I worked with the RAW file and maximized shadow while minimizing highlights to bring out more of the sky.
Palm trees after the party
Facing the morning after, lights all hung over…
Christmas from around the world, Santa Monica California, Leanne Cole Photography
I need to do two posts today because I took some new Christmas photos for Leanne Cole’s Christmas from around the World series and the deadline is today. Actually, I’m a little late. There are already some gorgeous photos on her site so perhaps mine will go up next week. But do click on the above link because the photos have so much heart they brought a tear to my eye.
These were taken at
To put it in context, this is the beach scene in California during the holiday season:
A November Evening, Saratoga
The sky was amazing last evening. I shot these with my DSLR.
Out and about in San Jose
Across from the very modern and fancy Santana Row is this old coffee shop. The sign is so faded you can barely see “Coffee.” Circa 1950s?
But here’s some important news. There are food trucks at Valley Fair mall! Here’s the mall entrance:
And right down there, in front of a restaurant (!) are a couple trucks:
I’m surprised the mall allows them to compete with their tenants.
I didn’t notice the  strings of lights until I loaded these pictures this morning. Interesting how many things we don’t notice.
Third snow! Alpine Meadows, 9/26/13
Late summer garden, Saratoga, August 30
Ah, the macro setting.
Flowers, give-away and author questions
We’re doing questions 8 – 10 on Long and Short Reviews. And there’s a raffle!
There are different questions for the erotic romance writers. Those are really interesting!
Beauty on a smoky day, Alpine Meadows
A forest fire in the foothills sends smoke over North Lake Tahoe. But with a some post processing we can enjoy the sun on the trees. Â 
