Sunday, July 31, 2011

Weekend Reflections: Traveling

While driving from South Dakota to Virginia this last Thursday and Friday I captured a few reflections. Generally I like to look for reflections in unusual places, but who can resist taking a few mirror shots while on a long car trip?
While my daughter was driving I decided to tried to take a short nap using one of the kids pillow pets. As I got comfy I noticed the reflection of the pillow pet in the side mirror and decided to capture it.
 At one point traffic became backed up for miles due to constructions. We were very tired and only three miles from the off ramp for our hotel. That last three miles took us 45 minutes, talk about frustration.
Now for a few different kind.

Yes I was a bit bored and decided to take photos with both my Canon and with my daughters Nikon at the same time. If you look closely there is a nice reflection of the trees out side the driver side window in the lens.
And last reflections of myself and my daughter in my grand-daughters glasses. We had a long drive but safe trip and I am looking forward getting lots of fun photographs while I am on vacation here in Virginia.
Joining in with Jame's and all the amazing folks for Weekend Reflections, hop on over and enjoy some really wonderful photography.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

On The Road Again

I will be leaving early tomorrow morning to travel back with my daughter back to her home in Virginia. I will be unable to access the blogs for posting and commenting until Sunday.
 I will be staying in Virginia for two weeks and then two days in Washington DC, so there should be lots of fun photos in the next few weeks.
Wishing all a fun and safe weekend!

Dragon Fly's

Yesterday I was practicing close ups with my new camera and captured these dragon fly shots. Although I still really want to get a nice macro lens for my camera, I am happy that I can still get some decent close ups with the 18-55mm lens I have.



I would love to have gotten closer but until I get a macro lens this will have to do or I will have to use my Canon Power Shot.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Random Animals

For the last two weeks the heat has been so horrible I have not gotten out much with my camera, so I will be sharing a few photos from my archives.
shot taken with Canon Rebel T3
These next four shots were taken with a canon powershot S3 IS



This last shot was taken with my first point and shoot digital camera

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

H & J Mini Shoot

The other afternoon I took my two youngest grand kids for a mini photo shoot. I was hoping to get a shot of them in the window egress of an old building like this one of my oldest grandson.

I tried coaxing both of them to sit on the grates within the window but it was a no go, neither would even step on the grates. So we continued down the sidewalk till we came to the corner of the same old building and I saw a window without drain grates. I was able to bribe H to let me snap a few shots of her but still couldn't get J to go anywhere near the small window.

Doorways and windows of old or unique buildings can make an interesting setting for portrait shots. This window belongs to the historic Federal Courthouse in downtown Sioux Falls. Adjacent to the court house is a small courtyard where I was finally able to get both children to stand in the window alcoves, after I had removed all cobwebs of course.

The quiet courtyard made for a nice setting to get a few more shots.
At the Front of the building just before going into the courtyard

 Still trying to get use to my new camera, these courtyard photos will need some lighting adjustments.

  Continuing on our down town walk we came to a corner with a soccer statue. Little J loved the statue so of course we needed a shot of him in front of the statue.
The day was very hot and little H overheats very easy with that in mind I had already decided to photograph both kids at the fountain and let them get wet. But when we got there little J sat on the bench and would go no where near the fountain.
"No thanks, I'll sit here Grandma"


"OOOOHHHH! look at that"
Little J's sister was not so shy about getting wet. In fact she loved the idea and had a blast.






All in all it was a good mini shoot and I found a few new places to do portrait shots.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Macro Monday: Frog :0

 A few years ago while visiting my mother in Southern California I took this macro while on a walk. The flower was about the size of a dime and I didn't see the little critter until I uploaded the image to my computer.

Here is a zoom of the central area with the little frog.
If you enjoy macro photography hop on over to Lisa's Macro Monday meme.

Weekend Reflection: In The Chapel

While I am not a religious person, I am a spiritual one and do find solace in peaceful settings such as this small chapel in one of the local hospitals.





Weekend Reflection
I love the soothing atmosphere created by the water as it runs between the two panes of glass, creating a reflection of the rippling water on the ceiling.

The combination of lines, earthy tones and muted lighting all lend a very tranquil ambiance to the room. Even the shape of the room itself is somehow soothing with gently curved walls. 

I was going to link up to Jame's Weekend Reflection meme but I am a bit slow and it closed. But that is ok, if you like reflection photographs hop on over and visit some of the awesome shots by those that weren't as slow as I was.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Starting All Over

Last week I decided it was time to upgrade from my Power Shot S3 IS. I purchased a Canon Rebel T3. I am so excited to once again be able to shoot fully manual. My Nikon died back in 2000 and was replaced by a point and shoot digital.  Then I got the Power Shot and was once again able to have some creative control yet it wasn't the same. Although I am excited to have the creative control back I almost feel like a total beginner all over again. It is amazing how much you forget when you let the camera do most of the work for you. 

Here are a few shots from my practice run at Arrowhead Park the other day. They are a bit darker and not as vivid as I wanted, but with time I am sure I will remember all I have forgotten and learn new techniques as well.



Arrowhead Park is a water fowl refuge, and as you can see the birds are not shy at all. I felt so sorry for this poor guy.
I still need to get a good macro lens and a stronger zoom lens for my new camera so I did take a few shots using my old camera. These last two shots are my favorites taken with the PowerShot.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Week 27 Good to Wow SOOC

Just as photo prompts help to keep the creative juices flowing photographically editing prompts challenge the imagination and offer a chance to practice old skills and learn new ones. Thanks to Jill and Ashley's joint effort we can do just that. This weeks prompt is "skies the limit".
This is my Straight Out Of the Camera shot. I will add the edited shot to this post tomorrow or Friday.






Here is the edited shot
Edits included
Remove object on right edge of photo; adjust curves; adjust hue & saturation and apply noise reduction filter.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Unknown Flower

Here is the shot looking down on the flowers that were the focus of the second shot in my garden post the other day.

Maybe someone will know the name of these flowers as I am not good with names.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Confusing Reflection

One night a few weeks ago after shutting down my computer I could see a reflection of the lamp behind me. In the reflection I noticed a rainbow X extending out from the light bulb. I turned around and could still see the rainbow X on the wall. Of course I had to take a few shots. This is one of four shots I took and although I thought I took the shot straight on, after adjusting the shadow it is obvious I took it of the reflection and not of the lamp directly. This is the only shot with the glowing lines in the upper left corner and I am really confused as to what may have caused those lines, as I do not remember there being a similar reflection on the dark computer screen. There were no other lamps or lights on besides the one in the photo. The only thing I can think of is maybe I turned slightly causing light from the lamp to reflect through the prisms in my glasses just as I took this photo? Anyone have any ideas?

Friday, July 8, 2011

In the Garden

This weeks photo prompt from 52 Photos Project is to get out in the garden. I wish this was my personal garden but where I live there isn't anywhere for me to put a garden, so I headed to one of my favorite garden spots.



If you love flowers visit some of the others who have also linked up to this weeks blog hop at 52 Photo Project.