Lighthouse & Seashell Orbs Still Life.....

Tonight I decided to revisit one of my old still life files, and see how much damage I could inflict upon it. This is the result, and until such time as I can visit a real lighthouse, this one will have to suffice. The background was added to give a little bit of a painterly texture to the image.....hope you enjoy it a little.... Cheers!

Roses Illustration Abstract.....

How can you tell it's the middle of Winter? Old Dave is doing flower pictures of course. The original image was done using the Illustration Mode of my SONY a77Mk2, and the background was a cotton material that had a bluish hue to it. So I thought I would shake it up a bit, and added my newly constructed filter to the image, and gave it a nice colourful pastel background. It just picks up the whole image, and gives it a bit of "atmosphere" which I kinda like. Cheers! It's way past bedtime.....

Abstract Graffiti.....

The original image was just some graffiti painted all over the walls of this old dark, dank, musty abandoned War Bunker in Sydney, N.S.. While I was going through some of my old files tonight, hoping to throw out the "rejects" and make more room on the hard drive, I came across this one, and decided to try and make something different of it....I am easily side tracked. Anyway, I decided it might be a good candidate for a couple of my self made filters. After applying my "Grunge" and "Fire in the Sky" filters, this is the result. However, while looking at it afterward, I am not sure who is the more deranged, the graffiti artists or the photographer.....I guess you could say that we were all having a bit of fun, doing what we must... Hope some of you enjoy a little also.....Cheers!

Bowl of Oranges Abstract.....

This bowl of Oranges and blossoms were originally done as a High Key set up, with just a white background. After applying my second filter that I created today, it gives it a totally different look. It now would have a more painterly appearance, and after comparing the original, and this one side by side, I think I kind of prefer this one. The filter was applied at 21% opacity, and it added a nice pastel element to the image. This has been a fun day, and I think I am going to enjoy creating many more of my own filters in the future. Thanks for letting me share the experience with you. Cheers!

Cup of Tea Abstract.....

Today, I decided to embark upon a little experiment that I have been kicking around for a while....namely, make my own custom filters to apply to some of my images. Most software these days come with custom filters that you can use, but after a while, everyone's work all starts to look very similar. The still life of a "cup of tea" had been done previously, and I just used it to apply my newly designed filter to. For the most part, I think it may have some potential, and I will continue to contrive other styles of filters as they come to mind. Hope you enjoy.....Cheers!

Karen.....

She loved to play "Red Wing" and "Way Down Yonder" on her fiddle, and her quiet disposition endeared her to everyone in the group. It was and is a great group to belong to, as about 20 or so of us "old ones" get together a couple of times a month to play the old tunes from many decades ago. The music originates from places like Ireland, Scotland, Cape Breton, and Newfoundland, as well as a few old 50's and 60's Rock and Roll, and folk tunes also. There are Keyboards, Mandolins, Banjos, Guitars, Fiddles and Penny Whistles as well.....oh did I not mention Accordions? Yup, both piano and button accordions to round it out. It is a real fun way to spend an evening or two, and we call ourselves "The House Party". Occasionally we will do a benefit session for some cause that needs a few dollars to make things happen, or go to a nursing home, or retirement home to help them pass the time. After a while, it occurs to you that while you are involved in a session, the whole crazy world slips away, and the world of politics and turmoil disappears into nothingness...where it belongs. It is too bad that Karen is no longer with us, as she unfortunately slipped away also....a lovely lady who was such a pleasure to have known.....

P.S.  For what it is worth.....this image just won 1st Place Medalion, Top Portrait for Windsor Camera Clubs 2020 Salon Judging event. It was a pleasure and a privilege to photograph her. DB

While I was shooting this image, I remember thinking to myself...."well, ain't this just a long way from Disneyland", and when you are in a place like this, the rest of the world just seems to fade away. It was such fun to rattle about these little roads that for the most part, went nowhere...except to the most awesome scenery you could ever hope for. Then there is the little birds singing in the background, and the gentle slap of the waves on the shoreline....it is amazing what that does for body, mind and soul. Yup, it is a little thing called "salt water joys".....can't wait to get away again....with me rubber boots on.

A Snug Harbour.....

This is my first posting of the New Year, indeed, of the 20's decade. I decided to return to my roots and go with a shot of "down home" b'y. Hope no one minds if I throw in a little "Newfie speak" from time to time. It's been a long time since I left there as a young lad, and it is still HOME to me. Scenes like this one are embedded deeply within my DNA, and even though I grew up in a city, I think I should have grown up out around the bay somewhere. However, it goes without saying that life in outport Newfoundland was a hard one indeed. You had to be a very self reliant individual, and be content with that. When I look at this little picture of the house up on the rocks, and the boat tied up at the wharf, it pretty much tells the whole story, of long hard days and evenings of work in all kinds of weather. It is not a life for the timid or anyone with an aversion to hard times. Someone once said that the biggest fear is fear itself. But the Granddaddy of all fears is "I CAN'T HANDLE IT". Live in a place such as the one above, and you would be surprised at how quickly you would learn to handle it.....You're on you own b'y... Giver! Cheers!