Astoria Photography Audio Blog › Studio Update

Finally a blog update!  Click the AQUA link, below, and press play to hear the latest update, and a few tips I threw in to help your senior get ready for picture day!

Astoria Photography Audio Blog › Embed Code — Podbean

Fine Art Friday pick- "White Barn"

This was taken at the same location as several of my other pieces, and although I'm rarely able to single out any one piece as a favorite (because I've got an emotional connection to all of them), I will say that I continue to be drawn to this one, and I go back to look at it often.  It was shot in the late afternoon, so the sun was low in the sky, and rather piercing.  You can see the degree of weathering on the barn walls, but the remaining white paint practically *glowed* in the sun.  Originally, I'd done a more traditional composition, and I'd cropped out the broken windmill in the back, right side.  It didn't seem like it was quite complete, though, so I re-introduced the windmill to the photo.  I feel that, this way, it accurately conveys that not only is the barn enduring the battering of the elements, its fellow structures surrounding it have fallen victim, as well.  This print is on sale through the weekend, and can be found in both the Original Art and Black & White galleries at www.astoria-photography.com/FineArtPhotography -use code: FRIDAY at the checkout for 10% off any print or canvas order.

Fine Art Friday pick- "White Barn"

This was taken at the same location as several of my other pieces, and although I'm rarely able to single out any one piece as a favorite (because I've got an emotional connection to all of them), I will say that I continue to be drawn to this one, and I go back to look at it often.  It was shot in the late afternoon, so the sun was low in the sky, and rather piercing.  You can see the degree of weathering on the barn walls, but the remaining white paint practically *glowed* in the sun.  Originally, I'd done a more traditional composition, and I'd cropped out the broken windmill in the back, right side.  It didn't seem like it was quite complete, though, so I re-introduced the windmill to the photo.  I feel that, this way, it accurately conveys that not only is the barn enduring the battering of the elements, its fellow structures surrounding it have fallen victim, as well.  This print is on sale through the weekend, and can be found in both the Original Art and Black & White galleries at www.astoria-photography.com/FineArtPhotography -use code: FRIDAY at the checkout for 10% off any print or canvas order.

Fine Art Friday Pick: "Summer Path"

You might have noticed that a number of my pieces feature fully bloomed, or even the remnants of echinacea flowers (sometimes called coneflowers).  Simply put, it's because I love them.  Their shape, their height, the way they contrast with the blue sky, all have lead to my probable over-use of them in photos.  This particular shot, shows a floret that had seen better days, but was standing so tall amongst its grassy neighbors, even though the warm, humid wind kept pelting it with intermittent gusts.  That's also why I decided to add this Robert Frost quote to it, as well.  The floret seemed perfectly content sticking its neck up and letting the breeze catch it, even with the risk of any one of the waves of wind passing through breaking its stem.  Not that it exactly had a choice, I guess.  This print is on sale, through the weekend, at www.astoria-photography.com.  Use code FRIDAY at the checkout for 10% off.

Fine Art Friday pick: "Missing Page"

This was taken at an abandoned (dairy?) farm in rural North Iowa.  The farm had clearly, previously been equipped with electricity, but everything - from the buildings to the contents in the tiny home- looked so primitive.  Except...there were a few torn pages from a book that were scattered across the entrance of the disheveled house, and a couple more that had been carried by the wind, out onto the unkempt lawn.  The book the pages belonged to is title Mystery in the Tropics, which, according to Barnes and Noble, was written by Irving Speed Wallace, published in 1941.  (Lo-five to the author for his middle name being "Speed.")  This is the last photo I took at the farm...beautifiul as it was, peppered with history and a life's work, the place, frankly, gives me the willies.  This photo is on sale in print or on canvas, all weekend long.  Use code FRIDAY at the checkout to take 10% off your order.

Astoria Photography Fine Art Friday Audio Blog » - rec 1/29/14

I'm working on some new pieces, and instead of sharing a photo with you this week, I want to share an audio blog that delves (somewhat) into my love of art!  I ramble on a while, so if you hate the sound of my voice, definitely don't click red the link below and hit PLAY!

Astoria Photography Audio Blog » Blog Archive » art nerd - rec 1/29/14

Fine Art Friday pick: "Effete"

Better late, than never!  I've been a little off on my Fine Art Friday posts, but I had a friend unexpectedly pass away last week, and I've kind of been out of sorts since then.  I'm getting back on track, now; art is very therapeutic.  This week's pick is "Effete," and it was taken in an old, abandoned conservation office (ironically).  The building is in extreme disrepair, and many portions are caving in.  The ceiling in this room fell down just a week after I shot this photo.  The building is still very beautiful to me, and I continue to revisit the areas that are safe enough to navigate.  This print is on sale through Monday at www.astoria-photography.com.  Just enter code FRIDAY at the checkout!

Fine Art Friday pick: "Sunset"

This sunset is as sad as it was beautiful.  I had traveled to southern Iowa to visit Bartlett, IA, the teeny hometown of my recently passed grandmother and her extensive family.  I was heartbroken to find the town was completely underwater, as the Missouri River had spilled over into its neighboring communities.  This photo was taken from Bluff Dr. in Hamburg, IA.  As you can see, the water goes on for miles and miles….but, not a drop of it was supposed to be there.  Much of my trip is documented in the gallery “Southwest Iowa Flood Relief" at www.astoria-photography.com