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Monochrome Madness: MM 216

Last autumn I was in Seattle, and had the chance to walk around downtown under mostly dry skies.  I found these trees to be dynamic with their color, but it wasn’t until recently that I had time to convert these to b&w.  In the original, the two trees are completely different in color, but by changing the individual color values in the conversion, they appear similar, making it a stronger image.

This is my contribution to Leanne Cole’s Monochrome Madness, having the theme of Seasons this week.  To see what other photographers have contributed, or instructions to join in, please visit Leanne’s website.

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Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Leaves or Trees

fallen leaves, Hawaii, rain forest, Steve Bruno photography

For a nature photographer, trees and their leaves have to be a top subject matter.  The photo above was from the forest floor near Hilo, Hawaii.  Also from the big island, about 50 miles away was this strange looking one.  A pregnant tree?  Hmmm.

tree, rain forest, Hawaii, gottatakemorepix

In the same forest was this one which I call “reaching out”.

rain forest, Hawaii, branches, Steve Bruno photography

I think the trees most associated with Hawaii would have to be palm trees.

lone palm tree, Hawaii, Steve Bruno

Much closer to home, on the slopes of Mount Charleston are my favorite trees to photograph – the bristlecone pines.

bristlecone pine, Mount Charleston, Nevada, gottatakemorepix

I have fond memories of running through the yard kicking up fallen leaves while growing up.  That might be a little tough to do with all these boulders, but the forest floor in Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona is beautiful in autumn.

autumn, fallen leaves, Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Arizona, Steve Bruno photography

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Monochrome Madness: MM4-23

autumn, inner basin, san francisco peaks, snow, flagstaff, steve bruno, gottatakemorepix

I love this time of year when the air gets cooler and the leaves change color.  Occasionally, cold fronts come through with a little moisture, and hopefully, not much wind.  That was the case for this photo from the San Francisco Peaks, near Flagstaff, Arizona taken a couple years ago.

This is my contribution to Leanne Cole’s Monochrome Madness this week.  To see what other photographers have contributed, or instructions to join in, please visit her website.

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Monochrome Madness: MM3-27

Zion Canyon in autumn, Zion National Park, Utah

When people think of autumn color, they usually think of places like the northeastern US or Smoky Mountains.  Here in the southwest, we get our seasonal change in patches, rather than sprawling hillsides.  That usually means canyons, and one of the best displays for autumn is Zion National Park, Utah.  Perhaps it’s the tall canyon walls protecting the trees from the winds that could drop the leaves before the colors peak, but conditions are very favorable here for a great autumn display.  And just because the scene is alive with color, it doesn’t mean you need to be capturing it that way.  The original for this was captured on Kodak Pan-X 4×5 film.

This is my addition to Leanne Cole’s Monochrome Madness this week.  Photos from others as well as instructions to join in can be found on her website.

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Monochrome Madness: MM3-22

The first hints of pleasant temperatures have made it to the desert southwest, and before September 21st.  I’m sure that’s a mistake, but we’ll take it!

Autumn is a lot more reliable in the high country.  In those years where there aren’t any storm fronts and their associated winds, some forests can take on pretty spectacular colors.  The aspen trees are in the highest life zones, and the first to change color.  That’s usually a brilliant gold, but sometimes they can linger to deep oranges and reds.

This particular stand of aspens, mixed with the pines, is from the Kaibab National Forest, north of the Grand Canyon.  Although a major fire has devastated a large portion of that forest, it is still one great place to view the seasonal change. The contrast of the brilliant aspens to the other trees, along with a very clear sky makes for nice full days of hiking and photography.

This is my addition to Leanne Cole’s Monochrome Madness this week.  You can check out her website here.

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The Rider, pt. II

Fallen Leaves-Steve Bruno

Returning to the 21st ave bus route.  Previously along the journey, our lady with the red and orange hat boarded at the September Street stop.  She’s always so full of contagious energy when she gets on.  That’s probably why she is so well liked, especially by the children.  Her colorful stories, many regarding the holidays, keep the young ones entertained.  They asked her name one time, and a couple of them got it wrong.  Her nickname, the mispronunciation, Aunt Em, has stuck.

For as much energy as she exudes, Aunt Em has mood swings that bring her crashing down.  I used to think she was bipolar, but then I figured out it runs deeper than that.  Her Old Man has a dominant grip over her.  There’s been a few times when he jumps on a couple stops early, and proceeds to howl and scream at her to get off.  Occasionally she caves in and leaves, but most of the time she holds her ground.  There’s more fortitude in that woman than the first impression might indicate, but wow, what a dysfunctional family!

We’ve reached her stop, December Drive, and Aunt Em is almost as pleasant as when she got on.  Many people complimented her on her attire this time around, and I guess that’s helped her attitude.  Additionally, there’s been no sign of her Old Man.  I see him standing on the corner, however.

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WPC: Transition (2)

Kaibab National Forest, autumn, Arizona

While going through my files, I came across this shot, which I thought fit the challenge very well.  This was taken in Kaibab National Forest, Arizona.

In response to the Daily Post Challenge: Transition

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I thought this place was supposed to be dark and gloomy

autumn, Freeway Park, Seattle, Washington

The day before I headed off to Seattle, I checked the NWS forecast – Rain 100%, or Rain Likely every day.  I didn’t think there would be much chance for photography, other than a few window seat shots (more on that to come).  Oh, there was some rain, alright (see previous post), but there was much more time when it wasn’t raining.

I think the biggest surprise was that there was plenty of autumn color still.  Much of the country has seen the leaves all go away, and this is when the lowest deserts are starting to peak.  Somehow Seattle, despite being this far north, and despite all the rain and wind, manages to hold on to autumn.

Autumn Seattle 01-Steve Bruno
Autumn afternoon view from airplane landing in Seattle. Photo by Steve Bruno.

It was evident that I would have a reason to take my camera out before the plane even touched down.  As soon as I was checked in, I grabbed my camera and started walking around.  I saw a small group of trees amidst the tall buildings that were in various phases of changing color.  I didn’t realize that I had stumbled upon Freeway Park.  Appropriately named, the park sits above the freeway running through downtown Seattle.  Many of the foliage shots I took were in this park.

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Mid-week Mixings: Jacob Canyon

The start of autumn in Jacob Canyon, in Kaibab National Forest, northern Arizona. Photo by Steve Bruno.
The start of autumn in Jacob Canyon, in Kaibab National Forest, northern Arizona. Photo by Steve Bruno.

There are places where it seems you have to fight for elbow room to get your photographs, nowadays.  Most national parks come to mind, but even those have room to venture about, unless you’re looking for that classic shot.  In autumn, places like the Maroon Bells in Colorado, and Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona are just as packed as any national park in peak season.

I’ve always liked finding hidden gems, and this place, Jacob Canyon, certainly comes to mind.  In between Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce, there’s little chance of it becoming a destination for many.  The canyon runs for some distance, and is a great place to just get out and walk in the fresh air.  The area that the leaves change is quite condensed, as the forest is dominated by ponderosa pines.  To me, its main beauty is that I can have the place to myself most days of the year.

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