D-135 Take Flight

Tasra Mars Thursday Theme Challenge is "Take Flight"

The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn't it be? —it is the same the angels breathe
Mark Twain

Where are your dreams taking you? What "flight" do they want to take?



I couldn't decide which one I liked better so I posted two.




Again used my Nikon D-80 and kit lens
ISO 200, F5.6, 1/50s, 55m

Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 76-81
Getting Things Done by David Allen Pages 106 - 112

D-54 Architechtual Element - More Textures

Another white sky day and this old church revisited. I think I can go back to this place many, many times and still find something different. To me, white skies equals lots of textures. Especially if the subject is still life.



The textures used today are by the ever talented and ever generous Jerry Jones AKA "Shadowhouse Creations" AKA SkeletalMess" Drop by his blog and leave him some blog love. We could all use a little more of that.

Today's Photographer is Barry Rosenthal. Of Particular interest is the "Lost in Nature" series which I just found today, but it really goes with the photo series I started yesterday.

Book: Pages 13-32 "Exploring the Nikon D300" Just gave a little more detail than the quick tour did. I did learn that I have some control over the on camera flash. I can control some of the brightness. I also learned a different way of formatting the card without having to go into the main menu.

D46 It's more than just Black & White

I came across this 365 blog today and I really enjoyed his ideas and his photography. His 365 project includes reading a section of his camera manual daily and/or posting a blog or site that he has come across that inspires him. Read in his own words here and his Blog
Thanks for the inspiration.

Monochromatic Monday -
It's one of the areas I'm trying to learn more about. I have learned that contrast is very important for Black & White images. I also learned that some textures work really well for black & white images. So during my lunch break I was ankle deep in snow looking for contrast and texture.


I thought of texture and the contrast in the "white" sky


Thanks for reading my blog.

33/365 Architechtual Element

All Saints Church is a Cathedral Style. I don't have any of the data that goes with this church but it is the second time I take pictures of it. I love it's Gothic Cathedral Style and I'm pretty sure it's part of the historical society's listing. I'll get back to you on that. What do I do when I get nothing but grey skies? I add texture and color. I'm still learning to blend so they are not perfect but they are pretty dramatic.


This one is also in Hammond but this one is for sale.


This one is just for laughs: Ghetto Hood Prop. Seriously?


After work I ran 4 miles today.

Days 30/31. First Month down

Day 30 - I did take the picture on the right day but exhaustion has finally caught up with me and it was all I could do to stay awake all day. It was an early night for me. So here for day 30 - Purely random and just because I liked it.



Today was an awesome day! We've had our dinning room table full all day. It was reminiscent of when the kids were little. We've had all the kids (Except for Gabriel, who lives in California - I miss him) over for breakfast and/or lunch and/or dinner, Dave's mom was here and this evening we had our friends Flora and John for dinner. Then we sat by the fireplace, while we watched David hang my cuckoo-clock, a gift my daughter brought back from Germany.

Sun Set at Miller Beach


David with Reesee, Frozen Lake Michigan in the background.


Me and the dogs running along the shore of the frozen Lake. The dogs had so much fun running out there and you gotta love my hat. Well, not my hat my sons hat - LOL.
It was bitter cold but I really enjoyed the fresh air. Poor D could hardly stand it - Thanks Hun.

Angel of Mercy

Today's theme is Architecture and while this is not a building it is a monument that I drive by everyday. The skies are still grey around here. I added lots and lots of textures and colors compliments of Shadowhouse Creations




Original image - oh yeah and that is snow.

And if God will send his Angels. . .

This is St Joseph's Catholic Church In Hammond Indiana.
Romanesque Revival, Built in 1914.This church features an outstanding rose window as well as important stained glass window.

The Indiana Historical Society rates this building as in "O" for Outstanding, "which means that enough historic or architectural significance that it is already listed, or should be considered for individual listing, in the Nations Register of Historic Places."
*Lake County Interim Report 1996

This is a beautiful church and it's very active in the community. It has an active soup kitchen and food pantry for the homeless of the area.

I've added two textures from Shadowhouse Creations.



I've concentrated on one small element of this very large church.

Architecture

I work In Hammond Indiana and I've long admired these old looking buildings. Today I did a quick research and found that this building, is called the Seifer Building. It was constructed in 1925 and was the Seifer retail furniture company. It's built in the Colonial Revival style. The detail in the facade is what is lacking in the newer construction.
It's located on State Street Commercial Historic District. It's located in what used to be the heart of Hammond's Business District.

The Indiana Historical Society rates this building as in "O" for Outstanding, "which means that enough historic or architectural significance that it is already listed, or should be considered for individual listing, in the Nations Register of Historic Places."
*Lake County Interim Report 1996







It should be noted that this building along with several other "Historical" buildings have been purchased and are being remodeled by a local Baptist Church.

Monochromatic Monday

The sky was a perfect white today. It goes along with my theme for today - Monochromatic.
I used my Beast of a lens for this one. Nikon 70-200mm
I love the detail on this church.

Thanks to Pam for suggesting I add Topaz for added demension.


Just Darn cold!

But

spring is right around the corner

Ladies . . .

It was a bitter cold day in Chicago and yes, it was a white sky.