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

“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-281 & 282 Dinner is served

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?

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

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-154 Ajos!

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


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



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



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

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

D-118 Praise & Patience

Winners compare their achievements with their goals, while losers compare their achievements with those of other people”
Nido Qubein quotes


My youngest daughter is in her 3rd year of college. She's majoring in Education with a minors in Spanish.
Today she was given several awards for her academic achievements. :) She makes me so proud.

She was also inducted into "Sigma Delta Pi" for her excellence in in Spanish classes. She is now a lifetime member of that organization.
Just because


Well I tried this one one more time. I was not happy with the composition yesterday so I tried again today

still not crazy about it but it's getting closer.



Amazing Macro water drop images: Steve took it flickr page

D-117 Practice . . .

Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.”
Martha Graham

How many times are you willing try something and perfect a new technique? Whether it be in photography or anything you are trying to perfect. Do you practice, practice, practice or do you give up?

Studio shots - "peppers"
Which one do you like best?







“Practice is the best of all instructors”
Publilius Syrus quotes

Pages read in "The Nikon Creative Lighting System" by Mike Hagen 28-36

Images viewed: Shiitake Flickr Stream. There are some amazing food images on there.

It's Tweeter Tuesday

Day 102 - Simplicity

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo da Vinci

I took this image with the intention of adding lots of texture. I added textures I took away textures I added more textures . . .Nothing seemed to work. So plain and simple.



Images Looked at Silent Okami's Photostream

3 days - no reading.