by Stephen | Sep 6, 2014 | Stephen M. Levin Photos, Stephen M. Levin Travel
The Jackson Hole Rodeo
I Wanna Be A Cowboy!
Yippee?!
When I was a little boy, I wanted to be a cowboy. Eh….not “just” a cowboy. Rather, I wanted to be the Lone Ranger. Or perhaps one of the Magnificent Seven (Steve McQueen or James Coburn, in particular). I liked my cowboy hats and boots, badges, etc. and my toy Colt 45 (before it was politically incorrect).
Well times have changed–not that much, though. I still wear my hats from time to time and I like dippin’ into my boot collection frequently. But, I don’t have a six gun any longer.
Or course, I did not grow up to be a cowboy!! And, after going to the rodeo in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I realize that more clearly than ever. Wow….can you believe what these men and women and horses go through?
Who liked this less??
I’m still interested in Western lore and culture….been going through or to the West since the early sixties. We have had many friends and family who’ve lived in Texas (including our son, Jordan, who went to the University of Texas and worked and lived in Dallas for a year after graduating). I can’t even count how many times we’ve been there! And our daughter, Audrey, and her family now live in Colorado, which also has a Western flavor.
However, I am proud and content to say I’m a city guy. It’s great living in the Chicago area…best city in the world. But, I still like to wear my cowboy hats and boots, etc. when I can.
In fact, while we were in Jackson Hole, I ordered a new hat. I asked the woman, “What about a kerchief?” She replied, “Around here, we call ‘em dust bandits.” Who knew?
Hiyo Silver!!
-Stephen M. Levin
“My Mind’s Eye”
www.stephenmlevinphotos.com
(A special shout out to Adrienne LaMilza at JR Customization for redesigning my blog!)
Classic Cowboy
In Style
What about my hat?!?
“Don’t worry…I got yer hat!”
Ride ’em, Cowboy!
Thirsty Cowboy
Really Wild Animals!
At the Rodeo
by Stephen | Aug 29, 2014 | Stephen M. Levin Photos, Stephen M. Levin Travel
Rockefeller Preserve
Skies, Lakes with Clear Water…and Mountains
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
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I am a firm believer that there are potential photos all around, all the time. Having said that…. Jackson Hole (Wyoming) is a special place! Thanks to the abundance of big, dramatic skies, still lakes with crystal clear water, and an absolutely stunning mountain range (the Grand Tetons), it’s fun to go out with a camera (or two!) in hand. Every turn of the head is a new treat!
Ever been there? If not, you may want to add it to your bucket list!
Jackson Lake
Jackson Lake
Dam on the Snake River
On the road in Grand Teton National Park
-Stephen M. Levin
“My Mind’s Eye”
www.stephenmlevinphotos.com
by Stephen | Feb 27, 2014 | Stephen M. Levin Paris, Stephen M. Levin Photos, Stephen M. Levin Travel
Paris-Places Instead of Faces
More Paris Photos
Even though I frequently say that one can find a picture almost everywhere, I have to admit that is even truer in Paris. Everywhere you look there are famous and not so famous works of art and architecture. And the streets are old and full of character (and characters!!).
Photographically, the challenge is not so much to “find” something as much as capturing an image of something familiar that is hopefully interesting and maybe somewhat original. Not easy!
Take the Mona Lisa (in the Louvre), for example. I once heard that more people have seen the Mona Lisa on phone images than any other way! Even if that’s not true, it’s fair to say that lots of people have photographed that painting. When we arrived, there was a crowd, but not nearly as large as we’ve heard it gets. Nonetheless, I was at the back of the crowd and all I could see was her face through the crowd. So, I “went” with that and figured I’d exaggerate that view in post processing. Making the painting color and the surrounding people black and white seemed appropriate. And it worked the way I wanted. What do you think?
How about Notre Dame…the one without the football team!? There are tons of people taking pictures all day from every angle. But, I thought I’d try a little twist when I found the red bike leaning against the fence across the street. I felt it added a bit of a color splash and interest to the scene. Besides, who needs another plain photo of the side of the building? What catches your eye in this photo? I feel you have just as much of a chance of knowing the building is Notre Dame with or without the bike…but the red gives it more for your eye to follow. I hope!
And here’s an interesting perspective of the Seine and city. Through the back of the face of the clock in the Musee d’Orsay. Interesting that I was able to preserve some of the detail in the clock and the background. I wasn’t sure the “digital file” would have all that information when I took the photo, but it did! I highly recommend a visit to the Musee d’Orsay….an old train station that has been converted to an art museum. Gorgeous artwork in a fantastic building….great use of the space.
There is SO much to see in Paris. This is just a tiny sample! I didn’t even scratch the surface here. Or even in my entire collection. But, if you want to see more images of the city including streets, buildings, cafes, shops, the Seine, and many famous sites that were photographed on our recent trip,
CLICK HERE.
Hope you enjoy this!
Please let me know what you “see” and what you think. And if you want me to explain or talk about any of the images in this blog, “My Mind’s Eye.”
Thanks for stopping by.
-Stephen M. Levin
www.stephenmlevinphotos.com
by Stephen | Feb 22, 2014 | Stephen M. Levin Paris, Stephen M. Levin Photos, Stephen M. Levin Travel
Paris-Part Deux
More People Photos
It is my belief that one can find a picture almost anywhere. Sometimes it just takes more time and patience, and a closer look. Well, that is so true on the streets of Paris. Pretty much a matter of standing anywhere and you’re bound to find someone or something interesting appearing in front of you.
With people, I think the key is that you can’t be shy! And you have to stay friendly and non-threatening. Especially when you don’t speak the language!
Sometimes, I see an interesting scene or background and just wait to see if anyone appears in that frame. On the other hand, sometimes someone interesting approaches or appears and you wait to see what develops (excuse the old “film” pun!). And, of course, sometimes it’s both elements coming together.
I think it’s important to capture an interesting expression or movement. Or something that is graphically interesting. It doesn’t always work, but that’s part of the beauty of digital photography—you’re not wasting film if you press the shutter and your idea or timing doesn’t work.
But, ya gotta keep shooting and keep trying because serendipity sometimes comes into play! That is, something or someone appears in the frame that you didn’t expect! Surprise!
This photo is of a street musician in front of Sacre Coeur in Montmartre. I was on the steps of the church, above him. And I loved the shadows that were being cast by the late afternoon sun. I knew there’d be little chance to capture detail in his face, so I tried to expose it to be a silhouette…and that’s how it came out when I processed it on the computer! Not a surprise with this one. Voila!
We were standing along the Seine and I was trying to figure out how to capture the famous buildings across the river. Along came this cyclist who came right through the frame. “Thanks, buddy…welcome to my vacation photo collection.” Surprise.
And, here’s one where I was trying to emulate an old photograph I have seen many times. Though I can’t remember the photographer’s name!! This is how I hoped it would turn out…though the guy in the background was a bit of added good luck! Kind of a surprise.
Here are some other people and situations that were too good to pass up. Pleasant surprises….but ya gotta keep your eyes open!
For more photos of the People and Faces of Paris, CLICK HERE.
Hope you enjoy this!
Please let me know what you “see” and what you think.
Thanks for stopping by at “My Mind’s Eye.”
-Stephen M. Levin
www.stephenmlevinphotos.com
by Stephen | Feb 16, 2014 | Stephen M. Levin Paris, Stephen M. Levin Photos, Stephen M. Levin Travel
Paris!
Second post on “My Mind’s Eye.” Welcome.
I intend to share some of the stories involved with my images on this site. How I took them, but not necessarily the technical settings.
Good time and place to start:
We just returned from a spur of the moment trip to Paris! Our first visit.
Gorgeous city. Great food. Friendly people (that’s right…I said friendly people!). And plenty of historic sites.
I had fun photographing the faces and places on the streets.
Let’s start off with this one, from the Marais District.
We were walking down the street and passed this VERY old synagogue. And there was a flurry of activity at the door with people going in and out, scurrying across the street into another related building, it appeared. I realized that the building was full of character and that there was a great cast of interesting people and situations. So, I planted myself right across the street and set my zoom to “wide angle” which ended up being 24mm. So, that made me stay very close to the scene. I stood there for about 10 minutes or so, capturing the people traffic and activity and thought I ended up with some interesting images.
When I looked at the images on the computer, I realized that I succeeded in capturing the girl in this photo looking at the Rabbi while he was oblivious to her. And I also liked the way the image was divided in half, so to speak, by the post on the sidewalk. This gave me a feeling of compare/contrast between the two cultures…the young modern girl with her stylish glasses, earphones, trendy shoes, etc. compared to the Rabbi in his traditional garb and plain attire. She’s carrying a purse and he’s carrying a book. Etc. The ancient wall behind them served as a perfect backdrop, I thought.
This photo screamed “black and white” from the start…which adds to the timeless nature.
There were a few more scenes from that spot. I thought they all “worked” to some degree and captured what I saw and felt. Here are two samples.
Hope you enjoy this!
Please let me know what you “see” and what you think. Feel free to leave comments below. And please share this link with others!
Thanks for stopping by.
And please go to this link to take a look at a bunch more “Faces from Paris” and let me know if there are any other images you’d like me to explain or discuss on these pages!
-Stephen M. Levin
www.stephenmlevinphotos.com
Twitter – @stephen_levin
