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

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

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.

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

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

Air Lines

After more than a year of being shut down, I became accustomed to NOT seeing anything in the sky except for clouds, birds and weather. It may sound strange, but this line in the sky caught my attention. I have to say that I liked the abstract quality of it.

Early Evening Skies of Santa Fe New Mexico

It was starting to get late and I found myself walking around in downtown Santa Fe. The light was catching the Loretto Chapel perfectly. In the top two images, the sky really did look like that.