James Brubaker

Blog

  • January 25, 2017 – Featuring my PhotoShop playing with texture – in what is call Camera Obscura.

    Yesterday (click older posts at bottom of this page) I explained what Ido in Florida all day and how I taught a Photo Club  session on such things as Patterns and Texture in photography.

    Three days ago, CBS Sunday Morning TV show just happened to do a segment on Abelardo Morell.  By utilizing a basic principle of optics once used by Renaissance artists like Canaletto and Vermeer, photographer Abelardo Morell builds a “camera obscura” with which to capture landscapes and architectural wonders.

    From CBS Sunday Morning - As if looking thru the texture and pattern of floor boards.
    From CBS Sunday Morning – As if looking thru the texture and pattern of floor boards.
    From CBS Sunday Morning - As if looking thru the texture and pattern of floor boards.
    From CBS Sunday Morning – As if looking thru the texture and pattern of a Paris curtain.

     

    Well, I thought I would try my own version of “Camera Obscura” with PhotoShop

    I started with this scene - droplets on a screen. Rain droplets from a storm - on our porch screen in The Great Outdoors Resort
    I started with this scene – droplets on a screen. Rain droplets from a storm – on our porch screen in The Great Outdoors Resort
    And I created this one.
    And I created this one.
    And digitally framed it.
    And digitally framed it.

     

    That is how I spent this morning’s private time – With PhotoShop, making and framing a photo!

     

    Will CBS invite me to demonstrate – I doubt it – But if you are interested in learning to do this kind of stuff – Ask Jim Hennigar to put it on his education schedule – I will show you how I do it!

  • January 24, 2017 – What in the world do I do all day in Florida?

    I enjoy being out and about – So, I use “taking photos” as my excuse to be out and about where ever I am. Always looking for photos of things that others may not notice.  I, also, enjoy reading many subjects  – most of my readings put me to sleep very early – HaHa!  

    Since leaving the Island, I have been studying the the creation of inequality in Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, I been studying the six elements of design as applied to photography,  I been reading about the negotiation techniques used by the FBI, I have studied the returning soldier’s challenges of becoming a civilian and Governments role in that transition – see what I mean about sleep!

     Last week I even taught a 2 hour class on elements of design in photo composition. Two of those elements are “Patterns” and  “Texture” –

    So, I checked my photo library.  Here a few “Pattern or Texture” photos I have taken. It was fun to pick them out  for you:

    Fallen tree
    Fallen tree
    Mold on log
    Mold on log
    Tree bark
    Tree bark
    Fall cedar
    Fall cedar
    Wind on the Lake Heron
    Wind on the Lake Heron
    Red sky - Brooklyn fro the sky
    Red sky – Brooklyn, NY City,  from the sky
    Whitney storm from our reading room on the Island
    Whitney Bay storm from our reading room on the Island
    Rain droplets from a storm - on our porch screen in The Great Outdoors Resort
    Rain droplets from a storm – on our porch screen in The Great Outdoors Resort
    Patterns in motion
    Patterns in motion

     

  • January 21 – Still thinking about observing – I have taught my self to go slower, watch, and observe – it is fun.

    I like this photo - I do not know what sort of seed pod it is - but it caught my attention. The seeds were sort of hiding under a bunch of brambles and I used my cell phone to capture for you what I saw that day.
    I like this photo – I do not know what sort of seed pod it is – but it caught my attention as I went out hiking about. The seed pods were hiding under a bunch of brambles and I used my cell phone to capture, for you, what I saw that day.

  • January 19, 2017 – I want you to watch and observe – See things that others may not notice.

    This site can not handle slideshows, so, I had to put my slide show on my page on the Photo Club’s web site that I maintain: http://photohappenings.com/jim-brubaker-april-2016/

  • January 18, 2017 – Maybe I got nothing unique today – because you may have noticed all that I have to show today – Now the question is “Did you marvel at it all as I did?”

    My friend said "Is that a Night Heron" - after study say I "I think it is a TriColored Heron" Dumpy looking guy in the marsh edge.
    My friend said “Is that a Night Heron” – after study say we say “We think it is a TriColored Heron – Dumpy looking guy in the marsh edge.”
    But, when he walks out, I would say he is regal. Do you not think?
    But, when he walks out into the stream, I would say he is regal, not dumpy at all. Do you not think as I do – This is the same bird as in the marsh edge? Wish I could improve my looks that much – just by getting out and about!
    Then up close - I see a red eye - like a Night Heron - but the rest of the plumage is not Night Heron - so I say TriColored - And I am sticking to it!
    Then up close – I see a red eye – like a Night Heron – but the rest of the plumage is not Night Heron – so I say TriColored – And I am sticking to it!
    Our noses (beaks) are the same size but different color - Says one to the other "You OK with that?"
    Our noses (beaks) are the same size but different color – Says one to the other “You OK with that?”
    "Yipes, I was OK with the different color but the different size I don't know"
    “Yipes, I was OK with the different color but the different size I don’t know”
    Hey - what kind of Hair spray do you us - I am having one H.... of a bad hair day!"
    Hey – what kind of Hair spray do you use – I am having one H…. of a bad hair day!”
    Official bird identification photo from the web
    Official Tricolored bird identification photo from the web

    Oh- here is some info on the Tri:

    Adults have a blue-grey head, neck, back and upperwings, with a white line along the neck. The belly is white. In breeding plumage, they have long blue filamentous plumes on the head and neck, and buff ones on the back.

    The tricolored heron stalks its prey in shallow or deeper water, often running as it does so. It eats fish, crustaceans, reptiles, and insects.

    Look at the “official” photos – Did my friend and I identify correctly?

    Another Official Tricolored bird identification photo from the web
    Another Official Tricolored bird identification photo from the web

     

  • January 17, 2017 – Seeing things others my not notice.

    Hey kids, Yesterday I posted things I find, as I am out and about, that others my not notice – I want you to do the same as you go out and about – where ever you are – in the country, on the sub-way, at school, on your porch or stoop – where ever. 

    On the golf course I saw the woodpecker – ’cause the foursome behind us was making me feel like I better hurry up and hit the ball – not hold up the game – I had very little time to study this bird – but I did see what he was doing – I think – here I will show you – what do you think?

    Hiding behind the tree - I sneezed around and caught him - as a silhouette only
    Hiding behind the tree – I sneaked around and caught him – as a silhouette only
    But with PhotoShop I was able to isolate him to see the red on his head.
    But with PhotoShop I was able to isolate him to see the red on his head.
    Now I see - having lunch - look at the young sticking out on several shots later. I think I may have held up the golf game long enough to see something that others my not have seen!
    Now I see what he was doing  – having lunch I bet – look, I think that is his tongue sticking out. I think I may have held up the golf game long enough to see something that others may not have seen!
    Lunch time at the "Old Tree" restaurant
    Lunch time at the “Old Tree” restaurant

  • January 16, 2017 – A hiking, biking, and a golfing we will go! To find things others my not notice. Here are some things I found yesterday.

    Some animals blend in with their environment so that we might overlook them. That increases the animal’s chances of survival.  This simple fact has caused animal species to evolve a number of special adaptations that help them find food and keep them from becom­ing food. One of the most widespread and varied adaptations is natural camouflage, an animal’s ability to hide itself from predator and prey. With the cat, particular markings or colors allow it to blend in with its environment.

    I think I see a kitty cat.
    I think I see a kitty cat.
    Walk around the bush - I do see a Kitty Cat.
    Walk around the bush – I do see a Kitty Cat.
    Get up close - with a telephoto lens and PhotoShop and study the the eye of a heron. - Did you do that today?
    Get up close – with a telephoto lens and PhotoShop and study the the eye of a heron. – Did you do that today?
    Or, pretending to be a dentist - did you see and study the teeth of a Gator?
    Or, pretending to be a dentist – did you see and study the teeth of a Gator?
    It is easy to see one of these guys with a mouth full of grass.
    It is easy to see one of these guys with a mouth full of grass.
    But did you stay long enough and snap many many photos to get a good look at his open mouth about to take a bite of his salad?
    But did you lay down on the ground and stay long enough and snap many many photos – to get a good look at his open mouth as he is about to take a bite of his salad?
    Yipes, I think I smell a Kitty - I better go hide!
    Yipes, I think I smell a Kitty – I better go hide!

  • January 14, 2016 – On my hikes, we are always looking for things others may not notice – Today this little frog is it.

    I am not much on frog identification but I think the one I photographed is the Green Tree Frog – what you think?

    This is the one I photographed.
    This is the one I photographed.
    A photo from the official Florida frog identification source.
    A photo from the official Florida frog identification source.

     

    Even if I am wrong and just in case you are interested in Green Tree Frog information – I looked it up.

    Size:Usually 1 to 2.5 in.

    Identification: Slender body is bright to dark green, or sometimes grayish, and may be marked with yellow flecks; skin is smooth. Sides are clearly marked with whitish stripes, usually with crisp black borders; stripes may be absent in some individuals. Like all treefrogs, this species has enlarged, sticky toepads. 

    Breeding: March to October; lays eggs in multiple clusters (about 300-1,000 eggs in one night) near the surface of the water, often attached to vegetation. Call is a nasal quoonk-quoonk-quoonkrepeated up to 75 times per minute. To hear frog calls, visit the USGS Frog Call Lookup and select the species you want to hear from the common name drop-down list.

    Diet: Beetles, crickets, caterpillars, beetle larvae, stinkbugs, other small invertebrates. 

    Habitats: Found throughout Florida and on some of the Keys, in trees within about 100 yards of breeding sites. Breeds in any permanent water body (even those with fish), including marshes, bayheads, cypress domes, sloughs, swamps, ponds (natural or manmade), lakes, and ditches

    WOW – Now you know and I do think I am correct in my identification.

    Tomorrow I hike and look again - maybe something new will appear in my lens.
    Tomorrow I hike and look again – maybe something new will appear in my lens.

     

  • January 8, 2017 – Continuing with the animals of 2017

    Took advantage of the cool Florida weather - found a "sounder of swine" - Look it up and Google said that is what I could call a group of pigs?
    Took advantage of the cool Florida weather – found a “sounder of swine” – Looked it up and Google said that is what I could call a group of pigs?

    ashaamedpig-2
    my-cage-2

    The end for now
    The end for now

  • January 7, 2017 – Riding Into the new year with a couple Florida wildlife stories.

    ashaamedpig-2
    my-cage-2