05 December 2016
Lens:

1. Autumnal Leaves and Reflections Photomontage; Copyright © 2016 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved

2. Autumnal Leaves and Reflections Photomontage; Copyright © 2016 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved
Let me know which you prefer and why. Click on image to enlarge.
Pens:
There is a point within the later days of this season when the landscape is saturated with autumnal presence, and the promise of warmer days are stilled for months. The shorter days affect moods, and usher into our lives a rearrangement of outdoor activities. Oh, only a few weeks before the days begin their ascent toward spring.
The land is no longer alive with hues that perk our visual universe. We must be satisfied with more monochromatic tones. Scenes of plenty are quiet, and it’s time to concentrate and focus on an inner culture of hibernation and transition.
Today, as in the last few, is encumbered by winds and grey skies. But sway in the treetops take my thoughts away from the chill, and push my sights to the last of the acorns and leaves bouncing and drifting downward. The winds are fierce and strip the trees almost bare of foliage.
On the ground and coating my gardens leaves continue their various stages of coloration, and relinquish their original duty for a new one. For a while I will be spreading these golden treasures and placing them into compose bins. I secure certain ones for drying and to watch their transformation from one kind of captivating beauty to another.
It helps to divert the mind from winter’s forecast and center on autumn’s gifts. It helps to divert my mind and center on nature as sanctuary no matter the season, no matter her apparent visual expressions and underlining stories. She is omniscience.
Tip of the Week:
“I am interested primarily in what Emerson called the integrity of natural objects. Natural places too have their integrity. They express wholeness and individuality, and it is this sense of place that is the foundation of my work.” –Philip Hyde
Along with Ansel Adams photographer Philip Hyde (1921-2006) had a strong influence on the environmental movement in the United States. From the Sierra Club’s website and description of its history, here is Hyde’s contribution: “He first photographed for the Sierra Club in 1950 as official photographer on the summer Sierra Club High Trip with David Brower. Many people refer to Philip Hyde as the underappreciated master landscape photographer of the 20th century. His photographs participated in more environmental campaigns than those of any other photographer. At the birth of the modern environmental movement, he was one of the primary illustrators of the groundbreaking Sierra Club Exhibit Format Series. He dedicated his life to defending western American wilderness, working with the Wilderness Society, National Audubon, and others. His color photographs changed landscape photography as they helped to establish color photography as a fine art…. Hyde dedicated his life to the portrayal and protection of wilderness chiefly through photography.”
Hyde’s photograph, “Cathedral In The Desert, Glen Canyon, Utah, 1964” was cited by American Photo Magazine as one of the top one hundred photographs of the twentieth century. To read more about him and see his work, click here.
View other entries for this week’s challenge:
https://ohmsweetohm.me/2016/12/05/
https://piecesofstarlight.wordpress.com/2016/12/05/back-lit-trees-sally-ds-nature-challenge/
https://rfljenksy.wordpress.com/2016/12/05/smiles/
https://zimmerbitch.wordpress.com/2016/12/06/natural-light/
https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2016/12/06/mobile-photo-challenge-nature/
https://nowathome.wordpress.com/2016/12/07/sally-ds-mobile-photography-challenge-nature-false-olive/
Note:
As always I welcome comments about this post or any part of my blog. My photographs for the mobile photography challenge are taken with an iPhone 6.
****If you would like to buy a print of any of my photographs or have any questions, please view the Contact Information found on the masthead. Thank you.
If you’d like to join this Mobile Photography Challenge, please click here for details and history of the challenge. If you have any questions, please contact me. Below is a reminder of the monthly schedule with themes for upcoming challenges:
1st Monday: Nature.
2nd Monday: Macro.
3rd Monday: Black and White.
4th Monday Challenger’s Choice (Pick One: Abstraction, Animals, Architecture, Food Photography, Night Photography, Objects, Panorama, Portraiture, Photomontage, Still Life, Street Photography, and Travel).
5th Monday: Editing and Processing with Various Apps Using Themes from the Fourth Week.
It is a really interesting post 🙂
Thank you for your comment and visit.
Could not decide as I was equally mesmerized by the colors you had swirling in both of them. Eager to check out Philip Hyde and his work.
I’m humbled by your comment. Thank you so much. I hope that you enjoy Hyde’s work. Happy 2017…
How nice so many love your photos! My favorite is the first. The green T at the top caught my eye right away and it’s not as prominent in the second.
Janet, I appreciate your comment and visit.
The first photo is my favourite. The video about Philip Hyde is fascinating. It’s sad though that we still need to continue the fight to save the environment. How long does it take for people to learn?
Oh, how I agree. I am particularly on edge with our president-elect in the USA. It keeps me in a continual state of unease for the future of our planet. It has always been hard for me to understand that there are people who do not understand the interconnection and interdependence between human nature and nature. Happy holiday to your family and you. It’s lovely to hear from you.
It’s almost out of the world beautiful, this photomontage. A good one to linger on to while waiting for the winter to arrive. I like the first one the better for it’s more spacious composition. 🙂
Otto, I’m humbled and tears are welling. Thanks so much, and happy holidays to your family and you.
I like them both equally – and the color is absolutely gorgeous and takes the mind of the winter chill!
Yes, the cold has arrived here too, and it’s not officially winter. Thanks so much for your response to my images.
Beautiful Sally! I love the photo montage. It has been very gray here which is what we normally get in November. Hoping for some snow and sunshine. The gray and dark greatly affect my mood so I have my morning sunlight on and am taking my vitamin d. 😌
Nicole, does the artificial light really work? I have similar reactions to the shorter days (and this year to many grey ones). I’ve been taking vitamin D for a few years. It’s an important one. Hope that you get perky skies soon. I appreciate your comment.
Yes it helps tremendously. I think I get some kind of Seasonal fatigue/anxiety from the darkness, grayness and short days. I bought my light on Amazon about five years ago when the kids were little and waking me up super early in the dark. I had suffered from PPD with my first child so once after that I’ve become aware of my moods. The put the light on in the kitchen each morning for 15/30 minutes on low. It is amazing how much it helps. I also take vitamin D supplement. I have read research that these lights help with seasonal changes. It could be in my head but it does help. I use it from December to about February. Right now it is dark until 7:30 am and sun sets around 430. I’m up early so the light really helps! I also make sure I am outside every day no matter how cold for at least 20-30 minutes on a walk. Since we got a puppy this spring, that part is easy. It really truly helps. Our winters are long here so got to keep my mind and spirits healthy! 🙂
Yes, and no matter the weather the outdoors does cradle our spirits.
I agree with everyone, this is such a fascinating photo of leaves, I had no idea… 🙂
Amy, thanks for your response. Enjoy the day and week.
I always enjoy waiting a few days on your posts Sally, to see what your readers have to say. I’m with Allan this week and loved his wrapping paper comment!
Tina, your comment warms my heart. Thanks, and enjoy your week.
I’ve been fascinated with frosty leaves this past day or so, Sally. So lovely! Wish you a good week. Keep warm 🙂
Jo, frosty leaves have not made their appearance here. They are a sight to behold, lucky you. Enjoy your week.
I like the way you have processed these images. It captures the ephemeral splendour of autumn.
Suzanne, thanks so much.
Sally, as always you come up with some interesting images! I like both of them 🙂
Cristina, lovely to hear form you. Thanks so much.
Beautiful color in both photos, Sally. I think the second one has a richer, deep coloration that I like.
Have a wonderful holiday. See you again end of January or so.
Angeline, happy travels…thanks so much.
Good morning, Sally. I like the first. I saw a mystery person in it; there must be a story… 😉 Beautiful colors.
Have a great day.
Helen, lovely to hear from you. Thanks, enjoy your week.
The images goes Jurassic Park for me Because It looks like the backbone of an ancient creature
I like both
Happy Monday
Interesting interpretation, thanks.
Sally, you have made some wonderful images this week. Both photos remind me of Christmas-themed wrapping paper that has been removed and discarded from a gift. I like the first image the most, perhaps for that reason. The second montage has a beautiful painterly quality to it.
Thank you also for the link to the Phillip Hyde video. It is another case of being prepared and finding yourself in the right place at the right time. I am grateful for people like him.
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Allan, I do agree. Hyde’s work led the way for today’s awareness of the pristine lands that we are fortunate to have in the western states. My two favorite wild places are Yosemite and Zion. Each reminds me of nature’s omnipotence and startling majesty. Thank you so much for your response to the photomontages.
A (local) personal favorite of mine: the Pt Reyes National Seashore.
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I almost got there during my trip last spring.
It is worth the effort. Maybe next year?
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Indeed…
Wow! I love the montages. What colors and pops! If I had to choose one, I like the first slightly more. I think it is the crispness of the leaves edges that calls to me more. Yet, I don’t dislike the other at all. How do you like your composite bin? Recommend a certain style of one. I have been looking at some and can’t decide which would work best. I love that you give us info and images in your posts:) I am traveling this week, but am hoping to post some nature shot for your challenge once I get to my location and discovery something that catches my eye. Guess I will see what happens…:)
Nato, I suggest that you consider a bin that you can turn. I have two kinds: one that is stationary and must be turned by “hand,” and one that is is a clever design and turns on a low platform. I appreciate your response to the images. Enjoy Your travels.
Thanks for the advice!
My pleasure…
Sally, this montage is such a fascinating image. I like the first, as I think the black space around sets off the colors. Just got back from an incredibly beautiful walk in a snow-covered park. The beauty and silence (if one can ignore the ever-present traffic noise) was stunning. I’ll be floating the rest of the day as I work inside…and looking out the windows often!
janet
Janet, snow, well, you truly are in the midst of wintry weather. Enjoy the landscape and the monochromatic tone. Thanks for your response to the image.
I like the mystery and non-leaf-like look of the leaves. Your defoliation parallels that of autumn.
Steve, lovely to hear from you. Thanks, and enjoy your week.