PADded Out.

What a month!

I have had a wonderful time shooting and sharing with all of you, but I am completely exhausted. I never seem to remember just how tough shooting and posting every single day is going to be. Some days you just feel so inspired that you don't know which shot to post, and other days the pain of museless shooting is somehow more than knowing you'll have to post a self portrait the next day.

I hope that you all had a good time, and learned a little something from every other shooter. I know I did.

Some of you (specifically those of you who have not posted for the last few days) must be glad that the month is over. Others of you have asked if we can do it again. Well of course you can... but count me out. I've had enough of this every day stuff for a while. As suggested by Blondeye, I propose that we play a round of 26 Things, for Septemeber.

If you are not completely worn out, and think you can commit to posting at least once per week, then please, join us for the next game. Existing contributors will be sent an invitation, and anyone else who wants to join in, just send an email to 26things@JCPlummer.com .

Oh, and the new game starts... NOW!

Pressed for Time

Labor Day Part 4

We're getting there... should be done today :)

Red Rover, Red Rover...

We dare you to come try to break our arms, while we try to clothesline your throat.

Seems like a reasonable way to bond with your family over the holiday weekend.

G'night

A friend's son sleeping on our floor, worn out by the day. He NEVER lets me get his pic...little does he know.

Football

My buddy Jeff's son, Colten, tore up the field yesterday in his youth football league. Everyone thinks that their kid is the best one on the team. But when yours plays offense, defense, and special teams, without a break, you just might be right. I was hot, tired, and thirsty after shooting this game in the heat, I can't imagine how this kid felt.

Abigayle Lyn

Much too beautiful not to post, my second cousin posed for me today at our family reunion. I wish I could share with you all of my photos from today.

Landon

Bonus PAD

I keep seeing this pic when I go to load things in from Picasa. I took this last spring (I think). This is a prime example of Indiana weather -- A temperature swing of 25 degrees, Thunderstorms, Tornados, Snow, and Ice all beautifully captured on the same radar :).

Just thought I would share :)

Labor Day Part 3

Well, I got the beginning grid lined out on the far wall. Luckily, after I get the squares painted, it will be easy to re-align things without having to use the tape measure and laser level. Someone with OCD should never embark on a project like this :)

Are we there yet?

What I was thinking about at 1 o'clock this morning while sitting at work.

A Gentleman's Favorite Precious Stone

Labor Day Part 2

I at least got the blinds up yesterday... that's progress, right? :)

Garfield

Ok, not much effort tonight. Gimme a break though, I cleaned out half of my basement and over half of my future short-term studio (until I am able to build or buy the studio I really want) in preparation for my yard sale. So I took a pic of our newest cat.

Have a great, safe holiday weekend.

Sunrise Earth

While trying so hard to enjoy dinner with my Princess this evening, I was inspired by the show "Sunrise Earth." At first it was just something to keep me from slowly killing the man on the patio who was, in turn, slowly killing James Taylor. But it wasn't long before the still, quiet images got burned into my retinas, and I began deconstructing them into the simple shadows and reflections that are the building blocks of photography.

This image isn't exactly what I had in my head, but it isn't that far off. Especially considering that the whole thing was done with a couple of paper bags, a sheet of plastic, and one, simple, off-camera flash. Again, my hat goes off to Strobist for teaching me to look at things a little differently than I ever had before, and to my fellow PADists, who have forced me to take the time to shoot, every single day, for this entire month.

You might be a redneck if...

you ride on a sled being pulled by a John Deere Gator!! Hey, it's entertaining!

It aint Lawrence Welk

what my kids are driving me insane with

Labor Day

This is what i'll be finishing this weekend....

Paranormal State

If you watch the show, you'll understand. This is our chandelier in the window, sometimes it gives you that feeling... and you feel like calling Ryan and his crew.

Morning Routine

Forced this morning, but not too bad I think. I'm so tired and sore today. Thank God for makeup, makes me look like everything is a-okay. :)

I've Got The Blues...

All of them.

My favorite...

Day of the week and Colts player...my hubby remembered that I've wanted a Saturday jersey and got me one for my birthday!!

Fail

Zero

It's been a while since I broke out the old "poor man's macro," so I thought I would give it a go again tonight.

Artistic? No. But certainly colorful and different, at least this in this small group.

I was genuinely surprised at the poor quality of character spacing here, though. With all the money I've given these people, you'd think they could at least put the numbers on in an orderly fashion.

Weed Scarecrow

Hopefully this will keep the weeds away.....

Hopeless Romantic...

Etched...

never noticed this...

 

I noticed this at work yesterday on the keyboard (while my head was in my hands in a moment of "don't know if I can do this anymore")

-

This image was not worth a title.

This is a great example of the world of forced photography.

My Girls

Piper and Makenna were actually playing together tonight, so I took the opportunity to capture them. Using my horrible pop up flash, I realized pretty quick that I needed to soften it. SO, I grabbed the nearest object that looked like it would do the trick -- a partially colored picture of Dora :). Stuck that in front of my flash to angle it up at the ceiling, and presto -- evenly lit photo. I really need an off camera flash!! :)

Pinwheel, Pinwheel, Spin Me Around....

Not the greatest composition, I know. I snapped this from the neighbor's yard. Second shot playing around with motion blur. This is to make up for yesterday's missed post. Will post the "consequence" soon.

Relaxation

Our backyard koi pond. It's a wonderful retreat on days like today.

1.21 JIGAWATTS!

He tried, but I was too quick at the draw.

All is right with the world again.

From the time I sent it off till the time I got it back was 1 week...that rocks!

That's a bunch of crop...

We got to see the fine art of crop dusting today as we drove. I don't know if you can tell from the picture but that's what he's doing. And the amazing part is I actually got to stop and take some pictures.

I hate working nights

An yes thats A.M.

Feel The Power

More fun with light painting :)

for Skyler

 

He "made" this tonight...and asked if I could post it...

He said it's a "robot droid". I thought he was cute. =)

Is this game over yet?

It seemed like such a good idea to do the PAD again, but at this point, I'm really running out of steam. Tonight, you get a watered down version of a quick read I had today on Strobist. The concept is to zoom the lens, while the shutter is still open. Maybe with a little genuine effort I could have done something to be proud of here, but instead, I've decided to have some nachos & Diet Coke, and call it a night.

Anybody else tired?

A New View...

My Ava loves to swing! And this is the view that I get being short :)

Words to Live By

Think positive. : )

I know, I'm goofy.

As Requested.

My niece and newphew had thier birthday party at Rascal's Fun Zone, in Whiteland yesterday. They both had a great time, along with a few of thier friends. Hundreds of pictures later, this was one of the few 'real' smiles that I got. As requested, all techincal concerns were put aside to capture that rare moment when he forgets that there is a camera around.

well, i made it...

 

...home and into my comfy socks... =)

Everything is New

This is Josie, our friends' daughter, to which everything brightens her eyes and is new. These days, I feel the same. With a different outlook on life that is much more positive, I see much more as new and I have to tell ya, it's no wonder little ones are so happy.

Muhahahahaha

While some may get excited about the first time candy corn gets put on store shelves, I get a different giddyness about the fall. Halloween. It is approaching this year, and I am getting prepared. With the candy corn, other delights grace store shelves, and I just can't help myself. This little fellow served me well last year, and will be called to duty again in the comming months. Until then, I'll be planning how to scare the crap out of the kids in the neighborhood this year :)

Yet another sky pic

But at least I thought this one looked cool

Lazy Afternoon

Piggies

Mine are smaller!

Fair

Went to the Oregon State Fair today. It was interesting compared to our Texas one. :)

Are You Kidding Me?

Who thought THAT was a good idea...

Ava's entertainment

We went to Lucas Oil Stadium to watch some football and my daughter entertained herself the entire night by doing this!

IT'S NOT YOUR FATHERS TAURUS!

Went to the gun show today...was not able to purchase a gun this time but a frriend of mine picked this one up for work.

The Dreaded Penalty Shot.

Thanks, to G for the significant help on this one.

Not quite a 'self-portrait,' but a portait of myself... I think it's well within the spirit of the rules.

I'm Tired of Taking Pictures

Little Ethan was the youngest in a family photo shoot today. He was done. lol

Make-up Shot.

Decided I needed LaRosa's today for lunch, so I hopped on the bike and headed for Cincy. I was lucky enough to find one well before I got that far. And there I go again, Gumping my way through life.

playing with fire

 

**and yes, Mr. Plummer...I do Fondue**

penalty

 

Now I can say...

 

...I know what happens in an ally in lower Greenville

**for those of y'all not from around here; it's lower Greenville Ave, Dallas, Texas**

Breakfast

First attempt at a food shot. I think it turned out rather well. I wasn't sure which was better, the one posted, or this one. Next attempt I should probably iron the tablecloth, lol.

Life isn't fair.

Why is it that some ants get to walk at their own pace, and others have to run back and forth carrying a heavy load all day? Doesn't seem fair to me. What's probably even less fair, is that after I used them for my PAD, I committed a mass murder against them, then went on about my day, like nothing happened.

It's a chopper baby...

They build the coolest bikes in Dallas...

Time

While pickiing up around the house, I had to remind Katie (once again) that she needed to put her shoes in her closet where they belong. Then it hit me, just by looking at these ugly (but cute) little (but big) shoes. She's EIGHT already! How did that happen?

Itsy Bitsy

This would look so much better if it had morning dew drops on it.

That's My Girl

Sick Day.

Not really feelin' so hot today, so this is all you get.

And yes, I know I owe a penalty.

Zoe

Plumb

I realized tonight that as of this comming Monday I will have been in the surveying industry for 9 years...crap, thats a lnog time!

Rock Band

This is my Rock Band bass pedal. About a month ago, we had the unfortunate happening of it breaking -- snapping in half if you will. Apparently, this is a common problem with the drum kit, and it costs $125 to replace the kit, regardless of what is broken. so, I took it upon myself to figure out how to fix it (or at least try).

I got some 2400psi strength epoxy with two applicators. I proceeded to apply the epoxy around the break so I could hold it while it cured with the idea of adding more later. Well, after it "set" so I could put it down, I grabbed the epoxy bottle again and tried to keep applying this magical compound. To my surprise, the resin had hardened IN THE APPLICATOR. Thankfully I had one left, but I soon realized that I wasn't going to be able to salvage the rest of the epoxy if I tried to save it, so I proceeded to completely fill in the pedal on the bottom to reinforce the weak spots.

The shiny part in the middle is my resin masterpiece. The circle in the middle is where the spring goes, and thus the stress point of this PLASTIC pedal. I'm hoping by slathering the resin all over this thing it will hold up to some more abuse. Only time will tell... I have to wait until around 8pm tomorrow to try it out :)

Reflection

This isn't the greatest picture...more neat than anything. My son, Landon, loves to play in the bed of daddy's truck...that is daddy's dirty truck...anyways, I captured this and thought that it was really cool the way it caught his reflection. I like how it looks like he is in the truck!

My Other "Saving Grace"

Kathi. I've posted my daughter's picture. Now I'm posting my best friend. She, with one other friend, is the person I can be the old me with. She keeps me laughing, makes me feel like the teenager I was when we met, and she prays for me every day (as I do her). This is Kathi, my "life partner"...lol...she completes me. lmao (personal joke)

The Goddess Bastet

This is a statue we picked up at the Ancient Egyptian Exhibit at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. I am obsessed with anything to do with ancient civilizations, especially Ancient Egyptian Culture.

...and I said I liked the rain....

 

No, my back floorboard does not usually reflect. That would be the "mini pond" that now exists on the driver side of my car....yea me.

Pills

Man on Horse.

A man on a horse in Lincoln Park.  That's all I know! :-)

it was a sunny rain...

 

it was raining again. i like the rain.

MadCat

Not quite a failure, really. But certainly a first attempt.

If it doesn't make sense to you, don't ask. It won't be any better when I try to explain it.

You'll see this concept again, and at that point, it will either click, or it won't.

Long Day

My little princess had a long day, and didn't make the car ride home. Sleep well Piper...

Ms Monica

I had the joy of spending my evening eating a Jamaican meal made by Monica. About a year ago I went on a missions trip to Jamaica and Monica's husband, Lloyd, is the pastor of the church we worked at. Monica and Lloyd literally stops their lives for us for a week to tote us around Jamaica. They are in town for 6 weeks and she made us dinner, yummy! It's not a great picture but I just wanted to share a little piece of a woman dear to my heart. As you can see Monica is not afraid to share her emotion and at this moment Ms. Monica was not happy that I was capturing her picture.

Give up...

Not to be confused with "forced".

Laziness

Okay, so I have been taking A LOT of pics of my new niece and I really wanted to post more of those, but i saw some pretty lights shining through my front door and thought, man I'm glad to be home with Katie. So we sat down and had frozen pizza tonight, just us gals. So this is my "good to be home" photo. lol

Just wish you could see the light I saw that didn't show up in the pic. Gotta trust me I reckon.

Ba-ana

I did shoot yesterday...nothing artistic, but when my daughter insisted on eating a "ba-ana" like a big girl, it was cause for many giggles!  She loved it and I had a great time watching (and helping)!  No more slicing her banana's or she'll throw a fit!

Yet another forced cell phone pic.

Fall

It's official: The retail marketers have declared that it's Fall.

Nothing we can do about it now, but wait for the leaves to turn. (At which time, we must make the trip to Brown County, and take the obligatory foliage pics.)

watch out! he's got a sword!!

 

Yeah, well...I had to take all 3 of my kids to the dentist today. It went well...and they even got "prizes".

Welcome Emma Marie

My new niece, Emma Marie Poe was welcomed into this world tonight at 7:19 PM. She is a beautiful 8 lbs., 7 oz. and 21 inches long. I love you Ashley & Emma!

Go Bug Go!

Piper's new toy....this thing is way cool :). And yes, I do have the back propped up so it couldn't get away from me :)

Oww

I was in a head on accident on my way to work this morning. Luckily Joshua and I are both fine. The damage is pretty extensive. Here are the rest

Frogger

It took me awhile to get a picture of this frog without completely washing it out with the flash...it was a cute litle thing...

Anniversary Diner

Today is our 13th wedding anniversary. Those first couple of years were pretty rough for a couple of teenagers in love. Mac & Cheese was one of the things that kept us from being hungry. There were even times when we had to wait until payday to buy the milk required to make it. But like everyone else's rough times, it just made the bond between us that much stronger.

My mother gave us this 5-pack as an anniversary present this year. I think it was to help us remember where we have come from, and what we have gone through. We have been so blessed in recent years, and sometimes it's easy to forget that. In all reality, though, as long as I have my Princess, I don't even need Mac & Cheese. I hope she enjoys her anniversary dinner.

Train at Night.

I couldn't avoid a little camera shake since I don't have one of those nifty little portable tripods.  I had to use the payphone stand which vibrated as the train went by... aargh!

oh...

 

...and the balloons got wet...lol

we got some rain today

 

and I kinda couldn't see where I was going...the horizon was not really there...

penalty

 

A penalty shot in a JCP sorta way...

Web on the Web

This is a pretty wicked spider web I found between two bushes. The crazy thing in the middle is why I saw it to begin with. No idea what it is (saved lunches perhaps).

This was a good exercise on balancing ambient light with the on camera flash. Seeing how you can't adjust the intensity of the flash, I had to fiddle with shutter to get the background to match the foreground wash. Without the flash, you wouldn't have been able to see the webbing at all (I shot this around sunset).

Love

It would need to be cleaned up a bit, but I really like how it turned out. Lovely assistant's hands. Ideally would like to get a bit closer and have the subjects a bit closer so they are more recognizable. I might do this shot for a friend's engagement picture

XBOX alternative?

Flying by the Seat of My New Pants

Yes, I'm wearing new pants. They are happier pants, the unhappier ones hurt my wrist....(personal joke I share with only one special friend). So I'm practicing on motion and FINALLY caught something where you can actually SEE it in motion. Most of the time I'm trying to steady that motion in my photos. lol

Anyway, this is so much fun. And I'm becoming a better photographer for it. And a better me. THAT makes me smile, and that SMILE I am most grateful for.

What would we do without cameras?

smorgasbord

Well, I got started with y'all and posted 2 pics and, well, I haven't forgotten about y'all. Have a pic for each day just didn't post it. Now how many self portraits do I need to take? ;)


Tuesday's Pic - well it's a self pic, but only cause I wanted to. :P


Wednesday's Pic - went to Portland (is it obvious?)


Thursday's Pic - went to Lincoln City's beach in Oregon, this sunset was awesome!!


Friday's Pic - Spaceneedle in Seattle, I was sooooo sleepless lol


Saturday's Pic - Canada's cigarettes and the warnings shown on the box and the little insert that came with it


Sunday's Pic - Coming back across the border from Canada to the good ol' US of A!!!

Pure Softness

I have always loved flowers but never wanted to spend the money on having fresh cut flowers in our home. We are currently trying to sell our home so I have used that exuse to buy flowers recently and have enjoyed playing around with the many different ways flowers can be shot. I love the pure white softness of this picture!

Copper Badge of Courage.

I have tried all morning to get this stupid pic posted from yesterday.  When it finally uploaded, it's sideways...  Just pretend it's right side up.

Penalty

How many me's can you find in this picture?

Make-up Shot

Yes, I missed a day. So, per the rules I must post a make-up shot, and a penalty self portrait.

Funny how time gets away from you, sometimes.

3 things you don't wanna see...

 

#1 a blurry pic *yes, I was driving*
#2 your check engine light on
(and these days)
#3 your gas tank on E!!!

penalty

 

I Stink At Titles

Taken at the Indianapolis Museum of Art

Grandma's Birthday

We celebrated my grandmother's birthday today. And that part of our day was very pleasant. Every family has it's own dysfunction, but we are very blessed. To be able to attend our family gatherings without the dread of drama, judgement, boredom, or walking on eggshells, is a luxury that few people get to experience.

Dinner

On the rare occasion we actually cook something (you know, on the stove, not the microwave), this is the result. Home-made stir fry....with my special blend of 6 sauces and various spices to create this masterpiece :).

The Look

This is my sweet Ava giving the "I'm about to do something that you aren't going to like" look!

Greetings from "Down Under" lol

Finally created a lil depth. Nothing too glamorous, but it's different for me.

And my stepping out of the norm is good. It's exciting for me, every new step, everything positive that comes out of my new adventures. And each time I think "WOW", I find that there is a bigger "WOW" coming.

It's amazing what you can do with a little encouragement from your friends.

Pissed!

For those who don't have an XBOX 360 you will not understand...for those who do...you know why I am pissed!

Dominating

I'm not usually much for architectural photography, but this turned out unexpectedly well, I think

Chicago from the Lincoln Park Zoo.  The smokiness is from airplanes and skydivers at the Chicago Air and Water Show.

Hmm...

This is kinda how I looked at the cake and ice cream today. Only I resisted (dieting). Haley ~pictured~ however, enjoyed her piece of Hannah Montana cake and chocolate ice cream thoroughly. (It's my daughter's 8th birthday, did you expect me to post pictures of anything other than something from the party?)

OLD SCHOOL

I wish I had a way to read them.

Concert...

What ever band is playing... I hope it is worth it people :) Approx 5 Mile backup at this point...

Future Phelps

Do you think that Michael Phelps has a picture of himself as a kid like this? This is my hansome little dude, Landon, today at my grandfather's preparing to dive in!! Too cute not to capture the moment!!

Pond Flowers

Nevermind, fixed it.

(Not sure why Flickr decided to turn it, but I don't have time to fix it right now.)

Lines

Leafing at Midnight.

In honor of our new contributer, Kate, I decided to steal her lighting.

It's midnight out there, but there's a full moon, which was aparently enough to light up the leaves on this tree like it was the middle of the day.

Fun with Light Painting

I think I've found my calling. Just playing around with this stuff gave me all sorts of ideas, that, if refined, will totally freak you out :). Some of my other test shots have some serious potential, but this one shows some depth too, which is cool.

Nighty Night Flower

Sometimes I love Texas!

And yes I am still laughing.

I used to..

think that morning was an awful thing to wake up to. New hope, new dreams, knowing I have more to look forward to has changed all of that. My best friend Kathi says that we are looking forward to the best days of our lives. I'm just now starting to believe her. The light is finally coming in. And from what I hear, we're only getting started.

Dew

Inexplicable

Even if I could find the words, you still wouldn't understand.

knotty sweater?

 

maybe you could use one of these....

Almost...I guess

Well I have found out that fire is hard to shoot with a point and shoot.

Another flower.

I like this shot with the shallow DOF... makes the flowers "pop"!  Still practicing with the macro feature! 

Hurry! HD TV takeover!

Timber!

Thirsty.

This is a tomato plant. As you can see, it is a bit sad... that's becuase I haven't been taking care of it like I should. We got it when it was raining every other day, so I figured I could just leave it out and it will get ALL the love it needs from nature. After all, these things survived long before we started farming them. I was wrong..... and this is why I don't have a garden.

Flowers.

Getting practice with the macro setting on the camera.  

Almost steped on

As I left for work..he almost left this world.

Toy Suicide

He's Number 1

And he's not afraid to show it.

a roll of the die

 

Feeling Lucky?

2nd St. and Drudy Ln.

This one's a no-brainer. My baby girl started 2nd grade today. She LOVES to learn and loves her new teacher even more. This will be her most influencial year yet, and I have every confidence we will both grow and change for the better each day. :)

The Muses Are Cruel Today

I'm definitely lacking in inspiration tonight. So, when in doubt, shoot the cat. He was being cute, I couldn't resist.

Jordan Prewitt (Make up Shot)

Experimenting with manual DOF

Hi-Five!

Lucky Catch!  She's quick and is hard to chase after and photograph and still make sure she's not stealing anyone's Elmo doll! :-)

trying to sleep

 

Star Wars (with Tigger in 90 seconds)

I realized that I was not challenging myself creativly.

Leapin' Leo (our porch cat)

Today I planned on trying to be technical, look for color or abstract shapes to shoot. And again, another one of my "loved ones" decided to hog my camera. I decided there's always tomorrow. Have a great night everyone.

Mission Impossible: (With bunnies in 30 seconds)

It hit me today that my PADs have been good technical exercises for me, but that I really haven't been pushing myself creatively.

So...

Mission Impossible: (With bunnies, in 30 seconds)

A P.A.D. Riddle...

What is this? :)

Nailed It

Failure

If you understand what this image is supposed to look like, the title will make sense to you. Be prepared to see this concept again later, since I completely messed this one up. If it weren't the only thing I had shot yesterday, I would never have posted it. But since it is either this or a self portrait, you are all treated to my failure.

My Favorite Subject.

My favorite one to photograph, but not my favorite pic...hopefully I can get better ones today!

Dreamin

This morning, on my way to work, there was a hot air balloon. Now I want to know, who gets to ride in a hot air balloon on a Monday morning when everyone is supposed to be working?
(still taken from my cell cause I haven't got off my lazy bum and bought a camera cord - sorry guys - I really can take good pics :P )

Sometimes you just want to sit around and watch a little tv

oh yes it is...

 

that is wonderful rain outside my window...a wonderful thing here on the 11th day of August in TEXAS. not something that we often get or expect in August in Texas. it was a good day.

Where's The Hopper?

How do I make the subject stand out?

Nosey Daisy

Daisy always wants to know what I'm doing with the camera....tonight I took it out to find my subject....she found me.

Fun with Shadows

And fun with Piper :)

Self Port 04

Self Port 03

Self Port 02

Self Port 01

Figure: Available light only

Supple Tomatoes

The sun went down too fast tonight...so you get these :)

the end is near

 

I guess this might be the newest stoplight in town... They've been doing construction on our street for (literally) years now. It does seem as though the end of the constructing might be near. We'll see...

Sissy

For the first time this year, our windows are open...Sissy likes the breeze. I just liked the light on her fur. It didn't turn out as well as I'd liked (manual settings aren't as fun, but I'm learning).

Experimenting gets more fun every day though. I need to start taking shots of things that I don't typically see though, that's my new challenge for myself. C-ya'll tomorrow. Night "knight"!

Back to Life, Back to Reality.

Taking a day out of the studio to ride, I was able to capture a number of shots on the road, today. This one is the best fit for the PAD, but I'll post some of the others on my personal blog soon, if anyone cares to see the rest of them.

It was a nice change of pace to just capture the light, instead of create it, but not near the challenge of the last two shots.

Positive motivation through negitave reinforcement

Sometimes parents have to do what parents have to do.

Sawdust Heart

This was just a quick creative thought while I was sanding the arbor we got married under.

Home

Well, I'm stuck up here in Oregon in a hotel room for several more weeks. What's the first thing I do? Go out and buy candles so it's a little more like home. I had to get a pic and since I need to go out and buy a camera cord y'all got this nifty little pic from my cell. :)

Water, Poured.

This is the thing about a P.A.D.: You force yourself to shoot things like water.

It's shot with the same main concept as my last pic, (total separation of the background light and the subject light) except I was able to make a couple improvements (more reflector fill from the left, and a small backlight to catch the edges of the glass and the pour.)

If I were going to take it into photoshop (or go back and reshoot it) I would have brought the background light up another half stop or so, as well as eliminate the two flare spots.

But, seriously, it's just a P.A.D.

Overturned.

Not a great pic, but it's what I've got for today.  We had severe storms rip through Chicago on Monday.  Branches were torn down all over the neighborhood.  The temporary stop sign didn't have a chance.  At least some one put it out in the road so others would remember to stop!

Slower TV...about 24 instead of 18

This is a spinning (almost like ferris wheel) photo frame. Nice dust, huh? Geez, good thing I'm going on vacation next week before Katie's party.

Anyway, I took it and made it spin, just like on "The Price is Right"...lol. Not too bad, huh? I have to give credit where it's due though.

Anyway, hope ya'll are having a good weekend.

things that make you go hmmm...

 

From the first few days of construction, I wondered who's friggin bright idea it was to erect this rediculous form. Aparently, (I must have missed it) DeSoto, Texas was named "All-American City" in 2006. And it took them until 2008 to place this horrible phallic symbol thing right on the corner of the intersection RIGHT OFF the highway. (it's not enough that we know that DeSoto's stupid--they're trying to tell the world too...)

Sunset

Yep

Long Afternoon Ahead

After taking a couple passes with the mower, I decided to take a quick pic of my progress, and lack thereof. I just came in from finishing, and wow, I'm beat. Never mow the yard while sick, and while it's still kinda hot outside :)

Lens

Could also be a pseudo self portrait, lol

The temperature I wish it was in Texas

Woof.

There's my buddy. There's Max. He's always excited when I get home. He's always excited when I come back down stairs after being gone for 5 minutes. He's always excited... But he's my buddy :)

yesterday

 

not enough to do?? or too much to do??

today

 

not mine

penalty

 

yeah, well...I fell asleep...

Background Play

After watching an old video of Dean Collins speaking at Brooks I of P from 1991, I decided to recreate my own version of his background work.

The key concept for me was: Once you get the background about 4 stops under your shooting aperture, it doesn't take much to paint it whatever color you like, and not interfere with the way you light your subject.

While I would have preferred a little more reflector fill on her left, I learned quickly that moving my scrim scared her away. And there's just no convincing this kitten to do anything she doesn't want to do. (Typical chick.)

Goat-ee

Upon our arrival to our temporary Chicago apartment this June, this big guy welcomed us to our "home".  Since then, he has been the topic of many conversations this summer.  I finally got a pic for memory's sake.  Olivia likes him! :-)  (No, she isn't keeping him!)  

TV- I controlled the shutter, my camera was the aperture master. I can't take all of the credit.

Why maestro, I think you're creating a monster....lol. I'm taking pictures of ceiling fans on high.

The sign in the back reads "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Guess life isn't all that bad. I'm hot for teacher.

Lucky, lucky princess. lol

Corn.

Some days, it's just corn.

Other days, it's exactly what you are looking for. (Even if a state trooper has to help you find it)

The other was actually cleaning

Not what I WANTED to post...

Well, despite my urge, this will do. Thank you for the light adjustment on my camera. And the lessons to come are smiles I look forward to. The sisters were right, it had been a VERY long time since my I'd smiled that way. You don't know how much it meant. Even without the curling iron or mascara.

Good Night...

Good night... Oh, and don't mind the creepy Genie.

Bloomin' Beauty

Just In Case

Having loaned my camera to my dear niece, I too was 'forced' to use the ol' cell phone cam. This was not the shot I intended to post. It was a safety shot taken just in case the local overpromising, underdelivering camera rental shop was unable to fulfill their end of our agreement. Better safe than self portraited, I always say.

Forced with a cell phone

You Have Done Well Young Grasshopper

The Destroyer of Worlds

Ok, so not really of "Worlds", but definitely of your flower garden. These little beetles are actually kind of nice to look at -- until you see hundreds of them eating your plants and doing other "leud" acts on them.

Ode to the Beetle: may you roost at my neighbor's house :)

First Pic

Okay, so he talked me into it. I've never blogged like this. And I'm going to learn a lot about my passions in life...I've already begun.

I am a big "natural light" gal, and this clearly isn't any of my best work. But it's a photo a day and it's only fitting that my first is of my baby girl, who isn't a baby anymore. She'll be 8 in 10 days. Supper was almost ready, but you won't catch me not posting before noon tomorrow because JC's been a friend nearly 20 years.

So...I did it.

it's been a while

That's Right, A New P.A.D.

I've been itching to do some more playtime photography.

So, here we go again. A brand new P.A.D.

The rules are simple:
Shoot a new subject, every single day, for one month.
Post that image for the world to see before noon on the following day.

The consequences?
Catch up. (shoot and post a pic for each day you missed)
Self portraits. (shoot and post a pic OF YOURSELF for each day you missed)

The players?
Whoever can commit. Send me a request, and I'll send you an invite to contribute to the blog. You must be serious, though. If you miss, and do not face the consequences, old photos of you will be dug up and posted. That is not what you want... trust me.