Movement: Andrew Pusbach

North Clear Creek Falls is located at an elevation of 10,000 feet just off from highway 149 in the Rio Grande National Forest. The falls is just over 100 feet, crashing down into the canyon below. Due to its size, beauty, and accessibility, North Clear Creek Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Colorado.

When I went out to photograph the falls, I knew that I wanted to create an image that was different from the others that I have seen. Much of the time, the falls are photographed from the scenic overlook, or from down in the canyon with a wide-angle lens. I made my image from down in the canyon with a telephoto lens, so that I could isolate the beautiful rocks jutting up from underneath the falls.

The sun was lowering towards the horizon, thunderstorms were building above me, and the falls were crashing into the canyon with such ferocity. Photographing North Clear Falls was an incredible experience; I hope to return to it in the future.

Color: Mike Bogner

     Colors can express many, many things. Moods, holidays, pride for a team, etc. Blue would be with the feeling down, yellow means scared, grey and black with death. How did each of these colors become connected with that feeling?
     It turns out that there is a whole science and mystery to color theory. I stumbled across some articles after hearing that people with depression see a grayer world. A lot of this makes sense. When I lived in Buffalo, NY, during the winter months, depression in people seemed higher being trapped in doors due to the blizzards. The skies always seemed to be cloudy and grey. The people would seem less active and misserable. Maybe these elements would make us see an even more gray landscape. Much of my art back then would reflect this.
     Now a days I bask in the sun, playing in the sunny wonderful playground we call Colorado. It's very difficult to stay inactive here. Everything I see is so vibrant and alive. Looking back at photos I've captured just this summer, I notice I add a bit more saturation or vibrance to the colors, trying to convey how I saw the scene. The ability of understanding colors and how our eyes perceive it can be a powerful tool in a photographers tool chest. Many photographers in the past have utilized color to express a feeling that is intended for the audience to feel.

Moods and Color

Color - Shalia Boggs

Have you ever heard that color can affect your mood?  Studies suggest that red signifies passion, blue is calming, and yellow puts you in a happy mood.
Think of what the world would be like if we didn't have color; if everything we saw was in black and white.  Would everyone be walking around with a sad face?  Or would everyone be the same because they were none the wiser?  What would it be like to be colorblind?  These are the questions I wonder.
For this shoot, I immediately thought of flowers at the Denver Botanic Garden.  I was caught off guard when a bee did a drive-by my face.  Or maybe it was a fly-by.  I had to see what the fuss was about and saw this gorgeous giant-sized dandelion.
Dandelions were my grandmother's favorite flower, so when I saw this, I had to take a picture of it.  Partnered with my affection for bees, but only the kind with the fur that kind of makes me want to pet them, it was perfect.  It's just too bad that bees and I don't have mutual feelings for each other.

Color: Andrew Wyman

     A color can have many meanings, in both a literal and an abstract sense. Here we see a colored traffic light. We know that green means go and red means stop. Those two colors also have other meanings in our society as well. A person can be red in the face with embarrassment or be in a red fiery rage. Someone can also be green with envy.
     Colors sometimes tell us more than we realize. Sometimes, they tell us what to do or how to interact in a certain place. Other times, they give us a more emotional or visceral feeling about something. Without color, my world would be a vast empty space with little or no variety.

For more information about meaning of color in other cultures: http://www.globalization-group.com/edge/resources/color-meanings-by-culture/

Color - Scott Kotelnicki

Naturals color - Here I have captured the remnants of last years fall against the green enriched background of this years new growth.

This shot was taken at 8:58 in the morning well past the golden hour of sunrise but because it was with in a shaded area it was able to take on the warm yellows and orange associated with sunrise.
 
A Canon 7D was used with a 60mm Macro lens f2.8 at 1/100.



www.kotelnickiphoto.com

Color: Valerie Morris

Color can play an important role in the world we live in. Especially our food, we eat daily. Color can influence our thinking, change our actions, and cause reactions. When food looks pleasing, it can raise our blood pressure, and appetite. The opposite could suppress the urge to eat anything.

For example, red in foods are very intense and energetic. It increases blood pressure and stimulates appetite. Whereas blue is associated with, the mind, body, and can produce a calming effect while slowing the metabolism. Lastly, green is associated with nature, and being healthy. For more information on which colors can influence eating habits go to http://astronutrition.com/blog/how_colors_affect_your_appetite

Color: Andrew Pusbach

Colorado is well known for its vividly colored wildflowers, lush green valleys, and beautiful mountain ranges. Whenever I visit the Maroon Bells Wilderness Area I am overwhelmed by the experience, between the stunning peaks, the crystal clear mountain lakes, and towering aspen trees.

 Despite their beauty, the Maroon Bells are considered to be two of the most dangerous peaks in the state. They are often referred to as the “Deadly Bells.” They have claimed the lives of many an ambitious climber over the years, however, this does not stop people from reaching their summits.

 The Maroon Bells are some of the most well-known peaks in the state, and as such, are photographed constantly. Due to this, the real challenge when photographing them is walking away with a unique image.

When photographing the Maroon Bells, I prefer to visit them during the summer rather than in the fall because there are fewer photographers. As I watched the morning unfold I began to notice the interesting clouds moving above me creating dynamic shapes and patterns in the sky. The image above was my favorite from the morning.

Information for The Maroon Bells Wilderness Area

Color: Matthew Moore

Color of Life © 2012 Matthew Moore

This week while pondering the concept of color I thought to myself "what better way to illustrate color then to get out and photography people and things at an event." In my experience, event's typically illustrate a sense of culture and diversity through it's vendors (via their items for sell—as in the image above), its performances, as well as those in attendance.

In Colorado, one is certain to find something going on just about every weekend in this state of over 300 days of sunshine.  I was lucky to discover that just about fifteen minutes from my home the 11th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival (CDBF) was going on.

The CDBF celebrates Denver’s rich and diverse Asian communities through performing arts and a marketplace as well as the main event—an ancient sport of Dragon Boat Racing at Sloan’s Lake Park.  This year the event is expecting around 52 competing teams.

Additional Links:

• More Images from The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival   
• More information about CDBF

Color: Brandon Chapin

What better to bring happiness to everyone then a carnival!  The sounds, smells, and colorful lights evoke some sort of childish reactions that, no matter your age will have you excited and ready to play the games and ride the rides.  When I go to a carnival, though, I always just wander around looking at the beautiful lights that have a color range bigger than my childhood box of crayons.  It is always fun to just watch the Ferris Wheel go 'round and 'round creating colorful light streak circles in the sky.