California is Burning

For all my friends in other states, I wanted to let you know that as of today the 23 of October I am fine. I have lived in CA my entire life, I am a Southern California native. I have been here through every major earthquake, flood mud slide and fire and you never think it will happen again or it will be as bad as the last one. But these are...I live in Laguna Niguel, just midway between the two large of Irvine and San Diego. Yesterday we had smoke in the sky all day, hot dry winds blew all day and dust and ash covered the cars, my house and the school where I work. We did not let the kids go outside to play(poor teachers). My house is not in immediate danger, but with the extreme dry air no one is really safe. Pray the wind stops.

Before & After

I joined a Flickr group called BHF Brownie Hawkeye Flash. Apparently there are more artsy Box Brownie folks out there like me. I entered this months challenge, and I chose Before and After as my theme. I just thought I would share these images, it could lead to more.

Opinions Please !

Greetings art lovers, I have a request...
My advisor and my mentor and I have discussed the

difference of images shot in black and white and color.

I have included the two above for discussion and would love to hear from you all.

Basically I am interested in knowing if the same effect is achieved in color as well as b/w.

Is one a stronger image?

Please give me your 2 cents.
THANK YOU !!!
Mary

Making Progress !

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25688866@N00/sets/72157602125360977/

This is a link to my most recent nanny pix.
I do believe I am making progress...

Taking the focus off the formal portrait gave me permission to really see the relationships, bonds and attachments these people have. Hopefully the new photos capture more of the feeling.