My 365 days of Reality

Saying goodbye is never easy . . .

2011-01-16T23:58:00.002-05:00

It was not planned this way but with the last post, I think it appropriate to say good by to my "365 Days of Reality"

I've been planning on changing my blog for a while. I had hoped to carry it out sooner, but now seems as good a time as any.

Please continue following my work at S.R.Marek Photography srmarekphotography.wordpress.com

I have also changed my photography site. The new site is: Srmarekphotography.com
I hope to see you there soon. I have immensely enjoyed the past two and a half years of posting and growing, personally, professionally and in my craft. I will always be grateful to my new found "cyber friends" I've learned from you and leaned on you. I hope to continue to grow my circle of friends. Thank you all!

R.I.P Violet Drummond

2011-01-14T00:36:00.002-05:00

From the moment I took this photo, two days ago, Janice, my mother in law, loved it.
Today I dedicate it to her and her mother Violet.
Violet Drummond passed away at 10:00 PM

Baby BJ

2011-01-11T23:54:00.002-05:00

Some of you have already seen these images but I wanted to share on my blog.

Baby BJ is a newborn who wants to act more like a toddler. I love taking pictures of newborns! Cute cute cute.

These were taken in my home studio with window lights and reflector only.

Today Elli shared this blog with me: Gardening gone wild He has an interesting project called Macro in a Mason Jar. My jar isn't large enough but it was good enough to get a couple of close ones. Next time I'll play around some more.

Low Key

2011-01-09T23:55:00.000-05:00

and so I'm back, unable to change my hosting domain or blog accounts yet. Hmmm, grrr
today's challenge is Low Key

I was enjoying the sunshine today so I took a walk in my yard.

and the sun does shine in N.W. Indiana, sometimes

Thorns

Reaching

2011-01-08T23:55:00.002-05:00

So frustrated with blogger. I had a lot to say and I did say it but blogger didn't like it so he threw it all away. I'll take care of you blogger!

to know more about these images go to Flickr

To what extreme's would you go for an image?

2011-01-07T23:44:00.000-05:00

Do your families think your strange? Do you lose sleep hunched over your computer post processing and learning/reading photography related things?
Are you aware of the light around you at all times? You may be a little bit obsessed. Not to worry your not alone. There are a bunch of support groups around. This is one of them, Facebook Project 365, project 365 there is alot of support out there, but not to help you quit, only to make you better.

This one was a bit eerie. Night shot - hand held because my tripod broke. It's 15 degrees F out. I almost froze!
This was a little strange. Found it behind a church. We pulled up to take a picture of a window and this was behind the church. No fence, no signs. It felt weird so we left right away.

Lonely & cold - here's another park bench.

I haven't been able to warm up so I'm getting some hot tea! Enjoy your weekend.

Team-Up Thursday "New"

2011-01-06T22:59:00.004-05:00

Well, you know I couldn't go too long without a challenge. Today's was definitely a challenge because of time issues. None the less I have completed and created a Diptych With Staci .
She took this beautiful classy image of her "new" cologne. I took a picture of Isabella's "new" toy.

How is everyone doing? Those of you who have completed your 365, are you still posting? Have you moved your blogs? Let us know we'd like to follow.

Oh baby . . .

2011-01-05T18:56:00.000-05:00

I had an appointment with this little fellow tonight, but he had other plans. So we are meeting again on Saturday to try it again. We will blame it on the clouds again. Wish me luck.

Images Viewed by Jodie Otte

The first full moon of the year . . . maybe

2011-01-04T23:55:00.002-05:00

Last night was supposed to be the first full moon of the year. My mother in law called me to tell me about it.
So David and I set out, tripod in tow to try and capture the first full moon of 2011. Again, no such luck, if you remember on the first we were out looking for the first Sun Rise of the year but it was too cloudy. Again, the clouds have won. So instead I tried a little night time photography. I've always been fascinated by Terry and Sasi's night adventures.
While out there in the cold, my tripod finally gave out! It's pretty old, and I knew I would be needing a new one soon, but I just wasn't ready. So now I'm in the market not only for a blog site but also a tri-pod. It's all part of the New Years Challenge. LOL
Twilight and a partially frozen lake

This next one was hand held - i'm surprised it turned out with that slow of a shutter speed, but it worked.
A lonely park bench
.
So if you cannot shoot what you set out to do just turn around and shoot something else. It'll all be fine in the end.
I had a couple of questions about my photography groups - these are local groups I joined just do a google search for "meet ups" and "photography groups" in your area and you should have the information you are looking for.

thanks for stopping by
I appreciate the comments.

Landscape photography . . .

2011-01-03T21:25:00.002-05:00

One of my goals for 2011 was to join a photography group. I've accomplished that already. Actually I signed up for two photography groups. One of them is informal. Just getting together for meetups and such. The other is a bit more structured and is based on learning, sharing, participating and showing your work, as in contest(sigh). This is all part of the plan of continuing my photography education and growth.
Yesterday was our first meet-up. We got together in the state of Michigan. It was really cold! We had 9 (total) dedicated photographers who withstood the elements. We spent in excess of 4 hours walking and taking pictures. We walked in town and then went into a restaurant to warm up. Then we went to the lake/beach, then we went to a carousel house. It was so much fun meeting new photographer and making some new friends. I look forward to our next outing.

Pier Workers
please note that they are walking on ice. The Pier was completely frozen over with the waves still splashing over. I was walking on ice but it was not that narrow.

I haven't found a niche in landscape photography yet. I haven't studied it enough to figure out how to make them interesting, now give me a person and I've got that!
The Copper man. Is he real or not?

Read: 11 Surefire Landscapte Photography Tips

Images Viewed: AutoMatt

Helga Kvam

D-365 The end of a 2 year project

2011-01-01T20:20:00.003-05:00

I am relieved and yet I have so many unanswered issues. I had planned on presenting my new blog and website today. That hasn't happened. I don't like change and although I've been unhappy, on a business stand point, with my website and my blog I've dragged my feet. Dreading making the wrong choice. I have switched over to Smugmug for my Photography Website but it won't be operational until the end of the month. Since I don't have that up and running I have a little more time on deciding what blog to use. It's between Wordpress and Typepad. I've heard positives and negatives about both. So, for the rest of this month, I'll be on this blog. I'll keep you posted.

I am not committing to doing another 365 day project, but I will probably post frequently. Scott Bourne says we should shoot every day, maybe even several times a day. It's the only way to be a better photographer. I intend on continuing the tradition.

Although this is my second year posting an image a day, the last year I've seen the largest learning curve. I've improved immensely and I attribute that to Tasra Mars Blog/Challenge.This was my article in September 2010

It all started about 3 years ago when I wanted a nice camera to take “better” pictures for my scrapbooking hobby, so my husband gave me a Nikon D-80 for Christmas. I shot in Auto Mode for the first year. One year later, I purchased a used Nikon D-300. I started a picture a day project/blog about a year and a half ago, with a group of photographers of all skill levels.
For the first year, I literally just took pictures. I had no direction, no guide and no plan. Pictures of everything and anything would make an appearance in my blog, once I even included my laundry. Most of these images were not very creative, just point and shoot, but I worked on learning something about photography every day.

On February 14, 2010 I came across Tasra Mar’s Blog in which she says that our photography will improve by 300% if we:

1.Take at least one picture a day.
2.Read at least 1 page in the camera manual
3.View other professional images every day.
That day I signed on – I took the challenge. Six and a half months later I have completely read the users manual for the D-300 and I have followed her recommendation to become a better photographer. I have also taken on a daily challenge (The Daily Shoot) in which they give you a guide line for your picture of the day. My learning curve has tripled in the last six months.

These are a few of the things I’ve learned in my photographic journey:

■We all need a little help along the way and it’s o.k. to ask when you are stuck, there are people willing to help.
■Challenges are good for growth, it makes you think outside of the box.
■I can study other people’s work, outside of a classroom setting, and find out what it is I like about it, then “lift” my own style and include what I have learned from it in my own work.
■The camera is only as good as the person holding it.
■It helps me grow faster when I share what I’ve learned.
■I have to have tough skin, if I want to continue on this journey.
■It will all pay off in the end…
I’m reading the book Vision Mongers by David duChemin 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.

So I will continue to pick up the camera every single day, I will continue to take pictures because I cannot “not” do it. I no longer shoot in Auto mode and I see the world in a “different” light. I see colors, shapes, light and shadows. I see details. I have a greater appreciation for the world around me. I have found my passion and my drive.

I don't think I know how "not to take a picture" everyday.
My grandiose idea for my 365th post (2010) was a sunrise. What can be better than that on 1/01/11? We went to the freezing beach at 6:00 am, on our day off, and there was not sunrises to be had.

above the moon - it could be Venus. I thought it was a star but further research said that it was Venus. Who am I to argue.

I've been long winded today - so obviously not a goodbye - at least not yet.

D-364 Happy New Year's Eve

2010-12-31T23:00:00.001-05:00

as we approach the end of this photographic year. . . .
we must decide which paths to take.

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
Buddha

We took a walk this evening in a town close to us, Crown Point, Indiana. It has a lot of historic building I had grand ideas of all of the slow shutter images I would take - but I forgot my tri-pod. What I did do was push my camera and myself to the max. Hand held I give you a dark alley, which reminds me of the likes of Sherlock Holmes.

Similar to Nikhils post the other day, which path will you take? Will you stay on the one you know, the one where everything is lit and you know the well worn path or will you venture into the path that is new and you know nothing about. Me? I guess you'll have to wait until tomorrow, which officially ends my Project 365 for 2010. I guess we can find out together. What about you?

(something happens in transferring from photoshop to flickr - not sure why they get darker).
came across this lovely lady looking out the window at an antique store

On of my goals for this year is to tackle photoshop. I asked my lovely friend Alexis, who's a whiz, to teach me a few things that her and my daughter have learned. I sent her yesterdays image and asked her to make it look like an ad. Here is what she did.

You can find her tutorial here Challenge Accepted Step by step in layman's terms. Thank you so much Alexis, I love it.

HAPPY NEW YEARS - HERE'S TO A PROSPEROUS 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY YOUNGEST SON. I LOVE YOU AND I'M PROUD OF YOU!

D-363 Shoot like the Masters?

2010-12-30T23:45:00.002-05:00

#ds410 The rule of thirds is a time-honored composition guideline. Put it to use today in a photo.

Ever wonder how the masters did their amazing photography before DSLR's? How they memorized their F-stops, ISO's and Shutter speeds without the convenience of checking their screens? I do, I've tried taking images with this camera and it's just so frustrating not knowing if I've nailed the exposure and focus. I'm grateful for DSLR's but I also wonder if I've lost the opportunity to "see" without the instant gratification of "seeing" right away.

David got this camera in the early 1980's. He learned about photography in those early years. He developed a knack for looking in an area and just knowing what numbers were going to work with the exposure he needed. I've tried to play with this camera, but film photography is a lot different than what I'm used to right now.
another boring High Key shot in the "home made" studio.

D-362 The common object

2010-12-29T21:13:00.006-05:00

No light today for outdoor shots, I was just bored. When that happens I take a common/ordinary object and try to find a different spin on it. I took these macro shots. What do you do when you are bored with your images?
Daily Shoot
#ds409 Make a photograph with as soft a light source as you can find or create.
Macro shot, used a soft box and the budget on a studio shared a few post back.

Move over . . . there's a new Queen in town.

the colors got a little funny after transferring them to flickr

and a bonus:
While putting my Christmas stuff away I thought this one deserved a second look.
She's pretty old, but holding on really good.

This is a great article for sources of Inspiration for photographers.
Sources of Inspiration

Images viewed: Professional Photographer

D-361 Just keep shooting

2010-12-28T15:33:00.000-05:00

When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
~Author Unknown

Yesterday's post were not exactly up to par so today, still working on something different, I have a winter path.

#ds408 Illustrate coldness in a photograph today

D-360 Just don't give up . . .

2010-12-27T23:45:00.002-05:00

“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”

5 Day count down. What will I do? It's always hard committing to do something. My fear? That I will run out of steam by the time winter rolls around again. I am, however working out a plan and once I commit it to the cyber world, I'll have to stick it out.

I am so proud of all of my 365 project friends who have stuck this project out. It has not been an easy road, at least not for me. Today is one of those days where I could just say forget it, but no, I'm committed.

I thought today's challenge was food photography so that's what I did. Here's lunch
Curried beef chow fun. We took a little trip to China Town. Food photography is not my "thing." I'm not even sure how to make food look good, but I gave it a try.

After Nikhil's suggestion I went back and tried this image in black and white. I still don't care for it but it was worth a try.

Yeah I still don't think food photography is my thing.

Article read: How to Use Your Camera Flash at Night

Images Viewed: Dainel J. Pesta

D-359 Where to find inspiration

2010-12-26T23:55:00.004-05:00

Here are a few tips to re-ignite your creativity, these tips always help me.
Take a vacation, LOL, o.k. if you can't do that then maybe you can . . .

-take a walk with camera in tow
- try something different, try shooting at a different angle,definitely try a new technique,something different to you.
- join a challenge
- take a picture then say to yourself, "how can I take it different" walk around your subject and try different angles.
- duplicate an image you love
- look at one of your images that didn't work and redo it.
- look at fashion magazines, travel magazines. Whatever genre you are interested in has magazines.
- take pictures of the details and the details only (get close and personal)
- take a picture of someone/something you love.
- try it in black and white
- take a photography class, if that not feasible try a photography book.
- let your friends inspire you . . .

I've been inspired to try some night time photography by Jo Garret at "Sometime between Dusk and Dawn " her whole 365photography project has been night photography
and Terry at "It's a GreytDay for a Photo" who has been cranking out beautiful night time images. I asked David if we could take a drive to the city, which is about a 30 minute drive for us and he was willing. So here is Chicago's (Illinois) famous skyline. Chicago is a beautiful city. I shot this from the planetarium across Lake Michigan. The sky had a strange color tint, like more snow is heading our way!
dailyshoot Daily Shoot
#ds406 What fuels your creative process? Illustrate it in a photo today.

Chicago, Illinois - Skyline on 12/26/10 15 degrees Fahrenheit, partly cloudy. Definitely a winter night at the Windy City.
Just amazing - the city never sleeps!

These were edited in Topaz.

There are a few more from this outing if you are interested in my Flickr Account.

I was asked how I set up yesterdays image. The Christmas tree. I initially wanted to try taking a pictue of the whole tree, like Elli did here, A Scrivnerburg 365
but I did not like the cluttered look of our CD Case behind the tree, so I had to find a different angle. Since I had to use a tri-pod, and since my poor tripod is like 50 years old, it won't hold my heavy lenses so I picked the 50mm which is nice and small/light. Put my camera on a tripod and focused on a closeup of the tree. I allowed some of the lights from the background to flow in.
settings were ISO 200, F/11.0, shutter speed of 2.5 seconds.
I had lights on the mantel, about 10 feet from the tree.
I just had to move around until I found a spot I liked.

Well, 6 more days to go for me on this project. I hope you have enjoyed the journey as much as I have.

A great big thanks to Elli for featuring me on her blog and for her continued friendship for the past couple of years. Thank you my friend.

Reading Typepad Vs Wordpress
Jeff Korhan

D-358 Let there be Peace

2010-12-25T22:19:00.004-05:00

Hope you've all had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS
We spent some time with our family yesterday at my In-Laws house and as usual it was a great time, awesome food, and wonderful people.
Today we stayed home and all of the kids minus one :( and my parents came by.
Nice relaxing day.

The daily shoot Dec 25, 2010
#ds405 Illustrate your idea of peace and harmony--or maybe just peace and quiet--today with a photograph.

The presents are disbursed, the house is cleaned and everyone has gone his/her own way. Nothing more peaceful than sitting at home enjoying a quiet evening, with candles and the last night of the Christmas lights.

I really like that these bulbs reveal a lot of my room. From a bookcase to the T.V. which was on.

If you love photography and it's ability to capture "moments" you'll love this story
Vivian Maier

D-356 & D357 Merry Christmas Eve

2010-12-25T00:25:00.003-05:00

I took this picture yesterday for the Daily Shoot Challenge:
The daily shoot
Make a photograph of something metal or metallic today with an emphasis on how light interacts with the surface.

These are my Christmas Stocking holders, they sit on the mantel and they are made of metal.

I am such a mean mom. I made my family take a group picture. LOL
They actually co-operated because I told them to wear what they wanted. Color did not matter because I was converting to black and white anyway.

There they are. My beautiful immediate family. I think their personalities really show. I just let everyone stand/sit where they wanted. I would have preferred to move Isabella to someones lap and maybe change a pose or two, but everyone was happy and I didn't want to mess with that. I mean look at Isabella's face, she's actually smiling! Two shots and I was done,
but here are two out takes while I tested the lights
I think they are funny

Isabella claimed her spot and did not want to move.

D-355 What will we do at the end of our projects?

2010-12-22T23:01:00.000-05:00

I know I've brought this up before, but what are you planning on doing when your 365 day project is over? I have 10 DAYS LEFT!
After the 10th day I will take a very short break. Maybe a week or so. I'll catch up on some sleep and spend some time with my family.

I've had several suggestions that maybe I should write some tutorials on lighting. I'm no expert on lighting but I guess we can learn some more together. Any other suggestions?
When you come to my blog, what would you like to see? Learn? share? I am open for suggestions. I'll probably start writing some tutorials if there is an interest for that.

The daily shoot
#ds402 Make a photograph of a circular or round object today.

See the tree reflected in the bulb? Part of my home is also reflected in there.

I had several to chose from today

The colored reflections are not lights, they are jingle bells that are reflecting light.

bulbs, beads, lights and icicles all make for great bokeh.

Empty

Halo, the bearded dragon was content riding around on my son's head

Images Viewed: Sandra Nykerk

354 It's a Christmas Explosion

2010-12-22T00:10:00.001-05:00

Bahumbug
Christmas is zooming by . . .

D-353 Dark and Moody lighting

2010-12-20T23:55:00.003-05:00

Today I read a blog entry titled "Dark & Moody" (are you begining to see a pattern here?) by Glyn Dewis
I attempted to do some moody self portaits but alas, David had to come help. I set up the light, the reflector and the pose David took the image.

I'm not thrilled with the results. Not thrilled with the image but I'm tired and it's late so there is day 353.
This one I took myself. Regular lighting with umbrella

Images viewed: Glyn Dewis

D-352 Falls of Ohio (Kentucky) State Park

2010-12-19T23:45:00.000-05:00

Yes it's called Falls of Ohio State Park and it's located in the Indiana/Kentucky borders. I don't know why, just is. LOL
We stopped there, even in the frigid cold, to see the falls.

We had a nice relaxing weekend with my daughters (yes 2 of them) and granddaughter. Now we are back in the comfort of our home.

Images viewed: Craig Wetherby

D350 -351 Ice Magical lights

2010-12-18T23:48:00.007-05:00

We took a quick trip to Kentucky to visit my daughter for the weekend. We also took Isabella down there to visit with her mom.
Yesterdays Project 365 Facebook was "weather" we took a late night walk and I was amazed that everything was covered in ice and with the little available light, it lit the ice up magically.
The branches look like they have lights and the grass looks like diamonds.

D-349 Moody Lighting

2010-12-16T23:50:00.001-05:00

“Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better take things as they come along with patience and equanimity.”
Carl Gustav Jung

It's been a long hard day and I had to try and find solace in my beads and candles, in the comfort of my home.

Todays daily shoot is: #ds396 Find a repeating pattern today and make a photograph of it.

I shot this with my macro lens 28-105 mm. It's an old metal one. Set the camera on a tripod, 1 second exposure, 4.5 F-stop, ISO 200. I had a candle on an amythest stone and the Christmas tree lit up in the background. This is the set up.

Wayne asked about my Macro lens before and wide open for this lens is 4.5F. It does not open to F3.0.
Levonne asked me why I put my logo on my pictures. There are several reasons, one of them being that I want people to know my work. Know that it belongs to me.
I also want my business name out there. The more people see my logo the more familiar they become with me. There is also the fact that logos make it just a littel bit harder to take someones photo, not impossible, just harder.

More bokeh and Light

2010-12-15T21:57:00.003-05:00

The daily shoot today is: The Daily shoot
#ds395 Yellow is great at grabbing attention. Make a photograph today where the primary subject is yellow in color

I'm still feeling under the weather but I was not happy with my first set of shots, or maybe it's because the subject is just blah . . .
So I pulled out the flash and shot through the umbrella - The bouquet of flowers I got last week is well past it's prime. Time to get rid of.

D-347 Bokeh magic

2010-12-14T20:36:00.002-05:00

The daily shoot:
#ds394 Shoot wide open today. Make a creative photo that uses a shallow depth of field to good effect.

I'm feeling pretty sick so I wanted to post my photo of the day really quickly and go to bed. Not sure this is what I was going for but there it is. LOL

D-346

2010-12-13T19:33:00.001-05:00

The daily shoot #ds393 Make a photo of a pair of subjects today. People or inanimate objects are both fair game!
Couldn't decide which to share, so all three it is

and finally a picture of my miniature dachshunds, Reesee & Twix. They are 10 & 12 pounds full of personality!
They were not to happy about dressing up either, but I was holding their treat. LOL

I have a young friend (Khalila's best friend) who is going to college for Photography and Graphic Design. I spent a couple of hours with her last Saturday at the abandoned church. I've challenged her to better her photography and she's accepted.
If you get a chance drop by her blog Challenge Accepted and leave her a few words of encouragement. We should help, push, motivate and mentor our younger generation to do better than we have. I have not doubt Miss Alexis will go beyond anything I've even dreamed of doing photographically speaking. Good luck hon, and you know I'm only a phone call away.

Images Viewed: Scott Robert Gallery

D-345 Snow storm and football game!

2010-12-12T23:57:00.000-05:00

We went to a football game today. 17 degrees F and there was also a snow storm!
My home team was playing New England Patriots! They play awesome. They ruled the field. Final score was 36 to 7.

We only took our little point and shoot.
There are more on my flickr page.
That's all for now. I have to go warm up.

D-344 More moody lighting

2010-12-11T23:30:00.002-05:00

The daily shoot today: What can make a photograph feel moody to you? Illustrate your answer today.
I believe it's all about the lighting.

Another one lit only by a flashlight. This time I threw a white towel over the flash light.
Never Stray Far away
"..a thousand memories will play
and the sun will rise to greet another day,
somehow this emptiness won't stay,
somehow there's hope not far away"
song by Moya Brennan

Just a couple extras:

Used a flash light to light this one plus available light with with poster board surrounding the shoes.

Used a available light with with poster board surrounding the shoes.

Images viewed: John*Edgar Photographer

D-342 & 343 Moody light

2010-12-10T01:24:00.003-05:00

I have to agree with Nikhil's comments yesterday on my "Good enough" post
he said: "The whole point of this project (at least to me) is to challenge yourself. If you are just doing what you always do well, you are not really improving, just staying where you are." That is where I've been the last couple of days. That being said, let me now say that I've been really thinking long and hard about lighting. Not natural light, but dramatic lighting, and after that, Off cameral flash. That has been and continues to be struggle.

So I've learned that hard lights hit the subject hard and then fall off the subject pretty fast then the area surrounding the subject goes into darkness. I experimented with a flash light again. Here's my example:

and a different angle

I've adjusted levels in Photoshop and desaturated the image to add to the mood.

P.S. The pictures are strickly for art and not an endorsement of any religeous belief.

I'm also gonna start playing with that harsh light on subjects as soon as I get willing models.

So today at lunch time I wanted to experiment and see If I can get the same effect controling the aperature and the shutter speed. Yes, in a bright white snowy cementery you can still get dark and moody scenes.

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS . . .

When the dark wood fell before me
And all the paths were overgrown
When the priests of pride say there is no other way
I tilled the sorrows of stone

I did not believe because I could not see
Though you came to me in the night
When the dawn seemed forever lost
You showed me your love in the light of the stars

Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me
Loreena McKennet - Dante's Prayer

again I just desaturated and bumped levels just a tad.

D-340 & 341 Good enough

2010-12-09T00:21:00.003-05:00

This week has been hard to keep up with my daily posting. I continue taking pictures every day it's just the computer time I'm having a hard time fitting in. My son moved back to the area and he's been coming by to spend time with us. There is also the Holiday thing going on added to my job. So I'm a little crunched for time. These are not my best work by they are good enough and that's just going to have to do for now.

Macro shot:

Images viewed:Hard to believe this kid is only 20! What an amazing photographer and person. Joey L

338-339 Depth of Field and Shadows

2010-12-06T23:55:00.000-05:00

Internet issues have kept me away.

Yesterday's picture: The daily shoot #ds385 Illustrate or show depth of one kind or another in a photograph today.

Target Practice

Todays challenge: #ds386 Make a photograph today with strong direct light that casts crisp dark shadows.

It's my daughters snowman
light/shadow created by a flash light.
Punk Snowman

a couple extra from yesterday

D-337 Abandoned

2010-12-05T02:09:00.006-05:00

City Methodist Church was shut down in the 70's due to a lack of attendance. There have been several fires in this structure but the building still stands. This structure stands 9 stories tall, The Church made unique use of commercial and office space, classrooms, meeting rooms, an auditorium and a large sanctuary. Storefronts were incorporated into the building. The main goal of this church was to help people in the community.

The church was built at a cost of more than $1 million by the Rev. William G. Seaman in 1926, built in English Gothic Style.
This information came from this site: Historic Buildings of Northwest Indiana

I will be uploading more images from this outing tomorrow.

This is my daughters best friend Alexis, she's an aspiring photographer/graphic designer. She is currently in college in Ohio. She has a great eye, I would say she's already a very good photographer. She's visiting for the holiday and we took her with us.

Yes it is snowing and yes it did get cold

there are more on my Flickr

Thanks to everyone who has shared their thoughts on the 365 Day project. I appreciate your comments.

D-336 Water and oil part 2

2010-12-03T21:06:00.003-05:00

Heather from our Facebook Project 365 wanted us to use the water and oil from Art for our Friday challenge. So I tried to make it different but I think it's about he same.

I love how the beads I used on the floor turned out in this one.

just changing the items in the background makes a big difference in the final results.
I also spent a little time (enough to almost get frost bite on my fingers) in my garden. I told David then when I got home I saw this plant and the Nikon Angels sang to me. AAAWWWWWWWW LOL

I took enough pictures to end my 365 project for this year, but I know that's not how it works. LOL
Are you still enjoying your project? I have a list of things I want to try, I have enough Ideas to get me through the rest of the year. How's your project going? Need ideas? What are your plans when you complete the 365 days?

D-335 A selfie but it's really about the hands

2010-12-03T00:34:00.004-05:00

The daily shoot: The daily shoot #ds382 Make a photo today that features a hand in a creative way.

Here they are my hands holding a Spider mum. I have a couple more on flickr if you are interested in looking at them.

the watch is compliments of Miss Isabella. We had dinner at Mc D's and that was her free gift. She got an extra one so she gave it to me. I think I'll wear it to work tomorrow.
Viewed part of Creative live tonight. Great class, too bad I wasn't home for the beginning of it.
Viewed images David duChemin

D-334 Christmas Icicles

2010-12-01T21:18:00.004-05:00

The daily shoot DS381 Use vignetting in a photograph today. Either add it in post (easier) or do it in camera via lens or lighting (harder).

Continuing the Christmas theme

Yesterday's image I used a flash, today only the available light on the tree.

Images viewed: Jer in the box

D-333 Peak into my world

2010-11-30T20:19:00.002-05:00

or at least a peak into my living room.

#ds380 The Golden Ratio has been used in art for millennia. Use or illustrate the Golden Ratio in a photograph today.

The fact that you can see my whole living room in that bulb was a nice surprise. I was concentrating on the Christmas tree bokeh.

In 36 days and I would have completed the second year of this project. I have accomplished the goal that I set out to do - Improve my photography. I feel pretty satisfied that I have accomplished that, there are several more goals that I still need to accomplish. Tonight I need to spend sometime brainstorming and putting pen to paper (away from the computer), to see what unravels.

Do you set yearly goals? Do you track your progress throughout the year?
The end of the calender year and the beginning of the new year always get me to writing things down. I do however constantly update my goals. Is there a specific time of year that you decide to revamp your goals?

Images Viewed: Another site that's well worth a look at: Visual Meanderings

D-332 Halo

2010-11-29T22:14:00.002-05:00

I'm calling it quits early tonight. I'll catch up on blogs tomorrow.
. . .night zzzzzz

Halo

Images viewed: Sid Black's Flickr

D-331 Meet Capone

2010-11-29T00:19:00.005-05:00

My oldest son who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 4 years after high school then moved to California for a couple of years, has recently moved back to the area. With him he brought his small pony, I mean large Dog. LOL

Meet Capone . . . what a sweet dog!

because of his brindle markings/color he blended in with the fallen leaves and fall ground, it was a little difficult at first. He's a pit mix with boxer, we believe. He was adopted from the humane society. My son loves him so much and the feeling is mutual.

Images viewed: Should have read this before the shoot Weekly Photography Tips

D-330 Point of View

2010-11-27T22:31:00.004-05:00

The daily shoot:
#ds377 Go for an unusual point of view and make a photograph that can only be made from that viewpoint.
It really does matter where you are looking from. Sometimes you just have to change your point of view.

Not an unusual POV but her mom is on leave because of the holiday and we celebrated her 4th birthday party today - the look on Isabella's face says it all. She's happy to have her mom home reading her bedtime story.
Had I not changed my POV I would have missed this expression.

D-329 Box with Bokeh in Black & Whtie

2010-11-26T23:58:00.000-05:00

The daily shoot -
DS#376 Containers, boxes, and packages. Make a photo with one or more as a subject and illustrate what they mean to you.

Jewelry box with Christmas Tree Bokeh in the background.

I'm glad I had a day off today so that I can spend 12 plus hours cleaning and decorating the house for Christmas :) What a mess.
Everything we tried to do just went wacky. LOL

High ISO (6400) because it's very late at night and I used the Christmas Tree as the background. Converted to Black and white so the the colors won't compete for attention. Too tired to use the off camera flash and the on board flash looked, well, just "flashy."

Images Viewed: David duChemin's portfolio

D-328 Thankful part 2

2010-11-25T09:36:00.001-05:00

There is so much to be greateful for. I'm Thankful for family and friends, health, art, love, technologies. books . . . the list can go on and on.
Just taking a few moments to appreciate it all.

#ds375 Make a photograph today that documents your family or conveys how you think of your family

bounced flash off of the ceiling

Images Viewed: Urban & City Photography: 70 Dramatic Examples These are well worth a look at.

D-327 - Thankful

2010-11-24T20:00:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow in the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. I, personally, believe that the meaning of that holiday has been long lost, but at least it is a day thay my family (as most American families) try to get together. So, my immediate and extended family will get together tomorrow and share a meal and catch up and of coarse take pictures.
Happy Thanksgiving Day

Today's challenge at Project 365 Facebook is - "Thankful."
Today's images were lit by candle light. I did do some post processing in photoshop.

My Mantel decorated for Fall

and another one for the thankful challenge
This one I processed with NicoleVan Chic Vintage.

Anyone else using a different form of lighting? Go ahead and share your ideas or projects.
A couple extras because I love this picture of my daughter and Isabella

Images viewed: Robin Whalley

D-326 Studio on a budget and Happy B-D Miss Isabella

2010-11-23T22:54:00.004-05:00

First and foremost, I want to wish Miss Isabella a very happy 4th birthday. Four years ago, on a Thanksgiving day, you came into our lives and our world will never be the same. You've brought so much joy and sunshine into our lives. I love you so much. Thanks for spending the night we had so much fun.
Having breakfast before school today.
Window light

Just a few extras
Talking to her mom on the phone - lamp light

and I played with textures

this texture belongs to Photozoo on flicker (TTV)

Took advantage of the daily shoot today: White on White challenge.
I've had several friends talk about needing better equipment and being intimidated by lighting. Here I set up a budget studio, made of a clamp light (any hardware store carries these for under $4.00) 3 Whiteboards/poster boards I got at the dollar store and I used a reflector that I have.
Here's a picture of the set up:

This is the final image

taking away one board (the boards serve as a fill light)

taking away 2 boards

and finally taking away all of the boards and reflector.

I think any of these images would work it's just a matter of preference.
Yesterday I used a flash light today I used a clamp light. What are you using that budget conscious? Share

D-325 "Forgotten"

2010-11-22T21:24:00.004-05:00

The daily shoot:
#ds372 Make a photograph dominated by horizontal lines or compositional elements that go all the way across the frame.
I used a flash light to give the teddy a "spot light" effect.

•Moving on is simple, what you leave behind that makes it difficult.

This Teddy is approximately 27 years old. I found it stored away with some old stuff. He kept my oldest company for many, many years. Prayer bear.

I used a flash light to light him.

Viewed images from Free Photo Resouces

D-324 Water & Oil equal art

2010-11-21T19:30:00.001-05:00

The daily shoot:
Daily Shoot 371
Find or make a reflection in a window today and shoot through it to create a layered composition.

I guess I didn't really follow the rules because it's not shot through a window but it is shot through a glass. I got the idea from Alison M Photography.

and during the experiment this abstract came to life

You can read the how to here E-zine

Images Viewed: Alison M

D-322 TGIF - low key image

2010-11-19T19:58:00.003-05:00

The daily shoot and project 365 facebook challenge today are "curves" and low key.
Yesterdays image would have been perfect for today's challenge but oh well . . .

Wikipedia: Low-key lighting (or ambient lighting) is a style of lighting for photography, film or television. It attempts to create a chiaroscuro effect. In traditional photographic lighting, three-point lighting uses a key light, a fill light, and a back light for even illumination. Low-key lighting requires only one key light, optionally controlled with a fill light or a simple reflector.

Low key light accentuates the contours of an object by throwing areas into shade while a fill light or reflector may illuminate the shadow areas to control contrast. The relative strength of key-to-fill, known as the lighting ratio, can be measured using a light meter. Low key lighting has a higher lighting ratio, e.g. 8:1, than high key lighting, which can approach 1:1.

So although most images low key are black and white - they don't have to be.

I got these in the mail today, a gift from Alexis, thank you so much!

That little dino came with it too.
and I used it too

the Nikon is mine.
I was doing the laundry from vacation and Twix wanted to make sure we didn't leave her again - so she jumped in the suit case. This is where I found her this morning.

I'm trying to catch up and go over to my friends blogs. I'll get these soon.
Still reading my camera manual

Have a great weekend.

Viewed images on google low key

D-323 What's your comfort zone?

2010-11-19T12:00:00.000-05:00

The daily challenge: My image is just blah -
The Daily Shoot
#ds370 Tungsten light can often create a warming effect, depending on your white balance. Use tungsten light in a photo today.

Today I didn't have to many willing models. So I took a picture of a store window. I felt like I was peeking into someones home - lol

back to Mexico,
Going into this trip I had made up my mind that I wanted to take wide angle shots because I wanted to capture the feel of Puerto Vallarta and the feel of the towns we visited.
You see I'm comfortable taking close up images like these:

This bird was so graceful. We stalked him for awhile, then he got comfortable with us.

so taking images like these was out of my comfort zone.

That is where we stayed

and although I know the main subject is small, I wanted a dramatic look. The sky, the sand and even the tilt.

We have to keep pushing our creative comfort levels until we've exhausted what we can learn in that area. My friend Alexis suggested I go back to taking pictures of buildings - well one of the reasons I stopped was because I didn't know enough about how to photograph that subject correctly and I was very unhappy with my last attempts. I guess that means I need to look into that again, but for now maybe wide angles.

Images viewed: http://blog.yasserlens.com/

D-314 -321 Vacation pictures and Sound Challenge

2010-11-18T22:15:00.005-05:00

The daily shoot challenge today: Make a photograph today that visually communicates a sound. Your choice of sound, but do your best to make us "hear" it.

High ISO 2500, 50mm, Nikon D-700. The awesome thing about using that high of an ISO on the Nikon D-700 is very little noise.

\

the set up, ambient light with candles, wine, wine glasses.

I am sharing some images from my vacation, however I still have many to go through. I tried creating a slide show but my adobe flash player is refusing to update or run.

You can see more on my flickr account.

D-313 Back to Reality

2010-11-17T08:56:00.003-05:00

Got in really late last night, layovers and such, and on my way to work,
just wanted to share a quick "Hello, I've missed you all!"
and this image was taken from the plane as we were departing, 50mm, Nikon D-700. I will update the blog more later. It was a great vacation but as always, it's nice to be home.

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Just a quick note

2010-11-08T18:51:00.001-05:00

. . . I will be on Vacation in Mexico for the next 7 days - not sure if I'll have a connection out there. If I do then you'll see some of what I'm seeing. If not, then I'll catch up when I get back. Have a great week :)

D-312 Out of focus and Alex's birthday

2010-11-07T23:20:00.005-05:00

The daily shoot today Sometimes what’s out of focus can make the shot. Create a photograph today where some/all of your subject isn't in focus. #ds357

The only thing that is really in focus are her eyes.

High ISO2500 just available light.

Conversation with Isabella
Me: What's your mom's name?
I: Sandra Gnalez (Gonzalez)
Me: don't open that in the car
I: I not open the barilla (umbrella) in the car I just holding it
Me: So Isabella, Halloween is over what's next?
I: Thans-iving, then my birthday party then Christmas.
LOL

Today we celebrated Alexandria's 18th birthday. 18! Man, time has gotten by us really fast. Happy Birthday Alexandria. We are so proud of you.

Read several articles and looked at pictures on google.

D-311 Get a little closer

2010-11-06T23:02:00.002-04:00

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. We've been kind of busy but trying to enjoy the weekend, even had our first snow of the season.

took that from the door.

The daily shoot Sometimes, the best advice is to get closer. Today, get really close to your subject. Use a macro lens if you have one.
These are all macro shots - love getting close

Window lighting

The main reason I love buying myself flowers is . . . I'll always have a subject to pose for me. LOL

Beautiful imperfection

and I even managed to get an abstract image. Love the colors in this one

Read several articles on lighting and shooting pictures in dark places. Also viewed images on flickr.

I created a Facebook page for my photography business. If you get a chance "like" it and support me there. Thanks.

I'm loving your comments and wish there was a better way to interact with you all.

D-310 Textures, mutted color and something old

2010-11-05T23:52:00.002-04:00

For the daily shoot challenge Make a photo today with a subject low in color saturation. Bonus points for not using a software slider! and project 365 FB textures

Again I revisited some oldies but goodies. This was just 3 years ago 11/10/2007
shot with my first digital, Nikon D-80 on Auto Mode.

we were able to take Khalila, my youngest daughter as a graduation gift and she took the opportunity and shot her photography class project (film and black and white). This has definately been one of the highlights of my life - watching her get very excited about all of this historic stuff.
It didn't matter that it was shot on Auto or that the composition wasn't "perfect" it was a "moment" in her life that we were able to captre and those Pyramids OMG! Had a blast.

D-308 & D-309 The world is your stage . .

2010-11-04T23:56:00.002-04:00

go ahead and perform! LOL

The daily shoot challenge:
Today, make a photo that emphasizes or even exaggerates brightness in a scene.

Three shots for today showing 3 different lighting techniques.
Off camera flash to camera right. Candles used as background and bokeh.
Stage fright

Orange and red are very difficult to convert to black and white and not have it look muddy.
Candle light only - went for a more of a silhouette version

Light to camera right shot through an umbrella.

and for yesterday just another edited one

D-307 Letting go of perfectionism

2010-11-02T09:47:00.003-04:00

Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing. ~Harriet Braiker

Nikhil suggested I read Cheryl Jacob Nicolai's blog, and although the readers of this blog are probably tired of me mentioning Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai, she has brought a breathe of fresh air into my creative photographic life. If my sole purpose was to read her blog and get it out of the way and look at her pictures I could have had that done in 2 days. I have taken the activity of reading her blog like an assignment. I want to read and reread them until I not only understand them in my head but also with my heart.

The messages are not earth shattering or "breaking the atom" in photographic terms. The messages are good old fashioned, down to earth basics, we, as creatives tend to forget about while learning all the technical stuff and the rules of photography. I mean messages like "In your quest to create the best images you can, don't forget that sometimes it's the snapshots that mean the most" and one of my favorites "Don't worry that you aren't creative enough. Express yourself deeply and allow your work to be what it is."

There are so many many more . . .

She made me step back and consider why I started this photographic journey. Remember why you started?
I started because I wanted to take better pictures of my family and for my family - better pictures for my scrapbooks. That's all I wanted. I wanted to capture my family, interacting, loving, playing and living our not so perfect life.

So, what happens now? I take pictures of my family and if they are not "technically correct" I discard them. I dare not share them with anyone.

Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai made me remember a photo shoot I did of my oldest daughter with her daughter Isabella in September 9, 2010. After the photo shoot I picked my 4 favorite images and I was done with the rest of the images. I was actually disappointed that Isabella was not cooperating with us and I decided not to edit these images. Last night I wanted to revisit that set of images and behold - the magic of what is the relationship that my daughter has with her child. (for those of you who do not know, my daughter is in the army and was activated several states away - these visits are precious). I stayed up until 3 AM playing with these pictures and time just stood still.

The ones that almost got away - I am absolutely in love with these pictures now
I converted to black and white and added some noise to a few of them.

These almost got deleted

You can visit my Flickr account for the whole set

So no new pictures taken today just edited today.
Thank you all for visiting and commenting on my blog, I look forward to your comments, suggestions and friendship.

D-306 Create Balance

2010-11-01T20:59:00.005-04:00

The daily shoot #351
The word balance has many meanings, literal and abstract. Pick one and make a photograph today.
■“Difficulties are opportunities to better things; they are stepping-stones to greater experience… When one door closes, another one always opens; as a natural law it has to, to balance.”

~ Brian Adams Quotes

I was trying to bring the feel of the ocean inside.

With winter rolling in our daylight hours are shorter and shorter. Pretty soon it will be dark by the time I get home from work so I'll have to get more creative with indoor images.
Read Professional photographer June 2010 Issue on "light it up."

D-305 The daily shoot

2010-10-31T21:25:00.002-04:00

The daily shoot and more lighting glass . . .
The color of the day is orange. Make a photograph that is full of orange today.
ds#350

I read an artcle on lighting liquids here

and while I was at it I thought I'd try the black and white backgrounds again. This time the light came through the glass. Yesterdays I only had light in the background.

D-304 Black rim lighting

2010-10-30T23:45:00.001-04:00

A totally uninspired, photographically speaking, day. Just couldn't come up with any ideas for a photo today so I tried Rim lighting on a reflective subject. "law of angle of indicence equals angle of reflection" . . . I kind of get the concept but am having problems executing it. I think I might be missing a light, which I refuse to buy.

D-303 Happy Halloween

2010-10-30T19:03:00.003-04:00

from my crazy family - to yours.
This is Friday's image

This image is not my usual stuff but I tried a low light, slow shutter experience.
This is for 2 challenges - Scary & FB Project 365 "Fall festivities."

and this one is just because I like the image

Still reading Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai's blog

D-302 Bald & Beautiful

2010-10-28T23:49:00.005-04:00

My friend Flora and I got to hang out after work today. I've missed her alot and we had fun.
For those of you who don't know she's been battling breast cancer for several months now. She has one more Chemo treatment left to go and then radiation.
She looks great in spite of everything she's been through. Keep fighting girl!

and then some fun ones . . .

D-301 Fall Arraignment

2010-10-27T23:50:00.006-04:00

Just a little corner of my house. The witch my mother in law made for me the rest of the arraignment I made.
I wanted to practice the Off camera flash so it was a "reach" but I made it work.
Used the Nikon SB-800 off camera, shot through an umbrella.

The daily shoot #ds346 Reaching up, reaching for, reaching out, or reaching in. Show the action of reaching in a photograph today.
So it's a "reach" but I did have to reach to light the candles.

Very little editing done on this. Basic sharpening for web, slight levels adjustment and vignette.

Reading Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai's blog

D-300 wooohooo day 300!

2010-10-26T23:39:00.004-04:00

69 days more to go . . .

Even though we've had severe "wind storms" I want to celebrate this wonderful fall weather. I love all of the colors of fall on the trees and I was afraid after today all of the leaves would fall because of the wind and the dropping temperatures.

Who says you cannot take pictures in full sun or in the direction of the sun?

I don't usually use extreme actions on my images (especially portraits)but sometimes, just sometimes it works.
This is another freebie from Coffeeshop called Orton

Today’s Daily Shoot assignment is:
Make a photograph today where vertical elements or lines dominate the scene.
Get out there, take a photograph, upload it, and tweet a link to @dailyshoot with the hashtag: #ds345

I ran Coffeeshops Moody pop and Orton on this one. It seems to fit the Halloween Theme.

D 297 - 299 It's another catch up day

2010-10-25T22:14:00.002-04:00

My back pain had me laying down for almost 3 days. It's still sore but much much better. I'm moving around a lot better too. The things we take for granted - like standing upright without pain. I'm doing so much better though. Thanks for your thoughts.

Took a quick picture of David as he cleaned the gutters this weekend. Yes, I managed to go outside for a quick shot.

Moody Pumpkin
The weather has been unseasonable warm around here. The carved pumpkins didn't last too long but this one seems to have more personality. LOL
I used CoffeeShop Moody Pop. I think it's appropriate.

Today’s Daily Shoot assignment is:
Make a high-contrast photograph today. Keep in mind that color contrast can be as effective as black and white.
Get out there, take a photograph, upload it, and tweet a link to @dailyshoot with the hashtag: #ds344

These are sitting on the window sill for halloween. I needed a quick shot.
I used CoffeeShop moody pop - I think it worked well.
Still reading Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai

D-296 Tic Toc . . .

2010-10-22T23:58:00.001-04:00

The daily shoot

#ds341 Illustrate the idea of time in a photograph today. Be as literal or abstract as you want to be with your interpretation.

I'm nursing a bad back. Good meds - It's gonna be an early night for me. I'll catch up on blogs tomorrow.
Nighty night.

D-295 Fight lik a Girl in Pink

2010-10-22T00:02:00.003-04:00

The daily shoot: #ds340 October is breast cancer awareness month. Make a photo of something pink to support the cause.

Here's to my best friend Flora - Fight like a Girl!
Hope you are feeling better after your chemo treatment. Love ya!

This started out as a selfie, but I was trying some jumping shots and just couldn't get the focus spot on (my studio lights only allow SS125 the highest) So David came to help and then I decided on this image.
The editing credit goes to the ever talented Khalila. My youngest daughter has so much talent she doesn't even realize. So thanks to all parities involved for you assistance tonight.
Images viewed: Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai's
I will be spending a couple of days on her site trying to read all her post.

D 294 Another play date

2010-10-20T23:45:00.001-04:00

The daily shoot today: ds#339 Double your art today. Make a photo of something you've created or crafted

It's a project I made for my youngest daughter years ago. She requested those colors.It's framed. Every single seed bead is hand sewn.

My blog friend Shirley shared yesterday about Through the lens (TTL) texture she used on some of her photos which really made the images stand out. I tried it today using TTL texture by Breanna on Flickr
I really like the results

Today was our dinner/play date and of coarse it involved bubbles. The best activity ever, according to Miss Isabella.

I want to thank Nikhil for sending me this inspiration:Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai's

D 293 Indie & Trumpet flowers

2010-10-19T23:30:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it's a good idea to carry your camera with you because you never know when an improptu photoshoot will inspire you.

My friend invited my to her house at lunch time today so that I can see her "blooming tree" She doesn't know what it's called. I say Trumpet Flower Tree - LOL
A weird time for a tree to bloom - but they are beautiful.

and my friends baby, Indie, who is normally very shy, came out to visit.

I'm not normally a cat person but Indie was cute.

Also sitting in her garden was this fellow.

D-292 A bump in the road

2010-10-18T23:55:00.004-04:00

Day 292 of my 365 day project. My love for photograph and my desire to learn as much about photography as I can continues to grown. My commitment to be the best photographer that I can be is still strong. On the business side though, I have hit a bump in the road. Well, more like a road block. I continue to push forward but seem to be wearing out. So when this project is over I have committed to learning about the business aspect of photography. I have been looking for a mentor or mentors in the business area and have come up empty so far. I will continue looking and searching. I saw there are a few who charge but I'm not sure they offer what I'm looking for. If you have any suggestions please feel free to drop me a line.

Today's image was a little uninspiring.
The daily shoot: #ds336 Make a photograph of three items arranged in a composition that pleases you.
Some of our artwork.
Can you guess which one is mine?

I used a tri-pod tonight.

Images viewed: Karl Grobl
Karl is called a "photojournalist humanitarian" his images will touch you and some will pull at your heart strings. Worth the look. Take one of the photo slide tours while your there.

D-289 - 291 Pumpkins and goblins

2010-10-18T13:00:00.000-04:00

Facebook Friday Challenge: Labor
Dave spent 2+ hours on the phone with a Zune representative who managed to mess up Dave's computer but eventually they fixed everything.

A self portrait - went to a Halloween Costume

We won first place for the costume

Finding the perfect pumpkin

Her first carved pumpkin (with a tiny help from her mom)

Now I am more than caught up. LOL
Images Viewed: Work of the Heart Skye Images

D-288 Surviving the fire

2010-10-14T19:30:00.000-04:00

“Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.” Bill Cosby

The daily shoot
#ds333 Fire is dramatic, as it its effect. Make a picture of a flame or something changed by fire or flame.

Images viewed: Blair Phillips Photography

D-287 Upside down

2010-10-13T23:45:00.001-04:00

the daily shoot: Think upside down & really change your view point. Make a photo where you or your subject is upside down.

Macro shot of water drops as they come out of the faucet. I then turned the picture upside down. I added a few items in the background for color - the unexpected surprise was how you can see what the items are in the water drop. Candy corn, colored paper, apple and a pepper.

and without the extra items:

Images viewed: Blair Philips

D-286 Falls Beauty

2010-10-12T22:19:00.003-04:00

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus

Images viewed: by Lee Frost

D-285 A day with Miss Isabella

2010-10-11T23:30:00.000-04:00

and off of work!
The weekend went by so fast and I was glad to have today off too.
What a beautiful fall day - unseasonably warm.

The smirks from her are because she put a spell on me and turned me into a frog. Rebbit, rebbit.

Then she turned me into a princess. Hopefully she'll leave me as that.

there's a few more on my flickr page.

I've fallen behind on my reading but since I'm almost all caught up on editing I should be able to get back to reading.

Images viewed: Alexsandras Babicius

D-284 Finally a day off!

2010-10-11T00:11:00.005-04:00

Finally a day away from work, chores, computer work, edits, caring, nursing, etc
A day to just be. Being on a motorcycle is almost like running to me. It clears my head. There is a certain amount of freedom when I'm on the motorcycle. The wind in my face, the sites and sounds magnified, the sound of the tires on the ground. . . I just cannot describe it. That's what I did, we spent a good part of the day on the motocycle with a bunch of friends.

Most of these (except for the obvious one) was captured while we were full speed ahead. Drive by shooting.

Took the D-300 and a kit lens.

D-283 Zoom effect & slow shutter speeds

2010-10-09T09:07:00.003-04:00

Project 365 Facebook friday challenge is "slow the shutter speed down"

and while my shutter speed was slowed down I tried some zoom effect shots. This was my first attempt at it and I later found an article on the same subject. Mastering the Zoom Effect. I'll have to try it again.
Painted Tree

Spooky

D-281 & 282 Dinner is served

2010-10-07T21:15:00.001-04:00

Yesterday's daily shoot was "The warmth of wood takes on many shapes and forms. Make a photograph of something made of wood today. #ds325"
her is my response to that challenge.

It's a large piece of driftwood David found and turned into a nice candle holder. It's really cool looking.
Off camera flash shot through an umbrella, blue gel pointed at the Christmas lights in the background they are in glasses.

Since the lights were already set up I thought I'd try my rose again.

Basically the same set up except I added a red gel.

and finally
another Weight Watchers recipes
Cajun Shrimp and pasta. This was easy and quick to prepare and has the perfect amount of spice to it.

Again, I'm not a food photographer but I wanted to share. It was delicious.
I'm not on the WW program I just love the variety of healthy and low fat recipes.

All of today's pictures were taken on my dinning room table-no studio shots.

Flickr: Mikel Alba

D-280 Dinner anyone?

2010-10-05T21:00:00.000-04:00

Obviously I still have a lot to learn about food photography. Maybe I can get some tips from Elli or Sasi
I loosely followed a weight watchers recipe for crab cakes but put my own twist on it, salmon croquettes and the Hot peppered sour cream sauce was the perfect touch.
Delicious.

and my friend Elli asked about my lighting on yesterdays images. I thought it would be easier to take a picture of the set up instead of trying to explain.

Aticles read: Understanding Exposure Value in photography by Picture Correct
Read and trying to understand this (Wikipedia-Exposure Value Chart) made me feel like I was in a math class.
Images Viewed: Jeanetteleblanc

D-279 Velvet Petals . . .

2010-10-04T22:54:00.004-04:00

“We’re falling like the velvet petals/We’re bleeding and we’re torn/But God is in the roses and the thorns.”

Sometimes the daily shoot seems a little strange to me but because the whole point of participating is to be challenged today's challenge:
ds#323 Bathrooms are full of hard surfaces, textures, and personal implements. Find an inspiring photograph in a bathroom today.

Nothing inspiring or creative in my bathroom so this is what I came up with.

Read Nikon D-700 User's Manual Pages 170-184
Images Viewed: Mi Belle Wedding Photography

D-278 Where the Heaven's meet the Earth

2010-10-03T21:55:00.004-04:00

The daily shoot today is Make a photograph that emphasizes the horizon. It's your choice whether to place it on the third lines or to center it.

The horizon is the apparent line that separates earth from sky, the line that divides all visible directions into two categories: those that intersect the Earth's surface, and those that do not. At many locations, the true horizon is obscured by trees, buildings, mountains, etc., and the resulting intersection of earth and sky is called the visible horizon.

Where the heaven's meet the earth:

This is the Chicago Skyline As seen from across Lake Michigan from Indiana.
I like the colored version but after posting I converted to black and white and I like it better.

Color enhanced with Topaz Adjust.

Images viewed:
Mi Belle Wedding Photography

D-276 & 277

2010-10-02T23:45:00.000-04:00

The daily shoot: #320 Simplicity is economy. Make the simplest photograph you can today. Take things out until you can't remove anything else.

and today's

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Images Viewed: Google Flower Search

D-275 Where the road may lead . . .

2010-09-30T21:07:00.003-04:00

Sometimes the path you're on is not as important as the direction you're heading. ~Kevin Smith

The daily shoot: #ds319 Make a photograph of a vanishing point today made by converging lines.

Pretty simple and straight forward. Before I went for my run today thought I'd take advantage of the sun, I had to wait a few minutes for traffic to stop, walk to the middle of the road and get low. Worked really fast only got 3 shots in.

and this one because I really liked the "lines" in it.

I loved the color of the sky today, it was a perfect fall day.
I also wanted to mention that I used the Nikon kit lens, 18-55, that I got when we bought our D-80 a couple of years ago. I Hardly ever reach for the kit lenses but after today's captures it might be worth a second look next time.

Read Nikon D-700 Users Manual pages 170
Images viewed: Cynthia Graham

D-274 Fading Beauty

2010-09-29T22:03:00.004-04:00

Macro shot of the white rose that was rescued from my yard last week. The beauty in it is quickly fading

Off camera flash to the left of the flower bounced off of the ceiling.

Nikon D-300 User's Manual 169
Images Viewed: Whitebox blog
Still reading Photography Foundations for Design and Art

On a personal note: I had a portrait session cancel today and it was such a beautiful day I wanted to take advantage of that hour after work so I put on my running shoes and I ran 3 miles. 3 MILES! It's the first run I've done since my knee surgery in April. I'm not feeling any pain and it was such a powerful time. I was able to clear my mind and focus. I'm hoping to be able to keep up this activity that brings me so much joy.

D-273 Just plugging away . . .

2010-09-28T21:27:00.003-04:00

The Daily Shoot #317 Power plugs are ubiquitous. Can you make a creative photo of such a common thing? Try it today!
Not sure how to make a power plug interesting and creative so I played with lights.

Reading "Photography foundations for art & design" by Mark Galer

Nikhil asked about the lights in yesterdays post . . .they are a string of "Christmas lights." They are bokehed in the background. Aperature today is F/4.5 yesterday F/1.8

D-272 Brown Challenge

2010-09-28T00:17:00.004-04:00

The Daily shoot: Make a photograph today dominated by browns or other earthtones. Explore how the color influences your subject choice.

Made by a local artisian it's my favorite pitcher - even had to order a matching bowl.

couldn't decide on which one I liked best so #2

again viewed images by Nikhil Ramkarran His images are so colorful and clear and thought provoking.

D-270 & D-271 lots & lots of editing . . .

2010-09-26T20:45:00.005-04:00

First let me say that Saturday I had a photo shoot with this lovely young lady. Miss H - she's gonna be 8 in a couple of days.

and yesterdays Daily Shoot was: The Daily Shoot #314: Make a photograph that shows an interpretation of your favorite indulgence or guilty pleasure.
Here is definitely my guilty please, sigh, don't know why I cannot just walk away from them.

and today's challenge: Fences and walls can divide or demarcate. Make a creative photo of a fence or wall today.
A fence to separate

Read Portraits and Vision Mongers and viewed some Flickr images
Sammy Collazo's Flicker
Loren Zemlicka's Flicker

Hope Everyone has had a great weekend.

D-269 Friday Challenges

2010-09-24T21:30:00.001-04:00

The daily shoot challenge #ds313 Make a photo of an interesting stack of books or magazines. Consider how you handle repeating lines in your composition. Also, Project 365 Face Book's challenges: Lines

These are my Rangefinder Magazines

Read: Seven Elements that Help Make a great Black & White Photo by Scott Bourne

Images viewed: Tru Shots

D-268 The ds challenge & Miss Isabella by the window

2010-09-23T22:59:00.002-04:00

dailyshoot Daily Shoot:
Symmetry can be calm and soothing. Make a photo today featuring symmetry, either in subject or composition.
An old high tension power line - had to lay on the ground of this one.

I spent a little time with Isabella today
I must say, I'm completely smitten by her.
She was laying on my new bench by the window and I was able to capture her with available light and ISO 800

Entered this one into the "Love that shot" contest.
50mm, Nikon D-700, window light.

Images viewed: The Michael Lam Collection

D-267 Harvest Moon

2010-09-22T22:31:00.002-04:00

The first image is for the Daily shoot: Communicate chaos, disorganization or messiness in a photograph. Find some beauty in it. (@divadeb88)

Disorganized Beauty

Super Harvest Moon
It comes but once every 20 years, a spectacular coincidence of summer verging into fall, as a rising harvest moon lights the evening sky just as the last sunset of summer glimmers out.

Called a "super harvest moon" for its spectacular apparent size and shimmering light, the moonrise at about 6:28 p.m. Wednesday rings in fall as the season turns.

To learn about this moon read here: Super Harvest Moon

and about 20 minutes later

Images Viewed: Bert Hardy

Read Nikon D700 User's Manual pg 167-168

D-265 & 266

2010-09-21T21:00:00.000-04:00

Abandoned Cement Factory

The Daily Shoot - Use a mirror as part of a composition in a photograph today. Show yourself in the image if you'd like!
The last rose of the season from the garden.

Inspiration: Pebbles Photography Blog
Read Nikon D-300's User Manual pages 159-166
Portraits by Terry Hope

D-264

2010-09-19T23:45:00.000-04:00

Articles Read:Ronan Palliser's Photoblog
Also looked at but have not read all: 100 Helpful Photography Tutorials
Inspiration: Jinky Art Blog

D-263 You have to have a plan

2010-09-18T20:54:00.004-04:00

Today I walked a 5K with and for my friend Flora, against breast cancer. I am really proud of this strong warrior.

I also had a 2 year old in the studio today. Look at this sweet child! The eyes, the hair, the cheeks! She looks like her mom - just gorgeous.

I normally over shot. I challenged my self to cut down on all of the shooting. There are times when it is neccessary, but not always. It's become a cruch for. To make sure I "got the shot." I'm not talking about practicing everyday. I'm talking about snapping the shutter 20 times to make sure you get the right one. Well, not this time. I had planned in my mind what kinds of shots I was gonna try to get. We got what I wanted in about 40 shots, less than 40 minutes. I'll offer the family about 20. Easy for the family and easier on me. That was a tip from the Professional photographer magazine.

I used my Nikon 50mm 1.4
what a sweet lens!

Nikon D-700 Users Manual read section on custom white balance.

Images viewed: Jose Villa Blog

D-262 Photographic Journey

2010-09-17T22:39:00.004-04:00

I have the honor/privilege of being featured in Tasra Mars blog.
I can honestly say that my photography has improved immensely after joining Tasra's Challenge. Read about my journey here

Friday's challenge for Facebook project 365 is "Fall Colors"

This is from the sassafras tree in out yard. In about a week or two it will be completely red and just beautiful.

Inspiration Images: Professional Photographer Magazine September 2010 read cover to cover.
Also viewed Jasmine Star's blog.
Picked up the Nikon D-700 Users Manual again.

D-261 Sunflower

2010-09-16T22:38:00.002-04:00

Bought myself a treat

I love sunflowers. They remind me of sunshine.

I've also been inspired by Imogen Cunningham. Her eye for detail is simply exquisite and I wonder how she captured details like she did in 1901, without all of the technology.

I've been reading "Portraits" by Terry Hope

With those 2 inspirations, I'm feeling motivated to do some black and whites.

Who inspires you?

D-260 Shadows

2010-09-15T21:42:00.004-04:00

I always work hard at avoiding shadows in my images - but guess what? Shadows add contrast to images, they add dimension and interest.
Today's Daily Shoot Challenge is: Hard shadows can emphasize texture and edges. Find a scene lit with hard shadows today and make a photo.

I didn't "Find" a scene I had to create one. Here's my entry:
Hard Shadows - little elephants

Read: Proper Use of Shadows in Picture Correct

Imogen Cunningham

D258-259 Painting with light

2010-09-14T23:02:00.007-04:00

I went looking for beauty in the yard today, I needed to start with a fresh view again.
Today's Daily challenge: The daily shoot: Use a door or window as a framing device to contain a smaller scene today.
Sunshine through a garden window

Nikon D-700
70-200 2.8

I played with the bokeh light and created a couple of other flower images they are posted on my facebook page and my flickr account.

Images viewed:
FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES & TIPS

D 255 - 257

2010-09-12T22:43:00.004-04:00

“Life's up and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine your values and goals - Think of using all obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want”
Marsha Sinetar quotes

I will expound on this quote on a later post.

Friday D-255
I shot a beautiful wedding. Gorgeous bride & groom

Saturday D-256
This was Project 365 FB challenge - Door

Sunday D257
Changes

Did I forget to mention I roamed this abandoned church for a bit? It's been about a year since my last visit there. Since my last visit, there have been 2 movies filmed there, Nightmare on Elm Street and Transformers 3. It's called City Methodist Church in Gary, Indiana

Life is good - live it to the fullest.

D-254 On weighing things out . . .

2010-09-09T23:13:00.002-04:00

I missed yesterdays post. Not sure what happened. I had training all day, then I came home to take care of home responsibilities, David is really sick, he has pneumonia and some other complications. Time sort of slipped by me and today while checking my blog, I was surprised I didn't post yesterday - LOL. Today has been sort of a blurr too but I had Isabella for a couple of hours and I managed to capture this.

She's really not angry, she was just concentrating on making this necklace and I called her, so she looked up really quickly. I am amazed at how much her look has changed in the past couple of months. She's looking older. I could have taken more images but I decided to spend some time with her. I mean really spend time with her.
and so weighing things out, yesterday I had to take care of David and myself, today I had to spend time with her.
Sometimes I just have to give up on the reading and the browsing. I'll get back to it soon, but weighing things out, my health is more important.

Window light

Images viewed: Thayer Hearts Weddings

D-253 The daily shoot the number 9 & 6 and Hands

2010-09-07T21:30:00.000-04:00

No portrait work today - today I followed the daily shoot. Two days worth to be exact.
The daily shoot:
"Make a photograph with either a 9 or 6 (components of today's date) in it represented in some way and post it today."

We've had these old milk quarts for a while. I happened to turn them over and there were the numbers.

The bottles were placed on a light box (light is underneath the subject).

A couple of days ago the challenge was The daily shoot
A person's hands can tell a story. Take a picture of someones hands today.

My mom is one of the hardest working people I know. She doesn't let much slow her down. She loves doing yard work.

Images viewed: Jose Villa Blog

Urban Weddings