Daily walk: frozen foliage/frosty ferns

My "walk around the block" isn't a "block" at all, but rather a long road. And my photo subjects are pretty much limited to nature. For someone who enjoys shooting fishing boats, buildings, cars, signs, etc., this is challenging.

I go out, usually with my iPhone or my pocket-sized little Canon, and see what I can find.

It's been cold and frosty here of late (seems like the entire United States is cold and frosty), and was surprised to find ferns still in a tropical green color. But not surprised to find big-leaf maple and alder leaves huddled together, each with a crisp and icy patina.

Soon the blackberry vines will begin leafing out in their quest to take over the world; new green buds will appear on trees; and one day, when I least expect it, a baby bunny or two or four will appear out in the yard and the cycle will begin again.

©Carol Leigh
All text, photographs, and other media are ©Copyright Carol Leigh (or others when indicated) and are not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from Carol Leigh.

Because I could . . .

This is a goofy shot, in keeping with my 2012 word "play." I combined a macro photo I took of bubbles in ice with a fish I photographed at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Why not? Makes me smile. ©Carol Leigh, reminding you that you, too, can learn to combine a fish with bubbles in my upcoming Beginning Photomontage class (although why you would want to, I don't know!).

Frozen in time

It's been cold and clear at night here on the Oregon coast and mornings are sparkly with frost. I got up around 3:30 this morning and looked out to see the moon shining silver on the ocean, lots of stars, lots of beauty, lots of cold!

In keeping with the chilly temps, here's a photomontage I created of a close-up of an ice cube combined with a photo of a clock (of sorts). I made the clock myself, piling up various parts, and then shot straight down onto it. (Click to enlarge.)

Looking at this clock, I'm either extremely early or very late, so I better get moving.

©Carol Leigh, who has no concept of time . . .

Macro/Close-Up class begins June 1

My online class, "Close-Up and Macro Photography for Beginning to Intermediate Photographers," begins June 1. Here you can see photos I took for my dreaded "Ice" assignment, but we won't be doing that one this year — I've found something else that's a bit easier and is still lots of fun. But isn't this ice cool? The bottom one looks kind of like a whale's head...

I've set up a private group for my students, and that's where I post all my lessons, critiques, comments, photos, and where all the students post their work, their comments, questions, etc. I post a lesson each week and then students have two weeks to post their results for comments and critique.

It's casual, fun, not overly technical, and inspires you to try new things, be aware of what you and your camera are doing, and, most of all, to SEE.

The registration fee is $180 for the two-month class. Here's the link to the registration page: http://www.shop.carolleigh.net/product.sc?productId=32&categoryId=3

©Carol Leigh