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-174 La cascara del mar

La cascara del mar

La cascara del mar, originally uploaded by Sandra Marek.

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

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

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

Images viewed: Dennis Reggie


Nikon D-300 pages 189-190

D-173 Picture perfect

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

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

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

Picture perfect

Picture perfect, originally uploaded by Sandra Marek.

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

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

Nikon D-300 pages 188-189

D-155 Enlightenment must come . . .

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

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

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

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



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

D-154 Ajos!

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


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



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



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

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

D152 /D153 It ain't pretty!

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

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


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


Real sun flair




Images viewed: Peekaboo Photo Blog


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

D-150 Change your point of view

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



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

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

D-148 Just keep moving . . .

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

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



The Daily shoot today:


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

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

Images viewed: The digital Photography by John Hedgecoe