Car Camping in the Palouse

Car Camping 3:45am

Wake up, look up!

A billion, trillion, zillion stars I see,

One moon that glows blood red.

So quiet and then,

Two packs of coyotes howl and yippee.

How wonderful, how joyous to be embraced in Mother Natures wonders,

While parked next to the Lone Tree in the draw of Tennessee Flats.

Farmer's Hired Hand

Meet Dave - Combine Driver

My friend Rod farms wheat and lentils in the Palouse. His hired hand is Dave, a man who understands hard work. Hence the oil stained shirt from repairing the combine that afternoon after a breakdown in the field. Dave was a bit embarrassed not having clean clothes to pose in, I strongly expressed that he looked 'perfect!'

The Regulars with Moku Hanga

Learn how to create artistic iPhone Photography images with easy to follow online courses. Next course starts October 29th. Please see side bar for more information. Come join me on Google+ Hangouts. Circle me and I will invite you to join in the fun.

Wheat Texture Blending into Bald Blue Sky - iPad Processing Tutorial

Abandoned Combine of Yesteryear

The Palouse is known for its incredible puffy blue skies, however the week of the workshop they were often bald blue.

In this particular multi-stitch image I wanted to find a creative texture for the sky. I tried some app textures but they didn't quite create the look I hoped. So I looked through the many images I captured that week and was inspired by the simple concept of the wheat field.

Bald Blue Sky before adding wheat texture

Wheat Image used for Blending

Using Image Blender, I first imported the Combine photo into the left (dominate) corner. Then I imported the wheat image into the right corner. For this blend I chose Overlay at about 25%.

Filterstorm was used for the next step. First I imported the Blended image. Next in the Filters tab, click on Add Exposure and import the original bald blue image. After tapping on 'Fit to Image' you can then paint away the texture from everywhere except the sky. When applying this method I prefer to have a large soft brush with a low opacity. It is suggested that you zoom into the image for final touch up.

I continued the processing of the final image with fxPhotoStudio, Vintage HD, blending in ImageBlender, TouchRetouch and final touches in Filterstorm. The step by step process will be taught in my iCreativity course soon, as I am totally rewriting the online course materials.

On a final note: Even after all the processing was complete, this image can easily be printed 11x27 inches in size and is 12 megapixels.

Learn how to create artistic iPhone Photography images with easy to follow online courses. Both iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity starts September 3rd. Please see side bar for more information. Come join me on Google+ Hangouts. Circle me and I will invite you to join in the fun.

Hipstamatic Freebie Friday - Snapseed and Frames

Framed Palouse Barn - Hipsta Style

This afternoon I was sitting at my computer with my iPhone nearby and all of a sudden it sounded like the Hipstamatic App took a photo. A little freaked out by the sound, I glanced down at my phone I saw a notification from Hipstamatic informing me of a FreePak and telling me that IncrediBooth is free also. I smiled thinking how amazing technology is.

I instantly was directed to the app and the New W Mag Pak. It is now downloaded among the 23 films and 24 lenses. So glad that I can refer to the Hipstamatch app to see the incredible amount of combinations I can capture with this camera choice. Yes I do have my favorites, but I never want to miss out on a free Pak and add to my Hipsta collection.

For today's post I decided to use a Hipsta image for the after the notification. I captured this image a few days ago and I haven't had a chance to capture any shots with the new W Mag Pak yet.

I am using the app Snapseed a lot in my processing. In the Tune Image Folder there is the White Balance option. Below I demonstrated how the barn changed from an orange/red to a rich red.

Learn how to create artistic iPhone Photography images with easy to follow online courses. Next course starts September 3rd. Please see side bar for more information. Come join me on Google+ Hangouts. Circle me and I will invite you to join in the fun.

View of a Combine Driver - Palouse Harvest

When harvesting on Oaksdale Road the view spectacular! - Steptoe Butte is in background

I am very grateful that I blog when I visit places like the Palouse, a community that works together for the good of the whole. There are few left like it. I spent the afternoon yesterday riding in a combine, tractor and harvest truck. Everyone has a job that must be done to get the wheat to the bins (storage containers). Work starts early and lasts until sunset.
The youngest son, Craig, has been driving a combine since he was 12. He easily moved this complicated vehicle up and down the rows with one hand on the steering wheel and the thumb from the other hand controlling the header, making sure it was at the right level and angle.
Craig is a 4th generation family farmer. A rare breed these days. His dad, uncle, cousin and sister were all harvesting yesterday along with other hired helpers. He also enjoys the diversity of driving the tractor with the wagon to break up the day. Funny thing is that he can't drive the harvest truck because he is still in driver's ed.
Communication between the vehicles is with a CB. The chatter is usually short and to the point letting others know when and where to be for efficiency. However every now and then a joke or story is told. It is a great way to keep everyone in the loop.
What I am most impressed with is the importance of working hard for the family unit. Yes, the kids have their iPhones and are checking Facebook and messaging every chance they get but they know that the job comes first. I believe too many America's families are losing this sense of belonging and being needed, this makes me very sad.
I want to thank the Nelson's for the opportunity to share an afternoon with you. I hope the images I took capture harvest the way you hoped. As we discussed yesterday, these moments last for a very short time and when they are gone they are gone forever.


iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts September 12th. Last class filled up quickly.  If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

Harvest in the Palouse is a Family Affair!

Craig Nelson (aka Nephew), age 15. has been driving combines since he was 12.

Tayler Nelson, age 17, has lots of spare time to apply for college scholarships - via her iPhone, while driving truck for harvest!

John, second year college, is responding to Uncle Scott's request on the CB radio. This is his first year farming. He is driving  tractor that is pulling a wagon.

Family values and lots of hard work is important to all of the Nelson family. I had a wonderful time riding in all the different equipment today!


iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts September 12th - only six student per session. If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

AutoPainter - Red Barn in Wheat Field

The Palouse is glorious for many reasons the red barns being one of them. Today the skies were a streaked with clouds without much contrast, however finding this red barn tucked into the hillside of the rolling wheat caused us to stop regardless.

During this photo tour I have been exclusively shooting with my iphone while the ladies use there big girl cameras. I did show off enough of what I was able to accomplish with my iPhone to convince one to them to buy a few apps while she was here. I also gave a demonstration to how the iPad apps could be used on the big girl camera images. I impressed them with todays image. Showing off Filterstorm's capabilities to blend and mask. Also showing that Nik has an app for the Ipad as well. I have sold many apps during the tour and also an iPad. Apple should love me!

ProCamera
AutoPainter HD - Van Gogh
Blender
Filterstorm
Snapseed

iPhoneography Classes Available Now! - next class starts July 11th - limit 6 student per course. If you would like to learn how to capture and process iPhone images beyond a basic snapshot take an Online iPhoneography Course with Teri Lou. Two courses are available iPhoneography 101 and iCreativity. Click on the direct links in the upper left hand column of this blog for information, pricing and schedule.

I am back in the Palouse

Gordon Hamilton Farm

My friend Dick and I are in the Palouse for a few days. The spring wheat is just starting to grow. What a gorgeous day we had in the land of red barns, green fields, blue skies and white puff clouds.

ProHRD

Filterstorm 

Impression