T is for Too Much Fun with Filters

 

Sometimes I like to play around with built-in filters in photo processing programs. Usually I work with my photos in Lightroom and sometimes in Photoshop. I even have a basic version of Lightroom on my phone. But sometimes I'm just a bit lazy and simply like to see how much a photo is changed when I apply a filter.

The above photo I took in the summer while we were in Bandon, Oregon. This was the view from our balcony which meant that we could see the sunset from here if the weather was cooperative (which it only was once or twice). This is a very mediocre photo, but it has a quiet mood which I like. I was curious - what would happen if I applied one (or more) of the built-in filters on my phone?

The first filter I applied is "Afterglow".

It enhanced the sunset vibe of the image, pulling all the magentas and purples and saturating them in full force. While I like it, I also think it's the kind of photos we see everywhere. I also think it's unfortunate that the colors are only in the sky and not reflected in the water.

"Luminous" was the filter that I used next.

Now this was a lot better and more balanced. It resembles the mood of the evening, the not-so-perfect weather with clouds and subtle colors. I could see this on the cover of a mystery novel "Murder by the Sea" where the days would be windy and often gray with only an occasional presence of the sun. Have you read the books of Elly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway series? The setting is Norfolk, a part of England I know well and love. It can get quite moody there, and this is what this photo reminds me of (and next to the Pacific Ocean I like the North Sea best, so there). If you like mystery novels tied in with some archaeology, the Ruth Galloway series is for you (it's a good idea to read the books in order, starting with "The Crossing Places").

Back to the photo - I tried some more filters, none of which I liked, until the very last one - "Stormy".

This is my favorite one. I like the dark mood with the deep colors. You could almost think it's not the sun in the sky, but a full moon. Why not? The cover for a spy story maybe? Or another mystery novel? What do you think?

Which one is your favorite? 

Wait - isn't this a T Tuesday post that is hosted every week by the lovely Elizabeth? Of course it is! So, last Friday was the Geek's birthday. Whoever has a birthday in our family can decide whether they want to get out for dinner or what they want to have if we're staying home. The Geek opted for staying home and he wanted steak - so that's what I cooked, a Bloody Mary steak. I also baked focaccia, and our drink was a glass of wonderful Zinfandel from one of our favorite wineries.

Circles in the Sand

 

While spending our short vacation in Bandon, Oregon, we were lucky to see the Circles in the Sand on their last day before a two-week break. On Monday morning while the tide was out several artists under the guidance of labyrinth artist Denny Dyke began drawing circles and spirals in the sand that are connected in a labyrinth with just one way in and out.

Here you can see some of the artists putting the final touch to the labyrinth.

By ten o'clock the circles were done and after a short talk the labyrinth was opened to the public to walk it. We had been there early and were able to take pictures before big and small feet wandered through it.

Circles in the Sand were started by Denny Dyke when he created them for his own walking meditations. This year is the seventh season of the Circles in the Sand, located at Face Rock Viewpoint. It was just a pleasant 20 minutes walk on the beach from our hotel.

We didn't walk the circles right after they were opened. We explored further along the beach and came back an hour later when most of the people were already gone. Thus the walk through the labyrinth became indeed much more of a walking meditation.

The intention of Circles in the Sand is to share love, joy and kindness. Therefore it is no surprise to see empowering messages and many hearts.

Of course this message was something that the Geek and I couldn't pass by. As you can see, it was a chilly and windy day (while the remaining Pacific Northwest was sweltering in a heat wave).

Usually the path is available to walking for about two to three hours until the tide comes in and the ocean claims the circles. By the end of the walk visitors were encouraged to do their own sand drawing in a side area. 

We climbed to the viewpoint up on the cliff to see what the circles looked like from above. It was quite impressive and I love Face Rock in the back.

When we came back in the evening to watch the stunning sunset, all of the circles were gone.

If you want to know more about Circles in the Sand, here is a lovely six minutes long video.

Cliff Fence

Do you see the fence up on the cliff? It's from up here that we enjoyed those beautiful sunsets over the Pacific Ocean in Bandon, Oregon. There are stairs down to the beach as well and on top is a parking lot. The stairs are actually rather comfortable, I was surprised about that (we took them down one evening and then up again). It didn't take us longer than five minutes to climb up to the top of  the cliff.

It's a pretty big area - and so is the beach. Endless. At high tide most of the rocks are surrounded by water, but at low tide you can walk around them and even see some seastars clinging to the rocks.

You have to look hard to see the fence in this picture - it's on the very right.

And this is what the fence looks like from the top at sunset - you had already seen it in a different post.

I'm linking up with Theresa's Good Fences again.

Sunset Fence by the Sea

While in Bandon we watched every sunset. There is a tiny wayside park on the cliff from where you have a gorgeous view over the Pacific - and into the setting sun.

This is the other side, away from the ocean. I loved how the sun was reflected in the window.

Or let's have a look through the fence.

But I don't want to keep you from a clear view over the ocean. The rocks in the sea are typical for Bandon - as for the entire Oregon coast. It makes this place truly wild.

I'm linking up with Good Fences again!