Brick Horse Barn in HDR

My friend Steve truly is a master at HDR - both in getting the shot and processing beautiful images.   He graciously agreed to come give me some help this afternoon and I cannot begin to thank him enough! 

I posted this barn this past January when had snow.  I stopped by yesterday evening to get a HDR shot. 

For more great barns be sure to visit Tricia, and for midweek blues be sure to visit The Dusty Cellar.

I hope you are having a wonderful week!

xoxo,
SouthernSass


 

Blue Wagon....

I am so overwhelmed busy right now, and it is mostly because of work, but more honestly Steve HDR!  In my tiny amount of free time I am reading, learning and when its NOT raining - out shooting.   This obession shall pass....

This is my first single HDR image; normally there are three bracketed images.   I found this pretty blue treasure in my daddy's barn.  I have been in, and around this barn lots of time over the past years and cannot believe that I missed this sweet, blue wooden wagon.  It was built by my daddy's uncle over 60 years ago.  I just love it!

Thank you to all of you who have continued to visit and comment!  I love you all, and will be stopping by this week - "pinky-promise."  This is what my youngest son used to say when he meant that you had better keep a promise!

Be sure to visit Barn Charm and Midweek Blues for more great photos!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

An Old Gem....

This lovely barn has seen better days, but it is still standing and is full of charm and character!  I especially love the blue pan that was probably used to hold feed or water for the animals that were once kept inside. 

This picture was taken on a partly cloudy day.   The sky and foreground are both washed out.  Other than applying a texture - anything else I tried did not satisfy me.   Feel free to shout out any editing tips!

I definitely prefer the aged/grungy look the texture gives this beautiful old place.

Be sure to visit Barn Charm for more great barns.  Also, be sure to visit here for midweek blues.

**Lisa Gordon hosts The Creative Exchange each week but I forgot to link up before I posted last night.   This place holds a special place in my heart and I loved spending time there this past weekend taking photos and remembering good times from my childhood.  

For those who are wondering - those are collard greens planted in front.   Years ago it was fenced in and was used to hold cows. 

I hope you are having a lovely week!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

     

Bird on a Wire

I really need a larger zoom lens, but this shot will have to do.   This pretty little bird was hanging out in the middle of a field on Sunday.   It was a beautiful blue-sky day without a cloud in sight and the temps were in the low 60s. 

He/she seemed to be looking out over the field searching for something to eat.  Suprisingly, the forecast is for snow late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning.   1 inch of snow is nothing to my other blogging friends, but it is a big deal here in the South!   However, I really am ready for warmer weather and more sun-filled days. 

I hope you are all having a fabulous week!  Be sure to visit here for more great Midweek Blues.

xoxo,
SouthernSass

An Old Pen...

While this does not necessarily meet the definition of a barn, it was used to house chickens and other small farm animals at one time. 

   
Although it has seen better days, I love the character of this patched up little pen.   Looks like a great spot for hide and seek!

For more great barns be sure to visit Tricia.    The sky was so clear and blue that particular day and this photo will also be my submission to Midweek Blues.  
 

Blue Morning Glory

Even though here in the South we are not getting hammered with snow, we have had a much colder winter than usual and a lot of the days have been overcast and gloomy.   Today is another of those days and its pretty windy.    

I found this sweet Morning Glory while going through some old pics and thought I would share it with you. 

This was taken last spring.   I am counting down the days; I miss the sunshine, pretty flowers and walking barefoot in the grass. 

Happy Wednesday!!   To all my blogging friends up North - stay warm and be safe!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Barn Charm and Midweek Blues

Tuesday is almost gone and Wednesday is almost here, so I am combining this post for Barn Charm and Midweek Blues.  

I used Charlene McCoy's Vintage texture (her textures are great!!) and ran Pioneer Woman's Boost and Warmer actions.   The light was fading fast and the shots I took of the front did not turn out well.  I plan on going back when the weather cooperates to get more shots.  

I hope you are all having a great week!

xoxo,
SouthernSass
                   

Horse Barn and Midweek Blues

I wish I had the history behind this barn.  I know that it is very old and used to be owned by the City, but is now privately owned.   It sits adjacent to a race track that is used for sulky races.   

I have never seen a brick horse barn before and was pretty excited to find this one close to home.  The snow/ice on the ground is a bonus!  I also added Kim Klassen's Greyday texture.

We ended up with 2 inches of snow and had a coating of sleet on top of that followed by freezing drizzle.  Its pretty to look out at - but not a lot of fun to get out in for me.   Southerner's are not used to this kind of weather and driving quickly becomes hazardous.   I had stocked up beforehand and was able to stay put.  Hopefully I am over the worst of the crud - good riddance!

Be sure to visit Tricia for more great barns and check out Midweek Blues too!  

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Blue Bird - Midweek Blues

This pretty blue bird was sitting in a window display inside of Tiffany's in New York City.   My son wanted to get his girlfriend something special for Christmas.  I wish I had snapped more pics while we were in the store, but my son gave me that "please don't embarass me by taking tons of pictures" look.

The jewelry was absolutely beautiful, but it was very apparent that we were on the very expensive wrong floor of the 5 story building.   He did find a very pretty silver necklace with an oval-shaped pendant.   She was absolutely thrilled with it, and who wouldn't be with something from Tiffany's?  

Be sure to visit here for more great mid week blues!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

St. Thomas Church and Midweek Blues

While visiting New York City last week, we toured St. Thomas Church.  I am a little bummed that the pics did not come out exactly as I wanted, but I am on a learning curve with the new camera (and photography).

The architecture is simply amazing.  The church was built in 1913. 

The interior is breathtaking and the stonework blew me away!  How did they do it back then? 

The blue stained glass windows were my favorite!  It was so peaceful inside this beautiful church - relatively empty compared to St. Patrick's cathedral, which I will share with you tomorrow. 

Be sure to visit the Dusty Cellar for more Midweek Blues.   I can't believe New Years Eve is only a couple of days away!

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo,

SouthernSass

Midweek Blues - Blue Tarp

This house is owned by my brother-in-law and is near 100 years old.   It has electricity but no indoor plumbing.   It is rented to a gentleman who lives there by himself.  The main source of heat is the fireplace, but hopefully he has a second heat source as well.

The blue tarp on the porch caught my eye.  It looks like the wood is rotten in spots.  I also love the old bench car seat that serves as a place to sit and watch the world go by.  

Be sure to visit The Dusty Cellar for other midweek "blues."

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Blue Ford Tractor..

This is one of several tractors that my brother-in-law has.   He is a farmer and works so hard.  I never really knew how hard these men and women worked and I am very appreciative of their efforts. 

I am still messing around with textures and this photo was a little over-exposed so I added a couple of textures to try and compensate for that.   Please be sure to visit here for more great mid-week blues! 

Have a lovely Wednesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Blue Canoes...

We were at a local park, and I could not resist these two blue canoes sitting on the bank.  They made a great subject along with the gorgeous reflections in the water.  

This is my Midweek Blues submission.  Be sure to stop by to see other great "blues."  

I will be super busy tomorrow getting ready for our Thanksgiving holiday.   We going to visit with my sister-in-law and her husband and I hope to bring back lots of rural "Southern" shots to share with you!

I wish all of you here in the United States a peaceful and happy Thanksgiving holiday, and my other friends a peaceful and happy day as well!  Let's all remember to take time out (no matter where we live) to appreciate our family, friends, loved ones and all that we have been given, and to remember those who are in need.

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Burst of Sunlight....

My friend and mentor Steve taught me this technique.   Set your f stop to 22 and focus on the sun through a tree branch or other object.   The result is a really neat burst of sunlight!  Please check out his blog and flickr page - you will not be disappointed! 

Pretty cool, huh?   The blue sky was really vivid, so I am using this as my Midweek Blues submission.

Hope you are having a great week!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Dragonfly in Color

I posted this dragonfly last week in black and white.   This is the color version with another Kim Klassen texture (lyrical) added.  I love her textures!!

I like it equally well in black and white, as well as in color.  I love the beautiful blue color of its body. 

Its Wednesday and time for midweek blues so be sure to stop by and check it out!  I hope you all are having a great week.  The weather is warm here - 78 degrees today.  I hope to find some time to get out with my camera, even its just in my backyard. 

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Midweek Blues - Bokeh Baby

I shot this dragonfly earlier this summer.  I loved the blue bokeh I caught in this photo!

I am so happy to know what bokeh is!   I am still learning, but I am loving every minute of it!

Go here for more great mid-week blues!

Happy Wednesday!!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Midweek Blues - Fair Scene

I snapped this shot at the fair last week.  The skies were incredibly clear - but I could not get the "vivid blue" that I was after. 

I added a texture from Shadowhouse Creations and am quite pleased with the outcome, considering I am new to using textures and am not sure how to blend correctly.  

Be sure to visit the Dusty Cellar for other great midweek blues!

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Old Blue - Revisited

"Old Blue" is back.  I went home this past weekend and daddy brought him out from underneath the shed.   This is a 1971 F100 Ford pickup truck.  

He has seen better days, but like the Energizer Bunny and with good maintenance, he keeps on going!  I did not texture this photo and the lighting was better - so here you have the true Old Blue.  

For more great Midweek Blues be sure to visit The Dusty Cellar.

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Bee in Flight

I caught this bee just as he was taking off from a flower.  It is not the clearest shot, but I the blue in the flower fits perfectly for Midweek Blues!

Have a great Wednesday!  Be sure to visit The Dusty Cellar for more mid-week blues!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Old Blue

Old Blue was given to my dad after his first cousin's husband died.  They were very close, and he loved daddy and wanted him to have this truck.    

Old Blue has seen better days; the floorboard is rusted through in spots and I am not sure if the heat works, but it is a perfect addition to the country!

For more Midweek Blues check out The Dusty Cellar.

xoxo,
SouthernSass