The Knight

Shining Knight

How is that I have not shared this one before?  I adore knights.  Sometimes I think that maybe I would have enjoyed living in those times.  But then I remember what their bathrooms were like and their general lack of hygiene and realize that I am way too much of a city girl who truly enjoys her modern amenities to even think about living such a rough time.  I mean, come on, I don't even like to go camping.  In a trailer.  Or an RV.

Now That's Just Plain Silly

Wookies don't eat Soup

Everyone know Wookies don't eat soup - they eat meat!

Okay, okay, I know this one is very different from my norm.  I like to shoot thing realistic for the most part.  This was from a school assignment many years ago.  And one that I really did not enjoy.  Which is very strange by itself.  That I took a photography class and did not enjoy it.  I mean just about any excuse to hold my camera in my hands is very, very welcome.  But this class . . .

It was my first digital photography class.  We had the strangest assignments in it.  I mean really strange.  Like half the time I had absolutely no idea what the teacher was looking for.  Somehow I managed to pass the class. 

This particular assignment was called dreams.  So basically it was anything that was, well, surreal.  My family and I did have a very fun time setting this up.  We took several shots of this poor Wookie all around our table after we had finished eating.  I must say this Wookie was a very good sport.  He posed absolutely perfect for us, and never once did he have his eyes closed in any of the shots.

One



One



The last of my water series.
The power of one little drop of water is pretty astounding.  I will leave it to one better with words than me to describe.

Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend. - Bruce Lee

Begin and End

Begin and End

Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning. - John Henry Cardinal

It's images like these that almost require a second look.  Just to make sure that you are seeing what you thought you really were seeing.  This was photo number three in my water series.  One more to go.

Reflection



Stop for Reflection

 Another photo that was a party of my water series.  I had a hard time with this series of photos.  We had to base it off of poetry.  And for those of you that know me, well, how do I say this?  Poetry is totally not my thing.  I just don't get it.  I have a hard time reading it and an even harder time writing it.  That was always my worst subject in school.

As a matter of fact, the only poem I ever wrote that was halfway decent was all about how much I do not like poetry and it gives me nightmares.  My teacher loved it, although he did tell me that he would have preferred it be about another subject.

Now, for those of you that love poetry, please do not take offense.  I mean you no harm.  I think it's great that you love poetry as you do.  I just don't have it in me for it to make sense to me.

So, back to the photo, since that I do understand.  I actually have a side note on that.  And somehow, I think this goes along with me not getting poetry.  I find it sad when people feel the need to have to judge art.  I don't understand that whole critiquing thing.  It's great to help someone out with their techniques or to help them improve, but I have been a part of critiques that were mean just for the sake of being mean.  And that I do not get at all.  Just because something that I shoot does not make sense to you, or speak to you does not mean it is not worthwhile.  I think that any expression is a good thing and should be seen for what it is - work that is coming from my heart and my soul.  It is a part of me.  And it is something that I have chosen to share with you.  So, whether you like it or not, it is worth taking a look at.

Just as we as human beings are worth taking a look at.  It doesn't matter where you came from or where you are going.  What matters is what you have to offer from your heart and your soul.  For that is the only place that you can live that really matters.

Red

Seeing Red

I do love bright colors.  They always bring such cheer to one's day.  When I saw this row of bright red benches, I could not pass photographing them. Too much fun!

Casting Shadows



Casting Shadows

I had a few moments to myself the other day.  I warmed up my scanner and scanned in some of my old black and white film day pictures.  This was from a series dealing with water.

Beginning

Where it All Begins

Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning. - John Henry Cardinal

It's Come Around Full Circle

In the Middle

So, we have come full circle with the pictures from the lovely bouquet of flowers that I got for our anniversary.  You may be thinking, now wait a minute, we've already seen this one.  And you would be close, but not quite right.

The first photo that I shared with you of these flowers was very similar to this one.  Very similar indeed.  But, not quite.  There are some very subtle differences.  And, I like this one just a tad bit more.

I'm not going to tell you what the differences are.  Maybe you can figure them out on your own.  And maybe you would prefer to just enjoy each picture as it comes to you each day.  And either way is just fine with me.

I will however tell you that the one big difference between the two is this . . . the first one was taken with my point and shoot camera.   And it did very well.  Nice results.  While this one was taken with my nice camera - the fully automatic everything camera.  In other words, the one that I spend more time with and have much, much more control over how the image is going come out.  I even got the tripod out for this one - and that really is saying something.

So, I hope that you have enjoyed the red and purple flowers over the past few days.  Now that we have ended where we began, it is time to move on to something else. 

Are You Sitting Down?

'Cause this just might shock you.  No really, please sit down first.  Okay, but please don't say I didn't warn you.

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I know you've seen this flower featured over the past few days.  And so you are probably wondering why all the warnings.  Well, this is one picture that I am not offering in the color version.  I truly love the black and white version.  And so still, why so shocking, right?

I'm sure some of you have already figured it out by now.

Originally this flower is purple.  And yet, I chose to share it with you in it's black and white form.  Crazy I know.

And no, I am not feeling a little under the weather or sleep deprived.  I really, really love the textures that you experience in this version.  In color the purple was so vivid and overpowering that that is all that you notice.

Right now, looking at the image, I am overcome with the softness of those petals.  They look so smooth and luxurious.  I just want to touch them.  Run my thumb along the petal to see if it feels as soft as it looks.  And yet, I never did do that when I was looking at the flowers in person.  Interesting...

Okay, I get the Hint

Purple and Red

You don't have to tell me twice. I'm usually pretty good at taking a hint. I've been getting such great, and enthusiastic feedback on the last three flower images that I decided to keep it going.

Thanks to everyone that has posted comments, emailed me and spoken to me in person.  I've really enjoyed hearing your opinions, what you noticed first and the differences you experienced in the color and black and white versions of the same image.  It was really fun to hear what you thought.

And so tonight, I thought I would share a different angle of those same two flowers, and a shift in focus from the purple to red.  I hope you will find this image as pleasing as the others.

Back in . . . Color?

Sunny Spot & Red Curtain

You asked for it, you got it.  The same pic only in color now.  I do like this one too.  What I am really drawn to is the red curtain behind the flower in the front. 

Did you notice how your focus seems to be drawn to different areas in the black and white compared to the color?  Or was it?  Are you drawn to the same area in both?

Not me.  In the black and white, I am drawn to the center of the flower in the bottom left corner.  And in the color version, I am drawn the red, out of focus, flower in the background.  It's amazing how one simple change can change so much.

But, like I've said before, it's very true, one simple change can change so much.  Sometimes it feels so overwhelming.  The changes that you feel you should make in your life, or the changes that you want to make in your life, or the changes that you need to make in your life.  Don't let this happen.  Once you do, you will never change anything.  And you cannot grow without continually making changes.  It all starts with one small change.  That's all it takes.  So break it down to it's most simplest form and then decide on one thing that you can work on.  Concentrate on that and then wait and see what wonderful things come your way by just implementing one positive change in your life. 

I truly believe that this universe wants each of us to succeed and to be the best that you can possibly be.  And the easiest way to do that is to give up the fight.  I think we struggle with ourselves more than anything else.  Give up that internal fight.  Create and make some positive changes in your life, put that out in the universe and see what positive things come back to you!

Who wouldn't want that?

Be the change you want to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

You May Get To Decide

White Tipped Petals

I promised my mom some flowers. When I spoke with her on the phone earlier today, I told her that I was working on some photos of flowers. I was pretty sure that she would enjoy seeing them here.


This is another flower from the red bloom posted last night. Part of my flowers to celebrate our anniversary. In the background of this image, you can see another flower - it kind of looks like a curtain to me - that is the red bloom from yesterday.

When I got done processing this image, I could not decide which I liked better - the black and white version or the color. So, you may get to see them both. What do you think? Are you interested in seeing the color version of this image too?

They are quite different even though they are the same.

Bursting

Bursting

We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are. ―  Bill Watterson

Dreamlike Balloons

Bright Balloons

Have you ever had one of those dreams that is so real, it can't possibly be a dream? Or a dream where everything is so bright and colorful and cheerful. It makes your eyes hurt, even though they are shut?

I don't know about you, but I don't usually remember my dreams. It is a very rare day when I wake up and remember one. And when I do, they are always very bright and very vivid. And I want to write it down so that I will not forget . . . but I never do.

Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real? ~J.K. Rowling, "King's Cross," Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, 2007, spoken by the character Albus Dumbledore

The Storm That Never Was

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Driving home from exercising the other morning, I was mesmerized by the sky. We have blue skies the majority of the year. Very little rain which means very few clouds. Lately it seems the sky has been taken over by clouds. The big fluffy kind. The kind that you can watch move across the sky. There were clouds as far as I could see. More white than blue. Doesn't happen too often here.


What caught my eye was the way the sun was shining through the clouds. I mean there was no sunshine to speak of - which is also very unusual here. The only way you could see the sun was the small strips that were streaming through the clouds. It was beautiful.

And, of course I did not have my camera with me. Well, why would I, I was out exercising! Cut me some slack would you?

I kept watching and hoping that it would still be amazing by the time I got home. I pulled into the garage and ran to get my camera and my polarized lens. No sense trying to capture clouds without it. That would just be silly. Wouldn't you know it, the sky completely changed before I could get back out there. I watched in disbelief. And took some pictures anyways. Nothing spectacular. And then . . . the most amazing moment occurred. The sun decided to try to peak from behind a rather large, and dark cloud. WOOHOO! So I snapped away.

I hope you enjoy my stormy clouds that weren't stormy clouds at all.

Somewhere In The Middle

In The Middle

A continuation from last night. This trash can was sitting out in the middle of an open area. It was a little strange and yet perfectly at home. What I really loved are the concrete squares with lights pouring out of them. Very interesting to me. Again, I can see doing some really fun portrait work there. I may have to consider some work in this area along with a staircase project that I've been wanting to work on. Ooooh, the possibilities. Now I'm getting all excited again.


You know, it's pretty funny, but when I was taking these pictures I was getting some pretty interesting looks. My family that was with me . . . well to them it was just another day with me.

If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves. ~ Thomas Edison

And so, as we sit here and look at this picture - In The Middle - I hope that you are not finding yourself stuck in the middle. For the middle should be a point where you find that you have come very far and yet have very far to go.

May we all be in the middle taking the first step toward something new. I believe that is where we begin to find what we are truly capable of - when we are always in motion, moving toward a goal.

Lighting Can Make All The Difference.

Lit From Behind

A fun family outing led to this scene. This was an area that was all metal and concrete and lighting. Immediately I fell in love. I really want to take some family pics in front of that lit wall. For now, I will make due with the metal trashcan and, wait a minute, is that a staircase at the very edge? Oh how I do love staircases.

And now for something really different

Glowing Blue

Again, taken at the planetarium. I'm not sure, but I like this one too. I know it's very different. I think it's the experimentalness (is that even a word?) of it. I'm not saying this is something I would want to blow up to poster size, frame and hang in my living room. But, there is something about it that is a little fun.
The picture from last night was taken with a very quick shutter speed and actually came out pretty dark. I had to do some work on it in Photoshop. Once I saw that the image was on the darker side on my camera, I quickly made some adjustments and took a few photos with a longer shutter speed. As some of you know, a longer shutter speed in a low light situation and a very dark room (not to mention the subject being a younger person) is a very tricky thing to get. So, perfection it is not. But fun nonetheless. And after all, it's about the journey isn't it?

You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try. ~ Dolly Parton

And so on the end of this long holiday weekend, I am pleasantly surprised that it is an early an evening as it is for me. This means I should be able to get some reading in - Return of the Jedi here I come!

My Very Own Blue Man

I have another passion. I am just as crazy about it as photography - well maybe even more so - if you can imagine that. It is music. I love all sorts of music (except for Country) and all sorts of artists. My iPod is loaded up with stuff from Lady Gaga to E.L.O. to John Williams' orchestrations. I love to listen to the Braveheart soundtrack and Guns & Roses. I love it and am very inspired by it.

A few years ago, my family had the pleasure of seeing The Blue Man Group in concert. Amazing show. We loved it so much we saw them again a few months later when they came back through our town. Just as good the second time.

And now, I have my very own blue man.

This was taken in a room lit up with a blue light. Okay, to be a little more specific, it was a planetarium. Waiting for the show to begin, they had the top portion of the room lit by blue. It made everything white glow blue. My son sat very still for me so that I could capture him as best I could in the low lighting situation with my hand held point and shoot camera. Tomorrow I will share a different version of this picture.

A single chance is a galaxy of hope. ~ From Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Now That's a Little Different

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Sometimes some pretty cool things come from some very unexpected places. And this photo is definitely one of those.


Yesterday I talked about how excited I was to be going to an NFL game and to see the Washington Redskins play. I know they have not been doing the best in the past few years, but that doesn't change that I still like to root for that team. It was totally fun! I was pleasantly surprised at how many Skins fans there were at an away game. It was great to see the shirts, hats and jerseys throughout the entire stadium. It was also a little strange to see a few people at the stadium wearing jerseys from the Saints and the Bears - since the Skins were playing the Cardinals. But that is not what I am talking about being a little different.

And so, I will say it again (and return to my original thought) sometimes pretty cool things come from very unexpected places. Before I got my point and shoot camera out to take pictures of the field and of us at the game, I pulled out my cell phone and snapped a couple pictures with it. Something that I rarely do - but should more often. That's right, if you have not figured it out by now, this photo was taken with my cell phone. No, I did not streak it or move it to get the lights to look that way. That is exactly how the cell phone interpreted all that information . . . that is exactly what it looked like on the screen before I took the picture. I couldn't tell for sure what it was going to look like until I got it downloaded on my computer.

And . . . I . . . Love It! What a unique image. Almost dreamlike. Now if only the game followed along . . . The Skins lost. Good thing it was preseason - and really I don't care, it was still a great time being there and cheering them on.

Family

Family

A little bit back, I had the opportunity to photograph my oldest brothers family. They were all together for the first time in many years. We decided on an early morning session since the evenings were still very very hot. There's nothing quite like red cheeks in photos.


Here is one of my favorites from that day. This was an outside eating area that was too cute to resist. I am wanting to get into some more industrial type shooting situations and am always looking for areas that would be fun for backgrounds. If you know of any, please let me know!

I am doing this a little unusual tonight. I usually sit down to type up my postings at the very end of my day. Everyone else has gone to bed and the house is very quiet. Sometimes I listen to some music, but usually I do not. I pick out my photo. Sometimes I find the quote first and sometimes I type everything up first and then look for a quote, if I will be using one. It is at that moment, that I decide what topic I would like to talk about. And most times, whatever I think I'm going to talk about, I don't. I just let my fingers start typing and see where it takes me.

Well, tonight, or I should say this evening, it's just now going on 4:30. I am prepping a little early for my entry tonight. Why you might wonder? Well in just a few minutes we are heading over to watch the Washington Redskins play the Arizona Cardinals in football. I'm very excited to be going. Thanks to Warren for organizing the whole thing - finding tickets for a good price and getting them for everyone. It's my first NFL game and I have been looking forward to it all day long.

Peaceful Night

Full

Nothing like a nighttime stroll to give you ideas. ~ Mad-Eye Moody from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling


During the week of those amazing sunrises, we had a beautiful show with the moon and clouds. This night it was so large and bright I could not resist. We had actually been out in the evening and I was watching the moon the whole ride home, hoping that it would not change too much before we could get home. The clouds were moving so fast that it was constantly changing. And, wouldn’t you know it, as soon as I got home there were no clouds around the moon. I was determined to capture that beautiful moon anyway. I setup my tripod and photographed for about 20 minutes.

It was so quiet and peaceful outside. Standing in my backyard, in my jammies, with my tripod and my flashlight. Shooting picture after picture after picture. Making slight adjustments after each one. I wanted to wait for some clouds to roll in, but they just weren’t cooperating with me. And…we had a Monopoly game waiting to be finished before bedtime.