Sunday, February 28, 2010

Chaos


This week has been a bit crazy. We got back from being out of town last Sunday, I had some minor surgery on Wednesday and I haven't been caught up since. Right now my house is chaotic!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Bold


Friday, February 26, 2010

Self Portrait Mini Assignment


I followed this tutorial to turn this into a "sketch" and to learn a bit more about software and how it works. This is a really fun idea and I love the picture in the tutorial. I think I finally get the "layering" idea. This really turned out a little creepy, I hope my kids don't see it, they may have nightmares.

I actually think I like this one better, it was created as one of the steps in the process to get the sketch. I like all the shades of gray used to make a picture, life is really like that, lots of shades of gray.




Here is the original

Arc



I have officially used all the February themes so I am going back to January's themes. I really played with the colors in this to get the rust to show up better. There is so much to learn on the software side of photography....it is a big learning arc, no pun intended.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

White



Yes, I am totally cheating, I took this picture a day early. I was in Park City shopping and a storm moved in totally covering the mountains in white, I couldn't resist this shot. This is the entrance to the Olympic Park where the 2002 Olympics was held. I cheat on my diet sometimes too...it is a theme with me.




I actually ended up in the same spot today by accident and was able to get another picture, with the mountains and the ski jump in the background.

What is That?


Scroll down for the answer!














BANANAS! Did you get it?

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Simplicity


Oddity


You don't see many of these still in use, most of my neighbors have air conditioned/heated enclosed tractors. The owner of this beauty was out the day before clearing his driveway. I don't know how old it is but I am betting it is older than I am.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Zion National Park

We spent the weekend with my daughter and son-in-law. We went hiking in the rain at Zion National Park. I took almost 200 pictures over the weekend, I am still learning to use all of the features of my camera but I feel like my skills are improving.

It was raining when we first started out, the rain made the rocks shiny and brought out all the different colors.

The downside of the rain was the muddy trail.

The upside of the rain was the waterfalls, they were amazing!


I tried using a bit of creativity with this picture, I focused on the rocks and water and set the focus, then took the picture as my daughter was crossing. I like the way it feels, the motion of jumping across the water.



This was my attempt at small depth of field with a point and shoot. It is a bit tricky to set up, this is the best I think my camera can do. Anyone have a deal on a used SLR?

I haven't edited any of these pictures because the color and lighting was so interesting that day. I really like this one, it reminds me of an oil painting.

Another small depth of field, I do like the way this one turned out. I think the lighting and coloring of the background make a difference with the settings.



We had fun pulling the branches of the trees and letting them go then watching the water droplets all come off at once. I will edit this one a bit to get the water to show up better. Overall I learned a great deal, mostly about the limits of my camera, and that you can get great pictures when the light is muted, and that I could spend all day taking pictures. My husband started calling, "hey Foto Mat, are you coming?"

Luscious



I am learning to use the macro mode on my camera, I am not totally satisfied but I have learned a ton!

Kitchen Utensils


Glass




We were on the road today, traveling in the rain. I am sticking to my original plan of taking a picture for the theme every day, even when I am on vacation.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Geometric


I started out the day wondering what I was going to find in my rural landscape that would be considered "Geometric". For some unknown reason in my mind anything geometric was in a city. Anyway, I took over 50 pictures today. Fences, gates, barns, sprinklers.....my eyes are opened!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Five


I wanted to choose something unique for this photo and the name of my town has 5 letters. We still have a really old theater in operation, very authentic, no air conditioning!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Feminine


Monday, February 15, 2010

Domestic


Sunday, February 14, 2010

Chocolate


Saturday, February 13, 2010

Children's Toys


Friday, February 12, 2010

Big and Small



Thursday, February 11, 2010

Alone....


This is the most interesting and fun dog I have ever met. Her name is Tasha. We got her from the local no kill shelter 3 years ago.....and what a great choice we made. There is no guessing with Tasha, she lets you know how she feels. In this picture she is pouting, our other dog gets to come in when it is really cold due to her arthritis. Tasha was so upset she just sat down in the snow and let it pile up on her back. She noticed me right when I snapped the picture, can you see the look on her face? She is thinking, is she going to let me in NOW?