Day 371 - Green Eyes

(taken with my iPhone)
These were on display for Valentine's Day.  Guess it is cute if you are going for an "ET" Theme.
Response to the Daily Shoot Prompt, "Make a photograph that features repetition."

Day 370 - Garden Drop

While I have taken shots like this before, this one was done this evening in my kitchen using my SB600 Speedlight as a remote wireless strobe with my on-camera flash as the commander.  Got this set up this morning, but thought I would try it this evening. Looking forward to experimenting with the new lighting capability.

Day 369 - "I know it is snowing in Boston, but...."

...it is 62 degrees today in Austin.  I stopped at Zilker Park Gardens this morning and while it was quite "bare" and the fountains and ponds were drained and being cleaned, I still managed to find a few blooms and some bees.  I look forward to some blooming flowers.  This was a tough day to shoot with my macro lens as there was a steady breeze.  I did use my monopod for this shot to at least keep my camera steady.  I did use my SB600 Speedlight at -1.7.  I was in the shade.

ISO: 320
Exposure: 1/160 sec
Aperture: 6.3
Focal Length: 105mm

Day 368 - Don't Cry Over Spilled Rocks

 

Response to the Daily Shoot Prompt "Today's theme is red. Red hot? Red paint? Or something else? You decide."  I like the texture of the glass brick under the red rocks.

ISO: 100

Exposure: 1/60 sec

Aperture: 4.0

Focal Length: 105mm

Flash Used: Yes (-.7) with a candle lighting the back of the glass brick.  Kitchen overhead lights were low.  Bounced the flash off ceiling.

Day 367 - CD Curves

Shot in response to Daily Shoot Prompt, "Make a photograph that features a very distinct curved line or surface today."  I think I got both a surface and a curve in this one. Saw one of those "water droplets on a CD" photos a few weeks ago, and thought I would try it myself for this challenge.  If you look close enough, you can see my back porch and trees reflected in the water droplet.  I posted on Flickr Daily Shoot group, and some folks thought it was a marble.

 

ISO: 100

Exposure: 1/60 sec

Aperture: 8.0

Focal Length: 105mm (used Nikon 105mm Macro Lens)

Lighting details, Used my SB600 Speedlight mounted to my DS7000 camera at -1.7, Bounced light off of porch ceiling.  Shot outside in early morning (7:30 am) so made use of natural light as well.  I did not have my tripod set up, so braced camera on porch railing to reduce camera shake.



Day 366 - Playing with Still Life

I was looking for the "next challenge" and found a site called Project 52.  Looks like something I would enjoy, and I could learn alot.  Their "assignment" this week was "Still Life".  Thought I would shoot a few photos before I got ready for work.  Guess I can't give up this "day challenge" yet!

Day 365 - I DID IT!

I started this photoblog a year ago after reading about one others had done and thought it would be a great way for me to get that camera in my hand more often and get more familiar with shooting on manual settings.  What I got was so much more than that.  I found myself looking at my surroundings so much differently than I had before, and seeing more beauty in people, places, plants, animals, and objects than I could even imagine.  I appreciated everything so much more.  As I looked back on those pictures this morning, I realized I had a little picture "diary" of my year as a bonus.  I can remember every moment of what I was thinking, seeing, and feeling as I took that picture.  Nice, very nice.

I have a long way to go in my photography, but this project was a great start and only makes me want to spend MORE time behind the camera.  There are some other photography projects I want to start, but don't know if I can let this one go just yet.  Maybe I will shoot for 500 days!  We will see what tomorrow brings.

My kids kid me about my lack of "followers".  You know, if I did it for anyone else, I would not have finished.  It was always my project!  I would suggest that if you feel it within you...go ahead and start your own 365 project...whatever it is.

 And the flame on this 365 Blog dies out...maybe....

Day 364 - Shadow Wag

Daily Shoot Prompt, "Use hard light that casts sharp distinct shadows in a photograph today."  Just got the tail today, but looking forward to tomorrow and wondering what shot I will post.  Thanks, Dad, for carving this little dog for me.  All your carvings keep me thinking of you even though you are so very far away.

Day 363 - Longing for Spring

Made in response to the Daily Shoot prompt, "Celebrate the pretty things in life. Make a photograph of the most beautiful thing you see today."

Day 362 - A Day with Cedar Fever

Not time for pictures today as I was under the weather, but did this in response to the Daily Shoot prompt, "Make a photo that features stripes of some sort today."

Day 361 - A Moment in Time

Senior Year...Last District Meet
Glad I was there.

Day 360 - Grease is the Word

The LBJ High School winter performance was terrific.  I also enjoyed the new camera and the increased ISO capabilities.


ISO: 1000
Exposure: 1/40 sec
Aperture: 4.5
Focal Length: 200mm
Flash Used: No

Day 359 - Light Trails after Sunset

Shot on my way home from work in response to the Daily Shoot prompt, "Make a photograph featuring a path, road, or trail that leads the eye through the photograph."

ISO: 500
Exposure: 6.0 sec
Aperture: 22.0
Focal Length: 35mm

Playing with that "available light" tonight.  The sun had set, but the sky was still colorful.  I had my 35mm 1.8 lens on the camera.  No tripod (note the camera shake...probably because my car was still on)....but I did select the timer mode so my shutter released without the move of my hand.  I had my camera on the dash and this was taken through a window.  Going to work at this as playing with lighting and light trails is quite fun! (Note to family:  I was pulled over to the side and the car was in park....I was not driving!)

Day 358 - Church Windows

It was a long day at work.  On my way home, I was thinking about shooting in available light.  This church is a few miles from my house.  The church lights are not usually "on" during the week.  I had my camera with my 35mm 1.8 Lens on my camera, and pulled over to see if I could get a few shots in the dark.  This shot was hand-held...but I like the windows being illuminated.

Day 357 - Petal Count

Shot in response to the Daily Shoot prompt #428, "Make a photograph with a soft look today."


ISO: 100
Exposure: 1/60 sec
Aperture: 7.1
Focal Length: 105mm
Flash Used: Yes

Day 356 - JENGA!

If you have played this game, you know it is about the balance of the structure and a steady hand.  This is why I really like the face out of focus a bit on this one. 

Day 355 - Water Garden

Last day with my colorful daisies. after an hour or so taking pictures with flash indoors, I took my flowers out on the deck to take advantage of some natural light.  It is raining, so the sun is not out and the lighting was great.  Guess you can't beat that natural light!  I so want to perfect those "droplet" shots.  Just need to keep working on it.  I definitely need to use a tripod as "camera shake" can't be tolerated in these.  I used my MACRO lens on this shot.

Day 354 - Simba's Playlist

Day 353 - Sushi Lunch

It doesn't get better than this on a cold Thursday afternoon.  This picture makes me hungry just looking at it!
(taken with my iPhone)

Day 352 - Ribbons of Light

Made in response to the Daily Shoot Prompt, " Make a photograph of something shiny or glossy, but not transparent. Emphasize the effect of the surface. "

Day 351 - Hopes of Spring

I am defintely getting my money's worth in photo opportunities from the flowers I bought!  The colors are just beautiful and make me think of spring.  I shot this in response to the Daily Shoot Prompt, "Make a photograph today that features or uses a liquid as a subject." 

Day 350 - It's Raining Eagles

 I follow several other 365 Blogs, and one of them last week had some really amazing pictures of colorful daisies with water droplets. Found some daisies yesterday at the grocery store and thought I would take a few shots myself. Going through my pictures the water drop below reflected what looked like an "eagle" head on the petal. Do you see it?

Day 349 - Sunday Brunch in the Rain

Today, our son heads back to college.  While he planned a nice Sunday brunch in the park with his girlfriend before he left, heavy rains last night spoiled the plans.  But, the food was good none the less.  Safe travels back to NOLA.

Day 348 - Saturday Morning Perch

Cold front and rain on the way for this afternoon so I got out to the park early this morning with my camera to take some bird shots.  Here is a LINK to more of the bird shots I took this morning.

Day 347 - Stopping on the Tracks

This photo is in response to the Daily Shoot Prompt - "Use strong converging lines in a photograph today. It's your choice whether or not to show the vanishing point. "

I immediately thought of some railroad tracks by my office. I actually have never taken a "railroad" track picture before....so I stopped by on my way into the office. Glad for the prompt this morning as I have been meaning to do this.  Good start to my Friday!

Day 346 - Happy 20th, Patrick!

Celebrating at Patrick's favorite sushi bar.
Can't believe he is 20 today!

Day 345 - Something Simple

I took this picture this morning as a result of the Daily Shoot Prompt,
"Make an interesting photograph of something mundane and ordinary today."

This is a simple latch on a stone fence surrounding a park.  I like the textures in this picture of the stone, the peeling metal, and the copper of the latch.  The raindrop on the tip of the latch adds some interest.

Day 344 - Disassembly

Day 343 - Fire Hydrant "Texture"

I have been enjoying some "texture" photos from others recently.  I came across a peeling fire hydrant with lots of shades of red and orange. Make sure you zoom in on this shot.

Day 342 - Just Bird Watching...

I went out to shoot "textures" today, but ended up shooting birds.  I have such resprect for wildlife photographers.  You must be so patient, and ready...neither was I today.  However, I left thinking I would like to try this shoot again.

Day 341 - Last Night for our Tree

Simba is going to miss his favorite spot!