Want to save some money and look at something pretty?
Sounds like a pretty good proposition, right?! To kick off 2013 with a bang, I am offering 10% off any item or print from my portfolio, www.andybucknerphotography.com! Just use coupon code: ABP2013. It is good for all of January.
Prints, showcase prints, apparel, specialty items (key chains, coasters, cards, etc.) are some of the available options. All prints are from a high quality, professional printer so you will not be disappointed! Just navigate to the picture you like and you will see options on the right-hand side of the page. Expand it to see all of your options. Worldwide shipping is available, too.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this blog, it means a lot! Whatever you decide to do, always feel free to drop me a line here, on Facebook or Google+!
A few samples of some of my popular images:
Which do you prefer?
I came across this beautiful entrance to a ranch in Kauai, HI and had to grab this image. The contrast of the colorful blooming trees against the green background really caught my attention when I was passing by, as I am sure it would anyone.
I still love the color in the first image below, but I altered the same shot to create the second image below. It is monotone for the most part, but I found myself loving this version of the image too! I feel like a lot more of the vegetation detail and lines of the landscape are visible in this version. I think each version plays a role to different tastes and moods, so I wanted to share both with you and not deprive you of either 
For me, the color image is more lively and fun, pretty, gorgeous and full of life. Makes me happy looking at it. The monotone image is more contemplative, older, wiser – more of a slow down and introspect kind of feeling.
Which do you like better and why?
Top of the World
There is a local spot referred to as “Top of the World” in Laguna Beach, CA. This spot has fantastic views of the Laguna Beach coastline and skyline, as well as the valley behind Laguna Beach. After a rain here recently, I knew there would be some great cloud action going on so I jumped in “Em” and jetted down to, er, up to TOTW.
Beautiful LB sky and sunset. Very cool trail that gives great views of the surrounding area.
Another view of the amazing colors in the sky.
A little earlier, just as beautiful. You can see someone off in the distance enjoying the view.
A couple enjoying the outdoors and fantastic surroundings with tons of wild flowers paving the way.
Reflection Quickie
I was walking out of the gym last night and liked how the reflection of this fountain looked on the granite tables…so I took 2 secs to snap this and I thought it was pretty. Now I am running out the door and taking 2 secs to post because….I can! Have a good weekend!
“Don’t” bring your camera on your wife’s birthday!
Took a trip down to La Jolla, CA last Saturday for my wife’s B-Day and I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day! Since I wanted to give all my attention to her, I didn’t dare bring my camera…. because once I whip that thing out, it’s “bye-bye Andy” and we can’t have that on her B-Day, right? Right. Well, what I wasn’t counting on, nor was she, was that my new phone has a pretty awesome camera on it… This was my first time really digging into it and I was really surprised at how good some of the shots were!
Well, after this discovery and wading knee-deep into the oncoming rising tide taking photos, I caught myself and waded back out of the water before I got cold from the water and the cold shoulder from the wife . I only kid about that part though, she has no problem with these little mini excursions – she was taking pictures of me out in the water trying to get the shot below. 
Happy 4th of July!
Taken with HTC One X phone
Me as my sanctuary rock is quickly getting swallowed up…
Perfect Conclusion
After wrapping up the photo sessions from my previous two posts, me and my dad swang over to the local lake. It was just in time to capture a beautiful, peaceful sunset. It was a Wonderful way to wrap up the day.
Enjoy.
Color in a Decaying World
While visiting my family for Thanksgiving, I told my dad I wanted to go shoot some pictures and then asked if he had any recommendations on locations. I told him I was looking for some sort of abandoned, old “something”. He said he knew just the place and so we set out into the country. We arrived at an abandoned feed mill. This place used to provide food for the many different cow farms in the valley where they live (and I grew up). Perfect!
Much to my surprise, this abandoned mill had been turned into a graffiti artist’s canvas. Graffiti was everywhere! What immediately jumped out at me was the amount of detailed/grand pieces amongst the random yammerings of the local gangs. They were so colorful and well done in this old and decaying environment that I had to take these photos. An interesting thing to point out is that this is not a place that people go to. This is out in the sticks of a small town. These were done purely for limited viewing and appreciation. By the way, I have a few more photos coming that play on the mill environment, seperate from the graffiti; I will put those up in another post.
I am not sure what this stands for, but the creator put a lot of time and color into this one. It stood out like….a color painting on an old oat mill wall… 
Spatula? In any case, this had a great presence.
I intentionally ‘colored’ in this photo below sloppily to somewhat mimic the graffiti style. The color is what was there, I did not add any color. The surroundings in this room were so decayed up against this color that I had to dramatize this fact by greying out everything but the color.
Graffiti Rainbow!
This wall had also been attacked by local paintballers. This just added to the color in the grim environment.
It was worth it…
This last Friday it rained most of the day. As the rain stopped and the clouds began to clear, my wife and I decided to take the dogs out for a brief walk. Now I live on the 3rd floor of my building so when I went outside I was able to see that the ensuing sunset would probably be awesome (I could only see enough sky to be teased at what might be)! So, at that moment I decided that I had to see what the full sunset turned out looking like – I went back for my camera and car keys and decided to bolt up to a high ground I know to see if there was a view. I invited my wife and dogs, but they wanted to stay and pee on things (primarily the dogs, that is).
After I was at the spot for about 15 minutes, shooting pics, it hit me that on my dash out of the apartment I locked the door because I fully expected my wife to join me! Mind you it was pretty chilly this time of day and my wife, who needs a blanket when it is 75 outside, was in a T-Shirt and pajama pants with the dogs… and now locked outside. So after it finally hit me that my wife was locked out, probably freezing and without a phone, I [took a few more photos] bolted back home. When I arrived it had been about 30 minutes since I left and she was out on the sidewalk giving me a look that seemed to say “well, what do you have to say for yourself?” I just rolled the window down and said “SORRY”… Turns out she was very understanding and didn’t care. Whew!
I reached my spot and had a pretty nice view for such short notice. The sunset/sky/clouds were amazing. The natural grandeur of a “simple” sunset after a rain is breathtaking. I wish I could have spent a bit longer out there, but I was happy with what I was able to see and the few photos I shot.
Sign out where I was shooting
Learning to Appreciate
For Labor Day I visited my family. They live down in the desert of CA where a typical summer day is 115 - almost just as typical are 120 degree days. So after visiting I drove back up to Orange County and after the three hour drive, I arrived. The beautiful weather got me thinking how I do not appreciate the beauty of where I live enough. It was this thought that made me take a spontaneous left to Laguna Beach instead of the right turn that lead home. I drove down to the beach with my wife and two dogs and we walked along the beach. It was perfect timing – I drove straight to the closest parking and found a parking spot open – that alone is a miracle during the summer time! We arrived just in time to catch a beautiful sunset; I was able to snap a few photos – What a confirmation of thoughts!
This was a great lesson in appreciating the beauty that surrounds me.
