furniture and the place looks much better for his efforts. Laundry is dryiing in dryer. Am in the process of setting up a gallery online where images can be viewed and perhaps purchased. I need to move my old domain name to that site and hope to have it up and running soon.

Decided to do more monochromatic images in either black and white, or sepia. I love sepia. Would like to enter Monochromatic Weekly Theme every week. This form of community participation is right down my alley.

Am thinking about reinstating Friday Finds. Friday is my artist's day out and a perfect day to capture images and hunt for props. Anything found is fair game as an entry in Friday Finds and I did enjoy having this blog. Am looking forward to doing it again.

Lost and Found

Last night I spent two hours looking for THE BOOK's Table of Contents. Saving files on disks and external hard drives, etc., is usually a good thing. That is...until you can't find the right disk or external hard drive. Finally. I found it (in the last place I looked--2009-External Hard Drive #2). Hooray!

This morning returned to working on THE BOOK. Changed the subtitle on cover again. Added to the Table of Contents and added notes on thoughts and ideas (Who Are You?).

Hopefully, now that I am focused on writing, all will go smoothly without any disastrous interruptions. In the past, every time I would dive into THE BOOK, something happened...i.e.. Bob in hospital, and/or a Dad emergency.

CROSSING FINGERS and KNOCKING ON WOOD.

Reading and Renewal

E-Books are wonderful. Without leaving the cabin, words and ideas fly into my NetBook.

Reading is the best way to renew artistic vision. Recently I read THE LOST SYMBOL by Dan Brown and IGNORE EVERYBODY by Hugh MacLeod. Last night I downloaded several sample books and kept on reading previews. When feeling artistically depleted, READ. When the creative well runs dry, READ.

It continues to amaze me how ideas will pop up while immersing myself in the thoughts of others. Does reading open the door to an invisible river of thoughts--a cosmic consciousness?

A couple of days ago I posted an image of Reflection (and Renewal) expressing a need to take a time out from working to think. During these times of contemplation and reevaluation, revelation happens.

Meditate. Take a walk. Go for a drive. Change your surroundings and your point of view.

1. Look closely at your use of time. (I need to stay out of some chatrooms--the ones filled with lonely folks troubled, bored and suffering from lack of self-esteem. In others, much information can be gleaned. I need to choose carefully where I spend my time.)
2. Take a good look at your relationships. Negative? Positive? Surround yourself with positive people (winners).
3. Look at your thoughts. Negative? Positive? (You can change your thinking.)

As ideas show up, write them down.

How does Dan Brown organize his facts, theories, character evolvement* and plot progression? Darn...I'm stumped. Does he have a room paneled with bulletin boards? Does he have to "see" his work in progress? How does he tie events together will working on a plot? Wish I knew his behind-the-scenes mechanics.

My toughest challenge is the organization of ideas. Ideas abound...images are everywhere...

REALIZATION: I need a good editor!

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* evolvement--look up in Oxford English Dictionary. By the way, the Oxford English Dictionary on CD is the entire 20-volume set condensed--a plus for any writer.

A Study of Peaches

Refining Peaches with Pitcher.

PEACHES

Photograph by Elisabeth Bacon 2009

All Rights Reserved