Photo challenge, Photography

Photo Composition

by Ingrid

Spring in the desert southwest is glorious. It’s a time to grab the camera and head out into nature. This past week, I was quick to join other members of our local camera club for a photography outing.

It felt great to be back out and about with camera in hand, and although, I didn’t capture any compelling images, it was just the impetus I needed to get the brain into a creative mode. This recent outing along with John’s photo challenge prompt sent the creative juices flowing, and me scouring my computer for photographs that might fit John’s challenge.

Tools of Composition – Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #289

Today’s challenge focuses on Shape, Form, Texture, and Light. The desert southwest is abundant with photo opportunities and perfect for today’s photo challenge.

Texture

The texture of petrified wood along with the thought of wood turning into stone had me scratching my head in wonder. For anyone traveling through northern Arizona, I highly recommend a stop at Petrified Forest National Park.

Me, perplexed by petrified wood – Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Us camped near the Arizona-Utah border

Light

Throughout my life, I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel. I have traveled extensively, and during all these travels, I have never encountered more amazing skies than that found in the desert southwest.

Sunrise along the shores of Lake Powell at the Arizona/Utah border.

The light seen in this part of the country is more than just a photographers dream … it’s an experience and a joy to witness.

Shape

You’ll find some of the most remarkable scenery in this part of the United States along with all kinds of shapes and textures. The landscape is diverse, extraordinary, and stunning.

As many times as I have been exposed to Mother Nature’s unique creations, I continue to be awed by her artistry.

Form

Of course, I can’t forget about wildlife and plants; two of my favorite photographic subjects.

In my opinion, this flower image seems to hit all the elements of the composition challenge; shape, form, texture, and light.

This flower reminds me that it’s the beginning of March and spring is in the air. It’s my favorite time of year, and I can’t wait for the desert to come alive. She has already started.

It’s a time for bird’s to mate and flower’s to bloom. New life and new beginnings!

Finding inspiration… After a rough four months physically, I am finally feeling better, better than I have in quite some time and am inspired to continue capturing the beauty found around me in my home state of Arizona.

I am currently on wildflower watch which is nearing with each new day, and therefore, I am keeping the camera batteries charged. 🌵 Who else is doing a happy dance? 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻

Till next time,

111 thoughts on “Photo Composition”

  4. What a co-incidence: I just put up pictures on my Flickr-account of our visit to the Petrified Forest in 2004!

    I like all of your pics here.

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    1. I’ve been out and about twice now searching for blooms and they are out here and there. I have a feeling this week and next will be perfect timing. 🤞

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      1. Apparently the Poppies are out at Bartlett Lake, so I expect they are in the section of McDowell where we have seen them before. There are some Lupins in a yard in our community, so we’ll have to watch for them too!

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        1. I’m hoping to visit Bartlett Lake next week. Last year when I visited, it was beautiful. I hope I’ve timed my visit right. I went to White Tanks last week and lupins were out but no poppies yet. My hunt continues!

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    1. Thank you! I’m taking full advantage of our beautiful weather and hoping to capture some nice images of wildflowers. 🤞The southwest offers some stunning landscapes that I never tire of viewing.

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  11. Great post and photos, Ingrid. The lake Powell photo reminded me I have to get out and prepare our RV for our three month trip up the West Coat from Big Sur to Olympia National Park. It starts Monday with a drive across the country.

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    1. I am so jealous. I was just talking with a friend today on how I’d love to visit Olympic NP. Have a wonderful time and I look forward to reading your posts and seeing your photos. 🙂

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  12. A truly great gallery! Especially love your birds. And the petrified forest – I have a friend who went there long ago and was totally mezmerised. Then his cameras were stolen, and I think he never really got over it. He never returned either. Thank you for posting on it!

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  15. These pictures are amazing. I will also try to follow this challenge as it would make me go out and take pictures. In between, how did you feel after posting these pictures here. I am asking because I take pictures but never get the chance to edit and print or post them. Soon, it begins to feel like a burden. so how did you feel after releasing them here?

    all the best…

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    1. Thank you! Hmm, I never thought about ‘releasing’ them. I guess I’ve been blogging and posting for so long that I don’t give it a second thought.
      My edits are pretty quick. I use Lightroom. With a few tweaks here and there, the photo is ready for upload. Good luck on finding what works for you. It just take jumping in.

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  17. Ingrid,
    Having you out and about with camera in hand is good for all of us. looking forward to wildflower season. Last time we were in AZ, the wildflowers were amazing due to all the rain. Do you expect a good crop this spring? Enjoy! Joe

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    1. Hi Joe. It did feel good to be back out shooting again. We aren’t expecting a ‘super bloom’ but it should still be a nice showing of blooms due to a good amount of precipitation this past winter. Right now, our weather is near perfect and I’m soaking it up as I know the extreme heat will be upon us soon enough.

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  19. beautiful pictures as always. I cannot wait to see the spring flowers!

    so happy you getting back to feeling better!

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    1. I was just out and about on Monday searching for wildflowers and they are just starting. So, I’m sure wildflower images will be showing up here soon. Stay tuned! 🙂

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  20. Absolutely beautiful images. I am glad John sent you back to your travels. I so agree with you. Our southwest is inundated with so much beauty from the grains of sand, drops of water, and to the skies. I love the photo of you with the petrified wood. I felt the same way when I first saw it. Fascinated! My favorites are the window, and the sunflower. Such a great look at composition throughout, along with your travels, Ingrid.

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    1. Thank you Donna. I appreciate the kind comment. I’m hoping to hit some of the trails soon in search of poppies. The 7th Ave/Carefree Hwy trailhead is one of my favorites for wildflowers. I hope to get there next week to see if the flowers have started. I went to White Tanks on Monday and there were Lupines and Globemallow blooming 💃🏻🪻🌻

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  21. Good to hear you are feeling better and getting out to photograph. Your images are so beautiful Ingrid, each one tells a unique story. My personal favourite in this group has to be the opening shot, a very sweet reminder to take time to stop & smell the roses, or in this case, whatever pretty flower catches your eye💕

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    1. Thank you, Lynn. It feels wonderful being on the mends and getting out shooting again. Spring has hit here in the desert southwest, and I intend to take advantage of our lovely weather. So stay tuned for upcoming wildflower images. 🌵

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  22. Glad to read that you’re feeling better after a rough patch, and no doubt the coming of spring will lift everyone’s spirits. You’re right about the light in the south west, it enhances your images beautifully. I especially love the first one (a gopher???) and that stunning yellow flower 💛

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    1. Thank you Sarah. I believe that little one is a squirrel. I captured her at just the right moment. Our lovely spring weather and the popping of wildflowers has indeed lifted my spirits. Over the next two months, I plan on giving my camera a workout. 🌻

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  23. The skies of the SW certainly are like no other. When watching old westerns, I can almost always identify the area the movie was shot. Such a unique and beautiful area.

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    1. Unique and beautiful indeed! It is fun to watch old movies or even some of today’s commercials and recognize the landscape … been there, done that. 😁

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  24. Yay! SO happy to hear that you’re doing well, Ingrid! Just in time to enjoy your wonderful spring weather and capture some exquisite photos of your gorgeous blooms. Like John, I loved the photo he called your windowscape – it’s stunning! As for looking forward to spring here in the northeast – yes, yes, bring it on! To me, spring always feels like more of a fresh start to life than the beginning of the new year. Wishing you many happy photography excursions ahead!

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    1. Thank you Mary. It has been a rough four months for both Al and me, but we’re finally out the other side 🤞(I hope). I absolutely love this time of year in the desert southwest. She’s green, colorful, and alive. Unfortunately, she wasn’t at her finest during your visit. It was a brutal summer. I hope to capture a bunch of blooms over the next few weeks 🌻🌵🪻

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      1. Hello…..,am sorry for dropping a message here on your public comments section,okay please.
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    1. It’s always fun going to an airshow where the biplanes are doing aerobatics. Me? I like keeping my feet on the ground but my husband would also jump at the chance to go up in one.

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    1. It has been a rough few months, but things are on the upswing around here. Some of our desert plants are starting to bloom and now I’m patiently waiting for the wildflowers 🌵🌺🌵

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  29. First of all, I’m so glad you are feeling better, Ingrid! How nice to be able to find a group of photographers to add more snaps to your collection. Beautiful examples of the L-A challenge this week. That Lake Powell sunset is remarkable! Love that sunflower, too!
    You are a natural with composition and you always find an unusual perspective for your shots! Enjoy the desert blooms and warmth, my friend.

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    1. I was really bummed to have missed you both times during you AZ visits, but I assure you, that wasn’t by choice 😮‍💨 It was one thing after another and I’m hopeful I’m done and out the other side.

      There are so many beautiful places to camp around AZ and UT. I miss having an RV. Thank you so much for your kind words. 😁

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    1. Yeah, it’s been a rough four months around here. I’m hoping that’s it, the worst is over, and we’re back to normal, or at least our new normal. Finally went out with the camera last Thursday and I felt like such a newbie 🤪but as the morning progressed, I too progressed. Now I’m on the hunt for wildflowers. Keep me posted when you start seeing them in your neck of the woods.

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  34. Really beautiful images for this one Ingrid, I loved them all. You know, most everyone photographs flowers, including me, but that image of the daisy is truly unique and perfectly captured – really terrific!

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    1. Awe, thank you Tina. The wildflowers are getting ready to pop around the Phoenix valley and I’m hoping to capture lots more floral images this season 🤞🌺🤞

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  37. I’m glad that you are feeling much better these days, Ingrid! There are so many beautiful photos in this post! I hope your home survived the windstorm which is winding down finally, the worst one I’ve seen to date.

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    1. Thank you John. Our winds weren’t too bad. While Las Vegas is being hit straight on, Phoenix seems to be getting the outer edges of these storms. It has been an interesting weather pattern this past winter. Fingers crossed we don’t encounter a summer like last years.

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      1. The wind is finally easing down and should end sometime today. No property damage, just some light cleanup thank God! Last summer wasn’t too bad except for the gullywasher at the end which did a ton of flood damage around the city. I look forward to the summer heat returning. ☺️🔥🌞

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        1. Glad the storm wasn’t too bad. We just have light breezes today. The return of summer heat? … NO! Our summer was so hot last year that the saguaros, yuccas, and various cacti were dying from the inside out. The overnight temps weren’t dropping enough keeping their stored water too hot and killing off various desert plants. It was very sad to see some of our precious saguaros tumble over.

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  38. I don’t know if it’ll be a super-bloom, but it should be a good showing considering we did receive good moisture this winter. Fingers crossed our summer isn’t as brutal as last years.

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  39. I don’t know if it’ll be a super-bloom, but it should be a good showing considering we did receive good moisture this winter. Fingers crossed our summer isn’t as brutal as last years.

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    1. Thank you Debbie. I too am hoping for a good showing of blooms this season. Hope Steve’s eye is doing well and you’re able to continue with your travel plans for the year.

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  41. Are you thinking there might be a superbloom with all the rain this year? If so, I hope you get a chance to experience it. We, obviously, won’t, but it’s a pick-up-and-go trip we always have in the backs of our minds. Glad to hear you’re feeling more than better. It’s a wonderful feeling when those curtains finally lift, isn’t it? Keep finding that beautiful inspiration!

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    1. I’m not sure AZ will experience a super-bloom. Although we received a nice amount of precipitation this winter, it wasn’t as much as CA or NV. That said, we should have a nice showing of blooms. I’m hoping our summer isn’t as brutal as last year’s. In the meantime, I plan on soaking up every minute of this glorious weather.

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    1. Hi Beth. We are having some fantastic weather thus I plan on enjoying it as much as possible before the heat sets in. I’m sure you’ll be sharing images of the blooms from your neck of the woods.🌺

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  48. The desert southwest IS unique. We never get tired of the views. Now that the Ocotillo are green we’re waiting patiently for the stunning red blooms to appear. Prickly pear blooms are amazing, but Ocotillo are my favorite Spring flower.

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