Leftcoastimages.net

I'm not one to blog, use Twitter or even utilize Facebook to my advantage because, well, I'd rather be out shooting photographs than sitting on my computer online but I will share this:
PHOTOGRAPHIC TIPS TO BETTER PHOTOGRAPHS
In today's world, cameras (incl. Pro DSLR's), cell phone cameras and tablet cameras can be set to Program and you will almost always get a great exposed photo. There is one thing they can't do so........
I am going to give you the SINGULAR MOST IMPORTANT & BENEFICIAL TIP to acquiring great photos every time you press the shutter........
It is called the "Rule of Thirds" (see example A below) and simply put, that means never (there are exceptions, but very few) put the subject of your photo in the center of the picture. That means Aunt Gertrude or the sun setting. Move Aunt Gertrude (or the camera) to the left or right. If she is on a beach with the sun setting, be sure to move the horizon up or down so that it does not cut the picture in half. But remember, in doing so, DON'T CUT AUNT GERTRUDES HEAD OFF.
If you are shooting a photo of the sun setting be sure to move the sun left or right and the horizon up or down. Doing this simple step will always give you a more pleasing photo.
OK, one more tip because I find so many people try to capture that memory of being somewhere, with someone, whether indoors or outdoors and the end result is not so good..............if you are shooting that photo with the background being brighter than the subject. As in a home with the person standing in front of a window, outdoors with the sun behind so they don't squint. When you encounter these types of situations simple turn the flash on manually so that it goes off regardless of how the camera is reading the situation.
See example B below.

Holiday ideas:

Sunrise, Big Bear Lake, CA by Thomas Hartley Sunrise, Big Bear Lake, CA by Thomas Hartley

Holiday ideas:

Anna's hummingbird by Thomas Hartley Anna's hummingbird by Thomas Hartley

Holiday ideas:

Bald Eagle by Thomas Hartley Bald Eagle by Thomas Hartley

The song was right........Jeremiah was a bullfrog (Chiricahua Leopard Frog (Lithobates chiricahuensis)

Various scenes from around Sedona, AZ

June 13,2022, a 99% full moon, commonly known as the Strawberry Moon, rising over the Eastern Butte of the Twin Buttes in Sedona. On June 14, 2022 it will be 100%.

UPDATE: Jackie and Shadow, the Big Bear mated Bald Eagle pair now have one of the two eggs hatched!!!! We have a little baby Bald Eagle!!!! This is a screen shot I modified from https://www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=fobbv_eagle_times_december_2021_newsletter&utm_term=2021-12-18

Tonight's full moon is the Cold Moon, also called “Micromoon” this year, rising over the foothills of the San Jacinto mountains. Think of this term as the opposite of a “Supermoon.” It simply means that the full Moon is at its farthest point from Earth

Ring necked ducks

This little male Costa's is just hummin' around

A Black Phoebe, about 5, 6 inches long, shot from across the pond at a distance of 267 feet, grabbing a late breakfast. Although it mostly eats insects, the Black Phoebe sometimes snatches minnows from the surface of pond, which it appears it is doing.

A male Costa's hummingbird

Art finished photograph of three Ring necked ducks

On the journey through life this pair of Mallard ducks take turns sharing the burden of choosing the direction to go.

Almost always something interesting to photograph at the pond and waterfall at the 8th. Not going to identify the run-a-way dogs owner but thanks to the dog for providing me a nice photographic opportunity. Even the ducks are very appreciative ..... NOT 🤪 The image on the left is a normal finished photograph and the image on the right was finished with a mural filter.

A Double Crested Cormorant drying out from diving for dinner along with some Mallards on the waterfall at the 8th. The two photos are the same image just cropped different.

Cooper's Hawk: THE HUNT In hot pursuit of a meal, the meal being a Black Phoebe which did get away. The photograph is finished with a mural filter and should be printed on canvas.

A Cooper's Hawk hunting up at the waterfall on the 8th

Green-winged Teal Duck
A small dabbling duck, a Green-winged Teal is dwarfed by a Mallard. “Green-wings” are the smallest wild duck in North America. This particular little duck landed at the pond, was paddling around and of course the Canadian Geese had to cruise around to investigate. After awhile the little duck flew up to the grass and immediately the Geese chased him off. There is not much the Geese don’t chase away from the pond.

The daily battles between the Canadian Geese

To bee (pics 1, 2) or not to bee (pic 3)

Controlling depth of field

Morning has broken ("Morning Has Broken" is a Christian hymn first published in 1931. It has words by English author Eleanor Farjeon and was inspired by the village of Alfriston in East Sussex, then set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune, "Bunessan".[1] It is often sung in children's services and in funeral services.[2]

English pop musician and folk singer Cat Stevens included a version on his album Teaser and the Firecat (1971). The song became identified with Stevens due to the popularity of this recording.)

OK, not all big birds. There was a medium size bird, a Double Crested Cormorant and a Cooper's Hawk...............and a small bird too, an American Kestrel. In the image of the Kestrel and the hawk, it looks like the hawk is looking left, which for the Kestrel, who is looking down at him, is a good thing. I figure the Kestrel is thinking "If he doesn't see me I'm sure not going to fly off to get away"