Ford Family Photos

Monday, July 12, 2010

That's My World Tuesday / University of Redlands Memorial Chapel, Redlands, California USA

Click on photo to enlarge!
This is one of my first attempts using HDR processing.

I really do have a love/hate relationship with the process, because

HDR can really get "fake" looking if over-done.

I have promised "myself" to keep it natural and not to over-do!

I used my fish-eye lens.

University of Redlands Memorial Chapel

Redlands, California USA

That's My World Tuesday

Friday, July 9, 2010

The Weekend in Black and White / Mother and Child

This Mother and Child sculpture is on the grounds of the AK Smiley Library and Abraham Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands, California USA.

The Weekend in Black and White
-formerly Monochrome Weekend-

Scenic Sunday, Mellow Yellow, Ruby Tuesday / I WANT This Chair!

Click on photo to enlarge!

The house that goes with this chair is so cute...but, I could be very happy with just the chair and the view!

Balboa Island, Balboa, California USA.
I used photo fusion on this shot...just learning and I am liking it.

Scenic Sunday

Mellow Yellow

Ruby Tuesday

Weekend Reflections / Balboa Island, California USA

There are so many cute little houses on Balboa Island, Balboa, California.

Their reflections double the cuteness.

Weekend Reflections

-hosted by James-

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

ABC Wednesday / X and Y

This youthful lifeguard carries an egg-yoke colored life buoy as he keeps a watchful eye on the x-treme surf conditions at the Newport Wedge in southern California this weekend.

The high surf was generated from a storm off of New Zealand, thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean.

ABC Wednesday

The theme is Y this week...

I am including the letter X because I missed it last week.

Watery Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday / GIANT surf at the Newport Wedge, California USA

Click on photos to enlarge!
A strong storm out of New Zealand brought HUGE surf to the south facing beaches along the southern California coastline.

The Newport Wedge had 12-15 ft. waves today and it's expected that they will creep up even higher tomorrow.

This photographer nearly lost his gear not long after this photo was taken!

The beach appears empty...but, it is not!

These guys are contemplating whether to watch or be watched...

The line of people went up and down the beach as far as you could see.

...and cameras galore!

The Wedge is known for swells that bounce off the rock jetty and form tubes that body surfers can't resist.

I am SO glad I am NOT his mother!

Can you see the body surfer in there?

The ocean pulled away a lot of sand off the beach.
There was about a 5 ft. drop off from the sand to the water.
You will be able to see it in some photos ahead...

It wasn't long before the water jumped the wall of sand and swamped us!
Including ME!

This guy nearly lost his gear!
But, he is still taking photos!

Amazing!

My son-in-law is holding my grandson...checking out the surf!
He is a surfer but declined the temptation to get out there today...
Thank God!

The life guards had to pluck a few body surfers out of the water.

I think I know what this guy might be saying...I won't spell it out here, though.

Hmmmm....over or under???
I would choose UNDER!

The sand in the foreground is about 5 feet higher than the water level.

The mist from the surf was like a fog at times.
...and it is supposed to be even bigger tomorrow...
I just might go back!

Watery Wednesday

Outdoor Wednesday

Monday, July 5, 2010

That's My World Tuesday, Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot, Ruby Tuesday, Blue Monday and Midweek Blues / 4th of July - Boom Booms!

I would call this a gathering of mortars.

My husband and I got a very up close and personal backstage tour of one of our local fireworks shows.

These are only a few of the many mortars wired to explode into a sensational fireworks display of color and light.

These have been gathered, wired and set aside for the finale!

And, what a finale it was!

This is Mary (my neighbor) who makes it all happen in Claremont, California.
She is a licensed pyro-technician in the states of California and Hawaii.
Her two sons also do this "side" work, or hobby, as well.
One was very busy this weekend doing the Rose Bowl Show in Pasadena, California and the other in New York Harbor (the Macy's Show), New York.
Mary, you and your sons ROCK!

This is one smiley face that I was able to capture.
I was disappointed with my inability to capture the rest of the show.
My photos were very disappointing.
I think the problem was that we were so close to the action and I was
shooting straight UP.
I have gotten some nice fireworks photographs in the past but I was also farther away.
But, being up close was still a huge treat even if it wasn't good for my photography.