More New Snowy Truckee Photos

Life has been busy lately, I almost forgot to share these new photos.

The image below was shot a few days ago right after the big snowstorm that we had. Yup, it's another Downtown Truckee photo... Yes, I shoot a lot of images of Truckee, California. It's where I live and it's a tourist town so I sell lots of prints as souvenirs at Gallery 5830'. I also license these images as stock photography to local businesses. In fact, our local Chamber of Commerce has already licensed this new image below and it was in their email newsletter this morning, woohoo!

Prior to the photo above, I took a 5:30 am walk with the camera in the little main area of Historic Downtown Truckee. I had posted some Christmas photos of Truckee a few days ago but they had a lot less snow in the images. These new photos are of Truckee with a proper fresh coat of snow.

It was looking incredible out!!!

Today, I did some rearranging of artwork on the walls of Gallery 5830'. The little prints on the left wall are brand new. 8"x12" metal prints that are ready to hang and are reasonably priced. One of the cool things I like about this gallery is that they accept certain crypto currencies for payment.

We've been trying to display more winter images for the holidays, there are plenty on the wall now. Tonight is the last "Festive Fridays" in Downtown Truckee. The gallery will be open late and I will be there, enjoying the holiday fun!

Thank you for looking and I hope you are all having a great day. Enjoy the weekend. CHEERS!

Scott Thompson
Scott Shots Photography
www.ScottShotsPhoto.com

2012 Fall Colors in Truckee / Tahoe (with photo tips)

2012 Truckee / Tahoe Fall Colors - Images by Scott Thompson

It has been a beautiful fall up here in Truckee / Tahoe and I was lucky to add many new bright and colorful images to my archive. There are still pockets of yellow and gold out there but the snow is falling as I write this and the aspen and cottonwood leaves will most likely be scarce in a couple of days.

When shooting fall colors, it is easy to want to shoot wide angle photos of the whole aspen grove or cotton wood tree. I do this as well, but don't forget to have some fun with close ups and abstracts. The images below are  examples of how I enjoy a getting a little more creative with the color.

For the this image, I hand held the camera and used a small aperture and long shutter speed. While the camera was exposing, I intentionally zoomed the lens. I do this several times until I dial in the exposure and speed at which I zoom. It's a fun look that made a great background on my smart phone's display.

"Aspen at Fredrick's Meadow 6" - Photograph of yellow aspen trees in the fall at Fredrick's Meadow near Fallen Leaf Lake, California.

For this one, I shot the reflection of the aspen trees in a pond. I knew when I shot it that I would be flipping the image upside down when processing, as it is a look I've gone for previously. Sure I could have been more pure and shot the image with the camera upside down but, for me, it's easier to shoot it normally, knowing I'll be flipping it in Photoshop.

"Aspen Reflections 3" - Photograph of yellow aspen trees reflection in the fall at a pond near Spooner Lake, Nevada.

Often when shooting fall colors, I go for back lit yellow leaves. It can create more of a "glowing" look to the leaves. Also, I can often include a sunburst like in the image below to add another interesting element to the shot. If you are close to the trees, a flash can be helpful the bring out even a bit more yellow in the darker leaves that are shaded by other leaves. I used a flash for this one.

"Truckee River in Autumn 6" - Photograph of the Truckee River in Autumn near Downtown Truckee, California.

I find a tripod is not usually necessary when shooting fall colors. This is because the wind is often blowing a bit and you get the "quaking aspen" leaves. The moving leaves can appear blurry at slower shutter speeds so I tend to shoot with a high shutter speed, safe for hand held shots. That being said, I do sometimes use a tripod anyway so I can adjust my settings, dial in my perfect exposure, and make sure I have the same composition.

If you were able to get out and shoot some fall colors this year, please leave a link to the images in the comments section below, I'd love to see what you got. Also, if you have any other tips for shooting fall colors, please let us know. Thanks and happy shooting!

-Scott Thompson

The images above are available as large fine art prints, photo gift items, and as stock photography. Please click on an image for more info.

Great photos for Christmas and Holiday Cards.

And Scott Shots Holiday Gift ideas.

My family and I took our Holiday card photos over the weekend and it got me thinking. Taking a holiday photo on self timer can be difficult and frustrating. And not everybody lives in a beautiful town like Truckee, CA where we have early snow and incredible natural backgrounds to choose from. For these reasons and many more, some people prefer to give Christmas and Holiday cards without a picture of themselves on it.  I can help those people out...

"Snowy Candy Cane in Truckee" - This snow covered Christmas candy cane was photographed in historic Downtown Truckee, CA.

There are many Scott Shots that would make great Christmas and Holiday cards. Did you know you can order greeting cards right through the www.ScottShotsPhoto.com shopping cart? Just click on an individual image in the website or on this blog and look for the "buy photo" button above the image.  The shopping cart with purchasing options will pop up. Look for the "products" tab and you will find all kinds of gift items, including greeting cards, that would make excellent Christmas and Holiday presents. 

"Snowy Christmas Tree in Truckee" - This snow covered Christmas tree was photographed in Historic Downtown Truckee, CA.

Items available through the Scott Shots shopping cart that would make great gifts include:

• Greeting Cards
• Photo Puzzles
• E-Clings (laptop and iPad covers)
• Small Prints
• Canvas Gallery Wraps
• Ceramic Mugs
• T-Shirts
• Playing Cards
• Mouse Pads
• Coasters
• Refrigerator Magnets
• Key Tags

Below are more images that would make great snowy scene Christmas and Holiday gift items or greeting cards. When purchasing at www.ScottShotsPhoto.com, use the coupon code HOLIDAY for %10 off any one purchase (Expires 1/1/2012). Thank you and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

-Scott Thompson

"Snowy Truckee River in Autumn 1" - Photograph of snow covered cottonwood trees along the Truckee River in Downtown Truckee.

"Snowy Truckee River 1" - This foggy and snowy scene of the Truckee River was photographed in Downtown Truckee, CA.

"Icicles 3"- Photographed near Alder Creek in the Tahoe Donner area of Truckee, CA.
Photographed.

"Shack near Brockway Summit"- This old shack was photographed along Hwy 267 near Brockway Summit, CA.
Photographed.