June 4, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Storms and such

06.04.14 iPhone Challenge-Henderson Station

Today’s iPhone challenge photo was taken at the old L&N Railroad Station in Henderson, Ky just after a heavy rain dumped on the area. I really like going out shooting during bad weather… you can really get some dramatic pictures, and not just of the weather. The light and color afterwards just is gorgeous. Get out and shoot pictures!

This is a HDR image that was shot with Pro HDR on my iPhone 5s and post processing was done in Photoshop CS6.

June 3, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – My helper…

04.06.14 iPhone Challenge-Damion and FAA

Today I was uploading train pictures to my sales area on Fine Art America’s website and of course Damion wanted to help and the fact that I was working on train pictures didn’t hurt any at all. He and his cousin Xaiver both love their trains and his sister Elaina will as well once she gets a little older! By the way… I love his expression in this one!

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and post processing was done in Snapseed and Photoshop CS6.

June 2, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Patty Cake??

06.02.14 iPhone Challenge-Damion and Ashley-web

I stopped by to see some of my favorite subjects today and caught this picture of Ashley playing “Patty Cake” with Damion. Not quite the way I remember it, but they were having a great time making memories together.

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and post processing was done with the Snapseed App.

June 1, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Mine!

06.05.14 iPhone Challenge-Damion and grilled cheese

This kid just cracks me up. After church today we stopped at a local fast food place to eat and Damion just wasn’t really that hungry, plus he was getting tired. So, I asked him if I could eat half of his grilled cheese sandwich, which he wasn’t even touching, and this is the look and response I got!

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and post processing was done in the Snapseed App and Photoshop CS6.

May 31, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Herbert and Margaret

05.31.14 iPhone Challenge-Family Gatherings

Today I was honored to take part in the 60th wedding anniversary of Herbert and Margaret. They’re my cousins by marriage, and today we had a surprise reception for them in Bremen, Ky. They were pretty surprised as they thought they were coming to a graduation party.

They are two of the most loving, kind and gentle souls that I’ve ever met. It was great to celebrate this milestone in their lives with them and family.

They know me and my camera quite well and were more than glad to pose for today’s iPhone challenge photo. Of course I shot a lot more with my D800 for the family!

Photo shot with the iPhone 5s using the built-in camera and post processing was done in Photoshop.

 

May 30, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Selfie

05.30.14 iPhone Challenge-Birthday

For today’s challenge picture I chose to shoot a “Selfie.” I had decided all day long that I was going to get a shot of myself out railfanning for my birthday with a train going by in the background. You see what I got!

In all fairness, I photographed almost a dozen trains this afternoon and when I finally decided to start calling it a day and shoot this “Selfie” at Kelly, Ky as the scanner indicated that there was a southbound train coming. However, after standing on this wooden, one lane bridge over the tracks and every single car in the county came by during the 30 minutes I waited I finally gave up and shot this one with the empty track.

When you have a shot in mind that you want to capture, don’t wait till the last minute to do so!

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s using the front facing camera with the ShakeItPhoto App.

May 29, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Cheering Up

05.29.14 iPhone Challenge-Damion and Ashley

It’s amazing to me to watch kids pick up on things! This afternoon Damion’s mom wasn’t feeling very well and he stopped playing and went to her trying to make her feel better. He brought her a stuffed elephant first and when that didn’t seem to work he brought her trains! That didn’t work either and so he did what he could at that point and crawled up onto the couch and laid down with her.  I think that helped!

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and post processing was done with the Snapseed App.

May 28, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – The Cart

05.28.14 iPhone Challenge-Street Cleaners Cart

Today’s challenge photo is of the street cleaner’s cart parked under the old courthouse here in Madisonville, Ky. There’s just something about how it looked sitting there next to the window that I liked. That’s one of the things I like about photography… the ability to pick and choose just what it is that I want to capture in my frame. I love that freedom! Even when I worked for a living, hey wait a minute, I don’t ever feel like I really worked in most of the 40 plus years I’ve been a professional photographer. That comes from loving what you do!

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s using the Hipstamatic App with the John S. Lens and Ina’s 1969 film.

 

May 27, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Get Close

05.28.14 iPhone Challenge-Damion Closeup

When photographing children or adults for that matter, don’t be afraid to get in close and tight on your subjects, such as this shot of my nephew Damion today during lunch at Subway.

Close and tight shots can add so much impact to your pictures!

Photo shot with the iPhone 5s and processed in the Snapseed App and Photoshop.

May 26, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Memorial Day

05.26.14 iPhone Challenge-Memorial Day

Today I visited the military veteran’s cemetery in Hopkinsville, Ky as I wanted to capture something that said Memorial Day for today’s challenge photo. This shot of family members paying their respects to those that have passed on says a lot of what Memorial Day means to me, especially since I was born on the original Memorial Day, May 30th, and served my country for 24 years with many of my fellow veterans that have since passed on.

I will remember them always and salute them along with all the others.

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and post processing was done in Photoshop CS6.

 

May 25, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – The walk

05.25.14 iPhone Challenge-Damion Walking

Today’s iPhone Challenge picture is of my nephew Damion as he walked down a stone path today at church. When photographing kids, or anyone for that matter, remember that you don’t always have to show their face in order to capture a nice moment and outstanding picture. Always be open to the things that occur around you daily… pictures are everywhere!

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and processing was done in Photoshop CS6.

May 24, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Motocross

05.24.14 iPhone Challenge-Motocross

I must say that my iPhone 5s and the photo burst mode really surprised me today! Yes, this picture was shot with my iPhone!

Fellow photographer Josh Morgan and myself were conducting a photo workshop today at a Motocross practice track, outside Dawson Springs, Ky and I decided to see if I could get a decent photo with my iPhone.

Now this is the one I liked the best of what I got, but I have about 20 others that are just as good. I’ve always been of the mind that you really couldn’t get great shots with any type of phone when it came to shooting sports, but today changed my mind!

Now, don’t get me wrong, there are still certain conditions that have to be met from my viewpoint. Lighting has to be good and bright so the phone uses a fast shutter speed, closer the better and don’t use the zoom on the camera as it’s just blowing up the pixels and the quality will suffer. Next use the photo burst feature… if your smart phone doesn’t have it, then try and anticipate the action so you can catch the subject at it’s peak.

Photo was processed using the Snapseed App.

May 23, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Signals

05.23.14 iPhone Challenge-Signals

Today’s picture was shot while I was waiting for another picture to happen! Sometimes I get lucky like this.

I was sitting trackside waiting for a southbound train in Mortons Gap, Ky and decided to get out and stretch my legs. Standing there in front of my SUV I looked up at the signals and noticed that the sun was at the right angle to put them in silhouette and discovered I had parked next to my challenge picture for the day and didn’t even know it!

Always been on the lookout for pictures as you never know when they’ll show up right in front of you, or perhaps above!

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and processed in the Snapseed App.

May 21, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Selfie

05.21.14 iPhone Challenge-The Elevator

I couldn’t resist going back to the Dr.’s office today to take this self-portrait for today’s iPhone Challenge picture.

I love how the reflective doors and walls give a feeling of a lot of depth to the picture.

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s using the Hipstamatic App using the Lowy Lens and Claunch72 Monochrome film setting. Post processing was done in the Snapseed App.

May 22, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Clouds and trees

05.22.14 iPhone Challenge-Storm Clouds

I love interesting cloud pictures and trees. This afternoon we had a storm to roll through and I caught this shot in my front yard. Just a simple, easy to read picture. When shooting, don’t over think your picture too much all the time, just keep it simple.

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s using the Hipstamatic App with the Lowy Lens and Claunch72 Monochrome film setting.

May 20, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Shot

05.20.14 iPhone Challenge-The Shot

My right knee has been giving me problems for about the last year and a half and I’m finally getting something done about it.

The Dr. started off with a steroid injection and after just two days my knee felt like it’s supposed to! I marvel at modern medicine. The first shot is being followed up with four more that are some sort of a fluid to replace what has gone missing over the last 63 years. This picture is of the second fluid injection and I’m here to tell you the difference is like night and day. I couldn’t not include a picture of this life changing event in my yearly challenge!

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s with the Hipstamatic App using the Lowy lens and Claunch 72 Monochrome film setting.

May 19, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Jamie and Elaina

05.19.14 iPhone Challenge-Jamie and Elaina

My niece Jamie came in to take care of some estate business and I got this shot of her and her niece Elaina sharing the kids love seat. If you want my opinion, she really only came in to get some niece and nephew time! Either way, it’s a nice moment.

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and processed with the Snapseed App.

May 18, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Josh

05.18.14 iPhone Challenge-Josh Opening 05.18.14 iPhone Challenge-Moments

Today I can’t choose so I’m posting two photos from one event I attended today. One is of Josh Morgan and the other is of his niece and nephew.

A good friend and upcoming young photographer Josh Morgan had a reception/opening for his first gallery show at the Dawson Springs Museum in Dawson Springs, Ky.  Josh is also the vice president of the West Kentucky Photography Club that meets in Madisonville, Ky on the first Monday of the month.

Josh has some really nice images on display and if you didn’t make it to the opening you should make an attempt to stop by and visit his exhibit before it closes. They are open from 1- 4 p.m. Tuesday – Friday and Josh’s work will be on display through the end of the month. The museum is located at 175 S. Main Street in Dawson Springs, Ky.

Stop by and support your local artists!

Photos were shot with the iPhone 5s using the Hipstamatic Camera App using the Lowy lens and Clauch 72 Monochrome film. Both images were processed as RAW files in Photoshop CS6 and Topaz Adjust.

May 17, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – All about the point of view

05.17.14 iPhone Challenge-Airport

Today’s challenge photo is from the Nashville International Airport in Tennessee. If you want to add some impact to your pictures than try to look at your scenes in a different or unusual way.

Get higher, or lower on your subject is one sure way of adding impact to your pictures. Show your viewer a different perspective to look at and you’ll keep their attention longer. Don’t be afraid to lay on the ground!

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s and post processing was done in Photoshop CS6.

 

May 16, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – Find your passion

05.16.14 iPhone Challenge-Finding a Passion

Today’s topic for my year-long iPhone Photography Challenge is Passion. If you don’t have it for your photography then develop it as you will become a much better photographer.

Anyone that knows me is aware that I’m just a little bonkers when it comes to trains. This has probably been more evident here over the past few weeks as I’ve actually started pursuing the passion more diligently now that I’ve been retired for awhile and started to, as my sister calls it, fill up her Facebook wall with my train pictures. Well, perhaps I’m somewhat guilty!

The point is here folks, if you’re not passionate about some form of your photography, then you should look at something to photograph that you can get passionate about. I know of no surer way of improving your photos than by photographing things that you’re passionate about. What moves you most when you view either your, or someone else’s work? That’s what you should pursue! Being passionate about one area of photography will spill over into other areas!

Photo was shot with a iPhone 5s and post processing was done with the  Snapseed App.

May 15, 2014 – iPhone Challenge – What do you like?

06.15.14 iPhone Challenge-Damion and train

My nephew Damion really loves his trains! This one of several trains that had been mysteriously disappeared that my sister found today and he was so happy that he wanted to show me. Of course he’s the one that put them where ever they were, but after searching for a couple weeks my sister found them shoved up under the couch.

I think his expression says it all in this picture. When photographing kids always keep an eye out for these moments and be quick because at this age they come and go quick. I think I got off perhaps 3 shots before he was off to playing with it on his train table.

Photo was shot with the iPhone 5s with the standard camera and post processing was done in the Snapseed App and Photoshop CS6.