Leslie Battjes Photography

Hello, Leslie. Thank you for visiting my portfolio and for your imput.

You have an uncanny talent for guess what?

Wildlife.

This surprised me. After reading your biography I expected that your best shots would be kids. Your kids photos are good. But your wildlife photos are wonderful.

You know there are people who spend piles of money to go on safaris in Aftrica or wherever and come back with photographs that are only half as good as these.

No need for safaris, just go to the local zoo. Which is what you have done.

I suggest publishing some of these shots. There must be a local journal that would enjoy a few of these.

Alex, thanks for the critiques, advice, and praise. I appreciate your honesty. By the way, I really love "health tips", the B&W park bench, and "around North Beach". Those are my favorites! Leslie

Leslie, I really liked the pics of the zoo animals. If you had a different back ground you would think you was on a safari taking pictures. I especially liked the 3 pose of Katie of her back shoulders, it look so natural. You took some real nice pic and you should be proud of them. Have you thought of doing black and white?

Leslie, I browsed thru your portfolio and really think you already have the skill and knowledge to take good pictures (actually you already have some really good ones in the Animals and Children folders). Just keep practicing and you will become a really good photographer.

Thank you for the kind words on some of my images. I will comment on a couple of your images.

Leslie,Thank you for visiting me often.I've seen your portfolio.You got some great photos here. I started about five months ago. Totally new to photography. One thing for sure is Photonet that inspires me. People like Jerry are nice and unselfish friend. There are also many people like him.Choose a few people who can inspire you and keep your passion burning. As for me, I am still learning. Dare not to give real comment yet. Just having fun here. Keep on posting and i'm sure you too can be a outstanding photographer. May God bless you and your family. ;~)

Jerry, Howard, & Spencer- I really appreciate that you've taken the time to look over my site. I'm so glad that I found PN and joined. It's only been about a month or so, but I've already learned so much! You three and many others have done beautiful work and that you would take the time to help a novice like me is really amazing. I hope that comments I've left for you on your shots are helpful...I know what I enjoy seeing, but maybe don't know as much about the technical stuff as I'd like. I'm definitely learning! I'd love to keep hearing any advice you have for me. Thanks again! Leslie

Thanks for your comment to my image...I like your way of photographing. Your portfolio deserves a long stop. Bye - Maurizio

Leslie, thank you for taking the time to go through my portfolio. Your words of encouragement are appreciated.

I took a look through your portfolio. I enjoyed your photographs of children and in the other folders I was drawn to "Snowy Branches", "Blossoms", "Together", and your butterfly pictures. Some nice work. "Together" shows such a tender moment.

Have you ever read any of John Shaw's books. If not, you might enjoy them. All the best.

Leslie, You recently viewed one of my images and made a firm stand about your opinion. Thank You, I feel at times to try a new approach. I viewed some of your images, Very Nice. Have some fun and enjoyment with this art. I do! David, Also "Go-Blue"

Leslie, Thanks for commenting on one of my recent pictures, its sincerely appreciated. You have a wonderful portfolio here. Your B&W's and your Bird and Bugs folders particularly stand out. Keep posting and sharing. Sathyaki

nice shots well done

Happy New Year! Thank you for all your support and comments on my photos in 2005. May 2006 be a very good year for you and your family, Best wishes from Dallas Texas

HI THERE THANKS we have 5 javas sparrows also known as temple,and rice birds no they will not be set free as far as we know there are no free javas in england they would not last long in the wild i should have said 5 chicks and 8 grown ups there are well looked after any keep an eye on my site as you will see lots more !!! thanks again for your vist allan and caroline

What a wonderful portfolio Leslie. Thanks for visiting mine. best Regards, Fritz

... the world turns on it, sometimes.. I appreciate both 1)your 'gushing' appreciation of my flower photo, and 2)your pictures. I see that you've developed a fondness and talent for black and white work, too.. your bw portraits exhibit a nice softness combined with directness.. reflecting your love (appreciation to the max, eh?) for them. Amazing how that makes THE difference, even when technique isn't spectacular or pushed at the expense of the subject. You make the viewer appreciate your subjects as much as your portraits of them, I'd say. And your clean compositions really do belie your amateur professions.. you see like a photographer, as well as like a caring human being. Again, the caring makes all the difference in both.

Thanks, guys, for taking the time to look over my work. Although, it's hard to call it work since I really have fun and I don't get paid! ;) Wayne, I appreciate that you found my portraits to show the love I feel for the subjects. That is so important to me. I hope that long after I'm gone, my family can look through our albums and see how much they meant to me! Thanks again.

Leslie

Your lighthouse photos are great! I took a photo of the lighthouse in Northport when I had my Kodak which is o.k., but I hope to get up there today actually if there might be a chance for a sunset. I have included that image here. I also have not yet captured fishtown...wish photography could pay the bills and this thing called work didn't get in the way! Great portfolio overall! Keep visiting...hopefully I'll capture some more shots of the Leelenau area!

Northport Lighthouse

Unfortunately, this time of year the sunset is not in a position which allows you to capture the lighthouse and the sunset in the same photo. I got some great shots of the waves crashing into the shoreline in Leland...check them out in my portfolio...and I have attached a decent lighthouse photo here. Looks like the sunset photo in Northport will have to wait for summer! Guess we will have to keep our day jobs!

This latest lighthouse you attached is fantastic! The bright red against the dark blue sky and the creamy building walls looks great. Nicely done. Leslie

Thanks for the positive comment. It is especially good from a fine photographer!

Thank you for your comment! You have a wonderful port folio. I appreciate all your pictures, but I love "pickpockets". It's funny!! And your "Foggy morning" is perfect...

It was a pleasure to look at your work and I'm pleased that you took the time to look at mine. I'm really just an amateur that's fascinated with the potential of putting out a shot that really says something to people. I have very little time to work with it much, but I do take good honest critiques to heart and really appreciate the invaluable information I've received on PN. What a wonderful place! :) Please feel free to comment/critique whenever you have the time. Leslie

Leslie, just scanned through your portfolio. Nice shots. Looks like we have a common interest in the types of shots we like taking, landscapes and kids. Look forward to seeing more of your work soon. BTW, thanks for your comments on my pier photo.

Hi, Leslie,

I came here after your comment on one of my photos. You obviously have a good eye for photography, and your work is very diversified. I like your children pictures. I expect to see some nice portrait work from you. Keep up the good work.

Best Regards, Barry

Will & Barry, I appreciate you stopping by. I enjoyed your work and love that you took the time to look over mine...although mine is no where near as good! :) I have improved, though, and hope to continue to do so! Thanks again, and feel free to comment/critique anytime, your advice is always appreciated. Leslie

Leslie, thank you for your comment on my photo. I'm glad it brought me here to your portfolio. You have some really nice images here. I especially like 'eyes of a child', 'pacing', 'under the pier' and your shots of lighthouses. I hope to see you around!

Thanks so much for stopping here. It's great to hear you mention a couple of my older posts as well as a couple of new ones! :) I'll definitely be staying around and will be spending more time in your portfolio as well...you have wonderful work. Leslie

A very interesting and well rounded portfolio, I enjoyed the visit.

Thanks for stopping by!

Leslie, Thanks for your comments on my photo.Your comments are helpful and well received. Also it lead me to your portfolio which I enjoyed very much. I especialle enjoyed the flowers, butterflies and your lovely children. My portfolio is small but I hope you will have a look and leave a comment. Jeff

I'd love to take a look. Thanks for stopping by. I hope my comments were helpful to you! Leslie

Yes, the traverse city beach bums! I took a tour of their beautiful stadium a couple weeks ago and we might do some advertising there. I will definitely have to give some sports shots a try! Yes, spring is just around the corner...thank goodness! Can't wait to see your shots from the area! Jeff

Leslie, Thank you for your helpful comments. I have looked through your photos. Whilst you seem at home with any type of pictures, I particularly like the mood of your landscapes. It was therefore very encouraging top have comments from you seeing the quality of your photos. I would wish more people criticise photos more often rather than just leave ratings I will start to follow the 5 principle at my next visit (rather late now in UK unfortunatley). Best wishes

Thanks Leslie for you kind comment. I think you have a nice portfolio. I like your portraits, especially childrens. DDD

Are you serious that they are going to call them the "beach bums"?!? My family never mentioned that! :) Too funny!

Hopefully I'll have my shots back soon...I've been too busy to run down and get them...spring soccer has officially started!

Leslie

Taha, thanks for your kind comments. I'm pleased to have you stop by! :) Five is a wonderful initiative and now that the critique forum has changed to include info regarding the photographer's request, it's making it easier than ever to leave helpful comments.

DDD, thanks for stopping by! I appreciate that you enjoy my portraits. I love that everyone seems to find a different favorite! :)

Leslie

Leslie, you have a wonderful portfolio and your love of nature really shines through. I will definately visit here again...... Kim :o)

Thanks so much! I really enjoy your work as well. Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day.

Leslie

BEST WORK ,

Thanks for stopping by.

Leslie

Hi Leslie, just enjoyed myself going through your portfolio. Lovely portraits ! I have to say that the images which really caught my eye are early morning fog and especially the image of the tiger called Pacing, I love it, wonderful ! Regards, Nicole

Thanks for looking! Early Morning Fog remains one of my all time favorites...maybe because it's one of the few times I got my behind out of bed early and grabbed the camera. I'm not a morning person, so it's rare for me to catch a shot like this! :) I really appreciate you for taking a look. Have a great day!

Leslie

It was exactly one year ago today you left some very generous comments in my portfolio.

I left some comments under your "Caitlin" image, but I want to reiterate how impressed I am with how your passion has boosted you forward as a photographer. With this, let me reiterate my congratulations.

Thanks for revisiting! I really appreciate your interest and your praise. I'm glad to be showing some improvement and I know I have a long way to go. Luckily there are generous people here at PN who are willing to offer advice! :) Thanks again for stopping by.

Leslie

Thanks for commenting on my baby Austin picture. You have some great pictures as well

Excellent portfolio Leslie. The lighthouse folder is too good! Great compoistions. keep it up!

Mark & Anil, Thank you so much for taking a look at my portfolio. I appreciate your kind thoughts and the time you took to check it out! :)

Leslie

Yes, I visited fishtown and I do have some black and whites that I took. I was not all that excited about them and have not taken the time to adjust contrasts, prepare for web, or anything. These last 4 nights have been amazing up here...spectacular sunsets...particularly a night at Sleeping Bear Dunes! I am really looking forward to the rest of spring and summer.

I'll try to take some time to process and send a few B & W photos of Leland to you. Take care! And thanks...as always for your kind comments!

Jeff

Ok, now I'm homesick! :) Not sure if I'll get up that way this summer or not...so many things going on. As long as you keep posting, I'll make it home that way! :) Enjoy the beauty of N. Michigan! And take a dip in L. Michigan for me! :) BTW, have you been down into the Crystal Lake area or even further down into Arcadia? Worth the time.

Leslie

I like your new floral and butterfly captures...very nice! I stopped by Point Betsie tonight and got lucky with some unique lighting as the sun went down. Lots of construction going on there so angles were challenging. Also, I hate all the electrical wires that are in the way on one side...very difficult to get a clean shot and I have no desire to spend time on the computer trying to edit them out!

Anyway, check them out if you get a second and keep shooting...you seem to be improving every time I visit...congrats!

hello leslie thanks for your interest, comments, and advise on my photograph! you have an amazing collection of photos here. my favorite folder is Things that go.... happy shooting!

miguel

I'd forgotten that they were going to be doing some repairs out there...ugh. I'll be up this weekend and was hoping to head out there. I'll definitely try for fishtown and not sure where else.

I'll definitely pop over and take a look at your new posts! Thanks for checkin' in! :)

Leslie

Nice to see you! I appreciate that you took the time to stop by. "Things that go" is fun and I hope to add to it in the future. Thanks for the interest! :)

Leslie

Very beautiful and creative portfolio. Great shots are all over. Hope to see more posted. Best regards.

Thanks so much! I'm having so much fun and learning so much...I'll definitely keep posting. Thanks for the feedback!

Leslie

Very beautiful portofolio with excellent and creative photos. Creative !

Thank you! I appreciate your kind comment...thanks for stoppin' by.

Leslie

You have an excellent portfolio Leslie,with nice,original photos!

my regards.sophia.

Check out my latest photos of our friend Betsie! Hope you are well!

Thanks so much! Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated. :)

Leslie

Yes you did! Excellent...thanks for giving me the heads up! :)

and it looks like you have a budding portrait photographer in the family! I actually prefer the first version that I submitted...it's in the form of a long landscape and includes the waves hitting the seawall. There is so much luck involved in this hobby! There were so many people on the grounds that day, but many of them left when the sun went below the horizon. We all know that the best is often yet to come...

If you haven't already, check out the other version...and I hope the timing works out for you someday!

Hi Leslie, thanks for your kind comment on my photo. Your portfolio is great, I love all your photos but in particular the animals. The tigers are wonderful :-)

Bye

Thank you! You're very kind. I appreciate that you took the time to stop by and take a look. Have a great day!

Leslie

good work leslie battjes.i can see variety in ur portfolio.great.keep ur good work going. regards vinoth.

Thanks for taking the time to look through my portfolio! I appreciate it. Have a great day!

Leslie

Hi Leslie, your portfolio is a kaleidoscope of movement, textures, tones and color. I like mostly the richness of the colors in the "things" that go" and flowers folders. I'll be back to see more. Emmanuel.

Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to look through my images!

Leslie

Makes me happy to see your great evolution of your work, a great maturity and technical quality joined this great photographic eye that you possess. A cordial greeting Leslie

What a wonderful compliment! Thank you so much. I've learned so much in the almost 2 years I've been here at PN. Most people are so generous with their time and knowledge. I still have a lot to learn, but encouragement like yours keeps me at it! :)

Thanks again, Leslie

Hello from Australia. I happened on your portfolio and enjoyed wandering through your beautiful photos. You have a diverse portfolio and I especially like your wildlife shots. I will come back and check out how you are doing often. Lynne

....you just made a guess on my "You'll never guess what I am" photo ( you guessed a salamander )....first Let me say I did add the "eye" on the left, and I "forked" the protrusion at bottom....what it really is is a Bison testicle!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi! Welcome. Thanks so much for stoppin' by and takin' a look. I'm glad you like what you see. I finding that I love photographing just about anything, but I'm also seeing that I get great pleasure out of "finding" things in photographs. I never thought I'd really get into abstracts, but I think I'm starting to lean that way :) As for wildlife, I love animals...I haven't posted much, but I really enjoy watching and photographing any and all animals. I look forward to seeing you stop in again. Thanks!

Leslie

Ya got me on that one....ewwww! I never would have guessed that! :)

Leslie

Thanks for your comments on my flame captures and portfolio. Your have some very fine work here; I've mostly focused on you plasma photos at the moment. I posted a plasma photo for you, nothing compared to your work, just showing how plasma electronics can drive a regular light bulb. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for taking a look. I'm glad you're enjoying the plasma ball shots. I looked at the one you posted and commented there. I would love to know how that worked.

Leslie

Leslie, your portfolio is excellent! You have a great range of artistic talent. And you taught me never to toss those blurry bird pics...geez that will triple my portfolio! <smile> Please post more shots, you are very good!

You've made my morning...thank you so much for your kind words. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Leslie

Hi Leslie,

Its a while now since I visited your site, i am impressed, you are really getting some lovely shots. Keep up the good work.

Best regards Chris

Thanks! I'm glad you think so...I'm learning...bit by bit! :) Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and thanks for stoppin' by.

Leslie

Hello friend

I would like to wish you and your family Happy Holidays and a Good New Year! And say thank you for your support with your ratings and comments on my work over the last year. We are hoping to post some good weather photos this year. We start shooting sky photos in April thanks again for supporting my work.

Best wishes Ken Fugate Stormphoto.net

Happy Holidays, Ken.

Thanks so much for taking a look through my portfolio! I'm glad you enjoyed it! :) Have a wonderful New Year.

Leslie

Good Evening from Qatar my friend, I came here not to trouble you but to say that I did like your work and to wish you all of the best and will look forward to view all of your posts in the future , please forgive me for my poor English and have peace and joy with the 2007

Rashed

www.camerause.com

Your English is quite good! Thanks for stopping by and looking through my portfolio. I appreciate it. Happy New Year.

Leslie

Your images are amazing - and so diviersified! I'm glad I stoped by - that one of the lioness and cub is incredible! As are your b/w portraits. Thanks for helping out with my framing. I think I better put Photoshop on my birthday list this year - I see people do really amazing things with it - as you have! Thanks again for your encouragement!

Thanks so much for stopping by...I really appreciate it! If you do get a version of PS, drop me a line and I'd be happy to pass on the things I've learned.

I love your portfolio. Very inspiring. Overall crisp and clean. I don't think there was a photo I didn't like. Thank you for sharing. Feel free to critique mine :)

Thank you for your kind comment. I'm glad you like what you saw! :)

Leslie

Wonderful photos. I particularly like the plasma ball photos, but the whole portfolio is great. Dan

Thanks, Dan! Glad you stopped by.

Thank you for your recent comment on my river fog picture. It led me here, and your portfolio is a real treat. I especially love your still life stuff. I have tried to do high key shots with very little success, so I end up going dark. Also, I like your animal shots. Thanks for looking at my pictures.

Thanks for you comment e many compliments for your beautiful portfolio. Manu

Very nice portfolio. Congrats,.

SJ - Glad you stopped by! I used to like darker better and I still lean that way, but I'm enjoying working towards the light :-P

Manu - You're very welcome...thanks for stopping by.

Thanks, Tony. I appreciate your visit.

Great portfolio Leslie! I like your work! You have a very good look! My best regards! Vaios.

I love your sense of style and color. Many of these pictures need to be sold for large amounts of money. May it be so!

Vaios - thank you so much for the wonderful compliment and for taking the time to look over my work.

Robert - If only! I appreciate your support and if you ever meet anyone who wants to throw money at me, let me know :)

Thanks for you kind comments on my portfolio. I really like your Plasma Ball & Stringin'It images, and it?s given me some inspiration to try some different things as well. I also like some of your new images with the stark white background. Looks like you are on to some more interesting ideas. I?ll certainly check back again.

Thanks,

Scott

Thanks for taking a look! If you haven't already, check out Anthony Deffina's work as well. He's played with the plasma ball and is working on some stringin' it images, too. He's the one who pointed me to your port. :)

Leslie

very interesting and beautiful portfolio!

Thanks, Tanya. :)

Hey Leslie

I found your site thanks to both your comments on Anthony's most recent submittion, and also your generous comment on my photo.

I really enjoyed going through your portfolio, and wish I had the time to comment on each and every photo here, as they are all worth it.

I look forward to seeing more of your photo's in the future, and will be a regular visitor to your page.

Take care.

Darren

Thanks, Darren! What a lovely thing to say. :) Glad to have you stop by anytime.

Special Day - Special Lady - Happy Easter Cupca er Captain ...... just sayin' (-;

Yes, very special day....Happy Easter, my friend! What a year.

It's been a long while since I browsed through your portfolio. I've discovered that imagination can bring about many beautiful photos without ever leaving home. I've enjoyed it all and will be back.

Hi, Joan! It's great to see you...thanks for stoppin' by. And you're right, it's been awhile for me, too. I'm headed over to see what you've been up to right now! :)

Wow, what a great portfolio! So diverse. Each section is really impressive with your subjects and quality.

A well rounded folio that has an excellent folder with the Plasma photographs... Nice color and style....

John, Thanks for taking a look! I'm trying my hand at everything and hopefully improving as I go along. It's funny, but some people swear that one genre is easier than another, but I've found that each style of photography has its own challenges and it's fun to get to know them.

Dennis,thanks! As I mentioned to John, I enjoy all different kinds of photography. I've learned so much in the past couple of years and hopefully it shows. I toy with the idea of deleting some of my earlier work, but I like to look back and see the change. Anyway, I'm rambling...I appreciate your visit!

Leslie

I,ve really enjoyed looking at your portfolio. A lot of themes, and lot of works with a high level. Best regards Leslie, and congrats... iker.

Thanks, Iker! Very nice to hear from you. I appreciate your thoughts on my work. :)

You have a beautiful eye and fine sense of style. I love the creativity that goes into your work. It looks like you work really hard at setting some of these still lifes. In any case, you're an artist, and not simply a photographer.

Mark, that's a pretty big compliment...not sure I measure up to all of that, but I appreciate it anyway :) I love photography!

Leslie, Your creativity is getting better with every click. :)

-Ram

Thanks, Ram...that's what I'm aiming for! :) I appreciate your visit.

Les, I love all of your photographs!! I didn't know that you were so talented when it came to photography. I like the pictures of the fire works, even though the guys got in the way it makes the picture even better. I also like the travel pictures. I need you to take some pictures of my kids sometime!

hola Leslie, you have a beatiful portfolio, congratulations, very delicate.

Eduardo

STACYYYYYYY! I had no idea you were here! Welcome to PN. Thanks for taking a look at my stuff. I'll call you soon.

Les

Hola, Eduardo. Thanks for stopping by...I appreciate it! :)

I have seen a term on PN I like... It's called "the Knack"... And you have it. The Knack is the natural ability and skill to use a camera that most people don't have...

You my friend have the Knack...

Wow, Fred...that's quite a compliment! :) Thanks so much for taking the time to look over my portfolio...I really appreciate it!

Leslie

Leslie,

I don't know where to leave this comment. I have already left a comment on your wonderful portfolio.

Now, I think of myself as being pretty active on PN, but I've got nothing on you. You must be one of the most active members. I don't know how the symbols are awarded for major PN contributors, but you must be well on your way to getting one of those. Thank you for all you comments.

Dan

Hi, Dan! LOL...I'm so INactive compared to many others, but thanks, anyway! Your work is wonderful and I love seeing what you post. Keep 'em coming!

Les

I came across your portfolio while browsing. Glad I did. You have some very fine things here: abstracts and still life, b&w portraits, "from Susie's place." Also the great lighthouse shots, birds & bugs (great owl image) and much more. I enjoyed going through it. Regards...

Well, thanks, Joseph! What a nice thing to say! Thanks for droppin' by and taking a look. I appreciate it.

Leslie, PN has the luxury of letting us find excellent photos of greta talents. Again it happened to me when I luckily found your gallery. Your Plasma and Abstract folders are fantastic. Congrats, greetings from Portugal.

Your talent is with abstracts and still life but some of your portraits are very compelling too. My favorite is the picture you took of glass bottles with different colors.

Joao, thanks so much for taking the time to look through my portfolio! I really appreciate the visit. The plasma photos were a lot of fun and abstract gives me a chance to look at the world in a whole different way. Thanks for your thoughts! :)

Pascal, thank you as well. I love working with abstracts and still life, but portraits can be fun at times, too. Just not what I do best for sure. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Thanks for taking the time to comment on my work. Your portfolio is very impressive