Successful egg hunting tomorrow!
Photographic thought: no Black & White eggs here.
Happy Easter
California’s Valley Oaks: Seasonal Contrasts
A California winter and early spring spring sight, the striking dark black limbs of the valley oaks always make for interesting photographic subject matter. Their twisted framework of branches provide a stark contrast to the sky behind them. Then with the first warm sunny days they miraculously transform into opulent trees with lush bright green foliage completely hiding the framework of the branches. Shade for summer picnics under their huge canopies follows.
A Day at the Orchid Show: Colorful Displays and New Discoveries
I have always been fond of orchids, so when I saw about half a dozen hand-lettered signs spaced out at various intervals next to the main road advertising an orchid show last weekend, it didn’t take much convincing to plan to attend.
I picked up a neighbor who is also fond of orchids and we drove over to the show on Saturday morning. Although medium in size in terms of an exhibit, there were spectacular orchids in all colors, shapes, and varieties. A carpenter had even built special wooden exhibit stands for some of them. These prize winning orchids were an orchid lover’s dream and a joy to photograph as well.
Later, as I was perusing the sale portion room of the exhibit a man walked in and asked us to check our numbers on our entry tickets, and lo and behold I saw that I was the proud winner, picking out a beautiful dendrobium orchid. I have seldom won anything so there was much excitement on my behalf.
Dendrobium orchids have a profusion of flowers but lose some of their leaves in winter I learned when reading up about them later. I have only had phalaenopsis orchids until now, so the dendrobium orchid was new to me. Cradling my new treasure I headed home with a big smile on my face.
Early birds
California dream: narcissus blooming during a very dry January this year bringing hope of renewal and spring.
Illuminating
Even a blind chicken finds a kernel once in a while I chuckle to myself as I open my photos folder. I thought I had been holding my iPhone steady to photograph a string of Christmas lights, but I guess not! I wonder if I could pass this off as the Northern Lights, hehehe.
Hydrangeas
I have alway been fond of photographing these flowers. Their subtle gradations of color are simply lovely. One is reminded of pastels or impressionist painting.
Below are two links to some of my botanical watercolors.
Digital Prints and iPhone Images: A Photographic Journey
August 2025
It has been quite a while since my last photo portfolio, so I’m very happy to finally be able to put up some new imagery after struggling with health issues for over three years. While I usually do my work with my trusted pair of heavy digital cameras, this portfolio consists entirely of images taken with my iPhone. It is a dinosaur too – by today’s fast changing standards – a hand-me-down 6S Plus that I am grateful for. Nonetheless, it is the eye and vision that matter, right?
Several weeks ago on my way to the dental chair I met someone on a BART train who I noticed had a Leica film camera, and we had a fun conversation about “old school” photography. I think he was about half my age, and exited about “discovering” film. I had to set him straight about darkroom fumes though. Let’s not go overboard. No more chemicals for yours truly if you please. I love processing photos on the computer screen and digital printing on quality art paper – it was a milestone in terms of innovation when both arrived, and desktop publishing and fine art printing became a reality for normal everyday users.
The first digital image I ever took if I remember right, was with a Sony Mavica that used floppy discs! Anyone remember those? I think it was around the time when the Macintosh SE and Plus came out, perhaps the Classic. It was very practical that you could insert the discs directly into the Macintosh. The precursor to modern CF cards. Continuing my conversation with the fellow on BART, we discovered we both shared an interest in the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson. What’s not to like? He was such a master of his craft.
Recently, while perusing the Apple website I was astounded at the leaps and bounds iPhone cameras have taken. Their top of the line iPhone 16 Pro Max model made for photographers, rivals professional DSLRs. What a technological advance, and a light year leap from the Mavica.
I have had a lot of fun with the images in this new portfolio, from photographing breakfast I made for my “kids” (all grown up), who protested to no avail that this was for “kids” when breakfast was served (I loved making it – and eating my fair share too), to Black & White images of small slices of life, to nature that I love so much, and of course special photos of my faithful cat Calvin. Can you find my “the decisive moment(s)” homage image(s)? Say the last two words quickly three times – think “Fox in Socks”. 🙂
Explore and enjoy,
Matthias Leue
A Blur of Feathers
I took this photo quite some years ago, but it remains one of my favorites. The blur of sandpipers has always reminded me of music notes. I wonder if an orchestra could keep up with this movement.
🙂
©2025
Happy 2025
Taking a delicious bite out of the new year.
After the Rain
That was quite a downpour during the past few days. You’ll have to excuse me here if I don’t defer to, or try to add to the media hyperbole that took place beforehand. One never knows if it is safe to stick your head out the door when listening to, or reading their hysteria. The weather apps on the phone seem to be in cahoots as well. Just watching the sky seemed to be good enough prior to all this.
The ginkgo trees I passed on a walk today seem to have weathered the rain well. In fact, the cool nights seem to have added depth to their golden yellow. There are few trees that can match such autumn beauty and color in my view.
Have a blessed Sunday.
Wisteria
This is one of my favorite blooms of spring (even though it is summer now – I know, I know). The purple wisterias are so delicate and beautiful in color, sometimes they look like fat caterpillars to me. Such a sign of renewal as they emerge from the the stark bare branches hugging a trellis.
Now a full green canopy of leaves provides for summer shade.
Broccolini
I discovered this tasty tidbit much to my delight in the fall of 2022 on a drive up the coast to see family. It is a tender “baby” version of broccoli if you will. Several weeks ago I found some small starter plants at a local nursery who decided to come home with me and take up residence in the clay pot you see pictured below. I’m looking forward to a small harvest of broccolini in perhaps middle to late February.
Happy New Year.
Matthias Leue
2. Advent
Wishing all a peaceful Advent season.
Quack
I have been busy working on watercolors this year so my photo work is on standby for a while. I do however want to post just one photo that always makes me smile and hopefully you too!
Oh so delicate
I thought this image might be a good way to start the new year. This rose greeted me last fall in the City of Roses: Portland.
Lazy Day by the Bay
New 2022 Photo Portfolio
The dramatic beauty of the sea, the pure joy of watching koi just meandering about, a crane’s elegant walk, a splash of color in the form of a plant, the rich texture of bamboo, the stark limbs of California oaks, or the expanse of a wheat field. What a beautiful world.
https://mleue-photo.com//mleue-photo.com/2022.html
Sausage Delivery
Another “Cartier Bresson” moment. This boy was safeguarding his just acquired sausage. I forfeited my place in line briefly to take this photo. He was on the move.
Bristlecone pine
I took this photo many years ago but am still very fond of it. The texture of this section of Bristlecone pine just lent itself to printing too. The oldest tree on earth, it grows in the High Sierras.
Happy New Year 2022
For some reason this beautiful rose makes me think of dessert.
Bicycle
This photo has a charming touch of nostalgia to it. The black & white aspect gives it a bit of a Cartier Bresson impression. Taken one summer in the city of Kassel, Germany.
Baja Sky
I took this photo in San Felipe on a trip to Baja California. The seagull was invited to participate of course to compliment the color of the arches.
New Book
Walking Sunflowers
This is one of my favorite “decisive moments” photos – as Cartier Bresson liked to put it. I was focusing on the beautiful old trees, the symmetry and color of the traffic signs, and the funny white street markings, when she decided to walk across the street, making the image complete!
Current exhibit
One of my photos (Winter Spectrum) from my late fall 2020 online portfolio was selected for the Turtle Bay West Coast Biennial exhibit which runs from January 29 – April 11. I just received an e-mail this morning that the exhibit which was virtual only is now open for viewing in person too – with social distancing of course. The exhibit is located inside the Turtle Bay Exploration Park and Museum in Redding, CA. The Sundial Bridge next to the park which is an architectural marvel is worth a visit too.
Beethoven
I saw this chalk pastel drawing while walking in a city in Germany in 2012. This person has remarkable talent. I think Beethoven would approve, perhaps even applaud – although that may fall on deaf ears if you forgive the pun. I’m always saddened when people just walk by something like this completely ignoring such creativity. I suppose shopping is more important to them. I for one, thoroughly appreciated this street art.
Perpendicular view
I think the title says it all. This was a photo I took perhaps 20 some years ago around the Normandy region of France. It tends to make me chuckle.
Happy New Year 2021!
I saw these lovely denizens of the sea yesterday waiting to be bought at the fish counter and taken home to celebrate the new year. I see this as an invitation for a better year and some culinary adventure too.
New 2020 Portfolio
New for 2020: a nature and botanical portfolio focusing on the delicate and subtle, as well as some dramatic black & white imagery – a lost art, yet so beautiful. This portfolio is dedicated to my dear departed friend Gary Hunt who shared my love of music and photography, and Chef Patrick Conner for his culinary inspiration.
Fall Harvest Bounty
Silver Olives
Matthias Leue Photography 