Blossoms in the Cold - Rachel

Barking up the Right Tree - Rachel

I love the look of my sycamore's bark when it's wet with rain. The only enhancements here were those provided by the rain and sun.

Intensity - Rachel

Oaken Treefolk - Rachel

Last weekend my kids and I paid a visit to Mt. Diablo, as we drove and then hiked up through the oaks my daughter and I were on the lookout for treefolk. You can often find them among the oaks, blending in, hiding, twisting and contorting so as to keep out of the view of humans. Looking down upon this stand of trees I just know that the treefolk are close. Can't you feel them?

Coffee @ SFMOMA - Rachel

Yesterday I visited SFMOMA with my kids and a dear friend, I had every intention of taking a camera, and somehow managed to arrive with only my poor little Blackberry. The images I caught were not what I wanted, I was soo sad not to have my Nikon (or even my point n shoot), but I've made the best of what I did. These pics have had their lighting and contrast adjusted extensively, and I have applied a dry brush filter, as well. I like the results I got with the empty cups better than the full ones. Maybe I'll keep playing and adjusting, or maybe I'll pour myself another cup of coffee and move on.

Snow Flower - Rachel

Here's one thing I LOVE about living in California - even when we do get a little snow (emphasize little) we still have beautiful flowers in bloom.

I missed a day somewhere along the way this month, so I'm posting a second image today to make up for it.

The Reaching Tree - Rachel

Welcoming or ominous ~ I'm not sure, but I certainly do like this tree with its branches reaching out.

Falling Down - Rachel

I pass this falling down building everyday when I drop my daughter off at school, and everyday I see something a little different. Sometimes it's swathed in fog, others it's surrounded by frost, and still others it's merely a silhouette framed by a bright starburst of sunshine. I haven't yet gotten "the" pictures I want, for I'm always rushing off to drop off child #2 at school #2, but someday I'll get with no other agenda or responsibilities. Until then this will have to do.

You Are What You Eat - Rachel

I was fascinated with this DNA model made entirely from cookbooks. While not strictly my art, since it's someone else's creation, I wanted to capture it. I like the use of cookbooks, particularly in creating this model... afterall, we are what we eat, but also, our DNA is our recipe. The science geek in me is satisfied, at least for now.

St. Paul's - Rachel

There's something I find so enchanting in stone buildings, whether they be churches or other buildings, the solid, eternal feeling of the stone and the marvel of architecture draws my eye. This is St. Paul's Catholic Church in San Francisco, the red door was a fun surprise. In this picture I elected to leave the door it's actual red, while changing the rest of the image to B&W. I also bumped up the contrast so that the details of the stone popped out.

Gold River - Rachel

I love water. The way it plays with light and color, the way it feels, the sense of washing away things unwanted and refreshing life. Its rushing pounding power, and its gentle meandering refrain. Filling, spilling, washing, fascinating... I'm always trying to capture the essence of this magical elixer.

Blossoms - Rachel

I was struck by these abundant and delicate blossoms, lit by the afternoon sun. With only my little point and shoot I knew I would have to "do" something with the photo to get what I wanted; this came pretty close. Crosshatch filter added and saturation increased in PS.

Hug a Tree - Rachel

My daughter is a self-proclaimed tree hugger, so it's nice to see that trees can express their love back. I'm making my daughter's valentine from this image, a tree found on the Ocean View trail at Muir Woods.

Drop - Rachel

Alright, it's been a long day and I am far too tired to come up with something today. This is the thumbprint marred photo I mentioned the other day. Other than that darn thumbprint I quite like it.

Sunshine in My Mother's Garden - Rachel

As I watch the daffodils that I planted in memory of my mother spring into bloom and glow with the sun of a brisk February morning ~ I remember. Childhood Saturdays. Awakening to the wafting tunes of the Beatles' & Bob Dylan. My mother's delight in these bright cups of sunshine bowing in the breeze. Warmth. Love.

Luxe- Rachel

Wine by Candlelight - Rachel

Tonight, as I sat sipping Zinfandel by candlelight and contemplating what I could possibly add to the blog, I (momentarily) considered not posting. Then I looked at my wine glass and the candle beyond and decided that there was something that I could do with that. After shooting, with flash, without flash, using waxed paper in a variety of unexpected applications and a little post in PS I ended up with two images I really liked. This is one of them... the other has a big old thumbprint right in the heart of it which I can't obliviate, I guess that's just the price for shooting what I drink.

Pink Flower, Thrice Over - Rachel

Here's my primitive attempt at creating a triptych using one image and a couple different Photoshop processes. It need work, but here's my first attempt.

Dancing on Water - Rachel

Today was too beautiful of a day to stay inside, and so I let nature decide what I would photograph. The kids and I went for a bike ride - almost 9 miles - and along the bay I was awestruck by the sunlight dancing on the water. Thankfully, my kids are used to my "delays of game" when I see something I want to see... I'm not 100% happy with the image I captured, I played with B&W, I thought about adjusting contrast, but in the end I just like it for what it is and here it is.

California Winter's Eve- Rachel

Today I let nature do the artwork for me. It was 70 degrees farenheit and what an amazing sunset! I can only say that I love our California winter!