D-207 Be still my heart . . .

For the past two years I've been planning this purchase. We've talked about it, we've researched it and the day finally arrived. Today I brought home my new
"Baby"
here's her portrait, be still my heart


and with that I took my first portrait. These images satisfy my friend, Pams, challenge to me (to use the 70-200 mm for 1 week) and the Daily shoot. I used that lens for both images.
The Daily Shoot: Make a portrait of somebody today. It can be somebody you know or a stranger. Maybe even yourself.


My brand new Nikon d-700, S1/50), f/2.8, 200 mm, ISO 4000 No Flash only ambient light and his lap top. This was the first image taken at ISO 4000! Almost no noise! My heart skipped a beat!

So what's your next camera equipment purchase? What have you been dreaming of? What's on your wish list?




My Reading corner:
Read the new manual Nikon D700 User's Manual Pages 1-13

Images Viewed: Aleksandras Babicius

D-206 a challenge and a challenge

Friday's fun challenge at Project 365 FB is "Sun"
funny it's been 98 degrees F over here for the past two weeks. As soon as I have a "sun" challenge it cools down and it's cloudy all day. It's just funny how things work out sometimes.
so I went and picked sunshine from my mother-in-laws house. Thanks Jan!



So I have this delicious lens. It's a 70-200 mm, Nikon 2.8. It's really nice but I haven't found the sweet spot yet. It's heavier than I'm used too and most images come out blurry because it's too heavy. My friend Pam, mostly uses that lens. She calls it her Pamaratzzi Lens. Today she challenged me to use this lens for a whole week and see if I wouldn't fall in love with it.
Today I put the 50 mm on then I changed it to the 70-200. The difference was amazing. The background easily boked out and became creamy. What every photog wants!




Images Viewed: Aleksandras Babicius

My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 Manual pages 324-344

D-205 Tea Time . . .

It's been 2 weeks since we've had Isabella here. Our schedules just haven't worked out, but we had her tonight and she's spending the night so we had time to visit sick friends, a great-grandpa who's on the mend (still in the hospital) plus we had time for a nice tea party. We enjoyed Tea by candle light with a special princess. She just warms my heart.

The Daily Shoot: "Turn the tables and make a photograph of a light source today. Light bulb, window, or even the sun (be careful!)."
Well obviously I didn't make it in time for the sun so candle light worked out just fine.




and she made all kinds of wishes before blowing out the each candle. I know she wished something about her mom but I didn't have the heart to ask her to repeat it.

and now she's sound asleep, probably dreaming about her "perfect little tea set" as she says it.
S1/60, Aperture f/1.4, Focal Length 50 mm, ISO Speed 800
Exposure Bias -2/3 EV (talk about not checking the settings -it should have been at 0.00 or a +1)
No Flash
My reading corner
Nikon D300 owners manual 322-324
Read a few pages in VisionMongers
and read some articles from Flicker on my I-Pod

Images viewed: 25 Great Shots and
Light Stalking

Day 204 Full Speed Ahead

The Daily Shoot
"The world is always in motion. Make a photo that conveys a bit of your own motion to your viewer."
I always seem to be on the go. Sometimes I just need to slow down. I've promised myself to get plenty of rest, exercise and eat well. I've done them all but the plenty of sleep part. Here it is 9:00 PM and I haven't made it home since this morning.
How fast is your lifestyle. What are you sacrificing to do what you love?


We pulled over on the side of the highway and put the camera on the dashboard and set it to ,
S1/5
Aperture f/16.0
Focal Length 60 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias -2/3 EV
Nikon D-300
Used a kit lens because it was raining and I thought I would use the tri-pod, which I didn't.

Day 203 There's always sunshine

Today's daily shoot "theme is the number 6. Make a photograph of the number six, six objects, or express six in an alternate way."
So it's late, really late and I had to find something quick, not very creative but here it is:
Tres Amigos

6 dots starring back at you.

Today my friend Flora(in the white) started her first Chemo-therapy session.
I started a series on her right after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. This is the first time we were able to get her children together.
Flora, my thoughts are with you G.F. May you always have rays of sunshine shining on you.
Love ya!


Today is Twitter Tuesday at Tasra Mar

Today I viewed Ed Pierce's Photo vision CD #80
Read Nikon D-300 User's Manual pages 321-323
Viewed images from Rangefinders magazine

Day 200-202

Day 202! I have a feeling it will be down hill from here.

We painted the computer room this weekend so I had no internet access all weekend. Here is my catch up post.

Saturday's daily shoot assignment: Make a photo that uses negative space to good effect. Give your subject room to breathe, and balance it within the frame.


Sunday - Macro Details


The daily shoot "Today’s daily shoot challenge: Today’s theme is the color pink. Find something that’s pink and make a creative photo."


Images Viewed: Breath taking black and white landscape by Dave Hill

Read: Nikon D300 Manual pages 309-321
I've been catching up reading my Rangefinders Magazines

D-199 Summer sky

Today's Project 365 Friday Challenge is
"Hot enough for you?"I started with just the first image to show the glow of the sky since it has been 98 degrees and higher here for a couple of days then the skies turned dramatic. In less than 15 minutes I got those 4 images of the sky in the same direction facing west.
I would probably do them justice by posting them separate but I did not want to overload blogger so I put them together. Amazing colors and look at the rainbow.



and The Daily Shoot today is: Double your art today. Make a photo of something you've created or crafted.
I recycled my daughters old army uniform. The army changed the patterns and she no longer had use for these and I knew I wanted to make something with that material. It holds my sketch notebook, pens, pencils, erasers and a few other things. I made it a few weeks ago but just now had a reason to photograph it. :)
I only used one pant leg. Maybe I'll make a purse with the other. Hmm...



Images Viewed: Today I studied Anne Geddes Images
My Reading Corner
Professional Photographer magazine July 2010 issue
Nikon D300 Manual pages: 307-309
Vision Mongers" by David duChemin

D-198 . . . at an angle

The daily shoot:Rotate your camera today a bit and make a slightly off-angle photograph. Use the angle to emphasize your subject.


Hard to tell but I did turn the camera. I shot from an angle.

I did an outdoor photo shoot today of a family. This little girl wanted to play her violin for me. The concentration in her face and her determination to play above all other distractions fit Tasra Mar's Theme Thursday "Abandonment"
and the definition I found was: abandoned: unrestrained or uncontrolled; uninhibited: She played with abandoned enthusiasm.



Images Viewed:My paradise photos
My Reading Corner
Professional Photographer magazine May 2010 issue
Nikon D300 Manual pages: 302-307
Vision Mongers" by David duChemin

D-197 Caught in a net . . .

or falling through the cracks? Sometimes it feels like one other times it feels like the other.


my image was taken a few days ago. Another long day but this time I relaxed in front of the T.V. and fell asleep.


Images Viewed:Jerry Ghionis
My Reading Corner:
Nikon D300 Manual pages: 302
Rangefinder July 2010
Vision Mongers" by David duChemin

D-196 It's about the passion

I'm reading the book Vision Mongers and he puts into words what it feels like in my life every day. It's the calling, the passion, the vision. It makes me pick up my camera every single day, sometimes several times a day. It makes me look at objects/people and wonder how I can shoot it creatively. I do it because I cannot "not" do it. It may not always be my best, but it's my best for that day.

Today's Daily Shoot: The Daily Shoot
Make a photograph that emphasizes a change in texture: smooth/rough, soft/hard, shiny/dull, etc.
Today's picture almost didn't happen - I was getting home at about 11:00 pm and noticed the contrast between the smooth leaf and coarse/textured stamen (?)

Share your images at Tasra Mar Twitter Tuesday and see other photographers work too.

The Peace Lily


My Reading Corner:
Nikon D300 Manual pages: 296-301
Rangefinder July 2010
Vision Mongers" by David duChemin

D-195 Viking!

The daily shoot: "Ads promote removing wrinkles, but they often add character. Make a photo of something wrinkled, crinkled, or folded."
This is my second subject - our Viking doesn't need skin smoothing cream, he's happy just the way he is.



this was the first image I took but I thought the Viking would be more interesting


Images viewed: Jerry Ghionis

My reading corner: Read Nikon Manual 293-296
Rangefinder July 2010
Vision Mongers" by David duChemin

Lesson learned: When shooting night photography u need a good tri-pod
Shoot through umbrellas can make for great looking light.

D-194 In a fog

The Daily Shoot challenge:
"Sunday Challenge: Compose an image that has a soft and dreamy look today, and make a photograph. "

Well, it is soft and sort of dreamy. We went for a country drive looking to create today's image and all of a sudden it started storming and their went my hopes of getting a gorgeous sunlit image.
It was a pretty amazing storm.
Lesson learned? Sometimes you just have to keep shooting.



p.s. the color is basically straight out of camera.
Read Nikon Manual 279-293 Read all about bracketing and flash and didn't understand it. Anyone have a clue?

Viewed blog: Pink Lemonade Design What nice eye candy and a treat indeed.

and Joshua Albanese

D-193 Miss E celebrates her first birthday

I did this little one's new born session last year (here)
shortly after that she had two open heart surgeries. She's grown into a beautiful little toddler.
Mom brought her by the studio for her Fist Years Portraits and cake smash. We had so much fun.

She's just adorable!











Images Viewed: Jerry Ghionis
Viewed: Photovision DVD #81

D-192 Smoke trails & Reesee

Facebooks Fun Friday Challenge is: "National Hot Dog Month"

Here is my "hot dog" she's a long haired miniature dachshund. This is Reesee.
My Hot digitty dog! Hot dog . . .


I also played with some smoke shots today


visit my flickr for more images on Reesee and Smoke.

Today I viewed "Photovision" DVD

I'm looking forward to a cake smash tomorrow . . . should be tons of fun. Stay tuned for images.

191 - Fog

“Living without faith is like driving in a fog.” Arthur Unknown

Weird how today's challenge at Tasra Mar's Theme Thursday is "Fog" My brain has been in a fog all day.

The best way I know how to unwind, besides working out, is taking pictures. So, I am sorry but here's another self portrait. I'll try to find other willing models. David did help me with this one a bit. Thanks babe!

and also the Daily Shoot Challenge
"Get creative with abstraction today. Make a photograph of patterns and/or shapes that aren't recognizable objects."

It is glass but it is not a Cologne bottle.

Images Viewed: Martin Schembri
Also read how to photograph smoke

My Reading corner
I also just received the book Tasra recommended on her
blog "Vision Mongers" by David duChemin and I'm looking forward to relaxing tonight with a good book.
Nikon Manual 279
A Short Course in Photography
The 15 Second Principle

D-190 Wow!

In searching for my image for today I came across this . . .


I ran in through a little topaz,

and on the drive home from the hospital and gym I was watching the sky which was an interesting shade of blue. I ran home grabbed the tripod and headed back out, but as it was already late the sky had grown darker.
I set up the tri-pod anyway

the original image is pretty amazing because one can see the crevices and shape of the moon.

Also, as to not keep you in suspense about yesterdays image (Judy guessed it) it's a bottle of cologne. Shot with a macro lens


I did not read today because of a too full schedule.
Images viewed:
Martin Schembri

D-189 Everyday mundane into ineteresting art

It's Twitter Tuesday at Tasra Mar. Drop by her site and see other amazing photogs who have committed to the 365 days to be a better photographer. Well, something like that.

The daily shoot
Just an everyday mundane object



I have a confession to make. . . I was out of ideas so I turned to David and asked him for an idea. He turned around and handed me this and said "take a picture of this" Thanks Babe, you always come through for me."

Images Viewed: Martin Schembri

My Reading corner
Nikon Manual 276-278
A Short Course in Photography
The 15 Second Principle

D-188 Catching bokeh

The daily shoot
"Focus on a fragment of an object today. Make a photograph that only shows part of an object, not the whole thing."



My Reading corner Nikon Manual 274-276
A Short Course in Photography


Images viewed: Martin Schembri
I fell completely in love when viewing these images. This is another one I will spend a few days viewing and just absorbing the creativity. Well worth the look.

D-187 fun wedding

I "second-shot" a wedding In Moline. It was so much fun. The bride and groom were a dream to work with and they are a gorgeous looking couple.


Used Photography School House Coffee to give it a vintage feel.


Read some articles in "The Visual Science Lab" Of particular interest was "In defense of doing things exactly the way you want to" and also of interest is "Ken Rockwell's prediction for the Future of Professional Photography"
Images viewed: Brian Palmer

D-186 Jelly Bean

Just a quick (and I mean really quick) shots in the studio.




My Reading cornerNikon Manual 267-274
Today I also reviewed a few things I didn't understand. A Short Course in Photography (color film)

Images viewed: Mike Colon - I'm second shooting a wedding and needed inspiration.

D-185 TGIF

The Daily Shoot Challenge:
Glass is a material that's used in so many different ways. Make a photograph of a glass subject today.
Glass Pendant


FB project 365
National Grilling & Ice Cream month


and finally, we have a little house guest. His name is Jelly Bean.
My friends needed a sitter. I watched this little guy when he was 3 months old (see here). He's now 6 months old and a lot louder.



Nikon Manual 249-267
Today I also reviewed a few things I didn't understand like Active D Lighting and exposure compensation and bracketing and I played with the camera until I figured out the different settings. It was fun.
A Short Course in Photography (read about metering)

Images Viewed: David Beckstead

D-184 Theme Thursday

Today is "Theme Thursday at Tasra Mar"
the theme is Heat/Energy.
I don't think this is what she had in mind but I took a picture of Isabella today to represent my family. It's what gives me the energy to continue doing what I need to day. Especially on weeks like this one - which seem like I'm running on fumes only. All of todays images were taken at the hospital where my father is currently at.



The Daily Shoot:
"Make a photo with the number 4 in it one way or another. Maybe 4 items. Maybe a written number. Maybe more abstract."



This is a catch up from a "Daily Shoot" challenge.
"Find a sign in front of a vista that tells a story. (Don't walk on the grass.) Make a photograph and post it"

I found this set of signs, from a distance, confusing.



Read: Marketing Essentials by Digital ProTalk and Marekting Essentials
Nikon Manual 248-249
A Short Course in Photography

D-183 Another self portrait - Black and white

Today marks the halfway point for My 365 project 2010. Yay!
Today I'm posting 3 pictures.

Self protrait of my freckles in all their glory. I really don't like them but after all of these years it's just me.
Light box behind and slightly to camera left, reflector on the floor
Nikon D-300, 50 mm


Self portrait in studio. I added grain and noise to make it look older.
Technically not a great pose, but I like it. I relly am tired and wondering if there is a break sometime in the near future.


The Gardener in 'Debits and Credits'

One grief on me is laid
Each day of every year,
Wherein no soul can aid,
Whereof no soul can hear:
Whereto no end is seen
Except to grieve again-
Ah, Mary Magdalene,
Where is there greater pain?

just thought that poem sounded appropriate for the image today.

and finally, after sharing my image from yesterday with Pam Lopez, she suggested I try a slight different crop and convert to black and white.
I like it!

I hadn't noticed the reflection of myself in the eye until David pointed it out today.

Images viewed: Mike Colon - To Flash or not to flash January 2007My reading corner:
Nikon Manual 247-248
A Short Course in Photography

D-182 the challenge is blue

"Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)

What "habits" have become your life, your every day reaction, your routine?
I'll have to re-examine my habits so that I can guarantee that they will lead to excellence.

Don't forget its Twitter Tuesday over at Tasra Mar. Drop by and visit her site.

The daily shoot:
"Today's theme is the color blue. Blue sky. Blue plate. Blue M&Ms. Make a photo of something blue and post it today."

My honey's blue eye . . .
The triangle in his eye was a white envelop I used as a reflector.




Images viewed: Mike Colon - I will be viewing his images as long as I am captivated by them. His work is stunning.

My reading corner:
Nikon Manual 225-247
A Short Course in Photography

D-181 David versus the Mosquito

Today was an Off Camera Flash kind of evening. Most of my models have grown up and are not as cooperative as they used to be. So I asked poor David to help me out again. He's such a sweet heart. Don't let that mean demeanor fool you. He never refuses to help me even if it means yet another series of pictures.

This first image is funny because there I had another willing model and didn't even realize it. The mosquito to Davids left. LOL They were so bad outside this evening we couldn't stay out there for very long. I also love the bokeh in this one.



Not much bokeh in this one but I like the pose and the color of this one.



Images viewed: Mike Colon
Also viewed the interview of Mike Colon at F-Stop Beyond

D-179 & D-180 4th of July weekend

D-179
My daughter was on leave this weekend so we took Isabella to the campground and she went swiming while down there. I added a warming filter because it was so bright out.
ISO200, 50mm, F/16, S1/40s, Nikon D-300


D-180
The daily shoot:
"It's Independence Day in the U.S (fireworks!). Make a photo with celebration as the theme, wherever you are."

F2.8, 1/80s, ISO 500, 70-200mm at 98 mm, Nikon D-300
.
I should have reseached taking photos of fireworks before I left for the campground but it was hit or miss.

Viewed: F-Stop Beyond -

Images Viewed: Mike Colon

My reading corner:
Nikon Manual 212-225
A Short Course in Photography