Wallpaper Wednesday - Black and White Water Drop

Download the 16x9 Format

This week's wallpaper is a gorgeous abstract macro of a water drop at the center of the leaves of a plant. This is only available in the 16x9 (wide-screen) format.

The Evolution of Water

This...

Evaporates into this....

Which falls as this...

Which melts into this...

Which collects into this...

Which escapes like this...

Which flows like this...

Which builds up to this...

Which falls like this...

Which mellows into this...

Which grows into this...

Which finally returns here...

And the cycle begins again.

A little splash of fruit

Splash of Orange

Last weekend my friend and fellow photographer came over with a prop and a concept; a fish tank and food coloring.

She wanted to shoot some ink drop and waterdrop shots.

I was excited about the idea, but then I flashed on something I have wanted to do forever; dropping large things into water.

So I suggested that before we started using the food coloring we drop some fruit into the water. She agreed. Using two shop lights, one with a 200 watt bulb and one with a 150 watt bulb we started started dropping fruit, splashing water everywhere.

I have seen this done many times before, mostly with stark white backgrounds, but I wanted something a little different. I wanted the elements of the tank to be present.

Splash of Red

Tomato Splash

Splash of Green

The difference I was going for was the effect of having an actual background to highlight the air bubble created in the vacuum created by the fruit so the bubbles didn't get lost in in the sheer white of the image. I am happy with the results.

Thanks Liz for including me on this fun adventure.

I am offering a limited number of these images for sale in my store. Each image is a 5x5 inch print and only cost $15 each plus S&H. The images are available individually or as a framed and matted collection. See the sample below. The 25x25" framed and matted collection is $120 plus S&H charges.

Splash of Fruit

2010 Photos in Review

So, I am using this post to close out the year by displaying a progression of my work throughout the year. In some cases my art improved and other cases I came around full circle. It was a year of firsts as well as a year of repeats.

At times 2010 was hard, yet at times it was easy.

Sometimes 2010 was bad yet sometimes it was good.

Some of 2010 I felt alone, other times I felt smothered.

A lot of 2010 was spent depressed and I was manic a lot.

In 2010, I lost some important relationships, but then again some too.

Much of 2010 was uncreative and uninspired, and still I was able to create some works that made me proud.

2010 is closing now, and I feel a sense of relief mixed with a sense of despair.

2010 has left the future uncertain, yet opportunity abounds.

As I get ready to welcome in 2011, I want to say goodbye to 2010 by celebrating my accomplishments. So here is the 2010 year in picture as seen through my eyes.

January - I didn't shoot a damn thing. My camera took a tumble rendering it all but useless and required me to purchase a new body, much to disdain of my wife.

February -

Foggy Morning in the Park

Abandoned Slide

March -

A bad day at the beach is better than the best day at work

My day in the rain... seems that I did that a lot this year. My camera got wet more than once.

April -

Learning to see differently. This is what happens when I stop letting the camera think for me.

A cold spring morning and my daughter is not happy to be at the Tulip Festival in Woodburn

Rain makes thing more beautiful. It is miserable to shoot in, but beautiful none-the-less.

May -

The excitement of battle

My new ride in 2010, although not alive and well right now. I did love it from April through the end of August.

My photo group loves shooting at this bridge

Trying something different

June -

Stricken by a creative block most of the month of June, this shot at the end of June jump started my July

July -

Back to the battle front

Fourth of July - How can fireworks not excite the creative spark

Mt. Angel Abby organ. This place is amazing.

My lovely wife cooperating for a portrait session with me.

August -

Bob Olin  posing by a dumpster for a shoot I did with him.

I did some time at the beach in August. It was very therapeutic.

A change of perspective proved to be very enlightening

Ocean waves are a special thing to me, like each one I get to see is a unique gift from God. Each created for me.

September -

September brought my first exposure to the public arena of teaching at the State Fair; I am officially hooked.

I went with Nathan to shoot a senior portrait, while I was supposed to be a mobile light stand, I sneaked a few shots in.

Another bridge shoot with my photo group.

My inner artist screams out to be expressed, and I listened.

Another senior shoot with Nathan, me sneaking some shots in while he messes with gear

October -

My first wedding - October proved to be my most productive month thanks to being laid off

This is before being laid off, and expressed exactly how I felt creatively in my job

I was busting at the seams to create, and this was a great month for me

My youngest daughter playing along for a Halloween themed shoot

Two days after I was laid off, I was actually feeling pretty good

Options are open and the skies the limit and all those other cliches. 

Things could be worse... I am loving the freedom.

I definitely felt some desolation during my first few weeks unemployed

I love the feel of this shot.... a life-long dream to capture it

More of the foggy love. This was the feel I was trying to capture at the playground in February

A little treasure at a friend's house

From the Halloween wedding I shot. This is one of my favorite shots.

November -

November brought so many blessings, such as spending the day with Kevin Kubota, Doug Gordon, Joy and Jules Bianchi and so many other working pros sharing their knowledge of the industry.

My creative juices flowing on the way back from Bend

More from the trip home from Bend

Another Mt. Angel shoot with my photo group, St. Mary's Parrish

The bell tower at the Abby

Playing with Movement

An odd result from my camera phone that I fell in love with

December -

It is amazing what can be done with some social finesse, like getting access to the Fairview Training Center

A recent road trip with my friend Terry, beautiful area

Standard shot of running water

A new view on running water and lichen.

Nope, not part of Silver or Multnomath Falls

Just below the snow line. This water was scary fast

My friend Terry who was kind enough to drag my ass out of the house,  yup that is know and only a 40 minute drive

A view of God's Country

Another waterfall.... I fell in love with this place

While 2010 is not quite over, I am about done with it. I am ready to move on. I am ready to put the past behind me and move into the future. It is late... and I am ready for bed now. So good night everyone.