The face carved on the mountain on a Native American reservation

Visited a Native American reservation in Colorado and photographed this image of a face carved on the mountain. Now that was really high for Native Americans to get to make the carving with primitive tools! I am sure it is a face and it is indeed a carving.

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Another panoramic view of Colorado

Here is a different panoramic view of Colorado mountains on a Native American reservation. Look at how low the clouds to the right are hanging! 

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Mountains on Native American Reservation in New Mexico

This was a fantastic view of mountains near the Red Mesa Verde in New Mexico on a Native American reservation that I photographed. The reservation is still owned by generations of the original tribe the land belonged to and retains its independent state of no trespassing. Generations later, great great grandchildren as members of the original tribe offer tours to the public for a small fee. It was a sunny day as is evident in the image!

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A panoramic view of Colorado mountains

I photographed this image of distant mountains, a forest, and large areas of green land in Colorado. Nice, isn't it?

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Colorado Peaks

The peaks of the mountains I hiked in Colorado are photographed in a digital panorama image above. I hiked through spring rains, up mountains, and across waterfalls flowing down in cascades of water drops before I could get this image. I could have hiked further still, but little ascent was left on the trail used by other hikers. Most of the remaining trail was lateral until reaching lakes. Before I could reach the lakes, I turned back to beat dusk. I hope to return.

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Decor at a South Asian henna ceremony for a bride-to-be

I photographed this image used as a colorful display of decor at a South Asian henna tattoo ceremony for a bride-to-be. It is a metallic vase traditionally used in the region of South Asia. It was dressed up with colorful tassels and placed within holiday decor to match the color on a pedestal next to the sitting area for the bride and groom. Makes for a good picture of the bride and groom being photographed by all the guests.  

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Henna tattoo on palm of hand

Here is a henna tattoo I did on the palm of the hands using simple dots, lines, and filling in the tips of the fingers. I was speaking to the youth at an event about the cultural significance and importance of henna tattoos as a form of body art in the South Asian culture.  

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Henna Tattoo

Another henna tattoo that I did at an event to speak to the youth about the cultural importance and significance of henna tattoos as a form of body art in the South Asian culture. 
 
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Henna Tattoo Event

At an event in Summer 2010 of July, I spoke to a community youth group about the cultural significance of henna tattoos as a form of body art in the South Asian culture. After the short speaking engagement, I applied tattoos to the children in designs and words of their choice with another volunteer. They had looked up flowers, dolphins, words, and other designs they wanted in books before hand and had those readily available for me to copy the designs onto their hands, arms, feet, and legs. This was an opportunistic bunch having done much of the research beforehand! Kudos to them. Here is one of the pictures a young boy had applied to his knuckles symbolizing so much of what children see at this age at school and on television.   

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Curved Oak Trees

Curved Oak Trees

I photographed these curved oak trees while I was shooting nature landscapes. These unique trees are live oaks that remain evergreen in the winter unlike other oaks that have leaves that look brownish and dry in winter. 

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Two white geese

I snapped this image at the perfect moment as one of these white geese shook its feathers out to clear its wings. Made for a nice image! I like the color combination of green, brown, white, and orange (beak). I thought that I wasn't going to get any worthy images on this day with brown lake waters after many rains. But, I am glad I took my camera with me just in case.

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Bird looking right at the camera

This little red and black bird with its bright yellow beak stood right on this rock in front of a lake and looked right at the camera as I photographed it! What a poser! 

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Seven goslings in a row (more or less)

These little guys were yellow and were starting to get their brown color as you might be able to see in this image if you look close. These are Canadian goslings and will grow to be brown with some white markings and black beaks. These were all a part of the same nest and they were following their mother and father as quickly as their short legs could take them!

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Goat looking right at the camera

I took this photo of a goat and newly born goat on a farm. The older goat looked right at the camera! I was safe behind a fence though in case it charged! I did notice that the older goat has two horns on its head and I was NOT trying to get charged at. Try as I might, the little goat would not look at the camera; at least not at the same time as the older goat. 

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Goose looking straight at the camera

I have noted that geese only get territorial about people getting too close with their cameras in the spring season after the females have given birth to goslings. That is when male and female geese take care of their goslings together and hiss at standers-by who get too close to get away from their offspring! Otherwise, I got this close!

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Mountain Vista in Colorado

I photographed this image hiking the desert trails of the Mesa Verde on Native American lands in Colorado. It made for a perfect mountain vista against blue skies and low hanging clouds. There was greenery on the desert, albeit, shrubs and grasses. The lands are treated as a museum to visit with live tours, but ownership is retained by the Native Americans (to the tribal members) from generation to generation to whom the lands originally belonged. It made for an interesting tour that I greatly enjoyed in learning about the historical lessons of a people from long ago and their culture, lifestyle, and a will to live evident in their native ways. I wish to return and to continue to visit other Native American tribal lands. I urge everybody to do this at least once in a lifetime. It is a great learning experience and a fundamental for children on family vacations. There is plenty to do in these areas where nature and wildlife abound.  

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Sunset on a Lake

I love photographing sunsets as it is my favorite light of day to photograph. Perhaps, I will get up early enough one day to photograph sunrises! This sunset was perfectly reflected on the lake as a bright, fiery orange with shades of peach visible on what were blue waters. The branches and leaves are in total silhouette and the effect was dazzling to me. As I passed by this clearing, I just had to capture the scene with my camera and voila! 


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A little motion blur of a blossom on a twig

Spring in the neighborhood

As I photographed this image, a light breeze blew and I got the perfect motion blur on camera. Happy viewing as spring is in the air (or not, depending on where you live and how cold it STILL is)!

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Carnival on the Boardwalk

Atlantic City, New Jersey

This was a photograph of a carnival on the boardwalk at the beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The mood was fun and festive. The sounds of the crowd having fun were heard in the distance. The scene was captured wonderfully with the bright lights, even from afar. The black night sky was a perfect contrast to the carnival lights!

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Waterfall in New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico

As I hiked the Albuquerque trail going up a mountain in New Mexico, a light rain started to fall. The lush greenery around me and the cool temperature felt refreshing. The drizzle became heavier and slowed, never pouring. This continued for the remainder of the hike. Hikers went up at their own pace, with many behind me passing me, as I photographed. This scene opened before me as I ascended and I lined up the perfect shot. I loved the water. When I crossed it, it was icy cold! My feet got wet and I continued on up the trail. Good thing I brought dry socks! About halfway up the mountain, I wanted to continue on a long flat part around the mountain until I could go further up where there were lakes some miles away, however I decided not to. I turned around and started my descent to beat dusk. I was hoping to return someday and finish the entire hike up to the further most top part of the mountain. I want to see the lakes to photograph those as well. Then, I can come back home knowing I have hiked the mountain in its entirety.   

I enlarged this image to hang as art as it is one of my favorites. This piece was also exhibited in an art show.

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Hall of mirrors in Versailles, France

Hall of Mirrors

I was visiting France just at the outskirts of Paris in Versailles. I was at the palace (turned museum) of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette conquered by Napoleon Bonaparte. I reached the famed Hall of Mirrors with exquisite chandeliers that looked to be of crystal. Since then, the chandeliers have been updated to have electricity and no longer burn so many candles! The entire hall was gorgeous! It opened to one side with windows through which sunlight reached. Both sides were intermittently lined with mirrors, but that's not all. There were pedestals with antique art of busts of famed persons of the time period sitting atop the pedestals. The room was crystal (silver), golden, and white. Complemented with sunlight or just the dazzle of the chandelier light, it was an amazing effect. I am sure some of the grandest events of the 15th-16th century had been hosted in the hall of mirrors...I just wish I could look back in time to see it!    

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Texture and Light

Photographed this texture in the natural sunlight available in Virginia. Photographed head-on this flat image was blah and boring. Photographed at an angle, this image has depth, dimension, and looks interesting. Can be used as wall art or as a computer desktop photo or screensaver!

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River side restaurant in Texas

Liked and photographed this table setting at an outdoor seating area of a river side restaurant in Texas at the Venice of America where the San Antonio River has been dammed and the flow diverted to create a scenic shopping and recreation area complete with classy hotel accommodations. The mall and buildings have entrances that open to the street side or the river side flowing between them that have water taxis as low powered speed boats to taxi people around for a small fee. Lovely area. Will love to go back!
 

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Video clip of TV appearance for Digital Photos by Rhia

I went on the Ed Brown Show. I discussed photography on this episode. Check it out! I am offering one-on-one photography lessons. Contact for details. The video on Facebook is viewable by anybody off Facebook at the link below. 

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=954750354542711&l=3840569721821744611

Use this link to share this video with anybody on or off Facebook. Check out my discussion on digital photography for Digital Photos by Rhia (Facebook fan page).

I am in the second half of the show. Feel free to forward to my part by dragging the video scroll bar to 11:32 for this third appearance on Ed Brown Show discussing photography for Digital Photos by Rhia.

 

Stalks reaching the sky

While exploring Texas, I came across a marshy area that was followed on the journey by these stalks reaching high into the sky. I dropped down low to get this picture from a worm's eye view (as opposed to bird's eye view) to capture the stalks towering high above me. It worked! This image was exhibited as a print at an art show. It was my entry photo into the exhibit. I loved the green-yellow stalks against the blue sky.  

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Corpus Christi, Texas

Corpus Christi Ocean Waves

Photographed on the beach at Corpus Christi, TX as the ocean waves crested and moved toward shore. The key to getting a good ocean picture is to stand at an angle so that the horizon line and the waves are not completely horizontal and there is some depth and drama to the photo. I enlarged this print to a 16x20 and the deep blue water with the frothy, white waves always get oohs and aahs, especially when I get to the part about sunset...

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Wildflowers in New Mexico

Wildflowers on Mountain in Albuquerque

While hiking up a mountain in Albuquerque, NM in the USA, I photographed these yellow wildflowers as the sunlight shone down on the lush green mountains. These wildflowers were exhibited in an art show with a nature theme. The scene was akin to what is seen on the travel channel on television. The entire landscape was amazing to walk in with crisp, clear, cool mountain air. Can't wait to go hiking again with this view! This piece as a print is an excellent conversation starter. People will ask about where it was photographed. This will lead to the topic of travel!

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Venice of America

Bridge Reflected on River

Here is an image of a bridge lit from underneath and reflected on the water. This is known as the Venice of America in San Antonio, Texas. The water is from the San Antonio River, which has been dammed and the flow diverted to create this 'Venice'. The area is full of shopping in a 3 floor mall, eateries, hotels, and other places of interest. Architecture is beautiful and the landscaping work of tropical trees adds to the effect. The lights reflected here after sunset were dazzling. The entire area is gorgeous by day or night. Water taxis (low powered speed boats) taxi patrons back and forth at regular intervals. Buildings also open to the street side. Locals, as well as tourists, love this area! I look forward to going back!  

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Photo in glowing sepia antique finish

This image is identical to the blog image posted currently as you enter the site. The difference is that this image is not in b&w. It is in a sepia antique finish that seems to make the photo glow. The shoes were a silver sequined pair. The wood surface the shoes rested on complemented the image as seen here perfectly. With professional digital editing software, it is possible to have this and many other effects on digital images to render a photo that is a work of art.

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Foliage in San Antonio

At Switzerland of America: San Antonio, TX

I photographed this as the sun hit this plant at the perfect angles to make the palm tree look lit up from below. The vibrant shades of green visible in its leaves would not have been possible to capture by camera otherwise. This piece was exhibited at an art show.

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A blue bicycle at the beach

Blue Bicycle at the Beach

Anything can be inspiring. At first, I almost didn't take this picture. Then when I saw the image in its original form, it was good, but not great. It could have been better. That's when I applied a few edits and oomph! There it is! Looks so much better. Something worthy of an image on the wall for a perfect conversation piece with guests over. And we all have some beach stories...!

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St. Chapelle Cathedral in France

St. Chapelle Cathedral

Photographed this at the perfect time for the sun to be in THIS EXACT POSITION behind the spire! The famous cathedral is located in Paris, France.

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Stained glass windows of the Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral, France

The beauty of the stained glass windows from the inside of the Notre Dame Cathedral are resplendent in vibrant color on glorious full display in this image captured in France. Many are reminded of spirituality when present in some of the famous houses of worship in the world. What would that feeling be without color? Just a thought.   

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Peacock at the Zoo in Costa Rica

Peacock in Costa Rica

I got a digital photo of the gorgeous colors of this peacock's plume at a zoo in Costa Rica on a visit encompassing education, travel, vacation, photography, food, culture, and the Spanish language. What a visit! The time for vacation after my educational commitments were satisfied was the best time of my life up to that point on any vacation! 

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Red Mesa Against Blue Skies

Red Mesa in Colorado

On a visit traveling to the Mesa area in Colorado, I was able to get some gorgeous images captured against sunny blue skies with low hanging white clouds. There were areas of Colorado that had clouds hanging lower than this. But the colors of this image are stunning. This piece was exhibited in 2010 in Splendor of Natural Vistas. Mesa is known as red, verde, and verde black on white.  

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National Harbor at Night in MD

National Harbor at Night in MD

Just beautiful. No more words. Enough said.

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Bee gathering nectar on flowers

Bee Gathering Nectar

I captured this image as quietly and closely as I could.

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National Harbor at Night in Maryland

National Harbor at Night in Maryland

I photographed this skyline and waterscape at night in Prince George's County, Maryland right by the new bridge crossing over between Maryland and Virginia. I believe the Potomac River runs right up to it. The contrast of the lights and the reflections on the water against the darkest black sky is amazing! Gorgeous, isn't it?

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White floral in the wild

White Floral in the Wild

I photographed this image of a floral growing in the wild at the time of midafternoon to late afternoon sunlight. Nice, isn't it?

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Gardens in MD

Gardens in MD

I photographed these bright, colorful flowers growing all topsy turvy at a garden in Maryland and exhibited these at a solo art show.

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My fave digital shot of the Eiffell Tower from my 1st trip ever to Paris!

Eiffel Tower at Night in Paris, France

I photographed this image on my 1st ever visit to Paris. This has become one of my fave locations in all of France so far, but I've only been to Paris and Versailles so there is plenty more to see. I can't pick just one fave location in all of Europe! There are just too many! Europe is too vast. 

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Closest deer to date

Deer Feeding Close to Dusk

This is the closest I have gotten to date to this many deer feeding. They come out every year during certain seasons to feed right before dusk. The light always fades fast as I photograph them. Their instinct tells them when to come out for food. Their safety is a key concern to them. They have gotten used to me and notice that my camera is of no harm. In this picture, they are not even looking up at me.  

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Beach view visible from mountain in Costa Rica

Beach View from Mountain at Ruins in Costa Rica

As I rode horseback up a mountain nearby a beach in Costa Rica, I stopped at some ruins to photograph the distant view. The waves crashing against the shore were visible; as was the city. From there, it didn't look like there was a lot of sand on this beach. But I assure you, there was while I was below the mountain. The lush greenery was right up against the ruins with the columns and arches. The crumbling facade was reminiscent of a time long ago. Yet the structure stood strong against many a storm. The stone of the ruins was surprisingly bleached white; possibly, from the exposure to strong sunlight at elevation above sea level. The trek down is always easier than the trek up. Even my horse felt the difference as he trotted back down carrying his load, me as a passenger, with ease. He was anxious to gallop, but I held him at bay. He seemed to be anxious to leave the ruins and I couldn't help but wonder; what had his wise eyes seen over the years that I hadn't and never would?  

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Canvas art from Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi Sunset on the Beach

As I walked along the beach at twilight during sunset in Corpus Christi, TX, I photographed the calmest part of the day when most had already left to head back home. It was the best time during the trip that I still remember every day I look at this canvas art. Very tranquil mood despite the roar of the ocean. Even the solitary bird visible pecking at the beach is no longer flying high in the sky. 

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Ferris Wheel at Night

Carnival Ferris Wheel at Night

I photographed this ferris wheel at a carnival at night. Love the colors against the total black sky. 

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Exhibited Art from 2010-2011

Exhibited Art

I photographed this in Maryland and prepared it with digital editing for exhibiting in a solo art show in 2010 - 2011. 

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One of my fave images from my travels also edited by me

A Capture from the Botanical Gardens

I photographed this image while on a visit to the Botanical Gardens in Washington, DC. Love the rich color!

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One of my fave images from my travels also edited by me

Dandelion

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One of my fave images from my travels also edited by me

Spring Bud in Bloom

I photographed this image one year in spring as I hiked through woods right after the buds and blooms had started to appear for the year's growth. The background is the fall leaves of the previous season as they never disintegrated over the winter. The colors look gorgeous as they are blurred in the background against the contrast of the green bud reaching up to the sunlight.

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One of my fave images from my travels also edited by me

New Jersey Pinelands

I photographed this on a hike through the Pinelands in NJ. 

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One of my fave images from my travels also edited by me.

Atlantic City, NJ 

 

 

 

 

I photographed this skyline from the beach at dusk after sunset near the boardwalk.

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