Last Sunset Photo for 2017

Last sunset photo of the year. 

I love how the light shines through the broken ice along the shore of Utah Lake.

Winter Sunset

Winter Sunset at Utah Lake

Winter or summer, a beautiful sunset can lift my spirits and warm my heart. 

I hope it does the same for you!

Winter View!

Frozen Utah Lake

My previous post is what I wish I had been looking at, but this is what I actually saw yesterday.

Is it Spring Yet???

Is it Spring yet???  Just kidding!  I'm sorting through my 2017 photos and trying to remember that in a few months our gray winter landscape will once again burst into color!

Christmas 2017

St. George LDS Temple Visitor Center

St. George LDS Temple Visitor's Center

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him!

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him!

It Is I: Be Not Afraid

It Is I:  Be Not Afraid

"But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary....Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea...it is I; be not afraid." 

Several months ago I photographed this amazing sculpture at the 'I Am the Light of the World Sculpture Garden' at Ashton Gardens, Thanksgiving Point. It is one of 35 larger than life bronze masterpieces by Angela Johnson, depicting the teachings and miracles of Jesus Christ. I chose to compose this image from a very low angle in order to eliminate distractions and to emphasize the ominous sky which was perfect for the theme of this sculpture. (In post processing I lightened the area around the face.)

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him.....

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him....

Salt Lake Temple

The soft, muted tones caused by inversion, create beautiful light on Temple Square. 

 (For those not familiar with inversion, "Inversions occur during the winter months when normal atmospheric conditions (cool air above, warm air below) become inverted. Inversions trap a dense layer of cold air under a layer of warm air. The warm layer acts much like a lid, trapping pollutants in the cold air near the valley floor." Salt Lake valley is like a bowl nestled between two mountain ranges making a perfect condition for inversions.) It's bad for the lungs but often makes for great photography!

Salt Lake Temple - Fisheye

Salt Lake Temple

When I photograph Temple Square at Christmas every year it becomes a challenge to find different and interesting perspectives and compositions. I took this photo a couple of years ago using a fisheye lens.

Penelope

Penny

I've been cleaning out photo files this morning and decided to share a photo of Penelope, (we call her Penny). She is a labradoodle, who joined our family a few weeks ago at age 5 months old. We hope she ends up as a medium sized dog weighing around 30 pounds. I don't know what I was thinking.....it's like having a mischievous toddler in the house again......but we couldn't resist that face. I promised her there would be no pink hair bows, no embarrassing Christmas sweaters and no rides in a doggie stroller!! However, we may have to get her googles when she rides with us in the RZR, (ATV)!!! Haha

Salt Lake Temple in the Mist

Salt Lake Temple in the Mist

(that sounds better than 'inversion' or 'smog')

I am such a wimp! It is so hard for me to take photos outside when it is cold, because it doesn't matter how many layers I have on, my fingers still go numb and stiff when trying to work with my camera. Nevertheless, I always force myself to spend an evening on Temple Square at Christmas time. Last night I went early at dusk before the crowd, and when I could photograph the temple and lights with a beautiful deep blue sky as a backdrop. It didn't dawn on me until I was half way there that the horrible inversion/smog/fog we are having right now would not make that possible. I went anyway, and even though breathing the air was probably not good for the lungs, it sure made for some mystical, misty photos.

Christmas Color in St. George, Utah

How About Some Christmas Color!

St George LDS Temple & Christmas Lights

St. George LDS Temple

(25 second exposure at f/4.5 aperture turned lights into starbursts.)

Supermoon, Ivins, Utah

Supermoon, Fire Lake, Ivins, Utah

Last Saturday's supermoon reflecting on Fire Lake in Ivins, Utah. I totally forgot about the supermoon and was in my car driving at dusk when I glanced out the side window and saw this spectacular moon barely above the horizon. Luckily I had my camera and immediately knew the closest place to find a decent composition was Fire Lake. I raced back there, jumped out of the car and stumbled down toward the lake. By then the moon was just barely peeking over the cliff. This image accurately portrays the scene as my eyes saw it. But this is not what my camera saw. Even with my lack of preparation, (and no tripod, or light to see my camera dials), I was still able to snap multiple exposures at various settings. Back home on the computer I combined the best ones, then did more editing to compensate for blur, noise, tilt, etc. Despite my lack of competence, and manipulations, I hope you enjoy this final image.

St. George Temple

St. George Temple

Christmas 2017

We are spending a few beautiful days at our little casita in southern Utah. Shortly before sunset there was a pretty boring blue sky, but I decided to go take photos of the St. George Temple anyway. I was delighted when a few minutes later, a few wispy clouds drifted by and then the sky turned a lovely magenta. Lucky me!