Author Archives: Tracey

About Tracey

I am a photographer who specializes in nature, travel and architectural photography as well as digital photo design. My camera is one of my most prized possessions and it goes everywhere with me.

Photo of the Day – “Old Blue”

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Oh how I love old cars, especially those with, well let’s say a “bit of wear” on them like, “Betty Sue” or today’s photo of the day, “Old Blue.” (wow, promise I wasn’t going for a Dr. Seuss inspired prose there…)

We came across this wonderful teal car in Scotland while checking out the amazing Loch Ness Clay Works. Sure it’s a little worse for wear but I could just imagine it in it’s heyday, the beautiful color and the wonder curves of this typical vintage European car. Surrounded by corrugated steel that played off the teal, why shouldn’t this beautiful car get a little photo love?

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo(s) of the Day – Purposely Lost in the Highlands of Scotland

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Aside from my latest post on the Cliffs of Moher, my focus has been primarily on Scotland because, admittedly, I was completely awestruck the entire time we were driving through the country. From Edinburgh all the way up in to the farthest reaches of the Highlands, I was amazed at the scenery, the people and, of course, the photographic opportunities. Don’t get me wrong, I have several hundred photographs to sort through from Ireland, which is also an amazingly beautiful country in it’s own right but my focus in the last several days has been taking a trip down memory lane and sorting and editing those from Scotland.

One of the things I loved the most about Scotland was driving through remote areas where a small cottage or thatch roof fishing hut would suddenly pop up. There was nothing or no one else around for miles but there was this little structure smack in the middle of the very rustic landscape.

Tracey Capone Photography © 2012

Not all structures were remote. We came across one very beautiful home when we got a bit lost in Dumfries, in the northern most Highlands. To me, this was quintessential Scotland. Beautiful rolling hills, of course complete with sheep, surrounding a farmhouse, in this case the beautiful blue sky complementing the butter yellow of the house’s facade.

Tracey Capone Photography © 2012

There was no shortage of amazing scenery in Scotland, that’s for sure. Even a run down little shack made for a good subject…

Tracey Capone Photography © 2012

I look forward to going back to Scotland to explore more of this amazing country. In the meantime, I’ll have to settle for reminding myself of my wonderful trip with my photographs.

Enjoy!
*tracey*

Tracey Capone Photography © 2012

Photo of the Day – Watch

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Watch – Tracey Capone Photography © 2012

Remember my “obsession” with all things dogwood a few weeks back? Well, during my trip to Scotland and Ireland my obsession switched to photographing sheep. It’s not difficult… drive through Scotland, especially, and you’ll come across a flock of sheep every two minutes. (and in places you would never expect, like a very rocky ledge along a single track road in the Northern Highlands)

Today’s Photo of the Day, “Watch” is one of the first I took on the trip. It was a rather misty day and this particular field had the most beautiful lemon yellow and sage hue to it. The sheep were having a lazy day (did you know some of them bend their front legs and rest on them while they eat? I didn’t) grazing in the field so I took advantage of the perfect scene. I loved that this particular ram stopped what he was doing to watch me. (it may have been because my aunt was “speaking” to them… I’m not sure :) )

Still working my way through all my photos and I have a lot of new ones to dish up as Photos of the Day so stay tuned!

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day – Mini Farm

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Mini Farm – Tracey Capone Photography © 2012

I’m on 487 of 1200 photos in the review/editing process and decided to take a little break and “play” with one of my photos. Using what I dare say is the “wickedly awesome” new tilt shift blur filter in Photoshop CS6 I added some tilt shift action to a photograph I took of a beautiful Scottish farm nestled in a beautiful valley I was able to shoot from above on the drive to the Isle of Skye.

If you didn’t get a chance to download and try the beta version of CS6, it is now available for purchase (as either an upgrade or new purchase) at Adobe.com. Applying the tilt shift (as well as iris and field blurs) are easier than ever if you don’t feel like whipping out the tilt shift lenses (or didn’t bring them along like me :) )

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day – The Flock

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The Flock – Tracey Capone Photography © 2012

One of my favorite memories from the trip happened in our first full day there. We were heading up towards Inverness, from Edinburgh, in search of castles along the way and ended up on this very windy, desolate, single track road. Now, there is no shortage of sheep in Scotland, in fact you would be hard pressed to go for more than two minutes without seeing one (and you’d be surprised where you’ll find them). These sheep, the subject of today’s Photo of the Day, “The Flock,”  however, were either the friendliest (or the most aggressive, however I am going to go with friendly for the purposes of this memory) I have ever encountered.

When we pulled over so that I could photograph this flock, the second they spotted us, they started running, in unison, towards the fencing. When I put the camera up to take the shot, they stopped running immediately and watched me with the most intense stares; they almost looked like they were preparing to perform a ballet.

Again, as I prefer not to conjure up images of “Children of the Corn” as played by Scottish sheep, I am sticking with the idea that they were so excited to see people, and of course have their photograph taken, that they ran over excitedly to check out what was happening. :)

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo(s) of the Day – The Cliffs of Moher

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“Cliffs of Moher” – Tracey Capone Photography © 2012

I count myself very lucky that I have had the opportunity to visit the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland twice in a relatively short lifetime. To say that the view is “amazing” is an understatement as it is a truly awe inspiring experience that is not to be missed. If you find yourself in Ireland I dare say you should make it a point to get to The Burren in Clare County and visit the Cliffs even if it means forgoing other sites.

“O’Brien’s Tower” – Tracey Capone Photography © 2012

The day we visited the Cliffs it was a very gusty, cold and rainy day but it didn’t hamper our good time. While we did forgo the hike up to the top of the one side without rails (it really wasn’t the right time of year for “cliff diving” accidental or otherwise :) ) we did take a hike up to O’Brien’s Tower, albeit feeling like mimes “walking against wind” the whole time.

“Cliffs of Moher No 2″ – Tracey Capone Photography © 2012

I still have about 900+ photos to go through from the trip, reliving the trip with each photograph :)

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo(s) of the Day from Scotland – Loch Ness Clay Works

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During my [all too brief] time in Scotland, I had the distinct pleasure of visiting a wonderful pottery gallery high above Loch Ness. About four and a half miles above the Lewiston bridge, up a windy, single-track road lies the small crofting community of Bunloit.

If it feels like you’re driving forever, don’t worry, you’ll get there soon enough. (and along the way, you’ll get a wonderful laugh out of the, “Almost There,” “You’re Halfway There!” signs that are tagged on the trees along the way.) Drive to the very end of the road, across a wonderful little bridge and you will come to Loch Ness Clay Works.

Believe me, it is well worth the drive. Open from 10 am to 6 pm, you will first be struck by the quaint beauty, and the amazing light in the gallery and studio from the skylights above. (OK so maybe that’s me… I play with light for a living so it’s usually the first thing I notice :) )

Walk around the gallery and take in the beautiful, rustic colors of the handmade pottery; vases, bowls, mugs and tea pots (perfect for a spot of tea) and all sorts of other beautiful finds. (I was very excited to come home to Chicago yesterday and unwrap my new pieces)

If you find yourself in Scotland (and trust me… GO!), at Loch Ness, and you’re near Drummadrochit, take the time to head up the hill to visit Loch Ness Clay Works; you won’t be sorry.

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day – “Eilean Donan Castle”

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"Eilean Donan Castle" - Tracey Capone Photography ©2012

It’s been a whirlwind few days here in Scotland, trying to see as much as possible in a 24 hour period while traversing tiny one track roads and remembering “on the left, on the left, on the left.”

I have to say, of all the trips that I’ve taken, Scotland, so far, has been my favorite for breaking out the creative lenses. On day three I’m already up to about 450 photographs to sort through and edit and I can’t wait to sit down and dig in to them.

In the meantime, today’s Photo of the Day is of the Eilean Donan Castle a picturesque castle nestled on an island in the middle of three sea lochs on the west coast of Scotland. Travel a little further up the A87 and you will end up crossing the Skye Bridge on to the Isle of Skye. (more photos to come from that amazing adventure)

Today will be a visit further up in to the highest west coast point in the Highlands. I know the trip will be well worth the white knuckle driving along the one track roads.

Enjoy!
*tracey*

Photo of the Day – “And Then There Was”

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"And Then There Was" - Tracey Capone Photography © 2012

The fact that I love dogwoods is a well established fact. :) I covered it here, and here and here and here. Is it any wonder that, if I love the actual bloom so much I’m going to love the dogwood bud as well. They remind me of a beautiful little package all ready to be opened to uncover an even more beautiful surprise.

This will be the last post for a few days. Heading off to my hometown of Philadelphia today and then off to the UK on Monday night! I hope to post photos throughout the road trip but if not, then there will be plenty of UK goodness upon my return.

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

*tracey*

 

Photo(s) of the Day – The Ranunculus

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"Ranunculus No. 1" - Tracey Capone Photography © 2012

It’s been a busy week getting ready to head off on the big trip. Why is it getting ready for a trip seems to add so much stress sometimes that you start questioning whether it’s ever worth it to leave the house, let alone go on a trip? (as a side note, once I’m enjoying the scenic vistas of Scotland and Ireland, I will completely forget that I ever said that)

Over the next few weeks, as I’ll be sharing a number of photographs from the trip (we’re heading up through the Highlands and exploring all the lochs so I’m thinking my extra wide lenses will be getting a good workout) I thought it would be fitting to leave you with two new photography from my nature series.

"Ruby" - Tracey Capone Photography © 2012

Today’s Photo(s) of the Day are, “Ruby” and “Ranunculus Nos. 1 & 2″ I adore ranunculus blooms. I love the delicate layers of petals that form that wonderful, bulbous flower. I wanted to play with the idea of the beauty of the blooms breaking through the worn areas of the weathered glass so this series incorporates some dust and scratches in to the mix.

OK, enough procrastinating and back to packing!

Enjoy!
*tracey*

"Ranunculus No. 2" - Tracey Capone Photography © 2012