Asian Lanterns

The Jacksonville Zoo one again had a large Asian Lantern display over the last few months. The scale and colors of these lanterns are impressive.

Trout River from the Jacksonville zoo

Right-side-down

So is this up-side-down or right-side-up?

Actually both. 

The foreground is right-side-up and the background is up-side-down as it is a reflection off water.

Somewhere on the Rhine

On my recent European river cruise I brought along my M4/3 camera and lenses but ended up shooting almost exclusively with my iPhone 15 Pro. My experience has been that the iPhone does as good, or sometimes even better, than my Lumix GM5... and it is so convenient compared to the "bulky"(really, that mini camera!) full-time camera.

The Apple provided camera app does a good job but I experimented with a number of other alternatives. In this case I used the new Adobe Indigo app that proudly lists "computational photography" as one of its virtues. This is obviously somewhat controversial. Purests even scoff at the "A" (auto) setting on cameras and computational photography takes things to a whole new level. One advantage of the Indigo app is that is allows seamless integration with Lightroom, my usual editing software (with occasional side trips to PhotoShop). 

As most photo apps these days, Indigo automatically takes multiple exposures and under the hood does its magic to cook-up the final image. I believe because I was on a moving boat this contributed to the water effect in this image, although it could also just be the result to the wave action of the river.

I do like the resulting image which seems a bit dreamy in my opinion. What are your thoughts?

Pool lanes

Asian lanterns at the zoo

Somewhere over Georga

Boat reflection

Deep Creek

Reflection

The point of view is a bit confusing at first... this is a reflection in still standing water with a few plants above the surface, most notably the orange leaf. A cloudy gray sky adds to the mood.

Durbin Creek

All the way down

The reflection in the still water mirrors the trees, making them look like they go down forever.

Morning on the water

Egret and reflection

Bird and reflection

Great Blue Heron on a retention pond. These ponds are all over the place here in northern Florida. I guess if they were not, most of the land would be swamp. The birds seem to appreciate them.

Reflection

Pond reflection, flipped, creates an impressionistic image... no filter required.

5 ft at Center

Reflection on the floor

For some reason I noticed the reflections on the floor and that along with the walls, light and art compelled me to photograph the composition. Not sure anyone else would find it interesting but I am posting anyway.

Not to detract from graphics, the two framed artworks are by Denise Green, an Australian born artist.

Pond reflection

Foggy reflection

As we head into a new year it is natural to take time to look back at 2018. It has been a year to remember but, for the most part, not for the good that has happened. Our government is shut-down and our top leader continues to spread lies and devalue the position he holds. The environment is headed in the wrong direction with no will to face needed actions. Natural disasters have plagued the county and the world. The economy is looking pretty shaky.

Yet a new year means new hope. Perhaps progress can be made. New directions may emerge.

So much for my foggy reflections.

Happy New Year!