May 31, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/100
Av( Aperture Value ) 20.0
ISO Speed 100

Nothing is ever black and white...

OK, last sailing image for a while - promise! I've been spending all my time on the boat, on the lake, everything is sailboats! Yesterday the wind was just right - strong and steady. Had a nice cruise to the Toledo Harbor Light. UNFORTUNATELY - I made a conscious effort to leave my camera at home yesterday. Yes, a CONSCIOUS effort. Usually I'm the one kicking myself because I forget my camera. I figured that over the past three days I had more sailing and lake pictures that I was able to stomach, so I decided to leave my Canon buddy at home. And as the lesson always goes... there were probably a hundred new and interesting things that I saw, both on the lake and on the land, that made me think "AAaaahhh! I need my camera!" Lesson learned - but I know myself. It wasn't the first, it won't be the last.

Anyway, time to get my head back in the game, and out of my butt. I had my time to feel sorry for myself, now it's time to take advantage of the moments of fulfillment and enjoyment that exist - if I create them. Nobody else is going to create them for me.

May 29, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/500
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
ISO Speed 100

Falling Behind

It was the maiden voyage of the Highlander today. Wind was light, but steady, sun was out and it was a beautiful day to shake out her sails.

Been having a hard time keeping up with the photo posting again. A little depression has set in as the doctor dropped another bombshell on me, explaining that I am stuck in hospital jail for at least another 3-4 weeks. I sometimes feel that I will never have my freedom back. I've been playing this game with my best poker face - but some days its very hard to hold back tears. The Highlander today, gave me a little taste of freedom.

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1250
Av( Aperture Value ) 4.5
ISO Speed 100

May 28, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/50
Av( Aperture Value ) 14.0
ISO Speed 100

Weekend Reflections

The sunset was especially like fire tonight with brilliant reflections in the marina.

*This reflection is inspired by Weekend Reflections thanks to James at Newtown Area Photo. Click on the link to see other wonderful reflection shots!

May 26, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1000
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
ISO Speed 100

A Night at the Races

It's Wednesday night race night at North Cape Yacht Club. It was a beautiful evening to be out on the lake. Part of me is jealous that I'm not out there, but like I mentioned in previous post from yesterday - I'm not a racer.. Oh well. Besides, I had to come home to watch American Idol - it's the final show, and I have to see who wins! Go Crystal!

May 25, 2010

Crystal's Mountain

I was moved to tears when Crystal sang Patty Griffin's "Up to the Mountain" tonight. American Idol - it's my guilty pleasure. I've been behind Crystal since the beginning - not because she's from Toledo, but because she's genuine... her voice comes straight from her heart.

(Another shot from my archives - taken last August at Eagle Creek, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon. This shows Metlano Falls through the trees. It's about the best view you can get of this falls)

I went up to the mountain
Because you asked me to
Up over the clouds
To where the sky was blue
I could see all around me
Everywhere
I could see all around me
Everywhere

Sometimes I feel like
I've never been nothing but tired
And I'll be walking
Till the day I expire
Sometimes I lay down
No more can I do
But then I go on again
Because you ask me to

Some days I look down
Afraid I will fall
And though the sun shines
I see nothing at all
Then I hear your sweet voice, oh
Oh, come and then go, come and then go
Telling me softly
You love me so

The peaceful valley
Just over the mountain
The peaceful valley
Few come to know
I may never get there
Ever in this lifetime
But sooner or later
It's there I will go
Sooner or later
It's there I will go

-Patty Griffin

May 25, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/800
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.0
ISO Speed 100

Lasers

If you squint, it almost looks like this could be an exotic island! I went back to this photo from Sunday - this is SOOC - true SOOC, not even one little tweak! I was stuck in the chemo chair all day today, so no photo shoot for me today. This was a nice "feel good" photo that has the nice tropical vibe, and I'll take this moment to share other things about what you see in this image.

This is not a tropical island, but it is on the shore of Lake Erie in LaSalle, Michigan. It is North Cape Yacht Club and is the place where my husband keeps his sailboat, named the Highlander - (an Express 34). It's the place where I enjoy the Highlander too! My husband is a racer. I am not. I am a sailor, a fair-weather sailor, a leisurely sailor. I tried the racing thing years ago, and didn't love it. Didn't even like it. But I tried it. I didn't love the competition aspect of a pastime that should be so mellow and relaxing (in my opinion of course). This yacht club has a huge sailboat racing presence on Lake Erie.

The boats in this image are called Lasers. They are the fleet used for the junior sailing program at the club. It is a top-notch program for the young members who love to sail race. This yacht club is the home of Anna Tunnicliffe, who won the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games. I watched her years ago when she was a junior sailor in this yacht club - just a kid! Now she is rated as the best woman sailor in the world. The people here can't be more proud of her, as they've all watched her grow up. It almost makes me wished that I had loved racing at some point in my life. But... I guess it is enough to just love sailing! :)

May 24, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/500
Av( Aperture Value ) 4.5
ISO Speed 100

Martin

Huge crop on this shot! These little martins are beautiful birds, but they do move fast. I had my 50mm so I couldn't get that close to him without scaring him off, so hence the huge crop.

May 23, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1000
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.0
ISO Speed 100

Lake Erie

Did I keep off the jetty?? :)

It was a gorgeous summer day on Lake Erie. The boat didn't go out, but it was a great day to slowly breathe life in..

May 22, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/60
Av( Aperture Value ) 1.4
ISO Speed 100

Orgy

OK, there's a story... I had forgotten what these flowers were called (rhododendron - I know this now). I called Justin over to ask, "what are these flowers called again?" and looking over my shoulder onto the computer screen, he quickly replied - "oh, that's an orgy!" Which prompted the whole room to stop talking and turn around. I said, "that's not an orgy; what are they called?" "It's an ORGY!" Now that got the room's attention. He finally said they were rhododendrons... Ah, Justin - silly.

May 20, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/800
Av( Aperture Value ) 3.5
ISO Speed 100

Deli!

The best deli in Ann Arbor!

May 18, 2010

Brain Candy

(exif not intact)

I got to looking through some of my photography today. This was shot last August, about a month after I got my T1i, after some professional workshops, and making it a habit to shoot in RAW. I didn't get out shooting today - chemo kept me prisoner in the chair for much of the day. This, by the way, is essentially SOOC. I might have moved one lil' slider in Lightroom.

This is Punchbowl Falls, at Eagle Creek in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon. Probably one of the most photographed waterfalls in the NW. You can only get here on foot. You can only get this shot from standing in the creek. If I wasn't so scared of falling on slippery rocks and ruining my beloved camera equipment, I'd walk up river even closer! It's these memories, of the way that I choose to spend my time with nature... they are my little images, my little lights at the end of the tunnel. Counting down the days that I can get back here - back to my favorite places. Always hoping to get a better shot! A better angle, better directional light, a few steps more up river with the steadiest hand on the balance. Maybe next time it would be worth schlepping the tripod along the 7 mile hike to get here. These visions, my little dreams to keep pushing through so that I can get back here. It keeps me going.

May 17, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/320
Av( Aperture Value ) 4.5
ISO Speed 100

The upward climb

I am going to bump Dijea for this photo - she is the master of stair shots, so when I saw these stairs, I thought of Dijea's images, and thought I'd try my hand.

These past few weeks have been an uphill battle - I'm having a hard time finding my inspiration lately - as if I've lost my muse. Is it lack of energy? Lack of subject matter? Maybe the weather hasn't been the best lately. Lack of imagination? Do we all go through these slumps? I am tired, and at times not feeling my best; then I lose the mood to want to shoot, and my images suffer. {sigh} OK, I know I need to stop whining about my creative block. I just hope that it returns... quickly! I have to get through the next few days - rainy ones, of course. I'll be in the hospital all day tomorrow for chemo (talk about ruining a creative mood)! I am counting down the days until my treatments are done - only two weeks to go. It seems endless, though. It is an upward climb, but there I am, almost at the top.

May 16, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/2500
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.0
ISO Speed 100


Piracy

I thought it was funny my husband was wearing this pirate t-shirt while rigging up the boat today. It was a great weekend to get the boat in the water, and it should be ready for sailing Lake Erie by next week!

May 15, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/125
Av( Aperture Value ) 8.0
ISO Speed 100

Mallard Lake Reflections

*This reflection is inspired by Weekend Reflections thanks to James at Newtown Area Photo. Click on the link to see other wonderful reflection shots!

May 13, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/40
Av( Aperture Value ) 1.4
ISO Speed 100

Street Dancer

I asked him if I could photograph him while he danced. He certainly did put on a show by himself in this alley. I like that he didn't care that he was dancing by himself, not caring who watched, or judged. He had his own style and his own music, echoing there in his own personal dance studio alley.

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at The Monochrome Weekend

May 10, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/100
Av( Aperture Value ) 1.4
ISO Speed 100

In the end, there can be only one..

For you, my brother, if you are watching this page. Today is his day... He is immortal. Born in the Highlands of Scotland four hundred years ago, he is not alone. There are others like him - some good, some evil. For centuries, he has battled the forces of darkness, with Holy Ground his only refuge. He cannot die, unless you take his head, and with it, his power. In the end, there can be only one. Happy Birthday my brother!!

The Highlander will be plunked in the water this week!

#2
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/125
Av( Aperture Value ) 1.4
ISO Speed 100

May 9, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/15
Av( Aperture Value ) 4.0
ISO Speed 100

The Mystery of Urban Fairies

Today's story is about the phenomenon of fairy doors in Ann Arbor, MI. There are many fairy doors that exist in this downtown that are believed to lead to the imagined miniature homes of fairies. This particular fairy door was shot at "The Peaceable Kingdom" and here you can peek into the fairy home from both this door, and inside the store through tiny windows. People leave offerings at the doorsteps of these tiny doors - small toys, pennies, thimbles. The room in the second photo shows the collection of offerings left on the step of this door. Whether you believe in fairies or not, sightings of tiny doors such as this will make you wonder! I, myself, am a believer!

May 8, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/50
Av( Aperture Value ) 8.0
ISO Speed 100

Mallard Lake

A bit late on my post, but this will be my contribution to Weekend Reflections. Mallard Lake is a section of Oak Opening Metropark.

*This reflection is inspired by Weekend Reflections thanks to James at Newtown Area Photo. Click on the link to see other wonderful reflection shots!

May 7, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/500
Av( Aperture Value ) 1.4
ISO Speed 100

Monochrome Weekend

OK, one last butterfly for the week :) and is my contribution to the Monochrome Weekend.

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at The Monochrome Weekend

May 6, 2010 - cont'd

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1600
Av( Aperture Value ) 1.8
ISO Speed 100


A continuation of Butterflies

Wanted to share some more butterflies from yesterday.

May 6, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/4000
Av( Aperture Value ) 1.4
ISO Speed 100

Butterflies and Bokeh

I wandered into this unique place today, oddly enough called "The Butterfly House." It was like a butterfly sanctuary, where thousands of butterflies live and fly in a controlled environment feeding off of various plants and foods. There are species from all over the world, one more colorful and beautiful than the next. A very unique experience - although I felt like I was cheating a bit with the camera. It was like shooting fish in a barrel, or in this case, butterflies in a greenhouse. I shot until my card was full, but managed to get a few nice shots. I was using my 50mm, which wasn't exactly the best lens for this task. A macro lens would have been ideal for this shoot. I did get some nice compositions, although with a wide aperture set, the depth of field did not always work when it came to composition, or wing span, depending on the angle shot.

More butterfly shots to come. For now enjoy this post, while I'm trying to make up for some lost days, and lost opportunities. It can be difficult to find motivation to find opportunities, but it seems once I get on a roll, the camera goes into auto-pilot, and these things photograph themselves.

May 4, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/30
Av( Aperture Value ) 1.4
ISO Speed 100

Tree Swamp Reflections

Sunset in the swamp... I had some reflecting to do. I had just come from support group. It's amazing how we all deal. A woman spoke of "guilt"... guilty about survivorship. She admitted to feeling guilt for being out enjoying a nice day, for example. I found this so surprising, as I am more like.... grateful for each day - not to miss a moment of it, not to dismiss one pixel of its glory. But all of our feelings are valid, and why we feel them are real. I haven't survived a damn thing yet.... I wouldn't know about guilt.

May 3, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/800
Av( Aperture Value ) 2.8
ISO Speed 100

Tree Fountain

Another glorious day to be outdoors - walked a few miles at Wildwood and enjoyed the sunshine. This is a fountain that looks like a tree. I used a fast shutter to capture the drops, but not exactly the composition I was going for.

As I write this, I am enjoying a nice evening thunderstorm, and hearing rain drops as if it were coming from a tree fountain.

Observations of the Month

I got nuthin...

A new month and I already find myself behind in shooting and posting. April certainly was a better month - I've felt pretty decent, and the weather has been wonderful. I know that the colors and warmth of spring really has done wonders for my spirit, which in turn does wonders for my photographs. I really do believe that when your heart and mind is in it, it shows. I find myself lost behind my lens sometimes, catch myself smiling when I'm finding extraordinary moments in time.

I realized that I'm almost halfway since starting this journal. I find myself falling a little behind my goals. I don't believe I'm getting stagnant, I just thought I'd be a little farther along with experimentation in shooting and in PP. I do believe that I have come a long way with my technical knowledge along with my compositions, and translating feeling and emotion to shots. Some days more than others.

As for the start of May... I found myself without inspiration. Perhaps it was the weather this weekend, or maybe just boredom. I imagine that I need to allow for some slack time once in a while, but I am committed to this project. It has meant a great deal to me, and I will continue to find inspiration and be challenged!

April 30, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/800
Av( Aperture Value ) 2.8
ISO Speed 100

Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory

Really, it is Willy Wonka's... :) Each time I pass this factory I think about the chocolate factory, and maybe, just maybe, inside this broken down building is a world of pure imagination and chocolate!

This is actually the former Toledo Edison Acme power plant. It is being cleaned up, parts of it torn down, in order to build up a proposed marina district on the east side of the Maumee River.

April 29, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1250
Av( Aperture Value ) 2.8
ISO Speed 100

East Side Cuban

Holly had a great idea to go downtown to the east side area called "the Docks" to have lunch. We decided on Tango's, which used to serve up Mexican food, has now revised its menu to be a bit more Latin or Cuban styled. I'm going to get up on my soap box a bit here, and look out, I feel a food review coming on...

I am in search of decent Mexican food around this area. I've tried many, and have found none. I must be spoiled coming from the west coast. OK, so this menu has gotten away from traditional Mexican fare. This burger looks pretty decent, does it not? It was rare - even a bit rare for my taste. I asked for it 'medium.' The honey chips were delicious, though.

My biggest complaint about Mexican food in this region is as simple as this... chips and salsa. If the restaurant doesn't come off with a showstopper when it comes to chips and salsa, then everything goes downhill for me. Is it too much to ask that if a restaurant is going to represent itself as a Mexican restaurant, that it serves HOMEMADE chips and salsa???? I can't tell you how many so-called "Mexican" restaurants I've visited here that serve up chips from a bag and salsa from a jar. This place had the nerve to charge $1.95 for store-bought crap. Most Mexican restaurants are happy to start you off with chips and salsa (REAL chips and salsa)! I make my own fresh - I expect when I spend money at a Mexican/Latin restaurant that I would get something fresh! OK, you can help me down off the soap box now.... {sigh}

On a positive note, the chicken fajitas were rather tasty. There were bits and pieces of the lunch that were good. Especially the company! Thanks Holly!

April 28, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/640
Av( Aperture Value ) 6.3
ISO Speed 100

The Bird Man of Wildwood

I've run into this man a few times now while in the park. He is the bird whisperer - he feeds them, talks to them, somehow, he makes them come to him. He always has a pocket full of shelled peanuts. He whistles, and calls to them, puts out a few peanuts and coaxes them down for the treat. They always come down. He knows every species that he feeds. Sometimes they take it from his hand, and sometimes a fence railing he is standing beside. He tells stories of birds, and always recalls birdwatching with his wife, who I assume is passed on. He will be happy to talk about birds as long as you stand there and share his passion with him. It's fascinating, really.

Sometimes I don't have the camera with me; today I had it, and was hoping to catch some bird feeding action. I don't like to get too close while he's feeding them for fear of scaring them off, and intruding on his gift. It's always nice to run into the bird man.

April 27, 2010

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/125
Av( Aperture Value ) 7.1
ISO Speed 100

Treasures of the Orient

Well, I spent all day in chemo-jail today... on a very nice day to boot. So I am busting out some photos from my photo adventure from the last week at the defunct Vollmar's Park, where Holly and I (and baby) were trespassing through the creepy, overgrown, collapsing grounds.

I used a pre-set in Lightroom to tone down the volume of color to make them almost look monochromatic - or make them look antique-ish.




Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/250
Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0
ISO Speed 100