D-175 & 176

The daily shoot today is:
"Make a photograph of something circular and crop it within a square frame"
My collections of Sea Shells from my various vacations to Mexico. When I'm stressed I light the candle and enjoy the site. Reminds me of the beach.


This is yesterdays photo.
My "girls" just got their summer hair cuts. My miniatured, long haired Dachshund, after a good hair cut.

Reesee is 8 years old and Twix is 6. Twix it the one standing taller.


My father is recovering from surgery really good. He's progressed a lot faster than we expected him too. He still has a long road ahead of him. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers . It is much appreciated.

My reading corner:
Nikon Manual 190-193
A Short Coarse in Photography, London/Stone

Images viewed: Jeff Ascough just amazing images.

D-174 La cascara del mar

La cascara del mar

La cascara del mar, originally uploaded by Sandra Marek.

Tomorrow is a very big day for my family. My dad is having his heart surgery. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks

This is one of those images I'm not thrilled with but my challenge is complete for tonight and I can call it a night early.

The daily shoot
"#ds225 Go high key today. Make a photograph that's all bright tones or dominated by white."

Images viewed: Dennis Reggie


Nikon D-300 pages 189-190

D-173 Picture perfect

Sunday's Challenge at the Daily Shoot: Make a photograph with a photograph. Find a cherished print and compose it in a larger scene.

I did off camera flash again. Like Greygirl25 said yesterday, the learning curve is tough. I agree with her but I am determined to learn off camera flash. Flash shot through umbrella to camera right.

I added my favorite Christmas lights to the background and a slave with a blue gel on it, across the scene behind the picture.

Picture perfect

Picture perfect, originally uploaded by Sandra Marek.

this is just a small corner of this frame/image but I was trying to be creative.

Images viewed: Joe Buissink
The last day for sure. I just finished looking at his last portfolio folder.

Nikon D-300 pages 188-189

D-172 Yellow

This is the 172nd day for my 2010 Project 365, but the second time around for my 365 photography project. It's amazing how much you can learn by doing such a project.
This year (Thanks to Tasra Mar and Scott Bourne), I've been reading my camera manual, viewing other professional photographers work every day and of coarse taking a picture a day. I've also been taking on the Daily Shoot Challenge and reading other photography related books. I'm learning a lot about photography.
Are you working on improving your art? What are you doing?

Daily Shoot: "Today's color is Yellow. Find something that is yellow in color and make a photograph of it."



I wanted to play with some off camera flash (OCF) so I set this up outside after it got dark. Flash is to camera right, shot through a white umbrella.


For a bigger picture see:Flickr

My reading corner:
Nikon d300 user's Manual 185-187

Viewed images by Joe Buissink (last day)
Wanted to mention that my dads surgery was postponed until Tuesday.

D-171 Summer whimsy

Our facebook group Project 365 has a challenge today it's "Summer" and the daily shoots challenge is "Weekend whimsy. Make a photograph of something that tickles your funny bone. Caption it accordingly." I was glad to be able to combine both today.

Isabella's toys in the yard makes me happy in a whimsical kind of way, the rays of sunshine make me happy and remind me that it is Summer and that string of lights that I put up on the grapevines, that have given me hours of entertainment learning how to take different boked images, all "tickle my funny bone."

To my fellow photographer friends - let me recommend that you participate in challenges. They will push you to think out side of your normal routine.

Posting from Flickr is giving me the blues today. I think it's time to change from blogger. Any suggestions?

For larger image see here >>>

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16119903@N07/4734893422/in/pool-1251121@N24/

My reading corner

Nikon D-300 Users manual 182 - 185

Wedding Photography by Rick Ferro

D-170 Beauty in the gutter

The daily challenge - #ds221 Make a photo of elements that are strikingly different from one another to add tension and interest to your composition.

I've found myself taking 2 sets of images for the daily shoot challenge lately. One is just a quick - anything that would satisfy the challenge, the other is more thought out and better executed. I forgot today was Theme Thursday at Tasra Mar This lady always inspires me and motivates me to do better, not just in photography but in other aspects of my life as well.
The reason I've taken on some of these challenges are best described by Tasra herself, "Theme Thursday is meant to challenge you to photograph something outside your comfort zone, something different, something new. You might never photograph the same thing again, but you can say you did it and at the end of the year, you’ve stretched your creative muscles in ways you might have known possible." That's why I've taken on some of the Daily Shootand Tasra's challenges.



Nikon D-300, 50mm, F/16, 1/60s, ISO 400, flash.
My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 179-182
Wedding Photography Book read
Images viewed: Joe Buissink

D-169 Shadows

I've worked really hard over the past year trying to learn how to take images without shadows. Interesting that today's challenge requires a large shadow.

The daily shoot today "Make a photo composed of interesting shadows today."




Images viewed: Matilde B

My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 179-182

D-168

This is today's image:
Bastet the Egyptian Cat


f/6.3 1/125s, ISO 500 (forgot to check the ISO) 50mm, Nikon D-300
Flash to camera right facing the cat - do not remember settings
Slave light with a blue gel on it, Christmas lights in the background.


This one is in response to the Daily shoot challenge:
Daily shoot
"#ds219 Look for abstract shapes and designs today. Make a photo of a subject everyone has seen that's not easily recognizable."

:)


and finally Elli wanted to know how I focused yesterdays self portrait. This is how I set it up:
It's a glove with a ring on it. I just put my hand at that exact spot.

Don't forget it Twitter Tuesday at Tasra Mars Check out other 365rs

Here's a quick tip I found on reducing noise in photoshop. You know for those days you forget to check your ISO or those very low light conditions.
Best Design Options

other interesting read: The SMART method
Images viewed: Joe Buissink

My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 177-179

ON A VERY PERSONAL NOTE:
I've been at the hospital with my dad since 5:30 AM until 8:00 PM
what started out as a simple procedure has turned into a full blown medical crisis for him. He's having open heart surgery, triple bypass, on Thursday. Please keep him in your prayers. Thank you

D-167 Mysterious

Today is my 7th wedding anniversary. I want to say "Hi Babe, happy anniversary"
David has been my best friend and my partner in life for the past 11 years. He has stepped up to the plate and has been the most amazing step father, to my kids, anyone can ever wish for. I cannot imagine life without him. He loves to cook and supports my hobbies, habits, career and dreams. I feel complete because of him. Thank you babe.
Oh and thanks for the Anniversary dinner, it was delicious.

This one's for you babe.
THE DAILY SHOOT - #ds218 Leave something out today. Be visually brief. Shoot tight. Make a photo that's direct and to the point.



Nikon D-300, 50 mm, studio
My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 173-177
A short Course in Photography by London/Stone Read perspective and Lens attachments
pgs 44-50

Images Viewed: Yervant

D-166 Happy Father's Day

What a busy but great weekend.
Spent some time with David, my dad and a little time with my father in law (very little), well have to make up for it later. I am so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful men! Hope you guys had a wonderful Father's Day!

Today's challenge on the daily shoot was
"Make a photo that creates depth. Draw the viewer in by choosing an interesting foreground, middle-ground, and background."
for some reason I had a difficult time with this one. I spent a very long time trying to find something. The almost last picture of the day worked for me.



You have the foreground - bushes/leaves
the middle-ground - the dried trees with the birds on them
the background - the building. All in complete focus.
I added a texture and converted to black and white to add to the eeriness of this building. It's a new construction but the old dried trees around it, the swamp and the black birds that surround it sure give it an old feel. The building is still under construction.

Dave and I took a nice long walk in the woods at Lemon Lake and I found these wild berries in there.


Read both in the manual and in my book but I don't have them with me to document the numbers.
Images viewed: cruised on flickr for a bit today.

D-165 What are you reflecting?

We reflect what is in us and what is around us . . .

D-164 Reflection

Just wanted to share that yesterday's picture was selected to be on DailyQi for June 18, 2010. "dailyQi (dailyqi.com) is an independent English language e-magazine with an Asian focus, providing our readers with written articles on the arts, culture, business, entertainment, environment, health, politics, science and technology, plus providing various Asia-Pacific news and links of interest."

Macro lily


Challenge for Facebook 365 "reflection"
It was raining so hard so I had to come up with something indoors.

The reflection is a piece of acrylic that I bought at the hardware store.

A lot of my friends have been talking about "time" and the lack there of. I can totally relate. I understand. There are days when I not only "don't have the time" I don't have the energy. Sitting around chatting and watching TV is a luxury I don't really have anymore. However, this project has and continues to move me. Study, learn and try harder. My art has grown and so if I have to give up some TV time to continue learning this art - then so be it because I'm still fascinated with this craft.

D-163 Garden bokeh

Another daily shoot challenge.
Today's challenge is "Shoot wide open today. Make a creative photo that uses a shallow depth of field to good effect. #ds214"


I must confess that shallow depth of field and bokeh is no longer a challenge to me. So instead of the usual bokehliciousness I get with flowers and fields I thought I try a different subject. My Chinese Lantern with lights in the background.



Nikon D-300, 50 mm, F/1.4,1/50s, ISO 250
My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 172-173
Images Viewed: Michele Winter Johnson Architecture photography

D-162 Mushroom Day 2

. . .and letter challenge from Daily Shoot.
"Find the shape of a letter in something around you-- architecture, nature, or anything not in print--and make a photo."



and yesterday I posted a picture of a mushroom, today I was surprised by the amount of growth.


Nikon D-300, 50 mm, f/5.7. Much better detail.

My reading corner:
Read an article by Dane Sandres "Mapping your pDNA.
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 166
Now reading:
A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone pages 48-49

D 161 schroom . . .

Somtimes it's just easier to just hang up your gloves and take a rest.
What you do in those times really test your character. What do you do?
Here is my unispired image.
I learned that shooting wide open is not always a good idea. That having great details might be better than having all bokeh. In this image I could have slowed the shutter speed a tad and closed up my aperature. You live and learn (I hope).
Nikon D-300, F/1.6, SS1600, ISO 200

It is what it is. Running out of day light and a gloomy rainy evening.


Twitter Tuesday at Tasra Mar

My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 163-165
Now reading:
A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone pages 45-47
Studied ads in Family Circle and Vogue Magazine

158-160 Back on line . . .

We went to the campground and I don't have Internet connection there. I think it's the idea of "getting away." LOL

so my catch up pictures
158 - We went back to the field of wild flowers

159 - My youngest son graduated High School (just a snapshot)


D160 - today's challenge on the Daily Shoot
"The Daily shoot today
#ds211: Make a photo of a flag today: national, state, or otherwise. Try to compose it in a unique way"


Viewed images on Professional Photographer Magazine

D-157 It's all in the details

Friday challenge "details"



A mountain is composed of tiny grains of earth. The ocean is made up of tiny drops of water. Even so, life is but an endless series of little details, actions, speeches, and thoughts. And the consequences whether good or bad of even the least of them are far-reaching.
Sivananda





It's all in the details. This beauty was a gift from my daughter when she came home to visit. I hope it grows each year. I haven't had much luck with Hydrangeas in the past. Looks like my luck is about to change.

My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 179-185
Now reading:
A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone pages 40-45
Viewed different images on Flickr

D-156 Nothing but the challenge . . .

Today's daily shoot challenge is "DS#207 "Contrast subjects of different size today. Be subtle or make it obvious, it's up to you!"


My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 179
Now reading:
A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone pages 37-40
Viewed different images on Flickr

D-155 Enlightenment must come . . .

“Enlightenment must come little by little-otherwise it would overwhelm.” Idries Shah

Little by little, moment by moment, day by day. That's how the knowledge is coming. I pick up the manual every single day, I pick up the other book (which ever one that may be at the time)and I read. A little bit each day and it's amazing how many books I've gone through. It's amazing how much knowledge is to be had, but not all at once, just a little at a time. I'm almost at the half way point with my manual and I've completed many books since starting this challenge, thanks to Tasra Mar's blog

Are you working on your education/enlightenment a little bit everyday?

Another one from the Daily Shoot
Daily Shoot #206
"Place or find a subject floating on water today---boats, leaves, ice cubes, etc.---and make a photo!"



My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 177-178
Now reading:
A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone pages 34-37
Images Viewed: Studio Logic

D-154 Ajos!

"Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark places where it leads."


I am trying to make a series with this vintage plate. This is the second image I like so far. This was done in the studio but I was trying to make it look like natural light. I used a snoot. Monochromatic white on white.



My second image of the day is the Daily Shoot challenge see here on Twitter
Daily Shoot #205 "Iteration or repetition of a subject makes for good composition. Look for a repeating pattern today and make a photo."
Also Monochromatic but black on black.



My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 168-177
Now reading:
A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone pages 31-34
Images Viewed: Gerard Tomko

Today is Twitter Tuesday over at Tasra Mar. Don't forget to go take a look.

D152 /D153 It ain't pretty!

Blogger did not let me post yesterday. I couldn't even comment on people's blogs I follow. That really irritated me.
So today I give you two post. Day 152 & 153
Today
It ain't Pretty but it's the Daily Post challenge #204
"Manhole covers have character and quietly tell a story. Make a photo of a manhole cover in your neighborhood today."
What story does this manhole tell? That we live in an interesting place. That we live in a suburban area. With the city to one side of us and the country to the other side. That it's collected many grass clippings, leaves and acorns.

It's like a filter and when it's taken too much at once or too much garbage period it goes into overflow and backs up.
Sort of like my brain. It's overloaded with activity and info and the filter is full. Today I have a migraine. Time to slow down and give the old filter a break.


Yesterdays Daily shoot was to capture sun flair. I had to enhance my sun flair in PS but I redid it today.
Enhanced flair


Real sun flair




Images viewed: Peekaboo Photo Blog


My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 165-168
Now reading:
A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone pages 18-31

D-151 Self portrait

Daily shoot challenge #202 "Using contrast in your photography can give you very artistic shots. Make a color photo with high contrast today."

Self portrait with - with high key, contrast and textures all wrapped up in one.
Just playing with Photoshop and learning new techniques. Just for fun.
Would I offer this to a client? probably not but it's fun to play.



I found a tutorial on Twitter, Photoshop tutorials

My Reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 163-165
Now reading:
A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone pages 10-18
Images viewed: Mamie007

Interesting business concept/article: Logic+ emotion

D-150 Change your point of view

sometimes just changing your point of view, just moving in to take a different looks makes a world of difference.



some bamboo looking, native to Indiana, plants sitting in an antique milk bottle.

My Reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 146-163
Now reading:
A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone pages 1-10
Images viewed: 60 Examples of Beautiful HDR

D-149 Nostalgic/Time

Today's image ties in two challenges in one. The Daily Shoot challenge is "Think of a favorite childhood sport, game, or activity. Make a nostalgic photo today."
Tasra Mar's Theme Thursday is Time.

Time


It was one of my favorite childhood activities. It gave me freedom, I felt like I could fly and I'd swing so high my swing would jump. It was both liberating and exhilarating. Where has time gone? What can I find now that would give me that same feeling without the motion sickness?


My Reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 133-146
Now reading: A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone


Images viewed: One of the blogs I follow is AB, which by the way it totally amazing the photos he takes with his cell phone and he gives you a map of where the actual location is, he linked me to this blog, Photos From Haninge,Sweden. Basically he just takes street photos. Similar to the $2.00 portrait. Those are the images I viewed today. Thanks AB

D-148 Just keep moving . . .

When the weight of the world has fallen on your shoulders, when the going is really getting tough, what do you do? Give up? Hide in your shell? Or just keep moving. Sometimes if feels like you don't even know what direction you are going but as long as you keep moving. One foot in front of the other, just keep moving.

I found this little guy in the middle of our street. I don't know where he came from don't exactly know where he thought he was going but he was moving! My dogs were fascinated by him and so were our local hawks. So we picked him up put him in a box to took him to a creek round the block. Hopefully, he would have his barrings back and find his way to where ever he was going in the first place. Don't forget just keep moving.



The Daily shoot today:


Daily shoot #199 Challenge is:
Get down and get your knees dirty today. Find some plant life, get low to its level (close and wide), and make a photo.
Yeah don't forget get eaten up by mosquitos too. LOL
Nikon D-80 50mm
ISO 200, f/1.4, 1/2500 s

My Reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 127-133
Getting Things Done by David Allen Pages 182-258 Completed this book. Finally. It kind of dragged by the end. Overall it's a good book with great suggestions but I'd recommend it more for a corporate person.

Images viewed: The digital Photography by John Hedgecoe

D-147 A creative in the making . . .

Yeap she's definitely a creative. She picked her own clothes (lol) right down to the hat and shoes. She wanted her picture taken. As soon as the lights when on she went into character and "performed" for us. I think she was a bag lady but I could be wrong.


she was singing and telling tales


The daily shoot challenged today was:
How do you get around: car, train, bicycle, plane, feet? Make a photo that represents your mode of transportation today.
Here's my response


Today has been an extremely long, busy day. So no reading. No images viewed.
Will catch up tomorrow.

It's twitter tuesday at Tasra Mar