46/365 - Last Color of the Year?

Colorful leaves are getting scarcer by the day. Each autumn-clad tree I find may be the last for the season. Fortunately, that also means that we're entering one of the best seasons for indoor color. Time to dig out the Christmas decorations, deck the halls, and crank up the Christmas carols!

Editing: Started with the RAW format. (It is useful for correcting exposure and such.)  Ended up with the usual treatment & a little Ortonizing.  (At this point, so much of the editing is "the usual" that maybe I won't bother with adding this section unless there's something special to say about it-- such as a new-to-me technique.)

41/365 - Crepe Myrtle

I guess the leaves of some types of crepe myrtles change color later than others. At least, ours have, this year. The few down by the shed have brilliant color right now, but the others have long since turned all brown.

Editing: I'm still playing around with RAW format and learning how all the adjustments work. I think I already have a better idea of how to use at least a few of the controls. After getting it into Photoshop, I don't think I did much else-- mainly resizing and Unsharp Mask.

23/365 - Popcorn Tree

The Chinese tallow tree (aka "tallowtree" or "popcorn tree", as I've always heard it called, locally) is native to eastern Asia, in the same latitudes as the American Southeast. Because of this common latitude (and climate), it has thrived here. Unfortunately, it has thrived to the point of becoming an invasive pest, and some official websites recommend removing them even from the landscaping around private homes.

Personally, at this point I think it seems a lost cause. If I pull up this popcorn tree that has volunteered in our yard, there will still be who-knows-how-many growing in the wilderness all around here.

In any case, there's no denying that they are beautiful in autumn-- one of the few trees that put on a fall show in this mild climate.

Editing: If you're paying attention to my editing notes, you've probably already guessed that this has been ortonized. I can't help it; I love that effect-- maybe a little too much. ;o)

P.S.  I really prefer the way "landscape"-oriented photos look in this bloy layout, but sometimes the best photo of the day has a "portrait" orientation.  It can't be helped. . .

12/365 - Autumn Leaf

We don't get a whole lot of autumn color down here in coastal Alabama, but what we do get is appreciated.

This is the leaf of a "popcorn tree", one of those that actually get a little color.

Editing: Pretty much the same as usual... I think I used the Vibrance tool on this one.