A New P.A.D. (Photo-A-Day)

PADded Out.

2008-09-01T18:34:00.000-04:00

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

2008-09-01T11:59:00.001-04:00

Labor Day Part 4

2008-09-01T11:50:00.000-04:00

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

Red Rover, Red Rover...

2008-09-01T00:18:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-31T23:56:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-31T10:21:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-31T01:06:00.001-04:00

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

2008-08-30T18:25:00.000-04:00

Bonus PAD

2008-08-30T15:25:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-30T15:21:00.000-04:00

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 :)

2008-08-30T13:01:00.000-04:00

Are we there yet?

2008-08-30T11:40:00.000-04:00

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

A Gentleman's Favorite Precious Stone

2008-08-30T11:39:00.003-04:00

Labor Day Part 2

2008-08-30T11:14:00.000-04:00

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

Garfield

2008-08-30T00:55:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-30T00:33:00.000-04:00

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...

2008-08-29T18:23:00.001-04:00

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

It aint Lawrence Welk

2008-08-29T12:31:00.000-04:00

what my kids are driving me insane with

Labor Day

2008-08-29T11:54:00.000-04:00

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

Paranormal State

2008-08-29T08:58:00.001-04:00

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

2008-08-29T07:27:00.001-04:00

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...

2008-08-28T23:11:00.000-04:00

All of them.

My favorite...

2008-08-28T14:27:00.001-04:00

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

2008-08-28T09:32:00.000-04:00

Zero

2008-08-27T22:04:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-27T21:54:00.001-04:00

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

Hopeless Romantic...

2008-08-27T21:48:00.000-04:00

Etched...

2008-08-27T19:41:00.000-04:00

2008-08-27T15:24:00.000-04:00

never noticed this...

2008-08-27T11:09:00.000-04:00

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")

-

2008-08-27T00:13:00.000-04:00

This image was not worth a title.

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

My Girls

2008-08-26T23:55:00.001-04:00

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....

2008-08-26T20:44:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-26T20:42:00.002-04:00

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

1.21 JIGAWATTS!

2008-08-26T19:06:00.000-04:00

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

All is right with the world again.

2008-08-26T16:51:00.000-04:00

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...

2008-08-26T16:35:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-26T09:50:00.000-04:00

An yes thats A.M.

Feel The Power

2008-08-25T23:37:00.000-04:00

More fun with light painting :)

for Skyler

2008-08-25T22:47:00.000-04:00

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?

2008-08-25T22:22:00.000-04:00

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...

2008-08-25T21:36:00.001-04:00

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

Words to Live By

2008-08-25T18:53:00.003-04:00

Think positive. : )

I know, I'm goofy.

As Requested.

2008-08-25T10:22:00.000-04:00

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...

2008-08-25T01:27:00.000-04:00

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

Everything is New

2008-08-25T00:55:00.001-04:00

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

2008-08-25T00:54:00.000-04:00

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 :)

2008-08-24T22:15:00.000-04:00

Yet another sky pic

2008-08-24T21:38:00.000-04:00

But at least I thought this one looked cool

Lazy Afternoon

2008-08-24T12:54:00.000-04:00

Piggies

2008-08-24T02:32:00.001-04:00

Mine are smaller!

Fair

2008-08-24T02:25:00.002-04:00

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

Are You Kidding Me?

2008-08-23T22:40:00.000-04:00

Who thought THAT was a good idea...

Ava's entertainment

2008-08-23T22:18:00.002-04:00

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!

2008-08-23T22:13:00.000-04:00

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.

2008-08-23T21:43:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-23T20:55:00.002-04:00

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

Make-up Shot.

2008-08-23T19:57:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-23T19:13:00.000-04:00

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

penalty

2008-08-23T19:11:00.000-04:00

Now I can say...

2008-08-23T19:06:00.000-04:00

...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

2008-08-23T13:45:00.002-04:00

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.

2008-08-23T11:00:00.000-04:00

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...

2008-08-23T10:22:00.000-04:00

They build the coolest bikes in Dallas...

Time

2008-08-23T10:21:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-23T02:32:00.000-04:00

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

That's My Girl

2008-08-22T22:15:00.000-04:00

Sick Day.

2008-08-22T22:00:00.000-04:00

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

And yes, I know I owe a penalty.

Zoe

2008-08-22T17:35:00.000-04:00

Plumb

2008-08-21T23:55:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-21T22:09:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-21T21:03:00.003-04:00

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"

2008-08-21T20:34:00.004-04:00

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

2008-08-21T19:14:00.003-04:00

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....

2008-08-21T18:24:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-21T10:39:00.002-04:00

Man on Horse.

2008-08-21T08:40:00.000-04:00

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

it was a sunny rain...

2008-08-21T07:58:00.000-04:00

it was raining again. i like the rain.

MadCat

2008-08-20T23:50:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-20T23:47:00.000-04:00

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

Ms Monica

2008-08-20T23:00:00.002-04:00

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...

2008-08-20T21:31:00.000-04:00

Not to be confused with "forced".

Laziness

2008-08-20T20:56:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-20T08:52:00.002-04:00

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.

2008-08-20T08:27:00.000-04:00

Fall

2008-08-19T23:16:00.000-04:00

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!!

2008-08-19T23:13:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-19T22:35:00.004-04:00

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!

2008-08-19T21:55:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-19T18:40:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-19T16:15:00.001-04:00

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

2008-08-19T10:19:00.000-04:00

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.

2008-08-19T09:14:00.002-04:00

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...

2008-08-19T00:37:00.000-04:00

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

we got some rain today

2008-08-19T00:36:00.000-04:00

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

penalty

2008-08-19T00:35:00.000-04:00

A penalty shot in a JCP sorta way...

Web on the Web

2008-08-18T22:52:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-18T21:52:00.002-04:00

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?

2008-08-18T21:40:00.000-04:00

Flying by the Seat of My New Pants

2008-08-18T21:38:00.002-04:00

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?