Pen and Ink

The final look into the Japanese Garden is a complex pen and ink drawing effect, which adds to the serenity of the scene as I look at it.
With the completion of the Fabyan photos, we move on to a new topic in the next post.

Another Effect

Our final two looks at the peaceful bridge in the Japanese Garden at Fabyan Forest Preserve are to be found here and in the next post.

One of my favorite effects is a sort of cartoon drawing effect, which works well for either landscape or people.

Bridge

There is no doubt about it, the star of the show and the center of the Japanese Garden is the rounded bridge spanning the placid water of the pond. Horizontal or vertical, landscape or portrait, large or small, the peace and harmony of the scene is completely tangible in the photo.

In the next two posts, we will look at a few experiments in post-processing to see some alternate views of the bridge.

Lush and Quiet

From every angle, the Japanese Garden is a picture of peace. Here we see a single silent wildflower and a secondary bridge, found only as you walk around the side of the garden, all surrounded with lush, quiet greenery.
We will return to look at the centerpiece, the star of the show at the Japanese Garden, in the next post.

Japanese Garden

Fabyan Forest Preserve has as one of its features a Japanese Garden. Separated by a rail fence from the rest of the preserve, it is gated and only open at certain times. It is also available for special events, such as wedding party photographs.

But a rail fence is a border marker, not an obstruction to a view.

And any Japanese Garden that is complete with some calm water, a gentle waterfall, and an attractive foot bridge will be a calming, restoring tret to the eyes.

Sunny Silhouettes

Loved the experiments with silhouettes, darkening the sky to generate an ominous yet peaceful look. Here I find it hard to choose between the photographic image with the sharp tree surrounded by rings of cloudy color, or the cartoon impression generated by it. I think this one is tailor-made for a poster.

Which do you prefer?

Fishing & Photography

During my walk on both sides of the Fox River, I saw people enjoying the wonderful spring day. Naturally, there were fishermen, including this man who is clearly at rest waiting for his catch to show up.

Meanwhile, another photographer was busy collecting images of the day and the event, and I took this shot, reminding me of a day at Wrigley Field years ago. A woman a row ahead of me was writing a poem on the day and the event, and I later wrote a poem on watching a poet writing a poem.

Up the West Bank

Turning at the bridge we saw in the previous post, the Depot Museum and its well-preserved caboose is a wonderful sight for old railfans. Heading north to the west bank of Fabyan Forest Preserve, we get the see the rust on the concrete pylons holding up the modern Fabyan Parkway bridge.

Batavia River Trail

A charity walk along the Fox River last month gave me an opportunity to see Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva and a River Trail south into Batavia and across the river. On the east side of the Fox, I saw a classic "Life. Be in it." logo on a post in Batavia, a logo I have not seen in nearly 20 years. It was quite common back in the days I worked at the Lisle Park District. In the other image, a nice light area along the path was quite welcoming, and it was just asking for me to give it a cartoon drawing treatment.