Day 551 - Sunday Smile

This mural painted on the side of a sandwich shop made ME smile and laugh this morning.

Hope you all smiled or laughed at some point today!

Day 550 - Saturday at Salt Lick

BBQ, Wine Tasting, and Friends.

A Good Saturday Lunch!

Knocking one more off Lauren's "Austin Bucket List"!

Day 549 - Friday Night Sushi

(taken with iPhone)

Kazu & Smokey

best "Friday Night" friends

Day 548 - Cover Bird

Daily Shoot Prompt "Go meta and make a photo of a photo today. Don't just be a copy machine, however. Get creative with composition."   I make a cookbook every year for family and friends with pictures. Thought I would bring out the star for the "cover shot" from 2008 for this challenge.  You know, I need to get started on that cookbook for 2011!

Day 547 - Morning Yawn

 

My cat as I left my driveway this morning.

Kind of want to be my cat...yawn and all.
(just have to say, grass blades are very sharp!)

Day 546 - You must remember this...

a kiss is just a kiss...

(remember this line from my mom and dad's music)

Day 545 - Patrick

Day 544 - Water Movement

In response to the Daily Shoot prompt, "Find something beautiful and make a photo. Don't over think it."

Today, I put my camera bag and tripod in my car..only to realize that the small, screw-in connector for my tripod was left in my purse in the kitchen.  Lesson learned.  Check gear before leaving house. 

Anyhow, maybe that was a good thing as I decided to shoot some water lilies.  I have shot these a million times, but today, there were some kids trying to catch minnows in the water (thus the water movement) which lead to some pleasing background and bokeh in this shot.  I did underexpose the shot a bit which I think makes the background of the water richer and a better background for the flower.  Just goes to show you can always find a new way of looking at things behind the lens.

175 mm

1/250 s

f/7.1

ISO 100

Day 543 - Feather Diving

Shooting with my macro lens this morning.  I caught this ant on a feather.  Still have that dial on the manual mode!  Even though I wish the focus was a bit better, I like the colors and textures of this photo.

1/200 s

f/4.5

ISO 200

105 mm

Day 542 - Long, Hot Week. Small, Cool Reward.

Work was tough this week. 

Thanks to my coworkers for meeting up before heading home for the weekend.

(taken with my iPhone)

Day 541 - Puss & Boots?

You decide..

This??

or.... 

This??

Day 540 - Beach Dreams

 

Shot in response to the Daily Shoot Prompt,

"Make a photograph today that features the use of low contrast to create a mood or feeling. "

I just need to go to the beach!

Day 539 - Morning Meditation

I knew it was a tough week ahead, so headed to my favorite pond this morning with my coffee.
Bring it on.

Day 538 - The Pool is Closed

The three lifeguards are home for the evening.
Good night.

Day 537 - Patient Fisherman...Waiting....

Got a few with him and his catch, but unfortunately the "catch" was a bit out of focus.

Day 536 - Portrait Seminar

Attended a two photography seminars today, one a "short course" on using speedlights outside and the other in indoor portrait fundamentals.  Good information in both.  It was fun to get to shoot with studio lights since I don't have any.  I actually got to learn some new settings on my camera as well as shoot a few shots with the Nikon 85mm 1.4 Lens (sweet!).  Here is a shot I took with that lens during the studio session.

Glad some part of my day was productive and interesting.

Day 535 - Mom's Monks

My mom's favorite salt and pepper shakers from my youth shot with candlelight highlights (never noticed that one had shoes and one did not until this picture).

Shot in response to the Daily Shoot prompt, "Make a photo of something you cherish today in beautiful light."

Day 534 - Nuts

Yes, it is emotionally difficult
 to be the last picked...
but you were still delicious!

Day 533 - So Many Choices

Thanks to my co-worker, Jim, who surprised me with some sweets today for helping him out.  While I appreciate the thanks, he works harder than anyone I know!

Day 532 - Clear Waters

Daily Shoot Prompt - Make a photograph dominated by the color blue.

Day 531 - Grounded

Daily Shoot Prompt : Change your angle today. Make a photo from ground level.

Day 530 - Livin' in Lizard Heaven

Went to Zilker Gardens after my run to do a little more macro practice in manual mode, but with all the 100 degree heat we have had and absolutely no rain, not much of in the way of flowers.  However, at least the lizards were plentiful!

f/5.6
1/125s
100 ISO
200 mm

Day 529 - Saturday Morning Coffee

Made in response to the Daily Shoot prompt, "Create a photograph that makes you happy today."  Had breakfast with a very good friend this morning at our favorite restaurant.  That made me happy!

Day 528 - Stuntman

 

Day 527 - Model Moment

Day 526 - Go Green

Out to grab a sandwich for lunch and stopped by the small pond in our office complex.  I don't really like shooting in the middle of the day, but may not get time later.
Shot this in response to the Daily Shoot Prompt,
"Make a photograph of something very green. Don't settle for vaguely green. Go for saturation."

Day 525 - Neon Bloom

Thanks for the flowers, Christie!
Just playing with a little post processing tools this evening.

Day 524 - In Honor Of...

Took lots of pictures at the neighborhood parade today, but this one said it all.

Thanks to all of you who serve.

Day 523 - Fetch!

Thanks to Tina and Chris for letting me photograph your labs at the park today.  I usually post just one picture, but liked these both and couldn't choose.

We should all just "jump in!"

Link to Other Dog Park Pictures

Day 522 - Weathered Wing

Taken this morning at Mayfield Park.  Note to self....do not drink two cups of coffee prior to shooting macro shots.  Lots of camera shake going on in my photos from today! 

Liked this one best of a dragonfly who so nicely posed for me.  The number of green tones going on in this photo is topped off by the color of the dragonfly's eyes.

1/60s
f/7.1
ISO 100
200 mm

Day 521 - $21 of Music

Bargain Music from Patrick!