Archives For Featured Download

Featured Download: Grand Saut

Jay Patel —  August 10, 2012

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I love the Jura region of France… especially in the Spring. The water levels in the rivers are very high due to the melting snow, and the waterfalls are running with just the right amount of water. From what I know of this region, these falls are just a trickle in late summer. If you look closely you can see a trail that goes behind the waterfall.

We arrived at this location in the afternoon and found loads of tourist and direct sun… so we decided to return later in the evening. When we came back, the canyon was completely in shadows and only a few tourists remained. I used selective manual blending in post-processing to restore the details in the highlights of the waterfall.

As always, these images are provided for personal use as computer wallpaper or backgrounds ONLY. Copyright belongs to the photographer,and photographs cannot be used, redistributed, or recreated in print or on the web or on any other medium without written permission from the photographer.

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Featured Download: Swimming in the Sky

Varina Patel —  July 27, 2012

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I took this shot in Florida’s beautiful Everglades. I wanted to capture the pattern of clouds on the water so that my lovely alligator friend could take a swim in the sky. ;)

As always, these images are provided for personal use as computer wallpaper or backgrounds ONLY. Copyright belongs to the photographer, and photographs cannot be used, redistributed, or recreated in print or on the web or on any other medium without written permission from the photographer.

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Spring Bloom @ Iceberg Lake

Jay Patel —  June 22, 2012

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Iceberg Lake is about a 9-mile round-trip, but this is the scene that awaits you! We arrived at the lake in stormy weather. The clouds were moving fast overhead, and the sun peeked through every now and then – shining patches of the light onto the surface of this turquoise lake.

The heavily overcast skies softened the light over the scene, so the image wasn’t too difficult to expose properly. My main concern was capturing detail in the highlight areas. I waited until the lake was partially lit by the sun to bring out the brilliant colors you see in this image.

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Featured Download: Wyoming Summer

Varina Patel —  June 8, 2012

This shot is from our wonderful  2008 Yellowstone vacation with the kids. So, this featured download is a tribute to summer…

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Our trip to Yellowstone was a fantastic experience for the kids – and it was my first trip to the park as well. This shot doesn’t show the geysers for which the park is best known – but for me, that’s not important. It’s a little slice of summer.

Do you remember how much you loved summer when you were a kid? My childhood was all about playing in the fields behind our home in northern Idaho – and later, in the creek behind our house in Ohio. In Idaho, my friend and I would climb under the barbed wire fence (ouch) and catch frogs in the pasture, or ride our bikes to the lake and watch the turtles. In Ohio, I climbed trees, caught crawdads, and built dams in the creek… and when I was older, I went hiking or canoeing as often as I could. For me, summer is all about the great outdoors.

We try to pass on our love of nature to our children – we take the kids canoeing every summer, and fishing too. They spend hours catching crawdads and minnows and playing in the river near our home every summer. Having kids makes it easy to keep in touch with your inner child, too.  Have you caught a crawdad with your bare hands recently? Built a big fort out of sticks and brush? Saved a butterfly from a spider’s web? Built a canal out of stones along the river’s edge? I did all those things last summer – with my children.

I have to say – this was a fun post to write! :) What do you remember from your childhood summers? I’d love to hear it!

Summer is good for the soul. Enjoy it while it lasts!

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Featured Download: Morning Glory

Varina Patel —  May 25, 2012

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I took this shot as the sun peaked over the distant trees in Everglades National Park in Florida. I wanted to capture the pattern of the pines against the sky, and the richly backlit grasses. I used a narrow aperture to produce a sunburst through the trees.

As always, these images are provided for personal use as computer wallpaper or backgrounds ONLY. Copyright belongs to the photographer,and photographs cannot be used, redistributed, or recreated in print or on the web or on any other medium without written permission from the photographer.

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Featured Download: Colors of Glacier

Jay Patel —  May 11, 2012

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St. Mary’s Falls is a popular tourist destination and can be accessed via a short hike from Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park (Montana). These magnificent falls are often flowing at their peak in the summer, and the high water levels can obscure the colors you see in this image. Later in the summer, the water levels go down, and the brilliant red rocks underneath are revealed. I took this photograph during our Fall 2011 workshop.

As always, these images are provided for personal use as computer wallpaper or backgrounds ONLY. Copyright belongs to the photographer,and photographs cannot be used, redistributed, or recreated in print or on the web or on any other medium without written permission from the photographer.

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Featured Download: Distortions

Jay Patel —  April 20, 2012

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Coyote Buttes is a fascinating area in Northern Arizona. There, you’ll find vibrant colors and beautiful patters in smooth Navajo Sandstone. One of the most famous formations in the region in called The Wave. On this particular visit, I encountered more water than I had have on previous trips. I used the reflections and the patterns to fill the frame, producing an abstract composition.

As always, these images are provided for personal use as computer wallpaper or backgrounds ONLY. Copyright belongs to the photographer, and photographs cannot be used, redistributed, or recreated in print, on the web, or in any other medium without written permission from the photographer.

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Featured Download: Lost in Thought

Varina Patel —  April 6, 2012

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This stately stork stood still for me as I photographed his reflection in Everglades National Park in Florida. The smooth blue of the sky was reflected in the water, and provided a beautiful backdrop for an unusual portrait of this impressive bird.

As always, these images are provided for personal use as computer wallpaper or backgrounds ONLY. Copyright belongs to the photographer, and photographs cannot be used, redistributed, or recreated in print, on the web, or in any other medium without written permission from the photographer.

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Featured Download: The Smokies

Jay Patel —  March 23, 2012

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Great Smoky Mountain National Park gets its name from the mist that hangs over this area. This mist often appears as a blue haze in the distance as seen in the above photograph. I took this shot from Clingmans Dome early as the sunrise was putting on a show. I hope you enjoy it!

As always, these images are provided for personal use as computer wallpaper or backgrounds ONLY. Copyright belongs to the photographer, and photographs cannot be used, redistributed, or recreated in print or on the web or on any other medium without written permission from the photographer.

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Featured Download: All Dressed Up

Varina Patel —  March 9, 2012

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I took this shot while slogging through the swamps in Florida’s gorgeous Everglades National Park. These beautiful, lacy lichen grew on trees inside a hardwood hammock. I love it out there!

As always, these images are provided for personal use as computer wallpaper or backgrounds ONLY. Copyright belongs to the photographer, and photographs cannot be used, redistributed, or recreated in print or on the web or on any other medium without written permission from the photographer.

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