Waking Up to Antarctica


This part of New Mexico really got hit hard with this storm (Feb ’23). It was wetter snow than is usual for this place, weighing the trees down to the snapping point. Normal snow is so light that you can literally blow it away….makes for some nice skiing. There is more on the way combined with some high winds. It not only looks like Antarctica, it feels like it, and sounds like it!

Rating: 3 out of 3.


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5 responses to “Waking Up to Antarctica”

  1. Pepper Avatar

    Oh, that doesn’t sound good at all. Be careful.

    Like

  2. Ronit Penso Tasty Eats Avatar

    At least you got these beautiful photos! 🙂

    Like

  3. Tim Harlow Avatar

    Absolutely beautiful! I have a bit of a technical question for you, and I hope you don’t mind me asking.

    Your monochromes are always so incredible. Do you shoot in black and white or convert the image in processing? Ok, two questions. In your final finish, are you applying any filters, like a warming or cooling filter? Very curious. Thanks!

    Like

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      Hi, At times I apply a light warming filter only because that’s what this place feels like. Sepia-like is the tonality of the place. I do shoot in full color. I don’t want the camera’s algorithm deciding that for me. Then I use Photoshop for the B+W. I also use dodging and burning at times. And I try NOT to crop any image and usually don’t. The modern cameras do allow me to change the aspect ratios and I like having that choice. But that’s about all I do. If I have to spend too much time with a photo, I get rid of it. Any “tweaks” I need to make have to be minor and fast or else I lose patience with it and consider it an inferior image, not worthy of any more effort to “rescue” it. IMAGE>DELETE.

      Like

      1. Tim Harlow Avatar

        Thanks! I appreciate the insight. Glad to know you shoot in color as I do the same, then use the Photoshop as well. I do love your photos.

        Like

The Drama is Too Much


Some of these photographic experiences can be quite “arresting” for me, even as I am just looking through the viewfinder. The skies here are so grand and imposing at times that it will make anyone feel microscopic in importance. Maybe that’s a good thing….once in a while.

Rating: 3 out of 3.


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4 responses to “The Drama is Too Much”

  1. Pepper Avatar

    These are wonderful. 😊👏🏽

    Like

  2. Tim Harlow Avatar

    You always have such beautiful photos. I especially love the one with the house and stop sign.

    Like

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      Thanks. I think that’s my favorite too. It’s so quiet here and that image seemed to convey that.

      Like

Two @ 10,000 feet


The skies at higher altitudes become blue-black. We see that a lot here because we are routinely skiing at 12,000 feet. These two shots, however, were taken a little lower down the mountain, at around 10,000 feet. But the skies are still dark on a sunny day. Here’s what I saw yesterday at our local ski area. Still using the Sony a5100 for the ultimate in portability.

It’s only recently occurred to me that I seem to be responding to “letterforms” in the landscape. Sounds weird, but there’s something to it. I have another website where I allow myself to cut loose on that attraction and simply dig into the intersecting angels and shapes found in all letters, typography. There must be some linkage between many of my photographs and that interest/attraction to type.

By the way, if you’re curious to see something completely differently from this site, you can check out typomania.us. I never noticed, or thought about, the possible connection between the pursuits in “typomania” and this website.

Well, ain’t life interesting?

Rating: 3 out of 3.


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Dawn Patrol, First Light


Ski photography Santa Fe New Mexico

When you get up to the mountains early in the morning and early in the season, you’ll find the most dramatic lighting and shadows. Those peaks you see here are over 12,000 feet high. I like taking shots from the different chairlifts just for the vantage point. But that does create technical issues (aside from freezing hands that is). Naturally, there’s a lot of movement in all directions. Of course that can be countered, somewhat, with a high shutter speed. And it’s so intensely bright up there that I can leave the ISO at 100 for this camera….the Sony A5100. Yeah, it’s one of those “older” cameras, but it’s great for up here. It’s basically an APS-C sensor with a lens attached. Keep it warm and safe between shots and it just keeps on going. I can’t lug large kit up the mountain and this little gem is perfect. Brrrr, it’s cold up there, dress warmly.

Rating: 5 out of 3.


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4 responses to “Dawn Patrol, First Light”

  1. Pepper Avatar

    Lovely contrasts of light and shadows. 😊

    Like

  2. Robin King Avatar

    WOW!!! Spectacular! I ♥️ these! 👏👏👏👏👏

    Like

Santa Fe Christmas Eve: Canyon Road 2022


Every year this very long road in the middle of Santa Fe, lights up for Christmas. And many of the people do the same. Lots of “walking Christmas trees” to be found there, cleverly disguised as human beings. Canyon Road draws people from everywhere because it’s renowned for the high quality art galleries. I’ve included one or two photos of that here.

A photographer from the Santa Fe New Mexican was on assignment to document the festivities. He wanted to photograph a group of us who were wearing particularly ostentatious lights. And of course I had to get into a conversation about his gear. And that gear was impressive! You’ll see a shot of it in the gallery.

From a technical point of view, this is a difficult assignment even though it’s filled with lights, color and motion. You’re being jossled every step of the way. But everyone is having a great time, often bursting into song at the sight of some light display that evokes song! This whole scenario puts any camera and photographer to the test. I was using a full-frame Sony with an f/1.8 lens. I don’t think it would be possible any other way. I had ISO on Auto, which I normally detest, but there’s no choice in these conditions. I learn a lot everytime I pick up the camera; and I guess that’s what it’s all about.

Well, Merry Christmas everyone, ’til next year.

Rating: 5 out of 5.


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7 responses to “Santa Fe Christmas Eve: Canyon Road 2022”

  1. Ronit Penso Tasty Eats Avatar

    Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing.
    Happy Holidays! 🙂

    Like

    1. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

      Happy New Year. Looking forward to more of your posts!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Greta DH Avatar

    Quite an event on Christmas Eve! Beautiful captures, thanks for sharing.
    Happy Holidays!

    Like

    1. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

      Thanks and Happy New Year to you!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Robin King Avatar

    What amazing images! I can only imagine what it took to get them. They’re absolutely glowing with life and celebration! WOW!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏

    Like

  4. Tim Harlow Avatar

    Thank you for the beautiful photos. Hope your Christmas was wonderful.

    Like

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      Christmas: My favorite holiday and it was lovely from start to finish. I got into a little bit of trouble with a Bouche de Noel, if you’re familiar with that low-cal confection. Hope your Christmas was good was too!

      Like

The Fog Rolled In


This variety of magic is quite common in the Autumn mornings, but only for a couple of weeks. So get up early and watch as the sun gently illuminates the landscape. Early morning fog can be mysterious and yet also calming. I saw this and was glad the camera was nearby. This is not like the usual photos I post. Northern New Mexico is a “contrasty” place due to the high altitude and almost constant sun.

Rating: 3 out of 3.


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13 responses to “The Fog Rolled In”

  1. AT SUNNYSIDE - WHERE TRUTH AND BEAUTY MEET Avatar

    Your photos are works of art. I have been studying them and learning a lot about composition. Thanks so much! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

      Thanks so much. Merry Christmas to you!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. AT SUNNYSIDE - WHERE TRUTH AND BEAUTY MEET Avatar
  2. Greta DH Avatar

    Perfect photography!

    Like

    1. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

      Thanks and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Greta DH Avatar

        Merry Christmas as well to you and your family and friends.

        Like

  3. Tim Harlow Avatar

    Those are really beautiful photos! Happy Holidays to you!

    Like

  4. Pepper Avatar

    These are lovely. 😊

    Like

  5. Robin King Avatar

    They twinkle! Incredible beauty…thank you for showing these to the world! 👏♥️👏♥️👏

    Like

    1. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

      Thank you! And Happy New Year!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Robin King Avatar

        Thank you! 🎉Happy New Year🎉 to you, too!

        Like

Gloom But No Doom!


This place is sunny and bright about 98% of the time. But when the sun sets, things can get pretty dramatic. Also, when it gets gloomy, it really gets gloomy. But we never have more than a day of that, so I have to move fast to capture the theatrical lighting. That’s me with my dog in the top photo. She’s learned to stand still when Mom is photographing.

Best Black and White Photography

Rating: 0 out of 3.


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2 responses to “Gloom But No Doom!”

  1. Tim Harlow Avatar

    Beautiful as usual. I so love your work.

    Like

  2. Robin King Avatar

    Oh, marvelous!! 👏👏👏

    Like

Best Photographs of 2022

Vanishing Points


What is it about “vanishing points” that draws us in? I’m talking more about the emotional level of it. Of course the eye will follow a line like that out to the horizon, but there’s more to it than that. I know there’s more to it when I’m photographing it. Maybe it’s that we all disappear into eternity? So I’ll just leave it there.

Rating: 4 out of 3.


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  1. Robin King Avatar

    YES!!! Vanishing points can affect us emotionally! That’s so true! It’s almost like we can follow the path to infinity but within the relatively safe boundaries of an image – no need to worry about getting lost, etc. Those photographs are marvelous!!! For pure movement, my fav is the very long sidewalk. It takes me on a journey, footfall by footfall, and I don’t have to leave my chair! 👏👏♥️👏👏

    Like

    1. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

      I’m glad I’m not the only one to experience that. Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Graham Stephen Avatar

    think you have hit the nail squarely on the head there – pointers, at a pre-cognitive level, to the ineffability of eternity/infinity ♾

    ▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪
    ▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫

    Like

    1. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

      Yup. That’s another way of saying it. Thanks for that.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Pepper Avatar

    Fantastic images. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Pepper Avatar

        My pleasure. 😊

        Liked by 1 person

Thoughts on Photography

It’s Dark Out There


Night photography is something I haven’t done very much with, but I’m thinking that’s been a bit of an oversight. I shot these with the Tamron 20mm f2.8, wide open, of course, with the Sony A7r3. I think a 1.4 lens would have made short work of this. That also means: $$$$. Right? Maybe Santa will bring me one.

Rating: 3 out of 3.


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  1.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Ooo…beautiful!

    Like

  2.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Whoa…I’m Anonymous!?
    Not really! But for some reason WP isn’t using my login info on your site. Will follow you, see if that makes a difference. 🤗

    Like

Clouds on Stage, Santa Fe


Early morning is a great time to shoot. Of course so is evening, but I’m an early bird, so those photo-ops suite me much more. I’m still not bored with photographing my immediate neighborhood and even the front yard, All of these were taken within 100 yards of my home. As a matter of fact, there’s my white car parked in the driveway. I think the image is clear enough for you to even see what the make is, and maybe even the specific model. And best of all, there’s my dog to the right.

I’m still very happy shooting with the Sony A7r—. All those other numbers after the name are too much for me. Also, still with the basic lens, sometimes considered a kit lens, the 28-60mm. I think that lens was made for this camera. It’s just a flawless combination and I love that it’s small
and weather sealed. Blowing dust is more of an issue here more than rain….generally. Although lately we’ve been getting drenched. Hoping for a great ski season with all the abundant moisture.

Rating: 5 out of 3.


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Outstanding Photography

Cloud Parade #3648!


Monsoon Season is supposed to be finished, but somehow they haven’t gotten that message. We’re delighted. The rain is always welcome here and so are these theatrical cloud formations. I’ve mentioned in previous posts that motorists will literally pull off to the side of the road to watch the show. I should know!

Rating: 5 out of 3.


  1. Tim Harlow Avatar

    Spectacular photos!

    Like

      1. Tim Harlow Avatar

        You are welcome. I so enjoy your work. New Mexico is a wonderful place.

        Like

  2. Robin King Avatar

    Oh, 👏👏👏👏👏

    Like

    1. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

      Yup., that’s the Santa Fe clouds for you. We’re at just the right altitude or something. Or maybe it’s the right attitude!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Robin King Avatar

    And, YAY! My comment went thru! “Anonymous” no more! Your photography is wonderful – happy to be following. 🤗

    Like

  4. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

    Thanks so much for that. Maybe you can tell that I have a total ball doing this!

    Like

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Black and White Photography.
Santa Fe clouds. Monsoons.

Interiors


Sometimes I get lazy and just take the Sony HX99 with me. It’s small and fairly easy to use, but not quite a “point and shoot”. I have to say that the smallness of these really small cameras can also be an impediment. There is such a thing as “too small” and this camera just borders on that. But, it fits in a pocket or ski jacket and that is inviting.

Rating: 4 out of 3.


One response to “Interiors”

  1. Graham Stephen Avatar

    💖 the window ornament silhouette!

    ▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪
    ▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫

    Like

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Winning photographs of 2022

Cloud Chatter


What else can I say? They just keep putting on a show. I’m sure they’re very proud of themselves. Clouds are like that. They want us to look at them and be in awe. Come to think of it, being in “awe” is a pretty good state of mind to visit from time to time…after you’ve paid the bills that is. The photo below doesn’t exactly feature clouds, but I liked the contrast between the two subjects.


Rating: 4 out of 3.


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3 responses to “Cloud Chatter”

  1. Mike Ross Avatar
    Mike Ross

    Ansel Adams would be proud! You’ve got me staring at clouds all the time now but until recently its been too hot to go shoot them at sunset. 👍

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

      Thanks Mike. The Monsoon Season just won’t quit. But we did need the water.

      Like

  2. Tim Harlow Avatar

    More beautiful photos! Thanks.

    Like

Best in Black and White Photography

One Cloud Only. Comments?


This is one picture of a cloud posted yesterday. Only this time it is much higher resolution. My camera, shooting in uncompressed RAW, can capture amazing gradations of tone in the sky and clouds. Then I compress that image for the web and everything is lost. Instead, I thought I’d try posting just one image of higher resolution and see what happens.

You can click on this image to get the full size. If anyone notices any improvement, I’d sure like to hear about it. I think it looks better and all that banding in the previous Gallery photos from 8/5/22 is much improved.

It’s likely that these images are compressed twice: once by me and another time by the WordPress protocol (probably).

Rating: 5 out of 3.


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5 responses to “One Cloud Only. Comments?”

  1. stuartshafran Avatar

    To be honest, there isn’t a lot of difference when viewing these pictures on my iPad screen, unless I zoom right in. Maybe I might spot a slight difference on my higher resolution computer monitor, but does it really matter? In my opinion it’s the overall feel of the picture that counts, the composition, the emotional feel of the image, not the technical excellence. I’ve pretty much accepted that saving images for viewing on web will involve lots of compression and I prefer seeing images in print anyway. Your images are already fantastic, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

      Yeah, you’re probably spot on. My screen does show the banding of the slight tone that I use. Getting rid of that would probably reduce the artifact, but then the image wouldn’t feel like “here”.

      Like

  2. Mike Ross Avatar
    Mike Ross

    First of all your image is bigger than my monitor so Firefox scales it down to 52%. Yes its sharper and easier to see the detail and the 2.21MB file loaded instantly. That being said most people won’t notice, think about all those who read these blogs on a phone or, iPad. ☝

    Ming Thein used to over-sharpen a lot of his images and it was very obvious, surprising for a professional photographer of his caliber. But he was obsessed with quality, think Robert Pirsig in Lila. If you didn’t read it he drives himself insane.

    By using thumbnails and a gallery people will click to see a larger version and it loads quickly, just figure out the maximum size that’s practical and save as a high resolution if not the highest.

    “The world comes to us in an endless stream of puzzle pieces that we would like to think all fit together somehow, but that in fact never do.” Robert Pirsig, Lila: An Inquiry into Morals

    🤡🙈🐴🍸🎅

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Alessandra Chaves Avatar

    I agree with Stewart’s comment.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Tim Harlow Avatar

    Absolutely incredible! The monochrome tones are so rich and beautiful. I really love the black and white. It allows us to focus more on the textures and tones. Always enjoy your work!

    Like

Cloudscapes


The ever changing cloud formations up here continue to hold my undivided attention. I can’t seem to get enough of it and I can’t seem to stop looking. Funny that I’m never bored by this vista. They form, then morph, then merge, then dissipate, like “thoughts”. I find that I can’t leave home without the camera around my neck….just in case one of them calls to me!

Rating: 1 out of 3.


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4 responses to “Cloudscapes”

  1. Timothy Price Avatar
    Timothy Price

    Beautiful clouds.

    Like

  2. Mike Ross Avatar
    Mike Ross

    There’s really little reason to worry about file size, especially when you use thumbnails. I try to keep my images under 600KB but a lot of people upload full size color images straight from their camera, like 4000 x 6000px. Jane Laurie once told me she uses settings in Lightroom to export her images at 500KB or less but I’ve seen some of hers at well over 1MB. As for using a WEBP for faster loading its ridiculous and likely reduces quality even more.

    I think we have a lot in common sweating the small stuff, ask the clouds if anything really matters. 😎

    Fantastic compositions and images!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Tim Harlow Avatar

    The clouds shapes are incredible. Thank you!!

    Like

Oh Dogs


Dogs are one of my favorite subjects. My association with them has been a life-long love affair starting with the first one, a big fawn-colored boxer named Laird. He did not live long. It saddens me to write of it all these years later. He developed bone cancer shortly after he was 2 years old! My father was a physician and was absolutely devoted to this animal. He took him to every human oncologist in the city in a vain attempt to save him. After Laird came Cindy, a big, beautiful standard poodle. That kicked off the love affair with poodles, which has lasted a lifetime.

The photograph of the white poodle is “Lucky”…the latest permanent residence in my home. That’s a long story. And we all have long stories regarding our best-friend-pooches. Right? Lucky is now 18 months old and full of spunk and vinegar. He is the best friend and rough-house-buddy of Flicka, the German Shepherd mix rescue-dog that you see here from time to time. Both of them are smarter, and definitely more sensitive, than many human beings I know and have known. And that’s a fact.

That “dog” way out there, isolated in the vastness of this place is definitely NOT a dog, but rather a close relative. We have many coyotes here and they walk around and visit the yard from time to time. You can’t imagine how much I want to feed them, but I know that’s a bad idea. And I don’t. How they survive out there is a mystery to me.

Rating: 3 out of 3.


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One response to “Oh Dogs”

  1. Timothy Price Avatar
    Timothy Price

    Poor Laird. We lost one of our kitties to cancer in 2020. Nice dog portraits.

    Liked by 1 person

Monroe Gallery


Every time I head downtown, I make it a point to stop in at The Monroe Gallery of Photography. There you’ll see the originals of great photographers, both contemporary and past. I stopped in there a few days ago and asked the director if I could take some photos at a discreet distance, of course. She was so glad that I had asked and immediately said, “Sure you may.” I told her that I would be posting them on my website and she was fine with that too.

But what I didn’t say to her, because it didn’t occur to me at the time, was that in “post” it might occur to me to play “make believe” or “make pretend” and insert one or two of my photos into these magnificent gallery displays. Wishful thinking maybe. I am NOT in this Gallery by a long shot. They don’t even know who I am. This is just me having some, I hope, innocent fun. I am NOT in any gallery anywhere. So there. Full disclosure on that score. Just a little photographic prankster-ism.

The Imposters:

P.S. If there are any lawyers out there who know of any law I might be breaking, do let me know. I think I’ve given pretty blunt full disclosure.

Rating: 3 out of 3.


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4 responses to “Monroe Gallery”

  1. Timothy Price Avatar
    Timothy Price

    I’m no lawyer, but if you aren’t profiting from the photos of the photos in the gallery, and the gallery doesn’t complain, I don’t think you have to worry about anything, I’ve never been to The Monroe Gallery of Photography. I’m 50 miles south of Santa Fe and rarely visit.

    Like

  2. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

    Thanks. No, there’s no “shop” or profit involved in this website, or any other of mine. Monroe is very worthwhile next time you’re here.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Tim Harlow Avatar

    Well, your photos should and could be in a gallery. You do incredible work. I had no idea that the man, the dog or the crowd were yours. They are as good as any of the others. Cool post. Thanks!

    Like

  4. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

    Thank you. It was a lot of fun doing that.

    Like

Clouds to Astound


Believe me, I’m not doing anything to these clouds. This is how they look. People just stop what they’re doing to gaze upward. At least I’m not the only one! It reminds me of the movie, “Independence Day”, if any of you saw that.

Shot these with the Sony A7r3. I like hearing reports from others about their experiences with the cameras and lenses they’re using. I learn a lot from that. What it comes down to, of course, is a personal choice. How does the camera feel in the hand? Does it fit? Does its position of controls and options work with the way my brain works? That’s what it comes down to because here’s what I’ve discovered: all of the modern cameras and lenses are excellent. I should know. I have a quite an assortment in my Photo Stable. We have to split hairs to make an argument for one brand or model over the other. At least that’s what I’ve discovered.

Having said all that: this Sony A7r3 (I hate the naming conventions) is an absolute winner for me. We’re just a good fit. It’s beautifully constructed (that matters to me) and it’s light weight and easy to carry around all day with the small FE f4, 28-60mm lens on it. And the whole kit is weather and dust sealed. The “dust” part matters a lot out here. Anyway….we’re a good match. And may we live happily ever after.

Rating: 3 out of 3.


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9 responses to “Clouds to Astound”

  1. mic Avatar

    👌👌👌📷looks great

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Mike Ross Avatar
    Mike Ross

    Fantastic, I’ve been trying to shoot clouds like that for a long time with little success. As for dust my RX-100 now has dust on the sensor, probably from using a blower on the lens which is not recommended for compact cameras. I read a post suggesting I use a vacuum while zooming the lens in and out but its sounds crazy. This happened with my last one too but it took about 7 years. So I’ll use my A6000 and 35mm prime which I love but often leave at home because I tell myself I’m just going out for a quick ride.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

    Thanks. Here’s a good one…when I’m going out for a ride on the Honda, I take the Canon SX740! Fits under the motorcycle jacket just fine.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Greta DH Avatar

    Your clouds are just breathtaking! What a match!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Alessandra Chaves Avatar

    Very cool, dramatic skies. I’m glad Sony works for you. I never tried but my friends who have it only have good things to say about it.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. kaylocksellers Avatar

    Beautiful imagery!

    Like

  7. Timothy Price Avatar
    Timothy Price

    Wonderful clouds. It’s nice to see another sky photographer from New Mexico.

    Like

  8. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

    That’s because the subject matter is irresistable!

    Like

  9. Tim Harlow Avatar

    The monsoon season is definitely upon you. More astounding photos. You are amazing. Thanks so much.

    Like

Award Winning Photographs

‘Tis the Season For Sky


Skies like this leave me in awe and feeling very small.

On a technical note, adding a tint to some of these, does NOT translate well into the compressed version needed for the web. It bugs me, but as I have said before, a) I think I’ll live, and b) Life goes on!

Rating: 3 out of 3.


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2 responses to “‘Tis the Season For Sky”

  1. mic Avatar

    👌👌👌📷

    Like

  2. Tim Harlow Avatar

    Absolutely beautiful! 🙂

    Like

Not Quite Ansel Adams

Can’t Get Enough of…


Well, I hope I’m not boring everyone who visits “santafeandme” these days. But we are in our Monsoon Season and that means epically amazing cloud formations and lots of storms.

When I’m driving, I have to remind myself to: “Keep your eyes on the road.” It’s really difficult and more often than not, I have to pull over and “click”. Some of these formations look positively nuclear or Biblical, or both! Others look like highways in the sky. I can’t stop myself, it’s worse than chocolate. So “clouds” may be the theme on this blog for a couple more weeks…

…Oh, that’s not true either. Clouds and Sky are just a major facet of the scenery in New Mexico’s high country all year.

Rating: 0 out of 3.


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One response to “Can’t Get Enough of…”

  1. Tim Harlow Avatar

    Oh my gosh! These are just incredible! You have so much talent. Thanks for posting. 🙂

    Like

Award Winning Black and White Photography

New Mexico Raw


Raw is the right word to describe the landscapes here in New Mexico…especially when the weather is changing and the skies become very dramatic. These were taken just a few minutes before sunset. Because we’re at altitude (7000′) the air is crystal clear. Of course another reason for that is because there aren’t many people here! We’re in a rural area, so there are even fewer people and the air and the skies are even more clear than in town (Santa Fe). These low light situations with high contrast clouds as the sun catches them, “asks” a lot of the camera. I shoot RAW so I could lighten these quite easily, but I’m going for the mood of the scene and how it impressed me as I stood there. I should say, “how it captured me!” So there you have some silhouettes, solid inky black with little or no detail. The modern cameras are amazing for preserving detail and tone; and I know that I could have pulled that out of those areas.

These were taken, quite recently, with the Sony A7Riii. I’m pretty much in love with the camera. I love the size, the lightness, the fluidity in using it. It seems to read my mind, and who knows, with AI, maybe it is! I read a review of it by Ken Rockwell in which he referred to the A7Riii as “clairvoyant”. That’s really the perfect choice of words, so I’ll just lift that description from his article.

I used the very basic Sony FE 50mm f1.8 lens which “serious” photographers would probably scoff at. Well, I’m amazed by it and I am serious! And unless I were printing images one acre large, I bet that most of us would not be able to tell the difference between it and one of the breath-takingly expensive Sony G or Master lenses. Its clarity and performance are astounding.

Rating: 0 out of 3.


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5 responses to “New Mexico Raw”

  1. stuartshafran Avatar

    Your photos are absolutely outstanding! You’ve truly captured the beauty of your location and I love the look and feel of the monochrome images. Your photography blog is one of the best I’ve discovered on WordPress. Great work!

    Like

    1. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

      That’s really nice of you to take the time to say that. Really encouraging. I love where I am and I guess that comes through. The State Motto is: “Land of Enchantment”. There are lots of reasons for that: the light, the other-worldly landscape, the very ancient cultures that have been here for…no one really knows for sure, but the date has recently been pushed back to 20,000 years. Thanks again.

      Like

  2. Tim Harlow Avatar

    Your photos are incredibly beautiful. The tones are super rich, and you just nailed the lighting perfectly. I love them!

    Like

  3. Santa Fe and Me Avatar

    Thanks. I’m glad they come across despite being JPEG crushed WAY down!! You know how that goes.

    Like

Best Blogs of 2022

Backyard Treasure Trove


Sometimes, not only is it a lazy day, it’s a “why bother to go anywhere else to shoot day.” That describes my backyard out here in the wilds of New Mexico. Sometimes an amazing scene appears out of nowhere and I’ll just grab the nearest camera. That may not be the best one, but light changes so fast around here that I can’t get particular. Since most of the focus is on sky and clouds, that creates a big problem when crunching these down as small JPEGs. Because there is so much subtlety and gradation in those clouds, they tend to become blotchy as they are compressed. So I have to compromise.

Life goes on.

Rating: 0 out of 3.


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3 responses to “Backyard Treasure Trove”

  1. mic Avatar

    👌👌👌📷

    Like

  2. Tim Harlow Avatar

    Beautiful photos. I imagine the full size, non-compressed images must be amazing.