CPA Annual Members (Online) Exhibition - 2020
Approaching Storm - Joe Lipka - The chaos of change is usually spectacular, and sometimes beautiful. The first strong winter front is approaching. The atmosphere is completely mixed up, clouds at many levels, the sun fighting a losing battle fighting its’ way through the clouds. It persists in face of the overwhelming force of the storm. So it was on the Palouse of Eastern Washington. Great photography is on the edges and the edge of this storm was very exciting. An event this spectacular could only be captured by creating a panoramic photograph. This was last October on photo safari in Eastern Washington/Oregon and Western Idaho. It was the first winter storm of the year (in October) and we wound up having to drive through that ice/snow/hail storm to get back to our hotel. Without a map or snow tires. The things we do for photography.
Prickly Waves - Penelope Booze Foss - I took this photo at the JC Raulston Arboretum on 17 March 2021 on an overcast/drizzly day. My settings were ISO 800 1/500 f/16. This handsome plant in the Scree Garden is an Agave named Mr. Ripple. I continue to be fascinated by the patterns and curves of agaves. The light that day was so helpful to illuminate the beautiful colors and curves of this plant. but these blue-tipped prickles can cause you to bleed if you touch them carelessly. Spring at the JC Raulston Arboretum provides a wealth of beauties to admire.
Sewing Kit - Jo Bolton - Saw these scissors hanging on the wall of an artist's studio and was thinking how I could enhance it just a little. I loved the shot but decided adding a needle and thread would make it a little more interesting. I love the simplicity of the image and decided to render it in Black and White.
I Got It. No I Got It. - Kathy Endres - Cary High School had a parade on June 1, 2020 as a means of honoring its parting seniors during the pandemic. The seniors were in cars with their families and drove on a loop around the school. Families posted signs along the route to congratulate their soon-to be graduate and teachers were on hand to congratulate them as well. This photo shows one of the many families who were using their phones to capture the moment. Other parade photos can be found on my website: https://www.coolandcomposed.com.
Pink Azalea - Dawn Willis - This image was taken at the WRAL Azalea Gardens located in Raleigh, NC. This garden is a public garden that was created as a service to the community in 1959. A quiet garden with winding paths, shaded benches & manicured lawns. The Azalea flower symbolizes taking care of yourself and other people around you. This is the way I feel when I am photographing in this garden alone or with others. I leave space in these types of images not only to let the flower breathe but, also to leave room for text if I choose to use it for a card.
Jones Gap State Park - Henry Rinne - The stream sings. The sound is not a dull roar but a harmonious vibration. Each stone has strong texture and subtle colors that call out from the ancient, brooding forest that surrounds the stream. The water turns white, creating various forms that vibrate against the solidity of the rocks. These same rocks seem to glow from within.
Winter Window - James Jillson - People who have house cats will know that snow and/or foggy windows are a great disappointment for the cat. Not much the cat can do but wait patiently and hope the window clears soon to restore entertainment.
Multiple Levels - John Giardina - One of the benefits of summering in a house in Rehoboth Beach is the ability to rush to the ocean when a sudden rainsquall arises. Besides the dramatic change in atmosphere, a storm has another useful effect. Whereas this afternoon scene would normally be packed with fluttering umbrellas, throngs of frolicking families, and transgressing swimmers eliciting shrill whistles of warning from the lifeguards, the unwelcome rain drives the masses away and the lifeguards turn their chairs from the surf and close the beach. The ladder shape of this suddenly solitary chair is elegantly mimicked and balanced by the ascending cloud.
Tall Bridge - Michele Alias - This picture was taken while driving across the bridge (as a passenger, of course). The placement was important to me as I wanted the picture to come from “within the bridge”. I really enjoyed the long, tall lines, their simplicity which I thought to emphasize by using monochrome. I felt impressed by the strong, tall majesty of the center pillar which is balanced by the seemingly frail lampposts on the right. In addition, I like this somewhat away from the earth atmosphere: no vegetation or river etc., there is no telling where the bridge crosses to or from.
Closed for the Evening - Don Ducey - Same trip, same brother. We were in Joshua Tree, CA to take in the National Monument. Tired from a long drive and shooting into the evening, we got a late dinner. On the walk back to the motel, I saw this crazy building—part salon, part museum, with the chairs and old school hair dryers in front. I went back, got my gear and sat on the sidewalk about midnight to get the shot. Only a few people out wandering about—they all thought I was pretty odd.
Autumn Palette - David Ley - I happened upon this scene from the Green Knob Trail in Julian Price Memorial Park this Fall. I was impressed by the Autumn colors in the variety of trees and foliage in the background, and contrasting lack of leaves and Winter colors of the large tree in the foreground, which struck me as foreshadowing the changes to come. The image was captured from a distance, handheld at 65mm with some breeze, so not tack-sharp and somewhat flat in appearance, which guided my post-processing toward impressionism.
Enhanced by Fog - Barbara Guin - This was such a memorable fall morning! Ordinarily my foggy images are muted and quiet but on this day, the fog really elevated everything. The weeds along the lake shore were beautifully striking with autumn colors. Grasshoppers and other hopping insects were all about. Birds were flitting in and out snacking on it all. Instead of the expected muffled sounds of a foggy scene, birdsong was uniquely echoing and surrounding us. I felt blessed being encapsulated in such a vibrant scene. www.mbGuinPhotography.com Instagram: mbGuinPhotogs
Winter Reflection - Michael Guin - Any day there is fog, we go out to the local lakes looking for scenes with trees in the fog. This scene caught my eye with the clarity of the foreground trees and reflections along with the obscurity of the background trees.
Proud Lily - Walter Ballard - Like most of us, I have been stuck inside and not travelling due to Covid, so I was looking for photo opportunities I could do at home. Lilies at our local grocery store attracted me with their vibrant colors, textures, lines and curves, but the challenge was to get the entire flower in focus using a macro lens. The solution was Focus Stacking. Next, I wanted to make the background more interesting and complimentary. I had recently taken a photo course using Textures for the background. Rapture was one of my first projects using Focus Stacking and Textures.
Christmas in Banner Elk - Jim Trull
Old Shoes Red Bucket and Time for a Diaper Change - Jon Meyer - The old shoes on the left and the red bucket on the right set the boundaries of the image. In the middle, the little guy who needs a diaper change is being brought to the beach “changing station” and is a source of fascination for his older brother and sister. I observed this family scene courtesy of a telephoto lens. The colors are muted because if was a ground-glass gray day and the wind was whipping surf into the air as a kind of low grade fog.
St Andrew Two - Jack Leavell - St Andrew Two was made in July of 2019 at the ruins of a cathedral in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. The composition was made to reflect the juxtaposition of a curved stone arch framing St Rule's tower in the background. The variable white clouds contrast with a deep blue sky provide a fitting back drop for the texture of the stone arch and tower. The several very old and weathered grave markers and the bright green grass in the foreground along with the arch and tower form a triangle that causes the eye to move around the image to make a complete circle.
Angry Bird - R P Culver - Photography is my passion, and I am learning more about photography all the time. I found photographing Hummingbirds a real challenge. They are fast, unpredictable and beautiful. I spend hours waiting near our feeders just for a chance to photograph these beautiful birds. I hope you enjoy these images. I am a retired electronics engineer with a work history involved with space satellite design, power infrastructure electronics and power industry imbedded computer designed test equipment. I am also a graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography class of 1979, with a BFA in Illustration.
2020 Light at End of Tunnel - Maurice Weaver - I've always been intrigued by cascading architectural features, or other similar structures. This image is of a covered walkway at Walt Disney World, Coronado Springs Resort, ca. 2011. There is a light at the end of this tunnel, and someone standing in it. Panasonic DMC-SZ7, 1/125sec @ f/3.50, ISO 80, FL=4.1 mm (25mm, 35mm equivalent)
Berries And Branches - Eric Saunders - There are some large Pyracantha bushes near where I live, along a pond, which I have photographed frequently in the last few months, since travel has been limited by the pandemic.
Floating River Rocks - Roy Miller - Rounded rocks are created by water flowing over them for many, many years. These are from a walkway border at a retirement home nearby me. I created a feeling of depth by altering the shadow areas.
Late Afternoon Yates Mill - Fran DeRespinis - When you live in the Triangle area, you see many wonderful photos of the mill at Yates Mill Pond. Because of this, I tend not to take photos of the mill. However, in a visit to the mill in January, I decided to photograph it with a new camera of mine that only produces monochrome images. It was my first day out shooting with the camera, and the result pleased me.
A Splash of Yellow - Karen Bender - Bird photography is a passion of mine. During winter storms, I particularly love to photograph the birds in and around the 10 feeders that I maintain in my backyard. The birds seem like bright baubles against the natural monochrome environment created by the weather conditions. This photo is of a pine warbler, a brilliant yellow bird that appeared as a fierce blaze of yellow as it perched dramatically on an icy crook during a storm.
Let's Go Sailing - Michael Greenstein - Sailboats are a fairly common sight in Charleston Harbor in South Carolina. On this particular morning, the outline of these boats, lined up like soldiers with the deck hands quite visible, formed a striking silhouette against the bright haze. To emphasize their form, I decided to present in monochrome, and I increased the highlights of the haze to produce a high-key image. The water and everything else are hinted at and mostly left to the imagination.
Leaves 3 - Penelope Booze Foss - I took this photo at Juniper Level Botanic Garden on 27 February 2021 on an overcast day. My settings were ISO 200 1/125 f/13. Nature arranged this swirl of leaves swept up together at the side of a pool of water. I just needed to show up and frame the shot with my camera. I love these colors ranging from a pale gray, through rich browns, to nearly black. I was attracted to the pop of the leaf veins and the curves and curls of the dying leaves. Even in their deaths and decay the leaves are beautiful to me.
Chocolate Town - Jo Bolton - This box was on display in the 1920's Drugstore that is a wonderful exhibit in the NC Museum of History. As soon as I saw the box, I had to photograph it. I grew up in the Hershey area and actually worked a summer in the factory making Reese's Cups. And yes, you could eat as many cups as you wanted as long as you didn't take any out of the building. Out of all the chocolate in the world, Hershey's is still my favorite.
Gratitude - Kathy Endres - The Bandit Flight team did a fly over tribute to healthcare workers at seven area hospitals on May 14, 2020. Families came out to show their support as well. This photo captures some who went to the 2nd floor of the staff parking deck to applaud health care workers heading to their cars after finishing their shifts. This is one of many photos I took in an effort to capture the impact of COVID-19 on the Cary community and its heartwarming responses. The other photos can be found on my website: https://www.coolandcomposed.com.
Return to Nature - David Hattori - As I was photographing flowers and plants in this garden, the border fence caught my eye. I was initially drawn by the ornate design and texture. Upon closer inspection, the texture was revealed to be a combination of rusting iron, lichens and Spanish moss coating the surface. I liked the juxtaposition of the seeming permanence of the iron fence and nature’s process of reclaiming that which originally came from the earth. Further searching revealed a section of the fence with a pleasing background. Black and white brought out the textures and helped separate the fence from the background.
Children of Africa - Dawn Willis - While in South Africa in April/May of 2019 we took a historical tour to various areas in Cape Town. This image was taken in Langa which is a township in Cape Town, South Africa. Its name in Xhosa means "sun". The township was initially built in phases before being formally opened in 1927. It is the oldest of such suburbs in Cape Town and very poor. The people were welcoming and their child warmed my heart. This image was not posed, we just asked the children to stand as they would like.
Resilience - John Giardina - Standing by the jetty at Cape Henlopen State Park in lower Delaware that divides the beach between the sunbathers’ blankets and the surf fishers’ long poles, we’re here too early to encounter either group. As we look north at what was once part of Fort Miles, important in the World War II defense of Delaware Bay, we see two of the eleven coastal observation towers once manned by US Army soldiers to triangulate fire on approaching German submarines. Seen here in the glow of dawn, these “Ghost Towers,” long since retired from service, are resilient reminders of Delaware's rich history.
By the Old Tree - Michele Alias - It sits here, witness of the years, decades, with the old tree as companion and protector. I saw here a sense of comfort, and safety somehow. I can’t really explain it as the old house is probably actually drafty and rugged but nonetheless… I think the scene gave me a sense of serenity in spite of a somewhat unsettled sky. In this image I wanted to express this sense of serenity in contrast with the sky. I thought the use of monochrome would contribute to the sense of calm as well as underline the historical aspect of the building.
Bikes and Buds - Don Ducey - On a cross country photo trip with my brother we found this “collection” of old bikes, new bikes, adult bikes and kids bikes, along with cans—empty, unfortunately—that once held adult beverages in a barn in St. Marys County, Ohio. The great thing about this find is that they are in a barn built by my great grandfather in the 1870’s. My brother is also a genealogy buff and had done all the research when we planned the trip, but still pretty interesting to stand in the building and just wonder.
TandemTravelers - Will Robinson - Went to Richmond, VA the state capitol, in search of a black & white subject - preferably vintage architecture, old buildings. While on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, saw a bicyclist coming toward me on the street. As he got closer, I realized it was a tandem pair - an African American youngster in the front box-like section with a bearded white adult male pedaling the contraption. Raised my camera in time to shoot two pictures. As I reviewed the photos, noticed the Black Lives Matter sign on the bike frame. Changed the cropped photo to sepia tone for effect.
Factory Butte - Joe Lipka - I fell in love with the image of Factory Butte in the mid 1970’s in an art gallery. In 2013 I was lucky enough to go to Southern Utah and found that we would be staying close to Factory Butte. We took the opportunity to photograph Factory Butte on a number of time and discovered a portrait is multi-faceted and many images make a complete portrait of a place. An extended portrait of Factory Butte is included in the March 2021 Journal, http://www.joelipkaphoto.com/acrobat_portfolios/20210301_journal.pdf
Hunt Library: 2015 - Richard Kevin - For most of my time making images I have distained obviously distorting photographs. Weston and Adams have been my north stars. Come the pandemic, with less interest and opportunity for going out, not to mention too much time at home, I began browsing old photos to re edit. Eventually I began playing around with Photoshop distortion filters. Starting from an unremarkable composition of a colorful, dramatic stairway, this is what emerged.
Reflections - Walter Ballard - My wife and I went on a CPA outing to the North Carolina Museum of Art and we were both attracted to this Reflections Exhibit. I have since been there several times and depending on the time of day, you can see different reflections. On this particular Fall day it was about 10:00am in the morning. I took two different exposure shots, one for the bright and one for the shaded area and merged them in Lightroom. I did some minor cropping and tonal adjustments.
Jordan Lake #1 - Henry Rinne - Photographed in lifting fog, I loved the atmosphere of the image and felt it presented some mystery and ambiguity. The floating dock in the immediate foreground adds a human presence that disappears as the eye draws back toward the distant shore. The imposing clouds stretch across the image; their texture was enhanced to add to the uncertainty of the moments. The image draws on a minimalist sensitivity. The symmetry creates a strong stable form that balances against the ambiguous nature of the distant forms revealed through the fog. Color was visually nonexistent, so B&W was indicated.
Red Shouldered Hawk - James Jillson - This Red Shouldered Hawk was photographed here at home. Some years ago we created a back yard habitat for small birds that has been very popular. However, many hawks have become interested but they are not interested in small song birds and usually don't remain interested unless there are mourning doves here. When we see that we attempt to shoo the hawk away. Unfortunately we still occasionally lose a dove. On one occasion I walked out in the yard to try to get the hawk to leave and it was not interested - even as I approached the tree where it was perched. I shook the tree and it took some time before the hawk gave up and flew away.
Ripples - David Ley - Kayaking Lake Crabtree on a dead calm day, I was attracted to the mirror-like reflection of the Hatcher Creek Greenway bridge. I paddled under the bridge to compose the image as best I could with a handheld point-and-shoot camera. I was generally pleased with the SOOC image, and made only minor adjustments in post-processing in addition to flipping horizontally so that leading lines went from left to right. Only then did I appreciate that I had disturbed the calm surface, and that the resulting ripples were evidence of my passage in space and time.
Passing Storm - John Lapp - As I was standing on a hill overlooking this valley in the Rioja wine country of Spain a powerful thunderstorm rolled through. The scene screamed “Make a photograph!” I was drawn to the chaotic violence of the sky in contrast to the peaceful geometry of the vineyards surrounding the village. To me this called for a high contrast, monochrome presentation with a full range of tones from deep black to shining white. Boosting the contrast, burning in the sky and dodging the village and its church gave me the image I wanted.
Bridge to Where - Barbara Guin - Foggy mornings are my favorite time to photograph. The stillness and quiet are so eerily amplified that I feel I’m a part of the scene instead of merely an observer. On previous visits to this location, I’ve always excluded the bridge from my compositions because it felt harsh and out of place. On this morning the fog cloaked the concrete in a softness that made it much more appealing to me and I found the straight lines a needed rest from the otherwise busy scene of winter trees and reflections. www.mbGuinPhotography.com Instagram: mbGuinPhotogs
Good Life - Michael Guin - I often set up scenes inside our house in an attempt to create art. This scene was to depict a good life using the approach of reading beside a stained glass lamp.
Clearing Storm at Sunset - Duck, NC - Brian Raia
Evening at Bogue Pier - Jim Trull
Summer Holdover - Jon Meyer - This bush is full of flowers in the spring and summer but I was surprised that isolated parts of it bloomed well into winter. So that was good. In addition, I had a macro lens that I liked and this was a great chance to use it on a foggy day with water drops on the flower and on the branch.
Lake Pollen - Jack Leavell - Lake Pollen image was made in March of 2020 at the start of the pandemic. It was made using an Iphone camera during a late afternoon neighborhood walk. The image represents an abstract view of the layers of colors and textures that were formed when tree pollen accumulated at the edge of a small lake. The swirls in the composition could mean that the image was made from a high vantage point but it was made from a distance of eight feet. The lack of rain and little movement of the water allowed the image to reveal its self to the camera.
Sanitary Lunch - Harry O'Connor - “Off the Interstate” is my favorite way to explore. You never know what barn, bridge, building or landscape scene you will find. Driving from Chicago to Cincinnati during a family visit, we randomly picked some two lane roads through Indiana. As we passed through one-stoplight Rossville, I spied this classic diner. I do love visiting iconic sites like Yellowstone, Acadia and other famously photogenic destinations, but many of my favorite images are scenes I stumbled across. As far as I know, this diner is still in business.
Love Birds - Robert P Culver - Photography is my passion, and I am learning more about photography all the time. I found photographing Hummingbirds a real challenge. They are fast, unpredictable and beautiful. I spend hours waiting near our feeders just for a chance to photograph these beautiful birds. I hope you enjoy these images. I am a retired electronics engineer with a work history involved with space satellite design, power infrastructure electronics and power industry imbedded computer designed test equipment. I am also a graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography class of 1979, with a BFA in Illustration.
Lifting the Light - Maurice Weaver - It was an icy cold night in 2018 when the eight of us family and friends visited the Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. In spite of the cold, we enjoyed the lantern festival. Wanting less to carry, I chose my Nikon P610 SuperZoom for the night. The lighted creations made for good photo subjects. The stage performances were very popular, so I was unable to get very close to make this shot. The P610 Zoom saved the shot. 1/50sec @ f/5.6, 70mm (400mm, 35mm equiv), ISO 1600. Postprocessing in LR Classic and Photoshop CC. Cropped to 810x1080 for this exhibit.
Twin Towers on Manhattan Island in early 1980s - Roy Miller - An early morning aerial photograph of Manhattan in the eighties. I was on an Eastern Airline early morning flight from RDU that approached LaGuardia airport (Queens) from the north to land on the south east direction runway. The image was probably Ektachrome film. I used Photoshop variations to minimize the haze and adjust the colors (sorta like wet color printing using filters to adjust colors). It is my only shot of the Twin Towers.
Gemini - Fran DeRespinis - While looking through my architectural images, I thought of a boyhood dream I had. Everything in it was double. The people were doubles, the buildings were doubles, just about everything in sight was in twos! It was so crazy. I recall telling my mother about this. She laughed and said it was probably because I was a Gemini. Since science fiction was a childhood love of mine, I decided to create a photo series I call A Different Planet: Gemini Cities. This image is part of that series.
cat-ching the Rays - Karen Bender - The pandemic created a forced environment where we all had to look inward and stay close to home, including me and my photography. One day, I was stunned by the gorgeous late afternoon light in my dining room. Lying in the middle of the pool of light was my very large yellow tabby cat, just soaking in the rays. I thought he was illuminated beautifully and I was happy that I was able to quickly capture the moment.
Foggy Sunrise No.1 Jordan Lake NC - J.J. Raia
Waterfalls, Moss and Lichens - Michael Greenstein - The Great Smoky Mountains are filled with mosses and lichens. This feature was especially apparent on the rocks surrounding this small waterfall along the Roaring Fork Trail near Gatlinburg in Tennessee. Their colors and textures formed a beautiful contrast to the flowing water, which was softened by a slow shutter speed of 0.5 secs. In post-production processing, my primary goal for the flowing water was to retain some texture and avoid a simple blur of white haze.
Gnarly Tree In Autumn - Eric Saunders - This image is from a favorite location along the Blue Ridge Parkway called Craggy Gardens, about 20 miles east of Asheville. This tree is along Craggy Pinnacle Trail; I have photographed it in all seasons except winter.