I'm Just Sayin

2021 Critique Group

Smart Phone Group: Wee Willie Winkie
Photo by Sandy McCurdy

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Sandy says:

"Up stairs and down stairs in his night-gown" (which, I think, is nightgown + nightcap). 'Willie was just here.'

This is two images combined in PS: the nightcap and lantern taken on outside stairs (and straightened in LR) and the moon/sky/trees image taken later in the day.

2021 52 Week Challenge Group

Challenge: The Story
Photo by Schon Beechler

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Schon says:

Many edits in LR and PS

2021 Smart Phone Group

Challenge: Signs
Photo by Judy Mitschelen

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Judy says:

Having had conversations with string players about the best type of vehicle to own to support their music, when I saw this star in the spotlight, I was sure I knew what it meant. But then, I thought, this van may just as easily belong to an angler with a taste for a certain type of fish.

Ricky's Challenge Photos:

Challenge: Signs
from the 2021 Smart Phone Group

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Ricky says:

I've had this little guy for years - sitting on the front steps of my building in La Veta. This week, when I saw him, I realised he would be good for this topic and also it was time to bring him home to brighten my garden. I stewed on a lot of various sign messages and almost went with... "Who Cut the Cheese?" You can thank me later. Smile.

Challenge: Wee Willie Winkie
from the 2021 Critique Group

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Ricky says:

"The dog's spread out on the floor."

No apologies here for using my iPhone. There is magical light that comes from the sidelights of my front door. I was heading to the kitchen to make breakfast, iPhone in hand, and the light with the bits of rainbow and their calm demeanor would have been gone if I had not had that camera handy. I had to play sly to make sure they wouldn't get up and come to me - so I feel it was a score. I like the strong oblique line and tried to get a point of view that was dramatic - again, without them moving. This is Barley... and Rosie. Rosie has been under the weather with a severe stomach situation that I hope is on the mend. These two, plus Cordelia, have been my salvation and provided my companionship during the lockdown and since.

2021 Smart Phone Group

Smart Phone Group: Upside Down
Photo by Deb Story

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Deb says:

This may not be what you think it is…or maybe it is! Another treasure found in our recent clean out. My son’s old tuba mouthpiece turned upside down with a few added balloon flowers from the garden makes this week’s photo challenge easier than I first thought it would be. Edits made in iPhone plus BeCasso filter.

2021 52 Week Challenge Group

Challenge: Footwear
Photo by Jim Sollers

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Jim says:

These shoes have great soul in their soles. The texture accented with the chartreuse lines was set off by the red triangles. Editing was simple in Lightroom; whites and blacks and a crop. Then I boosted the red to make a focal point of interest. As I was shooting this I was struck by the thought that the only way anyone would see these intricate patterns is if I fall down.

2021 Critique Group

Challenge: Selective Color
Photo by Rodney Hughes

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Rodney says:

Cooling off in the shower after a polo match.

Ricky's Challenge Photos:

Challenge: Upside Down
from the 2021 Smart Phone Group

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Ricky says:

The wildflowers have been glorious and these came inside for a beautiful bouquet. As they began fading I decided to hang them upside down to dry. For this shot I put them on the antique Egyptian market door leading to my studio. Edited in Prisma app with Dallas

Challenge: Selective Color
from the 2021 Critique Group

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Ricky says:

Since 2019 I have attempted to grow things on the mountain. Last summer I discovered that Califorina poppies are very happy here so I sowed more seeds this Spring. They are bountiful and make me very happy. I took this into photoshop first, to do the selective color and to add a dreamscape layer of blur (it's minimal), then in LR I made additional basic adjustments. 

2021 Smart Phone Group

Smart Phone Group: Year Word Revisited
Photo by Warren Lee

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Warren says:

This year‘s word is ‘Wonder’. Most of this year I have focused on the amazing natural beauty around us. This week I had the opportunity for a PhotoSafari to Northern NV for the Milky Way with the mirrorless camera. During the daytime we explored the Northern NV Railway museum. The town of Ely, NV inherited a railway when the local mine abruptly ceased operation. This became an opportunity to preserve a portion of our history. Two steam engines have been in operation. This one, old 81, is in the final stages of restoration. The working docent is the father of the program manager for this effort. As a young man from Florida, the son became entranced with steam engines. It became his calling and profession with a subsequent relocation from Florida to rural Northern NV. What a wonder (and joy) to be able to pursue your passion as a profession each day. I processed this image in PhotoShop Express using the ‘Carmine” treatment. Wishing you amazing journeys of discovery and wonder - not too far from home.

2021 52 Week Challenge Group

Challenge: Flowers and Macro
Photo by Karen Kay Buckley

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Karen says:

Was taking some shots of my Hydrangea when this little guy landed. He turned ever so slightly and the sun hit him perfectly.

2021 Critique Group

Challenge: Year Word Revisited
Photo by JoAnn Banks

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JoAnn says:

My year word for 2021 is Artistic. I have loved taking photos of my sunflowers this summer. I snapped this one using my iPhone when I noticed the lovely sun highlighting the pedals. I used an artistic effect from Smart Photo Editor which turned the sky into a wood texture.

Ricky's Challenge Photos:

Challenge: Year Word Revisited
from the 2021 Smart Phone Group

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Ricky says:

Barley is not yet two years old, but he has been an old soul since I got him at age eight weeks. His spirit is deep, calm, even-keel, and insightful. I have come to the point where I tell all my friends, if you are needing insight, clarity, or wisdom on any topic - sit down and have the conversation with Barley. He is a wise old man and I would trust whatever guidance he offered. (I'm okay if you think I'm crazy).

Challenge: Year Word Revisited
from the 2021 Critique Group

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Ricky says:

My year word is WISDOM. That's hard to photograph and make it visually clear without some sort of explanation - so here's my explanation. I want to make wise choices. This goal has stuck with me daily as I pursue so many things and face so many decisions. I can't make wise choices if I don't have all the facts and see things clearly. I need a light to shine on all my options so that I may see more clearly as to what lies ahead. I chose to not only shoot a light that is partially hidden, but also the pannning to show that even if I find the light, clarity in those choices is not always there. But if I look at the big picture, I will see the light and no matter how fuzzy things may be, I can identiy what it is that I need to see and do. So - that's my round about way to WISDOM revisited.