Sunset on Christmas Day 2013:

 Christmas Day is always special for
me and Joan as we remember our special angel is watching over us trying to keep us happy on a day we both miss him. Never seems to get better with time. We wouldn't have it any other way. Every thing we do on this day or holiday we ask ourselves what would Dougie do and can we do it even better. Sometimes we think the holiday is more about shopping and what we all want for Christmas. But the real reason of Christmas can be found deep in our hearts and looking towards the sky.


I guess on this day as we enjoyed our day the best we could I looked out back around 4 pm and the sun was just beginning to go down and the sky was rich in color's that on a cold day of sunlight I headed outside for a better view. No jacket in hand but my camera on my shoulder. This sky I have seen come and go so fast so many times.So no time to stay warm. Catching a photo moment come's once in a lifetime and this was the day. The sun was out all day and very cold but never did we think the sky would light up.


 Maybe that little boy was sending us a message from heaven that needed our attention and wanted us to think happiness on this day. These are true color's that you see and maybe one was darkened for a better affect. As
you know the sky and landscape around us are my favorites. So if this was a message from heaven on the day after Christ was born, than thank you and God Bless all that may read this in time.



And long and behold it seems every place we live seems to have ducks, seagull's or some kind of flying bird that draws our attention to the sky. On this day was no different as the farm up the street has a monster pond with a horse training track
around it the the mallards (ducks) seem to stay for the winter and keep everyone in tune with the sound of nature. So as I did a photo shoot of the sky the ducks wanted to share the moment of their Christmas noise and I loved it.












You can see in some spots the bright
sunny sky trying to push through the clouds of color and sunset and the naked tree line standing tall as it wanted the color of leaves to return on this day. But as the sun is stronger and brighter ,over the years it tends to make the sky as one beautiful portrait in color
to see from all over the world.
This is the only photo I may have darkened to bring out a sky of darkness and a tree of redness. The limbs are more defined and show energy as they reach for a sky that may be a blanket to rest on.
I hope you enjoyed this Christmas album and always look up as you may see sunshine, rain , clouds, snow , a bad storm coming or just the sound of nature or a shinning in the sky you will never forget. The sky as the ocean holds so much to see and our surroundings are there every day for us to enjoy. Happy Holidays to all and may our men and women in uniform have a great one also. Never forget your past and always look to the future.
God Bless,
Abby-Rose Freelance Photography

Canon EOS 60D with learning and understanding the future of Photography

Canon EOS 60D

Had to take a big plunge this week and
purchase a new Canon EOS 60D camera.
Not that my older Canon EOS rebel
was out of service, but it was time to
look beyond the box and advance to the big boy of  camera's.

I have been looking at the EOS 60D
for some time now and with all the
sales going on and saving $300. on
this camera it was a no brainer. I see
that over the years camera's, TV's ,
phones and computers have changed every other 3 to 4 months it seems. Now
I need a degree to learn to use it.




 As I read the photo book I take a few photo's of anything in my view to run a test on whatever I read. To my right you will see a few pictures I am sharing with you as I research the manual and learn page for page. The birds I shot from across the room and through a brown shade to capture a beautiful still life photo.
The fake flowers were also across the room but the color's are outstanding to pass up a moment like this.
I know one question on your mind is, why pots and pans. Had to look up and use the view finder which can change on any angle for high or low shots. And than below I used my computer to enhance a picture with so many idea's you can fullfill your dreams with Photography. And lets not forget my kitchen at night shot with a few digs to change the image and turn a color print into a dark night.

As with so many changes in the photography world we are using new methods to a camera and turning our pictures into Photo Art that may someday hang in a gallery.
My wife Joan had a pumpkin with a blacks bird on it, so before it came down for xmas items I enjoyed the last of fall color's with pushing the computer to show how a picture can run your mind and take chances you may have past on before.
So far the new camera has showed me new ways and with a learning from a manual I may not like but must trust the booklet. I was more of a learn myself guy than going by the book. But in the new world of many buttons, I have changed a little. Thanks for following my blog and hope to give you idea's of the photo world, thanks
Doug

Bringing to Life the Photo or Print Collage

 A collage can be a form of art or just a group of your top prints you want to enjoy all on one photo. As a Freelance
Photographer my field of dreams can be a vacation or just a walk in the woods. A camera is like a wallet, you should never leave home without it. I have and missed so many dream photo's. Call me lazy or just forgetful.
But I still manage to fill my eye's with family, pets, wildlife, indoor studio and and other place my lens take me.
My grandaughter may be my best model, but her sister and brother do well on their own. Everyone loves a camera. Some smile and others just enjoy the moment. And I find a natural pose can do the trick.
 Abby showed me moves like a pro.
Them cartoons must be good help. And my flowers photo's jump at you when all together on paper. I have so many nice collage's that I find myself
changing my desk photo every week.
Also changing the background color will help shine your work and even bring the color's on the subject to life.
When we do a collage we try to fill the frame with at least 6 bto 8 prints.
And some make large with others in
a side view or up and down look.


 Never think you are wrong with what you try. Some of your top artist make a era and never change the look. Do your thing and may it be from the camera or on the computer, bring it to full view. As you see below I did or changed the garden prints to a new high by throwing in a little computer skills and giving what I feel can be called Art Photography 101.
Maybe the two years of Art 101 and 102 helped me with Photography school in the end.And my cousin can be called a real New York Street Artist in the Villege.I love his work and he makes a good living from it.
He is the true Artist. And I am the give it all photographer that enjoys a
good photo shoot. I could never make a living from this, as I enjoy giving my work away to those who enjoy it.
The feeling of someone enjoying what you do make you want to do more.






Than we have the family collage that I did for mom and her 5 girls. Than I
made all a copy and made their day.
A picture will last forever in the hearts that enjoy it. I could never get all 5 together at one time. So the collage
idea came to mind. Even put in a few children and spouse's. So enjoy the field of the collage and show all the talent you have in your heart.





And lets not forget my indoor shoot of house item's that a doll, fruit and plant
will give you a welcome to any home.
The window plant and yellow wall was my best. And the apple made a good half time snack after the shoot.
Your subject matter can be anything you wish and putting it all together is fun. So look around and step outside or walk the beach or back woods and make you own collage.



Last are my four legged babies. A pet
can be your best friend and they love the camera. Shannon the girl in the middle is my top model on four legs. She at 10 years young has had more photo's taken of her than Brad Pitt.
And Mike, Rocky, Shamrock and the rest of the gang are all number one to me. As a rescue dog Shannon helped me through being retired at a young age but never lets me down on any day. She picks me and Joan up when we are down. And never leaves our side. Love is real and having a good friend can be from animal rescue.
Thanks for taking time to read this and stay with me on my Blog of Abby- Rose Freelance Photography.

Bringing to life the wonder of the Lily

 Planting flowers as a little boy in my parents garden was sometimes boring but other days enjoyed as weeks later my eye's understood the beauty of gardening. Some say geek
and others say cool. I was taught to take care of the landscape and make the outside look refreshing. My family
always had a yard. Some small and others big. My brother and I shared the outside duties. And this is where my garden days began. Every house I had after growing up had some flowers and vegetables of some sort.











And a lily seemed to be a favorite for any yard that was planted. The many color's and styles seemed to catch my eye in the garden center. And as a photographer you
seem to run your lens up and through the garden looking for that special print to shoot and maybe mat
on a mat board to sell or hang on your own photo wall.




















My red hot lily was brought to life by using special
on-line tips I picked up while playing with different
ways to bring a photo to the table.
Anyone can take a picture, but learning new ways to explode the print into another world that a new generation will understand best.
Times change but the photo is still the photo. Black and white of yester-years
are still hung in many galleries around the world. And color photo's are the new thinking of todays young or
fast shooting photographers. The field
is stronger than ever and changes in the photo world happen every day. I
myself take pride in black and white and other tones along with color.










As this chocolate lily brings the in between of color and darkness. Never settle for just a picture. Download to your computer and use the tricks and
treats the computer world offer's you. Use your mind when making the final
print to show your friends and family.







And than there is my pink lily that I seemed to treasure most while making this print. Years ago I used a dark room to bring a photo to life. We used chemicals, lights and hours getting a few good prints . Today the fast shooting camera and computer make the prints. With the help of the person pushing the buttons. So enjoy your camera and don't be afraid to take a chance at something you feel will work. Enjoy

Greatest Rock and Roll Band Ever -- Rolling Stones --

 This is not part of my photography
but I had to share what 50 years of the Rolling Stones have done and still going strong.
No other band in history has stayed together and are still doing tours world wide. I was 18 when
they first hit the states on tour after the beetles landed. Two English groups that changed the
music of a young generation . Today they are on stage doing shows with a much younger crowd
and going up agains't new groups and holding their own.

 Every tour is the last, but the Bad Boys
of Rock seem to come alive and travel the world and still look not as young but full of good times and music that brings the stars and fans out to another concert of Rolling Stones.

 

 It is amazing how four guys can be friend for so many years and still perform what they do best, Rock and Roll. I myself would love to see them in concert
and be close enough to see Mick Jagger perform up and down stage. I was at a concert in the 80's with
Joan and Robin and was the best. These are not my photo's, but would have loved to be close enough to take them. Enjoy,

 

 

 

Memorial Day Service in Mansfield , N.J

 I belong to the Mansfield Veterans
 Group and we have a service every
 year for the men and women that
 served our country in time of peace
 or war. We are a small group but as
 the town grows and future veterans
 will take part. Our WW11 vets are
 becoming less as they make their
 final journey to the promise land. And with two wars coming to a close the next generation of Vet's will come forward and carry on what many have started years before.



 Freedom is not something that is free.
 Many lives were lost through many
 wars and hard times that men and
 women step up and serve the country
 we love so much. So as you flip that burger or eat the hot corn at a party or event, remember that the lives of others made this possible for you to
 enjoy, thanks and God Bless America