• architecture,  Photography

    Taking Action

    December 8, 2009
    Shadows and WIndows

    Chase Jarvis interrupted me the other day. I was happily checking my google reader when I found this post. My answer to his question was: nothing. Well, actually I was sitting on my tush. I looked outside to ponder his question and saw I had maybe an hours worth of sunlight. What was I doing here? I’m not taking photos, that’s for sure. So, I put on my shoes and jacket, grabbed the camera and went for a walk. And, what did I find?

    The sky was a clear blue and long shadows were starting to stretch across the parking lot. It was cold but that didn’t seem to matter. I actually came up with 4 decent images. What was most important was that I took action to take those images. If I’d stayed at the computer I would not have seen these gifts of sunlight and shadows nor would I have had the opportunity to photograph them. Shooting is what we love. How often do we find something else to do instead of shoot?

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  • Documentary/Street

    A Moment of Silence

    December 7, 2009
    In Remembrance

    Today is the 68th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. That attack sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer, destroyed 188 aircraft, and caused personnel losses of 2,402 killed and 1,282 wounded. The United States entered into World War II. I offer a moment of silence in memory of those who lost their lives in that war.

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  • Art/Design,  Photography

    I can wait, maybe…

    December 6, 2009

    Lamp and Shadows

    Here’s my story. So, I leave the coffee shop after a small mocha latte and a half cup of coffee. I knew I should use the restroom before I leave but because I was in a hurry I decided against it. (Did you notice all the “I’s” in that sentence? Sometimes it’s not such a good idea to listen to a caffeinated person.) Anyway, traffic back to the apartment was no problem but the beautiful sunshine was. I walk into the apartment and discovered the room filled with bright sunlight. Now we’ve just had gray skies and rain for the last 2 days so I am a bit excited. All I can see is the sunlight coming in on the lamp and casting its shadow on the wall. I tell myself I can wait! I imagine it was comical to watch me dance in the middle of the living room, grabbing my camera out of my bag and firing off a dozen shots and chimping to make sure there are not blown highlights. Got it! I put the camera down and off the to restroom I go. Oh, the decisions a photographer makes when good light appears. Anyone else have to make tough decisions like that?

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  • Holiday Seasons

    Trees up

    December 5, 2009

    Tree Ornaments

    So what are you suppose to do on a cold, cloudy, rainy day in the first week of December? Well, I decided to make a pot of creamy chicken noodle soup. Sounded good to me and once I had it simmering on the stove it smelled even better. While the soup was cooking I went ahead and put up the tree, well actually two. When I went to the store earlier for the ingredients to make the soup, I found a small 3 foot tree, with lights, on sale for 10 bucks. So, I bought it and now I have two trees this year. These two 3 foot trees, which equal 6, are small compared to Earl and Bonnies 9 footer but if I buy a third one next year we’ll have the same size trees. Anyway, later on in the evening I sat down and enjoyed my bowl of soup, a piece of blueberry pie and my two trees. Trees are up and lights are on. Here’s an image of one of my little angels.

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  • People/Portraits

    Yes, I know…

    December 4, 2009

    Self

    … you’ve seen this guy before. And, yes, I also know he’s not as pretty as Tracy, but, believe it or not, he does have some good qualities. Here’s a couple of examples: 1) he’s easy to coax in front a camera, just offer him chocolate, 2) he does just about everything I think he should do and sometimes more, so the interactions good. Of course he’s not perfect and there are a few character defects that are being worked on. He does one thing that bothers me, though. After every shot he has this tendency to run around behind the camera and chimp the LCD looking at the histogram and his expression. He will sometimes grimace and make strange looking faces, maybe a grunt or two, then suggests we try it again. He could also use a haircut!

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  • lifestyles,  National Parks,  People/Portraits

    Colorado Snow and Hot Chocolate

    December 3, 2009

    Jon at Cameron Pass

    The Rocky Mountain snowfalls provide some wonderful times for those who enjoy the winter season. There wonderful opportunities to cross country sky, down hill ski, sledding, snow shoeing, snowmobiling and for the hardy souls, camping. I’m not one of those! The day after a snowfall can have sunshine and warm temperatures allowing people to get out and about. The skiing, both down hill and cross country, is not my forte but the slow methodical snow shoeing brings a smile to my face and plenty of exercise. It also works better for me as a photographer. A fresh snowfall can present some wonderful light to work with. When you add a skier, such as Jon, magic happens. This image was taken a couple of years ago on top of Cameron Pass in north central Colorado, about  an hour from my condo in Fort Collins. I ventured out on New Years day with Tracy and Jon. They did some cross country skiing while I snowshoed and sweated up a storm with a happy trigger finger. 🙂 After an exhilarating day out in the cold a hot chocolate sure tastes good.

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  • architecture

    While on my walk….

    December 2, 2009

    Lamp

    Sometimes when I arrive at our hotel I find a walk to be good medicine for relieving any stress. While on such a walk I found this lamp on the outside of the hotel as a simple yet interesting subject. How often do we walk by these simple objects and never see them?

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