The beauty of back lighting

First, an announcement: this is NOT a post about the arrival of autumn, despite all those brilliant colors. But, the fact is that autumn leaves are excellent examples of just how back lighting enhances subjects that are translucent or transparent.

Two good examples: the maple (above) and the aspen (below). Very simple: the light passing through the leaves emphasizes the color.

In this case, back lighting creates a splash of brilliant red in between much darker greens. The red of the leaves below contrasts with the drab leaves on the ground which are lit with reflected light.


Last year, I became fascinated by the nasturtium. Here are two portraits of a single flower, dark against the bright outdoors (above) and brilliantly back lit (below). In truth, I find it difficult to choose between the treatments. How about you? Which do you prefer, hot or dark?

Virginia creeper, one of this town's major autumn showpieces, goes from drab (above) to brilliant red (below), depending upon the direction of the light. It really needs that sunlight streaming through the leaves.

Even if the creeper has not turned deep red, back lighting hypes the color (above, below).

What greens! Classic ivy glows given the right lighting -- as do the big leaves below.

Ditto for colored glass, whether it's an alien blue sun or colorful, collectible tableware at a McCormick Street antiquery.

Perhaps my most favorite use of transmitted light is the yard ornamentation I found along Gail Gardner one day. The home owner had simply filled big juice bottles with colored water and let the sun do the rest.

Links for the Day: Have you ever had a chance to study the underside of a hummingbird? Boonie caught a fascinating view from beneath; the little guys' tails make them look sorta like shrimp! The current fad for home grown eggs caught the attention of s. weasel, who comments about diapers being sold so that one's beloved family hen can roam the house. Plus: one of our bloggers, Sadira of Foolsewoode, was featured in this article in today's Courier.

Neons

Different age groups have their particular fun and games. When you're my age, you sit at home of a night, writing a blog about neons. When you're young and energetic, you are likely to spend many evenings out amongst those bright lights and the crowds they gather round them like moths. It was thanks to my Aussie bro that I happened to be out late for a jazz concert a couple of years ago and caught these two images.

The neons I'm most likely to spot nowadays are the odds and ends one finds in the collectible shops around town. I wouldn't mind owning Big Bird (below.) He would make a fine night light for the loo.

Maybe it's time that I strolled Whiskey Row with my camera for an evening or two. I kinda like these neons!

Late afternoon lighting

As I've mentioned several times before, because of my location, I don't usually enjoy good late afternoon lighting -- and so I have to grab such pictures when I have a chance. Like yesterday, at a late, late appointment at the north end of town.Consider the sea of condos as a design element and instead enjoy the long shadows and the warm highlights, especially on the power lines and the dozer at the top of the ridge (below).

Just a few outcrops on Granite Mountain catch the late sun; the mountain is largely in shadow. And, yes, that is snow that you see in patches at all elevations.

Reminiscences: For some reason, the post called Miller Valley Empties continues to catch comments with wonderful reminiscences of Prescott Past. For that reason, I've added a link on the right hand side, just below my profile so that more readers can add their memories! Thanks to everyone who drops by.