Giving it a shot...: August 2010

August 30, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/80
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
ISO Speed 100

The Innocence of Dirty Feet

I loved that Holly's baby was enjoying the earth and being carefree - not that she's running around yet, but just a nice day to stick your feet in the dirt and crawl around on a picnic blanket in the shade. I can tell she will be running soon!

As for me, I am in the chemo la-z-boy today, getting a new treatment. I like the new hospital, and they tell me that there will be a massage therapist tomorrow! I'm coming for treatment over the next few days, then I'm done for 3 weeks! I like the new schedule. But, nonetheless, I am back in hospital jail for the moment. I've been having a hard time walking/standing lately, with lots of back and leg pain, and losing these simple freedoms is very troublesome. I'm hoping that this treatment helps with this pain, and I will be able to run my feet through the dirt again soon.

August 29, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/800
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
ISO Speed 100

Baptism on the Detroit River

Inspired by Dragonstar's Weekend in Black and White.

August 28, 2010

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Av( Aperture Value ) 18.0
ISO Speed 100

Ford's Flowers

These are fields of sunflowers that live near the Ford Motor Company, World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. It's where Holly works and she wanted to show me these glorious fields of sunshine that she looks at every day. We spent most of the day driving around the motor city, Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, Belle Isle, and more! As always, Holly is a muse in my quest for photographic opportunities. She's a plethora of information, and a wonderful tour guide. Even though half the time we end up having to stop to feed the baby in a slum. :) Luv ya Holly!

August 21, 2010

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Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
ISO Speed 1600

Farm Market

A few clues will tell you that this photo is a cheat (taken yesterday); but as you know me, I tend to break that rule a lot lately! First, the ISO speed was set too high, and also, it depicts a sunny day, which today is definitely NOT a sunny day :)

Nonetheless, a view from the country. Diane shared some tomatoes and sweet melon - delish!

August 20, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/4000
Av( Aperture Value ) 4.0
ISO Speed 1600

Oooooops!!!

I was wondering why all my photos from today were very overexposed. I only noticed now that my ISO was set to 1600!! I forgot to change it back from an inside shot from yesterday.

Oh well... Still a fun day with Diane - we had a picnic at the pond, and rented this paddle boat and floated around for a while. It was a bit hot out there, but it was a nice day to goof off!

August 19, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1000
Av( Aperture Value ) 4.5
ISO Speed 100

It's Mexican Restaurant Review Time!

Went to lunch with Diane today and she assured me that I would LIKE this place. I hadn't tried it until today, but I was pleasantly surprised!

The chips were homemade and fresh, however, I didn't care for the salsa - the hot or the mild. For lunch I had a taco and an enchilada. The enchilada sauce had an unexpected cinnamon flavor. The taco was pretty darn good too. I had a cup of pinto beans - sort of like a soup. I enjoyed dipping my chips in the pinto beans, rather than the salsa. Diane had the chicken nachos which were also very good! So, for me, it was a win. If I want to eat anything close to Mexican food in this neck of the woods, I will definitely come back to El Vaquero! (Secor Rd).

August 16, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/320
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.0
ISO Speed 100

Tornado Damage

This taken at Oak Openings Metropark - aftermath of a tornado that happened several months ago. It's destruction was quite random and unpredictable - tree trunks and branches snapped off; twisting and tearing the trees apart at its will.

I feel like this forest. I did not get good news from the doctor today. Seems my cancer continues to ravage my body and lymph nodes. The treatments were looking promising, but now it's a different story. Some of it has returned, and has invaded other areas. Just like this tornado ripping trees apart, this disease is doing the same to me. My spirit is broken, and my hope has been taken away. I can't say that I am surprised by the outcome, but I did have hope for better news. I fought hard over the past 7 months, and now it feels like it was all for naught. I will continue to fight, and live with this tornado in my body; and hope that I will eventually find my way back to the other side of the rainbow.

August 12, 2010

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Av( Aperture Value ) 22.0
ISO Speed 100

Emerald Lake

More experimenting with Photomatix. This time with tone mapping with one single image, rather than merged images with different exposures. The result is almost the same as a true HDR.

I'm using Photomatix in a trial mode, which is why the "Photomatix" watermark. See the "before" image below which is the image prior to tone mapping.

August 11, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/30
Av( Aperture Value ) 8.0
ISO Speed 100

Glass

OK, well I am having difficulty keeping up with the photo journal. Since I've been back to Ohio, I haven't taken any pictures. Not sure if depression is setting in again, or if I'm just trying to re-adjust. I have had a lot of pain and discomfort lately, which makes it hard to get motivated to get out shooting. Not feeling much inspiration at the moment. So bear with me while I work through my creative/activity block...

August 10, 2010

HDR Experiment

Takakkaw Falls

I shot this scene with a few different exposures, and then merged them all using Photomatix. I have never done HDR before, but it's something I would like to experiment with some more!

August 6, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1000
Av( Aperture Value ) 4.0
ISO Speed 100

Bath Tub

Well, I think only Tony can get away with having rusty bath tubs in his yard :)

I am leaving the NW to go back to Ohio tomorrow. I am so sad to leave, and I can't believe how fast this time went. I was so grateful to see all my friends, my familiar places, and the beautiful landscapes around me. My heart is breaking. I hope that my next hospital jail sentence doesn't keep me as long as last time. I can't wait to come back. I am scared to learn my sentence, b

ut I have to stand strong.

I am also leaving with a new look - Tony's new lady Dana gave me a fun new style - and funky color too :)

August 5, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/25
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
ISO Speed 1600

Pool Night

Went for a few drinks and a few games of pool with Tony and Frank. I actually won a game against Frank - I am very much out of practice!!

This was with the zoom lens, high ISO needed for the low-light.

August 4, 2010

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Av( Aperture Value ) 1.4
ISO Speed 800

Biker Bar

August 3, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/400
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.0
ISO Speed 100

Mountain Flowers

These pretty purple stalks growing near Bow Lake in Yoho National Park, BC.

I'm still trying to get caught up on my blog - just finished posting in the blanks for July, now I have to start moving forward!

August 1, 2010

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Av( Aperture Value ) 1.8
ISO Speed 100

Maybe it Was the Roses

Happy Birthday Jerry - he would have been 68 today. We spent some time at the Edgefield today rocking his soul. So nice to see his memory kept alive with a beautiful day to celebrate.

A New Year

Back in November, 2009, I promised myself that I would give this a shot until the first of the new year. Here it is a new decade. I was hoping to improve my skills by having a photo daily. Looking back over the past few months, I believe that this journal has helped me in more ways than I can describe.

One of the days missing - December 4th - was the day that I was diagnosed with cancer. If you've been reading, you may have read a few references to my illness in some posts. I plan to continue my project, cancer or not. I may even talk about it a bit more here. I don't want to change the "tone" in my photography (or this blog), but I am here to tell a story through my eyes, my feelings, my emotions. I will be running the gamut of them.... some days fear, sadness, anger, indifference, gratitude and love. I'm hoping it has some impact.

My journey to recovery has begun - I am in the midst of a rigorous treatment plan consisting of radiation and chemo therapies. I still have several weeks to go, and have my good days and bad. There may be some days I may not feel up to taking photos or writing, but I'm working on finding my balance. I can tell you that I still find peace and therapy in what I'm doing with my camera and this journal. In some regards this may be one of the things to help me through. I don't want to be defined by this illness, or my journey to overcome this illness.

Even more than my contribution to this space, I take pleasure and inspiration by viewing and supporting fellow bloggers with passion for photography. Please have a look at these sites and spaces and see the talent that has sparked my interest in sharing my work and thoughts.

So whatever comes of this page, or me... I am giving it a shot as best as I can. It's a journey, and I am pretty tough. So come on the journey with me, and hang out with me while I take my shots :)

Giving it a shot...