When I travel, I carry my camera in my lap or in the seat next to me. It seems there are always amazing things waiting to be captured.
The youngest one usually laughs at me and says, "Grandma, you forgot to take the lens thingy off again." Ahh, wisdom of children.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Underneath - 53 week Photo assignment - Week of March 7

I walked out into the yard today and underneath all the dead leaves are little sprouts of  new green growth. Tulips sprouts and starts of other flowery things for which I don't know their names are emerging from underneath the long frozen ground from winter.

 Underneath this gooey cheese and onions were great beef burgers making a tasty Saturday night supper.

Underneath the layers of these tools followed by the seemingly endless hours of  investigations and interviews emerges justice!

There is always room for improvement, so get your camera and create your own pics.
Strive to break out of your comfort zone, try new things because the end result is yet to be discovered.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Weekly Assignment - Vegetables

Wow - what an assignment... the way my week has been going ...  a vegetable is how I have been several evenings this week.  Some of you may have noticed I am a little late in this post. Normally I post on Sunday ... at the the beginning of the  assignment week. Better late than never? 
Vegetables, here are a few of my ideas.  Vegetables fresh at the grocery store.

These green onions are my favorite of these three.

The wooden bins in which the green beans and potatoes were displayed, reminds me of days as a young girl when I would shop with my grandparents.
 And then there is this puzzle piece. Not sure exactly what this vegetable is, but its texture is great.
There is always room for improvement, so get your camera and create your own pics.
Strive to break out of your comfort zone, try new things because the end result is yet to be discovered.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Spirit - Theme for the week of Feb 21

spir·it noun
somebody’s will, sense of self, or enthusiasm for living
somebody’s attitude or state of mind
a sense of enthusiasm and loyalty that somebody feels through belonging to a group somebody or something that is a divine, inspiring, or animating influence
a prevailing mood or outlook characteristic of a place or time
somebody who shows a specific quality

Indian belief has some differing thoughts about somebody’s soul and how they return to earth.
Spirit - patriotic spirit for our country. . . that is one type of spirit.
So many different  types of spirit and ways to show spirit.

Hope you enjoy my interpertations of spirit.

 Our National bird -The Bald Eagle - Symblo (or) Spirit of US Citizens



Our Nations Flag and Our State Flag - Patriotic Spirit


What about "The Wave" at a ball game - doesn't that show spirit.


And then the spirits of Indian Belief



There is always room for improvement, so get your camera and create your own pics.
Strive to break out of your comfort zone, try new things because the end result is yet to be discovered.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Romance - Week of Feb. 14th

Ahhh the theme this week,  for the 52 week challenge of photography,  is Romance ...  here are a few pics for this theme. Is love the product of Romance?   How do you measure love? What shows Romance?   What about the act of Holding hands?

Which kind of love is stronger or bigger or better? I don't think there is ONE answer to any of those questions. I might be shallow or unrealistic in my thoughts, but I always hope where there is romance there is also love.

Love probably means different things to different people:
*A Mother's/Father's Love
*A Couple in Love
*Love of a Grandchild
*Love of a Pet
*Love of a Food
*Love of an Event or Location


 I don't think there is a perfect measure of love, but it does make a person have wonderful warm feelings inside when love is present.  Holding hands is a wonderful thing, and great expression of unspoken feelings.



If romance = loves, then this might truly be romance.


Romance, is it the warm kind loving look in their eyes as they are looking back at you?

Romance, is it the great anticipation of that special kiss?


What about Canadian Geese? What do these birds have to do with romance? Do they have anything to do with romance? Did you know that Canadian Geese mate for life?  Maybe it could be because they just say what they think.
There is always room for improvement, so get your camera and create your own pics.
Strive to break out of your comfort zone, try new things because the end result is yet to be discovered.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Body Parts - Week of Feb. 7th

This assignment seemed to intrigue my husband, but sorry, probably not going to be anything exciting along lines of that nature, but then again, who knows what he was thinking.


At first I thought I would have my grandson sit and let me take close up pictures of his eyes. They are so blue and expressive.

I thought with all the pics I have taken, surely there should be some I could use.
The body part I choose was HANDS.
Lots of effort is often used to keep hands from showing in photos. Hands are often awkward. So I started going through and starting cropping some of my pics -it was hard to choose, I found so many with hands in the picture. Hmmm, guess that means I need to work more on my composition. This is supposed to be a learning experience.



To me there is so much feeling to be expressed through or with the hands.
This picture has had several versions - this particular version consists of
"Mother's hand and Father's Hand together forming a heart - and together in that heart is Baby's Feet, "



This pic is of an almost 2 year old's little hands.
To the best of his ability, but awkwardly, he is holding his favorite ball.


This next pic I hope shows the start of a future career.
 Lots of baseballs and basketballs are often held with these hands.
But on one special day, this 6 year old held a camera and took great pictures at the zoo.

To a 7 year old, Christmas and presents can be very exciting.
Here are a pair of hands carefully opening a present with much anticipation.
  


                               
We are all aware that hands express and feel lots of wonderful things.
Hands caress. Hands can heal. Hands can help people and pets feel safe.
If you are a cat lover, you may disagree with the next question/statement.
What could be more fun than trying to hold a bundle of fuzzy curls of a bouncing little puppy?















Hands not only touch and feel, but we know they create as well.
This pic shows the source of gentle music by a 17 year old's strong hands.


With this picture, music also comes from the delicate touch of a woman's hands.
Creating with hands, it has been said, is very therapeutic.  It sure looks like fun to me.


As always, I hope these photos inspire  others to shoot or find pics for this week's theme
Body Parts.
There is always room for improvement, so start and create your own pics.
Strive to break out of your comfort zone, try new things, because the end result is yet to be discovered.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Theme: Sleep - Week of Jan 31st

This SLEEP theme assignment seemed impossible at first.There are a limit to subjects around this household.

I am not into self portraits, especially while I sleep. Obviously hubby really did not want me to bother him while he slept.  He does totally support my photography habit (in more ways than one) but everyone does have their limits. My little dog (Bichon Frise)  is 1 1/2 years old and she moves all the time... well most of the time.  As for my grandson, he is only here part of the time.

All three are here today, another 'snow day.' Although I probably won't be going out any time soon for any picture taking. Chill factor is  -24* and the snow is moving horizontal across the sky.

Even for this photo addict, conditions seem to say 'Stay in, bake cookies.'

Decided to be smart and  keep the camera equipment warm,  as I take a break from cutting veggies for the home made soup for lunch, it's time to post the assignment for the week.

The pup finally gave it up for a little bit. She almost blends right in with the carpet.
No - this pic was taken a week ago with this assignment in mind.
It's a Magnolia Bud waiting for spring.
I know this is not from today, as I said it is -23* out. But, the theme is sleep and he is sleeping.

Strange as it may see, I do think of inanimate objects sometimes as almost life like. I am sure this bench has seen and heard a lot of interesting stories. With early morning and snow covered... it must be asleep.
I hope some interest has been sparked and maybe others are deciding to start shooting the themes' photo assignments. It's not too late to start.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Theme: TIRED - Week of Jan 24th

The 53 week assignments have interesting topics.  This week I found the theme 'Tired' a subject  to ponder. What is 'tired' ... ?  Probably many different things to many different people.
And the one most often thought of as a representation for tired is probably something that involves a blanket.
Tired? ...ask someone who just curled up with a blanket  maybe ready for a nap.
Tired? ... ask a person in charge of doing laundry, tired might be one of the thoughts of the person who is facing  the daunting laundry task.

Tired? ...ask a cook after a large wonderful meal has been prepared, eaten, and  table cleared, now the clean-up is the next step.

Tired? ... ask the person who is struggling to find money to pay medical bills.

To me, so many different things can reflect the thought of what 'tired' can represent.
And in the picture I captured below ... what about a tired, worn out  Christmas Poinsettia?

I hope you are now thinking about "Tired" and what it means to you and I hope you enjoyed my captured thoughts.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

More Macro

This is a leaf holding some snow
Ahhh - snow and ice -  Snow Day - college closed - 2:30 AND still in my pj's ... I love BONUS days.  The roads were aweful but my backyard was awesome. I want to share a few more macro shots.  Using  my Canon 7D and an old 100mm lens, it was fun looking for things that are small. Sure does force me to see things differently.



This is from a Crype Myrtle

This is from a Crype Myrtle also.
This is a leaf from the honeysuckle

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Macro is the theme this week

Fun in the snow - I read about snowflakes and macro and thought "hmmm... that looks fairly easy" and I certainly found out sometimes things are not nearly as easy as one would  think.  I decided of course to try it.  With mediocre satisfaction I post a few 'first attempts.'  When the next snow is predicted, and hopefully its falling at a time other than 2 am, I encourage you to take your macro lens and camera, find a dark surface, and experiment.  I suggest carrying a paper towel to swipe the surface in which the snowflakes are going to be landing. Good Luck.

After the attempts with snowflakes as individuals,  I went for a walk around the yard. That didn't last very long, because when you get old it doesn't take long to experience enough cold for one evening.

I tried to find some 'snow' shots but only one "winter flower" caught my eye.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

This is the 3rd Assignment - Breakfast - and every time I tried to plan what to photograph, I got hungry. New Year diets - breakfast on my mind - something is just not right with this.
I have also included the list of assignments. Feel free to join in the fun. Let the world see your creations ... or maybe if you are not that brave, maybe just the ones you like best.


When shooting photos I hear - the more I try the luckier I get ... maybe, or skills could be improving with practice. I try training my eye to see things differently. I certainly have a long way to go to get "good" but this sure is fun and I have met lots of wonderful people because of photography.


I took 87 photos of breakfast. Then I remembered something I read last week; tell a story in your photo and add an extra element of interest.

Here is Breakfast:
I have 3 photos posted. 

One I thought was good.

One I thought was better.


The last one with an extra element (my element was the gooey). What are your thoughts?








Here is the assignment list so you can follow along:

Jan 01 Newness
Jan 03 Cold
Jan 10 Breakfast
Jan 17 Macro
Jan 24 Tired
Jan 31 Sleep
Feb 07 Body Parts
Feb 14 Romance
Feb 21 Spirit
Feb 28 Vegetables
Mar 07 Underneath
Mar 14 Spring/Autumn
Mar 21 Planning
Mar 28 Fools
Apr 04 Excitement
Apr 11 Work
Apr 18 Growth
Apr 25 Trees
May 02 Mother
May 09 Up
May 16 Anger
May 23 Temptation
May 30 Looking in
Jun 06 Party
Jun 13 Father
Jun 20 Swing
Jun 27 Lighting Experimentation
Jul 04 Red, White, Blue
Jul 11 Family
Jul 18 Summer/Winter
Jul 25 Time
Aug 01 Water
Aug 08 Shadows
Aug 15 Peace
Aug 22 Defeat
Aug 29 Sunset
Sep 05 Spice
Sep 12 The Kitchen
Sep 19 Autumn/Spring
Sep 26 Tools
Oct 03 Colors
Oct 10 My Neighbors
Oct 17 On The Shelf
Oct 24 Memories
Oct 31 Texture
Nov 07 Wind
Nov 14 Music
Nov 21 Gathering
Nov 28 Beyond Reach
Dec 05 Smiles
Dec 12 After
Dec 19 Winter/Summer
Dec 26 Oldness

Sunday, January 2, 2011

The week of Jan 3 photo theme is - COLD

Those of you who are photographers... you know the week assignment is COLD.
My dear friends, this is a 53 week exercise to stretch photography skill.

Every week has a new theme. This is the week of Jan 3rd with a theme of Cold.
My grandson usually laughs at me and says, "Grandma, you forgot to take the lens cover off again." Oh the pressures to produce.

As all new things in the beginning, challenges are usually met with excitement and enthusiasm. So we shall see how long I can maintain the task. Sounds simple - a new photo every week. Considering some days I take 115 pics that should be easy.....aaaaaaack! 
Every week... new themes... out of my comfort zone...stretch the skills...time crunches... busy schedules. Going to be Giving it my best shot. . .
Canon Shot that is.

Starting the New Year

With this being Sunday, the last day of Christmas vacation, I am contemplating the work day tomorrow. It seems vacation is anything but restful bliss.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my 10 days of vacation. Christmas with family and friends is always wonderful, and grandchildren from out of state staying for 5 fun packed  days, and other grandchildren from out of town staying over night,  good food, lots of FUN times. Did I mention good food = fudge. 
How does this work, 'the diet starts tomorrow' ?

For those of you who know me well, know I always travel with my camera within arms reach, either in my lap or the seat next to me. With the Lens Cover Removed, my Canon is ready for what ever seems to present itself. Today it was a Redtail Hawk. Well, several Redtail Hawks. One  hawk was lucky enough to find a snake which will no doubt be equal to our holiday feast. But, I wonder why that snake was not hibernating? Too late now for the snake.  Another Redtail Hawk choose to sit on top of the power pole as they commonly do.  In kindness to me, I am sure, the hawk sat patiently waited for me to drive close to his pole before flying to the next pole. This seemed to be a game he was playing which included 5 pole changes. Always waiting until I drove close, the hawk would then swoop off the pole skimming close to the ground, and then so gracefully up to the next pole. Here is the picture I wanted to share. Hope you enjoy this beautiful bird.

So tonight starts the beginning of an oh so familiar routine again. 
Early to bed,  and too early to rise.