February 4, 2013

 

First Day!  I awoke early, made coffee and kissed my husband out the door.  The pup & I got to Palmer Park just before twilight in time for dawn and sunrise.  We heard the owl and the rooster before the sun crested the rise.  Wonderful beginning.

There is a ton to do, so priorities need to be made.  Which is difficult because I’d rather be playing with dolls and lenses!

I am hoping to reserve a cottage next week, but that would mean that someone must cancel.  So I’m sending out good vibes — that someone must change their plans due to a happy event rather than a disappointment.  Fingers crossed!

For today’s image I set up this tiny couple with sugar to help keep them steady, using tweezers to position them.  I took the shot near the end of the day, so I had light coming through the kitchen window.  With an aperture of 5.6 and exposure of .8 seconds, I got a softly lit image.  I used Kim Klassen’s “pourvous” texture to add the scripted background.

February 3, 2013

 

Sunday hike on a beautiful and crisp morning.  I knew I could find some hearts in the aspen grove.  I am not a fan of people carving into these trees.  But the hearts are there, so I thought I’d shoot them.  I remembered a zoom technique that I’d seen, and thought I’d give it a try.  This would definitely work better with a tripod and filter!  But I had such fun experimenting.  I set the shutter speed for 1 second (and a tiny aperature, too); started with my lens zoomed in on the heart, clicked and held for a moment, then quickly zoomed out for the remaining time.  That’s all! I bumped up the contrast just a bit, but otherwise this is right out of the camera, with no special effects or textures.

It looks like a beaming heart, and I have a beaming heart myself today.

February 2, 2013

Amethyst

 

~ February’s birthstone.  I have a little bowl full of these gemstones, tiny and glass-like.

This Saturday, we both just played the day away.  My husband has been working on a sterling and turquoise pendant, picking up his craft after a long break.  He’s been so frustrated, but in the end it turned out lovely and unique.

I got an email from Kim Klassen, that her Lightroom class is starting up again in March.  So I guess I’ll jump in and upgrade my Elements, pull down the Lightroom trial, and open myself up to some new learning!

February 1, 2013

Hearts Month!

 

My February daily challenge is, of course, hearts.  Hearts in nature, in storefronts, in peanut butter — whatever.  The heart above, in a bowl full of little treasures, is from my son and his wife.  It always makes me smile when I walk by and glance at it.

Today was my last day at work.  I thought I’d just be excited, but I was also exhausted!  Came home for lunch and ate leftovers.  Looked online for cottage availability.  Took my pup out and shot pictures of yuccas. [ In the spring and summer there are cactus in Palmer Park that sometimes grow into heart shapes, but tis not the season in February.]

I’m hoping to quietly celebrate with my husband this evening.  I think Monday will really feel like the First Day.  I do feel relief and happiness and thankfulness to be out of this job and onto something new.

“Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first.  Ask questions, then feel the answer.  Learn to trust your heart.”  ~no source given

 

January 31, 2013

The last day of January, the last day of my 50mm assignment, and a bit of fun playing with depth-of-field.  These matroyshka dolls have been a favorite of my granddaughter since she was a tiny girl.  They hold each other, and also hold many happy memories.  A co-worker brought these back from a trip to visit Russian astronauts, back in the early ’90s.

This was the last full day at the office.  I should be writing notes, but it is hard to say good-bye, especially to say it well.  So I will have a cup of tea, sleep a bit, and rise early to pull together whatever I will  Then I will be on a new road.

Happy Endings.  Happy Beginnings.

January 29, 2013

Same Tree, Next Day

I looked out the window this morning, and, Yay!  It was snowing!  I wanted to leave a bit early so I could drive by yesterday’s tree and capture it laden with snow.  Only, it wasn’t laden, not even a little bit.  I’m back to my 50mm today.  Also, back to work for a few more days.  I know the pup was just aching to get out and run about in the snow.  Its what he’s built for.  I reminded myself several times today that soon I’ll have lots of opportunities to enjoy the winter days — blue skies and white-outs both.

January 28, 2013

Today: I took the day off, but let this not be an indication of things to come!  I spent much more time poking around on the computer, not much time at all defining and working toward my goals.  That said, I did get out this morning for the moonset, and this afternoon when I saw some delicious clouds on the horizon.  I had a picture in my head, but the clouds were lower than I had hoped.  Still, I’m rather fond of the results.

If you’re stopping by from Texture Tuesday’s link party — welcome!  This is currently a very humble little blog where I’m keeping myself accountable to post a picture and a few words every day, hoping to get my gears in motion.

For the image above, I barely adjusted the contrast, then copied the background and applied “soft light” at 100%.  There are two layers of Kim Klassen’s “Minus 43;” one at 100% soft light and another at 13% luminosity.  The image is viewed better here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmvogt/8426076540/in/photostream/lightbox/

I wish to say, Kim Klassen is an example of generosity, creativity and encouragement that I hope to emulate.  If you’re not familiar with her blog and her work, please stop by and browse for a while.  You’ll be glad you did!

http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/ (I tried to grab a button, but it didn’t work for me this time!)

January 27, 2013

 

Last night we celebrated Chelise’s birthday.  Here she is with her nephew, who is looking quite dapper.  I had a little fun with photoshop — can you tell?

“Anyone’s life truly lived consists of work, sunshine, exercise, soap, plenty of fresh air, and a happy contented spirit.” ~Lillie Langtry

 

January 26, 2013

 

Stepped away from the 50mm today to get some chores done: housework, dog walk, errand.  We enjoyed dinner at a neighborhood Korean restaurant.  Its in a little strip-mall that we drive by when we take Rio to camp.  Great Korean bbq in a bento box with rice and sides.

I witnessed a tremendous sunset last night.  Took the above shot just before the sky started turning into flames.  The patterned ice, red path and amber brush just caught my eye.

We had clouds tonight; I was hoping to catch the moonrise, but it was not to be.  Next month?

January 25, 2013

Happy Friday!

 

I was off work early today and made it home with nice light for shooting the flowers my son gave me on his birthday.  I am so blessed with children who possess loving hearts.  One of my certain delights is seeing them enjoy each other’s company, tell their childhood stories, have intelligent adult conversations.  Surely I do miss their baby selves and I even dream about them as little ones.  But I just love who they are, now.