Autumn Comes to Zion National Park

Enjoying Nature during my favorite season!

Days grow shorter, drawing the hustle and bustle of summer to a crescendo.  The season's contrasting vibrant colors give way to yellow and oranges of autumn.

As much as I appreciate the sunny days and warm nights of summer, there is just something about autumn that makes me yearn to spend as much quality time in the colorful landscape before it disappears.

My most favorite place to enjoy the colors of autumn has always been in Zion National Park, Utah.  Maybe it's the analogous yellows and oranges accenting trees or the vibrant reflections on the Virgin River as it meanders through the park.

Perhaps it is the visual stimulation of scenes like the Court of the Patriarchs which stand even more majestic against the deep blue sky when brilliant trees of autumn accent the foreground. 

 Or maybe it is just becoming one with the moment in a place that time has left untarnished. 

On an overcast autumn morning, to walk across a blanket of gold with colorful limbs arching over head, just as a gentle rain begins to fall.

A feeling of solitude and peace on a nature walk that awakens the senses with hues, tones and fragrances of the unspoiled earth.  

And maybe catch a glimpse of wildlife in the quiet, uncrowded park.

As the day grows late, the sun's rays lengthen warming the red and tan Navajo Sandstone; the autumn's colorful trees slowly surrender to the shadows of approaching dusk.

 Watchman's Mountain blushes a crimson red just as sunset's finale gives one last curtain call.  

And as the clouds of sunset lift there is a dusting of snow just as the full moon lights the night. 

Yes, autumn gives me a feeling of being closer to the earth, the bright analogous colors stimulate my eyes but the stillness of nature create a serenity that only a place like Zion can bring.  

 

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Autumn Highlights the Afternoon

Analogous Colors of Fall

An autumn afternoon when the sun's rays begin to shorten is so inviting to take a stroll  with the camera. Analogous colors of orange, yellow-orange and yellow produce a most aesthetic feeling especially when being accented by the sunlight against a clear blue sky.

Just the right camera angle catches draping branches with delicate leaves, glowing against the dark background.

Going down to ground level, a dandelion peeks out from a canopy of fallen leaves.

As I walk past my red truck, my eye catches a single leaf reflecting on the shiny surface.  Moving the camera slightly to the side, the leaves over-head create accents of pleasing color, analogous colors that are closely related and next to each other on the color wheel.

Great news,  "November Montmartre", an exhibition of photographers from around the world has been extended through December 13th.  For mor information, please follow the link:

http://bonnierannald.blogspot.com/2012/11/bonnie-rannalds-photographic.html

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Cedar Breaks, Utah

A Happy Thanksgiving With Fond Memories

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I'm reminiscing about one the favorite places where I have enjoyed spending the Thanksgiving weekend and that is Cedar Breaks, Utah.  Cedar Breaks is located 23 miles (37.01 km) from Cedar City and standing at 10,000 feet (3048 m) elevation is known as a miniature Bryce Canyon.

During a mild autumn, when the short days are not too cold, Cedar Breaks can be one of the best places in the Southwestern U.S. to catch the splendor of fall colors.

Brilliant aspens growing throughout the landscape and along the roadside are accented against tall evergreens.

Getting off the main road on to any of the numerous dirt trails, an entire day can be spent  admiring the analogous colors of leaves that drape across the path. 

Looking out across the colorful canyon through a knot in the trunk of a Bristlecone Pine, one of the oldest living trees in North America.

After a long day's hike, it's fun to relax and have a picnic by one of numerous streams that flow throughout the area.

At this time of year, it's always wise to keep a careful watch on the weather. Sudden storms can move in with harsh winds, cold temperatures and even snow.

Just come prepared, for Cedar Breaks all covered in snow takes on a difference appearance as a winter wonderland.
 

 No trip to Cedar Breaks is complete without a visit to Navaho Lake. Formed by an ancient lava flow, it was originally named "Pa-Cu-Ay" by the Paiute which means Cloud Lake.  This high mountain lake was well named because it does appear to be in the clouds and on top of the world.

For more information:

http://www.scenicsouthernutah.com/recreation_areas/navajolake.shtml

http://www.utah.com/nationalsites/cedar_breaks.htm

Photographs Make Great Gifts

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Color Simplify Your Photograph

How to Color Compliment Your Photos

How often do you photograph a scene that you are drawn to, only to look at it on the computer screen and find that there's something about it that you just don't like. You are left feeling dissatisfied, wondering what inspired you to click the shutter.

In this post, I would like to discuss how the effective use of color balance and color simplicity will enhance your photograph, making it more visually appealing.

What could be the problem with you photograph is, it has such a broad range of colors that it is too busy and distracting. A good example is with this desert scene where all the wildflowers are in bloom. An actual scene in nature is viewed differently by our eyes than through the camera lens. As we look at the photo, our eyes do not want to spend too much time sorting out the image. Intuitively, we are drawn to an appealing image and shy away from the others.

Simplifying the scene with colors and including only objects that support the main subject allows our brain to process the image and not become overloaded with information. In the photo "Sugar Pine, Lake Tahoe” notice how the simple scene without color clutter creates a soothing and visually appealing photograph. To me, I feel like I am there, sitting on the bolder, gazing across Lake Tahoe.

On the color wheel you have analogous colors that are located next to each other, for example orange and yellow and green and blue. Analogous colors in a photograph create a soothing look with the scene, giving it flow and a feeling of harmony.

Complimentary colors on the other hand are opposite each other on the color wheel, red purple is opposite to and complimentary of yellow green, where as orange red is the compliment and opposite of blue green. Selecting or isolating complimentary colors in your photograph will accent the scene making it more outstanding. An example is with the photo, "Desert Tapestry" where the complimentary colors fall in the range of red purple and yellow green against the gray sky.

Another example of complimentary colors working well together is in the "Western Tiger Swallowtail" photograph, where the two dominant colors are yellow and purple. The two complimentary colors create contrast and each color makes the other appear more active, resulting in a more dynamic image.

There is no set rule on color choices for photography, just as there are no rules that nature must follow in providing us with such a rich and vibrantly colorful world. An understanding of how colors accent and augment the scene will help to avoid those photos that end up in the delete file, giving you that Oh Wow! moment with your photography.

For additional information:

http://www.photographyicon.com/psychology/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_wheel

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Analogous Colors of Autumn

Warm Colors for Cool Days of Autumn

The changing of the seasons begins on September 22nd as summer relinquishes to autumn.  Autumn just happens to be my favorite of all the seasons, which seems a paradox because I am definitely a summer person. I love the long hot days and warm summer nights. However, as autumn approaches and nature begins to slow down preparing for winter's slumber, I feel a sense of excitement in the air. Perhaps I’m taken back to my college days when fall’s arrival meant new beginnings and adventures.

Now that my academic years have long since departed, autumn’s transition has taken on a whole different meaning to me. The abundance of color and more subtle lighting in autumn stirs me to spend as much time as possible photographing nature in its splendor.

 When I am out looking for scenes in autumn, I go at a leisurely pace and get caught up in the moment. Maybe it’s because the days are cooler but most importantly, I believe it is due to the change of colors in the landscape.

The predominant colors of autumn, the reds, yellows and oranges are next to each other on the color wheel.  Unlike the vibrant contrasting colors of summer that are direct opposites but complimentary, the analogous colors of autumn create a soothing, harmonious sensation.

 This beautiful array of harmonious colors is often so short in duration and then followed by the dullness of winter. It’s like the finale of a grand performance where you are overcome with emotions, wanting more. And the intensity of that moment remains long after the final curtain is drawn.

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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