Friday, June 26, 2009

More from St Pete


It seems like every time i want to get out and take some more photos I am foiled. Last Saturday I tried to go to the Ybor Market in the morning only to run over a beer bottle while parking which punctured my tire. Today I planned a trip to the Sunken gardens in St. Petersburg. I just got a new lens, Canon 50mm 1.4 and I wanted to get some flower photos. Of course I wake up to heavy rain showers all over the area. However things seemed to be looking up around one o'clock and I drove there, only to be told that they were closed because the pathways where you walk were still too wet. Given the amount of rain that we get here in Florida and the fact that this attraction (only 9 acres) is a nature area the fact that they apparently have no drainage is rather strange, if they shut down for the day everytime there are some heavy showers they must not be open very often. Anyway I was obviously disappointed but decided I may as well wander to downtown for awhile before going home.

I may not have gotten the flower shots I was looking for but I did get a few that I liked, especially the one of this bird, its feathers being ruffled by a sudden breeze. The sky was still threatening rain which meant I had some interesting light to work with. I love the variety of birds that live in this area, you never know what you might come upon and they are fun to watch.

There are also boats of all varieties anchored all around. This is truly one of the most beautiful towns in the country. I especially love how this rowboat photo turned out. I processed it in photoshop, Nik Color Efex and Topaz adjust.


I will get back to the Sunken Gardens, provided they don't get washed away by the rain!
Stephanie

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Fun with Flowers



Today I worked on the photos I present here, all photos of flowers I took awhile ago. They have obviously been kicked up a few notches. I am thinking of using them not only as art prints but possibly as greating cards as well. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Stephanie

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Dunedin







Wow I didn't realise it has been over a week since I posted anything new! I am on break from school this week, which would normally mean some road trips with many pictures to follow but we are stuck in an evil heatwave. Temperatures in the 90s every day with evil humidity keeps me inside more than I would like. I have plenty to do but sometimes you just gotta get out of the house. So it was that the other evening I drove to the town of Dunedin, located a few miles north of Clearwater. This is an adorable town filled with cute shops and restaurants. I recently picked up the "Best of Tampa Bay" issue of Tampa Bay Magazine and it seems that many of the restaurant and shopping winners were in this little town. When I got there around 7pm most of the shops were closed so I will have to make a return visit to really explore the town. The restaurant pictured above, 'The Black Pearl' was named most romantic restaurant.

I would really like to eat at this Sea Sea Riders restaurant, another one recommended by the magazine. It is located in an adorable homey like building with a wrap around porch. If you are seated in the right place to get a view of the marina across the street. The town is a little bit similar to Annapolis, the biggest difference being it seems more open with fewer tall buildings.



Dunedin is also home to a home made ice cream store voted best in the area. I only had an hour to wander around this trip. Cant wait to get go back in more pleasant weather to experience all this little sea town has to offer.
Stephanie

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Clearwater Daily Sunset Festival



Every evening 2 hours before, to 2 hours after sunset Clearwater Beach hosts their sunset festival. Various vendors present their wares up and down Pier 60 which stretches out across the beach and into the water. Clearwater is a beautiful town, the water is blue, the sand powder white. The drive over to Clearwater from Tampa on the Causeway is breathtaking in itself. At the nightly sunset festival you will see a variety of street performers as well as craftspeople. One thing it does seem to be missing is anyone selling food, but there are a variety of restaurants nearby.

I was able to capture the photo of the bird above while walking along the pier. It was a breezy evening and the birds just seemed to float around. Enjoy the slide show below of the various sites at the festival.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Fun in Photoshop


I have been getting a lot of photoshop practice the last few weeks working on my Portrait Portfolio assignment. I am absolutely addicted to it and learning more and more every day. Victor, who has appeared in my blog before is a huge fan of Peter Pan/Tinkerbell so I wanted to see if I could find a way to put the feisty little pixie in a picture with him and the above is the result. So fun!
Stephanie

Monday, June 1, 2009

Rachel


I took this image yesterday and will be using it as one of my 'anything' shots for my Portrait Portfolio assignment. Rachel is the neighbor of a fellow photography student and is obviously beautiful! I felt this photo looked extra dramatic in black and white and am pleased with the results! Hope you like-more to follow...
Stephanie