Colorado Photography of the American West

Interested in purchasing any of these prints? Click here to visit my gallery of fine art Colorado photography for sale.

28 April 2010

May 2010 Free Wallpaper Calendar

May 2010 free wallpaper calendar of mountain creek and bluebellsA tiny spring rivulet of a creek bubbles and burbles down the hillside past lichen covered rocks. The bluebells lining the brook sway gently in the breeze as a slow meandering bee lights from flower to flower. The air is scented with earth and water; flower and pine. I hope you have a chance to go outside and enjoy your own unique spring walk. In the meantime, please enjoy your new wallpaper calendar for May.













May 2010 free wallpaper calendar of mountain creek and bluebells

download your free desktop wallpaper calendar for May 2010 here

Easy Instructions
After clicking on the above link
you will be at my Flickr page. Simply click on
"Download the Original size"
at the top left of the page.
The file will then download to your desktop!




Etsy
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JulieMagersSoulen

25 April 2010

Sacred Sanctuary in Chimajo, New Mexico

An ornate Spanish altar in a historical southwestern mission is rich in warm colors of orange, red, and gold and glows in the soft light.We had been visiting the historical Spanish missions in the southwestern United States on our vacation a couple years ago. Both of us appreciate old architecture, history and culture. As we went from small village to small village I discovered that most of the old churches did not allow photography inside. Discouraged but respectful I left the camera in the car and contented myself to soaking up memories. I was moved by the feeling of sacredness in these old missions. The peaceful serenity permeated the atmosphere. So when we arrived at the mission in Chimajo I expected the same, but it felt even more enduring and sacred. It almost seemed as if the hundreds of years of loving worship there had changed the structure itself. You can imagine my great delight when I was told it was permissible to photograph the inside of the mission. I very much wanted to capture the feeling of this mission and not just the image. I hope it brings you a feeling of peaceful serenity.






An ornate Spanish altar in a historical southwestern mission is rich in warm colors of orange, red, and gold and glows in the soft light.
The Altar
An ornate Spanish altar in a historical southwestern mission is rich in warm colors of orange, red, and gold and glows in the soft light. Chimajo, New Mexico
click here for purchase information on this photo





A filtered and soft warm glow lights the altar inside this ornately decorated Spanish mission in New Mexico.


A filtered and soft warm glow lights the altar inside this ornately decorated Spanish mission in New Mexico.
Sacred Sanctuary
A filtered and soft candlelight glows inside this ornately decorated Spanish mission in Chimajo, New Mexico.
click here for purchase information on this photo













Etsy
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JulieMagersSoulen

23 April 2010

Enchanted Forest - Friday Features

A misty spring morning in a mountain forest of the Rockies of Colorado creates a fairy tale landscape where you can almost see the forest elves peeking out from behind tall majestic pines.It rained all night, a rare event in the semi-arid American West. It put me to sleep and was still drizzling when I awoke. Although the forest was damp and gloomy, it was also enchanting with mist and fog swirling through the trees as if inviting unseen creatures to briefly appear among the tall trunks. It inspired this woodland collection of charming items. Be sure to click on the item for more information or the artist's name to visit their shop. Enjoy!










An ancient and knotty tree with many roots.
Les Racines numero 2
by Marco La Grenouille







This jasper gemstone leaf carving with tiny vermeil flower accents hangs from a hand strung gemstone bead necklace with wire wrapped drops and a jade toggle.
Carved jasper leaf necklace
by jbEbert







Forest green messenger bag
The Colliegette-Green Leaves
by Cecil and Co







Cedar Waxwing metallic art print
Gentle One
by Karen Casey Smith






the alaskan warmer is made of a mixture of lamb's wool and acrylic
The Alaskan Warmer
by Ozetta








Etsy
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JulieMagersSoulen

21 April 2010

Black and White Architectural Arches Photography

Architecture has always fascinated me as a subject. I often see patterns when I am taking pictures and the crisp geometric lines of a building pop out at me. Shadows and light are sharper too and translate well to a black and white photograph. In this photo I like the chaotic element of the tree branches protruding into the frame for visual interest. I hope you like it.


A black and white photo of a stately brick building with ornate scrolled stone work and tall arched windows could be found on any college campus.


A black and white photo of a stately brick building with ornate scrolled stone work and tall arched windows could be found on any college campus.
Arches and Brick
A black and white photo of a stately brick building with ornate scrolled stone work and tall arched windows could be found on any college campus. Denver, Colorado
click here for purchase information on this photo





Etsy
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JulieMagersSoulen

18 April 2010

Jazz Singer

A jazz club's dance floor is glowing with the reflection of deep purple and magenta mood lights.A few weeks ago we went to a Denver night club called "The Soiled Dove Underground" to hear our friend, Venus Cruz sing. The band was "The Future Jazz Project," a group of talented musicians that hook up to play backup for Venus. The lighting and mood was smoky, sultry, and primal. Once Venus took the stage we were captivated. Her voice was silken whiskey on the rocks. The house was packed and it was not long before the dance floor was filled with gyrating, pulsing bodies. For a few hours Venus bonded a diverse group of people with the power of her beautiful voice. We were all connected in a joyous celebration of music.











A jazz club's dance floor is glowing with the reflection of deep purple and magenta mood lights.
Club 142
A jazz club's dance floor is glowing with the reflection of deep purple and magenta mood lights.
click here for purchase information on this photo





A sax player moves trailing green streamers on the stage of a small night club.

A sax player moves trailing green streamers on the stage of a small night club.
Sax Player
A sax player moves in the low light creating green streamers on the stage of a small night club.
click here for purchase information on this photo














Blue lights on a small stage, martini glass glowing, and an evening of jazz.

Blue lights on a small stage, martini glass glowing, and an evening of jazz.
Jazz Singer
Blue lights on a small stage, martini glass glowing, and an evening of jazz.
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Etsy
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JulieMagersSoulen

16 April 2010

A Blush of Pink

A blanket of fog rests silently over the High Plains of Colorado as the sunrise turns pinkA blush of pink tints the eastern horizon the color of a child's flushed cheeks. The whole world becomes saturated with pinkness. My own skin takes on a fresh young glow as the rose colored light permeates the room. Everything is awash with the rosy color of a new day.

Be sure to click on the names of these wonderful artisans to visit their Etsy shops and see all of their fine items.








beautiful yellow flowers dancing in the light of the early morning sun.





Pendant with the photo of a pink and yellow rose.






Painting of a yellow Labrador retriever.






Pink apple blossoms on a yellow background.






Blue bird house.






Etsy
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JulieMagersSoulen

14 April 2010

Photography Studio Open House

A photographer takes pictures. Well, that is no news flash. What may surprise you is that the time spent shooting photography is very small to the amount of time that is spent in the studio. After a typical day shooting maybe two hundred photos or more, I download the digital files to my computer. Then I catalog, keyword, delete, sort, and sort more until I have a small file of workable photos. This can all take the good part of a day.

But then comes the fun part. I get to "play" with the new photos and make them into something beautiful. It may be a minor edit or it might be something purely from my imagination that takes days of work to get just right. It depends on the photograph and what I am trying to communicate to my viewer. I am not a photo journalist so I feel no necessity to sticking to reality. What I remain true to is the emotion of the moment or what the scene was evoking. Sometimes I print numerous drafts before printing an actual archival photograph. Sometimes it's a print! Sometimes it is back to the drawing board. This is the space where you will find me most of the time. I am the one sitting at the computer playing with photography and smiling.


Photography studio work table.
This is my work table which always seems to be over flowing with photo drafts, projects, photography books and files.


My photography studio work station.
Here is the opposite corner of my studio. There is a fireplace, more book shelves, and another table with my "darkroom," the computer.


Southern view out my photography studio window.
Sometimes I just stop and take a look at the view from my work table.

Feel free to ask questions and thanks for visiting!




Etsy
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JulieMagersSoulen

10 April 2010

Fog on the Mesa

A framed photo of a heavy fog shrouds the red mesa and an leaning cottonwood tree creating an eerie atmosphere in the mists.The swirling mist was cold against my face as if an undead lover caressed my cheek. The stillness was only interrupted by the soft hiss of air against the dead leaves. I walked quietly as if I were afraid to disturb some thing that might be lurking in the fog. Camera in hand I started shooting the misty swirls of air. The tree branches stretched and reached out to me as if to stop my progress. Undaunted I continued. Then as I finished framing my last shot I caught a glimpse of movement in the distant haze. It was time to pay the price for my trespass.

Dedicated to the fans of "Twilight" and all vampire fiction. I hope you had as much fun reading this as I did writing it.







A heavy fog shrouds the red mesa and an leaning cottonwood tree creating an eerie atmosphere in the mists.
Fog on the Mesa
A heavy fog shrouds the red mesa and a leaning cottonwood tree creating an eerie atmosphere in the mist.
click here for purchase information on this photo




A cottonwood tree reaches into the foggy landscape with twisted branches.

A framed photo of a cottonwood tree reaches into the foggy landscape with twisted branches.
Cottonwood Fog
A cottonwood tree reaches into the foggy landscape with twisted branches.
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An ancient cottonwood tree is a pale twisted shadow in the gray fog.


A framed photo of an ancient cottonwood tree is a pale twisted shadow in the gray fog.
Fog
An ancient cottonwood tree is a pale twisted shadow in the gray fog.
click here for purchase information on this photo













Etsy
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JulieMagersSoulen

09 April 2010

A Summer Breeze of Turquoise

This week I am featuring the tropical color of turquoise. It inspires me and lets my imagination wander to a Pacific island. Can you see yourself sitting in a rattan chair sipping a mai tai and watching the waves of the ocean spill across the white sand beach. Ah yes, there it is. A summer breeze smelling of coconuts and salty sea. Enjoy the view!

Be sure to visit each of these shops by clicking on the artist's name. They have many more wonderful items to view.


A turquoise neck scarf for summer.





Turquoise waters and cliffs line the coast at Big Sur, California.





A Racquet-tailed Rollar bird from Angola.





Turquoise handbag
SOLD!
by Lucciao





A trio water photos.










Etsy
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JulieMagersSoulen

07 April 2010

Photo Paintings of Canadian Geese

A photo painting of a classic pose of a Canadian goose swimming in tranquil blue water.I have always admired the early nineteenth century paintings of North American birds by John James Audubon. His lovely watercolors have inspired me to approach these photographs of Canadian geese with his work in mind. If you have ever looked at Audubon's paintings you will notice that he has very sharp edges and outlines to get the most detail of a wing or feather. I applied a similar technique in Photoshop lightly using the poster edges tool. This gave me the outline I was looking for to accentuate each feather. The background was done with a soft watercolor effect. I hope you like the results.










A photo painting of a classic pose of a Canadian goose swimming in tranquil blue water.
Goose Swim
A photo painting of a classic pose of a Canadian goose swimming in tranquil blue water.
click here for purchase information on this photo





A photo painting of a Canadian goose sleeping peacefully with beak tucked under her wing and floating gently on blue water.

A photo painting of a Canadian goose sleeping peacefully with beak tucked under her wing and floating gently on blue water.
Goose Sleep
A photo painting of a Canadian goose sleeping peacefully with beak tucked under her wing and floating gently on blue water.
click here for purchase information on this photo













A photo painting of a Canadian goose with neck stretched up and looking alert.


A photo painting of a Canadian goose with neck stretched up and looking alert.
Goose Walk
A photo painting of a Canadian goose with neck stretched up and looking alert.
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A set of three photo paintings of Canadian geese in three different poses.



Etsy
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JulieMagersSoulen