Steinbacher Geese, Spring Mill State Park

A simple graceful image today of a pair of mated Steinbacher Geese. Spending the afternoon at Spring Mill State Park January of last year was a treat. Discovering this beautiful pair of Geese made it more so. I photographed this pair last year and haven't had an opportunity to get back to Spring Mill since. After some reminiscing and archive diving, I decided it was time to offer up another image from that trip. I must say they were so beautiful gliding through the water.

On a totally different topic, I don't like watermarks on images and never have. So I'm trying a subtle white frame with drop shadow and my name inside the frame. A darker frame can enhance an image, but I'm a student of less is more and subtle is better so here goes subtle. On yet another topic, I wanted to thank everyone for all of your wonderful comments you leave on my blog. I read every one of them and you should know they mean the world to me. I consider your comments inspiration to get out there yet another day and take more images. Also I'll answer any and all questions you leave for me, but typically I don't reply to every single comment unless I have something to say. I know some bloggers do comment back every single time. I believe it's really an individual thing left up to each blogger. Finally, I had planned on getting out this weekend to attempt getting some Otter images at Mustatatuck, however, a pesky sinus infection has sidelined me for the second time this year. And I gotta tell ya this year ain't that old yet. UGH! ENJOY!

Vintage Buggy!

It's Winter. Let's face it. So I am posting another image from my Spring Mill walk around the Old Pioneer Village. This is the larger buggy that I photographed that day. I decided to leave it in it's original form. No textures here. I love the old wagon wheels on this buggy and the black leather seats. You suppose the mayor of this old village road around in this buggy. Did villages have mayors back then. Maybe just a sheriff.

I have news!!!! Picnic software is closing in April. I uploaded a new version of Picasa this morning which only had a few of the Picnic components and by few I mean two additional buttons with 6 to 8 options on those. That's it. So sad. I was a big Picnic Premium fan. So perhaps it's time to think about buying Lightroom. I used the beta version when they were testing it and I liked it. Have a great weekend! ENJOY!

Old Pioneer Village, Spring Mill State Park!

A few of the log buildings I photographed in the Old Pioneer Village at Spring Mill State Park a few weeks ago. I'm especially fond of this small outbuilding with the moss laden thatched roof.

This one room log cabin was sitting right as you walked into the village. I tried to imagine living in this one room log cabin and simply can't get my thoughts around it. I'm guessing it's about 12 x 12 maximum with a fireplace and a few windows. Don't think it had a back door. No bedroom, obviously you'd had to use an outhouse. Although I don't remember seeing an outhouse anywhere near this cabin.

Seeing these old pioneer buildings surely brings one to appreciate having a home with several bedrooms and bathrooms and a great room to boot. What do you think? Could you handle living in this year after year? If you think about it, the people that lived in this village just might have thought they lived in mansions. I'm ready for the weekend. ENJOY!

Steinbacher Geese!

Have you ever been 'hell bent' to do something. Well that is how I feel about this image. I was determined to do something with it and post it as I really loved the feel of it. It's just different. Not the norm. It really isn't the faces of these two mated Steinbachers that intrigues me in this image, it's the surroundings, and oh yes, definitely the reflection. And there's something about the blues in it too. I find it almost enchanting. And when I added a vintage texture with a border, well it really took it up a notch. Now I like it more. ENJOY!

Doorway, Pioneer Village, Spring Mill State Park!

While walking around Spring Mill State Park last weekend, I decided to photograph a few of the old pioneer homes from the early 1800's. I loved this image of the dried flowers next to the old concrete steps leading up to the door of The Meeting House. And I especially liked this old door handle. I tried adding texture to the original image, but seriously it didn't do it justice. I did soften the original image just slightly to give it a tad mystery.

I have to admit, when I look at my brushed nickel door handles, the kind you grab and turn downward, well this old door handle has a lot more character. It's a shame that this modern age has taken away such everyday beauty. I can, however, envision a blacksmith firing this old door handle from iron back in the day. I did add some aging texture just very slightly to this image, as well as softened it a bit.

I'm glad to have old pioneer villages like Spring Mill State Park in South Central Indiana to remind us of days of yore. It's a balmy 25 degrees here in Louisville and yes, I'm seriously considering going out and taking some photos. Of what? I don't know. Where? I don't know. Why? Oh, I know this one. Because it's beckoning me. The anticipation of capturing a gorgeous image I never anticipated. My promise this winter . . . don't stay indoors, get outside. ENJOY!

Pioneer Wagon, Spring Mill State Park!

There is an old wagon sitting in front of Spring Mill Inn next to a paper bark tree. Perfect setting for a perfect image. After capturing the image I realized I wanted to add texture to enhance the vintage feel. This image is what came out of that process. I had several versions in varying depths. I prefer this lighter version.

Recently, I've been working extensively with masks and textures to enhance my images as I know you've noticed. You can take an overwise useless image and make it fantastic by simply using masks or textures. I've learned to the graphic artist, the decorative borders I refer to are actually creative masks because they have a lighter border and a darker center. You have to reduce the intensity of the mask to get the dark center out and leave a lighter mask or border behind. Creative masks are easier to work with to enhance your images than textures. At least in my opinion.

One exception to this would be the textures provided in the Picnic software premium version, which is $24.95 annually. They are easier by far. I think it goes back to the depth of the textures in that software. The software allows you to increase or decrease the intensity. That makes all the difference in the world. Also if you save a texture as a jpeg, drop it in any software you have, and lighten it overall, you might find it easier to work with. I'll share more about masks and textures as I learn, so if you would like to hear more, let me know. Have a fantastic, if not very cold, weekend. ENJOY!

Steinbacher Geese Watercolor!

This beautiful Steinbacher Goose paddled all over the lake last weekend. It seemed so graceful at times. I liked the original image but decided to add a watercolor effect to it. I like what it did to the reflections in the water. I'll never be a painter so creating this in my software is the next best thing. We have a touch of snow on the ground and some pretty low temps. It appears winter arrived today. The weekend is coming. Are you ready? ENJOY!

Riding Buggy, Spring Mill State Park!

While visiting Spring Mill State Park this past weekend, I decided to take a walk around the Old Pioneer Village. It really is an old village from back in pioneer days. There was an open front barn that housed some of the vehicles used back in that era. This black riding buggy especially caught my attention. Wouldn't it be a hoot to go for a spin in this with a horse and driver at the helm? It looked to be in pretty good condition too. I added a little vintage texturing and I must say I'm liking it. I'm glad I took some time to get outdoors this past weekend because rumor has it we're getting snow on Saturday. I'm OK with that. ENJOY!

Graceful Steinbacher Geese!

Beauty and grace. Those words came to mind when I saw this photo I captured yesterday of these Steinbacher Geese. I ventured to Spring Mill State Park in southern Indiana yesterday. Some twenty years ago, on my last visit, I had discovered a lake with canoes. The canoes no more, but not to worry. This small state park has a lot to offer including nature trails, the lake, a swimming pool, an inn and conference center, a grist mill and historic pioneer village and even several caves. My memories from my last visit were few and vague so I felt it was time to make new memories.

What I found on the lake were these two beautiful Steinbacher Geese. During the breeding season, these geese can't be with other ganders as they will fight. Yesterday, however, I found these two beautiful creatures whiling away the day in the sun paddling around the lake. They are a mated couple who stayed within inches of one another the entire time. While it's usually swans we associate with grace and beauty, I believe this couple stole the show yesterday. This has to be one of those images that inspires me to shoot photography. Get outdoors this winter. It's amazing what you'll find. ENJOY!