Robert Swanson's photos

Taken on our world cruise in 2009. We wandered through the various souks in Dubai, and came to the area where the gold sellers were located. For the 100th Sunday Challenge, SOLID GOLD!! Great work, everyone! The brilliant color really caught my eye. Image processed with GIMP.

Taken during our balloon ops training. The balloon owner was very helpful. He later flew this balloon at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. This activity took place at an elementary school, and the children were quite fascinated. We only helped to inflate the balloon, and then immediately packed it back up. I've uploaded a photo of the balloon being deflated. www.ipernity.com/doc/2543754/49697366 Image processed with GIMP.

Taken at Casa Grande National Monument. The ancient building is now under a protective cover. The ranger is describing the structure and its history. The walls are made of adobe from the topsoil of the desert. It must have taken quite a large group of people to excavate, form the adobe "bricks" and then erect the walls of this structure. I have uploaded an image of grafitti on the ancient walls. It is located at: www.ipernity.com/doc/2543754/51742608 If you are in Arizona, be sure to visit the National Monument. www.nps.gov/cagr/index.htm Image processed with GIMP.

One of the early American visitors carved his name on the wall of the "Casa Grande", an ancient building in Arizona. If you are in the area, be sure to visit the Casa Grande National Monument. www.nps.gov/cagr/index.htm Image processed with GIMP.

Very romantic. Taken in the Toy Museum, Stockholm Image processed with GIMP.

Taken with my new (2016) Panasonic GX85. One of its settings is "L-Monochrome", which is a Leica-inspired monochrome range. I like it. Image processed with GIMP.

We could see much of "downtown" Sydney from our apartment balcony. It being close to Christmas, they were illuminating several buildings close by (TownHall area). This particular one changed color every 30 seconds or so. Every once in a while, it was orange. This was a test of my new (2016) Panasonic GX85. I set it at ISO 25,600, which accounts for the obvious noise you will see in the photo. However, after a little work in GIMP, I was able to make it square format, and improve the details a little. Overall, I'm amazed by the low-light capability of this camera.

While we were walking around Ultimo, Sydney, I noticed the interesting wall art/advertisement for Hannah's Pies. Image processed with GIMP. This was during the first week that I had the Panasonic GX85, and was still getting used to using it.

Taken at our in-laws during a visit. We brought our big Costco bear, and the family supplied theirs. This was a "meeting" but no one kept notes, and there does not appear to have been an agenda. (The little guy was supposed to be the Secretary.) Image processed with GIMP.

One of the public area inside the Opera House. The tables were part of a cafe located there. The sweep of the architectural design was quite interesting. It shows some "lines and planes" (at least the lines anyway, maybe a few planes) for the Sunday Challenge. This was taken with my (new in 2016) Panasonic GX85. Very happy with it. Image processed with GIMP.

The park at Watsons Bay, Sydney. The folks in the foreground are using the stone "bench", which seems a bit uncomfortable to me. In the background are more conventional benches, and picnic tables. These photos were taken with the new (in 2016) Panasonic GX85. I was just getting used to the settings and operation. Image processed with GIMP.

Part of my WW I collection, this is a great studio portrait of a soldier. The photo is marked on the back as "Columbus Barracks". That facility was a recruit center in Columbus, Ohio, USA. He is posing with his rifle (and bayonet), just one of the interesting photo variants that interest me. Image scanned from original photo, and processed with GIMP.

Reflections in the pool at the bottom of this scenic gulch. It is famous, because outlaw Jesse James was supposed to have jumped the gulch on his horse in order to elude the posse. It is mysterious because no one has been able to find the bottom. All in all, this is a very unusual place, located in an otherwise typical midwest small town. (Various areas nearby were treated as sacred by the Native Americans.) www.southdakotamagazine.com/devils-gulch Image processed with GIMP, cropped to square format.

As we shiver in the cold here up North, it is nice to enjoy a summer's view of Watsons Bay beach, Sydney. Image processed with GIMP.

The sign welcoming us to the zoo. We had a great time. Oh yes, and a fence, too. Image processed with GIMP.

The apes are in an open compound, but the zoo has added a wall on the back. There are "holes" in the wall that allow the apes to have some privacy. This mother is being bugged by the baby, something I expect all mothers have to deal with. Image processed with GIMP.

In the Munich Brauhaus, located in the Rocks area of Sydney. The German food, band, and drink were great! Image processed with GIMP.

Soon after I bought the new Panasonic GX85 in Sydney, I spent some time trying out the various settings. One such setting is called "L-Monochrome", which is a Leica-inspired monochrome palette. Anyway, Happy Bench Monday! And Happy New Year, all! image processed with GIMP.