Personal trips can be challenging to me and those around me.  How so?  I always need to make a decision; do I work on this trip or just sit back, relax and enjoy it?  While I LOVE photography and taking pictures of my surroundings, sometimes I just want to enjoy the scenery without the looking for the best angle of the shot.  However, should I leave my camera at home, I regret not capturing some of the most amazing views.  Case in point, our last trip to Orcas Island, Doe Bay Resort.  It was a long trip for a quick overnight.  We wanted to see Passenger Side  play on Friday night (which was AWESOME BTW), but couldn't stay the weekend.  Therefore, do I take the risk of leaving my camera at home and not getting some of the most beautiful countryside in WA, or do I carry my equipment for a one night quick trip?  And if I take my equipment, is it possible to enjoy the scenery without feeling the need to stop and "work it" or the frustration of not being at the perfect spot at the right time of day for the best lighting?  

You see, with photography, it's really best to plan the shots you want.  Landscape/travel photography is no different.  What time of day will the sunset be just right to the west?  If you wait a few hours, the look of the scene may change drastically depending on the sky and the weather.  There's no time for that when you travel for other purposes.  Which always brings me to this question, do I take my camera and get what I can or do I just enjoy the ride?  

For me, I have a very hard time leaving my equipment at home.  And this trip was no exception.  Good thing, I had 2 hours to waste waiting for the ferry.  A waste?  Never, if you take your equipment.  

Anyone that lives in Washington State knows that the ferry system is just part of life.  It can be frustrating waiting in line, only to find out you can't get on because it's full and now you must wait 7 hours for the next ferry.  But I like to think of it as a chance to relax, chat with your family, play games.  And speaking of photo op...

A little about Passenger Side. Here they are playing at Doe Bay Resort on Orcas Island.  Not only should you check out their music, check out the cool little piece put together by Nostalgia Photography of the weekend.

The Spring workshop is Friday, May 17th from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.  

This workshop is for those who own or have recently purchased a digital SLR camera (you know, the ones you can change the lens) and are not sure how to use it other than point-and-shoot.  We will explore manual settings such as ISO, aperture and shutter speed, not only defining them but how they affect your photos.  You will learn all about those buttons and functions in your camera menus in order to control your camera.  And we'll also touch on white balance, histograms, focal points, metering, lens types, and software for editing.

Every camera manufacturer is different, so bring your instruction manual and a charged battery.  You will be practicing what you learn right in the classroom.  The goal is for you to leave the workshop feeling comfortable with your own camera.

You can register now through Kent Park and Recreation online or call 253-856-5000.  Look or ask for course number 47987.

There are only 8 spots left, so register now!

Eeeek, it's here!  We, my geek husband and I, have put together a little treat for you.  Bo9 Photography is excited to give you landscape desktop wall paper for your computer and/or tablet.  It's simple to download and install.  Just follow the links below:

Desktop Landscapes by Bo9 Photography for Mac

Desktop Landscapes by Bo9 Photography for Windows 7

Desktop Landscapes by Bo9 Photography for Windows 8

Desktop Landscapes by Bo9 Photography for Windows 8RT

(If you have any problems installing, please email me.  We're happy to help.)  

This was a lot of fun to put together.  So will we do it again?  Of course.  As I visit more places and add to the portfolio, you will see more thematic desktop wall paper packs.  But for now download and enjoy the first 8 images.  And share the love with your friends and family!

This is a workshop that has been developed for the "point-n-shooters".  You know, the cameras you can't change the lens.  

Many people own digital cameras and are not comfortable using them.  They don't understand why the picture didn't come out right, or don't know what to do after taking the the photos.  Have you ever started pushing the buttons on your camera and can't figure out what you did or how to get back to menu you were in before?  It happens to all of us; we all have to start somewhere.  So why not start with coming to this workshop and get one-on-one personal assistance.

Every camera manufacturer is different, so bring your instruction manual and a charged battery.  You will be practicing what you learn right in the classroom.  The goal is for you to leave the workshop feeling comfortable with your own camera.

The workshop will be held at Kent Commons on Friday, April 19th from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

You can register now through Kent Park and Recreation online or call 253-856-5000.  Look or ask for course number 47989.

There will be only 10 spots available for the workshop, so register now!

Last week I gave you a sneak peek at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse on the coast of Oregon.  This lighthouse was built in 1872 and is now cared for by the Bureau of Land Management.  It is the tallest lighthouse in Oregon with a tower of 93 feet.  Today you can climb the 114 steps to view the working lens, and listen to the guide dressed in period clothing about it's history.

I'm feeling the desire to go visit all the lighthouses I can.  I like that they are a piece of history, with stories to tell and people who cared for them.  Just imagine the job of sitting all night watching to be sure the flame in the candle does not blow out.  Or walking 114 steps with buckets repeatedly until the oil tanks were full.  What type of oil did they use?  How did they store it?  What did their families (yes, some had families that lived with them) eat and do all day?  It's remote and rugged and the best views of coastlines you can get.  

Any of these images can be purchased for print or canvas here in many different sizes.  

This is the second visit to the Oregon Coastline.  The last trip was for my son's graduation from Job Corp.  

For me, the best part about the Oregon Coast is the view always seems different.  This time we met up with our family, fun with the niece and nephew (more on that later).  We walked the beaches, ate great food, toured a couple of lighthouses and took lots of photos (of course).  To hold you over, here is a sneak peek of the lighthouse at Yaquina Head, Oregon.

The next workshop is Friday, March 8th from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.  

This workshop is for those who own or have recently purchased a digital SLR camera (you know, the ones you can change the lens) and are not sure how to use it other than point-and-shoot.  We will explore manual settings such as ISO, aperture and shutter speed, not only defining them but how they affect your photos.  You will learn all about those buttons and functions in your camera menus in order to control your camera.  And we'll also touch on white balance, histograms, focal points, metering, lens types, and software for editing.

Every camera manufacturer is different, so bring your instruction manual and a charged battery.  You will be practicing what you learn right in the classroom.  The goal is for you to leave the workshop feeling comfortable with your own camera.

You can register now through Kent Park and Recreation online or call 253-856-5000.  Look or ask for course number 47291.

There will be only 10 spots available for each workshop, so register now!

Haleakala Volcano is 10,023 feet above Maui's coast; making it a perfect place to get up early and be at the top for the sunrise.  A must if you visit Maui.  Haleakala means "house of the sun".  Even though there is plenty of sun, it is not beach weather.  Bring a blanket or warm clothes for the show.  But what a beautiful show it is; worth every minute.

When asked for advice, photographers will usually tell you at least this, "Shoot what you love".  It's really the best advice you can get.  Be inspired by the images you enjoy looking at.  Case in point, my dad loves old barns.  He goes out and takes pictures of them, keeping an album for himself.  So this morning he had his eye on a barn, but couldn't figure out how to get to it for the shot he wanted.  He came home frustrated and needed a scout.  I volunteered, with my own camera in hand, of course.  It's a beautiful day, why waste it.  We found the barn and the trail necessary to take us there.  Along with a couple of other jewels along the way...

Here's Dad, shooting the barn.

How I prefer to see the barn.

What inspires you?

We recently had the chance to do a bit of vacationing with the family.  So here's the Bonine-side of the family...at the beach in Maui!

That's a great question.  Many times I've looked at a piece of art for my wall and wonder, "How will that look?  What size should I get?"  Let me help you take the guesswork out of the decision.  Here are size samples in a real living room setting.

First is a 20x30 framed print:

The same framed print at 8x10:

WOW, what a difference!

Next is a 30x40 canvas (canvases are my personal preference):

The same image on canvas at 8x10:

Recognize these two images?  Yes, they are available for sale on this website in various sizes of prints and canvases.  You can purchase the Flowers on the Coast (top photo) here and the Fort at Cape Coast (bottom photo) here.  Ordering is always easy, simply find the image you want and click the "Buy" button in the top right of the page.  Get yours now!

Anyone who knows me knows two things; fall is my favorite season, and I like to wake up to foggy mornings.  Here's to fall!

Everyone, this is a workshop that I developed for the point-n-shooters.  You know, the cameras you can't change the lens.  

Many people own digital cameras and are not comfortable using them.  They don't understand why the picture didn't come out right, or don't know what to do after taking the the photos.  Have you ever started pushing the buttons on your camera and can't figure out what you did to it or how to get back to menu you were in before?  It happens to all of us; we all have to start somewhere.  So why not start with coming to this workshop and get one-on-one personal assistance.

Every camera manufacturer is different, so bring your instruction manual and a charged battery.  You will be practicing what you learn right in the classroom.  The goal is for you to leave the workshop feeling comfortable with your own camera.

The workshop will be held at Kent Commons on Friday, October 12th from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

You can register now through Kent Park and Recreation online or call 253-856-5000.  Look or ask for course number 46218.

If you can't make the October workshop, the next available will be Friday, December 7th from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.  That course number is 46219.  Registration is open for both dates.

There will be only 10 spots available for each workshop, so register now!

Photographs inspired by a beautiful, summer, Washington day...

What can I say except these guys are pure talent.  If you haven't seen or heard them yet, you need to!  Go to their blog and listen.  You will be hooked.  Be sure to sign up for email updates or follow them on Facebook or Twitter (both links are on their blog), why?  To catch the next live show, of course.  (Also, I'm not one to spread gossip, but I heard there might be unconfirmed rumors of a possible future CD someday.)  All us fans are waiting... :) 

Camping!  

It was a combined anniversary trip.  You see, we used to live in Southern California and our friends there have their anniversary two days before ours.  So we decided to meet in the middle to camp/celebrate together.  They left at 4:00 a.m.; we left at 4:40 a.m., and both arrived at our camp spot at Manzanita Lake about the same time.  The weather was perfect and the site was the best in the campground.  What else could you ask for?

Kevin and Kristi with their dog, Digger (or D-I-GG-ER, as he likes to be called).

There were activities:

And of course, Sydney enjoyed herself:

Our other friend, Linda, sent along for us to enjoy the wild bird food that she takes on her camping trips.  It brought out some wildlife.

There were such a variety of scenes within the park.  So enough about us, here's the view...

Yes, even snow, on a volcano!

Remember last week, I promised a few shots from the Oregon Coast.  Well, here you go:

That evening we sat and watched the pictures painted right before our eyes:

The year so far has been filled with great road-trips.  But the year isn't over yet.  Last week, Jeremy and I drove down to Yachats, OR for my son's graduation from Job Corp.  He was in the Forestry Trade and completed the program in a little less than a year.  What an accomplishment for him.  Whoo Hoo!  

In Forestry they learn more than cutting down trees or how to climb.  They learn to be an Arborist not a Logger.  He took advantage of the last opportunity to climb with his friend at school after the ceremony.

Needless to say, after a year away at school, he was one happy camper to graduate, pack up and head home.

And since graduation was at 8:30 in the morning, Jeremy and I were able to spend the night before on the Oregon Coastline.  So here's a sneak peek of next weeks post:

We were sitting comfortably with my in-laws this weekend, when a friend text me and told me about the super moon.  What?  I hadn't heard anything (yes, at times I'm news-deficient).  So we looked it up and I got my camera and went outside at the given time.  Of course, it was cloudy and we only caught a peak before it went behind the clouds.  It was beautiful.  I kept my eye on the sky for a couple of hours until I could catch it.  By that time it was no longer "super", but it was a spectacular sight without the city lights.  

Now, my shot is not even close to all the great ones here at National Geographic.  But I did have fun practicing.