Mel Carll Photography

Today we went to the Cowboy Festival at the Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio. What a beautiful day we had to capture images. I thought today I would try a little HDR and found 2 really neat subjects. The first was the above movie set old house. The below photo was an old cop car that just seemed to have lots of character.

Today we went out to see the Chuck Pontius Memorial Criterium which was being staged in the Valencia Industrial Center. In trying some new angles, I tried to blur the riders as they breezed by which made for some interesting photos.

Today we got up at oh early and headed out on a hunt for wildflowers and poppies. The poppies seemed to have already finished while some wild flowers were around. So instead I took on a new subject, and the results were not bad

This is a photo of an old barn taken on one of the back roads of Michigan heading toward Mt. Pleasant. Just super cool details.

Today’s adventure involved a little boat ride out to Anacapa Island. I have never been to the island, so I had no idea what to expect. It turned out not to be what I was expecting, but still lent to some interesting photos. This was taken as we were leaving the island, of the famous arch. It was nice to have the sun come out a give us a nice blue sky.

On the boat ride back to Oxnard we came across some Humpback Whales. What a thrill to see these cool animals up close and personal. They came right up next to the boat, so close you could actually touch them.

Today we ventured out in search of wildflowers. We found this really cool little pond on the side of the road in Gorman.

As we were driving off the highway, we came across this old gas pump, which just called out black and white. Time has forgotten this pump, as the price per gallon was 71 cents. I guess it has been a few years since gas has seen this pump.

As we were out driving about the central coast, we came upon some of the first poppies of the wildflower season. With all the rain we have had, we should have a bumper crop this year.

This was one of those photos where you are going somewhere, see the beautiful sunset, flip a u-turn, park and just shoot. This photo is currently on public display in the lobby of the Santa Clarita City Hall until June 12, 2009.

Here is a cool pic of the Tour just as they are leaving Valencia Mall.

Rush Hour in Valencia