McCall, Idaho Winter Sunset

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One weekend in February I had the pleasure of going to camp. The first evening the sky was just so calm and serene, and the evening star shone so bright. The sunset was soft and shallow. This really allowed the entire scene to speak out, rather than the sky stealing the show.

Often a photographer will choose to capture a scene in several different ways, but only show the one he feels is best. I decided I would most enjoy showing you all three versions of how I saw this particular scene. My favorite is the one with the posts in the foreground. Which one is your favorite?

Please let me know what you think in the comments boxes below.

Oregon Road Trip

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Sylvia and I went on a road trip to Portland, Oregon to see her mother. (Actually, she lives in Vancouver, WA but it seems like more people know where Portland is. That, or they get confused between Vancouver, WA and Vancouver, BC.) Along the way I had to stop at the overlook. It is really very high above the valley, but the conditions at the time and the lens I used really didn't let that part of the story come through.

There was skinny trail through the grass leading off to who knows where, but all I could do was point my lens and make a photograph. I didn't have the time to follow my nose.

We didn't do a whole lot, but one of the fun things we did was to visit the Portland Chinese Garden. It was really very beautiful, even in the autumn. It was a cloudy day so I didn't photography much worth showing. The lanterns were very cool, and the floor mosaics all over were amazing. Each of the different areas had a different theme, story, or meaning. The photograph of the large area with the jagged floor mosaic represents ice and the dark spots are berries or flowers. I've forgotten so much! It was either 'winter' because of the ice, or 'spring' because of the breaking up of the ice, and the flowers.

*I cannot sell any of the images from the Chinese Garden without special permission as everything inside is copyrighted. 

PSA MarvinBowen.com - a Photo Blog

 MarvinBowen.com - a Photo Blog

Friends and friendlies, welcome to my newest foray into the public world of personal display!

I have long pondered the re-awakening of this website, which has sputtered along in one form or another for the past 7 years. At times, it has gone quiet altogether. Now, I invite you to follow along with me as I present my art, my recreation, and my own style of whimsy. For now you'll mostly see photographs on this site, but from time to time I'll likely provide some drawings or poems. Maybe I'll mix n' match.

Please browse through each section. If you'd just like to see everything I've posted check out the blog page, or the archive. And of course have a look at any of the images available to be purchased as prints. I would be honored to have my images displayed on your wall.

I have recently come to the conclusion that to make art of any kind, and not share it, is a tragedy. So, here is my life.

Life is art.

MarvinBowen.com a Photo Blog

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."       - Genesis 2:7

Horseshoe Bend Sunset & Editing

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While I do try to remain honest with my photography, sometimes you have to push the edge of reality just a little bit. On a beautiful January day, I was happily working away at my desk (at home) when I noticed the sky start to become more and more rich and bold in color. I had my camera ready and rushed outside to snap off a few images before the colors died. Usually this type of sunset sky only lasts a moment or two when it is at its most magical, so I had to be fast. Because of this, I had to shoot it where I was. In town. No time to run up the pass or around the bend of the river. Just shoot!

Below is a description of what I did to make the image appealing to you and I, and to be usable as the featured image for this website.

1. In the first image you'll notice two things:




• There are power lines


• The highest hill is on the right, not the left.




2. In the second image the power lines are gone


3. In the third image I flipped it so that there would be a good place for the site name and tag line

Click on the first image and then use your keyboard's arrow keys to quickly flip back and forth for the magical disappearing act.

It's as simple as that. Though it did take over an hour to remove the 'man made' stuff. If only I had Photoshop CS5...

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Payette River Frost

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On my way to visit Sylvia at work I had to stop and photograph the cold, winter river. This valley runs east/west so it gets little to no sunlight during the winter months. So even though it was the middle of the day, there was still plenty of frost on the rocks. The river humidity makes an ever-present ice covering in the deep of the valley.

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Payette River "Beach"

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This is a prime example of almost doing it right, then trying again. And getting it very wrong
on the second try.

I first decided to shoot the little beach and when I thought I had it, I moved on to doing a "backup" shot of it with the sky. Well, both shots were sub-par. The first is mostly a cropping issue (save the lack of light, but the sun doesn't shine here for more than half the year). The second has a better crop, but in trying to create and HDR shot from 4 exposures I really ruined this one. Not to worry. I'm showing it anyway. This is a blog, after all, not a portfolio.

Project Patch and Payette River

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One day I needed to go to Project Patch. I decided to bring along my camera. The trip was very nice, and I saw some beautiful things. For the time of day I feel like I got some nice images. What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

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