Caught in the morning sun

"There is no hope for a civilization which starts each day to the sound of an alarm clock." (Author Unknown)

You might have guessed that I'm not a morning person. It's not that I don't like mornings - I do, very much - since I'm still up early most mornings and then go to bed. And this week I've even been getting up early to do some photo shoots. So this morning I found myself driving through the countryside looking sideways more than straight ahead. And since I had my camera with me anyway I could just stop in the middle of the road and capture a scene that I wouldn't normally be up to see.


Even though I have some (relatively) early morning work this week, I still subscribe to the wisdom in the quote above - my wife (definitely the early bird) wakes me up !


(10-22mm  f11.0  1/100 sec  ISO200)


click on photo to enlarge

Project 365 - 'rule' #2 or carpe diem

Our recent 'balmy' weather, which was responsible for the little snow we had to completely disappear, has in turn been replaced by more winter-like weather. Not that I expected it to remain, but it reminded me of this song. Of course, like all of you would, I saw this as an opportunity to capture the beauty of a fresh snowfall.

Now I didn't rush right out, camera in hand and Sasha in tow. I was fortunate to pick up a bit of paid photography work this week - I've been asked by the business where my son designs kitchens to build a photo portfolio of their finished work; I'd shot some of their work on a trial (read 'non-paid') basis and it looks like they've liked it enough to pay me for some more shoots. So - on my way home early this evening from a shoot I spotted a scene, right in town, that I hadn't really noticed before (yep - even after all I learned from doing a 365, I obviously still have to practice closer observation !). At least I put rule #2 into practice.

(18-55mm  f9.0  30 sec  ISO400)

On the way home

Sasha and I went to the vet today - she got the shot, I paid the bill. Sasha doesn't mind if I go on photo shoots, as long as she gets to ride along. I took a different route home which passed through a little-traveled area, where I hadn't been in some time. I decided that I could get a better view by venturing onto the ice - recall that we had 'balmy' temps of 11C/52F here the past couple of days.

Fortunately the area was fairly secluded so there were no passersby to see me gingerly test the ice near the edge of the creek. It seemed safe enough, despite some ominous looking cracks. Screwing up my courage I decided that an even better view might be had by lying down on the ice. I had visions of the ice giving way leaving me to dog paddle back to shore with a ruined camera and a bruised ego. But, I breathed and moved cautiously, and all went well.

Somehow my photo shoots don't produce that glow of accomplishment if I haven't turned it into an adventure of sorts.

(note: all 3 shots made with a 10-22mm lens at f11.0, ISO200 and shutter speeds of 1/125, 1/320, and 1/250 sec)

The Master at work

The weather was downright balmy (11C/52F) the last 2 days (we had a couple of colder days than that in Florida in December !). And those temperatures were achieved without the benefit of the sun, in fact, the skies have been mostly overcast for the past 2 weeks. That has meant that there have not been (m)any opportunities to capture a sunset.

Many of you are familiar with Scott's Sunset Sundays. I think Scott and Chad have the corner on almost-out-of-this-world sunsets. Since I haven't been able to capture one these past 2 weeks since we returned, I got this one from my Florida archives. I think that the Master paints these all over the world, for our viewing pleasure.

(18-55mm  f16  1/15 sec  ISO200)

click on photo to enlarge

Post Project 365 - day 1

Calvin:  “You can't just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood."

Hobbes: "What mood is that?"

Calvin:    "Last-minute panic.”

I came across that quote today whilst surfing some photography sites - pretty much captures the feeling some days while doing a Project 365.

Life felt a bit different today - no glances out the window when I woke up wondering what might become my photographic 'subject' for today (although the thought did cross my mind as I glanced out the window).

I jotted down a few recollections on my experience doing a Project 365. I imagine there are countless similar posts out there already, and I looked at a few before I started, but, as with many things in life you have to participate to really experience it. I'll add more in future posts as I recall them (I have a good memory, but it's short).

 

1. ABC - Always Bring Camera - a cardinal rule that will avoid regrets, trust me

2. Carpe Diem, or act when the opportunity is there - it likely won't come back

3. develop new eyes for seeing the world; stop just looking at it

4. get to know your camera - get out of Automatic

5. experiment - with light, angles, camera settings, subjects, day, night, weather, etc

6. take 20,000 (at least) photos this year - that's less than 55 per day

7. shoot every day, post every day if possible

8. keep notes of potential opportunities - don't rely on mental notes like I tried

9. learn some rules of composition and try to apply them

10. visit other photographers' and photography sites and learn as much as you can

11. don't get so engrossed with capturing the moment that you forget to enjoy it

12. oh, if applicable, get your 'significant other' onside, preferably before you start

There were days when I had enough different photos to fill a month and other days when I relied on panic (see quote). I stuck to posting photos I'd shot on that day only (with a couple of unavoidable exceptions) - which meant I revisited places to shoot subjects I had captured previously but had not posted.

Sorry for the long(er than usual) post, but I did get some shots yesterday while out for our last walk of the year. These were found hidden in a little area amongst the cedar trees well back of our house.

(18-55mm  f8.0  2 sec  ISO200)

click on photo to enlarge

(10-22mm  f5.6  1 sec  ISO200)

Note: I set the white balance to 'tungsten' to get the blue effect for better contrast for the next shot.

(18-55mm  f8.0  2 sec  ISO200)