Peony Abstract

 

Peony Abstract

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase this photograph click here

 

At first I wasn't too pleased with this photograph, but I messed around with it in photoshop and ended up in Silver Efex.  I do like it as a black and white, but then I took it one more step and added a purple chalkboard texture from 2LilOwls and toned it way down and really love the out come!

 

I'm trying to keep in touch the best I can.  I have been terribly busy getting my garden done which has been a huge undertaking.  I'm also heading out to do some serious photography.  I will continue to be in and out, but will be back in the fall in full force with all new photography.

 

I've recently signed on to www.crated.com sells mostly photography.  Stop in and see what it's all about. www.crated.com/cresslerphotos.

 

 

Baby's Breath

Photo of the Week

 

 

Baby's Breath

 

Used 2 lil owls textures on this.  I really like the soft vintage feeling of this photo.

Gerbera Daisy

 

 

Gerbera Daisy

 

This is the photo of the week.

 

 

Spent some time photographing some Gerbera Daisies.  They are quite beautiful to photograph and last quite a long time in a vase.

 

Well many of you have probably already heard much about my gardening adventures and how I somehow don't keep up with it very well. 

Well I truly hope that's about to change.  I've spent the past few months thinking about what my passions are in life and how I've neglected some of them.  Gardening being one of them.  I look forward every year to new and exciting plants and veggies I hope to plant, but never do because of poor garden design and not enough time to do.  So with that said and now having some sort of design on paper and in my minds archives.  I've created a blog dedicated to my gardening.  Through many magazines and pinterest.  I've gotten many ideas on how to design and create what I hope will be a beautiful garden.  So stop by and check it out.

 

On this blog I will keep it strictly photography related topics.

Just Peachy!!

This beautiful peach blossom belongs to my peach tree. 

Peach Blossom "Peach Reliance"

It is the Peach Reliance.  The Peach Reliance is an excellent choice for the northern gardener as they can with stand temperatures to -25 degrees and here in Maine that temperature isn't unlikely.  In fact this year it will be interesting to see how the Peach Reliance does with all the sub freezing temperatures we've had.

 

Peach trees in general take about 4-5 years to start producing fruit which can be a negative for those who want to grow peaches and want them the same year, but on the positive side you don't need 2 trees for pollination as some fruit trees do.  One is sufficient. 

 

Last year was my first full year and we easily got enough peaches to can over 24 pint jars with plenty left over.  Probably would have gotten a lot more if I had known how to treat the tree with some of the issues it had.  I had a hard time figuring out issues such as spots on the fruit, sap on the fruit, canker. 

 

You know I have to say I found it difficult to find the information I needed to know about my problems with my peach tree.  So this year I will try harder to stay on top of things and try to get any pests or diseases as soon as I see them.  In fact I think I will get in touch with some local growers to see what they have done to deal with such problems.

 

I'm going to be pruning this year pretty heavily clearing out branches that are crossing each other and thinning out the whole tree in general.  I will be leaving one year old branches that have three buds on it.  The center bud is the leaf bud and the two outer buds are the flowers.

 

I'll fertilize in May.  When the tree starts producing fruit I will start thinning them out to one fruit every six to eight inches on a twig.  This will be the hard part as I don't want to get rid of any fruit, but to ensure a healthy tree I need to get over it an do it.

 

Growing peaches as with any fruit or vegetable is through trial and error.  I do make it a habit to use as much organic materials as possible including any pest control I may and hopefully may not need.

 

Below are a few products that you can purchase from my Society 6 site.  Beautiful décor for your home or office.

 

iPhone & iPod cases and skins  iPad cases and Laptop & iPad skins

 

 

Mugs, Tote Bags and Pillows

 

Wall Clocks and Shower Curtains

 

Great gifts for that gardener in your life or you!!

Happy gardening!!

 

 

While Waiting For Spring

Like many of you winter has gone on long enough!  I've been waiting for Spring for what seems like forever. I'm now counting down the days until I see my grass again.  I still have over 3 feet of snow in my yard and just when I think we are melting the mounds of snow we get more........YUCK!!!!  The other day driving home from work I saw a sign that spoke loud and clear "Dear Mother Nature, we really need to talk."  I thought that was very appropriate considering our current conditions.

 

So instead of waiting for the crocuses, tulips and daffodils to find their way through all the snow, I decided to pick up some flowers from the grocery store and photograph them in my studio.

Tulips

 

Tulips are beautiful springtime flowers, but there is one small problem that I have, they are known as deer.  Yes they are beautiful, but after a long winter they are very hungry.  And deer love tulips!  I Love having the deer around, but not eating my tulips.

 

Come fall when it's the perfect and best time to plant your tulip bulbs, I try planting some of my own again.  I'm going to try a little experiment though.  For the most part deer don't like daffodils, so I'm wondering if I plant tulips and daffodils together if that will be enough to protect the tulips.  I could also use chicken wire to cover the bulbs, but deer will eat the tulips leaves too.  As a last resort I could get me some coyote urine.........not sure about that though.

 

So with all that said, yes I will try growing tulips for next spring.  I'll add all the necessary deterrents to keep the deer from eating my tulips.  Except maybe the coyote urine.  And in the fall I will post all that I have done to try to protect my tulips.  Then in the spring we'll see what works and what doesn't.

 

In the mean time I will enjoy the tulips I got from the store.

Dexter

 

 

Meet my Dexter.

Dexter is a 3 year old brown tabby.  He is an amazing little kitty and very lovable.

 

 

Dexter

 

When we got Dexter a few years back of course I wanted to take photographs of him.  With the photograph above he was sitting facing a warm southern exposure sun.  I metered off his face to let the back ground go black, creating a dramatic portrait. 

 

I had entered him in a photo calendar contest with our local veterinarian.  I honestly didn't expect to win, but Dexter won and got the front cover and grand prize! 

 

 Dexter

 

The photo above is my first attempt at using Topaz ReMask.  I have the 30 day trial which is giving me the opportunity to decide if I want it or not.  I've seen some great photography using this software so I was anxious to give it a try.  I can see flaws and I still need lots of practice, but for a first try not bad.  I used 2 Lil' Owls textures for the background.  2 Lil' Owls have some fantastic textures you should check them out.  I thinking I might have to get this software too.

Oh and Dexter's eyes are really that golden.

 

See ya next week!

Learning HDR

One of my goals is to start shooting in RAW which will allow me more freedom when I edit my photos, yes perhaps it will be more work, but I will have full control of the final outcome of each photograph.  I also want to do more black & white photography.  At the Art Institute of Seattle where I studied photography and before digital photography really kicked in I learned how to process my own black & white film and photographs.  I fell in love with the whole process, but like with everything times change and you have to move on with the times.  I miss black & white and until recently I had lost interest. 

 

HDR (High Dynamic Range) has always fascinated me and I've been wanting to learn it, so I downloaded this book by Harold Davis "Creating HDR Photos, The Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Photography".  First let me say awesome book!  Very well written and easy to follow steps.  Great guide for the beginner HDR photographer.  I can't wait to get started.  But what really got my attention was when I saw the black & white HDR photographs.  Wow!  Completely took my breath away!  I knew I could create great black & white photographs I just need to learn and experiment.

 

 

 

Train Wheel

 

I processed these two photos using Topaz adjust and Silver Efex.  Not exactly HDR, but kinda gives me an idea of how and what I'm looking for.  As I start to learn these techniques I will definitely be posting about it. 

 

 Enter

 

I also plan on doing color HDR as well. 

 

Stay tuned................

What's New On Society 6?

I've recently started selling on Society 6.  Along with selling prints, I'm also selling tote bags, throw pillows, shower curtains, mobile device cases, wall clocks, mugs, laptop and iPad skins. 

Some of my images don't work for all of these items, but there are a lot of choices.

Every so often I will feature one of my images with all the products available for that image.

 

This week is 29red

 

   

29 Red

 Tote
 Bags

Maybe a new tote bag for groceries or for school?

                                        Throw
                                           Pillows

          Shower
            Curtains

Perhaps this is the time redecorate your bathroom with this unique shower curtain and matching wall clock.



                                 Wall
                                   Clocks

 

     Mugs

Enjoy your favorite beverage in the one of a kind 15oz mug!

 

                                    Laptop 
                                       Skins

 

Or perhaps your iPhone or Laptop needs sprucing up!

 

 

Mobile Device Cases

 

 

Whatever your needs are whether home décor or your office.  There is something for everyone.

For more information on any of these items click on the link below each item.

 

Also please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have.