A closer look at Yellowstone National Park

Posted on October 2, 2019 by

An earlier post I wrote about the road to Yellowstone, I shared the stop at the Crazy Horse Memorial.  Here I have selected a portion of the hot springs, geysers and a waterfall that captured my photographic eyes at Yellowstone. 

The colors are amazing.  I did enhance the waterfall to bring out the colors.  The other images were so vibrant and colorful, I could hardly believe my eyes. 

With tons of people in these parks, it’s also a wonder, I can capture these images without many of them near me. 

When I did stop to carefully compose a photograph with my tripod, I attracted other photographers and people with their phone cameras who positioned their cameras above me, next to me and around me. Ha.

One photographer and I laughed, yet we didn’t share a common language. He followed me around and he stopped whenever I stopped to set up my tripod as he captured his photo alongside me.

“With photography, there doesn’t have to be a similar language to enjoy the beauty of what comes out of the camera and the craft of the creations.” ML

“Geysers are hot springs that intermittently spout a column of hot water and steam into the air. This action is caused by the water in deep conduits beneath a geyserapproaching or reaching the boiling point. At 300 metres (about 1,000 feet) below the surface, the boiling point of water increases to approximately 230 °C (450 °F) because of the increased pressure of the overlying water. As bubbles of steam or dissolved gas begin to form, rise, and expand, hot water spills from the geyser’s vent, lowering the pressure on the water column below. ” Quoted from:

https://www.britannica.com

Yellowstone is amazing place to visit, even with barren forests from past fires.

Waiting for Old Faithful to erupt or waiting for Bison to cross your path, it is all worth seeing. It’s a park my mom visited before my time and the visit I longed for remains a special memory in my heart.

 

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Waterfall on hike

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Colorful hot spring

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Hot spring along a lake
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Earth tones of Yellowstone

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Skeleton remains from fires past

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A look into the hot spring

Natures's majesty

Reflections into crystal clear hot spring

Hot Springs at Yellowstone

Waiting to be photographed

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Bison at Old Faithful

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The most iconic site of all the Geyers

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Excelsior Geyser

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Excelsior Geyser Crater

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Closer look at the scenic Geyser

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Fascinating wonders

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Hot Springs of steam

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Nature’s scenic wonders 

Posted in landscapes, National Parks, nature, Photographic art, photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Looking Back to look forward

Posted on May 11, 2020 by

As I look back on my blog posts and where my time was spent, I have been photographing diverse landscapes, different countries while putting down my cameras to sometimes just take in the wow 😮 or the world happening around me to see,

While living in this modern age, we tend to miss life when we focus on our cell phones, the same is true when our photographic eyes are fixated through the lens and miss out on the whole 360.

I witness this when my camera was ready to capture old faithful in Yellowstone and the Bison was moments away coming towards my direction. Little did I know the animal can jump up the walk and run fast. Luckily I didn’t chase it like someone else did, but I had to change my camera settings and missed a magical moment.

There are different places, spaces and subjects for a variety of cameras. My DSLR is better suited for a tripod when I am fixated on a particular subject and I have the right lens mounted…be it a bird in the distance, or real estate and landscape scenes. It’s also great for hand held portraits.

My smaller mirrorless camera is quick, handy and fast to have ready at a moments notice.

while I have always felt DSLR cameras had better lens options, times are changing with with mirrorless technology. I’m a DSLR shooter, but that gear can be heavy to carry, especially overseas.

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It’s Spring Time…

Posted on March 25, 2020 by

Some happy colors to cheer you up since most of you are inside….

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Wired to Wear

Posted on January 17, 2020 by

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has an interesting “special exhibit” about the future of clothing items. Some pieces featured can generate dog barking sounds, detect lying, protect athletes from harm and react to your emotions. To name a few.

Here is a sneak peek at the uniquely interesting fashion pieces which educated my curiosity.

WIRED TO WEAR exhibit, where technology meets functional fashion.

“Eye of the Storm – Thunderstorm dress” This dress is one of my favorite items in this exhibit.

When loud noises are made the dress lights up. We had fun clapping to light up the skirt.

“Light Head -Electric Dreams”

Artfully displays your state of mind. Electronic dreams monitors your brain waves, turning them into a colorful light show. This shows how the human nervous system is networked across the whole body, not just the head.

“Getting Territorial -Spider dress”

Be careful approaching someone wearing this dress. If someone is getting nervous, the legs will push you away.

“Suit Up, Lift off – jet suit”

Strap on Mini turbines, steer using your arms and soar at top speeds of 32 mph. “It’s like learning to ride a bike.” The inventor says.

“The shocking Truth – the holy dress”
The wire covering is meant to detect if a person wearing this is lying as it sends an electric shock to the body.

“More power to you – powered clothing” If you are injured or aging with weak muscles, then this piece fits under your clothes and keeps you active. The electric controlled muscles assist your back and hip with standing up.

“Stress Dress- Adrenaline Dress”

Here the dress will expand to scare off enemies if the emotions of threat are detected from the Person wearing the outfit. Another moving fashion piece which can expand

” See and be Seen – Iridescence”

Lovely colors of this top moves and flickers as it recognizes facial expressions of moods and Movements.

The design was modeled after hummingbird wings:

“Grand Gestures-Sign Aloud Gloves”

If you talk with your hands, turn that into a new way to communicate using motion tracking gloves. The sensors record hand positions then send the data wirelessly to a computer whose speakers communicate your message out loud.

“Leading Light- The Marlene Dress”

This Dress was a vision of Marlene Dietrich in 1958. Sixty years later a fashion designer made it a reality.

Combing lighthouses that sparkle & blue tooth technology, it’s lights flicker on and off creating a subtle beautiful dress.

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Pretty neat isn’t it? There were a Lot more functional gadgets on display here.

Which one of these here do you like and why?

Posted in Museum of Science and Industry, MSI special exhibit, Museums, technology, innovation, fashion, future, photographic messages, photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Photos from the J.Paul Getty Museum

Posted on December 19, 2019 by

Recently, I visited Los Angeles and visited the famous J. Paul Getty museum. If you remember, not long before this rain shown here in early December, the site was threatened by fires that burned areas all around this structure. You can see some of the dark hills in the background touch by fire.

A local employee informed me that the museum had fire resistant walls and flooring. The Getty was built with”too” much money and they have their own fire department.

Walking around the museum in between the raindrops, I managed to see a parting of the sky which let in sun for a short time.

Here is a sample of my photographic day at the Getty, where I was allowed to photograph. I attended part of the “Manet” talks listening to scholars from my Chicago area. Interestingly, I travel several hundred miles to the hear voices from my neighborhood.

All in all, being in the rain and fog was both challenging and creative from an artist’s eye. Enjoy.

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Veteran’s Day 2019 in America, November 11th

Posted on November 12, 2019 by

As a child I would hear stories of wars from sound bites coming from the TV news stations, from my parents personal stories, and from other people around me. A personal witness came directly from my mother (who lived in Germany as a child) when she lost her father in WWII. How sad for her, it made me forever long of a grandfather I would never know.

My mother eventually immigrated to America as a young adult. I would not be alive in America today if she was not allowed to cross the Atlantic. The war was not her choice which forever impacted her life.

My post is about Veteran’s Day in America. Photos were taken at Rotary Hill 2019 in Naperville, IL, honoring those who protected us in this country,

At a child, I didn’t understand wars. This thought hadn’t changed much as I grew up and learned what school history books were teaching at the time. My view points, my education, my living experiences in this world has enlightened me more than I wish I knew….,Tragedy does not just come from wars.

Short Bit of history from Wikipedia:

“Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United Statesobserved annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans, that is, persons who have served in the United States Armed Forces(and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable…It coincides with other holidays including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day which are celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. At the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954″

“If people keep doing what they were doing then they would keep getting what we always get.” Repeat history. Conflicts continue to arise and they seem more prevalent today than ever or maybe our social media communication devices bring it faster at all angles? The world is dividing not uniting, I doubt global peace will ever see the light off day.

If it wasn’t for the brave men and women having the courage to join the military and defend America’s freedom then where would this county be? I’m not a war expert, part of me blocked out traumatic stories. My own life lived more like a tragedy, and adding more devastating news of death broke me.

I don’t advocate for war, yet it may be the only solution to combat evil and stop it in its tracks. To the American military men and women I don’t know and for those I do know who served or have been part of my family, I am grateful.

Not sure saying ” Happy Veterans Day” is apropos, yet the “Happy” part relates to the gratitude we all experience thanks to those brave American soldiers.

May the troops come home sooner than later to reunite with their home and their loved one.

Never Forget…never forgotten! 🥰

(all photos by (c) Martina 2019)

Posted in American Holidays, Naperville,IL, photography, Reflections, Veterans Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

LA LA LA Land…

Posted on September 8, 2019 by

My recent trip in July to Los Angeles for a conference was going to be just another hotel stay, see the same four walls, drink the same coffee and connecting with people from my conference tribe.

I made a different choice this time, I saved one day to be a tourist in the LA area. The small tour bus I got on carried about 9 people and planned to stop at 5 places before calling it a day on the hectic highway. Each location we were allowed to get out, walk around for 45-60 minutes.

This yellow stretch cab 🚕 was not the one I rode in.

I spent 90% of that time photographing all I could between the crowds and in the crowds.

Can you see the HOLLYWOOD sign to the far upper right of the photo ? Our guided tour bus driver said if we walked up the hill we could get a closer look. Not really. You can barely see it unless I mentioned it. He didn’t want to stop at Rodeo Drive since we spent a lot of time driving. I don’t think he wanted to go. Our second option was to see this sign. We wanted to see the sign only to be disappointed with the view. We would only “window” shop at Rodeo, but it would be cool 😎.

A modern star ⭐️ seen everywhere you walk, I was lucky to capture one without people standing all over it. Plenty of artist selling unique paintings and other items like CD’s that they put in your hand as you walk by, and expect you to buy it. I kept my hands on my camera.

One of the old fashioned star squares found closer to the inside of the theatre area.

The Famous Mann’s Chinese Theatre where the walk of stars⭐️ are located. The area has gotten a ton of new Star names along with a makeover of a more attractive landscape and stores nearby. It’s changed for the better in the twenty years since I’ve been there.

I became the unofficial “photographer” for taking other family/ couple photographs. Hummmm, how did they know? Maybe that bigger camera around my neck was the clue. One couple from my bus thanked me for the photos.

Colorful decorated palms on Venice Beach.

Artists selling to whoever walked by them.

A small token bracelet I bought from a persistent seller at a good price. I was just looking from a distance after that so my time wasn’t misused on shopping rather than photographing.

An expensive residence for sure! Would love to photo some real estate here.

A strange looking palm tree on my Santa Monica walk.

Overlooking Santa Monica Beach. A bit hazy at this time of day, you can see the pier in the distance.

My favorite walk was the one in Santa Monica, very pretty, lovely pier and beach. Expensive homes on the hill. Sadly the poor live all along the grassy hill with “what appears to be their suitcases containing their entire belongings.

Lucky for me I drafted this post with the photos because I recently lost my smartphone and some photos that did not make it on iCloud.  That will make another interesting blog. I’m going to have to “bite the bullet”, so to speak and buy a newer model once they are released soon. Ouch.

About my business venture….I am working on documenting my project plans for a workshop to help women become more self-knowledgeable, self-confident and speaking their inner voice using photographs as one of the two mediums to accomplish this task.

Stay tuned…I plan to be back more often.

Posted in landscapes, nature, objects, outside, parks, Photographic art, photography, summer, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

A guest blogger offers to highlight my business venture

Posted on July 27, 2019 by

Judy is a successful entrepreneur who has a tremendous amount to share about time management tips and tricks to getting things done in less time.

She graciously offered to work with me and my new product launch. More about that product soon…..Here we are at a conference in Los Angeles:

She’s so happy and successful to boot. While she offered to be my guest here, I certainly learned a lot from her words of Advice.

Me: Did you enjoy taking the photos? Why? ( I assigned a task for Judy to take a photo or more and submit to me along with a few questions):

Judy: I was distracted with the event so took only one photo. I don’t know if I would describe it as “enjoy” because this is my first one and I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t NOT enjoy it. I felt curiosity and interested about how this exercise would unfold.
Me: What inspired you to take this particular photo below?
Photo by Judy Dang – 2019
Judy: I reflected on what several people during the weekend had suggested to me: “you need to speak up more” so I was using that as my guide. So as I was watching the presenters, I noticed the two steps leading to the stage. This inspired me to look at the stripes on the steps and my pants.
Me: What does this photo say about you?
Judy: That I’m ready and willing to “take the stage” in my life. This photo marks this moment that I’m stepping up to my potential, stepping out of my shell, and stepping way from being passive as an audience member.
Me: Did you have fun and enjoy taking a photo in a new perspective?
Judy: Yes. I liked that I was the one to take this photo and not someone else taking a photo of me. That symbolizes that I have control over how I “compose” my life. I only took one photo. That is an interesting observation. I think I have a bit of fear of making mistakes. Because if I take a bunch and they all suck, then that’s a ton of evidence that I take bad photos. Very funny to write this out and get it out of my head; shows how silly those limiting beliefs can be.
Me: Tell me a little bit about yourself in relation to photography. 
Judy: Never taken a class. Had several film cameras throughout the years. I occasionally take photos with my phone now but not many. When I go camping I enjoy taking close up photos of leaves, spider webs, tree bark. I like unusual patterns and take lots of those in nature. I don’t take photos of landscapes because I figure if I wanted a photo of the Grand Canyon, I’d buy a postcard; leave it to the professionals. Here’s a slide show of a trip I took with my friend Gwen and my husband Andrew. 
Best wishes with your blog and business. Look forward to seeing your business grow. 

Me: Thank you Judy for your willingness to be my first guest blogger. You are amazing. Your timeless management tricks can teach me techniques to improve my processes going forward.

Note: To learn more about Judy’s amazing business:

Judy Dang

AVIDATWORK.com

Thank you!!

Posted in photography | 1 Comment

What comes my way…

Posted on June 16, 2019 by

Lately, over the past couple of months, I have crossed paths with the wind, the rain, the hail, the snow, the sunshine, the night owls and nature’s musical dawn awakening.

Spring brought a flood of water standing in the neighbors yard when the drain clogged.

Rain kept coming and going as I photographed images in between the raindrops.

Rain brought the hail which was larger than life, causing damage to roofs, house siding, cars and whatever it came in contact with.

Kayaking by the rivers edge shows evidence of erosion caused by flooded waters along the Illinois River.

Of course living in the Midwest, I have witnessed how much nature does not keep a calendar on the weather patterns. We saw snow fall in the typical Spring months this year on April 27th.

And… of course after the rain, the rainbow…..

Nature’s musical dawn awakening came from the singing birds of feathers and other prey from the skies above or on the ground. The mosquitos were quiet 🤫 and did the most damage. “Wake up,” they must have been thinking.

You can see evidence of the snow from up in the air at the end of April 2019.

Plenty of unexpected weather around the globe has wreaked havoc, destroyed homes and caused casualties.

Here in my area, when you hear a tornado siren warning or emergency alert to take cover, please do so.

 

 

Posted in nature, outside, photography, spring, water | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gotta Get Away

Posted on March 27, 2019 by

Change of scenery brings change of thoughts, ideas and visions for my future year of entrepreneurship. The wheels are still turning around in my head with awesome details. When my thoughts start, then a circle forms– essentially there is no beginning or end, just a new twist to something evolving.

Now I’m relaxing from doing household chores or working on too many projects. This week my focus is on brainstorming a new business idea, one that will enrich the lives of others and give them a hand.

I’m excited to be developing details for a program to help transform the overall physical and mental mindset for someone using visual arts.

See you on the other side…..

Posted in outside, Photographic art, photography, spring, water | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment