Thursday, February 25, 2010

Skywatch Friday: Shadows and Reflections

My innate reluctance to accept new technologies is frequently assuaged by the sheer handiness of some devices, even though their character changes almost as soon as I finally give in.

Such is the case with my first-generation iPhone. The new ones have a better camera and can do all manner of nifty things. So could this one, probably, if I ever really learned how to use all its features. But having even a 2 megapixel camera is rather handy, and I no longer have to carry the "big camera" around in order to take advantage of every Nikon moment.

I often find myself on the fourth floor of our building when the sun's in an interesting spot, usually near sunset. The opening shot was taken from my classroom last week, when I noticed that the light was really dramatic, and the reflections and shadows on our new parking garage were especially cool.

The image below was taken a couple of months ago from inside the library, which accounts for the reflection of the fluorescent light banks superimposed on the reflection of the setting sun on the building next door. One of the best things about sky-watching is that it makes one notice it both as background and subject.

That's all, Folks. But have a happy Skywatch Friday, and many thanks again to the Team for all their hard work wrangling us all together.

9 comments:

clairz said...

Well, I have to agree that all these gadgets are handy, but nothing compares to the frustration level they can create! I've just lost a couple of hours and gotten a neck ache trying to figure out how to transfer photos from my phone to my laptop. All I have to do is to use a little Bluetooth technology, but I wasn't born knowing how to do that! Apparently, you have the process down...

Your photos are wonderful--they look like modern paintings.

Owlfarmer said...

I'm with you, Clair. I've got half a dozen different photo-processing applications on my computer, and none of them work perfectly. I have to import the images from the phone, then save them to a folder (this works differently with each program) and then take them into Fireworks or PhotoShop to optimize them for the web. Otherwise even the iPhone pix would be enormous. Arghh!

Dave Coulter said...

Amazing gadgets. Well done!

Sylvia K said...

I'm just learning to use a real camera -- it'll probably be some time before I try my phone! These are great shots! Particularly love the last one! Hope you have a great weekend!

Sylvia

Unknown said...

I really love the 2nd photo - the reflection is great. It is really handy to have a good camera on the phone.

Happy weekend, Ev

Unknown said...

My frustrations lie mainly with Photoshop, I just don't have the patience to work at it enough!

Anyway I love your piccies, especially the bottom composition.

jabblog said...

Wonderful photos, Candace, particularly the second one. I agree, they look like modern paintings. As for technology - well, fortunately I live with a 'techie' so when I get screwed up - which is frequently!! - he sorts it out. As for processing packages - I have to learn again each time :-/
Have a relaxing, enjoyable weekend.

Mary said...

I love how that last photo looks with the fluorescent lights superimposed on the reflection of the sun....really interesting image! Sort of like high-tech UFO's hovering outside :-)

Greg Dimitriadis said...

The second photo is lovely, the light reflections give it enormous depth!