This Just In!

It is the last day of our Nature theme and this "Rocks Below Water" just arrived.  Also posting a sunset from the Moriches Inlet.



Rocks Below Water

Submitted by Tom.



Sunset over Moriches Inlet

Submitted by Steve & Janice.

January 2011 Theme - Atmosphere!

Well, Frabjous Photo has almost completed it's first month.  Thanks to all the contributors who made it interesting.  I know that it has encouraged me to be more mindful of the world around me and to keep an eye out for that special shot.

The voting has closed and it looks like "Atmosphere" will be the theme for January.  Keep in mind that interpretation is up to the individual photographer.  To kindle your muse, here are a few definitions of atmosphere:

1)  The gaseous envelope surrounding the earth; the air.

2)  A surrounding or pervading mood, environment, or influence:  a very tense atmosphere.

3)  A distinctive quality, as of a place:  the old part of town has lots of atmosphere.

4)  The dominant mood or emotional tone of a work of art, as of a play or novel:  the chilly atmosphere of a murder mystery.

So there you have it.  Some suggestions for next month.  Perhaps you have some other thoughts about atmosphere.  If so, that's great.  Get those creative wheels turning. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

End of a Snow Day!

Icicles silhouetted in the evening sky and icicles reflecting the evening light.  Looks like a COLD night ahead!


End of Snow Day



Evening Icicles

Submitted by Arlene.



Pretty Trees All in a Row



Row of Trees

When I spotted these trees lined up two by two, I couldn't help but get out of the car and traipse through the snow to get this photo.  Submitted by Sparrow.

Nature and Nature?

Well, a blizzard is definately nature. But haven't we seen that pumpkin before???  And that is a mighty suspicious looking, grass eating crow!  But we appreciate the effort.  Thanks for the photos.



Blizzard 2010



Crow in Snow with Pumpkin

Submitted by Raven.

Drawing to a Close

There is only a few more days of 2010 which means our December "Nature" theme is coming to an end.  There is only six hours left to vote for the January 2011 theme.  In the meantime, I received a few more pictures that I am happy to post. 

Friendly neighborhood squirrel, just hanging out.  Submitted by Arlene.

He looks like he is saying, "Ooh, that's cold!"  This one and the following were submitted by Mike.  The next shot just cracks me up.  I had a chance to meet Mike.  I asked him what the story was with this photo.  What do you think?

Blue Heron

Blue Heron photographed by Mike.

Sooo Jealous!

Glad someone is enjoying warm weather!  Just received some great shots from Kryptonite.  (That's the photographers screen name, not his location!)  Nature sure is easier to photograph when your hands are not freezing! 


Off to Work



Nerd Steps



Sun Spot



Social Networking



Deep In Thought

Submitted by Kryptonite.

How About a Compromise??

I am submitting a photo that was taken last month.  It is a great sunset shot that stands on it's own.  One of our readers has taken exception to my Double Exposure.  Some feel that we should not adulterate the original photos.  I do concur to a point.  The mark of a great photographer is their ability to see a great shot and capture it.  However, digital photography has opened up the opportunity for much experimentation. That gives way to another avenue of creativity.  Why not explore it!

I am all for composing the perfect shot, but engaging in photography as a hobby doesn't always afford us the time we might like to spend in this endeavor.  So if, on occasion, we choose to "enhance" our photos, I say it's o.k.  It would be inappropriate, however, to pass off an altered photo for an original.

No matter what picture you choose to submit, it's nice to hear your interpretation as to why you chose the one you chose, what you had to do to get the shot, what the conditions were like, etc.  Hearing about the creative process is as interesting as viewing the photo.  Hopefully, we can all learn from one another.  Looking forward to hearing from you!

I admit this is not a photo taken this month, but I wanted to share it.  This shot was taken out my bathroom window.  It looked like the sky was on fire. Submitted by Sparrow.

Vote, Vote, Vote!

If any of you out there happen to check out this blog in the next five days, if you haven't voted, please do so.  I have come to realize that while there are alot of photo opportunities in winter (keeping in mind our "Nature" theme), the weather hasn't been great for getting out there with the camera.  Perhaps the theme for January will be something that we can accomplish out of the wind and the cold!  Only time will tell.  Please vote.

Double Exposure

Remember in the old days, how mad you were when you found out that you accidently double exposed a photograph?  Those days are gone.  Now in the digital age, double exposure has become an easy means of taking two "ok" photos and making one dramatic shot.  With that said, I am posting a photo that combined a sky shot with a shot I took of some flying starlings.  Much more interesting!

Submitted by Sparrow.

Bird Tracks

Couldn't resist submitting this photo.  When I saw these perfect little footprints in the snow, I just had to take a picture using my phone.  Submitted by Sparrow.

Orange Vine

At this time of the year when colors are dark and dismal, it is nice to see a spot of color!  This was shot in New York City, of all places, where color is abundant.  Submitted by Keith.

An Ever-Changing Painting

Our Creator shares a new painting with us every day.  We never seem to tire of seeing beautiful cloud formations.  These with the trees of winter in the foreground.

 Submitted by Arlene.

Submitted by Mike.

Birder or Photographer?

Looks like we may need to get Mike involved in our Birds of a Feather blog:  http://www.birdingandbonding.com/.  He's got some great bird shots.


Ring-Billed Seagulls



Seagull at Bay Shore Marina



From Nice to Dramatic!

For those of you who are anti-filter, just want to share a photo from Mike.  The original and one that a filter was applied to.  It doesn't change the composition of the photo.  It just adds drama.  If a filter can enhance the photo, why not!



Original








Filter added

 Thanks, Mike!

Purple Fade

December snow with a purple fade.  Submitted by Mike.

Garden's End - Fall's First Snow

Here we are definately leaving one season and entering another.  Submitted by Raven.

We're Really Rolling Now!

O.k. all you voters of nature!  Waiting for those great shots.  I know the weather has been rather cold.  I haven't been out too much myself.  All the same, looking forward to posting your shots.  Happy to add one new shot for our December Nature theme.

Sunset taken from Fort Tryon Park, New York.  Bridge in the background is the George Washington.  Submitted by Tom.

Getting the Ball Rolling!

Looking forward to seeing how everyone interprets Nature this month.  Here is our first submission from Sparrow.

It was such a cold, gray December day, I thought a black and white photo of these woods would capture the feel of the moment.  Submitted by Sparrow.

December 2010 Theme - NATURE

Well, the votes have been counted!  All eight of them!  The majority have selected Nature as the theme for December.  Remember, the goal is to encourage all of us to think creatively in December with the theme in mind.  Since Nature is a pretty broad theme, there should be alot of opportunity for photos and alot of individual expression.  Try to resist the urge to submit a photo taken previously, however, if you must, you must.  I will not send out the Photo SWAT Team. 

If you like, please title your photo or give location taken and let us know if you would like your name, screen name or no name to accompany it.  Looking forward to seeing how we all see through the camera's eye.

A new poll for the January theme will be posted on Wednesday, December 1st.  Please vote.

Note on Voting!!

It seems that some were having trouble casting votes.  In an effort to correct the problem, I totally messed up the whole voting process.  If you already voted, please cast your vote again.  If you haven't voted, please try to do so.  Hopefully we can get the bugs worked out!  If there are any problems, you can email me at frabjousphoto@optonline.net.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  Looking forward to our first theme in December.

Welcome!

This blog officially begins operating December 1, 2010.  It is hoped that some will get involved in the process and vote beforehand for an upcoming December theme, as well as, make suggestions via email for future themes.  Hope everyone will be looking forward to each new challenge.