Day 333 Hands

I enjoyed yesterdays lighting practice so today I thought it would be fun to photograph something with a bit of a back light. I photographed my husbands hands as hands are always interesting.

Day 332 Wayne

Since listening to Dan Winters speak almost a year ago, I've realized my lighting ability is pretty primitive. I don't have the right equipment or even a decent place to try different techniques. So while I have wanted to become better at lighting I haven't dwelled on the matter. But yesterday I watched a movie where a character was consumed in darkness, light only on his profile, so I thought I'd like to try it. I know you have to use something to partially block out the light but I don't have any stands that can hold such props. I tried holding a piece of cardboard and taking the picture at the same time myself but that proved difficult. My husband then volunteered to hold the cardboard and model at the same time, this worked.

Day 331 Girl Riding By

Another day gone by with no pictures, so I sat on my front porch and photographed a girl riding by.

Day 330 At the Movies

I've often gone to the movies with my husband and noticed all the wonderful colors. Always there are kids playing around in the soft light with all the colors behind them, today I finally asked if I could photograph a child I saw running around. The mom didn't mind and the little girl was so photographic that it was a huge disappointment to me that I missed almost every opportunity I had. She was so happy and full of laughter as she chased after a golf ball. Just as I was getting my bearings and feeling ready to get that "great shot" the older woman keeping an eye on her got up and they left.

After the movie my husband and I sat down at the restaurant across the way and had a light meal. Sitting outside I could watch as the people entered and exited the theater. So many great happenings in the light while my camera was out of hand. But I did manage this (bottom) picture.

She's taking a picture of her friends and I am taking a picture of her. How fun is that.

Day 329 Frying Pans

I've wanted to photograph the back of the frying pan pictured at top, for months now. I see it all the time while washing the dishes. I've spent a lot of time wondering what would be the best way to photograph it. Then a few weeks ago it came to me, that the best way would be just to have my husband hold it. Photographing it was so much fun and went so quickly, that I had to photograph the small pan too.

Day 328 Clara Senior Portraits

I had a great time today shooting Clara's senior portraits. We went to a few scenic places in Livermore. I don't know what she's going to like, but I am posting my favorite two images.

And if this wasn't fun enough, Clara and her mom Kitty took me out to dinner!

Day 327 Heather

I noticed Heather sitting, obviously waiting for a ride, so I asked her for a picture. I took two frames and then her ride showed up.

Day 326 People Passing BY

It was a busy day today and with no picture to show for it, I sat on my front porch and photographed a few people passing by. I think it'd be fun to turn this into a series.

Day 325 Bush Under Water

I was trimming the hedge out front and decided to water it for today's picture.

Day 324 Jeff

I pass by this local store several times during the week. I photographed a different man sitting out front about a year ago, but shot it with black and white film and have not processed it yet. Today I stopped to buy some ice tea and while paying asked Jeff if he'd mind if I took his picture for my blog. He didn't mind.

Day 323 Miniature Pink Rose

I've been wanting to photograph one of the miniature pink roses we have growing in our back yard.

Day 322 Busy Bee at Work

Not the best picture ever, but the best I have for today. I really wished for a macro lens when I noticed all the bees buzzing around these weeds. I'm thinking I'd like to go back tomorrow with a macro and see if I can get a closer picture. This picture reminds me of an old Disney nature scene.

Day 321 Birthday Wishes

I left the house early this morning to go spend the day with my horses. I opened the door to find a big heart and an arrow made of post it notes on the glass door. I looked in the direction the arrow told me to, to see my car covered in more post it notes. This was a huge surprise and it turned what was going to be an ordinary day into an extra special day.

My son did this for me, and I should not be surprised. He has done some very extra special things for me in the past. They say you know how a man is going to treat his wife based on how he treats his mother. Someday when he meets the right girl he will make a wonderful husband.

I love you Steven you brightened my day!

Day 320 Drive to Work

A few scenes from my drive to work.

Day 319 Covey

After a long day at work I went to where the horses are boarded so Covey could have his teeth floated. I worry about him. His age is unknown but my vet guesses at least 28. He was blind in one eye when I got him, and now he is blind in both eyes. He is happy in the pasture he lives in and gets around well.

Day 318 Rick and Mary

I often see Rick standing in front of his house and think he'd look nice in one of my photographs. Today I stopped and asked him for a picture, he was happy to be in one of my pictures but the sun was in the wrong spot for what I wanted and it just didn't work out. Then along came Mary. She drove up and asked who I was. I told her I was just some strange lady taking pictures. She asked Rick how he was doing, then had to be on her way. I grabbed this picture as they were saying good by.

Day 317 Spoon Under Water

I had other plans for a picture today, but while I was washing the dishes I noticed how pretty the water looked running off this spoon in the morning light.

Day 316 Secret Places

I love secret looking places. All this photo needs is a scantily clad man with a meat cleaver.

Day 315 Red Headed Woman on a Bike

One shot taken while driving.

Day 314 The Spider Eats the Fly, So Cool!

My car wouldn't start today. Maybe I ran out of gas, maybe I need a new battery, in any case I was stuck at home. I photographed a few things around the house. Feeling that I had not quite gotten my photo for the day, I kept an eye open.

Outside was an empty bag of dog food I thought I would throw in the trash. Actually it wasn't empty, it had dog poo inside. I use empty dog food bags to put the poo in, that way it can easily go in the trash come trash day. Nice and tidy system. Plus the dog food bag gets used twice! Ah but I digress... I go to grab the bag when I noticed a dark spot on the side, wow! a spider and a fly! I ran inside to get my macro lens and prayed they'd still be there when I got back. They had moved but I found them. The spider had taken it's meal to the shade. I maneuvered the bag to put the spider and fly in the sun but each time I did the spider moved very spider fast back into the shade. Eventually I was able to take a few pictures with decent light. I have to say, I love the red of the dog food bag as opposed to some more natural setting.

I have been wanting to get a good spider picture for a very long time. Not easy to do.

Day 313 Post 2, A Bunch of Girls

Yesterday I was walking down the street when I noticed a guy siting on a fence writing something in a notebook. He looked so introspective and the evening light was right on his shoulders. I could have taken a picture of him just then, but I wanted a closer shot. So I asked him for a picture. He smiled about it but told me to go get a picture of the girls. I really didn't want to, I've seen them before and they haven't seemed like very nice people, but I walked over and talked to them. I took a few pictures for myself then took a lot of pictures for them on their I-Phone. I walked back over to the guy and ended up taking a few pictures of him as well. He was fine when I took the pictures but afterward must have been afraid, (earlier he did mention he thought the police could eventually see the picture) because he then leaned over very close to my face and told me to delete the pictures. I refused and he grabbed at my camera and tried to delete them himself. I backed away and told him not to touch my camera. He then whispered to my face that If I didn't delete the pictures he was going to mess me and my camera up. I said "Are you threatening me?" He leaned back and just said delete the pictures. I refused. The girls walked over and proceeded to tell me I was about to get fucked up. They were all in my face with their arms waving in the air as they shouted out threats. I told the guy I don't like being threatened and it was because of that I was not deleting the pictures. The girls continually walked around talking their threats making a scene while the guy and I "discussed things." Finally he said "Please delete the pictures." But I didn't like the way he said please so I didn't. He said please a few more times. Finally I said "if I walk away are you going to do anything to me or my camera?" He said "No" So I deleted the picture and left.

It was not a very good picture. I had no problem deleting it. I would have when I got home as my general rule is if it's not good enough for the blog it gets deleted. The exception being Steven's swimming pictures. Although I have been rethinking this policy because I am not the best judge of my own work.

For instance, after I left this scene I met the two girls in yesterdays original Day 313 post. I took their picture and last night when I was going through my images I decided their picture was a better picture. I wanted to post one of the girls so I could tell my story, but I didn't think I had a decent picture. Now this morning with fresh eyes I absolutely love this picture, and because I do want to tell my story, and because I have posted my best pictures for a day a day or two late before, and because it's my blog and I can do want, I am posting this picture as yesterdays best picture.

Day 313 Two Girls on a Bike

I noticed these two girls walking with a bike. I took a couple of pictures of them and went on my way. I walked around the block and saw them riding their bike towards me, I could hear them laughing as they saw me too. So I said O.K. if you want me to take another picture ride your bike through the light, and they did.

Day 312 Covey

I really need to take more pictures of Covey. My goal with him is to turn one persons trash (he was sold to slaughter) into another persons work of art (my photographs). Plus I love him, he is so sweet. He was happy to stand there for me today and he even seemed to know he was modeling.

Day 311 During my Drive Home

These pictures were taken about twenty minutes apart.

Day 310 Steven Swimming May 2010

I had a lot to choose from today. We had a good time out at the pool. Such beautiful weather.

Day 309 Mike and Mitch

While driving to work I noticed a man sitting on his porch steps. I turned around and asked him for a picture. He didn't mind and just sat there as I took whatever I wanted. I didn't take many, just a few, but then my sights turned to an old barn. I noticed the cactus was the same cactus I had in a picture I took a couple of days ago. Since the picture I took a couple of days ago is far better than the one I took today, I am including it in this post, bottom pic. You can tell I took it while driving. The top picture is what I noticed while driving this morning, and what I was hoping to get when I stopped. The middle picture... well I only include it because of the look of admiration Mike has for Mitch, and the proud posture of Mitch, as if he knows he is something special. Just like a cat.

Day 308 Drive to and From Work 11

Top two were taken while driving to work. The bottom was taken on my drive home. Only I stopped the jeep and asked Noe for a picture. He consented and stood perfectly for me. I have driven by this tire shop hundreds of times and always think it would make an awesome picture.

Day 307 Drive to Work

The bottom picture really doesn't go well with the other three, and is probably not as good of a picture, but I not willing to give it up. I just love the man and his hat in the morning light.

The top scenery picture is my absolute favorite. I love it. I wish I could take a picture I like this much every day.